Like all Zapata's books this is a long slow burn and I like all the characters she builds, but it takes a while for her to get you to thinking they actually are together or have chemistry

Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow-burn and "All Rhodes Lead Here" was no exception. It was an incredible story and certainly did not disappoint.

Hot grumpy mountain man meets bubbly city girl. This book was so good! Aurora returns to the town she grew up in to find herself and to try to get closer to her mom who never got to leave. She rents an apartment from Rhodes except he doesn’t know he’s rented her the apartment because his teenage son listed it behind his back and when he finds out he is not happy about it but allows her to stay. From there we get to see their relationship develop as Aurora works to find herself. She was one strong lady whose positive attitude even when faced with adversity didn’t waiver. I loved every second of this book and regret that I had put it off for so long because of the page count.

Still recovering from the abrupt end of her long-term relationship with a superstar musician, Aurora De La Torre returns to the last place she felt uncomplicated happiness: her childhood hometown. There, she rents an apartment from an extremely reluctant Tobias Rhodes, who dislikes her on sight and wants her to stay far away from him and his teenage son. Aurora is determined to find a community and build a life where she is valued for who she is, rather than anything superficial. Rhodes’s primary goals are to be a great father and build a life outside of the navy. It takes him a while to see Aurora for who she is, rather than who he imagines her to be. Both halves of this grumpy/sunshine couple have been neglected and treated with carelessness by those who should have loved them; Rhodes’s experiences make him protective of himself and his son in a way that Aurora respects, while she keeps her heart open to possibilities.
VERDICT This new edition of a previously self-published novel, which features Zapata’s (The Wall of Winnipeg and Me) trademark humor and slow-burn pacing, includes a bonus scene after the original epilogue and is sure to be popular.

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

The slow-burn romance between the two main characters, Rafael and Emilia, is both tender and passionate. Zapata's writing style is both lyrical and realistic, and she has a talent for creating characters that feel like real people I know. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection, and it's a beautiful and poignant read.

First and foremost, that slow burn was 🔥🔥🔥. I couldn’t stop inhaling this book because I just had to know what happened, when they finally became lovers, and how.
The relationships and all the personalities interacting was flawless. Mariana knows how to write real people and make them interesting.
This was my first Mariana Zapata book but it won’t be my last. This made me a lifelong Mariana fan and I can’t wait to read more!

I loved Kulti by this author so I had high hopes for this book and unfortunately it didn't quite hit the mark -- while I enjoyed getting to know our main character, I think that "slow burn" was taken to an entirely new level (which can be some people's cup of tea, but not mine) and by the time any actual romance started I wasn't as invested as I had been before. Still, the writing was good and the overall plot was decent :)

This book took wayyyy too long for anything to start happening. I would have liked a bit more to happen in the beginning and for momentum to keep building through the book.

Tried my very best to read this, but couldn’t get into it. Perhaps I picked it up at the wrong point in time or maybe it isn’t for me. I will check it out from the library and try again when the time is right.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Mariana Zapata is truly one of my favorite authors. Her way of narrating, the way she appropriates slow romance, she always writes protagonists and secondary characters that complement each other in such a human way. This is by far one of my favorite books by the author.

Rhodes is a grizzly bear on the outside and a teddy bear on the inside. Aurora is fearless, clumsy and very noble. I love the way they care, how they trust each other and how they take time to understand how they feel and choose each other. I loved it all.

5 out of 5 rating and 100 out of 5 in my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of All Rhodes Lead Here!

Aurora (Ora) moves back to Pagosa Springs, Colorado following a bad breakup with the most famous country singer in the world. In their entire 14 year relationship it was never found out that they were together (no red flags there). Some of Aurora's favorite memories happened in Pagosa Springs but it is also where her mom went missing on a hike. Aurora books an Air BNB but upon arrival learns there was a huge misunderstanding with her booking. Her landlord, Tobias Rhodes, reluctantly lets her stay. As Aurora grows closer to Rhodes and his son could her relationship with the elder Rhodes turn into something more?

I enjoyed this book but there is no reason it needs to be this long. The first half drags: Aurora is terrible at hiking. She is terrible at being a tenant. She doesn't feel she knows enough to do her job so instead of learning bargains with her landlord so he will teach her basic things. She hates her ex and spends a lot of time saying how she is going to get over him and forget him but is constantly thinking about him.

The second half when Rhodes treats her like a normal human being and their relationship develops is delightful. The parts about her mom made me cry.

Overall I enjoyed this book but it definitely needs stronger editing in the first half. Also Rhodes's nicknames for Aurora made me cringe.

4.5 stars. I really love this author's style of writing. While the page count can be a bit intimidating, it did not feel nearly as long as it could have.

