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A review by bekacrook
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Another slow burn masterpiece. The way Mariana Zapata builds the characters, makes you get to really know them and then slowly see the way their lives and relationships unfold is spot on. It makes you notice the small changes in their dynamics, language and actions so you follow along with the relationships so fully and become so invested in them.
Aurora was interesting, funny and kind and she felt like a character that was able to grow into herself more as the story went on but didn't fundamentally change who she was. I liked how she tried to stay positive but honestly was such a crier and was in tune with her emotions, she was grateful for what she had without dismissing her own past and pain. I liked how much she loved people, how fully and how willingly she showed it even after she had been burned by her ex. I also just like the idea of having a feeling and going with it, going back to her hometown and trusting herself that that was where she needed to be. Her relationship with Amos and Rhodes was so nice to watch unfold but I especially liked how close she was with Amos, how much she believed in him and just wanted the best for him.
Rhodes definitely developed and you could almost tell the exact moment that he let himself like Aurora and accept that he liked her through the change in language. He was a typical grumpy MMC, which I always love but also super sweet and really showed his feelings through his actions. I loved him even more when he warmed up to Aurora. Dude also acts his age which is unusual for a romance man. He loves his son endlessly and I enjoyed how he stuck up for him and protected him. Their relationship is sweet but not overly so, it doesn't feel fake.
I like how Aurora's mum is included in the story and how all the side characters really add something to it and feel like a proper little community. I also enjoyed how even in the end Aurora didn't want a lot and didn't want material things, she wanted a family, she wanted love and she wanted to be happy and content somewhere with roots.
Also, her ex boyfriend and his mum are awful and annoying every time, the man is an absolute man-baby idiot. I'm glad how things turned out for him. Her indifference is perfection.
Aurora was interesting, funny and kind and she felt like a character that was able to grow into herself more as the story went on but didn't fundamentally change who she was. I liked how she tried to stay positive but honestly was such a crier and was in tune with her emotions, she was grateful for what she had without dismissing her own past and pain. I liked how much she loved people, how fully and how willingly she showed it even after she had been burned by her ex. I also just like the idea of having a feeling and going with it, going back to her hometown and trusting herself that that was where she needed to be. Her relationship with Amos and Rhodes was so nice to watch unfold but I especially liked how close she was with Amos, how much she believed in him and just wanted the best for him.
Rhodes definitely developed and you could almost tell the exact moment that he let himself like Aurora and accept that he liked her through the change in language. He was a typical grumpy MMC, which I always love but also super sweet and really showed his feelings through his actions. I loved him even more when he warmed up to Aurora. Dude also acts his age which is unusual for a romance man. He loves his son endlessly and I enjoyed how he stuck up for him and protected him. Their relationship is sweet but not overly so, it doesn't feel fake.
I like how Aurora's mum is included in the story and how all the side characters really add something to it and feel like a proper little community. I also enjoyed how even in the end Aurora didn't want a lot and didn't want material things, she wanted a family, she wanted love and she wanted to be happy and content somewhere with roots.
Also, her ex boyfriend and his mum are awful and annoying every time, the man is an absolute man-baby idiot. I'm glad how things turned out for him. Her indifference is perfection.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent