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Dear Aaron Paperback – June 10, 2017
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length498 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJune 10, 2017
- Dimensions5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
- ISBN-100990429261
- ISBN-13978-0990429265
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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Product details
- Publisher : Mariana Zapata (June 10, 2017)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 498 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0990429261
- ISBN-13 : 978-0990429265
- Item Weight : 1.21 pounds
- Dimensions : 5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #104,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #22,444 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Mariana loves to hear from her readers!
Join mailing list: https://goo.gl/YYvR83
Website • www.marianazapata.com
Facebook • https://www.facebook.com/marianazapatawrites
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Twitter • https://twitter.com/marianazapata_
Email • marianazapata@live.com
Mariana is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Amazon best-selling author and reached #7 on Amazon's Author Ranking in 2016. Her book The Wall of Winnipeg and Me was a #1 Amazon Overall Best Seller, and was chosen as a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award nominee and also included on Amazon's Best Books of 2016 for Romance. Wait for It reached #2 on the Amazon Overall Best Seller list and stayed in the top 100 for six weeks; it was chosen as a 2017 Goodreads Choice Award nominee in the Romance category. Dear Aaron was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and stayed in the top 100 for six weeks. From Lukov with Love was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and a finalist in the romance category for the 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards. Luna and the Lie became a #1 Amazon Overall Best Seller. The Best Thing was a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller and a 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee in romance. Her latest novel, Hands Down, was also a top 10 Amazon Overall Best Seller.
Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn't admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt's bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman's skirt. (Don't tell her mom.)
Mariana is a native Texan living in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she's not pretending to write, she's reading. You can usually find her burning somewhat edible experiments in the kitchen or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.
For upcoming teasers, samples, and all things new-release-related, join her mailing list here:
https://goo.gl/YYvR83
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers enjoyed the story and found it sweet and timeless. They appreciated the characters as individuals and the pairing of these two characters. The banter was hilarious and made them smile and laugh constantly. Many found the relationships heartfelt and deep. The writing style was great, with wonderfully detailed scenes and first-person narratives. While some loved the slow burn, others felt it moved too quickly.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoyed the story's quality. They found it engaging with a sweet friendship-to-love romance and a fast pace. The premise was amazing, and the writing quality was good. Readers were hooked from the beginning and throughout the book.
"...Violence? Nope, just a sweet little contemporary romance. 5.) Writing/Grammar?..." Read more
"...recommend this book for anyone who enjoys those sweet, lighthearted romances. It was a really lovely read...." Read more
"...I enjoyed reading this story and I see myself rereading it soon. 5 stars" Read more
"...I love how sexy her scenes are. I appreciate the slow burn romance and don't mind waiting til the end but she should totally write a few more hot..." Read more
Customers appreciate the characters as individuals. They find the pairing of the two characters beautiful. The hero is described as dreamy and perfect for Ruby. Customers connect to both characters and are sad when the story ends. They love how the author writes about regular people we can all relate to.
"...Aaron (30) was a super swoony hero, I loved everything about him. I don't have a single complaint. Aaron starts off a little broody and guarded...." Read more
"...She really tells a story. You learn to love and appreciate the characters as individuals before they begin any kind of romance, and the build up is..." Read more
"...From the way the book is written to each character detail, everything about this story is a perfect piece of a puzzle...." Read more
"...in Zapatas books I have no issues because all of her main characters are always amazing and so not annoying...." Read more
Customers enjoy the banter and chemistry between the characters. They find the banter funny, witty, and easy to read. The book makes them smile and laugh constantly, with its charming humor and great chemistry between the characters, making it a fun and happy read.
"...They were thoughtful, funny and served a valuable purpose...." Read more
"...the perfect way to make every interaction between the characters sweet, fun and believable...." Read more
"...They are sweet and funny and so relatable. They aren't rude or stubborn and I love that. Ruby was adorable...." Read more
"...I loved how their easy banter and ease around each other translated outside IMs and emails, and damn it, Aaron was so sweet!..." Read more
Customers find the book heartwarming and engaging. They appreciate the honest, real relationships and bonding between the characters. The book is described as a cute read that's easy on the heart.
"...They were thoughtful, funny and served a valuable purpose...." Read more
"...There are many LOL moments as heart touching ones and Ms. Zapata manages to entwine them all in just the perfect way to make every interaction..." Read more
"...Aaron was amazing (to be expected with a Zapata hero) He was supportive, protective, sweet and surly...." Read more
"...Dear Aaron was sweet, refreshing, and heartwarming...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style of the book. They find the scenes detailed and the narratives engaging. The dialogue flows smoothly and the storytelling banter is enjoyable. Readers appreciate the author's skill in constructing different story structures.
