FROM LUKOV WITH LOVE BY MARIANA ZAPATA // book talk: somebody needs to cure my obsession ft. figure skating & enemies-to-lovers gloriousness

Title: From Lukov with Love
Series: [unofficial]  Santos Sisters #2
Author: Mariana Zapata
Page count: 542
Date published: 1 February 2018
Genre: Adult contemporary romance

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Synopsis:

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 in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

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ADD TO GOODREADS

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STAR RATING: (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Hello, future ‘obsessed with this book’ Ruby has had to come back to this review because I have zero self-control and as stately previously: I AM OBSESSED.

Literally, when I was reading this book, it felt more like a 3.5-star rating. Then I settled on 4 stars after I’d read a couple of more reviews. Because of all the rereading, I’ve bumped it up to 4.5 but really in my head, it’s a 5 because I literally cannot stop going back to it and it means a lot to me.

Could I get any sappier? I guess we’ll see.

Also, this is technically a very late review. I read it back in December and I didn’t have as much to say, so I hadn’t planned on a review. Now I reread this on a daily basis so, of course, I need to scream at all of you about this book whoops.

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Firstly, I super loved the figure skating element of the story. I basically don’t know anything about that sport but I had so much fun reading about it. It just made the whole story WORK. Of the MZ books I’ve read so far, my favourites have to be the ones involving athletes. But I just particularly loved this pairs skating-dynamic as it is genius. We love to see it! Jasmine could step on me and I’d let her. Also quite loved that there was feminist commentary thrown in here.

Speaking of MZ’s other works, I’ve noticed certain writing patterns which I also just LOVE. Idk how many times I’ll say genius in this post but I do think that she is a genius. One of my favourites is how there are certain lines that almost foreshadow what is going to happen later in the book. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it but once you read it you’ll know what I’m talking about. But our narrator will say something along the lines of “I didn’t know it then but…” and like,,, HAVE YOU EVER?!? Has anyone else noticed that? She also does this thing where she writes something but ends it by saying something like “it might not even have happened at all” which of course it did and I LOVE THAT.

I also just, in general, think that Mariana Zapata has a great writing style. Her books are obviously long so I won’t say her style is quick, but it’s easy to read and also so clever. Ugh, all the praise. I also literally ADORE the dialogue. Jasmine has a potty mouth and hello 1000% relate lmao. Plus, we got some great banter and A++++ insults in this book. It’s a great time amirite.

I thought the plot was really great, though it was slow at the beginning and perhaps a bit unbelievable. I do think it eventually worked in the end. I recommend reading Dear Aaron first, which I don’t think is as good, I still really enjoyed it, but it gives you a bit of backstory since it follows Jasmine’s older sister, Ruby. Psssttt I definitely want Mariana to write more about the Santos family *wink wink*

With that, I’ll lead into characters because WOWEEE. I think of MZ’s books, this one has the largest set of characters (from what I’ve read). Jasmine has A LOT of siblings which is #relatable. And I loved literally all of them. Great sibling banter between them and that’s always a great time. Though the book obviously revolves around Jasmine and Ivan, all of the side characters are really well fleshed out.

I’ve also now briefly touched on Jasmine and Ivan but let’s scream some more. They just,,, *insert heart eyes*

I could leave it at that really.

But no. Jasmine is a ball of feist. People find her rude and hard to work with. Except one. Love to see it. We love Jasmine in this household. And there’s Ivan. An angel. Though he shouldn’t know we said that. But Ivan is also the best. I could gush for hours so I’ll stop now.

I love them both a lot and that is all.

I guess lastly there’s only one last thing to comment on and IT’S THE ROMANCE.

AND I AM JUST SO OBSESSED WITH THEM I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF. They’re just so perfect, it’s not even funny. Like um, we have slow-burn, best friend’s brother, childhood crush (maybe?) AND enemies to friends to lovers. Did I mention perfect?

The development is PERFECTION. The nicknames. The slow build-up to a friendship. The care. The way they’re just both each other’s PERSON. Would jump in front of a bus for them, no jokes. They just work so well together eeepp. ALL THE FEELS <3<3<3<3

I actually use them as self-care now or when I’m feeling sad. Serotonin and all, you know?

Also, just so you’re aware, I do not mind the sex scenes. I’ve seen complaints about MZ sex scenes but for me personally, I think they’re fine and I don’t cringe at them as I do at many others.

Another also, I wanted to add (if you didn’t know) that Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow-burn. But not only that, she does it in the best and in my favourite way. Like this is THE only way I want to read romance. Hello yes, I am here to WAIT UNTIL THE END BECAUSE THE PAYOFF IS SO MUCH BETTER!

Mainly using this as an excuse to talk about my favourite scenes oops.

Though, I would like to also mention my very minor dislike of this book. Which is that I would have liked a bit of clarification/resolution from Ivan about certain ways he treated Jasmine. Like WHY he made up the “one year only” plan. I mean I kind of know why, but I would also have liked them to have an honest discussion. Literally so minor though and I don’t care all that much.

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Moving on, here’s a short not list of all of my favourite scenes in bullet point format:

• The first press interview where they keep kicking each other under the table
• Ivan literally inviting himself to dinner
• Ivan literally inviting himself to baby-sit
• Ivan literally watching Jasmine in adoration while she’s holding the baby
• THE FINAL CLARIFICATION AT THE PHOTOSHOOT
• The hot chocolate omg
• “LITTLE HEDGEHOG” HELLO NOBODY TOUCH ME
  
• “Vanya”
• Ivan’s stupid “Meatball” nickname
• JUST THE ENTIRE TAKING CARE OF JASMINE WHEN SHE’S SICK CHAPTER OMG I COULD DIE
• The “some people think I’m the best line” lmao dude SHUT UP AND STOP FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS
• Outside the restaurant
• That kiss
• Lmao Jasmine getting mad at Paul
• THE BRACELET
• AND THE BESTEST EVER AKA AFTER THEIR SHORT PROGRAMME AKA PERFECTION
• The epilogue *insert x10 heart eyes*

**minor spoilers ahead**

“My mom said I had serious trust issues, but honestly, the more people I met, the more I didn’t want to meet more.”

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