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A review by kristensreading
From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved this story but minus one star for the ending seeming very rushed and the main skating event only getting a page??? AND the author’s confusing refusal to use a character’s name multiple times in a paragraph. It’s so odd. Examples:
“I took a step onto the ice and glided off just a couple feet away to give IVAN room to do the same. He followed after me, stopping just two feet away from me as the announcer called out our names. That was when I looked over my shoulder at THE MAN IN THE BROWN AND GOLD COSTUME that my sister had created, and found him already looking at me, with a smirk aimed right at me.”
““She was pinching me under the table,” BEN let me know, like that would surprise me. It didn’t. That was my mom right there. My defender forever and ever. “Sorry about that, Jas,” MY MOM’S FOURTH HUSBAND murmured.”
““Where’s Ben at, MOM?” “He’s out with his friends,” THE REDHEADED WOMAN WHO HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO ME, explained quickly before raising her gaze and aiming her fork in my direction.”
There were points where it truly confused me because I couldn’t even tell the author was talking about the same character. “The man” is used 30 times in the book and “the woman” 37 times, most often for characters that are already very well established. It’s confusing.
“I took a step onto the ice and glided off just a couple feet away to give IVAN room to do the same. He followed after me, stopping just two feet away from me as the announcer called out our names. That was when I looked over my shoulder at THE MAN IN THE BROWN AND GOLD COSTUME that my sister had created, and found him already looking at me, with a smirk aimed right at me.”
““She was pinching me under the table,” BEN let me know, like that would surprise me. It didn’t. That was my mom right there. My defender forever and ever. “Sorry about that, Jas,” MY MOM’S FOURTH HUSBAND murmured.”
““Where’s Ben at, MOM?” “He’s out with his friends,” THE REDHEADED WOMAN WHO HAD GIVEN BIRTH TO ME, explained quickly before raising her gaze and aiming her fork in my direction.”
There were points where it truly confused me because I couldn’t even tell the author was talking about the same character. “The man” is used 30 times in the book and “the woman” 37 times, most often for characters that are already very well established. It’s confusing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Fatphobia
Minor: Car accident, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship