Reviews with content warning for Racism - From Lukov with Love

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

21 reviews

silvestre's review

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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girlgetsbook's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Well, what a ride. I started this book and got through the first 200 pages easily, and then... hit a wall. Because I couldn't get over how the main character was so rude and how much she cussed at anything and anyone. Someone would lightly bump into her and she would call them names in her head, there are long scenes where she would stubbornly refuse to do something that clearly was for her own good and in one scene she bullied a group of 13 year-olds, which is very telling, because I think she read like a 13 year-old, when she's supposed to be 26. Other characters like her brother were also pretty immature and even Ivan, though he showed his mature side later, had a very childish dynamic with her. Besides my rant I genuinely cared about the characters and they felt very real to me, even though it took me AGES to finish this and I almost DNFd it, it definitely had so great moments and some great topics, like the criticism and sexism Jasmine faces just for existing as a woman of color in sports, besides not agreeing with how some of her actions are viewed as charming rather than childish and stubborn (like when she was sick) I still cared about her happiness which says a lot about the way Zapata built the world in this book. I still feel like some descriptions were too long and they broke the dialog most of the time, which wasn't always amazing to begin with, and disrupted the pacing of the scenes, and it did also have a lot of hints of fatphobia throughout which didn't sit super right with me. I'm a little traumatized by the reading slump and reader existential crisis this put me in to ever pick up another Maria Zapata book (I wanted to read Kulti but I'm very very scared) seeing I'm not very good at DNFing. But we'll see. Either way I'm glad I read it, though it could easily be 200 pages shorter.

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ididnotmakeapie's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

more graphic than I had thought it would be, did skip a couple scenes.

There were a few really, really poignant, emotive scenes.

the part where Jasmine (and Ivan) deals with the emotional abuse her father hurls at her and the way she talked about her dyslexia!! The handling of it made me very happy. Jasmine and Ivan's talk in the aftermath of Jasmine's injury, I liked that it did actually lead to a proper conversatio and then subsequent reconciliation.

I enjoyed the way the actual *romantic* relationship between the two main characters came to be.

I really liked Jasmine's family, all the character's were very vivid and well characterised. Also liked the casual rep from Jojo and James' marriage.

The A and B plots all intertwined well to create the overarching theme of Jasmine's renewed confidence in herself.

I liked a lot of what Jasmine herself had going on as a character and her drive is inspirational.

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whatjasread's review

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emotional funny 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

5.0

• holy Lukov
• honestly just floored, maybe it’s a case of me being sad as hell and Ivan saying all the things I needed to hear right now but this was so good
• as a fat person myself I didn’t like all the comments about appearances and weight it just felt so unnecessary with no explanation *but* the book has just been amazing vibes for me which is why I haven’t knocked stars off
• my heart bleeds for jasmine so much I adore her
• the bracelet!!!!!
• the Hershey kisses!!!!!
• I lost it with the hair stroking and the nursing to health honestly on the floor sobbing
• so so good honestly I’ve loved both the zapata books I’ve read so far maybe they’re an autobuy author now???

TWs: fatphobia, mockery of learning disability, mention of racism, bullying, car accident (mother, off page), skating accident & injury, strained family relationships, burnout, social pressure, sexual harassment (mail, social media), mention of stalking

Tropes: enemies to lovers, best friend’s brother, I see how they look at you, who did this to you, nursing to health, found family, celebrity romance

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moonbin's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.75

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elspethmigliore's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.75

I absolutely loved this book. It was extremely slow at some parts (like extremely slow 😩 but when it wasn't, it was amazing. I loved all of the characters and I especially loved how strong and independent the main character was. It was also nice to see the development of Jasmine's relationship with Ivan, because I feel like the I also saw how Jasmine developed on a more personal level.

definitely reread material ✅

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frantically's review

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emotional hopeful tense 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

4.5

This book was so good!!

I loved reading Jasmine's perspective — she's definitely not your typical romance mc. She's opinionated, she's...a bit of a bitch (but we still love her) and so hardworking to achieve her goals.

Her and Ivan were just 🥰🥰. Their relationship progressed so naturally and they complimented each other really well. I was a bit hesitant at first but it all worked out in the end.

I did have a few issues with the book. I absolutely couldn't stand Jasmine's family, they were so rude to her. There were also some really weird fatphobic lines and razor propaganda?? That's why it's not 5 ⭐

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nightfell's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was so comforting, it's one of my new happy places.

I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I do, but Jasmine's character and her relationship with Ivan was done so well, I fell in love with them both.

I really felt for Jasmine's character, as she is someone who tries really hard, and is constantly witty and lively but on the inside just wants to do right by the people she loves, and yearns to be someone's favourite. I envy how quick-witted she was throughout the book, she CARRIED her and Ivan's banter.

I wasn't expecting to genuinely laugh and find their banter funny but It was well written. The author did a good job in the progression of their relationship from 'hate' to love, and the little snippets of sincerity and respect for one another kept me hooked throughout.

I wasn't expecting the book to include as much focus on the family as it did, but I really enjoyed reading those parts. The family dynamic felt so organic, and it was so entertaining (especially when Ivan entered the picture).

One thing this author did so well was only include scenes that contribute to character development and relationship development. Every scene was purposeful and that really moved the story along and made reading such an enjoyable and easy experience.

I binged this in 4 days during my mocks and I would do it again, it was so worth it. I was so invested in the romance (and the family relationships) throughout and the ending was very satisfactory. I can't wait to reread and I highly recommend to anyone who likes slow burn romance.

<spoilers>
I loved how the author hinted at Ivan's affection for Jasmine throughout the book, as I could guess from early on that he had feelings for her before the timeframe in which the book is set. That hindsight made the book ten times more entertaining as every time he would say something with an undertone of feeling or anything nice I would be squealingggg.

The only thing I didn't like was the fact that she had an injury so randomly which meant they couldn't compete. I know it made sense as the book had a limited time frame, and I think it was a good structural choice, but it made me so anxious as Jasmine was so scared of being a disappointment the entire book and then she injured herself. She worked so hard, and I'm so happy she got the recognition she deserved.

The naked photoshoot had me DEAD. when he closed his eyes I knew he was about to bust. I knew he was scared of getting hard in front of her and everyone, and I loved the anticipation/build up to them taking their clothes off (in a non-creepy way).

ALSO JASMINE'S MUM IS A FUCKING ICON. LEGEND. QUEEN. DEITY. When Jasmine's brother said he didn't like the fact that she was going to be naked on the cover, HER MUM RIPPED THAT MAN TO SHREADS. She kept going as she should and I love her. When she said she knew about his porn collection when he thought she didn't, a man died that night and his name was Jonathan. rip.

I loved how supportive her mum was of her being naked on the cover it was so refreshing to see.

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annewithana's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

This book was good, but I do have to say the romance was less than I have expected. I found this book on booktok and my expectations might have been a bit to high. But the book was still very good. Loved Jasmine and Lukov, separately and together. It was a relaxing read.

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michellemaas's review

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emotional funny inspiring reflective tense 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

4.5

* Beware of minor spoilers

4.5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Standalone New Adult Sports Romance, featuring the "rivals-to-lovers", "hurt/comfort", and "forced proximity" tropes.

I liked it overall. The relationship was excellently developed, the banter was on point, the characters were complex, and there were high emotional and physical stakes. It was however too long, causing it to drag at times.

"But if I’d learned anything over the last year and a half, it was the reality of how tough it was to live with your mistakes. I’d learned how hard it was to face them, and how much harder it was to own them. We all did things we regretted; we all said things we regretted, and guilt was a crushing weight on a person’s soul. And I wanted to be better. For me. Not for anyone else."

At 26, Jasmine either has to get a new figure skating partner or quit doing the one thing she has dedicated her entire life to. In comes Ivan Lukov . . . This partnerless, world-winning champion is willing to join forces since neither of them has any other options. The problem? They can't stand one another. But with Ivan being her last hope at her dreams, Jasmine is willing to do anything to make this arrangement work.

"Love to me was honesty. Being real. Knowing someone’s best and worst. Love was a push that said someone believed in you when you didn’t. Love was effort and time."

My biggest criticism is that it was longer than it should have been. I had to put it down at 80% and struggled for a long time to pick it back up. Once I did get back to it I thoroughly enjoyed the end, but like with most Mariana Zapata books the reading experience could have been greatly improved if the book was 100 or so pages shorter because while the story was enjoyable overall there were a bunch of scenes that were totally unnecessary for both plot and character development and that slows down the pace of what would have been a gloriously medium to fast-paced book.

I also disliked the fact that there was so little plot. Ivan and Jasmine's relationship was so good that I surprisingly didn't mind it for the most part, but when I'm sitting here and reflecting at the end of the book I realize that it does bother me. It made it hard to pick back up when it lost my interest. That's why there needs to be a plot.

"Because I’m okay with you having ten other people be your favorite. But you’re always going to be my favorite person,” he finished. “Always. No matter what.”

On to the good stuff, I loved Jasmine's character. She was so real and moody and flawed yet loyal and she spoke to me in a way I wasn't expecting. The slowburn was also undoubtedly one of the best I've read to date. It was paced well while also being realistic and felt very natural. Finally, I really enjoyed the social commentary about not needing a degree to be considered successful in life, because sometimes it's just enough to be doing what you love.

"If I had to choose anyone to help me bury a body, eat dinner with, or watch television with, it would be you, every time for everything."

From Lukov with Love includes learning disability representation along with a heavy emphasis on both romantic and familial relationships, and the importance of pursuing your dreams while working on becoming the best version of yourself. Would recommend it if any of those themes resonate with you, or you just want to experience the brilliance that is Ivan Lukov. The book may have been too long, but Ivan Lukov was worth every page.

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