If you love a good slow burn, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and character-driven romance, this is a treat! Luna is an optimistic, resilient heroine who brings a lot of heart to the story, despite her challenging past. The unique setting - a car shop with a blue-collar vibe - and the cast of supportive, memorable side characters make it stand out. Fans of grovel-heavy storylines, deep emotional journeys, and quiet strength in heroines will eat this up.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you need fast pacing, lots of early romance, or can't stand lots of internal monologue, this one might frustrate you. Some found the book slow to get going, repetitive in Luna’s thoughts, and wished there was more from the hero’s PoV. If drawn-out angst or long page counts aren’t your thing, this might not be the Zapata book for you. Plus, if you find doormat heroines or grumpy heroes off-putting, you might struggle to connect.

Heartfelt, slow-burn romance with a strong but damaged heroine and a grumpy hero learning to open up. It’s a top-notch comfort read for fans of Zapata’s style, but may drag for readers who prefer snappier pacing or dual perspectives.

About:

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata follows the story of Luna Allen, who had a difficult upbringing but managed to build a life for herself, taking care of her siblings and finding solace in her work at a repair garage. The book explores Luna's journey of personal growth, her developing friendship with her grumpy boss, Lucas Ripley, and the slow burn romance that blossoms between them. The writing style is described as character-driven, with a focus on the gradual progression of the relationship between Luna and Ripley, as well as the emotional depth and relatability of the characters.

Characters:

The characters are multi-dimensional, with the heroine being resilient and hopeful, while the hero grapples with his emotions and past issues, enhanced by strong supporting roles.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is described as thoughtful and introspective but can be repetitive, with strong emotional scenes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a determined woman in a mechanic shop dealing with her past while forming a relationship with her grumpy boss. Themes of personal growth and family trauma are interwoven.

Setting:

The story takes place in a car repair shop, reflecting the themes of personal struggle and relationships, with elements of their hometown reinforcing familial tension.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, typical of the author, leading to rich character development, though some find it drags in the beginning.

If I had to guess why I was the lucky winner of that mouth being turned down, it might have been because I’d had my eyes closed for… I glanced at my old but faithful G-Shock watch... the last twenty m...

Notes:

The story follows Luna, a strong, positive woman working at an auto mechanic shop.

Luna has a rough family background, having faced neglect and abuse.

The love interest, Ripley, is her grumpy boss who initially keeps a distance from her.

The book features a slow-burn romance with a significant age gap between characters (13 years).

Luna is well-liked by her co-workers, who seek her help in personal matters.

Ripley's character development includes a satisfying groveling scene when he realizes he's hurt Luna.

The book touches on themes of resilience, hope, and personal growth amidst adversity.

It contains no explicit scenes, focusing instead on emotional depth and tension.

The pacing is considered slow, especially in the beginning, with a lot of character introspection.

Luna's journey highlights her efforts to support her younger sisters while overcoming her past.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of family neglect and emotional trauma, which may be distressing for some readers.

Has Romance?

Yes, there is a significant romance presence in the narrative.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

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.-#1 Overall Amazon Kindle Best Seller.

December 2018

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627 pages

Ratings (160)

Incredible (32)
Loved It (59)
Liked It (38)
It Was OK (20)
Did Not Like (9)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (282):

Read It (167)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (71)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (37)

2 comment(s)

pluowl325

Did Not Like

5 months

It was alright. The author has a good plot and characters but I didn’t get much character development. Always waits to the end to give us only ONE smutty(ish) scene

+3 replies ....

twarex024

Did Not Like

1 year

Slowest slow burn I have ever read

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Luna and the Lie

Mariana Zapata

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