"Kulti" war für mich ein Reread und ich hatte wieder so viel Spaß! Mariana Zapatas Bücher machen wirklich immer viel Spaß. Ich liebe die Dynamik der beiden und diese langsame Annäherung. Der Slow Burn war mal wieder super slow, aber das liebe ich total. Die Autorin schreibt auch immer so, dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen kann. Nur die ersten 100 Seiten habe ich ein bisschen gebraucht um reinzukommen, aber ansonsten ist es wirklich nur eine Empfehlung!

As a German myself this was hard to read without constantly rolling my eyes! Gave up at 30% and dnf‘d as the constant use of stereotypes was unbearable. The H didn’t seem to have any character apart from being a Bratwurst, Frankfurter, Sauerkraut, Führer (just no!) or member of the Gestapo (again, please don’t!). I know this is a light romance novel but the political incorrectness was still uncalled for. Please do your research before writing characters from countries you have clearly never been to. Also, the amount of mentioning of poop…??!

This is going to be very hard: once again Mariana shows is an loooonnnnggg long slowburn story. At first I was very hooked on Sal story and more and more when the focus is starting on Kulti, you want more of the story. I personally was missing more on Kultis storyline. There were bits and pieces but nothing really at all. I appreciate the slow starting friendship, that both - especially Kulti - are getting in. Yes, there are two different cultures, not less age difference. For me it took to long for the love confession. Almost by the end at the book. When finally they hit together Sal took this moment to tell him her crush since childhood on him - and guess what... He has the fan letter of her as screen. At one part I thought, awww how sweet but on the other hand: ew. You know what I mean? I would like to see more of them afterwards and not that short statement of retirement of her five years later. However, the writing style is fluent and you turn page after page to see what's going on. I liked the fact, that Marianna is pointing out the BTS of a "professional" football player as well. Not everyone, especially those who play in 2nd Liga need Jobs to play. Everyone is thinking that the get contracts as Ronaldo or Messi. I have on remark thought because of Schnecke: I am German and no, this is not a name you give your beloved as appreciation. It's something what the call when they catcalling you here. So more the opposite. Next time try Hase

No one is surprised that I loved the shit out of this book, right? Because I so damn did. Reiner Kulti. Rey. A fucking hero. I love this man. He is the signature Mariana Zapata love interest. The cold grump with a heart of gold. And that’s why we love her books. Just pure perfection. And Sal Casillas, girl you slay! and them together - too much for me to handle. His asshole-ish attitude against her kindness. Their interactions made me happy on a whole different level. I was eager to see them interacting and was giggling like an idiot half of the time. Both of them alone where entertaining enough but together? Fuck me yes! I couldn’t get enough. They slowly went from hating each other’s guts - or maybe not so much ;) - to slowly forming a beautiful friendship. Having each other’s backs and supporting one another. And eventually it became more. And don’t even get me started on the ending. I was crying like shit because it was so damn beautiful and cute and made me consider starting soccer if this means I will find my own Kulti then. This book is the typical slow-burn (more a slow-slow-slow-burn) that is MZs MO but I’m here for it every time. She really takes the time to introduce the characters to us and lets them develop a unique kind of bond before they finally finally get together. The anticipation is killing you until then but when it finally happens. Damn yes! I said it before and I will say it again: No one portrays characters like Mariana Zapada does. Again, no idea how she pulls this off every damn time but her characters are special and unique and so relatable and complex but reasonable and down to earth at the same time. It truly is stunning. She is able to write them in a way that you feel like you know them in real life. And her storytelling is another fairy tale. She captures with her amazing writing and gorgeous storylines and doesn’t release you once you’ve finished. And are having a major book hangover. You end her books and feel like you are missing a part of yourself. Her stories really grow on you and you can’t let them go ever again. 
 
The only thing I have to critique, and it pains me that I have to but I can’t let this go. Most of the readers probably didn’t notice this but for me, as a German, there where some small moments that triggered me. The whole name calling thing? Her always calling him ‚ the German‘ and weird stereotypical food? And damn it, him calling her Schnecke. As a foreigner you may think it’s cute. Yes it is a pet name. But…. it’s mostly used in a more….uncomfortable way in Germany and almost no one uses it as a serious pet name…. so I have to pass on this. This wasn’t cute for me and rather made me uncomfortable. But I was able to get over it because the rest was too damn good. Also I had a little problem with the people-calling-him-Führer-thing…. it’s a no from me. But it was only mentioned maybe two times so again, I could forget it. But despite how deeply I loved this book I have to take this into consideration and omit at least 0.25 stars from this otherwise godly five star book. If you are searching for a coach-coachee read - do yourself a favor and read this. Or if you want to see how slowburn is done correctly. Queen MZ shows you. Or if you are just in need for a damn good book. READ IT. if you liked any book of Mariana Zapata before or you like fantastic characters and impeccable writing and slow burns that leave you aching and wanting and are nearly killing you with anticipation. READ THIS BOOK. This was a book worthy of ending my sports romance month! 4.75

I absolutely loved the second half of the book and stayed up until 6 am to finish it. However, the first half of the book was a drag, made worse by using the word "poop" about 300 times to often and "jokes" about Nazism (the club has a special rule about not being allowed to call Kulti "Nazi" just because he's German [do Americans really need to be told not to call Germans Nazis????] and Sal was very proud of herself when she managed to follow that rule and calls him bratwurst, German Chocolate Cake or pumpernickel instead)

