Mariana Zapata has done it again. She is QUEEN. You can’t find books written like this! She is a pro at slow burn and I have to admit, after reading this book and The Wall of Winnipeg and Me I have become the biggest slow burn fan ever. I never realized how much is lost when sex is used as filler in a story. Zapata’s talent and creativity shines through her writing as we explore this friends to lovers romance. 

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Sports romance is the best subtrope, in my opinion. It takes a lot to write a good sports romance. You have to understand the game and put time and energy into the smallest details. I’m sure it’s a process, but when it’s done well? There is nothing like it. This book is a friends to lovers, sports romance. Friends to lovers is not my cup of tea usually, but Zapata does a great job of introducing a believable storyline to the readers from the very beginning. You see, our couple USED to be best friends over a decade ago and then lost touch. When our story begins, Zac doesn’t even recognize Bianca. After they reconnect, they fall back into the dynamic they had as kids but now there’s a little something extra. Zac plays professional football and Bianca works at a gym but has a side gig/hobby of making and posting baking videos online. She has a huge following and is trying to make that her full-time job. Circumstances bring these two together and then it’s like they just never leave each others sides after that. It’s so sweet. Zac is such an angel and Bianca is a spitfire that doesn’t put up with his funny business. They work perfectly together and their chemistry (especially towards the end of the novel) is H.O.T. These two could not be more perfectly matched.

This book, just like The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, was written from the heroine’s POV. I do wish that we had been given a glimpse into Zac’s mind at some point during the novel because when he finally admits his feelings, it comes as a shock. As you’re reading, you know he’s developing feelings, I just wish I could have heard it directly from him. That’s just a wish though, it doesn’t deduct value from the book in any way. I still cried and laughed and finished the last page with a smile on my face. I can’t even begin to describe how much this book meant to me. Especially being from Texas, Austin specifically, it just warms my heart. Zac is everything I could have dreamed of in a leading man and Bianca is a perfect leading lady. I freaking loved this book! I cannot wait to read more of Mariana Zapata’s stuff! If it’s even remotely as gratifying as these stories, then I know they will be incredible. 5 stars!! 

“Didn’t you hear what I said? Worryin’ about you is like…lovin’ the goddamn sun on my face, kiddo. Like breathin’. It’s never not gonna happen.”