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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I have been on a Mariana Zapata binge, none of the books have disappointed me so far, so naturally, I thought it would be an excellent idea to start the year with an MZ book. UHG, I'm sad to say that I was wrong.
The Best Thing is (so far) my least favorite Zapata book.
Was it slower than usual? Nop, I don't think so.
The writing was still pretty good; however, I didn't connect with the characters or the storyline.
That slow, slow build-up that I was so used to and love from her other books, just seemed to drag, and I couldn't find any excitement to turn the page and find out what was going to happen.
I was in denial. I couldn't see myself ever not liking an MZ book, but there is a first time for everything.
The characters were tedious and the plot just left me angrier than anything else. I can't seem to say much without spoiling this book, because it's still quite crucial that you don't know what the hell is going on when you start reading it. At least, I don't wanna ruin the element of surprise for anyone.
It's only the 4th of January and I wish I could go back in time and choose not to read this book first thing in 2022.
The Best Thing is (so far) my least favorite Zapata book.
Was it slower than usual? Nop, I don't think so.
The writing was still pretty good; however, I didn't connect with the characters or the storyline.
That slow, slow build-up that I was so used to and love from her other books, just seemed to drag, and I couldn't find any excitement to turn the page and find out what was going to happen.
I was in denial. I couldn't see myself ever not liking an MZ book, but there is a first time for everything.
The characters were tedious and the plot just left me angrier than anything else. I can't seem to say much without spoiling this book, because it's still quite crucial that you don't know what the hell is going on when you start reading it. At least, I don't wanna ruin the element of surprise for anyone.
It's only the 4th of January and I wish I could go back in time and choose not to read this book first thing in 2022.
Znaci mariana zapata je izgubila sav moj love s lingus pa mi je zato jakoo jakooo jakooo drago da sam ovo procitala prije jer ovo je meni njena najdraza knjiga tako mi je bilo funny kako je on sazno stavri jer ono i treba mu tako jer je jako bezobrazna htjela sma mrzit MMC ali nisam mogla jer koliko god je los tolkko je i duplo dobar.
Ja ne citam knjige koje imaju sad ending jer meni se to ne svida i ova knjiga nema sad ending ali ima DEVASTATING epilog e ja sam becala ko tuzna godina na to nije bilo normalno ali ono stvarnoo nijeee bilo je i vrlo zabrinjavajuce ali ono u reduuu
On je jako dobra tata za svoju kcer sto mi je drago da je i to je onk main reason mozda zasto ga volim ali besides the point ljuta sam jer je bio mutav bez razloga dosl lik je na pocetku pre alpha i glup.
Kasnije ga bokje upoznamo sto im glad ali ono
Jako dobra knjiga again pre dobro mi je obozavala sam ju i iskreno citala bih ju jos puno puta, prodala bih bubreg da mogu procitat opet iz prve
Ja ne citam knjige koje imaju sad ending jer meni se to ne svida i ova knjiga nema sad ending ali ima DEVASTATING epilog e ja sam becala ko tuzna godina na to nije bilo normalno ali ono stvarnoo nijeee bilo je i vrlo zabrinjavajuce ali ono u reduuu
On je jako dobra tata za svoju kcer sto mi je drago da je i to je onk main reason mozda zasto ga volim ali besides the point ljuta sam jer je bio mutav bez razloga dosl lik je na pocetku pre alpha i glup.
Kasnije ga bokje upoznamo sto im glad ali ono
Jako dobra knjiga again pre dobro mi je obozavala sam ju i iskreno citala bih ju jos puno puta, prodala bih bubreg da mogu procitat opet iz prve
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
Reasons why I would absolutely hate this book: miscommunication trope, baby trope, ghosting people they love when something happens to them.
But here's the thing: the book got to me.
I ended up forgiving Jonah with Lenny. Trust me, I'm pretty unforgiving when it comes to fictional men because I could actually keep tabs of everything. Real life is a bit messier. In Lennys' words:
And I love Lenny for that.
Reasons why I would absolutely hate this book: miscommunication trope, baby trope, ghosting people they love when something happens to them.
But here's the thing: the book got to me.
I ended up forgiving Jonah with Lenny. Trust me, I'm pretty unforgiving when it comes to fictional men because I could actually keep tabs of everything. Real life is a bit messier. In Lennys' words:
“Look, I’m real good at holding grudges, but only if they’re called for, and I’m not going to make my life miserable by being mean to you if you’re trying your best,”
And I love Lenny for that.
Possibly her best yet
I love all the characters in this book. They have real struggles that make the victories all the sweeter. Mariana Zapata is now on my "must buy" list.
I love all the characters in this book. They have real struggles that make the victories all the sweeter. Mariana Zapata is now on my "must buy" list.
look, maybe a 3.5? But it's Zapata, and I love her, and I love her character work so, so, SO much.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
My goodness. I have enjoyed every Mariana Zapata book I've read to date (with the exception of Dear Aaron, which was sorta meh for me) and I thought I loved her books before. Then I read The Best Thing and enjoyed it thoroughly until I got to the end. I sobbed. I laughed. I looked like a raging lunatic to my family. I devoured it all.
Lenny is thirty years old and a single mother to an eight month old little girl nicknamed Mo. She had him after the man she was seeing while she was in France left and she came home. She didn't know she was pregnant and tried to get in touch with Jonah repeatedly to let him know she was pregnant. No response. The guy was a professional rugby player, he couldn't possibly NOT check his voicemail, texts and email, right?! So, eight months later when he shows up at her family's gym she manages, it takes everything in Lenny not to rage out on him. When he meets Mo, it's like he's knocked completely senseless. Could he really not have known?!
That epilogue kicked my ass good. I loved the banter between Grandpa Gus and Lenny and his relationship with Jonah and Mo so freaking much. It was the most beautiful, perfect ending for this story that I loved SO FREAKING MUCH.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lenny is thirty years old and a single mother to an eight month old little girl nicknamed Mo. She had him after the man she was seeing while she was in France left and she came home. She didn't know she was pregnant and tried to get in touch with Jonah repeatedly to let him know she was pregnant. No response. The guy was a professional rugby player, he couldn't possibly NOT check his voicemail, texts and email, right?! So, eight months later when he shows up at her family's gym she manages, it takes everything in Lenny not to rage out on him. When he meets Mo, it's like he's knocked completely senseless. Could he really not have known?!
That epilogue kicked my ass good. I loved the banter between Grandpa Gus and Lenny and his relationship with Jonah and Mo so freaking much. It was the most beautiful, perfect ending for this story that I loved SO FREAKING MUCH.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t think this is a spoiler because it’s revealed about 15% of the way into the book, it’s literally the point of the book, and it might be a deal breaker for some readers: this is a baby daddy second chance romance. Lenny gets ghosted and then discovers she is pregnant, and this is the story of Jonah’s return to their lives. I love a Mariana Zapata book, and this was so well written, but I’m not fan of these genres. I loved Lenny’s character! She was unapologetically tough and not very feminine, and she never had a makeover or tried to change herself to attract a man. Women like this exist in the world and so do the men who love them, and it’s so great to read about women who don’t change themselves for guys. And grandpa Gus wasn’t a cheesy grumpy grandpa, and he had so much depth and back story that he was a wonderful addition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Excrement, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Car accident