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annabananadel's review against another edition
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Stalking, and Medical trauma
Minor: Racism and Toxic relationship
tessasreads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Body shaming, and Cursing
Moderate: Medical content, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
hannibanani29's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, and Medical content
Minor: Bullying, Vomit, Alcohol, Car accident, Ableism, Fatphobia, Racism, and Pregnancy
hapalyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Stalking and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Medical content
leonormsousa's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Bullying, Medical content, and Pregnancy
nora_knight's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I'm gonna preface this by saying I'm not a big romance reader.
I liked Ivan and Jasmine's dynamic and I thought a lot of their relationship was cute. Also, the figure skating pair Scott-and-Tessa energy was fun. But I didn't like how many comments there were abt Jasmine's weight and I hated that his nickname for her was "Meatball" WTF. Also, the writing was not good and practically every third word was a curse word, which seemed unnecessary. There were a bunch of things that got brought up once and then were never/rarely mentioned after, it seemed like they were forgotten about and it made the plot hard to follow. There was this sex scene that I literally started laughing in the middle of because of how weird the descriptions were of his dick. It was an odd time. Anyways, idk why I trusted romance booktok, it's a scary place. I think I'll steer clear of plain old romance for a while.
I liked Ivan and Jasmine's dynamic and I thought a lot of their relationship was cute. Also, the figure skating pair Scott-and-Tessa energy was fun. But I didn't like how many comments there were abt Jasmine's weight and I hated that his nickname for her was "Meatball" WTF. Also, the writing was not good and practically every third word was a curse word, which seemed unnecessary. There were a bunch of things that got brought up once and then were never/rarely mentioned after, it seemed like they were forgotten about and it made the plot hard to follow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Body shaming
Minor: Medical content
fremzz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.75
I’m so late to the hype but omg this was so good 😫😫
The visceral reactions this got from me are actually mental like every three seconds I was giggling or screaming or crying and that epilogue had me on the floor crying help help help
Had its issues but I pretend I do not see 🫡 (really it was just the meatball thing cause that was weird).
The visceral reactions this got from me are actually mental like every three seconds I was giggling or screaming or crying and that epilogue had me on the floor crying help help help
Had its issues but I pretend I do not see 🫡 (really it was just the meatball thing cause that was weird).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
ididnotmakeapie's review
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.
There were a few really, really poignant, emotive scenes.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
Minor: Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Racism
lisa_m's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay I have to say, this book was a disappointment. I didn't know how tho rate this book for quite a while.
The beginning was amazing. I liked the plot, I liked the characters and I liked the writing style. My favourite thing about this book is the humour. I laughed so so much while reading it! I absolutely loved the bickering and just the general dynamic between the main characters. It was fun to see them fighting in a sort of childlike manner even though they are 26 & 29.
Throughout about half of the book I really thought I would give this book a five star rating. It was funny and really fast paced. I didn't like the characters individually that much but as we got to know more about them I started to like them.
List of things I didn't like:
- Jasmines constant distrust and unability to communicate her feelings even though we as readers get to read them so they are obviously there
- All of the things that are brought up for no reason and then never explained:
Why did Lukov say he only wants to partner up with her for one year and thats it - even though we later find out that was never his plan? Why is Jasmine so disliked by the public? There are so many mentions and so little explanation. What did Peter say about her? Why did he choose another partner? What is up with the ugly costume Ivan got so protective about that initially started their bickering?
- The things that got explained and where just so underwhelming:
The reason they didn't talk about Mindy? - lame I expected something wayy jucier
The reason Ivan always had to go home? - Cute but he does mention that Ellie always comes by to feed them and take them for a walk so..?)
- That Lukovs sister who is supposed to be Jasmines best friend is only really mentioned once?
- I hated that they did not only make fun of each other for superficial reasons but also stuff they were really insecure about.
- Also consent is very much non existent in this world. She is always talking about how they don't have personal space because they are figureskaters. When he first kisses her she just 'lets him do it' since he was happy? Idk I just really didn't like that.
One of the biggest reasons I was disappointed by this book was Ivan Lukov though. He has such potential and I really liked him in the beginning. When he started to be super nice to her I liked him even more but then he just became a douchebag.
- He finds out Jasmine has a stalker AND GETS MAD AT HER? Why can't he just be supportive?
- He constantly makes her do things she doesn't want to do and EXPLICITLY TELLS him she doesn't want to do (Like the naked Fotoshoot or not wanting to go to his place etc)
- He makes fun of her for things she is already really insecure about and doesn't even stop that when he finds out why or she tells him she doesn't like it
- He calls her 'Meatball' which on it's one is one of the ugliest nicknames ever and I would hate to be called that even just once. And Jasmine obviously hates that Nickname to and tells him that but he still doesn't stop and even uses it during his proposal???
- Ivan is just so demanding all the time. I don't like it. ( His character is very inconsistent in my opinion)
I honestly just think it's a toxic or at least unhealthy relationship. They could have been really cute if they worked on their behaviour. If this book was about teenagers they could grow up, see their mistakes and have a healthy relationship but they didn't. They are already adults completely set in their ways and I don't like it.
Okay so that was a long rant about all the things I didn't like. Now to the things I enjoyed:
- I kind of liked the family dynamic
- I loved their bickering and the humour
- I loved the enemies-to-lovers aspect (even though like I said it was kind of toxic but it could have been so good!)
- I liked the 2 instructors
Yeah that's it. I can't find anything else I liked. I think his is a unpopular opinion but I think I'm just mad this book didn't like up to it's potential and my expectations.
I do 100% understand why people do like this book though. Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it but it just wasn't for me.
The beginning was amazing. I liked the plot, I liked the characters and I liked the writing style. My favourite thing about this book is the humour. I laughed so so much while reading it! I absolutely loved the bickering and just the general dynamic between the main characters. It was fun to see them fighting in a sort of childlike manner even though they are 26 & 29.
Throughout about half of the book I really thought I would give this book a five star rating. It was funny and really fast paced. I didn't like the characters individually that much but as we got to know more about them I started to like them.
List of things I didn't like:
- Jasmines constant distrust and unability to communicate her feelings even though we as readers get to read them so they are obviously there
- All of the things that are brought up for no reason and then never explained:
Why did Lukov say he only wants to partner up with her for one year and thats it - even though we later find out that was never his plan? Why is Jasmine so disliked by the public? There are so many mentions and so little explanation. What did Peter say about her? Why did he choose another partner? What is up with the ugly costume Ivan got so protective about that initially started their bickering?
- The things that got explained and where just so underwhelming:
The reason they didn't talk about Mindy? - lame I expected something wayy jucier
The reason Ivan always had to go home? - Cute but he does mention that Ellie always comes by to feed them and take them for a walk so..?)
- That Lukovs sister who is supposed to be Jasmines best friend is only really mentioned once?
- I hated that they did not only make fun of each other for superficial reasons but also stuff they were really insecure about.
- Also consent is very much non existent in this world. She is always talking about how they don't have personal space because they are figureskaters. When he first kisses her she just 'lets him do it' since he was happy? Idk I just really didn't like that.
One of the biggest reasons I was disappointed by this book was Ivan Lukov though. He has such potential and I really liked him in the beginning. When he started to be super nice to her I liked him even more but then he just became a douchebag.
- He finds out Jasmine has a stalker AND GETS MAD AT HER? Why can't he just be supportive?
- He constantly makes her do things she doesn't want to do and EXPLICITLY TELLS him she doesn't want to do (Like the naked Fotoshoot or not wanting to go to his place etc)
- He makes fun of her for things she is already really insecure about and doesn't even stop that when he finds out why or she tells him she doesn't like it
- He calls her 'Meatball' which on it's one is one of the ugliest nicknames ever and I would hate to be called that even just once. And Jasmine obviously hates that Nickname to and tells him that but he still doesn't stop and even uses it during his proposal???
- Ivan is just so demanding all the time. I don't like it. ( His character is very inconsistent in my opinion)
I honestly just think it's a toxic or at least unhealthy relationship. They could have been really cute if they worked on their behaviour. If this book was about teenagers they could grow up, see their mistakes and have a healthy relationship but they didn't. They are already adults completely set in their ways and I don't like it.
Okay so that was a long rant about all the things I didn't like. Now to the things I enjoyed:
- I kind of liked the family dynamic
- I loved their bickering and the humour
- I loved the enemies-to-lovers aspect (even though like I said it was kind of toxic but it could have been so good!)
- I liked the 2 instructors
Yeah that's it. I can't find anything else I liked. I think his is a unpopular opinion but I think I'm just mad this book didn't like up to it's potential and my expectations.
I do 100% understand why people do like this book though. Like I said, I really enjoyed reading it but it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Car accident, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Cancer
frantically's review
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 ⭐
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 ⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Abandonment, and Body shaming
Minor: Car accident, Bullying, Medical content, and Racism