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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
re-read this again because I love MZ books so much.
The slow burn is excruciating perfect in Hands Down. it's so slow that you are like on the edge for them to FINALLY DO IT. This book will always be a 5 star for me because it's not just about getting to THOSE scenes, it's about what happens along the way until that point.
I love Bianca and her being the Lazy Baker. I mean I bought the LAB shift from MZ's online store coz i love the concept. Even if she is a little naive for a 26 year old though.
Same with Zac. I have to remind myself that they are older and not in there twenties.
I HATE that they lost 10 years of communication though. like i really really wish they didn't. as a person if that happened to me it would of broken my heart just like it broke Bianca's even if they were just friends back then! But in the end all works out <3
The slow burn is excruciating perfect in Hands Down. it's so slow that you are like on the edge for them to FINALLY DO IT. This book will always be a 5 star for me because it's not just about getting to THOSE scenes, it's about what happens along the way until that point.
I love Bianca and her being the Lazy Baker. I mean I bought the LAB shift from MZ's online store coz i love the concept. Even if she is a little naive for a 26 year old though.
Same with Zac. I have to remind myself that they are older and not in there twenties.
I HATE that they lost 10 years of communication though. like i really really wish they didn't. as a person if that happened to me it would of broken my heart just like it broke Bianca's even if they were just friends back then! But in the end all works out <3
So I waited a really long time to read this book. I was afraid it would disappoint me and I really wanted Zac's story to be awesome. Having just reread Wait for It and From Lukov with Love, I was expecting more attraction sooner. I'm reserving judgment though. I'm going to wait until there is an audiobook. Maybe the audiobook will be more obvious for me. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book. I'm just saying that it didn't grab me like some of Mariana's other books. I still really enjoyed it, but I'm reserving overall judgment. I'm also willing to change my rating after an audiobook.
Update: I was finally able to listen to the audiobook and I have to admit, the attraction still wasn't there early on. This time, I grew incredibly irritated at Bianca's inability to talk to people. I remember when I read Luna and the Lie, I was really frustrated with how she let people keep treating her poorly. But for Bianca, she has great relationships with everyone except Zac. If Zac was such an important person to her, why did she pull away so much? I get that she was young, but seriously. He was a huge part of her life. And then to keep acting all martyr like? It was really frustrating and I found myself wanting to smack her upside the head. I think that's what bugged me the first time. Not so much that the attraction took so long to see, but that Bianca wasn't someone I could really root for.
Update: I was finally able to listen to the audiobook and I have to admit, the attraction still wasn't there early on. This time, I grew incredibly irritated at Bianca's inability to talk to people. I remember when I read Luna and the Lie, I was really frustrated with how she let people keep treating her poorly. But for Bianca, she has great relationships with everyone except Zac. If Zac was such an important person to her, why did she pull away so much? I get that she was young, but seriously. He was a huge part of her life. And then to keep acting all martyr like? It was really frustrating and I found myself wanting to smack her upside the head. I think that's what bugged me the first time. Not so much that the attraction took so long to see, but that Bianca wasn't someone I could really root for.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Brb moving to Texas to find MY Big Texas
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i felt like there was no chemistry between them, it always just felt like they had a sibling dynamic rather than a romantic one
It was not bad but the fact that he calls her "kiddo" annoys me so much
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5
CW: cheating (mention), toxic exes (recurring theme), death of loved one (mentioned)
Tropes: childhood friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance, second chance romance
I enjoyed this book, but I don't think nearly as much as Kulti. However this wasn't bogged down by problematic behavior like with Kulti, which is why their ratings aren't too far apart. I really loved the depiction of their friendship throughout and how comfortable and genuine they felt when they were with each other. I also liked how it did address Zac's past playboy ways instead of just pretending they didn't happen, although I wish we'd gotten more insight into Zac's own development.
A character I was not excepting to have fleshed out was the grumpy agent from Wall of Winnipeg. We got to see an entirely new dimension of him that I actually really appreciated. I think it really helps this book as a sequel to Wall of Winnipeg and I'd be lying if I said I didn't secretly wish there is a Trevor book in the future from his POV.
I loved the strong family ties that we saw in this book and appreciated that Zapata took some space to at least acknowledge the complexities that come with being mixed. The interaction with the crappy aunt was really interesting and I think more could have been done with that, but I'm glad we got to see a confrontation of sorts of fatphobia. It doesn't make up for the other slightly fatphobic language and implications in her novels, but it was an appreciated inclusion nonetheless.
Honestly, I think this book stands out from her others in how a lot of the side characters really shined by throwing us a bit of a loop. Richard, Trevor, and CJ were all so cute that I hope we can get their stories in the future (if we haven't already).
Sadly, this also means the main couple was relatively lackluster to me. While I loved their friendship and humor, I thought sometimes Bianca's denseness was very forced at times. It was really frustrating how she simply refused to communicate and I think it would have been better if she'd reflected on that aspect of herself. I loved Zac, but he also felt way too perfect? I wish we could have seen more of his insecurities and explored his multitudes that were hinted at throughout the book instead of constantly being reminded of his "baby blues."
CW: cheating (mention), toxic exes (recurring theme), death of loved one (mentioned)
Tropes: childhood friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance, second chance romance
I enjoyed this book, but I don't think nearly as much as Kulti. However this wasn't bogged down by problematic behavior like with Kulti, which is why their ratings aren't too far apart. I really loved the depiction of their friendship throughout and how comfortable and genuine they felt when they were with each other. I also liked how it did address Zac's past playboy ways instead of just pretending they didn't happen, although I wish we'd gotten more insight into Zac's own development.
A character I was not excepting to have fleshed out was the grumpy agent from Wall of Winnipeg. We got to see an entirely new dimension of him that I actually really appreciated. I think it really helps this book as a sequel to Wall of Winnipeg and I'd be lying if I said I didn't secretly wish there is a Trevor book in the future from his POV.
I loved the strong family ties that we saw in this book and appreciated that Zapata took some space to at least acknowledge the complexities that come with being mixed. The interaction with the crappy aunt was really interesting and I think more could have been done with that, but I'm glad we got to see a confrontation of sorts of fatphobia. It doesn't make up for the other slightly fatphobic language and implications in her novels, but it was an appreciated inclusion nonetheless.
Honestly, I think this book stands out from her others in how a lot of the side characters really shined by throwing us a bit of a loop. Richard, Trevor, and CJ were all so cute that I hope we can get their stories in the future (if we haven't already).
Sadly, this also means the main couple was relatively lackluster to me. While I loved their friendship and humor, I thought sometimes Bianca's denseness was very forced at times. It was really frustrating how she simply refused to communicate and I think it would have been better if she'd reflected on that aspect of herself. I loved Zac, but he also felt way too perfect? I wish we could have seen more of his insecurities and explored his multitudes that were hinted at throughout the book instead of constantly being reminded of his "baby blues."
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Make sure to read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me first
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
love mariana zapata ... but my god bianca is the most unbothered bothered person on planet earth going on for PAGES about how much she doesn’t care that her feelings were hurt