"...It's a slow burn. There's one perfect and very detailed sex scene close tot he end of the book. Nothing kinky/gross/taboo but still pretty hot...." Read more
"...I still end up finishing the books because of how easy the words flow. This one just fell a little short in terms of story...." Read more
"...They are sweet and funny and so relatable. They aren't rude or stubborn and I love that. Ruby was adorable...." Read more
"...This book was just on point for me for SO many reasons. I loved the way it portrayed, and even though the messaging part was a bit long it made this..." Read more
Customers enjoy the slow-paced story, which allows them to see the characters' feelings evolve.
"...Like all of Mariana Zapata’s books, this story was also a slow burner, this time it was a really slow, slow burner...." Read more
"...It still had the heart-twisting slow burn that made me speed-read through each page to reach the point that that two finally got together...." Read more
"Read in one sitting. Such a good slow burn - I can’t wait to read more! Download it now - you won’t regret it!" Read more
"...really don't want to say more than that, go into this knowing it's a slow burn, the first half the interactions are all written, and that it's a..." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some found it fast-paced and engaging, while others felt the first half dragged. The story is described as a slow-burning novel.
"...The letters weren't long which made the reading fast paced and in no way tedious. I loved that...." Read more
"...I thought Ruby was perfect. She starts off as a bit of a cry baby, weak, and immature for her age (24) but she has reasons for this behavior and they..." Read more
"...It was tantalizing. And it moved quickly, I loved the pace of it. But then a few things happened...." Read more
"...surprisingly short amount of time, so I don't want to say too much about it, because of spoilers, so how about we just jump into my thoughts and..." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it engaging with a good pace and writing style that keeps them turning pages. Others feel it's boring and exhausting to read, not suitable for serious readers.
"...issed a chapter or two between the last one and the epilogue... *sighs* because I loved her other stories, all of that made me disappointed about..." Read more
"...Although Mariana’s books are never overloaded with drama, I think this book could have done with just a little more...." Read more
"...was absolutely not the case, I found myself enraptured by their ridiculous banter and terrible topics of discussion...." Read more
"...issues because all of her main characters are always amazing and so not annoying. They are sweet and funny and so relatable...." Read more
Reviews with images
Another great read from Mariana Zapata!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017There's several reviews that claim this story is boring and you know what I have to say about that? They're reading the wrong book. So many romance readers are used to trashy novels that take no time at all to develop their characters that they've forgotten what it's like to appreciate something well written.
If you're looking for a quick and dirty read with virgins chained up by a dom-billionaire what wants you to call him daddy and there's graphic sex in every chapter... You aren't looking for romance, you're looking for trashy erotica. I'm in no way saying trashy erotica can't be fun I'm just saying you should do a quick "Look Inside" to check out the book before you borrow or buy it if you aren't familiar with the author's style. Mariana Zapata wont give you instant gratification. She makes you work for it and a true fan of a brilliant romance will appreciate every single minute of it.
Zapata is the queen of slow burns. She's a beautiful writer and her characters are vivid and rich. Her stories are truly romantic. They're not quick reads. She pulls you completely into her world and you're held there, captivated for hours.
This particular book is a little different than you might be expecting. We're introduced to the characters with emails they share back and forth. This takes up a good portion of the book and covers about 9 months of time. Other reviewers claim these were boring and I couldn't disagree more. They were thoughtful, funny and served a valuable purpose. By the time the conventionally written started I felt like I had a great grasp on the hero and heroine.
There are also complaints that the book ends just when the H & h become a couple. That's true for the most part. But that's the story. This is a friends to lovers story. The story is about how their friendship turns into love. I've complained about stories ending too soon myself. I totally get where some other readers are coming from. They wanted more but that wasn't this story. Closure? Yes there's closure, Mariana gives us a perfect Happily Ever After. No there aren't many details about how they got to their epilogue, every question isn't answered but that's ok. Why? She spent so much time building up such a solid perfect relationship you really can't question that they worked everything out you feel that they did. She confirms they're totally committed to each other for those of us that need that solid confirmation but those details? Not necessary. I FELT that it was ok. They got through it. It was good. Better than good it was perfect.
I thought Ruby was perfect. She starts off as a bit of a cry baby, weak, and immature for her age (24) but she has reasons for this behavior and they're totally valid. Mariana shows you exactly why Ruby is the way she is. Ruby changes just like every great heroine does. She gets stronger, she grows up and she becomes someone better.
Aaron (30) was a super swoony hero, I loved everything about him. I don't have a single complaint. Aaron starts off a little broody and guarded. Just like Ruby, he evolves, he changes and it's a wonderful thing.
Have I convinced you? Not yet? Need a little more info? Was my review a little wordy and you kinda glazed over? How about this, quick and dirty:
1.) Cheating? Nope. Not in the story anyway. Aaron confesses at one point that when he was a teenager he cheated on a couple girlfriends but he outgrew that long ago and is the perfect gentlemen.
