Book Review: From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

Book Pub Day:  1 February 2018

Genres: Sports Romance, Adult contemporary romance

Trigger & Content Warnings:

• Estranged father
• Abandonment
• Online/offline bullying
• Fatphobia/body shaming
• Misogyny
• Sexual harassment
• Stalking
• One explicit sexual scene

MY THOUGHTS

Anyone with five dogs, a pig, a bunny, and a cinnamon-roll personality is good in my book!

I know From Lukov with Love wasn’t published yesterday, and many readers have already fallen in love with it. But here’s my (mostly spoiler-free) take.

I absolutely adored Jasmine Santos and Ivan Lukov. They’re the quintessential “enemies to lovers” couple: bickering constantly but with a love that runs deep. Their dynamic was everything—funny, heartfelt, and so relatable.

I’ve always loved figure skating but have never dared to step onto the ice (probably because I’d embarrass myself instantly, haha). Joking aside, I appreciated how realistic Mariana Zapata made this story. Figure skating isn’t just glitz and glamour; it’s grueling, requiring endless dedication, hard work, tears, and sacrifice.

Zapata captured that beautifully by portraying Jasmine as both vulnerable and tough—a balance that felt genuine and human.

This book was a solid 4.5 stars for me. Why not 5? Because let’s be honest, I got old waiting for them to finally get together! But that’s just Zapata’s signature style—slow-burn perfection. Aside from that, it’s absolutely 5-star material, which I rounded up on Goodreads.

If you’re expecting a lot of steamy scenes, this isn’t that kind of book. There’s only one explicit scene (toward the end), and the rest is very PG. 

That being said, I loved how realistic the character interactions felt. Jasmine’s moments of negative self-talk might bother some readers, but they reflect the pressures of being in a physically demanding sport like figure skating. 

Just like models in the fashion industry, skaters face scrutiny about their bodies, which inevitably affects their self-image. It’s not sugarcoated here, but it feels authentic.

As for the family dynamics, I know some have issues with how fat her siblings went on teasing her. Listen, siblings, teasing each other is a reality for many of us, and Jasmine’s relationship with her family added depth to her character. If you have siblings, you’ll definitely relate.

Ivan and Jasmine’s love-hate relationship is the heart of the book. Their banter was a chef’s kiss—it made me laugh out loud at 2 a.m. while the rest of the world and my family slept. Here are a couple of gems:

“Dumbass,” I mouthed before I could stop myself.

“Meatball,” he mouthed back.

And:

“Actually, Satan,”—his nostrils flared, and I didn’t miss that—“all I want is to know if you’re coming to me because no one else wants to deal with you—because that doesn’t make sense, so don’t think I’m stupid and don’t know that—or if there’s some other ulterior motive I’m not getting.”

If you’re looking for a sports romance with a cinnamon-roll hero, witty banter, and a slow-burn love story, this book is for you!

What will you find:

• Family Dynamics
• Slow Burn Romance
• Sports Drama
• Enemies to Lovers/Frenemies
• Humor & Banter 
• Cinnamon Roll Hero
• Realistic Goals & Ambitions 
• Best Friend’s Brother
• Competition
• Years later Epilogue

I’m working my way through Mariana Zapata’s backlist, and I can’t wait to dive into Under Locke, Dear Aaron, When Gracie Met the Grump, and Wait for It in 2025. So far, I’ve read The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Hands Down, Kulti, and All Rhodes Lead Here. I’ve loved them all, but Kulti might just be my favorite.

Main Characters:

Jasmine Santos: A 26-year-old figure skater who’s tough, determined, and sarcastic but hides her vulnerability behind a strong exterior. Her journey of self-discovery and perseverance is inspiring and deeply relatable.

Ivan Lukov: A 30-year-old champion skater, Jasmine’s long-time frenemy, and eventual partner. Beneath his cocky exterior lies a loyal, supportive, and kind-hearted hero who’s deeply invested in Jasmine’s success.

If you’ve read this one, let me know your thoughts! If not, what are you waiting for?

For From Lukov with Love, which has a slow-burn, emotional, yet quirky vibe, I’d recommend a mix of classic and modern Rock playlist (with one exception of a pop rock song) that balances upbeat tunes with some softer, more introspective tracks to reflect the book’s theme —  Here’s a short playlist I think would fit perfectly:

“Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac

• A perfect song for the tension and eventual growth between Jasmine and Ivan. It’s about independence and change.

“Dream On” – Aerosmith

• An anthem of perseverance and following dreams, much like Jasmine’s journey in the story.

“The Kill (Bury Me)” – Thirty Seconds to Mars

• A raw song about internal struggle and overcoming personal pain, which fits well with Jasmine’s emotional journey and battles with self-worth.

“Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses

• This could represent the softer, more vulnerable moments of the relationship—full of passion but also care.

“Weightless” – All Time Low

• This song deals with the feeling of being overwhelmed by pressure, but also finding hope in letting go. It mirrors Jasmine’s emotional journey through the stress of her skating career and the weight of her personal struggles.

“I Hate Everything About You” – Three Days Grace

• An iconic song that captures the emotional push-pull of a love-hate relationship, much like the one between Jasmine and Ivan, where they can’t stand each other but their connection runs deeper.

“Faint” – Linkin Park

• A track that represents frustration and a feeling of being unheard. This could mirror Jasmine’s struggles with feeling overlooked and unappreciated, especially in the face of bullying and her strained relationship with her father.

“Warrior” – Demi Lovato (though more pop-rock)

• This one is an empowering anthem about rising above struggles and becoming stronger, mirroring Jasmine’s journey of overcoming bullying, family issues, and her internal battles with self-worth.

Description:

From Lukov with Love is told in the sole POV of Jasmine Santos. She is a figure skater and after seventeen years, she’s aware that it is almost time to hang up the skates. Until an offer to be the partner of Ivan Lukov, a fellow skater who she has spent almost as long hating, lands in her lap.

Quotes: 

“I wanted you to be my partner for years, dumbass. When Karina had told me you were thinking about switching to pairs, I had thought you would say something to me, even in passing as a joke. I thought you would say you were going to kick my ass, and I had planned on talking to you over it. But you never did. The next thing I knew, you had a partner. Some dipshit that wasn’t half as good as you.”

“I love you so much I spend all day with you, and it still isn’t enough for me,” he kept going. I stopped breathing. “I love you so much, if I can’t skate with you, I don’t want to skate with anyone else.” Holy. Fuck. “I love you so fucking much, Jasmine, that if I broke my ankle during a program, I would get up and finish it for you, to get you what you’ve always wanted.”

About The Author:

Mariana Zapata is a bestselling contemporary romance author known for her signature slow-burn love stories. Her books often feature strong, independent heroines, complex relationships, and plenty of witty banter. Zapata’s writing style focuses on character development and emotional connections, making her a favorite among romance readers. She currently lives in Texas with her partner and pets.

Authors Website:

www.marianazapata.com

Instagram: @marianazapata

Zapata’s other books:

Under Locke, Dear Aaron, When Gracie Met the Grump, Wait for It, The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Hands Down, Kulti, All Rhodes Lead Here, etc.

Happy Reading!

Sann

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality

Latest Book Review: When We Had Forever by Shaylin Gandhi

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create the first “poster” image or featured image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of them, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes.