I’ve read most of Mariana Zapata’s work and usually the books are either hit or miss for me. When I read this as a self-published book, it was the only one that was mid for me. I was interested to read the traditionally published version because I think the main issues I had with it could have bee very easily fixed with some editing, and I was curious to see what changed.

As far as I could tell, this is the exact same version as the self-published one. The main reason that this isn’t 4-5 stars is because the beginning of this book is just extremely slow. It’s not even quite a slow burn because the FMC and MMC don’t even spend time together until about 40% through the book. This book suffers from being too long for a romance IMO, and I think it could have been vastly improved by editing down the first 40%. I did enjoy the overall story and romance, and I would rec it if you are fans of Mariana Zapata’s other work!

If you read a lot of romance, you should know that Zapata is practically cannon at this point.

Queen of slow burn? Name someone better. I'll wait.

This one was no different. It was all about the feels and Ora was EVERYTHING. Yes, I may read for the hero, but if the heroine is a fail, so is the book, and Ora was NOT a fail.

I'm going to reread this about five more times. Sigh. 4.8, rounded.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It’s a cute little romance. The start is a tad like interesting but it’s good if people want a quick rom-com feel.

4.5 Stars - Top Pick

Aurora De La Torre has moved back to home. She is renting out a small place from a grumpy neighbor, Tobias Rhodes. She has bonded with his son, Amos. She just can’t seem to penetrate through the walls he has built around himself. It is probably better that way since she needs to repair a broken heart and learn how to move forward.

Ms. Zapata is truly the Queen of the slow burn. I have not read an author who does this so well. While I tend to swing one way or the other in my taste when it comes to her books, I found myself swinging all the way to loving this. Maybe it was my mood. Maybe it was the way the hero was so well written. Either way, she knocks it right out of the park.

Let’s dive into Rhodes. Oh, my goodness. He is so grumpy and distant. He doesn’t want to interact with Aurora. He doesn’t want her there on his property. He is so resistant to even trying but she chisels away at his defenses. For the first time in a really long time, he is fine with allowing someone new into his life. The friendship develops and the romance moves very slow but when the readers get a chance to see how much Rhodes cares, you can believe that he clearly knows how to knock it out of the park.

While I clearly like Rhodes, Aurora is the typical sunshine heroine. She is the balance to his character. I love that the author uses her sweetness as a strength. She is not a pushover. She is a character who experienced heart break but she stands up for herself.

I did love this book because the author really took time to flesh out the characters and their issues. However, it is the same reason, I knocked off a half-star. They didn’t even kiss or anything until 80% of the book. The first half of the story there is little to no interaction with them. I found myself forgetting that I was reading a romance.

Overall, I’m a fan of the author. I loved this story and I would highly recommend it for fans who like watching a gruff male fall hard.

~ Samantha

Wow. Just… wow. I think I loved this book more than the Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Wow. I adored both Aurora and Rhodes. Even if Rhodes was a grumpy jerk at times. But… damn… this book. I cried SO much over the parts that involved her mom. Just wow. HIGHLY recommend.

I really fell in love with these characters and
sad to be done with such a lovely story. One of the best romances I’ve read because of how predictable it was at times and how unpredictable it was at others. I’m so glad Mariana Zapata is finally getting recognized because this is my second book I’ve read by her now that she was brought to my attention and I just love her style.

Mariana Zapata does it again!! The Queen of slow burn never fails to pull me in and spit me back out at the end of a book! All Rhodes Lead Here is another masterpiece in her repertoire!! GO READ IT NOW!!! Promise you wont regret it!

Ora and Rhodes have a great meet cute—ie he wants her gone immediately 😂 I loved their journey from sorta enemies to sorta friends to the HEA at the end. The emotions Zapata evoked from heart wrenching back stories to the awe inspiring dad 1 and dad 2 (youll understand when you read it) left me in an absolute puddle. Get ready for a book hangover after this one!! Its worth it!

This was my second Zapata read and it didn't disappoint!! Mariana is the queen of slow burn, she just makes you literally burn with anticipation for the two characters to finally connect so every little flirt or touch sends you into a frenzy! Tobias Rhodes is a grumpy dad(dy) (literally a softie with a grumpy facade, he can't fool me) and raised the bar for men so freaking high! Aurora was precious, she's recovering from her toxic ex relationship and in swoops this grumpy softie older guy. Aurora is so compassionate and an easy character to love and enjoy reading about!

troped: found family, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, age gap

This story was fantastic.  Mariana Zapata can do no wrong in my eyes as I've yet to read a book of hers I did not like, and this story was no exception.  All Rhodes Lead Here was an engrossing tale that had me captivated, and I didn't want to put it down.  

