[book-info]
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Multiple people from my book club recommended that I read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata because of the awesome slow burn romance. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me and it ended up as a DNF for me.
Now let me explain, I am one of those readers who DNF books quickly, but I did TRY my damned best to finish this book and gave it chance after chance. Until ultimately, I finally had to stop torturing myself and end it at 72%. Heck, I was even listening to the audiobook version! Normally, this would have made it easier for me to finish “reading” a book because it’s in audio. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t.
If you followed my updates on Goodreads you would have noticed that I kept saying “NOTHING IS HAPPENING!” Really, NOTHING happens at all in the 72% I have been listening to. Also, I want to point out that The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is a pretty long book! So, I have been listening for a little over 8 hours at this point. And yes, NOTHING happens!
By nothing, I mean that there is hardly any relationship development between Aiden and Vanessa. Nada. Zilch. None. Nothing that will make me believe that they have feelings for each other OR that they would fall for each other. While I understand that The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is a slow burn romance, I expected there to be relationship or friendship development, at the very least! At one point, I started rooting for Zack to hook up with Vanessa because ZACK WAS BETTER AT PAYING ATTENTION TO VANESSA! Plus, he knew more about Vanessa’s daily routine than Aiden! And we’re expected to believe Vanessa would have fallen for him? Surely not! I mean, sure he’s hot and a jock but I want more in my romance.
For the most part, the characters were interesting. Well, Vanessa is interesting. On the other hand, Aiden was just a self-centered dick and he didn’t win any brownie points from me at all.
Mariana Zapata has been hailed the Queen of the Slow Burn Romance. Ultimately, I just don’t understand the draw of her type of romance. I’m not saying that the book was horrible (okay, maybe I am). The funny thing is, the writing is spectacular and riveting, but it was not enough for me to finish the audiobook.
I saw a couple of books pop up written by her that were highly recommended – Kulti and From Lukov, with Love – but I think I will give them a pass, for now.
While this review is an unpopular opinion, I hope you find value in my thoughts since this is a hyped book. I will also say that I have read slow burn romances, believe me. I am currently in a contemporary romance binge right now and I read a couple of slow burn romances that I rated 5/5 stars!
Overall, I can objectively recommend this book if you are into slow burn romances with very little romantic elements. The writing is not bad, but just be aware that at 72%, there is probably 2% relationship development. That is just not my preference.
[rating-report]
Do you love slow burn romances? If yes, what books can you recommend?
If not, can you share the reasons why?
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Finally! I felt like I was the only one, who could not get into a Zapata book. I read Kulti, because it was raved about, but I felt like the story was stuffed with a lot of extraneous parts, that distracted me from the real story. I will say, the ending of Kulti was really great, but I find Zapata’s books to be overly long for contemporary romances. I think her books could be great with good editing.
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I think my issue with it is that nothing happens between hero and heroine. All the other things happening in the book did not contribute to the romance at all, KWIM? This is not what I expect a romance book to me, but that’s just me.
Yikes, I’n not sure if I would like this one either. There have been some hyped books that didn’t work for me either. I have very little patience these days for jerk heroes and it sounds like Aidan is one of those. Also, how annoying that Zack knew more stuff about Vanessa than Aidan. Great review! You wrote a very respectful review of a book that didn’t work for you.
Thanks Quinn!! Yeah, I didn’t like it at all.. baaaahh
I had my eye on this book, but now I am not so sure.
This wasn’t my fave, actually. I don’t understand the hype!