The Wall of Winnipeg and Me: From the author of the sensational TikTok hit, FROM LUKOV WITH LOVE, and the queen of the slow-burn romance!

This was the first novel I’ve read by the author , and it has left a lasting impression. From the very first page, I was drawn in by the author’s effortless writing style and the natural progression of the story. Unlike many contemporary romances, this book isn’t overwhelmed by unnecessary drama, which was a refreshing change. One of the highlights of the novel is the way the relationship between the two main characters evolves. Starting off as a boss and employee, their connection deepens over time, transforming into a solid friendship before slowly blossoming into a romantic relationship. The slow burn aspect of their love story is perfectly paced, allowing readers to truly savor each moment of their growing bond. For someone like me, who isn’t a fan of books with frequent sex scenes, the emphasis on emotional intimacy over physical attraction was particularly appealing. The side characters in the book add an extra layer of enjoyment. Their personalities and humor bring a lightness to the story, balancing the deeper emotional moments. They feel like real people, contributing to the overall sense of community and support surrounding the main characters. One aspect I found myself wanting more of was Aiden’s sports career. The glimpses provided were intriguing, and I would have loved to delve deeper into this part of his life. It would have added another dimension to his character and possibly enriched the story even further. Overall, this was a charming and heartwarming read. The author has crafted a story that is both engaging and emotionally satisfying, without relying on melodrama or overly explicit content. If you enjoy slow-burn romances with well-developed characters and a touch of humor, this book is definitely worth picking up.

— 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖 | 475 pages 👤 | author Mariana Zapata 🏢 | publisher Headline Eternal 📅 | release date 28 Feburary 2016 What you can expect: — Adult Contemporary Sport Romance — First-Person POV — Single POV — Marriage Of Convenience — Slow-Burn Romance — Ex-Boss X Employee — Hate-To-Friends-Love — Close Proximity — Grumpy/Sunshine — Found Family Trigger & Content Warnings include: child abuse & neglect (past, recounted), scars, bullying, fatphobia, sexual harassment, domestic abuse by a partner (supporting character, off-page). The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is an Adult Contemporary Sports Romance by author Mariana Zapata. Vanessa Mazur knows she's doing the right thing. She shouldn't feel bad for quitting. Being an assistant/housekeeper/fairy godmother to the top defensive end in the National Football Organisation was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans and none of them include washing extra-large underwear longer than necessary. But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door wanting her to come back, she's beyond shocked. For two years, the man known as The Wall of Winnipeg couldn't find it in him to tell her good morning or congratulate her on her birthday. Now? He's asking for the unthinkable. What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants? Having now been so many books deep into the worlds and mind of Mariana Zapata... I have to say that my absolute favourite thing about her books is the journey and development that we go on from beginning to end. Every inch of character development on-page is well-thought out and is gruellingly earned. Queen MZ is known as the Queen of Slow Burn and I've never been so happy to not see any action until the 80%+ mark. The heroes and heroines that this author writes are introduced with their own baggage and issues, and watching their characters soar through their difficulties and learn from them is one of my favourite things. There is an ever present plot on the pages, however the character driven storylines are what make Mariana Zapata's books what they are, and I think deep down my love stems from the sheer humanity and the flaws that each fictional character displays. No singular character is ever perceived to be perfect, and every step of their journey is purposeful towards that inevitably sweet happily ever after. Mariana Zapata can do no wrong for me as a reader, and The Wall of Winnipeg further cements that belief in me. I've yet to come across a heroine by Mariana Zapata that I do not like. I knew I'd love Vanessa Mazur from the very first line when she was plotting her boss's murder and flipping him off behind her back. I absolutely adore Van's fierce and 'do not mess with me' nature. After giving absolutely everything to her career for two years with very little to show for it, Vanessa finally takes a stand and tells The Wall of Winnipeg and his horrible manager to take a hike. Her stubborn and determined nature served her well as she often found herself going toe-to-toe with Aiden, and honestly she just had me consistently laughing and cackling. Her love and loyalty for the loved ones in her life who deserve it, namely Zac and Diana, showcased a softer side to Vanessa's dominant personality that was a breath fresh air. Her willingness to jump in defence of the people she cares for and her adamant lack of tolerance towards 'zero b/s' made it impossible to not fall in love with Van. I felt for Vanessa throughout her emotional turmoil in this book as she often battled with bouts of self-doubt and her feelings regarding her self-worth, and I was overall very proud of the character she was by the end of the story. Vanessa's issue was never about strength or perseverance... it was her struggles surrounding letting people in emotionally and taking a chance on the unknown that would scare her. Vanessa and Diana are the best girl friend's across all of MZ's books, and I was thrilled to see their cameos in Diana's story in Wait for It. Aiden Graves was honestly a terrible human being at the beginning of the story, and how he behaved made me so mad. I was frustrated at his complete lack of regard and care towards Vanessa, but ultimately I don't hold it against him because Mariana Zapata writes raw and real characters who make mistakes and put in the work to do better. Whilst it's annoying that it took losing Vanessa for Aiden to see what and who he truly had in his corner, I was glad this secret gentle giant admitted his wrongs and put in the work across the span of the story to make it right. Aiden is stoic and strict in his way of life and his daily routine, and I really enjoyed watching Vanessa drag out a more relaxed and easy-going version of The Wall of Winnipeg. At the end of the day, Aiden is a character who faced his own great-deal of trauma at too young an age that ultimately moulded him into the adult we see at the beginning. His passion and drive are admirable, and I enjoyed watching him gain more genuine admiration and respect for Vanessa and her work ethic. Their hate-to-friends-to-lovers dynamic is written to absolute perfection... and I'm a sucker for a 'who did this to you' moment. Van's family are the worst, plain and simple. Seeing Aidan maintain his cool whilst staring down her sister's grabby husband was the highlight of my day, and I had the absolute best time watching this initial feel-less man fall head-over-heels in love for his feisty ex-assistant. Aidan and Vanessa are one of Mariana Zapata best written book couples. Despite their previous status as employer and employee, there is at no given time a power imbalance. Aidan and Vanessa developed to address one-another as equals before lovers, and they're become an ultimate comfort-couple that I look forward to re-reading time and time again.

