If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing … dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.
Including Ivan Lukov.
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Jasmine and her smart/foul mouth crack me up. This girl holds back so much from others with trying to place a filter but she is a force to be reckoned with. She has NO issue telling you her opinion. If you don’t enjoy humorous foul language than you may want to pass.
I loved every minute of this book.
It was great to see Jasmine’s story from seeing her be introduced in “Dear Aaron”. This can be a standalone and but love that I read it prior.
Ivan has such a cocky jerk with such attitude towards Jasmine so it is constantly a full on war between the two. Entertaining to the max.
Nothing like this type of enemies to lovers.
Amazing watching their relationship grow and they meet their matches.
Highly recommend this book.
-Listened to the audiobook for this book. Was my very first ever and loved the duel narration. These two were perfect!
While Jasmine isn’t always likable, she’s so human and vulnerable and I Ioved that. Ivan was perfect… This is a wonderful read. I wish I could read it “fresh” again. It’s that good.
One of my favourite books. I’ve read it many times.
5 cans of whoop-ass STARS!
Our slow burn queen is now earning another title – a sports romance goddess! Seriously MZ, is there anything you can’t write about? She is joining my favorite authors list. It is to the point if she wrote about a trip to the DVM or grocery store – I would read it! Her writing is just so captivating and effortless. It is witty and emotional. It. Is. Perfect. |sigh|
Jasmine was on the verge of giving up her dream. Twenty-six was retirement age for a ice skater. She wasted her good years with a partner that just recently abandoned her. Jas had somewhat of a questionable reputation so finding another partner would be hard. With no championship metals or awards, she started to wonder if she’s cut out for competing in the first place. She still practices everyday, even though she feels like a disappointment, because she owes it to her family. A family that has made sacrifices for her to pursue her dream.
Her luck changes when she gets offered to partner up with Ivan Lukov. Lukov is a national championship winner as well as Jasmine’s best friend’s brother. She has known him for years, and they don’t get along. She was appalled by the offer, but she knew she couldn’t refuse. This could be her last shot to achieve her dreams. It can’t be that hard to partner with the enemy, right?
I was so happy to read about some familiar people. Yep, this book features the same crew from Dear Aaron. MZ always puts an emphasis on family in her books, and it is so brilliant! For those who are wondering, I don’t think you really have to read Dear Aaron before this one. However you will want to have it handy because when you finish this, you will want to read it. Just go ahead and pick up ALL of her books. You won’t be disappointed!
Also, I have seen a few reviews stating that Jas and Ivan didn’t have any chemistry. They say it made their happily ever after feel forced and rushed. While I don’t really want to agree with them, they do have a point. It did happen suddenly. However most enemies-to-lovers storylines follow that suit. Its suppose to give you whiplash. I, for one, was so excited when they finally crossed that line that I did not care. I was ecstatic that it happened. Please don’t let those reviews turn you away from this book!
Now I can’t say that this one beat out Kulti for my favorite MZ book, but it did come pretty dang close. I may have to read Kulti again just to see where it stands. 😉
Hey, do me a favor and –
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I read this when it first came out and loved it. Solid 4 star, slow burn, Cutting Edge fangirl loved it.
When I saw it was on Audible Escape with duet narration featuring Teddy Hamilton speaking Ivan’s “lines” ~ I was actually kind of nervous. This whole book is from Jasmine’s POV and I wasn’t sure (despite being a huge fan of Hamilton as a narrator) that it was going to work for me.
It worked so well. Amazingly well. I loved it. I love the story even more in audio form. So, I’m bumping my story rating to 5 stars and giving Callie Dalton & Teddy Hamilton 5 as well.
I had recently not been feeling well with a Spring time cold and there is nothing better than re reading a favorite book to bring you joy. I loved this book for so many reasons. I adore this author and her unmistakable title of the Slow Burn Queen. If you’re not familiar with MZ work, you have to know that all of her books are about the build up to a relationship and that delicious anticipation feeling of new love. There is always plenty of humor and banter that is very authentic and unforced.
This audio is told in dual narration with the brilliant Callie Dalton and my fav, Teddy Hamilton. It is like you are witnessing their story by sitting in the same room as them, hearing all their conversations.
The story was refreshing and has a sports romance theme. It also has the trope of enemies to lovers, which is a favorite of mine. Their love story creeps up on you, and when they finally get their HEA, it’s pure bliss.
So I’m no longer on the ‘I Haven’t Read a Mariana Zapata Book Ever’ train and damn it feels good!
From Lukov with Love is a book that I’ve wanted to read for a very long time. An enemies-to-lovers-to-friends-to-lovers sports romance. This book is the slowest of the slow burn I have ever read.
I loved the love-hate relationship between Lukov and Jasmine. Their fights started to border on comical, especially when they started to mouth insults at each other.
As to why this book is not a 5 Star… I missed the romance. Given that it is a slow burn, I would have loved to see the romantic attraction between Lukov and Jasmine at its face value.
Romance was an integral part of the story and I would have loved to see it build gradually and then have that climax and not be jarred by its sudden appearance.
I loved that I finally pushed my self and introduce myself to Zapata’s work. Was it what I was hoping? Not completely but I can appreciate the book for what it is — brilliant storytelling.
3 Stars!
I have become an amazing fan of this author! I have binged listened and read all this authors works in the recent past.
I have always attempted to give ‘star’ ratings on my completed reads, just as a tracking method for my titles that I have completed. I have unlimited packages for audio, kindle, and utilize the local/state library.
