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

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I am not going to lie, I do feel a bit cheated by this book. it had so much potential and I was utterly thriving at the tropes used alongside the banter that we were first shown between the characters and although Aiden did not fully buy me over, I enjoyed Vanessa. Then the second part started and oh gods... it just felt too cheesy. Although this was supposedly a romance to me it just felt too swift especially as it created a kind of detachment between the two narrative parts of the book, that had me feeling utterly disappointed in my expectations.

I also feel like the fmc's backstory at some point was ridiculous instead of being hopeful and inspiring, especially as it lacked depth. I do feel like Aiden's own explanation behind his behavior of not being 'made for relationship' was extremely shallow and never deepened.

I also dreaded the involvement of themes of domestic violence, especially when they were just treated poorly and without an explanation that went longer than a few lines. especially when Aiden, himself, seemed a victim of domestic violence so it'd have been interesting to see something.

finally, another huge flaw, at least according to me, of this book is the fact that the harassment that Aiden faces from his fans is just ridiculed while it could have made for a good plot line, but instead Vanessa - a woman that supposedly like/love him - just ridicules him although he is clearly at unease.

I am honestly so very saddened by the disappointment of this book as it had, in the first, part all the cards to be genuinely interesting and wholesome but I felt like the romance wasn't just very good and neither the whole side characters and backstory.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings