Wait for It

Oh wow! I loved this so much! I honestly thought there wasn't time for me to fit in a book that would hit number one of the year for me but BAM! This book's just gone and done it!I'm a fan Mariana Zapata's words and was super excited when she announced this as a surprise release.The heroine from this book, Diana, we've met before. She is best friends with Vanessa, the heroine of The Wall Of Winnipeg And Me. You don't have to read that book first to read this though as it's a complete standalone and everything is perfectly clear with no confusion. I will recommend you read it though simply because it's great. In fact, read all her books, lol.Diana has recently moved into a new house with her two nephews who she is the guardian of. She is a funny, snarky but kind person who genuinely try's to get on with everyone, including her new neighbours. One of her neighbours though, Dallas, gives her the impression that he doesn't really approve of her. Thus begins their journey, from mutual distrust to friendship; to something a little more magical.I have to say it, I love a slow burn romance and, in my opinion, Mariana Zapata is one of the best of this. It's a realistic, engaging and beautiful build up. This is a long book but at no stage did it drag or did I feel bored. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to let go when it finished.This book is full of fantastic characters who, I think, make the story. Diana was awesome and I adored her. Dallas I loved just as equally. The boys were wonderful and I literally snorted at the things they came out with, picturing my kids doing exactly the same. There was also a plethora of other great characters that added great depth to the book. Some great, some not so great lol, but all unique and well written. The dialogue was sharp and the banter was brilliant. I also loved how the author managed to cleverly slip a few cameos from some of her other books in here.I loved, loved, loved every second of this and know I'm going to have a major book hangover now but what a ride! It was funny in places, emotional in others and super romantic.I would seriously recommend this to all.

I just love this author so much.. I don’t think much can beat The Wall Of Winnipeg but this is a close second!Our two leads are Diana and Dallas, the tension between these two is boiling hot! It’s slow burn, filled with banter, tears and laughter!The relationship between Diana and the boys is incredible! I love the banter they share, so much love between them all. She is the best ‘mum’ aunt I have ever seen, she will do anything for them, she will fight anyone who says they aren’t hers and they are super cute!Diana is beautiful, strong as hell, sassy and so funny! I loved her! When her brother passes away, she becomes the Guardian to his two boys and what a choice she is!Dallas is strong, silent and grumpy type! I really loved him and how he came through for the boys and how much he loved them.I actually read and listen to this in audiobook (which honestly I am not always a fan of them) but the narrator was amazing! I am also not normally a fan of single pov but I really enjoyed this one same and Wall of Winnipeg, it was her story about her struggles and love. I really, really enjoyed it!!

Loved it from start to finish it was a brillant read would recommend it.I laughed and cried reading this it was so heartbreaking to see how Diana coped after her brothers death.It must have been so hard not to be able to grieve properly and it was lovely that she could eventually do it with Dallas there to help her

I read this book lying next to my husband in bed and he kept looking over at me confused because one minute I was balling my eyes out and the next cackling with glee.This book has brought me out of my reading slump. It is beautifully written, the plot is well thought out and the emotions you feel from the narrative are genuine. I feel in love with Diana and Dallas; the relationship growth felt natural and unique.The fact that the story kept unfolding, and you kept learning new things about the characters past, the families past and the day to day things happening…well it all felt natural, and as the reader you didn’t feel rushed, you felt like you were part of the story.I sobbed in the epilogue.Read this book!

As a lover of single parent romance, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was heart touching and emotional, and I loved Diana as the lead character. Josh and Lou, the two kids, were both cute and fun but also had me tearing up once, twice... or maybe a few times.I was so happy when I realised this story was taking place in Austin, back to where Under Locke was set - and we were treated to some familiar faces. Trip features throughout, and there's also a small cameo with Dex. We also got updates from Vanessa (Diana’s best friend) and Aiden from the Wall of Winnipeg, as well as Sal (Diana’s cousin) and Rey from Kulti. This makes me even more glad that I'm reading all the books in the suggested order, but I don't think it's essential.For anyone that doesn't love single parent romance, this could be a challenging read. The plot is primarily character-driven and focuses on Diana working through her emotions and supporting her two nephews - most of what happens could be considered relatively mundane. There is some spice, but not until around 94 per cent, and even then, I found it kind of awkward.For me, I appreciated the emotional pay-off of this book. Diana’s growth and seeing her come into her own as a parent made it five stars.

Oh my oh my. It’s the second book I read from this author and I was so surprised by how fast it got me hooked, wanting to read every minute of the day, laughing out loud, crying a little and just feeling everything like I was experiencing it on my own skin, I loved every character and the slow burn ufff, so so good. Definitely going to look more from her because I enjoyed very much her writing.