However, I do not check the ‘I recommend this book’ unless I am willing to reread a book and or a series.
[I read about 5-15 books a month through kindle, and I listen to about 15-30 books monthly]
I have a full life as a nurse, professor, wife, daughter [daughter in law], sister, and mother. I love to read and love a thousand other lives by turning the pages in countless books.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a review. Happy reading 🙂
This was a fantastic book. Enemies to lovers. Characters had great personalities. Backstory was well developed. It felt very immersive. And also, I’ve always loved the couples figure skating, so this was so much fun to read.
I really didn’t think anything could too Kulti for me, this one is top two MZ book for me. It might even replace Kulti. I’m in love with Ivan and this enemies to lovers banter.
Another slow burn book but this one hits it out of the ballpark! I was in love with the main characters from the beginning! I could read this again and again and again.
I’m on a Mariana Zapata kick right now and I just can’t get enough. I enjoyed From Lukov with Love. Ivan and Jasmine’s story is not your typical love story though it does follow Zapata’s usual slow burn troupe. This story is mostly about Jasmine finding love for herself and accepting the failures of the past and moving forward. I honestly believe that Ivan has always been in love with Jasmine, kind of that boyhood crush that he never grew out of and it is with his help that she can finally see past her failures in skating and personal relationships and become the woman that everyone in her life has always believed she is.
This is a 4.5 star read because its not my favorite Mariana Zapata book that honor belongs to The Wall of Winnipeg, than Kulti and now From Lukov!
I loved this book. It had so much emotion and what a journey these two characters went on. I can’t recommend this story enough. It’s a must read.
The best author hands down.
asmine Santos knows she is seeing the career she spent her life working on is slowly disappearing. One last effort has Jasmine trying to get to the Olympics as a figure skater, she knows she is not everyone’s darling and has more than once let her mouth get the best of her. When her nemesis Ivan Lukov’s coach approaches her with the chance of a lifetime, Jasmine will have to decide if she is willing to pair with Ivan to get a chance at her dreams. Problem is Jasmine and Ivan hate one another, can they do this without killing one another?
Another wonderful read from Mariana Zapata. Her books are always unexpected and I wasn’t sure if I would like a book on ice skating but she does this book brilliantly. Jasmine’s family is a hoot, loved them and would love to see more with this group. Wonderful read.
Oh I love this. I love the nicknames. I love the love/hate. I love the strong heroine and the loving hero. I love that he gave her shit right back but they were never cruel to each other.
My only issue was ONE sexy time at 30 mins left in the 14+ hour audio. GRRRR!!! It was an amazing sexy time, so I really wanted more. Sooner if possible. But it all worked out amazingly.
Oh my goodness, Jasmine and Ivan are two very witty characters! Their banter had me laughing throughout this story. These two had a love / hate relationship and I loved watching their friendship blossom and grow. And the slow burn leaves you with great anticipation. Even through all the torment and teasing, it was obvious Ivan had a major crush on Jasmine. I loved their chemistry, they were so much fun. The writing is great and very detailed, and you feel like you’re in these characters heads. Great characters, great story, and I really enjoyed the audio as well. This is a sweet, entertaining story and it left my heart full and a smile on my face.
LOVED THIS!!
If any of you have read Dear Aaron, you might remember Ruby’s little sister Jasmine. This is her story. I didn’t like Jasmine in Dear Aaron but this book made me reconsider her. She’s funny and loyal. Getting her look on life helped with understanding her in Dear Aaron.
For Jasmine life is figure skating, so when the opportunity comes up to skate with Ivan she doesn’t turn it down. I loved these two together. They are hilarious. Plus the tension at times between these two can be cut with a knife.
Zapata is one of the few authors I have read almost every single book. Now Wall of Winnipeg and Me will forever be my favorite. I’m serious. I named my kindle after Aiden Graves. This book is tied for second favorite with Kulti. Just thinking about these three books makes me want to reread them.
If you like the slow build romance with much character detail Zapata is the author for you.
I’m seriously debating on rereading this even though I have an enormous stack of books I need to read.
From Lukov With Love is exactly what I expect from this author…a super slow burn with a quirky heroine. Jasmine Santos is Ruby’s (from Dear Aaron) sister. A hardworking figure skater, she is as snarky as can be. I loved all the bickering and banter between Ivan and Jasmine!
“I believe in you. In us. Regardless of what happens, you will always be the best partner I’ve ever had. You’ll always be the hardest working person I’ve ever known. There will only ever be you.”
Mariana Zapata has done it again. She has made me fall in love with the stand offish guy. It was even easier to embrace the feisty gal.
From Lukov With Love was definitely worth the wait! I bought the ebook on release day but held on for the audio. I have actually enjoyed all of Ms. Zapata’s novels in audio format and didn’t want to spoil the mood.
It was an absolute joy to experience the bickering, pinching, and insulting slinging on a professional level. Twenty questions was very entertaining. But nothing says Ms. Zapata has a sense of humor like her 90s movie reference to Tje Cutting Edge and The Mighty Ducks. While the Mighty Ducks reference was clear, her Cutting Edge comment was harder to catch unless of course you are a true fan! Lol. I actually burst out laughing at that line.
So pop culture references aside and ignoring the fact that Me. Zapata completely stole my children’s names…well 2 of them, I finished With the biggest smile and an unwavering hope for future references to Satan and his Meatball.