The story was beautifully written and follow Aurora, as she start her life over after heartbreak and we are taken on this journey of loss, grief, love and moving on, as she finds herself and discovers love along the way with her landlord Rhodes. 

The characters were complex and well developed and had me rooting for them. I loved Aurora. She was determined, sweet, kind, and at times quite funny, and I really loved watching her growth. 

Rhodes, the broody landlord, had me swooning throughout the story.  Protective and caring, I loved seeing how his and Aurora's relationship progressed from strangers to friends to so much more.

If it's one thing this author is known for, it's her slow burn, and the romance and passion were slowwww to bloom here, but when it does, wow. I also loved the relationship Aurora had with Rhodes son, Amos, who was shy at first, but with time opened up to her.

This story was a  wonderful read, and I'm in a book hangover now. I would definitely recommend it this novel to romance lovers.

Another great sllooowwww burn. Mariana Zapata really likes to drag you through it all and make you willingly wait until the end. The character development and the way you really get to know these characters is fantastic.

This was a great read about starting over, finding love again, and finding yourself too. Characters are well developed and likeable.

All Rhodes Lead Here is another slow burn gem of a romance from Mariana Zapata.

Having recently broken up with her longtime boyfriend, Aurora “Ora” De La Torre has returned to her hometown of Pagosa Springs, Colorado looking for a fresh start. Ora is also still grieving her late mother, who disappeared years ago while hiking the trails around Pagosa Springs and whose body was never found. Ora used to go hiking here with her mom often when she was a child and is hoping to feel closer to her by hiking some of her mom’s favorite trails.

Ora thought she had secured a short-term rental apartment but is instead surprised to find herself the very much unwanted guest of Tobias Rhodes, who had no idea his teenage son Amos had gone behind his back and rented out their spare apartment. Rhodes comes across as the grump to end all grumps, not too surprising, considering the awkward spot he has been put in, but Ora’s cheerful and charming disposition eventually wins him over and he lets her stay in the apartment.

Rhodes tries so hard to stay away from her, but Ora’s pull on him is magnetic and they end up going on some hikes and camping together. I loved watching them grow closer, and was especially excited to see that once you get past Rhodes’ grumpy exterior, he’s just the softest, swooniest of cinnamon roll heroes. Their banter was hilarious at times but what I really loved were their fireside chats where they each got a little vulnerable.

Everything about this story was just fantastic! Ora working through her grief is a huge part of the story and everything about her emotional journey came across as authentic. I also loved all of the side characters in the story, who are all just so well fleshed out, especially Amos, who was just so lovable. His bonding with Ora over their mutual passion for music was one of my favorite parts of the story since it added a nice found family element, which is another of my favorite tropes.

A slooooow burn, but man, Mariana Zapata writes them like none other. Great character development, fun cast of side characters, good dialogue, and great writing in general.

After hearing many people rave about Mariana zapata and this book specifically I was excited to jump in and experience first hand the greatness of this story. However I found myself underwhelmed and honestly disappointed. The story is cute and Rhodes and his son Amo are so adorable but the book dragged and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The chapters seemed so long and Aurora our main female character seemed so childish at times even though she’s depicted as being 33yr old. This book is described as a slow burn which I’m totally fine with but this was not that, this was stagnant and almost a stand still. There seemed to be a lot of filler words and things occurring in the book that didn’t really add anything of substance in my opinion to the story, it could easily have been compressed down atleast 100pages. I think a fair rating of this book would be a 3 out of 5 stars, it’s cute and had potential but for me fell flat. I can see why so many people did like the story and I think it fits the needs of readers who may be newer to the romance scene but even for a slow burn this was too slow. I can’t say I’d recommend this title and don’t foresee myself ever rereading this title . I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this I just wish it had more.

This was the slowest slow burn romance I think I have ever read- and at some point I was ready to give up on it because it felt like it was not going to happen.. BUT WHEN IT DID I SWOONED SO HARD LIKE I HAVE NEVER SWOONED BEFORE.

It was WELL worth the wait, the anticipation.. this was beautiful.

Rhodes aka Tobers went from being a reserved grump to a protective cinnamon roll. He's been hurt in his past by those close to him, so finding and accepting love is difficult for him.

