The Best Thing by Mariana Zapata
Standalone
Contemporary Romance
August 7, 2019

Of all the books in Mariana Zapata’s backlog, this was one I was least interested in reading. Granted, Lenny did make an impression during Luna and the Lie, I think the bigger issue was the lack of synopsis.

You literally get nothing.

I had no idea what kind of character Jonah was going to be. I had no idea why she was trying to get over him. I felt completely blind.

The good news is, it all makes sense now. This was Ms. Zapata’s most secretive story, and for that reason she couldn’t reveal too much in the synopsis. I’d say, most of the story was definitely worth unwrapping.

Lenny was fierce and badass. She didn’t take shit from anyone, and in many ways she was the most well grounded character the author has written. Grandpa Gus gets all the credit, I think. I think Lenny would agree. Despite all her losses, Grandpa Gus and Peter worked hard to give her a balanced and happy family to grow up in.

Jonah was equally emotionally settled. He’d been through a lot, and he came out the other side in a much healthier headspace. It was pretty nice to read a story about two people who continually made good choices. This was the perfect example of a love story that was fully about the love. There weren’t any stupid arguments, or contrived crises they needed to succumb to.

It was fully and completely two people falling in love.

There was only one thing I could have done without. The prologue. Did it make me cry? Almost. Mostly I wondered why it was even included in the first place. The ending was perfect just the way it was. The prologue was the only part of the story that felt forced. Like, Ms Zapata wanted to leave us sobbing, and she tried really really hard. Maybe a little too hard.

I could have done without.

Now there are only two left. Two more books, and I’ve read everything! Yay me!