From Lukov with Love

By: Mariana Zapata

Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Teddy Hamilton

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 17 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.

©2018 Mariana Zapata (P)2018 Mariana Zapata

New Favorite MZ Slow Burn

Ok, first I should preface this review with the fact that, although I have read many amazing books in the past 6 months, I have not felt compelled to leave a review. Mariana is an automatic buy for me, I have all her books in both kindle and audio versions and I have lost count of how many times I have re-read them.

From Lukov With Love has officially moved into the number one spot of my favorite MZ books. I Love Jasmine's scrappy attitude, and Ivan (Vanya) was a total dream once we moved past his defenses. This book was... just perfect. I loved every minute of the almost 15 hour book! I haven't giggled and laughed that much while reading in a long time. The dual narration really added so much to the story, and Teddy Hamilton is a perfect voice for Ivan. Thanks Marianna for continually putting out such quality, well researched concepts, and amazing characters to fall in love with!

33 people found this helpful

this has ruined me for all other audiobooks!

I adored this book but it was made 200x better because of the way that Callie and Teddy recorded the dialogue. Having Teddy record all of Ivan's dialogue was genius and really drew me into the story even more. I know I will be revisiting Meatball and Satan's story many many times in the future.

29 people found this helpful

Listen if you enjoy constant self doubt

This was a long book. Some was fun and made me laugh. But mostly I was over the female character constantly berating herself. It just went on and on. I liked the male lead. And his character.

9 people found this helpful

LOVE

I love that she had Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton read this!!! It was so great (I wish she had done that for all of Dear Aaron too... it's still great though. Callie does an amazing job!) I rated it as 4.5 the first time I read it, but after listening to THEM read it, it's a solid 5*

I only wish it was longer. I love all of Zapata's books. I love that there's no big, stupid misunderstanding between the main characters and that the hero loves the heroine for a lot longer and earlier than the heroine knew...but she doesn't find out until the timing is right of course, and then it makes her and our, the reader, hearts feel good.

This book was hard to put down. The first time I read it I went with only 2.5 hours of sleep and finished it in two days (it normally takes me two weeks to finish a book due to life invading...for this book, and all of Zapata's books, I shoved life aside so I could read like I was a kid again, and the lack of sleep was so worth it). Anyway, Ivan was amazing and supportive, but didn't put up with Jasmine being anything but her best...just as a partner should be...cue the swoon. This will be a book I reread again and again.

11 people found this helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

This book was super sweet. I enjoyed the story line and the characters very much. While I will say I didn't find it amazing but more just a feel good read which is great too. This book is 1000% a SSSSLLLOOOWWW BBBUUURRRNNN!!! I prefer a book to get to it way faster than this but I've read a few books by this author and I completely expected the slow burn. I enjoyed the banter between these two characters but I will say, I didn't really feel the chemistry between them the way I'm sure most people did. In the end this book left me feeling a little lighthearted which is exactly what I thought it would do!

The narration was PERFECT!!! I loved Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton together and I think they did duet better than I have ever heard it before. They flowed perfectly and it didn't feel choppy in anyway at all!

12 people found this helpful

Freaking Meatball...I love it

4.5 stars — That’s it. I think I’m just going to listen to Mariana Zapata’s books from now on, particularly if they’re narrated by Callie Dalton. Dudes, that chick knows how to give good narration. Like she takes a book that I would have enjoyed reading on my own, and turns it into a favourite. She puts so much life and character into Jasmine, that I feel like she really exists and I’m listening to her tell me her story. She was HILARIOUS. And I found myself laughing and crying along with her. And while that is totally due to Ms. Zapata’s words, I truly believe that Ms. Dalton takes them to the next level.

And initially I was wondering how Teddy Hamilton’s narration would come into play, because when there are two narrators, I assume there is dual POV. But this one was all from Jasmine’s POV, and Mr. Hamilton just lent his voice to Ivan’s dialogue. That was a first for me as an audiobook listener, I just haven’t come across it yet. But there was enough back and forth dialogue between Jasmine and Ivan that it really made sense and enhanced my listening experience…especially because no one does dry delivery like Mr. Hamilton.

So on to the story. As a The Cutting Edge enthusiast (trust me, I can quote word for word the entire ending of that movie), this book was MADE FOR ME. And I almost lost it when Jasmine joked about doing the Pamchenko…GOLD. I mean, no, it’s not a hockey player becoming a pairs figure skater story, but there was just this feel to it that reminded me. It had the same enemies to lovers feel, the same epic slow burn (though with a better payoff in the ending). It had the same heart. It was just so freaking good.

