It felt good, for once, to jump into a story, and simply enjoy the journey, waiting for the fireworks to go off. We all know MZ's books are super long and the romance is slow af, that's why all these side characters are much needed, to keep the story interesting. The characters transition from “enemies” to friends before becoming lovers, and that always helps in feeling the chemistry that the author intended for us to feel. Rhodes love-language is acts of service which is something that is continually present on-page as Rhodes takes up the mantle of caretaker for the bright, loud woman that winds up living in his garage apartment.

I think part of the reason why I love this book so much is because it focuses so heavily on character dynamics and relationships. the setting, outdoorsy life and the sweet moments between aurora, rhodes and amos was just so wholesome. But no, it was between page 180 when he, Amos, and Aurora go on a hike together and he starts becoming nice. A lot of the story, therefore, is Aurora settling in, figuring out what's next in life, coming to terms with past demons that have trampled her heart into itty bitty pieces (but not her spirit - and yes, I'm aware that a lot of this is sounding like a Hallmark card) and reconnecting with her past and the world around her. Mariana Zapata is the Queen of the Slow Burn, and boy does she ever deliver with All Rhodes Lead Here!I was thirty-three years old, and like a tree, I’d lost all of my leaves, so much of what had made me me; but just like a tree, my branches and my roots were still there. I already said Aurora and Rhodes's Palosa Springs is a universe I'd love to hide away in, but it wouldn't have been the same without the talks about nature and animals, and how Aurora initially did her excursion to be closer to her mom and gain her life back. Even though this was a slow burn, I still wanted more (an even slower burn but ik thats not possible coz even w aurora-tobias’ slow burn, where imo was just normal pacing, not a slow burn, yall weak bitches were barely hanging there).

Rhodes shoulders so much responsibility to ensure the safety, health and happiness of his loved ones.I love that MZ’s books are more about the journey than the plot, more about the deep and healthy relationship development than the smut scenes or the mutual attraction, dont get me wrong ofc I love those scenes but I always need MORE when it comes to contemporary romance books. I just loved how Aurora would just inadvertently make herself known, whenever he was around and he would just be there all broody, simping for her! i loved all the characters and even though the romance is slow as hell, if you like Aurora, then you wouldn't mind reading about her journey/character development, which is the majority of this book.