This is my second time reading this book, FLAWLESS. The angst, the slow burn, I live for this!!!! This is the rate I like a slow burn, this was my first Mariana Zapata book I read and it was the perfect introduction to her work. I can’t tell you how many I’ve read now, I adore her writing, it feels real and the characters are always fleshed out. When I have the chance I want all her books in physical forms!!!

I was going to murder him. One day. One day long after I quit, so no one would suspect me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 We have a story about Aiden (professional American football player) and Vanessa (his PA), and how one decision can change life of two people. So good, so fun and emotional. First part of the book was painful and devastating, all this thoughts and worlds wounded me. And after this i expected Aiden to grovel and beg for forgiveness, and I definitely got everything. I liked how from being colleagues our Vanessa and Aiden moved to being friends and something more. Their jokes, sassiness and flirting were so sweet and entertaining. And the moment Vanessa realized that Aiden is so hot and handsome was amazing (cause when she worked with him, she hadn’t seen him as a man, but the moment their positions changed…). Let me tell you something, he is big,strong, determined and so hot. Will definitely read ‘Hands down’ - book about Zac. Who is such a flirty man.

4.5 stars - I am a HUGE fan of this authour's work, so I was elated to discover this book. I even waited until I had a whole day to myself, so that I could devour it without interruption. As with all MZ's stories I really, really enjoyed this one, but while the story was its own, to me this book felt very similar to Kulti, except that Aiden Graves (almost) made Reiner Kulti seem like a soft-hearted, romantic by comparison... One of the things I love best about an MZ book, is the way she takes her time building the romance between her characters, while also slowly peeling back their layers. For me it's like being allowed to unwrap a present you desperately want, and know you are going to love, only one small piece of paper at a time. The anticipation makes it exciting, frustrating and gratifying all at once. Aside from how complex and relatable I find her characters to be, it is in getting to really know them through their simple day to day interactions that make them so real for me. But while I love being able to experience things gradually, instead of being rushed into the romance, with this book the build up was so slow and SO subtle that I spent a lot of time wondering if there would even be a romance. Aiden was a very tough nut to crack! His determination, laser-focus and dedication to his profession was admirable for sure, but unfortunately it was to the exclusion of everything (and everyone) around him. If it wasn't football related, he did not seem to see/hear/know about/ or care. When he wasn't being an ass----, he was so self absorbed and emotionally remote that it was hard to read him. Vanessa was a great heroine IMO, and a perfect fit for Aiden. She shared many of the same admirable qualities as he did, without being an emotional robot. I admired her strength, humour, humility and kindness, and her determination to overcome, and believe in herself. As with all of MZ's heroine's, Vanessa was someone I befriended. I shared in her heartache, triumphs and humiliations, and felt both protective and proud of her. With the exception of Zac, the supporting cast in this book unfortunately did not make much of an impression on me this time. Zac was a sweetheart, and while I know MZ doesn't do the series thing, I would love to read more about him someday. I stated that this was not my favourite MZ book, and while that is true, it does not mean I didn't really enjoy it - I did! This book had me experiencing anger, frustration, lust and resentment, as well as heartache, pride and love...to name a few. I was hooked from the first page and could not put it down until I completed it, because I just had to know what came next. I was slow to fall in love with Aiden I admit, but ultimately I did, and I found Van and Aiden's story to be a very satisfying read. Thanks MZ, You can't write them fast enough for me! Please keep them coming.

