Kulti

Sal grew up having a massive teen hood crush on the footballer Kulti. Many years later when she is 27, he becomes her new coach. Bit of a banter that's ends with love. I had big hopes for this, the premise really sounded like a winner for me. But for me it was alright, but nothing more. Didn't particularly like any of the characters and I did cringe in some parts of their banter. But I didn't hate it or even disliked it heavily.

Oh man. This was so good that I couldn't put it down ... seriously, I've been sneaking time to read at work today. It was just a beautiful story that unfolded in such a compelling way. I'll read this again and again, no question.

My only quibble is that I wanted a longer epilogue.

I wanted to see her stomp stupid Amber. I wanted her dickbag GM to regret losing her when his team spent a few years in the toilet and his players had shitty morale from all the back-biting. I wanted the U.S. national team to realize they'd lost the best striker in the world because of their own stupidity. I wanted a reporter to ask about it, and for her to tell the truth. And I wanted to see their lives together. Their connection was so moving, so beautiful, that I wanted to see it continue past this first flowering and into something they both knew was permanent. I like that the epilogue told us it was, but I wanted to bask in seeing it a bit.

That's two books from this new-to-me author, and I have a feeling I'll be rapidly powering through everything else of hers.

I never thought I would like sport romance. But this is so amazing. Compelling love story

Kulti is the fifth book I've read by Mariana Zapata, and while it wasn't my favorite by any means, it was just as addictive and compelling as all the previous ones I've read. My current rankings go; From Lukov With Love; All Rhodes Lead Home; The Wall of Winnipeg and Me; Kulti; Wait for It. The top two switch depending on the day, but that's pretty much how things stand.

I can agree with many of the negative things said about this book. In particular, Zapata's lack of finesse when it comes to side plots and the overuse of Sal's coping mechanism (thinking of Kulti being human and pooping just like everyone else to talk to him like a peer instead of a fangirl). Despite the negatives, I had an overall delightful experience reading this book! I enjoyed following Sal and Kulti’s relationship change and develop, and by the end of the book, they were a lovely couple, evenly balanced in almost every aspect.

Slow-burn romance remains my absolute favorite category of the genre, and Zapata is the undisputed queen above all others I’ve read. I don’t find myself particularly interested in any of the other books she has released at the moment, so I am highly anticipating the announcement and release of her next work!