You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Nistha and I plan to read Kulti by Mariana Zapata, starting (probably) on May 17th. You're welcome to join!

Yes, a Sports Romance! The only other sports book I read this year was Carrie Soto Is Back (but it was not a romance) and I had quite liked it. Can't wait to see what MZ does in this genre.

Usually, sports are not really my thing in books but after reading The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I am soooo excited for this one! I have high hopes for this book since I rated both MZ books that I read 5 stars.

Yeah, even I don't usually prefer sports in books but if done well, it can be quite engaging, Fun fact, the place where I was born in India is also called Kulti.

Oh that is so cool!

Are you good to start today? :)

Yes, got it available from the library. This week's work has been so crazy that I am running on a backlog in reading. Hopefully, things will calm down a bit in the later half of the week. So excited for this one :)

I'm so excited as well! I'll finish my current listen (about 8 hours left) and then I'll start!

I'm in the middle of chapter 9 now.

(view spoiler)[A couple of things I want to comment on now.
First, Kulti. His first name. As a German, it makes me cringe a little bit. Even though Kulti isn't the youngest, as he is turning 40, the name Reiner is usually a name here that guys have that are at least in their mid 50s. So it is a bit weird to me. Thankfully, everyone is mostly calling him by his last name.
I am wondering why such a famous player is assistant coach for a women's team now. Of course, there's nothing wrong in coaching after retiring from actively playing but it seems like he got pushed into this position because he did something wrong. Definitely feels like he isn't there because he wants to or because he will get paid a lot. I think we will find out about this later in the book.
I also find it weird that he isn't really talking and that he got drunk in the bar like that. Again, I think it has to do with the reason he is coaching the team in the first place and that we will get to know about this later in the book.
However, I can already see how they will go from sort of enemies to lovers and I am really excited to read about that.
I love how Sal stood up for her dad, it made me so sad how it crushed him when Kulti behaved like that with him. Sal's dad definitely is a sweetie and I hope we get to see more of him throughout the book. (hide spoiler)]

At the beginning of chapter 19

(view spoiler)[I just love this book so much. Kulti and Sal becoming friends is so awesome and I really enjoy seeing Kulti opening up more and more.
It was soooo cute when they both got called into the office and had to justify them being together at the doctor's office and Kulti said Sal's his best friend. That was so adorable.
He really is a jerk sometimes but I think it's because he had to deal with a lot of bad stuff and it seems like he is really trying to be a good person.
I am so excited for one of them to finally make a move. It will probably take a while to get there still, since it is a slow burn novel but I am so here for it. I love them together. (hide spoiler)]

I am a bit slow as got caught up on some stuff this week. I also got a pollen allergy yesterday so just in my bed today and hopefully can get some reading done.

I am currently in chapter 5, so have not read your spoilers yet haha.

(view spoiler)[ It is funny how she keeps saying Poop whenever thinking about Kulti. The fan-girl obsession is so relatable - I still fan-girl a celeb and I can totally feel tearing all it down when they get married. It is interesting how Kulti has kind of shaped their life and goals and now he is their coach. It would be interesting to find out what drove him to the crazy side. Also, would like to see his perspective on what happened with her brother.

The book has a more serious tone than I expected it to so far, but I don't mind it.

(hide spoiler)]

Don't worry about not being this far yet. I've been in a slight reading slump myself. Hope you'll feel better soon :)

Replying to your spoiler (view spoiler)[ I really found this Poop thing funny too. The whole time I thought she will probably call him that out loud by accident haha (hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "I'm in the middle of chapter 9 now.

"

I read till ch 10 now.

(view spoiler)[

I did not understand the name bit of Kulti? Is it an unusual name or a common name? It does get annoying a bit if books end up misinterpreting something like this.

I agree with you there's a reason why he is coaching here - he also seemed to say no to other bigger deals. We will find out I guess.

I also love how Sal stood up - she is not just a meek heroine! That made Kulti cool off a bit.

Haha it would be funny if she says poop loudly.

(hide spoiler)]

Nistha wrote: "Fiona wrote: "I'm in the middle of chapter 9 now.


(view spoiler)[ About the name - Kulti is not a last name I have personally heard of here yet but Reiner is a pretty common first name. For guys the age of my dad or older, that is. haha That's why I find it a bit weird that this is his name but I've gotten used to it now. (hide spoiler)]

One little comment about a tiny bit before the end of chapter 20.

