Friend’s To Lovers Slow Burn Romance

Mariana Zapata is the queen of the slow burn romance. She also writes incredibly good sports romances in a way that doesn’t glamourise the lives of elite atheletes, but reveals the sheer hard work that it takes to perform at the highest levels, including the support networks required when you live life travelling to games (in this case) and live contract to contract, praying you don’t get an injury.

We first met Zac ‘Big Texas’ Travis in The Wall of Winnipeg. I’ve always loved this character and giving him his own book made me very happy. Zac has a heart of gold. He is funny, gentle and kind, unerringly polite and charming though sometimes a little prone to being overwhelmed when things go wrong. It takes him time to dig himself out of the doldrums and other people’s opinions sometimes matter a little bit too much. At age 34 he is no longer the young newcomers we met in The Wall of Winnipeg, he’s a seasoned QB, though he’s had little success with the teams he’s played for. He’s currently in Houston where he’s training in the off season, living at Trevor, his manager’s house with another of Trevor’s football player clients, CJ. Unsure of where he will be playing next season, life is unsettled and he’s trying to distract himself with a party, when a blast from his past walks in.

Bianca ‘Little Texas’ Brannen, knew Zac The Snack Pack when he was a scrawny kid. It was her that named him Big Texas after he took to calling her Little Texas. They met when she was just 3 years old. Zac, though 7 years older was always kind to Bianca. He was best friends with her favourite cousin, who is more like a brother and her grandmother used to watch out for Zac when his mother was working. Up until she was 17, she was close to Zac, visiting him at college with her cousin and going to see his matches. Despite the age difference they were good friends. Then when she was 17 Zac dropped out of her life. He carried on his friendship with her cousin but he stopped answering her calls and texts. Her heart was broken that the man she adored with all her heart was done with her.

When Zac’s grandfather becomes ill, and no one can reach him, her cousin asks Bianca to go to where he is staying to tell him what is going on, because she lives in Houston too. Hating the idea of having to face the man she crushed hard on as teenager, she knows that she has to tell him about his grandfather. When they come face to face, 10 years after their last meeting, Zac doesn’t even recognise Bianca, but when he knows who it is he is delighted, until she tells him why she’s there. But once, Zac has Bianca back in his life he doesn’t seem to want to let her disappear back out of it and Bianca can’t understand it.

I liked Bianca, she has trust issues (cheating ex-boyfriend), abandonment issues (absentee parents) and self-esteem issues (see previous). However, she is determined and ambitious. She is funny, loyal, honest and loving. Her family are tremendously important to her and she is really close to her cousin and sister. Despite losing touch with Zac, she still follows him on social media and and the news because she only wants what is best for him, even if he really hurt her.

In some way most people can appreciate what it’s like to have a crush on someone older when you are teenager, especially if they are around a lot and are friendly. Most people also know what it’s like to be hurt when rejected by your first love as a teenager. It’s devasting at the time, but you get over it. This story is at some level almost familiar and believable. Lots of people in the days of social media get back in touch with people from their past and resume friendships/relationships that ended years ago. We all know someone who has done that, or have even done it ourselves. Having someone from the past who shared in a so much from his childhood is what Zac needs at a difficult time in his life. He knows that Bianca cared about him before he was successful and rich. He can trust her motives, whereas it’s hard to do the same with other people. This basic trust and history allows them to quickly drop back into a friendship that Zac and also Bianca needs.

I really enjoyed the slow journey these two people take towards falling in love. Each step along the path to the HEA is believable. The banter between friends and family is funny and the stories of their shared childhood are amusing as such stories normally are. Both Zac and Bianca are very loveable characters and seeing them get together is rewarding and satisfying, because the good guys should always get their HEA in a romance. Despite some mistakes, these two characters are really good guys. They deserve their happiness.

The narrators are good. Callie Dalton has narrated all (I think) of Mariana Zapata’s audio books. Chris Brinkley reads the parts that Zac speaks and Callie reads the rest of the book. I like this technique and the most recent books from this author are done the same. It gives conversations between the MMC and MFC much more clarity. The back and forth of dialogue doesn’t become confused like it can if it’s all done with one narrator. Both narrators bring warmth and humour to the book.

Mariana Zapata may not write ‘great works of fiction’ but she does write warm, interesting and funny books that present intriguing and believeable characters that take us on a journey towards a HEA. This book is a great example of her work.

1 person found this helpful

Was just ok

I usually find mariana zapatas books fantastic but this one was just ok, not alot of substance to the story which was a shame, but a nice easy listening experience

1 person found this helpful

Hair tearingly repetitive

By the end of chapter 2 I was struggling. The author has the main character over thinking ad nauseam. It’s like a merry go round… the same thoughts and ideas go round & round until you are pulling your hair out and shouting at your device to get on with the story.

I figured I should keep listening to give it a fair try. But no…by middle of chapter 5 the same things that were repeated in chapter 2 were still on the merry go round through every chapter.
The overall length of the story is supposed to be over 15 hours. If those 5 chapters are anything to go by it could be cut to 2 or 3 hours actual story telling.

I gave up mid chapter 5, and returned for a refund.

Not Ms Zapata's best

Maybe I wasn't in the right mood for this book when I listed to it, but it's not for me. It wasn't terrible, just... boring and at times frustrating. I was ready to give up after the first couple of hours, Bianca was such a door mat and I really struggled to connect with her. I persevered only because I'm a huge fan of Zapata's books and I was hoping it will improve. I guess it did get a bit better, but only a bit. It felt too flat and too long, there was no chemistry between the main characters, the nicknames were ridiculous and overused, and frankly I found both protagonists whiny and annoying.

I listened to "The wall of Winnipeg and me" at least 5 times, and probably will again in a year or two. This one? Not a chance.

amazing audio!!!

Ok so I loved Zac when reading this story but hearing Marianas stories brought to life is just perfect!!
Zac makes me swoon so so hard! and Bianca is your usual MZ heroine..strong kick ass and full of humour!
These guys had such intense chemistry and deserved their HEA together.
Listening to this just makes me want to read/listen to all Mariana has ever written.
would DEFINITELY recommend this.

The voice of Zack. OMG. But..

Tooo long. To many words. And I would have loved full chapters with the male character, to hear his version of the story.

But. Otherwise. Very sweet, very comforting.

But if you wish for a more steamy lovestory, find another book: this was 90% foreplay.

LOVED

omg where do i start! she is one of the best slow burn romance authors!! the book is 15hrs not a second was boring, not a second was wasted, if anything I needed more!!!!! the narration!!!!! callie is PERFECT !! She belongs in Marianas books! I hope she never changes who narrates them. Chris was a first time listen for me.......LOVE HIM!!!!! they both REALLY REALLY brought the book to life. I felt the emotions everything!!!! This book is faultless!! I loved it. HIGHLY recommend. 10/10

A good listen

I love how Mariana’s books pull you in, get you invested in the characters. It’s all very gentle but I never want it to end. I enjoyed this but got frustrated at times with the lead. It’s not as good as The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, but still a lovely listen.

Brilliant

Mariana Zapata is on of my favourite authors. Her stories are a brilliant mix of feel good humour and hot guy romances. I usually listen to the audiobooks and go back to them time and again. Callie Dalton is a brilliant narrator, not heard Chris Brinkley narration before but his voice….. oh my gawd!!!!! Fair to say I will be searching for more audiobooks read by him stat!!! 🔥🤩

Anytime Darlin’

I loved the book about Zac and Bianca but Oh good god…. I love the audio version sooooo much more. That deep male ‘Darlin’ was enough to make my ovaries grow back ; )