I am not normally an enemies to lovers story fan. There are always exceptions of course, and this is wholeheartedly an exception. I think because the way they argued and called each other names made me laugh so many times, and in the end you could tell they both really respected one another as athletes. And with the nature of Jasmine’s personality, I could see that a lot of her relationships would have a bit of a confrontational aspect to them. So it was like Ivan was meeting her on her own terms.

Saying all that, I adored the way Jasmine’s relationship with Ivan slowly changed over the course of the book. It was completely believable, and I loved how confused she was at every turn, but how she went with it anyways.

Jasmine and Ivan together were honestly romance gold. I was invested. I can’t even tell you how huge my smile must have been for most of the end of the book. Meatball. Freaking meatball. Ivan had me swooning and swooning and swooning.

Because of the slow burn nature of the romance in this story, it wasn’t just a romance…it was a lot about Jasmine’s personal journey. Her struggles with her own self-worth got to my heart every single time. Especially in her relationship with her father. I cried. I really felt like her growth was believable. I also loved the addition of Jasmine’s learning disability. There were so many aspects where we could see how it affected her life, but how she persevered.

I LOVED the sports aspect to the story…it really gave you an appreciation for figure skating, and the amount of work that elite athletes put in every single day. I can’t even imagine.

And OMG, I need to go back and reread Dear Aaron (or more likely listen to it), because I vaguely remember Ruby’s relationship with her family, but it was an absolute highlight to see the interactions of the Santos family in this one. Like, an absolute delight. I laughed and laughed and laughed. You could tell how much they cared for one another.

So basically, all of the things that I’ve loved about the other books I’ve read by Mariana Zapata were strengths in this book as well — personal character growth, and a strong loving HILARIOUS family. But I think this has been my favourite romance of hers thus far. *swoon*

3 people found this helpful

Zapata for the Win (Contains some spoilers)

Books like this are why people are addicted to reading and neglect their everyday lives to live within the world of a good read. Where to start? The narrators were in top form, not that Callie Dalton is ever anything but perfection but that voice for Ivan just took it over the top. Give them excellent material to work with and you have an instant success.

In terms of the book, only a true pet parent could show so much personality in Lacey and really demonstrate what pet parents are like. AKA a little crazy and 100% lovable. If you're a pet parent the fact that Lacey was in a harness and seatbelt doesn't even phase you. Safety first for the fur kids!

If you haven't read Dear Aaron, you can appreciate this story more if you read it first, as you get to see those character in this book as well, plus the other family members that are mentioned in Dear Aaron. It makes this book all the more enjoyable because you get to revisit those characters years later, and the family dynamics are just fabulously done.

From Lukov With Love was so different from Wait For It (her last release prior to this) and only showed Mariana Zapatas versatility and ability to create totally different characters --who are still equally lovable. Jasmine is flawed but so endearing. And she isn't afraid to call people out when they're wrong or bullies. She says screw manners and does the right thing --something people can struggle with, but not her. She isn't worried about being a people pleaser, she loves her small group of people fiercely, loves her sport, and screw the rest.

Ivan is a great balance to Jasmine's more fiery temper. He can be just a sassy and quick-witted, but can keep his head better in a situation and calms her down. He isn't without his own struggles that come with fame and success as a professional athlete, but he knows who he is, what he likes, and fights for what he believes is worth it. The rest is background noise.

If it has been awhile since you were totally immersed in a book or author, do yourself a favor and get this NOW.

3 people found this helpful

One HECK of a Slow Burn.. LOVED

I like Mariana’s other books I have tried but I never really LOVED them until this one. This story really sucked me in, in a way none of her other books ever have before.

I can’t relate to any of the character’s at all so that really isn’t why I enjoyed it I don’t know if it was the enemy’s to lovers or what it was but this story just cracks my heart wide open and I couldn’t stop listening.

Jasmine is a likable character only once you understand her and Ivan well I loved him right from the get-go. The banter and back and forth worked for me in a big way. I very much enjoyed them becoming friends and still they kept up the banter it’s probably the best part of the book for me how they become more but still keep who they are the same.

I am so going to be giving this author more chances than I have in the past.

Teddy and Callie amazing narration I enjoyed the heck out of this book because of you.

12 people found this helpful

DNF

My first Mariana Zapata book, I chose it because it was recommended here on audible in their 'comparing book boyfriends'. BUT, ack, I could not stand the h, she was a whiny, immature petulant girl who was supposed to be 26 but acted and spoke more like 16. Even worse was her inner thoughts go on for chapters!.. Sometimes ,mind you, it's in the middle of a conversation. Someone says something to her then she thinks for a chapter, mostly angry annoying thoughts, then answer with a couple words, then a LOT more of inner thoughts until the next sentence. I was worn out by the 6th chapter. All in her POV and in her head where she wouldn't just shut up and let the story happen. I made it 6 chapters and am dropping this annoyance.

