Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

S láskou, Lukov by Mariana Zapata

105 reviews

annabananadel's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

“Because I'm okay with you having ten other people be your favorite. But you're always going to be my favorite person.” 

This was on my top 24 TBRs in 2024 and I'm so glad I tackled it already because I would hate myself if I were not to read this ever. Basing from the reels I've been seeing in Bookstagram, I know for sure I would love to get my hands on a copy of this book. So when I saw it available on my usual online seller (that had to wait months to arrive), I immediately bought it. I'm not sure why I didn't reach for it as soon as it had arrived last November - I need to slap the old me for that. This month though, I was in a big mood reader so I wasn't trusting my TBR jar to make the choice. It took a few hours for me to decide and finally reached out for From Lukov With Love. Best decision this April so far too.

I love stories that revolves in any sport on ice. I'm not sure what it is about but there's always something graceful about people on ice. What I did not expect was a story about pair figure skaters. I was also unaware that this was an enemies-to-lovers? Anna, why don't you ever read the synopsis at the back of the book? It's there for a reason. But I always love going in blindly when it comes to books. I trust people so much in the net that I don't even bother reading what it was about. I wasn't even disappointed at all. I love it as soon as I hit more than 10% of the book. I always love banters in books but this level of banters between the main characters are on a different level. I was laughing out loud on several occasions and just kept on wishing for these two to get together. I knew Mariana is known her slow burn stories but girl, I did not expect this kind of slow burn. I was shookedt. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and more waiting for them to get together but bro...it took
400 +
for them to even kiss? I was so happy when it finally did happen because these two are just meant to be. They really are meant for each other - and not just because it's fictional but also because if it was the real world, it would definitely last. 

Of course, it wasn't just a romance book. To be honest, it's more of a family story type of book because it literally focused on Jasmine and her relationship with her family. I can't get over her relationship with her dad because I relate so much to it. Jasmine felt not loved because of her career path and it' just simply because their family ain't the affectionate ones and have different love language that can't easily be understood. Ugh. I wanted to hug Jasmine so much. It's a good thing Ivan was there to do it for us readers. 

10/10 will recommend.

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alexklop's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 Stars!

This was so cute! And while I was expecting a little more spice from all of the posts and videos I’ve seen talk about it, I didn’t feel like the story was lacking because of it. I was almost dad when the epilogue started because I wanted to continue being a fly in the wall during Ivan and Jasmines skating practices.

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abbzreads's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75


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agucwa's review against another edition

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funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5


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kristensreading's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this story but minus one star for the ending seeming very rushed and the main skating event only getting a page???  AND the author’s confusing refusal to use a character’s name multiple times in a paragraph. It’s so odd. Examples:

“I took a step onto the ice and glided off just a couple feet away to give IVAN room to do the same. He followed after me, stopping just two feet away from me as the announcer called out our names. That was when I looked over my shoulder at THE MAN IN THE BROWN AND GOLD COSTUME that my sister had created, and found him already looking at me, with a smirk aimed right at me.”

““She was pinching me under the table,” BEN let me know, like that would surprise me. It didn’t. That was my mom right there. My defender forever and ever. “Sorry about that, Jas,” MY MOM’S FOURTH HUSBAND murmured.”

““Where’s Ben at, MOM?” “He’s out with his friends,” THE REDHEADED WOMAN WHO HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO ME, explained quickly before raising her gaze and aiming her fork in my direction.”

There were points where it truly confused me because I couldn’t even tell the author was talking about the same character. “The man” is used 30 times in the book and “the woman” 37 times, most often for characters that are already very well established. It’s confusing.

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zoe_wein's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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79lulu12's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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kaylahcc's review against another edition

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funny inspiring relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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cflag's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Spent a lot of time waiting for the skating to happen and there was very little. The characters seemed pretty immature. The naked photo shoot was... odd. And why did Ivan call Jasmine Meatball as a nickname? That was annoying.

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luchikreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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