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almondsurfer's review against another edition
relaxing
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? It's complicated
2.75
ameliabiblio's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
This was really fucking cute. I am a sucker for a prickly man who is also a simp for the girl he loves, so this was perfect for me.
I really liked the emotional journey that Jasmine went on. I wish she had had a final conversation with her family, but the book still works without it. I also really appreciate the absence of a third act break-up. They are so often done to add some drama to the end, but they are so often unnecessary. I like the ways that this book created conflict and tension without fucking with Jasmine and Ivan’s relationship.
I have a few small complaints. I think Jasmine mentions masturbating on the first page, or at least within the first couple of pages, and it just felt a little out of nowhere to me. I wonder if it was out there to alert readers to the fact that they are reading a ~spicy~ romance? Anyway. Zapata overused repetition. She used it way, way, way more than she needed to. And finally, the book took a little while to get going. I think the ending could have been shaved down significantly. Even the conversation where Jasmine and Ivan originally pair up could have been edited down. But the rest of the book is fabulous.
I have one, tiny gripe that is totally a me thing. I think Jasmine’s family putting the “not getting into a fight with her dad” on her was bullshit. Her dad was being an asshole and she’s just supposed to what? Take it? Because he’s her dad? Fuck that. I also don’t think Ruby was in the right to suggest that Jasmine forgive her dad when he barely tried. Like, he showed up to one competition after skipping them for years. I’m willing to admit that Jasmine will probably forgive him eventually because he will try harder after that, but he hadn’t really tried before that and nothing he had done was worthy of forgiveness. I am very anti-forgiving people because they’re your family. Why should the person who is being harmed have to be the bigger person? Her dad loves her the wrong way. And that’s not really love.
I really liked the emotional journey that Jasmine went on. I wish she had had a final conversation with her family, but the book still works without it. I also really appreciate the absence of a third act break-up. They are so often done to add some drama to the end, but they are so often unnecessary. I like the ways that this book created conflict and tension without fucking with Jasmine and Ivan’s relationship.
I have a few small complaints. I think Jasmine mentions masturbating on the first page, or at least within the first couple of pages, and it just felt a little out of nowhere to me. I wonder if it was out there to alert readers to the fact that they are reading a ~spicy~ romance? Anyway. Zapata overused repetition. She used it way, way, way more than she needed to. And finally, the book took a little while to get going. I think the ending could have been shaved down significantly. Even the conversation where Jasmine and Ivan originally pair up could have been edited down. But the rest of the book is fabulous.
yaramightbereading's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, and while it was a fine read, some things didn't make much sense to me. First of all, credit to Mariana Zapata for creating Ivan Lukov because he is WONDERFUL!!! I think his balance between being playful and genuine was done very well-- I was charmed and swooning!!! There were some really, really cute moments, but my main qualm with the novel is that those scenes came way too late. The pacing felt a little off, and it took around 2/3rd of the book for the slow burn to start burning. I love slow burn, but I feel like there should've been more paced out moments where the reader can start to sense tension between them. However, their initial transition to "Oh we aren't enemies," was convincing, which is always important in this trope! Also, I feel like the climax of the plot was a bit rushed because a lot of the book was just them practicing, but I wish we could've seen more of the actual competitions and their dynamic during that stress. Finally, I really enjoyed the focus on family throughout the plot, I think it was done very well.
Finally, just regarding the writing itself, I felt like some chapters got a bit wordy. The dialogue felt natural though, and the banter was fun to read.
Finally, just regarding the writing itself, I felt like some chapters got a bit wordy. The dialogue felt natural though, and the banter was fun to read.
crina12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 just because it's not my favorite genre, but other than that, it was pretty good. Super cute enemies to lovers, with additional complicated relationships that add to the plotline. One of my favorite sports is figure skating, and this definitely gives what it needs to in relation to the sport.
kjlfv's review against another edition
5.0
ivan lukov might be ultimate book boyfriend, from lukov with love might be my ultimate book period.
larissareadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 for the story
1/5 for romance
MAJOR SLOW BURN
♥️ (But only at the very end and there’s one sex scene. Lots of swearing though) Jasmine and Ivan. They are both figure skaters and while Ivan has placed in the top for years, Jasmine has been struggling after breaking up with her old skating partner. Ivan’s partner is on a leave so he needs a new one for only a year. Jasmine would be perfect for that. Except they hate each other. The coach doesn’t care about that and they become partners.
I appreciated that this book was about way more than romance and we saw the characters grow so much. It was honestly more family based and finding yourself than a romance book.
Although there were things in this book that I didn’t love, the way that the writing made you jump into the story was beautiful. The dynamic between all of the siblings of Jasmine felt so real, and all of the family drama truly added so much to the story.
Things I hated. Ivan’s nickname for Jasmine of “meatball”. Throughout the book we see jasmine open up about getting teased for her body and then we somehow get no closure for his nickname and it’s supposed to turn into something cute?? What the crap is that. Also the epilogue. 0% needed. It was so much so fast and it just made the book ending weird.
***At the very end I was left wondering if they were great together or better off as really great friends. so if you’re looking for a straight up romance novel this isn’t it.
I had the biggest love/hate that the first time Ivan said I love you was right before they started their performance. I feel like that truly was such a beautiful way to show that he cared more about Jasmine than if they placed. BUT also like bro that’s her dream to place. You could have tripped her up and gotten so in her head that she couldn’t preform. So idk on that one.
Also, I did appreciate at the very end seeing that Ivan wanted to get to know her better so he set everything up and his old partner wasn’t taking a year off but instead he just didn’t renew his contract with her.
♥️ (But only at the very end and there’s one sex scene. Lots of swearing though) Jasmine and Ivan. They are both figure skaters and while Ivan has placed in the top for years, Jasmine has been struggling after breaking up with her old skating partner. Ivan’s partner is on a leave so he needs a new one for only a year. Jasmine would be perfect for that. Except they hate each other. The coach doesn’t care about that and they become partners.
I appreciated that this book was about way more than romance and we saw the characters grow so much. It was honestly more family based and finding yourself than a romance book.
Although there were things in this book that I didn’t love, the way that the writing made you jump into the story was beautiful. The dynamic between all of the siblings of Jasmine felt so real, and all of the family drama truly added so much to the story.
Things I hated. Ivan’s nickname for Jasmine of “meatball”. Throughout the book we see jasmine open up about getting teased for her body and then we somehow get no closure for his nickname and it’s supposed to turn into something cute?? What the crap is that. Also the epilogue. 0% needed. It was so much so fast and it just made the book ending weird.
***At the very end I was left wondering if they were great together or better off as really great friends. so if you’re looking for a straight up romance novel this isn’t it.
Also, I did appreciate at the very end seeing that Ivan wanted to get to know her better so he set everything up and his old partner wasn’t taking a year off but instead he just didn’t renew his contract with her.
criss17's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
vivizinha's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars!
Slow-burn, enemies to friends to lovers. Sports romance!!!!!! I could cry thinking about this book, It was so good. I loved the characters so much, Jasmine and Ivan are the best.
Slow-burn, enemies to friends to lovers. Sports romance!!!!!! I could cry thinking about this book, It was so good. I loved the characters so much, Jasmine and Ivan are the best.