From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

Mariana Zapata

Start date: March 10, 2016

Finish date: March 31, 2016

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Dec 11, 2016 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorites, book-boyfriends-i-wish-were-real, slow-burn-but-worth-the-wait, i-hate-you-but-i-love-you, made-me-smile-like-a-loony

So I've heard through the grapevine that this book was slow-burning, and naturally, I expected that it will bore me to tears, and I will lose interest after flipping a few pages. Oh boy, was I totally mistaken!

The story progressed very slowly indeed. But to my surprise, it didn't bother me at all. The slow romance build-up was perfect. --> This, coming from an extremely impatient person with a very short attention span, who gets easily distracted by a hundred meaningless things (like suddenly be So I've heard through the grapevine that this book was slow-burning, and naturally, I expected that it will bore me to tears, and I will lose interest after flipping a few pages. Oh boy, was I totally mistaken!

The story progressed very slowly indeed. But to my surprise, it didn't bother me at all. The slow romance build-up was perfect. --> This, coming from an extremely impatient person with a very short attention span, who gets easily distracted by a hundred meaningless things (like suddenly being inspired to Google someone randomly) when in the middle of reading a book.

Reading The Wall of Winnipeg and Me felt like I was slowly unwrapping the best present I’ve ever received. The anticipation of taking my sweet time reading it, slowly untangling the story as it unfolds, and prolonging the excitement of discovering what the main characters truly feel for each other, makes getting my hands on the last page so much better.

This book is not the type that you rush in and read carelessly – it’s the kind that you need to savor, as the relationship between the male lead (Aiden) and female lead (Vanessa) takes time to build and you gradually appreciate its significance. This is the kind where you know they don't have to be together in the first 50 pages, and then have sex in the next few or so. They take it oh-so slowly, indulgently drawing out the romance, until I’m pulling the hair out of my head, begging and cursing, because I want it so bad.

I had lived through Vanessa - I felt her thinning patience towards Aiden (who is a demanding, cranky, perfectionist, workaholic, arrogant, aloof, clean freak of a boss) and I had the urge to flip a middle finger in front of his face a couple of times when he’s being a jackass (which was almost all of the time). Though I wouldn’t have blamed Vanessa for harboring a little crush on him despite him being an unappreciative prick - because who wouldn’t? We’re talking about The Wall of Winnipeg here. One look at the massive bulk of his ripped body and that perfect butt, and any woman would do a double-take.

I loved the fact that their relationship wasn’t developed overnight – they aren’t even friends at first and they merely tolerated each other. Bit by bit, I'd began to watch out for signs that Aiden actually cares for Vanessa, beneath that cold exterior. I appreciated all the subtle moments they shared (the late-night talks, watching Dragonball Z taped episodes, that scene while watching The Land Before Time, putting up Christmas decorations together) – all that felt so genuine. Aiden grew on me, and I’d seen how he had slowly grown to love Vanessa, and how he’d shown how important she is to him...in true Aiden fashion.

The closer I get to the last page, the slower I read, wanting to savor it all. So when they finally confess their feelings towards each other in the end, it was absolutely MIND-BLOWING. Goodness! I had the biggest shit-eating grin to prove it. I’ve waited for that moment in agony, it came, and I realized the long wait was completely worth it and felt a lot more meaningful.

Unsurprisingly, I now have a penchant for slow romances because of this book. I wouldn’t have trade this delicious slow burn of a book that made my heart flutter and got butterflies in my stomach for a hundred insta-love romances put together. I really wish I can go back to never having to read this, so that I can pick it up fresh again, and re-live every single moment (the pining, groveling, tension, uncertainty, and the realization that smacked both of the characters’ faces), if only to feel all the emotions over again that lead to that beautiful, priceless ending. It was unbelievably good! ...more

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Sep 11, 2017 Aeren rated it really liked it

Me ha encantado! La protagonista es divertida a pesar de que hay demasiado dialogo interior por su parte y bueno, me daba pena esa inseguridad que tenía y el chico de verdad, al principio pensaba que le iba a odiar pero acabó gustándome mucho.
Destaco la forma en que la autora nos hace ver lo parecidos que son a pesar de que a primera vista no tienen nada que ver el uno con el otro. Y hay grovelling! siiiii

10 likes · Like · see review

Aug 01, 2017 Lori rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-unlimited, stand-alone-book

Started this book on the drive home from, vacationing in Florida to our home in Illinois. I couldn't put it down. My poor husband did all the driving because, I couldn't put this book down. This is not your typical love story, but it is a all consuming one between the two characters, Vanessa and Aiden. I really enjoyed the writing style of Mariana Zapata. ...more

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Feb 09, 2017 Jeanette rated it it was amazing

Such a good read! Will definitely be looking to read more from this author. I loved the heroines character she made me laugh out loud a few times. The hero I wanted to shake a few times well ok more than a few lol. Overall I loved it and will be telling my friends to read it for sure.

3 likes · Like · see review