The Wall of Winnipeg and Me
READER RECOMMENDED: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata is $3.99 on Amazon! At RT, SnarkyWench and I gushed about sports contemporaries over some wine for a good twenty minutes, and she highly recommended this book. I immediately added it to my TBR pile because it features a football player and a marriage of convenience plot. The hero (who is Canadian) wants to marry to keep his US residency. Readers loved the slow burn between the hero and heroine, but found it a little too slow. Any Zapata fans in the Bitchery?
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mariana Zapata’s most beloved book, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me—now with new exclusive content!
Vanessa Mazur refuses to feel bad for quitting—she knows she’s doing the right thing. The thankless job of personal assistant to the top defensive end in the National Football Organization was always supposed to be temporary. She has plans for her life, and none of them include washing extra-large underwear one more day for a man who could never find it in him to tell her good morning, congratulate her on a job well done, or wish her a happy birthday—even when she was spending it working for him.
The legendary “Wall of Winnipeg” may be adored by thousands, but after two years Van has had enough.
But when Aiden Graves shows up at her door begging her to come back, she’s beyond shocked. Mr. Walled-Off Emotions is actually letting his guard down for once. And she’s even more dumbstruck when he explains that her job description is about to become even more outrageous: something that takes the “personal” in personal assistant to a whole new level.
What do you say to the man who is used to getting everything he wants?
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Slow and Steady Rush by Laura Trentham is $1.99! This has a sports theme, but no athlete hero. The heroine is a librarian who returns home to help her grandmother and the hero is the local football coach. Also, all the books in the series are named after lyrics from Faith Hill’s “Just Breathe,” in case you want that song stuck in your head today. Readers found the romance to be cute and funny, while some thought the chemistry was lackluster.
She lives by the book—and is still searching for her happily ever after.
Darcy Wilde has tried hard not to live up to her last name. As a librarian in Atlanta she lives a fine life far away from the football-obsessed town of her childhood. But when her beloved Grandmother needs help, Darcy takes a leave of absence and heads back to the home and past she left behind.
He knows how to play the field—and is in no rush to settle down.
Robbie Dalton knows a thing or two about painful pasts. After bouncing around in foster care and the Army for years he is finally ready to move on and make a home for himself in Falcon, Alabama as the newest high school football coach. Sparks fly when the sexy new coach and the sharp-tongued librarian meet, but neither of them is looking to make ties.
But when it comes to love, sometimes you’ve gotta throw away the rule book to cross the finish line…
Everything changes when Darcy falls in love, not only with the gruff, protective, and smoking hot man who’s sharing her days and nights, but also with the complex tapestry of people who weave Falcon together. Could this be where she belongs – and who she belongs with?
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Forward Pass by Desiree Holt is 99c! I dare you not to stare at this cover model’s nipples because it’s near impossible. This romance has the “off limits best friend’s sister” trope and some readers found the plot to be pretty predictable. But many found the romance to be sweet overall. Have you read this one?
Get Ready to Play Rough
Shay Beckham grew up idolizing her brother’s best friend, star quarterback Joe Reilly. There was no one in their Texas town who had the moves to match Joe on or off the field. Years later, he’s still a player who has what it takes to drive any hot-blooded woman wild. But Shay isn’t a kid with a bad case of hero-worship anymore. She’s grown-up and independent, with her feet on the ground and a serious head on her shoulders. If she could just say the same for Joe.
It’s been fifteen years, but Joe Reilly hasn’t forgotten the skinny little kid who used to follow him around like a shadow. What he can’t get over is that the skinny shadow has grown into one hell of an incredible woman. One any man in his right mind would kill to get his hands on. And one who seems to be completely immune to him. He knows he and Shay could have something special together. If he could only convince her he’s about more than just the game.
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We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Better Than Perfect
Better Than Perfect by Kristina Mathews is 99c! This has a second chance romance, a secret baby (now a teen), and a baseball-playing hero. Some readers felt the book was a bit too picturesque and the characters too perfect. But interestingly, the book offers the son’s POV, which readers happened to like. It has a 3.6-star rating on Goodreads.
The woman he left behind and the son he never knew are tougher opponents than any he’s met on the field.
Pitcher Johnny “The Monk” Scottsdale has won awards, been named an All-star and has a perfect game to his credit. Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”
Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son.
With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love.
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The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is one of the best things I’ve read in a while. I love all of Mariana Zapata’s books, but this might be my favorite. The slow burn romance and character development is just fantastic.
Thank you for the “Just Breathe” earworm. (sigh) I really enjoyed Laura Trentham’s Spies and Lovers historicals so I just may have to try out one of her small town books.
I second the love for Mariana Zapata. She’s one of the few authors who frequently makes me giggle out loud (another is Shelly Laurenston/G. A. Aiken). Her books are definitely slow burn, but the payoff is hot. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me has already been a re-read, as have the rest of the books.
I too found The Wall of Winnipeg and Me to be an enjoyable read. Several of the titles above look good; thanks for the list.
Also a fan of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. I like a slow burn, but the character development and the detail of lives and relationship grabbed me most. I especially liked the slow unfolding of the hero’s personality.
