adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

You just gotta love, fun and quirky! Mariana Zapata’s characters, especially the female main characters are always outspoken. They say exactly what they’re thinking and they’re just a lot of fun. 

So far in the books that I’ve read the MMC’s are grumpy sunshine, stubborn, and once they get their claws on you… possessive. 

Another thing about her books is they are extremely long, slow burns. The pining the chemistry is all there. 

This story was actually really interesting because you have Aurora who was coming back to where she grew up and lived with her mother. She was in a relationship with a star, but her relationship was secret.  Obviously she was not treated well and what I loved about this FMC is that she never and I mean ever have thoughts of returning to that life. Even if they came begging, she put her foot down and said no she was moving forward and I love that about a strong FMC.

This was definitely a new journey for Aurora when she meets Tobias Rhoades and his son and it was just all very cute and beautiful between the story of Amos‘s to Dad’s the story of Aurora‘s mom coming to live in the small town again learning how to work at a job with her BFF and just rekindling that friendship.

I loved it! 
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5/5

This was my first Mariana Zapata book and I. AM. LIVING.

Aurora, affectionately called Ora, is traveling with her suitcase when she decides to settle in her small country hometown. Upon arriving at the rental, she finds a teenage boy who posted the rental online, and his gruff, salt-and-pepper haired, ex-Marine father named Rhodes - who knew nothing about renting out his garage. What follows is a tale of confronting past hurts, building confidence and eventually coming out of a lonely shell.

I personally love when romance books give you a diverse narrative of love - and this book had it! You get to see developments in Aurora's relationship with the teenagers, with her old and new friends, with Rhodes, with her grief and heartbreak, and most importantly with herself.

A spectacular slow-burn romance! I'm reading The Wall Of Winnipeg next!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Characters: Aurora, Rhodes, Amos, Claire, Kaden Jones
Location: Colorado

Songwriter aurora moves back home after a long term romantic/professional relationship ends and meets Rhodes and Amos. She is on a mission to connect with her missing mother. 

Mostly great! She's a great author and I'll definitely be reading more! My only cons were the books length and the sloooooow burn was a bit too slow for me. 

no fault of this book but i think it’s bc i’m still coming down from the high that is having purchased tickets to the Era’s Tour (out of sheer luck, mind you / people who had to wait for hours in the ticketek queue know the struggle) that i haven’t felt as ecstatic as i’d hoped to about this read

note to self to give myself a few days after the actual concert before i bounce back into reading / other pursuits
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous emotional 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

4th time read. Go-to comfort reread.
adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No