Dear Aaron

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I liked the message-exchange idea of the first half; this is how we see Ruby and Aaron bonding, becoming friends and then slowly catching strong feelings for each other. And that’s great because they are EXTREMELY adorable together. Luna’s definitely not my favorite main character from MZ mostly because I think she’s a bit of a pushover and a tad too nice and optimistic for me to be able to relate to her (since I’m generally a pretty grumpy and pessimistic person)… but it didn’t bother me as much this time around as it did the first time I read it — so that’s something. It took only 3 letters from her for me to want to shoot myself. Listen, if you love this book, I am deeply, deeply sorry. I just can't keep this inside me. It burns. In fact, this book is VERY slow burn and what some might call super - super - slow in the extreme, but I personally love it. I will say that this book doesn't reach the pinnacles of Winnipeg for me - but alas, I doubt anything ever will - but it was still an enjoyable read. Again, it might be too slow for some people (even some Zapata fans) as it's probably the slowest one by her I've ever read, but I still dug it.

About half way into the book the letters finally stop but the characters switch to online chatting. At that point I was just ready for some in-person interaction. But all things aside, I think I didn't love this novel as much as I was hoping because of the hero. He was very secretive and even by the end of the book he barely shared anything with the heroine. And somehow I was left slightly unsatisfied after finishing the book. *shrug again*I blew up and had to cool down when Luna got butt hurt after Rip repeatedly told her to leave 20X in the hospital and gave him the silent treatment. That was so childish. I hated that she needed other people to validate her. I would think that someone like her would be better at loving herself. The Romance: Ugh, I honestly don’t buy into this romance and even if I did like Rip, this book does not transition well. Rip yells at her a lot and then suddenly out of the blue starts her calling her “baby girl”????? What?? And let's talk about how slow Luna was to realize that Rip liked her? Like seriously? HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THIS GUY LIKES YOU? He shows up during your dates, doesn’t accept the favours and keeps asking for new ones and sometimes calls you baby girl? I swear I’ve never read such a stupid character before. She’s acts all innocent and spends quite some time, wondering why he’s hanging around all the time? Like gee, Luna, maybe he likes you?! Like damn. How hard is that to comprehend?

Aaron is in the army, has been for 11 years he didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life he just knew he wanted to be more than the family business. He is down right handsome, so funny, filled with banter and wit. Protective and cute, I couldn’t get enough of him. He doesn’t realise how much he needs Ruby’s letters until they start coming. She makes him smile and laugh more than he ever has. He’s just gotten out of a bad relationship so at first he is unsure if he wants the connection but Ruby can not be denied, she doesn’t quit. This book definitely has an office romance in a way, and enemies to friends to lovers trope. AND that's all I'm going to say because this book needs to be READ. The first 40% is the best because Aaron and Ruby are so charming while writing to each other. It reminded me of a grown-up version of a story I used to really like in high school, called FROM E TO YOU. Zapata really captures what it's like to forge a connection with someone who is compatible with you, even if they're different from you, and I was blown away by the cuteness. During my recent trip to Ireland + Scotland, I was so exhausted, I hardly did any reading at all, but DEAR AARON managed to ensnare my attention despite that. I was invested. But… this time around I did realize that even though I like Aaron and think he’s a solid love interest, I don’t like him as much as my other favorite MZ men (like Ivan, Reiner, Aiden, Ripley, Tobias, Dex and Dallas). MZ generally has this way of writing male characters that don’t talk a lot and only share the bare minimum, yet somehow they say just enough that you end up loving them anyway because their actions speak louder than their words… and I don’t think Aaron is any different in that regard, but I think that it hinders his character in the specific situation of this story and it made me like him less because of those character/personality traits.anyways now onto the biggest most stupid CONFLICT EVER. i’m keeping this spoiler free as best as i can. Romances are supposed to be sexy, even when they're wholesome. Mariana focused so so so so so hard on the wholesome that now I can read this to a newborn and they will probably have a great time.

I do trust you though. I think if someone tried to take me, you’d at least fight them for me a little…” I watched his face for a moment before narrowing my eyes. “Wouldn’t you?” Mariana Zapata is one of my favorite authors. I've loved most of her books, but her last few haven't been five star favorites for me. That fact made Luna and the Lie that much sweeter. I have to say, this is one of her very best books and Rip is an amazing hero! I loved Luna as well. Together... they were just everything! It's been a while since I've had an epic 5+ star read from this author and this book really hit the spot for me!Also, just a side note: our heroine used the word idiot when referring to herself and/or her actions. I always sided with her when she would say that, no matter what Aaron made her believe later. This was so much better than I expected it to be. I really wasn’t sure how I would vibe with the format of this book… but I loved it! So freakin much! That had his other eye popping open, his cheeks still slightly pink, but everything else about him completely alert. “You know I would.” Apart from that, I didn't feel an ounce of connection to the characters. There was no chemistry or a spark between them. Ha valaki nagyon ért a már szinte kínzóan lassú égésű romantikus könyvek írásához úgy, hogy az egyáltalán ne legyen zavaró, felfogható úgy is, mint egy hosszú előjáték, akkor az Mariana Zapata. Ezerszer inkább ez, mint az instalove. Így legalább van/lesz íve, értelme a szereplők kapcsolatának. Ezáltal magának a történetnek is.