2.) Cliffhanger? No.
3.) HEA (Happily Ever After)? Yes! So happy.
4.) Violence? Nope, just a sweet little contemporary romance.
5.) Writing/Grammar? Like I mentioned above, Mariana is pretty amazing. I caught a few typos but nothing huge or worth making a stink over.
6.) Sexual content? This might start to feel like a clean romance but it's not. It's a slow burn. There's one perfect and very detailed sex scene close tot he end of the book. Nothing kinky/gross/taboo but still pretty hot.
7.) Would I recommend this book to my friends? Yes! All.
8.) Premise/Trope? Friends to Lovers (also a Military Romance and Slow Burn)
9.) POV? Heroine only.
Oh, I read this with my Kindle Unlimited subscription but like every other MZ book I purchased it for my collection when I was finished. Stop stalling, buy the book!
- Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2017Gosh. I’m struggling with this review right now. I have so many emotions running through me it’s hard to get them down exactly the way I’m feeling them. I guess I should start by saying that Mariana Zapata is by far one of my favourite story tellers ever. Her books are an instant one-click for me, every single time. And I didn’t waste a second picking up Dear Aaron. And you know what? I loved it. I really really loved it. But sometimes, authors write such amazing books that our expectations sky rocket. I don’t want to take away from Mariana’s incredible talent. This book was great. But for me, and I absolutely hate to say this, this wasn’t my favourite of hers. And I’m almost crying as I write that. Because this book, the first 70-80%, OMG! A solid 5 stars. I read it faster than I’ve ever read before. I couldn’t put it down. The whole premise had me screaming for this book from the second the author announced it.
Ruby Santos knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she signed up to write a soldier overseas.
The guidelines were simple: one letter or email a week for the length of his or her deployment. Care packages were optional.
Been there, done that. She thought she knew what to expect.
What she didn’t count on was falling in love with the guy.
I mean, come on! That blurb sent me swooning already and I didn’t even have the book yet! I guess for me, I wanted more of the book as a whole. For anyone new to Mariana Zapata, she’s literally the queen of slow burn romances. And they are EPIC. It’s the reason I love her writing. She really tells a story. You learn to love and appreciate the characters as individuals before they begin any kind of romance, and the build up is amazing. Dear Aaron did exactly that. The letters to and from were building up emotions inside of me, making me feel anxious as to where the story was heading. Mariana’s writing style was a little different this time around, but her signature style was never far. But I think what fell a little flat for me was when they eventually did meet up, and the week that they spent together, I think I wanted more from them as a ‘couple’. It’s hard for me to say this without sounding like I didn’t like the book. What the author gave us was great, but I really felt like we could have had so much more of ‘them’. And I felt a little let down by the epilogue. I think the author missed an opportunity to really bring these characters and their relationship to another level, and it just didn’t make it there for me. Aaron and Ruby have this epic romance building throughout the time that Aaron is deployed, and I’m so excited for them to finally meet and ‘see’ their connection grow, and we did, but only just a little. And for that, the last 20% was 3.5-4 stars. I enjoyed it, just didn’t love it.
There was also the back story of the characters pasts that kept being brought up in small doses, but never really touched on fully, and I think I wanted to know more about that side of each of them. Although Mariana’s books are never overloaded with drama, I think this book could have done with just a little more.
Mariana’s writing is always amazing though. It’s something that I have always just loved about her books, even if I didn’t connect a lot with the story or the characters. I still end up finishing the books because of how easy the words flow. This one just fell a little short in terms of story. I would still absolutely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys those sweet, lighthearted romances. It was a really lovely read. I really enjoyed it, just didn’t love it as much as I was hoping I would.
Rating: 4 stars
- Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024This is a simple enough story. A young woman in Texas starts writing once a week to a soldier overseas for the length of the soldier’s deployment, but Ruby Santos is not just any girl and Sgt. Aaron Hall, though hard to crack at first, is not just any soldier.
I have to say that Aaron and Ruby are my second favorite couple from this author to date as I haven’t read all her work, but their story certainly managed to steal my heart. From the way the book is written to each character detail, everything about this story is a perfect piece of a puzzle.
There are many LOL moments as heart touching ones and Ms. Zapata manages to entwine them all in just the perfect way to make every interaction between the characters sweet, fun and believable. I enjoyed reading this story and I see myself rereading it soon.
5 stars
Top reviews from other countries
- Cliente de KindleReviewed in Mexico on August 16, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Stalker
What a beautiful life for reading this magic.
Mariana always move my heart to worlds so lovelys and so much pacefull.
Thanks for the adventure.
- RMCReviewed in Brazil on March 24, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Start on a Friday
Please follow my advice.
This is the second review I write (the first good one, but in my defense the book deserved it).
