A grumpy single dad who lives in the mountains?? Amazing!!! I love the way Mariana Zapata writes slow burns. This book was a super slow burn and I enjoyed every minute of it. Mariana Zapata never disappoints!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the arc of this book.

I know what I'm getting with this author so I know to expect a super long book with a big old slow burn. Also, it may be a personal hangup with books by this author but the fart jokes just take me all the way out of the story. I'm a few days out from reading this and I still remember them more than the actual romance. Also that she was 33 and didn't know how a hammer worked.

I was charmed that she could talk to anyone, had a soft spot for giant hurt birds, and quiet teenagers. I liked Rhodes after he decided to start being kinder to her after the halfway point in this book which is a really long time in a Mariana Zapata book. He was quite cold to her and then he was surprised when she thought he didn't like her. I just, you can't have it both ways sir. I did like their relationship after things got settled up. Rhodes tracking her down whenever she was hiking in dangerous conditions was lovely. She's never really had anyone watching for her so it was nice to see him do it even before they were together.

The only thing I wish I saw was when Kaden gave her songwriter credit. It never came up through the book and I would have liked to have seen that conversation.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Aurora De La Torre is on a healing journey and on this journey she decides to go back to the beginning. Aurora returns to a place where she was last happy, a small town in Colorado. With limited options available she finds a small garage apartment rental. Her landlord may be incredibly HOT but so is his temper. He is not happy to see her there in his house.

This book tackles so many relatable sentiments. This book deals with divorce, grief, unconventional families, found family and self discovery. Zapata takes us on a journey with Rhodes and Aurora. Throughout this story they are basically teaching each other how to love and find that openness again. It's downright beautiful and made my heart do a little pitter-patter.

Zapata clearly has the grump/sunshine trope down pat. Rhodes is so grumpy haha. He does not small and his only form of communication seems to be those glaring looks. While Aurora barrels in with her can-do attitude and all her positivity. For most of the book Aurora thinks Rhodes hates her. Little does she know that he's been falling for her from the start. I enjoyed the healing process Aurora went through and the impact she seemed to have on very one around her. I love how Rhodes seemed to be exactly what she needed and how well Am fit in with it all.

Zapata's writes relatable characters. Her characters are vulnerable and so human. This quote right here ?

"'Because… I’ve been watching you grow for months. I don’t want to be something you grow around. You were with someone who gave you too much shade before, right? I’d rather us take our time than me stunt where you’re going, who you’re becoming.'"

That's enough said!

5⭐️

I would give all the stars to this book. The queen of slow burn Mariana Zapata created such a wonderful grumpy sunshine love story. This is an older book that has been rereleased under the publisher, but it still is so incredible and relevant today.

The story follows a recent divorcee Aurora moving back to her home town that her mom disappeared from after a hike when she was young. She has rented a garage apartment from Craigslist however when she shows up she learns the owner of the house did not agree to this and it was his son that put it up. Tobias is very grumpy and not excited about this arrangement at all.

This is a story of Aurora finding her self after heartbreak. The relationship she builds in this small town.

Although this is a very slow burn and long book, the journey and payoff is so worth it, Rhodes is such an inedible grumpy dad Tobias character and the son Amos is the absolute sweetest. I don't typically like kids in my romance novels but Mariana handles it perfectly, There are hiking scenes and a moment with a large bird I'll never forget. Ughh I just seriously love it so much.


Compared to other books by Zapata I'd put this as my second favorite but it's very close. I recommend this book to any romance lover, don't let the slow burn/length scare away. It's seriously so worth it. ❤️❤️❤️ My only con for this book is the new cover. I loved the first cover and I am disappointed to see the cover has been changed to match any other current romance book out there right now.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper voyager for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floods.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.

It's hard to pick a favorite Zapata book, but I always come back to All Rhodes Lead Here. Zapata has the unique talent of writing relationships that are founded on safety and comfort. Whenever I enter a Zapata world, I never want to leave them. All Rhodes Lead Here is the ultimate comfort read.

