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4 The Best Becoming the Best Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
6/24/2020 4.5 Team Zapata
* * * * 1/2
When I saw Mariana Zapata was doing Zac's book, I knew I needed to re-read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. This gave me the excuse as I have always had a soft spot for this book. Re-reading did something more important, though.

It gave me insight into More, More of the beauty and smart advice on life Zapata gives us through this story. Really strong survivor lessons and kudos to those who had so much to overcome. So many in this world are not given the support and love children are supposed to have from the start. This leaves them vulnerable to not only the horrific actions by the perpetrator but puts them on a fork in the road...will they succumb to the negative, the pain or will they use these lessons of what not to do and rise like a phoenix. This story gives us this life lesson so well.
My rating went from 4 stars to 4 1/2 because of how Aiden and Vanessa struck me the second time around.

2016 Review @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
For those who may not be familiar with the writings of Marina Zapata...reading, the blurb could lead you to believe this was another romance book of "football player needing a pretend wife" and after 200 pages.... they admit they are in love ... the end. This book in nothing like that and this is due to the style of Zapata's writing. She never does anything easy... or glossed over.

This is the premise, a sort of fence to wrap around all of the other intricate parts of this tale. There is so much, it is hard to know where to start without giving you the story...

What I will do is tell you my impressions of what I felt was so important while reading this...

You have two people who would seem opposites in how they have lived...but I saw so many things which tied them together...Their determination to better themselves, the stubborn streak of not wanting to say sorry or admit error and then the never quitting... of committing fully. These two were each a force in their own right. Both held so much in...so when they finally let the other know what they are feeling and thinking ...it is all the more sweet.

Vanessa had a horrible childhood...and she somehow survived it. She spent some of it in foster care and she was so lucky to have had decent caretakers. Her foster dad gave her tools to see things more clearly... to assist in handling her temper and also comfort in showing her the way to do things is to do the best you can. These sage talks of fatherly wisdom held her together for the rest of her life. They were her mantras and got her through the roughest times.

The most impressive thing about Vanessa and how Zapata created her...was her feeling of real... of a person you could believe existed...she didn't roll over for Aiden, she held a grudge much longer than any romance character I ever met...which meant normal in real life terms. She was determined and felt pain like us. She also felt insecure about where she stood in this relationship because Aiden gave nothing away.

Aiden... how can I discuss him without mentioning how every description reminded us of his muscles having muscles. I've never been up close and personal with a professional football player...but Aiden hit the mark for me in so many ways. He was the purest... not the player. He had a schedule, a plant-based food diet and dedication which was legendary. He would seem to others stoic, non communicative and unapproachable. Beneath that fortress was a huge heart and intelligence...an understanding of what is important in life... and what isn't. It was his singular focus which was his strength but also a weakness, too.

When Aiden finally realizes the wrongs he did to Vanessa, he sincerely apologizes. His experience in positive personal relationships has caused him to be a bit backward in understanding how things should work. Yet, he makes real efforts and that is the way he endears himself to us.

There are many moments of pure joy... joy in knowing someone who you thought had no clue as to how to show affection or caring.... just did. And it is the little things which bring these feelings of overwhelming joy....just like in real life.

The other factors in this story have to do with eliminating toxic people from your life. PERIOD. They may have changed, recovered but sometimes...things have happened which cannot be forgiven...and with no understanding why things "can't be forgotten" by those who did them then it is better to walk away and be ok with it.

As I said earlier, this is not a cute quick little romance. This is a meaty, slow build-up to a true relationship between two very complex people. All of the secondary characters are there for a purpose and work perfectly to move the story along. It is not a light read. It brings up abuse, domestic, and child. It will stir up feelings for these two and sometimes frustration....but always concern and care.

Marina Zapata has talent...heart and the ability to share all of it with us...aren't we lucky.

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
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Hands Down
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~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
This is why I love my friends here on goodreads...
I found out about Kulti by Mariana Zapata when reviews and updates started flooding my feed. I one clicked and fell deeply in love with this author.
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As things happen, time went by and other books needed reading....
But once again, my feed has brought me the joy of alerting me to

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
Of course, one clicked and a personal side note, my mom was born in Winnipeg, so how could I not...

So excited to dig in...Thank you again to my dear pals here on goodreads...for this is what it is all about for me... sharing, chatting and loving the books we read.

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