Hands Down - Likewise Book Reviews

"Ok. So. Preface. I actually really enjoyed this book. Sweet childhood friends to lovers sort of thing. However, I think I appreciate a strong female lead and this was definitely not that. We constantly question ourselves in our lives - did I do the right thing? Say the right thing? Should I have reacted differently? While I do have these insecurities in my life (like I imagine most of us do), I read to escape that. I read to feel inspired on how I could be stronger. This book was like reading my own thoughts on my worst day of regret and self-consciousness. Also, the lead is always saying things like "if you want to, or aren't too busy". There is no resolution to her desperate need to not count on anyone so that she isn't left behind. Also also, her parents are total dicks and no one ever calls them out on it. Sigh. Could've been better."

"<strong>Always so good</strong><br/><br/>If you have never read a Mariana Zapata book...what are you waiting for?! Seriously she’s consistently good. It goes without saying this slow burn case of childhood friends turned lovers is amazing. It has everything, swoon worthy Quarterback Zac (who we see in Wall of Winnepeg) and Bianca a entrepreneur who is loyal to family and friends, character cameos from other Zapata books, baking and haunted houses. I loved this book. I only feel there were a few things that could’ve been elaborated on but they deal with secondary characters. Highly recommend"

"Slowwwww burn.."

"3.5 ⭐️ This was lacking chemistry, tension and angst between Zac and Bianca. They were great friends, but nothing else. I love Mariana’s writing and how she does slow burn, but there was no burn here. Were they even attracted to each other? The nicknames were also so so bad. Kiddo, PeeWee and Snack-Pack?"

"LOVED!! I read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me on a Monday and started this one immediately after. Such good books with great slow burn romance."

"i love mz"

"It was a bit difficult to finish it!!"

"3.75"

"<strong>Queeeeennnnn!!!</strong><br/><br/>I love all Mariana Zapata books, but jeez! I love, love Zac and Bianca. I’ve been waiting for Zac’s story since the Wall. She definitely did not disappoint. I cannot wait for the audiobook to come out!"

"definitely my all time favorite of MZ books. it’s just so good- truly"

"Great sports romance."

"Loved these characters. Slow burn romance!"

"Hands Down by Mariana Zapata *****/*****<br/>#AudibleCredit #Reviews <br/><br/>Triggers: <br/>Subgenres/ Tropes: Sports Romance, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Second Chance<br/><br/>Mariana Zapata is the QUEEN of slow burn. I can still remember the first time I picked up one of her books. I was so nervous about the length of all of her books. I just remember thinking what could possibly take that long? Perfection is the Mother Fluffing answer. There has only been one of her books that I was disappointed in and I am pretty sure that was the formatting issue that threw me off. I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE Mariana Zapata’s books. Honestly there is no author like her. I’ve looked since she has such a small library but I have yet to come across anyone who matches her in her character development, relationship development, and detailing.<br/><br/>I have waited for over a year for her audiobook to come out. This book has some technical issues so it took way longer than normal for it to be released. I find that I enjoy slow burns more when I listen to the books at least the first time, and Mariana Zapata always picks really good narrators. I was so excited when it finally came out that I literally paused a series I was listening to midbook to start Hands Down. I was so glad that Zack got his HEA after we were introduced to him in the Wall of Winnipeg and Me. <br/><br/>I loved that Zac and Bianca’s relationship started as a friendship. I think one of the best things about all of Mariana Zapata’s books is that they start out as friends and don’t just jump into bed right off the bat. She takes her time developing the friendship, showing the readers why they love each other before ever taking that next step. Zac and Bianca really take the time to think through moving forward and weighing all of the pros and cons before committing to one another. And I also really love that her books aren’t super saturated by sex scenes, like in Hands down there is only one very beautiful sex scene that really drives home their love for each other.<br/><br/>I also really enjoy her little character crossovers, in this one the couple from the Wall of Winnipeg and Me and From Lukov with Love show up as side characters, really connecting all of her books. Her detailing is spot on, all of those little connections that she throws in are so minor that if you weren’t a fan of hers it wouldn't really matter but it just shines a little bright light for me every time I catch those little connections. Also her details of Texas/Texans really showcases that either she was born in Texas or has lived here for a very long time, too often books are set in what other people think Texas is like and most of the time it is just insulting. <br/><br/>I will always buy Mariana Zapata’s books, they are an auto-buy book for me forever and always. I can’t wait for her next book All Rhodes Lead Here, the ebook is already out but the audiobook is currently being worked on. Unfortunately she doesn't normally do pre orders on her audiobooks or release the release dates in advance so we will just have to wait and check in constantly on her books. I’ll let yall know as soon as I know!<br/><br/>Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Hands-Down-Mariana-Zapata-ebook/dp/B08C9X5R1G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hands+down&qid=1628180398&s=digital-text&sr=1-1<br/>Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Hands-Down-Audiobook/B09B7XJ443?qid=1628180429&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=GDG2TT77CED5EQ79SPXA<br/>Author’s Website: https://www.marianazapata.com/"