A review by beckyyreadss
From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

I wanted to read this book because I’m always wanting to discover new authors, my goal this year was specific to reading a book by Mariana Zapata. The first book I had read of hers was The Wall of Winnipeg and Me and I really enjoyed it, and it made me want to read more of her work. I enjoyed this book, but it took me a while to get into and think it’s slightly overhyped on Booktok.  

This book is based around Jasmine Santos, and she has had a rough couple of years within the sports she loves – figure skating. She has been figure skating for seventeen years and she’s had countless broken bones and broken promises. But once the offer of a lifetime comes from the arrogant idiot, she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in front of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything including Ivan Lukov.  

I liked the storyline of someone who felt like they haven’t achieved their dreams after practicing so damn long for it and the overthinking of should she retire and coach or fight for her dreams? I like that they both came from supportive family (besides Jasmine’s daddy issues). I liked that there wasn’t a third act breakup, but I think there couldn’t be a third act breakup considering it was the slowest burn I've ever read, and they didn’t kiss or confess their feelings until Chapter 15/16. I liked Jasmine’s family (bar her dad) and how they are all supportive and help her whether it’s ice baths, her costumes, giving her money or lifts to competitions. I wanted to hug her when she was saying what she said to her dad at the family dinner, and I related a bit too much to what she said expect that I can’t skate for shit.  

This book was all over TikTok as enemies-to-lovers and that they hated each other, and it wasn’t the case at all. It was best friend’s brother and friends-to-lovers with a lot of banter. I would have loved this to have been Dual POV especially once Lukov admits that he gave some fake excuse for why he needed to skate with Jasmine. I would have killed for that POV of him just being obsessed with her because her POV is I’m questioning these feelings why would I like this guy? This book felt so long than even though it was a slow burn I was hoping for some romance in between them sleeping together and the ending but there isn’t, it goes they slept together, do a competition, epilogue 10 years later with children running around. I would have loved them being romantic and happy together considering they spent most of the book wanting to kill each other. 

I enjoyed this book and the storyline but it was missing something overall. Hopefully the next book I read by Mariana Zapata will blow me away.  
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