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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
SO FUCKING GOOD!! EVERYTHING YOU COULD ASK FOR IN A ROMANCE BOOK!! I’M IN LOVE WITH THE BOTH OF THEM AAAAAAAA
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think it was longer than it needed to be, not to mention “poop” is mentioned 137 times, which kinda overshadows the books strongpoints, and there’s already so few of those.
OMG, I LOVE THIS BOOK!
—my review:
overall: ⭐ 5/5
plot: ★★★★★
female lead: ★★★★★
male lead: ★★★★★
side characters: ★★★★☆
Kulti is honestly perfect for me. I don’t even know how to explain just how much it fits my taste. I’m completely obsessed. There aren’t really any annoying or evil characters, when they do show up, it’s only briefly. The whole focus is on Sal and Rey, and that’s exactly why I LOVE IT! The chemistry, the tension, the pacing, everything was spot-on. And the epilogue tied it all together so beautifully. This is without a doubt one of my favorite books ever, and I already know I’ll be rereading it soon.
I’ll admit, in the beginning I was a little unsure. The first chapter had a lot of Sal’s inner thoughts, sometimes repeating the same ideas, and I worried the writing style might not click with me. But wow, was I wrong. Mariana Zapata’s writing grew on me so quickly, I ended up loving her style. Her word choices felt so genuine and beautiful, and the pacing of the story was just perfect. Nothing ever felt rushed or dragged out.
One thing I really appreciated was how clean the romance felt, despite the significant age gap. Sal and Rey’s relationship doesn’t actually start until near the end, but the slow burn, the tension, and their dynamic kept me hooked the whole way through! That build-up drove me absolutely crazy in the best possible way.
I also loved the way Sal’s family was written, especially how Rey was welcomed by them. Sal’s dad was such a highlight for me, he’s supportive, sweet, and funny. If anything, I just wish Sal’s older brother had been more present in the story. Still, that’s such a small thing compared to how much I enjoyed everything else.
And of course, Sal and Rey themselves completely stole my heart. Salomé Casillas (Sal)—later Salomé Casillas Kulti instantly became one of my favorite heroines. She’s hardworking, kind, loyal, family-oriented, and always trying to stay positive. I admired her so much. Reiner Kulti (Rey), on the other hand was moody at first, but I couldn’t help falling for him. The way he showed his love through actions instead of words made him feel so real. Rey became Sal's support system, he is supportive, protective, and wholeheartedly devoted. Their relationship felt natural and earned, and I loved every second of it.
I also loved the little details, like how Rey had always inspired Sal to be a great soccer player, and how Sal was also a crucial figure behind Rey's success in his career and she's the one who kept his flame alive when it nearly went out. I love how fate brought them together, and that fan letter from little Sal to Rey? Such a perfect full-circle moment.
Also, I was especially struck by the detail of him changing his tattoo to a phoenix, an emblem that so perfectly reflects Sal’s world. His reasoning behind it was just as powerful: “Someone told me I can’t take back what I’ve done, but what I do from now on is what matters. It seemed fitting.”
Overall, I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved it from beginning to end. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end at all. I’d love to see more, maybe an extended epilogue with Sal and Rey in their retirement years (and okay, maybe a glimpse of their child, little Kulti haha).
Highly, highly recommend! ♡
════════════════════════════════════════
"Every single thing that has ever happened in my life has led me here, Sal. Destiny is a ladder, a series of steps that takes you where you’re supposed to go. I am the man that I am, and I have done the things that I’ve done, to get me to you.” —Rey
════════════════════════════════════════
—my review:
overall: ⭐ 5/5
plot: ★★★★★
female lead: ★★★★★
male lead: ★★★★★
side characters: ★★★★☆
Kulti is honestly perfect for me. I don’t even know how to explain just how much it fits my taste. I’m completely obsessed. There aren’t really any annoying or evil characters, when they do show up, it’s only briefly. The whole focus is on Sal and Rey, and that’s exactly why I LOVE IT! The chemistry, the tension, the pacing, everything was spot-on. And the epilogue tied it all together so beautifully. This is without a doubt one of my favorite books ever, and I already know I’ll be rereading it soon.
I’ll admit, in the beginning I was a little unsure. The first chapter had a lot of Sal’s inner thoughts, sometimes repeating the same ideas, and I worried the writing style might not click with me. But wow, was I wrong. Mariana Zapata’s writing grew on me so quickly, I ended up loving her style. Her word choices felt so genuine and beautiful, and the pacing of the story was just perfect. Nothing ever felt rushed or dragged out.
One thing I really appreciated was how clean the romance felt, despite the significant age gap. Sal and Rey’s relationship doesn’t actually start until near the end, but the slow burn, the tension, and their dynamic kept me hooked the whole way through! That build-up drove me absolutely crazy in the best possible way.
I also loved the way Sal’s family was written, especially how Rey was welcomed by them. Sal’s dad was such a highlight for me, he’s supportive, sweet, and funny. If anything, I just wish Sal’s older brother had been more present in the story. Still, that’s such a small thing compared to how much I enjoyed everything else.
And of course, Sal and Rey themselves completely stole my heart. Salomé Casillas (Sal)—later Salomé Casillas Kulti instantly became one of my favorite heroines. She’s hardworking, kind, loyal, family-oriented, and always trying to stay positive. I admired her so much. Reiner Kulti (Rey), on the other hand was moody at first, but I couldn’t help falling for him. The way he showed his love through actions instead of words made him feel so real. Rey became Sal's support system, he is supportive, protective, and wholeheartedly devoted. Their relationship felt natural and earned, and I loved every second of it.
I also loved the little details, like how Rey had always inspired Sal to be a great soccer player, and how Sal was also a crucial figure behind Rey's success in his career and she's the one who kept his flame alive when it nearly went out. I love how fate brought them together, and that fan letter from little Sal to Rey? Such a perfect full-circle moment.
Also, I was especially struck by the detail of him changing his tattoo to a phoenix, an emblem that so perfectly reflects Sal’s world. His reasoning behind it was just as powerful: “Someone told me I can’t take back what I’ve done, but what I do from now on is what matters. It seemed fitting.”
Overall, I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved it from beginning to end. Honestly, I didn’t want it to end at all. I’d love to see more, maybe an extended epilogue with Sal and Rey in their retirement years (and okay, maybe a glimpse of their child, little Kulti haha).
Highly, highly recommend! ♡
════════════════════════════════════════
"Every single thing that has ever happened in my life has led me here, Sal. Destiny is a ladder, a series of steps that takes you where you’re supposed to go. I am the man that I am, and I have done the things that I’ve done, to get me to you.” —Rey
════════════════════════════════════════
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Oh my goodness, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read! Super slow burn but so worth the amazing payoff.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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