From Lukov, With Love by Mariana Zapata
Standalone
Contemporary Romance
February 1, 2018
About the Book:
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.
Awww, I just realized the significance of the roses on the cover. Sorry, I’m starting this review off oddly, but it made me feel all sentimental.
Very nice cover…
Birdie’s back with another Mariana Zapata review, and I’m warning you now, there will be more. The fervor hasn’t abated at all. I know, when I pick up one of her books, I’m guaranteed a story I won’t want to put down. Despite their length, I finish them in around 24-48 hours simply because I refuse to stop reading unless I have to.
If you’re a romance reader, she’s a must-read.
From Lukov, With Love was great. I know I said previously that her heroes were all brooding and grumpy, but I’m actually retracting that statement today. The more I read the more I realize how untrue it was. In fact, I would never describe Ivan Lukov as grumpy. He was private, as was necessary. He was sarcastic, 100%. He had to be able to shoot back at whatever Jasmine Santos was dishing out. None of that equates to “Grumpy and Brooding”. Those characteristics can only be applied to our heroine this time, and I loved it!
Jasmine’s family actually called her “Grumpy” as a nickname, which was really cute. I love heroines who aren’t afraid to shut someone down. The line is if their bite back is deserved, and Jas only gave the smackdown to anyone who deserved it.
I especially loved how Jasmine was aware that the only reason her celebrity status of a “bitch” was because she was female. If she’d been born male she would have been called “empowered”. Jas hated that it was her legacy, but she refused to change.
Yasss, girl!
And the romance… well, it was absolutely perfect for me. I don’t need blatant overtures in order to recognize a character is falling in love. (Or has been in love, on some occasions.) I can read between the lines of subtle interaction. I saw where everything was headed early on, and I couldn’t wait to get there. For this reader, I would much rather a friendship develop first, even for the majority of the book, before the “I’m in love with you” talk. Why? Well, because it is the definition of a book that shows me, rather than tells me.
THAT is why Mariana has become my new favorite contemporary romance author.
Thank god I haven’t hit the end of her backlist!
Birdie Bookworm 
I’ve only heard good things about Zapata. Must really start on her list soon!
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Heck yes! She’s consistently fantastic!
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😂👍
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AWWWWW this makes me want to re-read this book! I loved it so much and seeing the joy grumpy Jasmine and private Lukov brought you makes me so happy. I’m glad you’re enjoying her books.
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I love how this was flipped, with Jasmine being grumpy. And I loved how Zapata used Jasmine’s character to point out how the same personality trait is “cute” for men, but “bitchy” on women. Really great story.
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I agree!
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This one is my favorite after The Wall! I laughed so hard at their banter and with Jas’s family!
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It was really good! She’s always so good. I still think Kulti is my most favorite, with Wait for It in second place.
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From Lukov, With Love was one of the books by MZ that were just ok for me, but I think I’ll be giving it a re-read just to see how I feel about it now, years later.
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That’s how I felt about Dear Aaron. From Lukov, With Love was another 4 star read. My favorites are still Kulti and Wait for It.
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