This is going to be very hard: once again Mariana shows is an loooonnnnggg long slowburn story. At first I was very hooked on Sal story and more and more when the focus is starting on Kulti, you want more of the story. I personally was missing more on Kultis storyline. There were bits and pieces but nothing really at all. I appreciate the slow starting friendship, that both - especially Kulti - are getting in. Yes, there are two different cultures, not less age difference. For me it took to long for the love confession. Almost by the end at the book. When finally they hit together Sal took this moment to tell him her crush since childhood on him - and guess what... He has the fan letter of her as screen. At one part I thought, awww how sweet but on the other hand: ew. You know what I mean? I would like to see more of them afterwards and not that short statement of retirement of her five years later. However, the writing style is fluent and you turn page after page to see what's going on. I liked the fact, that Marianna is pointing out the BTS of a "professional" football player as well. Not everyone, especially those who play in 2nd Liga need Jobs to play. Everyone is thinking that the get contracts as Ronaldo or Messi. I have on remark thought because of Schnecke: I am German and no, this is not a name you give your beloved as appreciation. It's something what the call when they catcalling you here. So more the opposite. Next time try Hase

3,5 ⭐️ na ja. i wish i could say it was worth it in the end - don’t get me wrong, the last 10-15% were great - but this book had no business being *this* long and sometimes aggravating also, i know the nicknames are supposed to be teasing, but you can only read "Bratwurst" and "Pumpernickel" so often… i was completely taken out of heartfelt moments, because "The German" could not just simply be referred to by his goddamn name (which in itself was a *choice*) and i would’ve appreciated it if the nouns would’ve been capitalised, because even Google Translator could’ve told you that it’s "Schnecke" (which was a well chosen, cute endearment at least) moreover, i’m too afraid to look up just how often the words "poop" and "Führer" are used in here but the definite answer is too fucking often (i’m sure i’m a bit obnoxious and casual readers won’t actually care about these grievances and the book is very enjoyable despite, but still) saving grace are Kulti’s intensity, and Sal and his friendship building the base for their slow burn romance was it as rewarding as i would’ve deserved after 500+? not really, but maybe i just had really high expectations for this one ↳ will i be rereading? certain scenes, sure. i’ll also check out other books by Mariana Zapata, because the slow burn was overall well crafted, even if you have to work (unnecessarily?) hard for it

No one is surprised that I loved the shit out of this book, right? Because I so damn did. Reiner Kulti. Rey. A fucking hero. I love this man. He is the signature Mariana Zapata love interest. The cold grump with a heart of gold. And that’s why we love her books. Just pure perfection. And Sal Casillas, girl you slay! and them together - too much for me to handle. His asshole-ish attitude against her kindness. Their interactions made me happy on a whole different level. I was eager to see them interacting and was giggling like an idiot half of the time. Both of them alone where entertaining enough but together? Fuck me yes! I couldn’t get enough. They slowly went from hating each other’s guts - or maybe not so much ;) - to slowly forming a beautiful friendship. Having each other’s backs and supporting one another. And eventually it became more. And don’t even get me started on the ending. I was crying like shit because it was so damn beautiful and cute and made me consider starting soccer if this means I will find my own Kulti then. This book is the typical slow-burn (more a slow-slow-slow-burn) we know and love MZ for, and I’m here for it every time. She really takes the time to introduce the characters to us and lets them develop a unique kind of bond before they finally finally get together. The anticipation is killing you but so worth it. I said it before and I will say it again: No one writes characters like Mariana Zapada does. Again, no idea how she pulls this off every damn time but her characters are special and unique and so relatable and complex. She is able to write them in a way that makes you feel like you know them in real life. Like they are real people. And her storytellinggg, big yes. She captures with her amazing writing and storylines and doesn’t let you go until you’ve finished (And are having a major book hangover.) 
 
The only thing I have to critique, and it pains me that I have to but I can’t let this go. As a German, there where some small moments that triggered me. The whole name calling thing? Her always calling him ‚ the German‘ and weird stereotypical food? And urgh, him calling her Schnecke. Yes it is a pet name and super cute but in reality it’s often used in a cat calling context in Germany so for me this wasn’t adorable but rather made me uncomfortable. Also I had a problem with the people-calling-him-Führer-thing…. it’s a no from me. Like hmmm let’s maybe not do that?? But it was only mentioned maybe two times so, I didn’t like it but am willing to overlook it. But despite how deeply I loved this book I have to take this into consideration and omit at least 0.25 stars from this otherwise great five star book. If you are searching for a coach-coachee read - do yourself a favor and read this. Or if you want to see how slowburn is done correctly. Queen MZ shows you. Or if you are just in need for a damn good book. READ IT. if you liked any book of Mariana Zapata before or you like fantastic characters and impeccable writing and slow burns that leave you aching and wanting and are nearly killing you with anticipation. READ THIS BOOK. This was a book worthy of ending my sports romance month! 4.75

I have yet to find a Mariana Zapata book I don't love, and yet, I always take so long to pick up the next book by her on my TBR (because I'm scared of disappointment). This is the story of Sal, a female soccer player. Things are pretty okay in her life, nothing too crazy, until Kulti, a soccer mage star starts coaching her team. No issue, except Sal is a super fan of Kulti and Kulti, well, is kind of an *sshole. This book follows the usual Mariana Zapata structure, with a type of kinda ennemies to friends to lovers, but it's always fresh the characters are always new and amazing. THe story telling is really great, with drama that impact the characters from the outside, which is what I prefer. I honestly can't say anything else than go read this book, go read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, go read Hands Down. They are the best contemporary sports romance out right now. They're slow burn and always have great messages.