Review: Lingus by Mariana Zapata

Most people would describe Katherine Berger as a responsible girl with a big heart, a loyal friend who takes care of those close to her, and the possessor of a wicked sense of humor. There was something about her that most people didn't know. "My name is Kat Berger, and I love porn."

When twenty-five-year-old Kat is dragged to a porn convention by her best friend, she's both embarrassed and nervous. The last thing she ever expected was to meet someone who makes her laugh like no other. This is a story about acceptance and friendship, and a love born out of the most unexpected of places.

ebook.

Full-length novel

First person.

No.

No.

No.

Yes.

No...

No.

Nope!

I love Mariana Zapata’s books. I’d read all but three of them (the earliest ones) when I saw Lingus at the bargain price of 99p (and free to read via KU) it was a no-brainer that I pick it up and read the book that kick-started all the awesome.
It’s safe to say, I was expecting great things.

I was expecting warmth, humour, and lots of page-turning slow-burn romantic deliciousness… Which isn’t quite what I got with Lingus.
That’s not because it was bad - it wasn’t - it’s just not entirely what I’ve come to expect from Zapata’s books.

Now, I don’t know why I’m surprised by this.
Lingus is the first novel, so things are obviously going to be different. The author would still be learning, settling into her groove and style… But I was surprised.
I was surprised at the premise (which was stupid as it’s right there in the blurb) that the love interest is - amongst other things - a porn star.
His profession sets up a conflict straight off the bat that would make me uncomfortable. However, the porn-star angle is well done despite the romance - the attraction - between Tristan and Kat being very overt from the get-go. Typically in Zapata’s books this is slow to develop.
There was plenty of humour and snark - which is typical in Zapata books - however the initial antagonisim usually present between the love interests - which is so much fun! - was completely missing.

Then there was the language.
I’m not a delicate flower. I have a mouth that’d make a sailor blush and I’m straight to the point and don’t dance around things but holy shit the sex talk in this book was blunt (I guess we are talking porn stars and porn aficionados so it’s somewhat expected?) and profanity laced every other page.
In later Zapata books, there is plenty of profanity but it’s definitely dialed down compared to this one.

The other thing that struck me was the base humour… Toilet humour or body humour, if you will.
It’s there in all the books but it was especially pronounced in this one and seeing as I’m not a huge fan of it, it was harder to ignore than the odd passing reference that’s present in later books.
Maybe that’s my problem?
Maybe I just shouldn’t compare Lingus to her other books because in doing so I’m definitely finding it lacking despite it actually being an okay read!

I liked Tristan. I liked Kat.
I liked the mad group of eccentrics they called their friends.
I liked the relative lack of drama. I liked the banter, enjoyed the way the story unfolded, and felt the feelings throughout.
It was a good book.
Her other books are just… Better.

The cover is relevant to the book but isn't all that impressive.
😕