Looooove this book. Do I own it in every format and in multiple covers? Yes, yes I do. As always, Mariana Zapata nails it every time. In this book we have Rhodes, a grumpy Game Warden and Aurora, the sunshine-y former songwriter heroine who is revisiting her roots after the end of a long relationship. I loved the slow burn of their relationship and all the side characters like Amos and Yuki (who I wouldn't mind reading about her story with her bodyguard, just sayin').

Nothing changed from the original publishing but the extra added scene was lovely to read and worth it for me. Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was, hands down, one of the slowest burns in slow burn history.

That being said, this was just one of the sweetest grumpy/sunshine books i've ever read.

After breaking up with her long term famous boyfriend, Aurora moves to the town her mom disappeared in and rents a garage apartment from her grumpy landlord Rhodes and his son Am. But over days and weeks, long hikes and fireside chats, Aurora breaks down his walls and soon an unbreakable friendship blossoms into a once-in-a-lifetime love.

I give this a 3.75 stars out of 5. While i did love the love story, the growth etc, the extreme slow burn had me edge and the fact that she just wouldn't go ahead and tell who the ex was was starting to bug me even before it all came out.

But over all, this really was the cutest.

Thanks netGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Is it repetitive to say Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow burn? Probably. Does it make it any less true? Absolutely not. Zapata is back with a swoon worthy tale that will have you freaking out over the smallest things. Aurora is the best lead; actual sunshine for the grump/sunshine trope. And Rhodes is the best grumpy hero. Together, they make up some memorable scenes that will have you laughing, crying, and giddily swinging your legs like a child. This book is the ultimate comfort read.

I don’t know how MZ does it, but obviously she is brilliant because All Rhodes Lead Here is now up there with my favourites.

I fell hard for this book. And every single character in it.

Aurora is starting fresh, going back to her roots and I absolutely loved her journey and growth. She has so many layers, but the thing I loved most about her was she didn’t ever give up and tried.

Rhodes, oh man. He was perfect. He had depth and he was definitely a cinnamon roll. Grumpy loveable perfection.

The way their relationship is slowly oh so slowly built and then phew that sexual tension on top of it almost kills you. It’s so amazing and I can’t get over how much I loved every second.

There are more characters that stole my heart too, but I’ll let you read about them 😉

This slow burn was exquisite. So much happens, so much you don’t see coming, so much of everything you ever want in a book. I give it ALL the stars.

This book right here, y'all.

This book right here!

Phenomenal, spectacular, gorgeous, immersive, engaging, basically all the positive adjectives can all sum up how this book made me feel.

Because make no mistake-- this books gives all the feels. Doesn't matter how grumpy and stoic of a co-lead Rhodes is, beneath all that gruff is bleeding, beating heart and I felt it on her every page. He was so perfect...well almost perfect. We need to chat about that Buddy nickname, haha!

And then there's our star, Aurora herself. Beautiful, vulnerable, fierce Aurora. Her soul shines as bright as the stars in the skies. Oh how I adored her perseverance and her optimism. And her endless swooning for Rhodes. I won't even lie, I wished her ill on every hike because I was foaming at the mouth with the hopes Rhodes would come to rescue each time. In all seriousness, when she too wasn't drooling over Rhodes, she was taking a journey to in remembrance of her late mother. That storyline was so beautifully done. I cried so many times for Aurora, for her heartache and her longing.

This book was near perfect, and it's one I will cherish forever.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.15..? It got better in the last half.

I just don’t think hiking romances are for me. I had similar issues with this as I did with Christina Lauren’s “Something Wilder”—though this was arguably better written and the characters had more common sense. I don’t think I like reading about people who hike in my semi local area and talk about people who have died/who almost die themselves doing so. It kind of ruins the escapism for me.

This had some great moments. I loved the camping scene, and other times when Rhodes was just being supportive.

People rave about this book on social media, but so far it’s my least favorite MZ book. Still good though.

And we actually got to see our love interests be together somewhat in this book, rather than have them finally confess their love in the last 5% of the book. But don’t let that fool you because it’s still a slow burn.

This book has my least favorite pet name to date, though. He goes back and forth between “Angel” and “Buddy”… as in Buddy the Elf. 🫣

Overall, MZ is a great author and I’ll read whatever she writes.

