Aiden Graves is the formidable top defensive player in the National Football Organization. His single-minded focus on the sport has made him the best. He eats, lives and breathes football, paying little mind to anything or anyone else. So let us forget my original review and rating, shall we? Consider it a lapse of judgement. After all, we all have bad days...

Vanessa was a hysterical spitfire, and Aiden was like this huge, sometimes ( ok – always) grumpy teddy bear you just want to hug. And hump. The character development and the build of the relationship between these two were done perfectly. I don't even have the right words to express my feelings because my words just won't do this beautiful story justice. Re-read #2 (6/29/2020) I’ve been wanting to re-read this book for a while and now that we are going to have Zac’s book I finally have the perfect excuse to do that! This time I tried the audiobook and it was just so good. let me tell you that a sixteen hours long audiobook is nothing and nearly not enough if you’re enjoying your time. This is still hands down my favorite Mariana Zapata’s book. Zac is such an interesting charismatic character, I’m glad that he’s getting his own book! This book was just so adorable!! I smiled so hard the entire time at Aiden's thoughtfulness and Vanessa's quirky ways. While this book may be long, it was perfect and I don't have any complains except that I wanted more! There wasn't even one detail that I found unrequired and I didn't feel bored for even a moment throughout the book. When Van quits, it's no surprise that she gets no reaction from Aiden, not even a nod or a shrug, which only fuels her anger. But when Aiden shows up, and keeps showing up, at her door with an absurd offer she is perplexed, buuuuttt when he offers her a deal she can't refuse, she finally caves.As I said before, the story is a slow burn romance, but the pace is fast. The story between Aiden and Vanessa had such a great and natural flow. I loved watching them turn into friends, trusted confidants, and so much more. This book was seriously perfect. Aiden is the strong and silent type. He’s not close to anyone, really, but he slowly lets Vanessa in. And Stephen Dexter, again, is great in so many other books. I can almost believe his version of Aiden, but not Trevor's. He's honestly more convincing as Zach with the Texas accent. But he makes Trevor sound whiny and much much younger than Aiden, when he's supposed to be much older. The first non-YA romance I read was Listen to Me in June 2016, when I was 15, and Mariana Zapata was one of the first authors I heard about after, but I never got around reading her books. While I am not the biggest fan of smut and steamy reads, I do read it once in a while, but I can't complain that this had none of that smutty action. It's all towards the end, barely even there, and I couldn't be upset about it. I wanted nothing but that yearning between the two characters. Their chemistry was stronger when they were falling for each other. Don't get me wrong, the sex was still there just like any NA book, but even if it wasn't there, I would have loved this regardless. Give me that sexual tension that you can cut with a knife, physical touch, and care shown through actions and words instead of sex and we'll be good.

I don’t want to say a word on the plot. Mainly because the “twist” in here drives the plot and I loved where it took the story and was glad I didn’t know beforehand. Sadness level: Low/moderate. It has an unrequited love feel, so I did get a little teary at times for that -- but no tissues needed. Our work relationship had progressed past me calling Aiden “sir” and using more than two words at a time when I talked to him. Overall Opinion: This was ok. I know I'm the minority here, but I didn't find their connection all that moving. I honestly felt like it was one sided through the whole story and I just didn't get the swooning feeling that I think I was supposed to feel when he finally confessed his love at the end. I didn't find him all that likeable either. I wouldn't say that she was a doormat (thank goodness), but she definitely needs to be nominated for sainthood with all the crap she dealt with. With all of that and the fact that it was super slow, I would call this a "just ok" 3 stars. THESE WERE SUPER CUTE! This book had cute scenes, and I liked them, but to be honest, all of them kinda fell flat for me because Vanessa would just say THANKS x1000, which would ruin all the vibes for me! Aiden hated that too! She's appreciating him, that's fine, BUT FOR THE BARE MINIMUM?Aiden was clearly lonely. He had no friends. He didn’t know what it was like to have a friend, not until Vanessa became more than just his assistant. He was emotionless, expressionless, cold and serious, showing no sign of pity or remorse, which was why many, including Vanessa, found him to be arrogant and rude. But the way he tries to become Vanessa’s friend after realizing he messed up warmed my heart and actually, not even kidding, had me squealing.

It's almost like you have to earn it in Zapata's books. And, like anything in life, the things you earn are the things you appreciate the most. And you seriously appreciate this love story by the time you get to end.and not the mention of diana and the boys plus, van&aiden’s kids. i dont think i’ll ever recover from how fiona told vanessa that she would marry lou one day😭 now idc, i NEED their book if they ever end up together. since i read that aiden and venessa adopted fiona in ' Hands Down' i thought she would eventually end up with josh.. but i love this alternative, too.🤭

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! The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was a seriously addictive slow burn romance. Once I started the audio, I couldn’t stop listening. It was over 16 hours long, but I finished it within 48 hours. There was nothing about this book I didn’t love! Or when he flew four hours to go to Canada just to see her at the book convention she was at and read a romance novel? I feel like I've fallen in love. For real. I'm not just using this phrase. I really feel like I'm in love. With no one in particular. I just feel it.And just like that Aiden has stopped being a part of Vanny’s life. And Vanny can finally wake up late, breath freely, starts training for the marathon, does her dream job without interruptions, starts dating etc.