Que livro mais lindo e tão fofo… é o primeiro que eu li da Mariana Zapata e com certeza vou querer ler os outros!! Aqui conhecemos a Diana, uma adulta que se torna mãe inesperadamente e está tentando ser boa para duas crianças lindas e maravilhosas - Josh e Lou - que arracaram muitos risos e lágrimas dessa leitora. E temos o Dallas, um militar da marinha aposentado que mora na casa em frente e parece ser fechado e de poucos amigos. Acompanhamos as Dianas e seu amor enorme pelos meninos, os detalhes de como ela chegou nessa situação e o crescimento dos sentimentos por esse estranho vizinho, 12 anos mais velho e que também será o treinador de basebol de Josh.O livro é maravilhoso, mostra de forma linda as inseguranças de uma mãe, a importância do amor, e como as amizades podem ser ainda mais fortes que nossos laços de sangue. O romance se constrói lentamente, mas quando acontece vai te fazer suspirar. Amei!!!

I love this book so much.It’s sneaky. Slowly it takes little pieces of you and doesn’t give them back - and trust me, you won’t want them back. Because those pieces you give away to this book are happy to be there.Wait For It is a story of strength, patience, perseverance and the kind of love that makes you believe in love. The subtle, stable, always there for you, steps up in all the big ways and small type of love that just feels good to experience.“There was a lot of things about love that you could only learn after you’d faced the real kind. The best kind wasn’t this soft, sweet thing of hearts and picnics. It wasn’t flowery and divine. Real love was gritty. The real kind of love never quit. Someone who loved you would do what’s best for you; they’d stand up for you and sacrifice. Someone who loved you would face any inconvenience willingly. You didn’t know what love was until someone was willing to give up what they loved the most for you. But it was also never letting them make that choice, either.”Wait For It is the story of Diana - cousin to Sal (From Kulti) and best friend of Vanessa (Wall of Winnipeg), who has been through so much since we last saw her. Her boyfriend proved to be a POS and hurt her and her brother - beloved brother and father of two, died, leaving her custody of his two beautiful boys. And let me tell you - these kids are special. Lou and Josh make my ovaries come alive and scream “have some kids girl!”. It’s impossible not to love the adorable Lou and the steadfast Josh - two kids who have been through so much but didn’t let it shatter them. Through Diana’s eyes, the experience of becoming a parent unexpectedly is profound and moving as she navigates this incredible life change with tenacity, grace and strength. Diana is a character to be respected and enjoyed - a single parent who defines momma bear.“While Louie might be the sun, Josh was the moon and the stars. He was my gravity, my tide, my ride or die. He was more like my little brother than my nephew, and in some ways, we had grown up together. I had loved him from the moment I laid eyes on him. Loved him from the moment I knew he was a spark of life, and I was going to love him every day of my life.”The missing ingredient to this family is found in the incredible, reserved, beautiful neighbour … Dallas. This man - this shy, quiet, wonderful man claims Diana steals his heart piece by piece but I think he steals everyone’s - piece by piece, page by page, until you haven’t realized just how much you love him because he’s sneaky. Subtle. Stable. Kind. An actions man in the big ways and all the small ones. He just sneaks up on you. But all good things come to those who wait…“Just like I tell the boys, we don’t play for one single run, we play to win the whole game. And I’m in it to win it.”5/5 wholesome heartfelt stars. The audiobook and novel are worth re-reading over and over again!

I have no idea how she does it every time but… here we are. With another awesome book by Mariana Zapata. Unbelievable. I’m starting to think she doesn’t have it in her to write bad books because each one I’ve read so far was a solid four to five star book.She proved once again that she is indeed the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of Slow burn. Cause that was an intense slow burn. And I loved every page of it.Diana is an awesome character with her two little boys which she now has to raise due to unfortunate circumstances. And she is trying so hard to be a perfect role model for these two and it’s so relatable and sweet to read about.Louie and Josh are such cuties and adorable. You can’t possibly not love them. And this little family made me so happy to read about.And not to forget about their ex-marine neighbor who seems to hate Diana but in the end somehow maybe ends up loving her. He is the best. He is great with children. He helps his grandma and he is caring about Diana even tho he doesn’t want to and is just overall perfect.I loved those two slowly falling in love with each other cause they are a match made in heaven!And i had several "omg" moments throughout reading the book where the title was perfectly woven into the story. I love when authors do this!Again a great book from Mariana. Perfect for everyone who enjoys an in perfection executed slow burn romance.

Loved the story and emotions and everything in between. The whole build upto the happy ending, was just wholesome. The complete family bond, chemistry of diana and dallas, all too good. Loved every bit of this story and loved the part with aiden and kulti in the picture as well.💕