Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

72 reviews

nyquillll's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

This book was so hard to get through. I can't remember how I came across it exactly, but I was expecting it to be similar to other sports romance books I've read. This was completely different, but almost in a bad way. Or, I should say, the plot itself wasn't horrible, but the writing style was so not my jam. 

I got 6% into the book and realized it would be really really hard for me to read this book. My first impression was that it was full of long-winded, paragraphs of descriptions that were only sparingly sprinkled with dialogue. And a lot of the time, the long paragraphs weren't even on topic, they were tangential and seemed to run away from the starting point. I ended up skipping to around the 50% mark and then just deciding to majorly skim to see if at some point it would be worth it to force myself through it. It wasn't and it didn't happen. 

While I did finish the book, it was an uphill battle. The dialogue/descriptions didn't get better, and I also wasn't a huge fan of the tropes this book was trying to incorporate -

(possibly) golden retriever/black cat energy, stoic-man-who-never-expresses-how-he-truly-feels, will-they-won't-they, SLOW FUCKING BURN (this was torture), marriage of convenience (one of my firsts and might be a last too), touch-her-and-you-die (but it wasn't done convincingly)

. I also hated the fact that

they didn't even hug until the 90% mark or something?????? And then the author was like "Hey, let me add in a pretty graphic sex scene in the LAST moments of the book - THAT'LL make a gr8 love story." And no, it did not, for me. Also hated, hated, hated how she did have feelings for him and while theoretically we know he does too because it's a romance book, he literally behaved like a LOG around her - and he didn't even acknowledge her presence much before the whole arrangement.

ALSO ALSO ALSO DESPISED HOW SHE CONSTANTLY WAS COMMENTING ON HIS SIZE - "he's such a big guy," "he's massive," "he fills the whole room," etc. etc. (might not be completely accurate on phrasing, but you get the idea). 

I will say, I did appreciate the harder topics that were covered in this book, particularly toxic family dynamics, navigating family trauma, dealing with death of parents/parental figures, unlearning/deconstructing past coping mechanisms that are no longer serving you, allowing yourself to feel scared but to not get stuck in it - to let the fear flow through, how scary it can be to trust people to stay, finding the strength to cut people out of your life who don't deserve to be in it, and how scary it can be when life doesn't pan out how you planned it - but that doesn't mean it ends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gaslighting

Some quotes I highlighted:

"'I'm not going anywhere without you.' He squeezed, his words ringing through my ears. 'You're not alone.'"

"'I like your smile. That's all.' The big guy shot me a sour look. 'You make me feel like a Grinch.'"

"'I'm putting on my shoes, Mrs. Graves!' Idiot."

"I wasn't going to say no to the other half of my paperwork getting into my bed when I'd rather not be by myself."

"Me: <--Forever Alone--> Aiden: "

"'For everything. For not noticing. For not caring. For not making you feel like you could tell me things.' His voice was hoarse and just a little ragged."

"It's a long story." "I have time for you."

"My friend. The keeper of my secrets. My moral support. My paperwork."

"Everyone telling me I looked great recently only made me really self-conscious about what they used to think of me before. Did I look like shit?"

"The guy who had lost his favorite thing in the world and had let me force him into training for a marathon."

"He made a light noise, a tender one. 'That's my girl.' His girl? 'I am?' I just outright asked him, hoping more than a little he wasn't just...that was stupid, Aiden wouldn't just say that. 'The only one,' he said it like there was no other choice in the world."

"'That's my girl. That's my fucking girl.' 'What are you doing here?' I practically bawled into him. 'I missed you.' 'You what?' His arms tightened around me. 'I missed you very much.'"

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cristinaaa's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abandonment

gaby_readsbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was the slowest of slow burn romance books and maybe too long but I could not put it down. The pining and the slow build of their friendship was so cute! I liv d how they were both so oblivious sometimes it was frustrating but also adorable. Really enjoyed this one.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment

Minor: Injury/Injury detail

hereiskyra's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Abandonment

dr_amy_k_west's review against another edition

lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an accidental read; not into sports-related romance, but it was on Libby's available now shelf. Wanted to like the characters more than I did. It was a longer read than expected and despite the issues I had with the story I still wanted to read to the end to see how the author was going to resolve the issues with character development, especially regarding the MMC. The first 1/3-1/2 of the book has Vanessa (FMC) engaging in what I see as overly apologetic and appeasing behaviors. As the book progresses you come to understand the back story behind her tendencies but there's little-to-no character growth around recognizing these tendencies or the motivations behind them. She lies repeatedly to those she cares about as well as to herself and there's no real acknowledgment or growth in terms of the consequences of her actions/inactions. She takes responsibility for things that aren't hers, blames herself, calls reasonable emotions and behaviors "nagging" or unreasonable, and apologizes for her anger all in the guise of "taking responsibility"; in reality, it's a lot of overcompensating for trauma. The MMC while showing emotional growth later on in the story still gets away with a lot of crappy behavior for much of the book. They don't get together until after she starts working out and loses weight and it's unclear for the majority of the book if the MMC liked her for who she was from the beginning until the book is almost over. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Violence and Car accident

spellbindingtomes's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵, 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘵. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘪𝘧 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯. 𝘔𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.

Why are football romance stories so cute?! You know that feeling when you read the first few lines of a book and you just know you'll love it. That's how I feel every time I start a new Mariana Zapata book. And The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is no exception. 

I loved Vanessa from Chapter 1. She's my favorite out of all of MZ's FMCs. I related to her so much. Aiden's character development was incredible. From being so closed off and dismissive towards Vanessa in the beginning, to taking her for granted, to finally realizing his faults, and showing up to support her was so endearing and heartwarming. 

This was the first book that I thought did the marriage of convenience trope perfectly. The terms of this marriage between Vanessa and Aiden was totally believable and even after they got married, it took a long time for them to build a solid friendship and trust with each other. 

𝘖𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦...𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵. 𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬.

I highly recommend the audiobook. Emma Wilder and Stephen Dexter did a fantastic job! They got me hooked immediately. Mariana Zapata's writing style is addictive and compelling. The burn is so slow that I HAD to keep reading until I was satisfied. And trust me, it was all worth it in the end.

𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 🩵

🏈marriage of convenience
🏈forced proximity
🏈workplace romance
🏈slooow burn
🏈football romance

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism

Minor: Death

Very heavy and graphic in child abuse coming from both MCs.

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.5

A good old Slow burn romance is my favorite trope, so I was so excited to pick this up, and it did not disappoint. I absolutely adored Vanessa and Aiden’s relationship. Trauma is heavily mentioned in the novel, so be sure to check trigger warnings before reading!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

mels_reading_log's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a grumpy/sunshine, fake marriage, slow burn, sports romance novel. Both of the main characters have childhood trauma and trust issues to work through. I really enjoyed the transformation of Aiden, as he opened up and became more comfortable with Vanessa.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse

khloereads86's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Abandonment, and Alcohol