From the opinions provided, "From Lukov with Love" by Mariana Zapata is a slow burn romance novel that follows the journey of Jasmine and Ivan, two characters who start off as enemies but eventually become partners and lovers. The book showcases the dynamics between the characters, the humor within Jasmine's family, and the intense relationship between Jasmine and Ivan. The writing style is praised for its ability to build a complete story with fully fleshed-out characters, focusing on the development of the relationship over time.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Jasmine portrayed as a flawed but relatable heroine and Ivan as a supportive figure, showcasing an evolution from rivalry to deep emotional connection.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by a deep focus on character development and lengthy inner dialogues, resulting in a slow-burn narrative that some readers find overly descriptive.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features an enemies-to-lovers dynamic centered around figure skating, focusing on Jasmine's personal struggles and her evolving relationship with Ivan over the course of a year.

Setting:

The setting revolves around the competitive figure skating world, integrating themes of family dynamics and personal challenges faced by the protagonists.

Pacing:

The pacing is notably slow, aligning with the romance's gradual development, though some readers feel the final romantic moments feel rushed.

My butt cheeks could handle another two hours’ worth of falls tomorrow. They might have to if I didn’t figure out what I was doing wrong, damn it. This was the second day in a row I hadn’t been able t...

Notes:

The main character, Jasmine, is a figure skater trying to achieve her dreams after past failures.

Jasmine's character is seen as flawed and relatable, making her feel more human.

Ivan, the other lead character, is initially a mystery and speaks very little at first, which adds to his depth.

The book features a significant slow-burn romance, as Jasmine and Ivan gradually build a friendship before becoming romantically involved.

The dynamics of Jasmine's family play a vital role, providing humor and depth to the story.

This book is categorized as enemies-to-lovers, but some readers feel the characters' rivalry isn't as intense as it seems on the surface.

There is a notable lack of explicit romantic scenes until the very end, which is a signature element of Mariana Zapata's writing style.

Jasmine's journey is about personal growth, accepting herself, and coming to terms with her past choices.

The narrative is told from Jasmine's perspective, leaving Ivan's inner thoughts a bit of a mystery until the end.

Some readers find the writing style wordy and drawn out, with some feeling certain dialogue and interactions could be more concise.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are medium content warnings involving themes of self-esteem issues, injury, and moments of emotional distress among characters.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, as the main characters navigate their relationship gradually, especially given the slow burn nature of the story.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.After seventeen years-and countless broken bones and broken promises-she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she's spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.Including Ivan Lukov.

Ratings (136)

Incredible (38)
Loved It (62)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (12)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (219):

Read It (142)
Want To Read (53)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (21)

2 comment(s)

pq9rex696

Loved It

1 month

Slow burn. Likeable characterz this author unfortunately always manages to have a cringey moment using scatological language.

lulareviewla

Incredible

3 months

From Lukov with Love is the second book I've read from Zapata, and so far, I'm impressed with her work!

She builds especially compelling, real-feeling characters—an absolute essential to any good book, but not one you always find. I enjoyed Jasmine as the main character, and while I would've loved to see dual-POV with her and Ivan, Zapata conveyed enough of both of their feelings to convey a convincing, genuine relationship through just Jasmine.

I've read very few ice skating books, and it was nice to gain a greater appreciation for the sport through this story. I can't wait to see what sport I learn about next through Zapata's books!

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From Lukov with Love

Mariana Zapata