Having to admit it out loud hurts – but Luna and the Lie didn’t work for me as much as I hoped it would. Let’s be honest here, I hoped for a five star read. Nothing else would have satisfied me. Maybe I need to stop putting poor Mariana on this insanely high pedestal, but who am I kidding – I love MZ!!! I’m also not giving up on her just because Luna wasn’t THE book for me.
Luna and the Lie
by Mariana Zapata
(Standalone)
Luna and the Lie – Mariana Zapata
Luna and the Lie – Mariana Zapata
CORINA’S REVIEW
Having to admit it out loud hurts – but Luna and the Lie didn’t work for me as much as I hoped it would. Let’s be honest here, I hoped for a five star read. Nothing else would have satisfied me. Maybe I need to stop putting poor Mariana on this insanely high pedestal, but who am I kidding – I love MZ!!! I’m also not giving up on her just because Luna wasn’t THE book for me.
It’s going to be hard to pinpoint exactly what didn’t work for me. I think it was mostly the plot. I didn’t get enough romance, and I KNOW that her books are slow burn, but still I would have loved more interaction between the couple, just more Luna and Ripley. And I mean more sweet Luna and Ripley. Because much of Luna and Ripley’s “relationship” was this back and forth that was annoyingly exasperating at times.
The issue I had with Rip and Luna was that he rarely showed his feelings, and Luna always second guessed everything (which made kind of sense based on her backstory – but still) but especially Rip, and the back and forth just drove me nuts.
All in all I just needed more warmth I think. Especially between Luna and Ripley. All of the romance (and we all know MZ doesn’t do burning romance) felt one-sided for most of the book. I just didn’t FEEL it. There were some sweet gestures here and there, but they mostly were like little sparks, popping up but were easily snuffed out by the overall feel.
I caught myself skipping – I’m shocked to admit it. I’m one of her biggest fans, but I’m also a big believer that not every story works for everyone and in this case LATL did not work for me.
20% of the book was REALLY, REALLY awesome, 80% just ok. And just to point it out – this is my opinion, I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority here, which I’m happy to be. She deserves all your love – because she still has mine.
So, would I recommend LATL? Not really!! Not to a new reader to all things Mariana Zapata. I rather would suggest Wait for It, Winnipeg or Kulti – my three favorites.
BUT on the other hand I can see how LATL will speak to many readers that love her style and aren’t as picky as I am.
So, let’s end this with me hoping that you’ll LOVE Luna and Ripley to the moon and back!!!
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Luna and the Lie – Mariana Zapata
BLURB
The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting.
Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing.
With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.
But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient.
Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn’t admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt’s bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman’s skirt. (Don’t tell her mom.)
Mariana is a native Texan living in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not pretending to write, she’s reading. You can usually find her burning somewhat edible experiments in the kitchen or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.
MORE SLOW BURN
The Locker Room by Meghan Quinn
Where Death Meets the Devil (Death and the Devil #1) by L.J. Hayward
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga #1) by Forthright
Luna and the Lie – Mariana Zapata
I finished this book this weekend. I did like it a lot but it was a very different Mariana Zapata book. It was so sad! I cried quite a few times. I agree about wishing for more romance, but I think Luna needed to be loved by herself first and Mariana gave us time to feel all of that with her. Rip was kind of secondary to that self love I think. I am still processing and this one definitely sticks with you but not for the usual reasons. I do love her writing!
That’s a very good point!! She did need to love herself first! Her books are some of my most favorite! But it didn’t speak to me like some of her others. I hate that I have these HUGE expectations when it comes to her books!
I do too. My review comes out tomorrow. Let me know what you think!
I’ll definitely take a look!! Are you on GR?
Yes! Deborahkehoe, or on my blog https://thereadingchick.com.
Just added you as a friend 😀
Thank you so much! ☺️
Sorry this one wasn’t a great read for you. I’m only 30% into it. I like it so far. I hope I continue to like it.
I’m pretty sure you’ll love it!! 🙂
I am so far.
Oh no! I’m sorry you didn’t love this one as much as you expected to.
I know 🙁 I think I’m brocken somehow 🙈
I’ve seen quite a bit of mixed reviews for it on Goodreads.
I’m sorry this didn’t work for you! Maybe next one 😄 I loved LATL, and I did feel the same as you sometimes. Great review 😘
I’m looking forward to reading this one!