Aurora aka Ora is wanting a fresh start in a place she called home years ago. Set out to find herself, and find comfort and closure on her mothers passing she ends up living in Rhodes' garage/apartment thanks to Amos, Rhodes' son.

What started off on an bad note- ended up being a found family moment for both Aurora and Rhodes.

I initially thought I would DNF this book if I am being completely honest- it was THAT slow of a slow burn.. but man when I noticed that it was going towards the romance parts.. I stuck around and boy am I glad I did.

I love this story- and how detailed the writing was, as if I was there watching the story unfold! I am looking forward to more Mariana Zapata novels!

4.75 stars - Reread this book because Avon republished this book with bonus content.

I loved this book but it was not a five-star book for me anymore! It still had everything I look for in a romance novel - a slow-burn romance set in a charming small town but I did not love this as much reading it for the second time. Aurora's personality was incredibly refreshing and made the story even more enjoyable. The friendship she developed with Amos and Rhodes was my favorite part of the book and what hooked me from the beginning.

This was a re-read for me and it was just as enjoyable as the first time I read this. While the slow burn is an absolute slow burn, the payoff comes a lot sooner than Mariana's previous books. And I was eating up every moment. A solid addition to Mariana's repertoire and one that many of her fans will enjoy.

The way that Aurora has ADD without saying that she has it… she will hear something and go off on a 2 page memory and then come back to the conversation in front of her. At first, I wasn't a fan, but the more I got to know her, the more it just made me giggle. I started guessing when it would happen.

I'm not crazy about the pet name “buddy”. I understand why (after he told her), but I just couldn't see it. The first time he used it, I thought it was because he wanted her to know that he really did think of her as a friend, but then it kept happening, and it killed the mood for me. I’m sorry, but a man like Tobias calling her buddy after letting her know how he feels… No thanks.

I loved every single character so much!! His son Amos and the way she slowly built his trust and formed a relationship!!! I felt just like Aurora did trying to figure out his family dynamic, and when it all came to light, there was no way in hell that I ever would've put that together.

The character development was top tier as well. Something as small as her going hiking and learning everything about outdoor sports was monumental in this book. 

Once I got past the first couple of pages, it was nearly impossible to put down. All I did while I was at work was think about this book.

If you like true grumpy/sunshine and the slowest of slow burns, this is the book for you! 


Massive thank you to net galley, Avon, and the queen of slow burn, Mariana Zapata, for an advance copy of this amazing book.

Oh why have I been sleeping on Mariana Zapata! I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of a slower burn romance, and I knew she is the queen, so I’d hesitated to pick this story up. But what a beautiful story of love, but also of healing and identity and finding your place. It’s emotionally rich, rife with romantic tension, and the characters are complex and lovable and beautifully developed. And the audio was simply fantastic too!

All Rhodes Lead Here gives us the story of Aurora (aka Ora) who is trying to move on with her life after a really hard end to her last relationship. She finds her home for her new beginning with Rhodes, single dad to Amo. The tension begins almost immediately- and these two don’t always get along, but over time Ora finds a strong and steady relationship with both Rhodes and Amo, which in turn helps her find some of the healing she needs as she’s figuring herself out. I loved her relationship with Amo- it was sweet and catalytic and meaningful to them both. And the slow burn romantic tension with her and Rhodes had me burning through the pages.

Rhodes is deliciously swoony, and I loved how he became a stable and emotionally safe place for ora to work through her baggage. And Ora is so relatable and real, I loved watching her grow. How the romance accentuated her own personal journey and the story became equal parts romantic and existential. It’s a beautiful journey, and as a self-proclaimed non-slow-burn lover, I found myself charmed by how delicately it all evolved. It was worth the wait. What a stunningly emotional and sweet love story!

Thank you to @avonbooks for the digital ARC. Mariana is the queen of slow burn romance and grumpy heroes. Ora (Aurora) moves to Pagosa Springs, CO and hopes to find her forever town in the place where she once lived with her mother. Tobias Rhodes (who goes by Rhodes) is her grumpy and hesitant landlord, thanks to a sneaky move by his son Amos. At 600 pages, this book goes deep into both Ora's and Rhodes' backstories. There is so much they both have experienced and the layers are peeled back slowly as they both get to know each other. I love how caring Ora is to Amos. Rhodes takes a while but the way he takes care of her...swoon. Ora's growth comes from dealing with her ex but also from healing from the grief of losing her mom when she was younger. As someone who no longer has my mom here, I felt a connection to Ora's thoughts and emotions at various points of the story. I really enjoyed this book and did a mix of ebook and audiobook.