It took me a while to get to this book manly because of the single POV and how much of a slow burner everyone said it was. But it is so worth it! I think it was better not knowing Aiden’s side and instead figuring it out along with Vanessa. Also, the characters and the plot were really well developed, nothing was dragged, unnecessary or too far fetched. It felt real and exciting, relatable and moving.

My god the book hangover I'm having right now. This book was INCREDIBLE! I can't believe it took me two days to read it, I thought it would take me a while week considering how LONG it is, I was actually SCARED of starting it. I'm usually reluctant to read more 350 pages and those are mostly PNR but this one was simply IMPOSSIBLE to put down. I sat HOURS Saturday reading up until 3 a.m., then woke up cranky and kept the mood the whole day until I was home again and resumed reading maybe 10 minutes after I returned home. 4 hours later - finished the book - and truly I have no words to describe how amazing this book was. It wasn't what I was expecting on SO many levels. Perfection really. I know this book - Van and Aiden - would stay with me for a while keeping me company. Where to begin really? I'll start by saying I was amazed how well written this book was. I mean, it's not that easy to write this kind of long "slow burn" (as they call it) book and making it so captivating. The whole book is written from Vanessa's POV which made Aiden even more of a mystery. We were getting to see the change forming in him the same way Van did but more over we could see HER and who she is so clearly. Every thought and decision she made felt utterly genuine. It was a JOY reading her POV, It was never boring being inside her head, even when she kept revisited her insecurities and painful past. She is such a strong determined woman, and yet even though she is remarkable, she is also in a way so normal and also flawed with a sad and heart breaking past. Though I don't really have anything I could think of in common with Van, I felt her and connected with her so deeply I couldn't put thinking of her aside the whole day I was at work, wanting to get back to the book, to Van and Aiden, and see the impossible happen between them. Slowly slowly and yet so apparent with every step of the way. We start with getting to know Van and her life being the PA of the legendary top defensive end Aiden Graves, also known as "The Wall of Winnipeg". Aiden isn't a "bad guy" he is just focused on Football and NOTHING else. Though she is probably the best PA anyone has ever had, Aiden doesn't even notice her or react to her. Not even "Hello" when she comes into the house. Wanting more from her life than being his PA for the rest of her life, she quits when she believes she can make a decent living from her small business of graphic design. She planned on staying until a replacement was found, but being hurt beyond words by Aiden's behavior she leaves him one night never to return again. We don't know what goes on in Aiden's head. Not then and not really any step of the way. He is closed off as sure as you'd expect a wall to be, but truthfully I couldn't hate him, I was always trying to see what he's hiding and through his awkward sentences I could see he was sometimes trying really hard at something he sucked at.. If there is something that could be said about The Wall of Winnipeg is that he is stubborn and persistent. That's what it takes to get to the top and so when he realizes he has lost Van he comes after her, doing his best to convince her to return. Van wasn't going to return no matter what, and yet in the end Aiden "won" when he offered her the one thing that could change her life situation in a way she could have never worked herself off. But in order to do that she needs to be more than his PA, she needs to become his wife. Becoming Aiden's wife isn't something Van takes easily which I could really appreciate. She understood how serious what she was doing and the consequences as well. All of them. Yet she finally agrees but not before stating they clearly need to become friends in order for this to work, for them to work as a (fake) couple. For Aiden it's not that easy. He doesn't really have friends. Okay, he has three friends, one he is lives with but doesn't talk to much and two who are VERY far away most of the time, and there is his high school coach - the closest person he has in his life (whom he sees several times a year). But he does his best and he accepts the vows they declare for one another as genuine ones. While they are married he intends to honor those vows even if they are still no more than friends. When they say this book is a "slow burn" they mean it. It takes FOREVER for them to even exchange a hug. Though I was craving for it to happen, it all happened just at the right timing. Aiden needed time, and Van needed to forgive Aiden and be able to start trusting him and in him, not something so easy for her. I loved the way their relationship was building, so slow and exactly because of that - so realistically. I have a feeling Aiden cared a lot about Van even when she thought he didn't, or even when it looked like he didn't, but we don't get a time-frame to when he realized the woman in front of him is the one he wants. We just see the little changes he makes in his life, baby steps really, but every one noticeable to anyone who knows him or like us followed him and Van this whole way. Both Van and Aiden have a sad family story, I think it's one of the things that brought them together without them even realizing it. Though Aiden acts as though he put those things behind, it made him who he is, the closed off cold man who would never let anyone near him. Van changes all that with how much she cares for him. She inserted herself into his life and meant to do her damn best for him and in the end he DID appreciate all of that. I know a lot of people would find it hard to be sympathetic for him in the beginning, but I guess because I knew this is a romance novel I was basically waiting to see the change and I got exactly that in the most realistic way. It's obvious Aiden hasn't been happy for years, but having Van made him at least content, and then she was gone and he had to get her back. That's how I see it, though there is no proof as to what exactly made Aiden chase Van until she accepted his surprising offer. Though this is Aiden and Van's story, it wouldn't be what it was without Zac and Diana. Daina being Van's best friend from childhood and Zac (Aiden's roommate) her "2nd best friend" after Diana. These two evolved as well throughout the book, while being supportive and caring for her (especially when Aiden wasn't). I loved everything about this book. EVERYTHING. The pace was EXCELLENT, though if you're here for the sex, you won't get it till the very end.. Yeah it takes them THAT long. I loved that it wasn't about the sex even though Van was clearly VERY attracted to Aiden (who wouldn't be really???). I loved the baby steps Aiden made and the painful struggle Van was going through to try and trust Aiden and somehow to keep her emotions at check when he kept surprising her. I loved Aiden for being the flawed creature that he was. For doing the best and being his best when it concerned the game and knowing NOTHING of how to make Van stay, to make her WANT to stay, with him, for him. I loved their banter, how stubborn they BOTH are. How strong willed Van is, to make herself succeed no matter what she sets her mind to do even when she has her misgiving and fears she has one hell of a backbone and an iron will. I have more than respect for her, for who she is, for who she made herself to be even with the "bad start" she had in life. PERFECTION. Grab it and read it ASAP! I'm going to add EVERYTHING Mariana wrote to my list, and make my very best to schedule them the soonest I can. Thank you Marinan for this INCREDIBLE book. Tags: Contemporary MF Romance More @ Ultra Meital Reviews.