(view spoiler)[ I am SCREAMING. Kulti told Sal that he became her coach because of her???? I'm dead. And in love. Ahhhhhhhhhh. (hide spoiler)]

I finished

(view spoiler)[and I gave it 5 stars, which you have already seen so not much to say about that haha
I absolutely loved this book and how it all unfolded. I'm a little in love with Kulti hahaha
Now I need to say something about Chapter 24. Let me paint you a picture of my experience:
It was around 9pm and it was too early for me to sleep. Actually, I had quite a lot of energy left in me, so I decided to put my earphones in, listen to Kulti and tidy up some things in my apartment. Cue to the part in which Kulti finally explains what Schnecke means. As a German, I knew it of course, so I was really looking forward to the moment when Sal would find out. I just entered my kitchen to do something and when he finally told her, I literally jumped a few times in my tiny kitchen space. A few minutes later, I just got back into my apartment from taking out the trash. Exactly after I closed the door and put my keys away, Kulti kissed Sal for the first time. I was swooning so much that I fell with my back against the wall and sighed.
I think this might tell you how much I loved it haha (hide spoiler)]

I reached chapter 19.

(view spoiler)[ The chemistry gradually and wonderfully grew so much between them, I almost could not perceive it. He called her Best Friend! This book is also so good. (hide spoiler)]

Nistha wrote: "I reached chapter 19.

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Right? I love it so much. I'm really excited to see if you have the same reaction as me regarding the chapter 20 spoiler.

What do you think, should we read another MZ book after this one? I'd be down for it and if you want to, you can choose the next one :) (hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "One little comment about a tiny bit before the end of chapter 20.

[spoilers removed]"

I read till chapter 21! 20 was a long but amazing chapter.

(view spoiler)[ OMG!! I know right? I think we both were trying to figure out why he came here as a coach but the reason just blew my mind away. How does MZ even think of all this? (hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "Nistha wrote: "I reached chapter 19.

[spoilers removed]"

Right? I love it so much. I'm really excited to see if you have the same reaction as me regarding the chapter 20 spoiler.

What do you thi..."

Yes, let's do another MZ. Probably beg next month as I am travelling to see my fiancé this weekend in Berlin? Let me check my library today and get back to you on what's available and when.

Nistha wrote: "Fiona wrote: "One little comment about a tiny bit before the end of chapter 20.

[spoilers removed]"

I read till chapter 21! 20 was a long but amazing chapter.

[spoilers removed]"

Yes, how does she do it for real? I just loved it.

Nistha wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Nistha wrote: "I reached chapter 19.

[spoilers removed]"

Right? I love it so much. I'm really excited to see if you have the same reaction as me regarding the chapter 20 spoiler.

W..."

Perfect. Also, your fiancé lives in Berlin? That's cool!

I finished on my plane ride today and I love this one!

(view spoiler)[ It was sooo sweet and Kulti's character was to die for! I loved how at the end nothing else mattered except them. The epilogue of Kulti's retirement, only it being Sal, was such a fitting one. Also really liked the fact that Sal did not stay with that team and moved on to greatness. They both inspired each other so much (I mean he kept Sal's fangirl letters and even framed them!).

Marvellous!

(hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "I finished

and I gave it 5 stars, which you have already seen so not much to say about that haha
"

Haha, (view spoiler)[ I can imagine anyone going weak in their knees with the romance going on. I was sitting in bed and just finishing the last few chapters and I was reading Sal's interview. I burst out laughing so much that my fiancé thought I was reading a comedy. (hide spoiler)]

Want to read Wait for It next? I have it available 2nd June.

Nistha wrote: "I finished on my plane ride today and I love this one!"

I cannot agree with you more. It was so awesome!

Nistha wrote: "Fiona wrote: "I finished

and I gave it 5 stars, which you have already seen so not much to say about that haha
"

Haha, [spoilers removed]

Want to read Wait for It next? I have i..."

Wait for it sounds perfect. I can have it available on June 3rd.
I saw that the MC is called Diana Casillas so I thought it might have to do with Kulti.
When I read a review on Amazon, I chuckled. Someone said the same about Kulti's name: "Also no one under 60 is called Rainer (if you are a „Rainer“ under 60 - I’m sorry)." hahaha

Awesome! I will get it added to the calendar then.

It would be interesting if the books somehow connect - it happens with Taylor Jenkins Reid books and always fascinates me.

Haha, I actually like the name Rainer.