The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

Good slow burn

I've listened to 4 of Zapata's books. The slow development of the attraction between the characters is what I appreciate most. Usually other authors will throw a couple together with immediate attraction, and they fall into bed shortly thereafter. Not Zapata. The protagonists initially don't care for each other, and the changes in emotion is accompanied by the development and increased depth in the characters. I'm falling in love with them as they fall for each other. The story was long, but at the end I wished it wasn't over, which is the sign of a truly good book.

25 of 25 people found this review helpful

THIS IS HOW WRITING IS DONE!!! 5 STARS!!!

Mariana Zapta has a devoted fan in me. Her stories are relevant, interesting and more importantly very well written! The story of Vanessa and Aiden is not a love at first sight story. It is what she referred to once as a "slow burn". Non-the-less you will love this story if you are a die hard reader and love a good story based upon a solid relationship that was not easily built and not based on sexual attraction alone.

41 of 42 people found this review helpful

I couldn't help myself

I buy audio books for my in-between reads. I like to listen to audiobooks when I’m catching the train to work, baking or exercising (which I should do more of). Well, there was a slight problem with The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, it was too good. I couldn’t bring myself to stop listening. What normally would have lasted me a couple of weeks lasted me a couple of days. I was sucked into the story from the very first minute. The narrator had a voice that was easy to listen to, the characters were engaging and the storyline was interesting. A lot of readers refer to Ms Zapatta as the Queen of the Slow Burn, which honestly I’d have to agree with. What I think makes her the Queen is her ability to distract you from missing it. I think this was the first audio where I haven’t had to hide my face while listening on the train. I wasn’t squirming, blushing or turning the volume down hoping someone wasn’t overhearing the sexy times. Oh, there were a few sniffles when harsh words were spoken or we look back into painful past experiences but more times than not it was the big grin I wore that showed what I was feeling.

Now, in regards to the story…Vanessa is a woman who has had a very hard life. Her family ABSOLUTELY SUCKS!! What makes her such a great character though is that she’s moved on from her horrible family and made a success of her life. She was the PA/Housekeeper/Servant to The Big Guy, Aiden. He plays football and is one of the defence players…I think (I'm not really in the know about football). Her role and job aren't great but it pays well and it gives her the opportunity to be around Aiden who she has a little crush on while also saving to start her own business.

Aiden is the most focused football player I’ve ever read about. His whole life revolves around the sport. Considering his size, surprisingly he lives a vegan lifestyle which means he has to eat a lot, a lot and a wee bit more. Aiden is definitely serious about his job and his single-minded focus means that people don’t really matter to him. He is abrupt, rude and very unemotional. Having Vanessa as his assistant makes his life easier but unfortunately, for him, he doesn’t realise her value until she’s had enough and resigns.

What follows for Vanessa and Aiden is a parting of ways for a very short time. Aiden wants her back but Vanessa is starting her own business and isn’t interested in taking on the old role. Aiden needs her for a more important role this time. A role where they will have to make vows of commitment, live together and share their lives…on paper only.

I really enjoyed the story and loved the way the characters developed. I did think that Aiden acted like a douchewaffle in the beginning but enjoyed seeing him realise that there is more to life than solely focusing on football. I really struggled with Vanessa at times. She acted like a doormat and put up with Aiden for way longer than I thought was healthy. There is this underlying feeling from the very beginning that she puts up with it all because she doesn’t know any better. My struggle was that I knew that her history made her that way, but at other times you can see her strength and courage. I just wanted her to speak her mind more often and not have to have people beg her for information, demand the truth or trick her into sharing her feelings.

Well, the slow burn was REALLY slow and I thought that maybe it might end up being non-existent. Funny thing is when we did get it (eventually) it was intense and definitely blush-worthy. I loved Aiden and Vanessa together and I'm so glad that they were able to finally let down their walls and share their feelings. The epilogue was sweet and very cute.

I’m slowly getting through the backlog of Ms Zapatta’s collection and what I’ve read or listened to so far has been great. I will definitely be reading more of her stories in the future.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

loved it

I don't want to repeat what other have already said - slow-burn, sweet, funny, etc. - because it's all that and it works wonderfully.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I love Mariana Zapata!!

All of her books are so well written with engaging stories and loveable, developed characters. Such a delight. Perfectly narrated. She's becoming one of my favorites...up there with Kristen Ashley and Rachel Gibson. High praise.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Romance?

Many hours into this and I had to check to see that yes, I did buy it from the romance section. The relationship doesn't change to romantic until the very end, which for me, made the story drag. I did like it, but certainly didn't love it.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

Too long for the content

I feel like this story could have been told in half the time. There was too much time spent inside the narrator's head. The story is good, and the main character is engaging and humorous, but at times it just seems like she is spending too much time thinking and you just want the story to get on with it.

18 of 21 people found this review helpful

Am I missing something ?

I am definitely in the minority on this one. For me this book was looooong & slooooow, now I am one who LOATHES insta-love and really gets into a slow burn love story. I like to feel that connection between the MC's, but IMO I felt noting - not even a simmer. I liked the whole premise of this story but the writing was not for me it was so repetitive, really bad. I could not count how many times I heard about how big Aiden was, how much he ate, how hard he worked. I didn't like the long pity party style inner monologue style that the book was told from - just not for me. Lastly I really didn't like either of the MC's, Vanessa was kinda annoying and I have no idea really who Aiden was since he barely said a word through the book. So that's that but I must be crazy because everyone else loved this one.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Not just another jock story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If my friend enjoyed a slow build up with a hot football player and a take no crap girl...yes. I loved it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me?

I don't want to say too much and give it away but I'll say Leo the dog.

What about Callie Dalton’s performance did you like?

Everything.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Of course but I can't give it away and spoil it.

Any additional comments?

I wish there was more time spent with them as a couple but the slow burn of them falling for each other made up for it. This was a wonderful story.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Slow and steady with a plot twist, good to the end

What did you like best about The Wall of Winnipeg and Me? What did you like least?

This is a story of the evolution of a relationship from ground zero to something more. It is complicated by the personal history of the two main characters. Further, larger issues drive this relationship and make up the plot of this book.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

This was a long book and at times it felt redundant. In the authors' attempt to show the gradual growth of the characters, I felt the story slowed. Certainly, she does let the reader/listener see the evolution in the characters, but it might have been condensed a bit.

What does Callie Dalton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms. Dalton is a good narrator who knows the material and performs it well. She has some variation from women to men, uses accents well and paces the material very well. I will enjoy listening to her again.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful