Reviewed by Kim Deister on

5 of 5 stars

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I love Mariana Zapata’s books so much! Her characters are always so intricate and developed, and the romance is just the kind of slow-burn that I enjoy. 

It’s been a rough year for Aurora De La Torre, the kind of make-it-or-break-it stuff that makes one rethink their entire life. So she decides to move to Colorado, the last place she lived with her mother. She isn’t sure it’s going to be permanent, but she feels like she just needs to go back to her roots, back before her mother disappeared and her life changed forever. She rents a garage apartment sight unseen from Tobias Rhodes. Unfortunately, he has no idea he’s rented the apartment… until she shows up on his doorstep. And then it gets interesting! 

I don’t usually love the gruff guy/happy-go-lucky romantic trope, but I do when Mariana Zapata writes it! Tobias is the epitome of grumpy and broody, a man with more than enough baggage for a few men. But Aurora is the woman who goes through hell and still comes out on the other side with positivity and an innate sense of joy. Tobias and Aurora are everything I want in a romantic couple, the perfect foils for one another. 

Another standout character for me is Amos, Tobias’s son. I love the bond that grows between Amos and Aurora so very much. In truth, I love the characterization of everyone in the cast, even those created to be less than awesome people. 

The author is so good at storytelling. She develops her characters so well, creates such intricate, relatable, and different kinds of people. And the plotlines are just so engaging. She takes readers on a journey along the emotional spectrum and I love it! Just a wonderful read! 

My recommendation: If you love a great book with a lot of meat in the storyline and the characters, this is a fabulous choice!

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Reading updates

  • 26 February, 2021: Started reading
  • 7 March, 2021: Finished reading
  • 3 May, 2021: Reviewed