Review: Kulti by Mariana Zapata

Recommended Read!

“I couldn’t put this book down! Literally! I didn’t think I would like it as much and then it was addictive”
~ Under the Covers

So here’s something different for you all.  As some of you know, we have a monthly challenge on our League of Lusty Ladies group called Pick It For Me.  We have partners and get 3 books recommended and we have to read one of them that month.  I read my pick in August and then I was really excited about Claudia’s pick, KULTI.  I’ve had this book on my TBR since it came out and so I buddy read it with Claudia while she was completing her challenge.   And boy did this book become quite the surprise for both of us!  So here now you’ll hear from Claudia and myself about our thoughts on KULTI and Mariana Zapata, who was a new to both of us author.

What were your expectations going into this book?

Francesca: I don’t know that I had expectations. I was intrigued by this book since it first came out and bought it on release day. I wasn’t too thrilled with the high page count and I actually thought it would be a bit like SCORING WILDER by R.S. Grey. I guess I expected a new adult story, not contemporary romance.

Claudia: I have to confess my expectations were zero, as I got the book as a pick on the August challenge. I started it due to the buddy read with Francesca (thanks again for that 🙂 )

What did you think of the characters?

Francesca: Can I just say it was almost instant love for me? I absolutely adored both of them. Obviously I took a bit longer to warm up to dark and broody Kulti because he doesn’t speak much at the beginning of the book. The book is told in first person POV from our heroine Sal. And she carries this book very well. She’s down to earth and extremely likeable! And once we get to know Kulti… just adorable man!

Claudia: I loved Sal from the beginning, which is the key factor for the success of this book. she is really hilarious at times and her character is absolutely adorable.   I loved Kulti nearly from the beginning – which is kind of strange, as he is not very likeable and acts like an asshole. and when he comes around – he is just adorable as well

Overall what did you think of the story and was there something that stands out that you either loved or missed?

Francesca: Surprisingly for me, I couldn’t put this book down! Literally! I didn’t think I would like it as much and then it was addictive. I just had to know what happened next. And for a book where the relationship is such a slow burn as this one (there’s only friendship until about 80%!!!!) that’s saying something for me. The forbidden love trope is done well and the characters are mature enough that there’s nothing morally wrong with their relationship. Perfect sweet fantasy. Sal gets to have her HEA with her childhood crush. What was a bit of a miss for me was how the author tied in so neatly that aspect of Sal’s childhood in with Kulti’s. I don’t want to give it away, but it was just a bit too much coincidence for me and I would’ve been ok without that.

Claudia: I started it without expectations and got sucked in. I never expected to love it so much. I loved how the relationship developed and although we have most of the book only friendship between them, you can feel that there is more. I adored it. I also have to agree with Francesca on the childhood aspect. That was a bit much what I would have loved to see is Kultis POV and although I am not sure it could have been a good fit, I would have loved to see it.

Any final thoughts?

Francesca: I am definitely going to be looking for Mariana Zapata’s work in the future. I think she has a nice voice and a fun way to tell a story that’s captivating.

Claudia: It is not often that a heroine is that good in carrying a story and I admire the way this book was written as you get to feel a lot of emotion.  This was my first book by Mariana Zapata but definitely not the last.

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[about-author author=”Mariana Zapata”]

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