Read this book if you enjoy:
> Grumpy/Sunshine
> Forced proximity
> Single dad MMC
> Rural Colorado setting
> Outdoor activities (hiking, camping, etc.)
> Music
> Single POV
> Slow burn

There is a lot going on in this story that really worked well for me. I felt really immersed in the storyline and invested in the characters as they went through their journey. I was absolutely dying for Rhodes POV in this story, there were times where his grumpy nature really muted how much he cared for Ora and made the build-up to the verrrry slow burn feel a bit lost at times. I thought that Ora was a really well rounded character. There was a lot in this book around dealing with grief, which I wasn't completely expecting - but I thought it was handled really well in the context of the story.

Also, I loved the family dynamics with Ora/Rhodes/Amos. There was a lot to work with there and watching their relationship grow and evolve was a treat. Overall, I really loved this story. It was a warm hug and a fun adventure all rolled into one. I'm really glad these are being re-published and are on my radar. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Thank you Avon and Mariana Zapata for a #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me is one of my favorite books of all time, so I’ve been super excited to dive into more Mariana Zapata books! I really liked this one and am excited to read more of her books!

While I did love this book, let's get a few of the things I didn’t love out of the way. I felt like it was a little too long for a romance especially because the MMC Rhodes said all of like 3 words through most of the book. Don't get me wrong, I liked him, but I wish he would have been ~slightly~ less brooding. I also was not a huge fan of the nicknames he used for Aurora.

Now that that’s out of the way, let's talk about the parts I loved - because there was a lot to love! I really liked Aurora’s character. I love how strong she was and how she stuck to her guns, especially against her ex and ex-mother-in-law. She had been through hell and she just kind of said “fuck that” and up and moved to a place she knew she could find happiness. I loved all of the scenes where she was telling people off. 

The complex family dynamics were also strong in this one. I loved when she and Rhodes opened up to each other about their parents and family issues. Aurora’s storyline with her mother was heartbreaking but her working through that pain was beautiful to read. I also love Aurora’s relationship with Rhodes’ son Amos. They built such a trusting foundation and she seamlessly fit into his life in such a caring way. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Mariana Zapata is such a dynamic writer and I can’t wait to continue working through her backlog of books! I definitely recommend this one!

Such a slow burn! I really liked the outdoorsy vibes of this one and how our protagonist was following the footsteps of her missing mother. I even shed a tear at the end! The single dad trope was also super cute here and liked the couple overall. Just wish it was a little shorter or fast-paced but otherwise I enjoyed reading All Rhodes Lead Here!

This was the first book my Mariana Zapata I ever read, so when I saw that the rerelease was available, of course I jumped on the opportunity! Spoiler alert: I am a Mariana Zapata FANGIRL and this book was the catalyst to my obsession.

Tobias Rhodes may be the reason I converted to loving an age gap romance. You're telling me he's a brawny, salt and pepper, park ranger with an intense devotion to his kid and I'm NOT supposed to fall madly in love with him? Impossible, you ask too much of me. And Ora? A piece of my heart still lies in the pages of this book with her. The way she experiences grief struck such a chord with me, and how she overcompensated to "move on" from her loss, becoming someone she didn't recognize, bore into my soul.

I can't review this without mention how much of a DELICIOUS slow burn it is, too. Mariana Zapata is the QUEEN of slow burn, and this is a masterclass. The build up and tension peaked when it needed to, no rush, and the pay off is *chef's kiss.*

Don't go into this book with knowing that the death of a parent is heavily mentioned and an important plot point. If you aren't ready for that, keep this one on your TBR a little bit longer! However, as someone who related so personally to how this character processed their loss, I want to say that parts of this felt so cathartic. This book is such a beautiful reflection of growth and how to accept the love of another in the midst of ongoing pain.

I love this book after having read it years ago and after reading it again; I can't recommend it enough.

(My ONE complaint...and I mean ONE...is the updated cover. DO NOT HOLD THIS AGAINST THE AUTHOR OR THE STORY ITSELF. I just think the new cover absolutely stripped the authenticity away from the promotion of the book.)

I absolutely loved this book. The way the character development continued to evolve throughout the story was perfect! Once I started reading this book I literally could not put it down (I tried i really did). I can't wait till I can read more from Mariana

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

"All Rhodes Lead Here" by Mariana Zapata is a heartwarming slow-burn romance that captures the essence of healing and finding love in unexpected places. 🌲❤️

A journey of self-discovery leads Aurora to the small town of Pagosa Springs, where she meets the stoic and mysterious Rhodes. 🌄 Their relationship unfolds beautifully, filled with tender moments and deep emotional connections. ✨

Zapata's signature slow-burn style keeps the readers hooked, making every glance and touch between Aurora and Rhodes meaningful. 🏡 The small-town charm and vivid descriptions add a cozy feel to the story. 🌟

Overall, "All Rhodes Lead Here" is a touching tale that reminds us that sometimes, the path to healing and love isn't a straight line but a winding road filled with unexpected detours. 🚗💕

Highly recommended for fans of slow-burn romance and heartwarming stories. 📚💖