Publishers Weekly
11/13/2023
Zapata (Wait For It) lights a long fuse and lets it burn slowly in this tasty if somewhat overlong small-town romance, originally self-published. Nashville songwriter Aurora “Ora” De La Torre lands in her hometown of Pagosa Springs, Colo., following the devastating end of a 14-year relationship with a famous musician. She wants to get back to the simple life after years of being hidden away by her partner, while also hiking the trails her mother, who died during Ora’s childhood, once adored. Unfortunately, her plan hits a bump when she learns that the man who rented her the garage apartment she hopes to move into is not actually the property’s owner but his teenage son, Amos—and Amos’s father, wildlife officer Tobias Rhodes, is furious. He lets Ora stay only reluctantly, and Zapata takes her time allowing their contentious relationship to evolve into a trusted friendship and then maybe something more. Less compelling are Ora’s repetitive interior monologues, scenes at her new retail job, and challenging hikes, which feel like padding. Still, there’s strong chemistry between Ora and Tobias, and they make a sweet family with Amos. Zapata should win some new fans with this. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"As welcoming as a hot bath with a few lavender scented candles thrown in for ambience. A wonderful slow-burn love story." — Oprah Daily
“The first Mariana Zapata book I read was The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, and it made me a Mariana Zapata stan for life. Everything Mariana writes is pure gold, and I credit her for my undying love of some of my favorite tropes: slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine. I am in constant awe of her ability to create amazing characters and to make me love, hate, pine, laugh and cry with my whole heart...Mariana is an absolute rockstar and a true gift to romance readers everywhere!” — Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis and Love on the Brain
"When I need a guaranteed five-star, slow burn romance, I pick up Mariana Zapata every time." — #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Tessa Bailey
“An absolute binge—compelling, subtle, sweet and unforgettable—Zapata brings the heady, dizzy rush of the slow fall into love to the pages of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Winnipeg is so much more than a slow burn, a sports story, or a grumpy/sunshine delight—it’s all of those things rolled into an unputdownable feast of romance.” — Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author of Priest and Misadventures of a Curvy Girl
“This new edition of a previously self-published novel, which features Zapata’s trademark humor and slow-burn pacing is sure to be popular.” — Library Journal
“Zapata (Wait For It) lights a long fuse and lets it burn slowly in this tasty…small-town romance. There’s strong chemistry between Ora and Tobias, and they make a sweet family with Amos. Zapata should win some new fans with this.” — Publishers Weekly
New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood
Everything Mariana writes is pure gold, and I credit her for my undying love of some of my favorite tropes: slow-burn, enemies to lovers, and grumpy/sunshine. I am in constant awe of her ability to create amazing characters and to make me love, hate, pine, laugh and cry with my whole heart. Mariana is one of my most formative writers, and I’m thrilled that more readers will get to experience her amazing stories. Mariana is an absolute rockstar and a true gift to romance readers everywhere!”
Library Journal
12/22/2023
Still recovering from the abrupt end of her long-term relationship with a superstar musician, Aurora De La Torre returns to the last place she felt uncomplicated happiness: her childhood hometown. There, she rents an apartment from an extremely reluctant Tobias Rhodes, who dislikes her on sight and wants her to stay far away from him and his teenage son. Aurora is determined to find a community and build a life where she is valued for who she is, rather than anything superficial. Rhodes's primary goals are to be a great father and build a life outside of the navy. It takes him a while to see Aurora for who she is, rather than who he imagines her to be. Both halves of this grumpy/sunshine couple have been neglected and treated with carelessness by those who should have loved them; Rhodes's experiences make him protective of himself and his son in a way that Aurora respects, while she keeps her heart open to possibilities. VERDICT This new edition of a previously self-published novel, which features Zapata's (The Wall of Winnipeg and Me) trademark humor and slow-burn pacing, includes a bonus scene after the original epilogue and is sure to be popular.—Nicole Williams