Mariana Zapata has been my favorite author since she released “Wait for It” and I binged her entire backlist. I’ve read all of her books and most of them I’ve read 3+ times. When she releases a book, I drop everything because I know I won’t be able to put it down. Then I always end up with a book hangover since there’s nothing out there that can compare to her and her slow burns. All Rhodes Lead Here is no exception and it is one of her best!

In All Rhodes Lead Here, Aurora De La Torre is looking for a place to call home. After leaving her long term boyfriend, she goes back to the only place that ever felt like home, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It is the last place she lived with her mother and holds so many memories. She finds what she thinks is the perfect rental, until the grumpy landlord, Rhodes, informs her his teenage son, Amos, rented it out without his knowledge. Agreeing to let her stay, Rhodes makes it clear she is to leave him and his son alone. But Aurora finds herself spending more time with Rhodes and Amos as the weeks pass and wonders if she finally found the place where she belongs.

MZ characters always feel so real and relatable. This book is a slow burn but isn’t just about romance. It’s a story about Aurora’s journey and the friends she makes along the way. She chose this small town so she could feel closer to her mother and instead found so much more.

Amos, a shy, awkward teenager and Rhodes, a strict, quiet single father, weren’t prepared for the changes Aurora brought into their lives. She was the piece they didn’t even know was missing. I can’t even put into words everything I loved about this book. I loved the friendships she made, the closure she was finally able to get, and the love she found.
I really enjoyed the bonus content and will never say no to more Aurora, Rhodes, and Amos.

I know when I pick up a MZ book, I’m going to get a good cry. Rhodes had me sobbing one minute and then laughing through my tears the next. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. It’s some of her best work and I could not love it more!

I have read a loved a few of this author’s books. She definitely has quirks with her writing but I was able to get past them because of the interesting relationships. This is just really bad, though. I made it to about 70% and just couldn’t finish. The main character annoying and her inner dialogue is atrocious. Most importantly, there was very little chemistry between the two main characters. I’m hoping that her next book is more in line with Kulti or Wall of Winnipeg and me.

Yes, it's as good as all the reviews indicate! I'm a fan. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed the updated version and bonus content. Great characters and Zapata is an awesome storyteller.

Updated 9/7/23
I had a chance to read the new Avon edition of All Rhodes Lead Here and the exclusive bonus material was so cute! I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a sweet scene between Ora and Rhodes (and Am) that takes place chronologically before the epilogue. There's also a little something extra that gives a glimpse into the future. Much like the Avon update to The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I didn't notice any major changes to the original story. The new illustrated cover featuring Ora and silver fox daddy Rhodes is really cute though! *heart eyes*

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

***** Original review *****
4.5 stars

This was such a beautiful story of healing and growth. It's the first MZ book I've read that felt more like women's fiction than romance, since so much of the story is about Aurora (Ora) grieving and moving forward. The slow burn romance was wonderful as always, but perhaps just a bit too slow this time around. I understand that Ora's journey was the heart of this story, but it felt like it took forever for things to start shifting between her and Rhodes. Also, I usually love when the MC's have nicknames for each other, but one Rhodes chose made me cringe every time he used it. He was such a secret sweetheart though and I loved him and Amos and their unconventional family. My heart melted each time he quietly showed how much he cared. Yes, he's a grump and was a jerk a time (or ten), but I loved that once he was in, he was ALL in. Everything was a slow build up, from the friendships to the romance, but it made everything so much more meaningful. Watching Ora grow more confidant and comfortable in her own skin was really beautiful and I thought MZ did an amazing job showcasing (and ultimately celebrating) grief, heartache, and love. The epilogue made my heart so happy and couldn't have been cuter.