This book might not be the best for you if you don't like slow pace books. Anyways, moving forward.. I LOVE THIS BOOK. ❤ . Everything about this is perfect. PERFECT! Words do wonder honestly. This is my first book by Mariana and now she's on my fav authors list. And this book, this book is on top of top of top all. I have a lot of fictional characters crushes and that was it though. I know where to separate reality and fiction. And I know what I want in a guy in 'reality' and Aiden was so it!! He is Everything and more and then a little more. He is the most realistic a fictional character can get. Although all of the fictional characters in book are relatable and realistic and Aiden, man he aced it. He isn't that grumpy ass because he thinks he's better or because he is rich. He's just like that. He has been like that his entire life. He's always been a loner. He's not grumpy grumpy. And Vanessa, omg she's chef's kiss. I don't habe words because I'm so overwhelmed and yet i can't stop typing. Lol. Please read this book if you come across it. It's slow paced, slow burn, perfectly written book. With only Vanessa's POV. But omg I'm not disappointed at all. I could feel what aiden was feeling without even reading his POV bevause Vanessa's POV was so well written. I love this. I just ... it's perfect.

Ok, this was amazing. What a book! I have not read anything that made me this happy in a long time. This had everything I wanted in a romance book and more. Aiden is just the best person and so hot. I fell in love with them as they were falling in love with each other. The only thing that could have made this even better would be an Aiden POV just To make sure he was thinking what I thought he was hahahaha. That said. I will read anything by Mariana Zapata. Forever.