The characters in this novel bring life and heart to this story, each with a distinct voice and personality. They made reader love them, they made reader sad, they made reader angry, they made reader laugh, they made reader cry, and they made reader believe in the promise of love and home. It is an extraordinary piece of work, a perfect balancing act with terror on one side and love on the other. This exceptionally well-written novel is all about suspense, thrill and drama, including the relationships between generations and what happens between long-standing friends.

Overall Hands Down by Mariana Zapata was an okay read. I had problems with it, but I didn’t hate it. It’s probably my least favourite of her books that I’ve read so far, but it won’t be stopping me from trying more. The romance was okay, I wasn’t able to fully connect with the characters and that made liking the romance a little harder. It’s a decent read and fans of Mariana Zapata will enjoy it. My rib cage clenched all of the organs and muscles within it. It pulsed, full of life and warmth and gummy bears and glitter. This was... I don't know how to explain it—it was like Christmas morning when you were a kid. It was everything I’d wanted. One of the things I didn’t love about the book was Iris is a little bit too whiny for me because she’s been through so much. Iris is not one of those perfect characters, but I loved seeing that. I suggest you read it and have your own opinion because it’s worth the try. It’s also one of Mariana’s least slow burns. 3. Kulti

HOLY HELL. I loved this book more than I can say, I was up wayy too late finishing this and I could not put it down. Dex was the ultimate male—protective, tattooed, accomplished and so, so attractive.

Writing Style: Mariana is popular for her slow-burn romance style, which is engaging, emotional, and relatable.At that time I thought to myself that it wasn’t like I really cared whether or not I met someone that was constantly pissed off. And he answered the way I knew he would every single time I asked him from them on, the way that told me he would never let me down. That he was an immovable object. That he'd always be there for me to battle the demons we could see and the invisible ones we couldn't. Iris, like many main female characters, have beer flavored nipples. She cannot leave her home without guys assaulting her left, right and center. And I hate how those moments (they're many btw) feel so incredibly choreographed, because it's only so Dex can show up and get in the guy's face and save the day.