ALL RHODES LEAD HERE is author Mariana Zapata's latest book. She is a new to me author and I could definitely see why she is popular. The story gave me so many feelings and it all felt so so good. This is a slow-burn romance though with sparks between the couple never far. We follow Tobias Rhodes and Aurora in Pagosa Springs, a small town in Colorado.
Tropes-
Small town
Single Dad
Grumpy Sunshine
Found family
Slow burn
Aurora is starting over in life after a divorce from her partner of 14 years, she doesn't want to return to her family in Florida so she heads to Colorado where she lived till she was 13. It is a place she lived with and lost her mother, her memories of the place are bittersweet. It is where she wants to be and hopes to put down roots, in a place where she has a lot of happy memories.
Rhodes is a single dad to a teenage boy, works as a game warden and is a general grump, the silent type. He is a tall, handsome silver fox, in his early 40s. Unknown to him his son Amos, rents their garage apartment to Aurora. When Aurora arrives all hell breaks loose. Even though their first meeting is a disaster he lets Aurora stay with conditions.
As Aurora settles in town, she reconnects and starts working with her childhood bestie Carla at her outdoor experience shop. Slowly she gets to know Amos and Rhodes and their relationships develop.
What I love -
- Not every slow burn is done well, but this one was so very good. The anticipation between Rhodes and Aurora was sweet, flirty and playful. It kept you coming back for more.
- The romance, the caring, the way Rhodes and Aurora came together and every conversation they had was addictive. It made me want more and more.
- The equation Aurora shares with Amos is so cool and sweet. They create a relationship and ultimately a family based on trust and friendship.
- Aurora is a really sweet and strong character. I liked how she doesn't lean on others especially Rhodes once they get together. She gives everything her best and deals with her own shit. She also isn't afraid to ask for help when she needs it. I loved her connection with her mother and how she remembers and honors her.
- Rhodes is the grump, always the loner with few friends after a long career in the Navy and living around the country. In a way, both he and Aurora are starting over in life. He is a tough one, a total dish with how Aurora describes and drools over him.
- I totally enjoyed the conversations between Rhodes and Aurora, it was fun seeing Aurora being the Sunshine to Rhodes's grump. Their dates, hikes and Rhodes caring for Aurora when she was distressed were my favorite moments of all.
I would recommend this for its sweet romance, fun banter and the warmth of found family created by Rhodes, Aurora, Amos and their friends.
New York Times bestselling author and the Queen of Slow Burn Romance Mariana Zapata’s fan favorite All Rhodes Lead Here, a story about finding love when you least expect it—now with new exclusive content!
The people we lose take a part of us with them…but they leave a part of themselves with us too.
Aurora De La Torre, or Ora to her friends, knows moving back to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a place that was once home and is now full of bittersweet memories of her late mother, isn’t going to be easy. Starting your whole life over probably isn’t supposed to be.
But after breaking up with her longtime, famous musician boyfriend, hiding out in a small town in the mountains might be the perfect remedy for a broken heart. And checking out her landlord who lives across the driveway just might cure it, too.
Only Tobias Rhodes didn’t rent out the apartment to her, rather it was his teenage son, Amos. Fiercely protective of his family and distrusting of strangers, gruff and grumpy Rhodes initially keeps little miss sunshine Ora at a distance. 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.
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