The Best Thing

By: Mariana Zapata

Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Calum Gittins

Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Some things are easily forgiven. Other things...not so much.

Lenny DeMaio made herself a promise: She was done.

Done thinking about him.

Done worrying about him.

Done reaching out to a man who clearly didn’t want to be found.

Too bad no one gave Jonah Collins the memo.

©2019 Mariana Zapata (P)2020 Mariana Zapata

An outstanding read AND listen.

The best audiobooks are ones where the book itself is excellent and with that in hand voice talent is engaged that not only sounds like the characters but reads with perfect pacing, inflection, and clear diction. The Best Thing has it all. The story is a beautiful slow-burn that puts us inside the head of Lenny as she makes a difficult emotional journey from justifiable anger, mistrust and resentment to fully realized love. And the reader is given the chance to see that the love surrounding Lenny supports her journey in very real ways. It’s so refreshing to experience characters whose trials and uncertainty are completely realistic and have them respond with logic, maturity and strength rather than flailing drama. As for the narration, this is one of the best I have encountered and I’ve listened to hundreds of books. The male voices are spot on including the true male voice of “Jonah”. And the timing was superb. Good job all. Enjoy!

9 people found this helpful

Where Has Calum Been all my Life!

The phrase "all the feels" is tossed around a lot when reviewing the romance genre, but I honestly had NEVER used it until I read my first Mariana Zapata novel. MZ is the queen of the feels. It takes a very talented author to be able to write characters that will have you so vested in their story, that you will laugh, ugly cry, get angry, and then laugh some more all in the same book. Without a doubt - "The Best Thing" which is her best thing she has written to date.

Lenny and Jonah's story was SO incredibly sweet. I had liked Lenny in MZ's previous release, "Luna and the Lie" - but getting a chance to really get to explore her background and that of her inner circle was an absolute joy. I went from despising Jonah to being 110% on team Jonah (big and little "J"). As I am not the talented Ms. Zapata, I don't have the literary prose to express how thoroughly I enjoyed the experience of reading this book. Don't even get me started on how amazing the narration was on the audio version - which I waited with baited breath for before I allowed myself to read it. My only criticism for this book, was that it had to end... which is always the saddest part of an amazing read. 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or rugby balls, whichever you like - it was totally #SweetAs

2 people found this helpful

CINNAMON BUN ALERT - with a Kiwi accent!

Wow I loved this book. This is still all MZ, slow burn and all. But it felt a little different. Some of her slow burns can be really frustrating and by the end you don’t feel like the couple got any time actually BEING a couple. Not so here for some reason... sure the book starts with Lenny thoroughly pissed off at Jonah (for a really good reason) but the man is just such a sweetheart cinnamon bun of a man that she had absolutely no chance standing against him. And it is his steadfastness and no BS or games that makes this feel even better than the usual MZ (sometimes I just want to yell: TELL EACHOTHER HOW YOU FEEL FFS!!!). I loved it and I think you will too!
Some spoilers to follow:
I don’t think there is anything more ovary exploding than a hot dad doting on his baby and that’s what we get here. Jonah is thrown to find out that he is a new dad considering he hadn’t heard from Lenny for months. Except... she had tried to contact him constantly and he had written her often... but somehow they missed each other and Jonah did ignore her calls and remain willfully ignorant of her wellbeing. That is a hard thing to come back from or forgive. I know a lot of people don’t like the surprise pregnancy/baby plot as it takes away from the romance and feels like obligation if he sticks around. I occasionally agree with this but if the writing is good enough and there is more between the couple as in this case I’m ok with it.
I loved grandpa Gus and his Peter. The side characters were as full bodied and well developed as Lenny and Jonah. And uuuhhhhhhgggg that accent! Swoon!
Worth a credit for sure!

2 people found this helpful

Excellent!

Phenomenal narration & beautiful story! Unique plot and some of the best characters
Callie Dalton does most of MZ’s audiobooks and seriously slays them all!
Calum Gittins was new to me and did an excellent job as Jonah! Bravo!

1 person found this helpful

Lenny ❤ Dimples

I'm not crying. You're crying. This is my third time through-2x reading, 1st time listening-and crying through the heartfelt epilogue. I thought Kulti was my favorite Mariana Zapata book (I love them all) but this might take over the top spot.
Mariana's female characters are always strong, witty and sassy. Lenny doesn't disappoint. Some of the comments, especially the vampire references, had me LOLing! I loved Jonah's earnest pursuit to win Lenny back. And his connection to Mo will "slip under your ribs" Also, Calum Gittins narration brings Jonah to life! I wish I could give this more than 5 stars🤩

Best book to date!!!

I think that I just listened to my favorite Mariana Zapata book to date. I loved it. It was funny, surprising and sad towards the end but amazing at the same time.

LOVED THIS SOOOOOO MUCH!!

Omg, this book was soooooo delicious!! The Queen of slow burn has done it again!!

I love MZ even more after this book.

I have read and listened to all of MZ’s books many times. I find them soothing grounding hopeful and real. I was surprised by Lenny because I didn’t think she’d have such a squishy inside as she’s a tough as nails type. And I was completely charmed by her grandpa. Usually you want the book boyfriend but I want my own Gus keeping it real and ready to play hide-n-scare, he was awesome. This is the first time I’ve had anything bad to say about a MZ book but parts of this did drag a bit but only because I wanted so much for Lenny to just get on with it and give in to Jasper (lol). Get your fav drink, find a cozy spot and enjoy another lovely story by MZ. Oh, and have tissues nearby just in case. Callie as always pumped life into MZ’s words. You do so much more than read the words off the page for a recording. You infuse them with emotion and meaning. I find your voice just as soothing and grounding as I do MZ’s words. This was my first listen of CG but I will be looking into his work as I found him interesting and he may push Sebastian York out of my number one spot for male voice my ear finds comforting. Wish I could give all of you especially MZ more than Five Stars !!!!!!!!!!

She did it again (like I knew she would)

Mariana Zapata never has disappointed me with a book! I have been waiting to read this one on audiobook for a few months and let me tell you it was worth the wait! Callie (and now Calum) brought this book to life in an amazing way!! This book had such a great storyline and even better characters!! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would have! READ THIS BOOK! You won’t be disappointed!

So violent

I could not relate to the main character, and found her lust for violence unsettling. Perhaps if I was looking for a book about an angry, edgy and sour woman and her butthurt want for love this book would be perfect. The writing lacks fluidity, and I hate the cliche tropes used. I frustatedly returned this book, so by all means, it may pick up further out in the book, but I didn’t want to put myself through this.