Off the Shelf: Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

Straight out the gate I have to say that Mariana Zapata is different sort of author. What I mean by that is that if you’re looking for a wham bam thank you ma’am kind of romance (which we all want every now and then, don’t get me wrong) I don’t think she’s the author for you. If you’re looking for a slow burn romance where the love develops in a way that has your toes curling and heart warming in happiness, however (which we need all the time to be honest), then she’s your girl. Wait for It, her latest offering, is all that and more.

It’s the story of Diana Casillas, beloved aunt and guardian of two Louie and Josh, whose dad (and her brother, Rodrigo) passed away two years before the novel takes place, and her struggle to raise the boys in a way that shows all her love for them. She really has it tough when she has to deal with her own disapproving mom, rivalries on the baseball field and an injury or two along the way. 

What I loved about this book is what I always love about Mariana Zapata books: there’s no instant love (as I’ve gotten a bit older I just don’t relate to those novels as well anymore). It’s a love you can believe in. In fact, our two main characters start off hating each other and the reason for it is hilarious! Who was coming into who in the beginning of the book is something you’ll have to read to decide for yourself.

Another thing I loved about the book is that it was cute and funny and filled with daily stories of how a single mom of two kids who had been unexpectedly thrust into the role would struggle to feel worthy of being there for the kids but also work really hard at it. It melted my heart how Louie called her Buttercup and how he called Dallas “Mr Dallas” no matter how many times they tried to tell him it was “just Dallas”.

It’s also a story of a man waiting for the right kind of love after being burned in the worst way and who tries really hard to be a great man to his grandma, Miss Pearl, who insists on living alone (even if it is down the street from her grandsons) and a brother who won’t forgive and who’s headed down a bad path all while being misunderstood by his family.

I love how great Mariana Zapata is at making everyday scenes interesting and how it’s so easy to just open the book and read about an ordinary life made extraordinary by love. One of my favourite scenes from the book was when Diana threw Josh this insane birthday party and then she had to clean up afterwards and she just...couldn’t. It was too messy and she freaked out. I love how real that is (because who doesn’t break out in hives at the thought of dishes in the sink and a dirty yard to boot?) but my favourite part was when Dallas stepped up and offered to help if only she would calm down and leave it till the morning. 

Another favourite scene is when Dallas and his cousin Trip come over to keep her company when she had three pre-teen boys staying over for the night and Dallas brings his gaming system over to play with Louie because the older boys don’t want him with them. That scene had me convinced he was a gem because whose heart wouldn’t melt at that?

While I could go on about the great parts of this book, unlike her other book I’ve reviewed, the Wall of Winnepeg and Me, sometimes it felt like the book was going nowhere slowly. There aren’t any dramatic revelations of gut twisting mysteries and I have to say I missed that here. 

That being said, it got 4 stars from me and I will be reading more of this author soon!

TK MAJ