I both read the ebook and listened to the audiobook of All Rhodes Lead Here. I love Callie Dalton and was pleasantly surprised to find out the audiobook was duet narration with Gomez Pugh. The majority of the book is done by Callie since the story is told from Ora's POV, but it was great to have Gomez narrate all of the dialogue from Rhodes. Sometimes I found his voice a bit too gruff, but I thought they captured the grumpy + sunshine vibe perfectly.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

CW: disappearance/death of parent (past), abusive bipolar parent (past), parent with depression, manipulative and toxic ex, appendicitis, grief, strained relationship with parent

5⭐️ Mariana Zapata never fails to impress me. This story is about a woman named Aurora moving to a town in Colorado where she rents a living space from Tobias Rhodes. She’s on a journey of self discovery after having gone through a lot in the recent months. I absolutely loved Aurora so much! She was this ball of energy and happiness which stuck to the people around her. Rhodes is introduced as the grumpy man who rarely smiles, although the change we see after him and Aurora become close is adorable. They are the definition of opposites attract. Also I loved Amos who is Rhodes sixteen year old son. He is a very lovable character and played an important role throughout the story. If you’re in search of a good slow bun romance book then this is for you! It had me smiling/laughing through its entirety.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this eARC!

My review of All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata ♡︎

All Rhodes Lead Here is a romance with themes of healing, grief, and finding yourself through new beginnings. I really related to so many of the characters. I loved Amos, Tobias, and especially Aurora.

Some things I loved:

🤍 the grumpiest silver fox daddy that is Tobias Rhodes

🤍 single dad to a teenage boy

🤍 the slowest burn romance

🤍 this book is the epitome of the grumpy/sunshine trope

🤍 small town

🤍 Aurora’s story of grief and healing is something that I really connected with

I read this book when it first came out two years ago and I absolutely loved the bonus content! Go read it and find out- thank me later!

Ratings:

★︎★︎★︎★︎★ / ➎︎

🌶/ ➎︎

I had the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s e-proof of All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley. All opinions above are my own.

All Rhodes Lead Here was my first Mariana Zapata book and it made an instant fan out of me. This baby is THICK and I still finished it in one sitting. Zapata has such an easy way with words and knows how to hold a reader’s attention. When I saw this was getting rereleased with a publisher I love, I felt so excited knowing other readers were going to feel the same joy I did. Plus, exclusive content!!!

This is the definition of a heartwarming book and Aurora was a fantastic character. One of my favorite FMC I’ve ever read and not just because she’s a fellow hiker. Found family, single dad, grumpy/sunshine, finding yourself, (very, very) slow burn, and all the feels. So many feels. Absolutely recommend if you enjoy character driven stories, don’t mind a long book, and like books that feel real with likable, relatable characters. The romance was sweet and felt extremely authentic.

As for the exclusive content: worth it. We get a bonus epilogue and a neat Wikipedia entry on Aurora. So this is the perfect excuse for people who read this when it was independently published to reread. If you even needed a reason!

Highly recommend. Read this book. You won’t regret it. My love for this book is only outmatched by Kulti and my cells are vibrating at the prospect of getting my grubby little hands on some bonus Kulti content.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Honestly, if you haven't picked up a Mariana Zapata book yet, what are you waiting for? If you love a good, long slow burn, this one is for you. MZ is one of the best romance authors I've ever read in my life because it's not just about the romance. MZ writes very realistic characters who are going through different life struggles in their lives.

In this book, we follow Aurora who has returned to her homeland Colorado to finish some hikes that her late mother didn't finish. She never figured out what happened to her mother, so that haunts her. She's also hiding from her famous ex-boyfriend (who also has a helicopter mom). He wants her back but not for the reason she wants. Aurora ends up living in an apartment hosted by Tobias, or really, Tobias's son Amos. At first, they try to keep their distance away from each other, but when Tobias sees how much Aurora cares for Amos, he starts to warm up to her.

And if you've already read this book before it was announced it would be republished (AS IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE MARIANA ZAPATA DESERVES IT), then you'll definitely want to read the exclusive content. I love reading extra scenes from after the main plot ended, seeing the characters interact one last time.

Would I recommend this book? HECK YES. PLEASE DO. IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES. It made me laugh, cry, and just go through so many emotions.

All Rhodes Lead Here is one of my favorite books. Aurora and Rhodes are two really great characters. I loved the build up between the two. It was classic Mariana Zapata, who has cemented herself as the slow burn queen. I also loved the fact that a good portion of this book was women’s fiction. Mariana did a great job focusing on Aurora and her past. When she spoke about her grief, it really resonated with me.

With every book, Mariana proves why she’s the best at slow burn. She hits all the right notes and outdoes herself every time.