The reason why I ask you to start on Friday is because I started it on a Sunday night and the book hooked me so badly I wanted to take bathroom breaks at work with my kindle just so I could read more of it. I honestly wanted to delete my memory just so I could read it again (still thinking about reading it again tho). This is for you, slow burn lover. The book is written so beautifully (and the two styles - messages and Rudy’s POV makes you fall deep into it even more), it gives you the perfect amount of time to fall in love with the characters, laugh out loud, cry a little and have your heart going crazy. I won’t give any spoilers but just believe me: it’s more thank worth a weekend in!
-
Chiara R.Reviewed in Italy on July 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Mariana Zapata non sbaglia mai
Io mi chiedo costantemente perchè si parli solo di alcuni romanzi della Zapata e di altri quasi nulla. Questa storia - in parte epistolare, in parte fatta da scambi di messaggi e in parte scritta in maniera "classica" - è sicuramente una delle più tenere che ho letto di questa autrice. Ho adorato la generosità di Ruby nel voler far parte di questo programma di scambio epistolare con i soldati in missione, così come il suo essere delicatamente estroversa nel trattare con Aaron, soprattutto nel primo periodo, facendolo aprire man mano e raccontandosi a sua volta, senza però quella necessità di riversare su di lui le proprie preoccupazioni. Ho proprio apprezzato che si iniziasse da una conoscenza, che poi diventa amicizia e dopo ancora qualcosa in più. E' un graduale avvicinamento degno degli slow burn ai quali ci ha abituato la Zapata, e ho amato le battute, gli scambi sempre più confidenziali, il loro chiedersi consiglio reciprocamente, e più andavo avanti più sentivo la necessità che si vedessero e si parlassero dal vivo. Mi è piaciuto anche il fatto che sebbene Ruby sia la più piccola dei due, riesce comunque a dare supporto e forza ad Aaron, così come il suo essere al contempo fragile e incerta nel momento del loro incontro. E Aaron? Ho amato tutto di lui. La sua pazienza, il suo aspettare Ruby senza nemmeno farglielo notare, la sua delicatezza nello starle accanto e anche il suo modo di dimostrarle il suo amore. Ringrazio che ci fosse subito dopo From Lukov with Love da leggere, perchè altrimenti sarei andata in astinenza diretta dalla sua assenza.
- AnastasiaReviewed in Poland on August 19, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars emotional and so sweet
“Dear Aaron,
My name is Ruby Santos, and I’m you new pairing through the Help a Soldier Foundation.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Girl, it was emotional.
We have a girl - Ruby, 23- who decided to exchange letters with a soldier who was selected and assigned to her; and a boy - Aaron, 28- who wants to chat with somebody while he is on duty, so there is a piece of normality in dangerous times.
Ans this book shows us evolution of their relationship, from penpals to friends and even more. And it was so good.
They were so funny and cute, and it was emotional. I laughed and cried and giggled and blushed and my heart almost stopped several times.
Also we are solving Ruby’s problems with love life, family and work; and our lover boy is a gem.
I’m a big fan of novels in letters, so i was so into their story and couldn’t put the book down.
- Patricia WonderlandReviewed in France on June 25, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it !
I loved this book so much that I read it twice in a few weeks.
I loved Ruby from her first email. She sends emails to soldiers to keep them company, to change their minds... This act alone proves her generosity and altruism. Subsequently, she also shows herself to be very funny, adorable, attentive... She is part of a large family of which all the members are very close and which we find in other books by Mariana Zapata. Just with her messages, Ruby manages to make us understand the dynamics of this close-knit and very original family. A modern family.
Ruby shares important fragments of her life with her correspondent, drop by drop but without restraint. She opens up to Aaron, makes him laugh a lot, takes an interest in Aaron's worries and happiness... We quickly understand why her messages entertain the soldier. Just by her words, she helps him out of his complicated and dangerous daily life. She brings him bursts of joy in a routine and a certain loneliness.
Aaron immediately appreciates her humor, her originality, her passions, her anecdotes. As well as its very thoughtful surprise packages.
Aaron can't tell Ruby everything about his life as a soldier, but he gives her some details that show the loneliness, boredom, lack of hygiene and insecurity he endures on a daily basis. And even if she is very well surrounded with her large family, Ruby also has her moments of solitude.
A true friendship is created, they confide. Ruby brings joy to Aaron, and he brings some more courage to Ruby.
I really loved their email exchanges. They get to know each other beyond the physical.
I loved their very touching meeting. Returning to the civilian world is not easy for a soldier, which the author shows subtly. But Aaron also has family issues. Ruby has had big disappointments in the past, it's not easy for her to trust and have confidence. Both will help each other like friends but deep down, even before they meet, love already shines between them.
I loved the nicknames Aaron gave Ruby!
Even if the ending is a little abrupt, this novel is sublime. A real slow burn of which Mariana Zapata has the secret.