Reviews

S láskou, Lukov by Mariana Zapata

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valerie123's review against another edition

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emotional slow-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

3.0

jadaleigh's review against another edition

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4.0

Stoppp, Ivan was an emotional support human. He was so sweet and so tender and I loved the absolutely scathing banter they had. Jasmine was a powerhouse and I was rooting for her the whole time. She was criticized a lot for being strong, outspoken, and stubborn, qualities that are arguably not bad.

I really wish there would've been more descriptions of the ice skating, seeing as that's what the story and characters' lives revolve around. Like even describing them on the ice for one of the competitions would've been sufficient, and could've been a good vehicle to show something about their dynamic as partners. More minor, but I also would've liked Ivan's insight on how Jasmine's very first insult made him feel all those years ago, because it was that comment that kicked off their whole antagonistic relationship.

I also think the writing was a little clunky in some places. There would be these random, long relative clauses smushed in the middle of sentences. I didn't get why they were there and most of the time, they didn't add any new information.
For example:
""Where's Ben at, Mom?"
"He's out with friends," the redhead woman who had given birth to me, explained quickly before raising her gaze and aiming her fork in my direction."
Like... what? We'd already been told that she had red hair and was Jasmine's mom, and it just kills the flow of the sentence. I feel like this is a simple issue throughout the book that could've been identified and corrected by just reading it aloud.

But despite the writing quirks and some things I would've like to have been included, I loved the main characters so much and this is a character-driven book, so it ended up being such an enjoyable read for me.

ladygeekface_'s review against another edition

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4.0

Slowest burn of all burns, but I loved their relationship by the end.

readforlillian's review against another edition

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ouch!

dropped this about 14 pages in. found the writing too tacky and childish/premature, especially considering the mc is supposed to be 26. maybe i went in with too high expectations?

this just wasn't my cup of tea. shame because i really wanted to like it!

lahirik1's review against another edition

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5.0

I have the biggest serotonin rush from IvanJasmine. I am going to keep and cherish this book for the rest of my life, I feel empty and not okay that it's done. It's hard to find 2 characters who are SO perfect for each other, but that's exactly what they are. I have the biggest smile on my face, from the beginning, with tears every 2 seconds with the way Ivan and Jasmine interacted. The slow burn was 100000X MORE perfect than it could have been because Mariana is THE QUEEN of slow burns. THE FREAKING QUOTES FROM THIS BOOK. I highlighted basically half of this book. They were NEXT-LEVEL.

I GRASPED onto every moment, every insult they gave each other. I ATE up the banter so much, I found myself laughing like a MAD woman at 1 am. It was ADDICTING. Can we talk about the damn TROPE and how perfectly it was written? ENEMIES... TO SKATING PARTNERS, TO BEST FRIENDS, TO LOVERS. Literally the perfect combination with a slow burn and had me obsessed from the first page. The way they are each other's people, the only partners they can imagine having had me sobbing non stop. The way their relationship developed slowly and how much they cared for each other without actually telling each other had me on my TOES. Their constant bickering and surprise when they truly laughed and felt comfort and happiness in each other's presence, with each other's family, had me literally SQUEALING (embarrassing amounts). I MEAN it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. My cheeks hurt from smiling, and my eyes hurt from crying because Ivan just knows all the perfect things to say to Jasmine. Their love is UNMATCHED.

Jasmine. MY BEAUTIFUL GRUMPY. My angel will threaten anyone and anything for herself and the people she cares about. IT HURT ME to see how hard she was on herself. It was so real and so relatable but it just showed how much she grew. I was so proud of how far she came, and how determined and hardworking of a person Jasmine is. Despite being so hard on herself, she did what SHE was passionate bout and I loved how much I learned about that in this book. I just want a hug from my grumpy. I love her so much and am forever inspired by her.

IVAN LUKOV. THIS MAN. Firstly, my forever hubby connor cobalt's twin in a different font? How on earth can a man raise my standards this high? If a man doesn't talk to me like I am his world, always know the perfect thing to say, and make me believe in myself as Ivan does for Jasmine, I DON'T WANT HIM. I can't skate for the life of me but for this 6,2 man, I'D FALL 100 times if it meant seeing him. He is THE book's boyfriend. Can we talk about how THOUGHTFUL HE WAS? HOW MUCH HE LOVES ANIMALS. I am obsessed and never will be over it. He is the kindest, most funny and perfect human that I will gladly think about for the rest of my time.

Quite literally one of the biggest 5 star read. Couldn't recommend it more.