A review by hereiskyra
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

These two really snuck up on me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel at the beginning and it definitely took some time but I fell in love with both of them like they fell in love with each other. 

Something about this book was just comforting. It felt a little like a warm, strong hug when you’re having a tough day. The kind of hug I would like to imagine Zac would give (who, by the way, is a big ole teddy bear and he deserves everything he wants in the world). 

There is something magical about a book that has you intensely invested in the love of two characters who haven’t even kissed at 80%.
She is the queen of slow burn romance that doesn’t lose your interest along the way. 

It feels like you follow the entire journey from start to finish with these two. I think it’s being with Vanessa and Aiden for so long in the day to day that makes it that much sweeter when they finally admit their feelings for one another. It isn’t a rushed timeline or a forced end goal because we need on page romance. It’s worth the wait because it feels so genuine and honest to the characters and their individual development. 

I love me some spice but this special Mariana Zapata brand of slow-burn is absolutely unmatched. You have so much time to get attached to the characters emotionally and their relationship has room to breathe that when they do finally have their moment, everything is that much better. 

Van’s family sucked. I hated all of them and I’d like to think they all got cut off (except little bro, of course) because she deserves better and needs to protect her peace. But even though they are all terrible, I enjoyed the depth of her background and just how far she’s come. 

And I need a book about Big Texasssssss! Ugh. Just the sweetest. 

I have no doubt this book will be on my list of favorites for a long time. Never thought I’d say that about a romance novel with barley any romance in it but these two absolutely have my heart!

Tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Grumpy x Sunshine 
Football Romance

Spice:🌶️

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