Kulti
Thursday, November 12, 2015
“Trust me, I’ve wanted to punch you in the face a time or five.”
When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.
It didn’t take a week for twenty-seven-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she’d seen in the international soccer icon—why she’d ever had his posters on her wall, or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.
Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man that hadn’t known she’d existed. So she isn’t prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team’s season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he’d once been.
Nothing could have prepared her for the man she got to know.
Or the murderous urges he brought out in her.
This was going to be the longest season of her life.
When the man you worshipped as a kid becomes your coach, it’s supposed to be the greatest thing in the world. Keywords: supposed to.
It didn’t take a week for twenty-seven-year-old Sal Casillas to wonder what she’d seen in the international soccer icon—why she’d ever had his posters on her wall, or ever envisioned marrying him and having super-playing soccer babies.
Sal had long ago gotten over the worst non-break-up in the history of imaginary relationships with a man that hadn’t known she’d existed. So she isn’t prepared for this version of Reiner Kulti who shows up to her team’s season: a quiet, reclusive shadow of the explosive, passionate man he’d once been.
Nothing could have prepared her for the man she got to know.
Or the murderous urges he brought out in her.
This was going to be the longest season of her life.
review. While I have read a few books here and there, I've just finished a book that made me HAVE to write one!
Kulti by Mariana Zapata
First, I went searching for a soccer romance book. This was recommended to me by multiple people in a Facebook group. I'm so happy they did.
Now, it did take me a bit longer to finish this than normal. It was longer than most books I've been reading lately. Also, it did get a little slow around the middle. But one thing I can say is that I absolutely loved it!
Kulti is told from the POV of Salomé 'Sal' Casillas. Sal has been playing soccer since she was little and now plays professional women's soccer in Houston.
Enter Reiner Kulti, retired German soccer star. Reiner joins Sal's team as an assistant coach. Needless to say, everyone who's ever heard of soccer, know who he is.
Kulti is not a typical "romance" novel. Is there chemistry between the two? Yes and no. They have a wonderful love-hate relationship that some who discribe more as hate.
I love the banter between the two. Sal's thoughts are hilarious.
"Poop.
He poops.
He poops.
Right. That was all I needed to snap out of it. I pictured an image of him sitting on the porcelain throne to remind me he was just a normal man with needs like everyone."
Now, Sal's dad just stole every single scene he was in. He was so funny. He's is such awe of Kulti, that he can barely function around him. His reaction to finding out Sal would be working with him? Completely priceless!
Mariana Zapata creates what is commonly called a slow burn. There is no doubt that you are rooting for Sal to end up with her childhood (from afar) love. There is plenty of anticipation through the whole book.
Do you have to be an avid soccer fan like me to enjoy Kulti? No, not at all. But it helps a little.
Kulti is easily one of my favorite reads of this year. It's one that I will re-read in the future. I just loved it!