All 3 books of the Matchmaker Trilogy “It Takes Two to Tangle”, “To Charm a Naughty Countess”, and “Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress” by Theresa Romain are on sale for $0,99 each at amazon and kobo
I loved The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I’ve read the book and just finished listening to the audiobook (for the third time). After I finished the book (again) I tried to figure out what it is that makes me keep coming back to it-here’s what I’ve come up with. I found that even though the book is a slow burn it doesn’t feel long to me, and yes, the payoff is worth it. I loved the characters and their relationships felt real, natural and organic. The book is sweet but is not overly saccharine or unrealistic in its dialogue or gestures (so no bad eye-rolling). It makes me smile and laugh and genuinely makes me feel good. Basically I love it and I highly recommend it.
Count me as another lover of Mariana Zapata’s books. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and Kulti are my favorites. I loved the “slow burn” in both, but did not feel either was “slow” at all. Totally enjoyable books. Not perfect (and what is?), but I had that happy, satisfied, smiley feeling when I was done.
I adore all of her books. Slow burning, character driven, just wonderful, amazing books!
*insert gush about TWOWAM here* Read it last weekend and loved it– have reread since then, and I really enjoyed the slow burn. I feel like almost all contemporaries in recent years have the characters consummating their attraction so quickly that I don’t get to enjoy the build up of UST. This was a breath of fresh air with respect to pacing
Wall of Winnepeg is free with Kindle Unlimited. Which is good since I just bought. 3 Romains!
Winnipeg is always $3.99 for ebooks, that’s the price of all of Zapata’s books (unless they’re on sale for $1.99, which I’ve only seen once on Lingus). Anywho, more love for Aiden, the great big butthead that he is. I also highly recommend the companion audios of Zapata’s books read by Callie Dalton (Under Locke and Kulti).
I’m going to have to get my hands on a hard copy of The Winnipeg Wall and Me. In addition to enjoying what sounds like a great book I am going to have endless trolling opportunities when my ‘Pegger dad asks for ‘a book’ for his fillintheoccasiondayhere. If only it came in a hardcover version where you can remove the jacket….. *evil grin*
I know I’m probably the only nook user left, but I’m miffed that The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is only available in hardcopy or audiobook via B&N.
I liked the Wall of Winnipeg and Me especially for the relationship that develops between the protagonists – they both respect her developing career as well as his – and they are equally (in)experienced sexually. What a relief after all the sex-pert heroes and virgin heroines. Unfortunately when I picked up Under Locke also by Zapata it was a cringe worthy DNF in which the formerly womanizing (as in right up to when he meets the heroine) hero fetishizes the heroine’s virginity to the point of being jealous of any one who’s ever kissed her. Yick.
Wall of Winnipeg & Me: insta-click, insta-read until I passed out at 3:30a then scrambled to get ready for work and finished it in the parking lot outside the building and was late. THAT good! This book, for me, is TRUE love! So believable, not too hoaxy, natural progression. I didn’t laugh out loud but my heart was so invested, I could feel it racing!!
@Bex — ugh no you are not the only book user I am one too and was set to buy this darn Winnipeg book right up until I read your comment and made a big sad face :((
Sigh. Not the only nook* user. Curse my autocorrects inevitable betrayal!
I’m another fan of Wall of Winnipeg. Def on my list of 2016 favorite reads.
Many people point out that the romance is a slow burn…maybe a detractor for some readers? In the case of this book the slow burn is necessary. The male lead is utterly unlikeable for almost a third of the book. His growth and change is what helped drive the story (and what kept me glued to my kindle). If the female lead had jumped on him in, say chapter 2, this whole book changes into one of those awful romances where the female excuses bad treatment and lack of respect and loves him anyway.
As a KU user, I had already checked out Lingus based on other reviews- I just hadn’t read it yet. Not sure what I was waiting for, but after all the love TWOW got, decided to take the plunge. So glad I did. Read Lingus,TWOW and Under Locke back to back and loved them all. Ms Zapata has a new fan here.
Under Locke caveat: this was not a DNF for me- it wasn’t my favorite but I did really like it. One thing to keep in mind is that many of the male characters are MC members and they tend to be written as Alphas. Though, as always, ymmv.
TWOWAM caused me to make a bad decision last night and stay up until 3:00am in order to finish. Asshole athletes are my catnip. I even married one (college, not professional);). This was my first Zapata book and I very much enjoyed it. I legitimately cared about the main characters and loved experiencing their development as individuals and as a couple. Compared to other romance novels, the way the couple developed felt very realistic. Having said that, I do wish there was a bit more action. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a romance novel that didn’t give me my first hot moment until the book was at the 90% mark! Still worth the read…very well written.
Question for Zapata fans…are all of her books slow, slow, slow burn like this one?
@Sarahbean108: I’ve just glommed 3 of her books in 2 days and can attest that, yes, those 3 are all slow burns.
Zapata herself has said that she didn’t feel as good about Under Locke as her other books – she felt like she was caving to the pressures of what’s popular to sell copies. I think I maybe read that in a blog post? Anyway, I agree it’s not her best work, but I’m obsessed with Kulti (I think it’s one of my fave romances ever) and also really like Lingus and Rhythm, Chord and Malykin.