2 people found this helpful

Some parts were good, some parts really dragged

There is a lot of internal dialog in this book. A. LOT. This resulted in an annoying amount of repetition. I almost gave up after the first two hours, but then I was glad I didn't because it was time for Ivan (Teddy Hamilton) to come on the scene! I loved the banter between Jasmine and Ivan and their cantankerous relationship. I also liked how their friendship evolved. I'm all for the slow burn. But then, the second half of the book really started to drag. Jasmine went on a 2 hour rant (in listening time) about what a terrible person she was after an event that was blown out of proportion, but the issue never seemed to go anywhere. There were some side plots that bogged the book down and seemed like they were only there to add to the word count. Ivan was awesome, but always seemed to be the one comforting and supporting Jasmine. I didn't see how she gave back to him, other than being a hard working skating partner. Sometimes it was hard to see what he saw in Jasmine. If it wasn't for the great performances of Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton, I probably would have returned this one. As it was, their voices got me to the end and a satisfying epilogue.

2 people found this helpful

Like the story, hate the narration

I really like the story and purchased this audio book after reading the book, however I hate the narration style. Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton are okay by themselves but the style that has been used for this title - Callie doing the main narration with Teddy throwing in a word or sentence here and there - is terrible. It's jarring and annoying.

3 people found this helpful

Such a Good Story

Mariana Zapata has a brilliant ability to write truly enthralling stories. She creates characters that live and breathe for the reader. I become so engrossed in what I’m listening to, the time disappears, because I just want to keep listening. Callie Dalton has narrated a lot, if not most of the Mariana Zapata books I’ve listened to on audio and she manages to transform herself into the different characters each time. I liked having Teddy Hamilton read the parts spoken by Ivan quite a lot. I wasn’t sure I would, because I thought it might break up the flow and Callie Dalton has always done a decent job of narrating a male character. I really shouldn’t have worried because he did a great job and it actually made his character better, because he had a unique voice that contrasted with the way Jasmine perceived the rest of the story.

The story itself was excellent, and used a subject matter that all readers of the author would recognise, that of a sports person. In this case it was both the MFC and the MMC who were ice skaters. Both Ivan and Jasmine have been skating since childhood, and as adults moved into pairs skating. Jasmine had been a singles skater but nerves got the better of her, so she moved into pairs. She’s skated for 3 years with Paul, who then ditched her a year before the story started, without warning, for another partner. She couldn’t find another partner because she has always been perceived of having a bad attitude, something she’d never defended herself against, because she didn’t care what anyone else thought.

Jasmine is friends with Ivan’s sister, so has known his family for years, and as his parents own the ice centre where she trains, his parents had always subsidised her rink fees. However, she and Ivan clashed, a lot. They never said anything nice to each other and Ivan was successful, whilst Jasmine was not. The year she spent partnerless she’d continued to train, without a coach, but still going to the rink every day to practice just in case she ever got an opportunity to skate competitively again. She’d almost come to the conclusion that she may as well give up hope, when Ivan and his coach offered her an opportunity to partner with him for the next year. After some consideration, she took him up on the offer and they started to train.

This story isn’t really about them winning medals or prizes, this about them and their relationship. It’s about how two very socially awkward people who don’t care what others think, who are rude and confrontational, start to find a way to work together.

I loved Jasmine. She was obnoxious, bad tempered and determined, to the detriment of everything else, to skate. Her relationship with her family was much improved after her year out and she was determined to keep hold of that even whilst starting a ridiculous training regime. She was also fiercely loyal to her family and would pummel anyone who hurt them into the ground.

Her family are brilliant characters and their banter at family get together’s is hilarious. I love how this author is able to sketch out supporting characters so fully and quickly that we immediately understand them and their relationship to the main characters. It’s a definite gift.

Ivan is at first unknowable. He hides behind a strangely blended mask of professionalism and insults. It’s hard to understand his motives because we only see him from Jasmine’s point of view. I love how slowly our perceptions of him change as Jasmine starts to see him more clearly.

This is a funny, sad and uplifting story. It’s about family, a passionate drive for success, and it’s about friendship and love. It’s a great story and I know I’ll listen to it again at some point. You can’t go wrong with this author.

OMG!!! The Best Story

This book has blown my mind. I think is one of the best stories out there. After reading this book I feel like I can do anything. I love the way is written and the way the author captures the struggles that a person have in life when trying to fight for her/his dream. When disabilities sometimes make us stronger and better when we fight hard to overcome them and that is what take us apart from others that are lucky to have all their faculties. This book reminded me how important is to fight for what makes us tick and passionate. It reminded me of the importance of always standing up after a fall and keep trying no matter what. Thank you Mariana Zapata, you made me cry so much with this book and made me feel so warm inside. Excellent work!!!

Great read

I have once again loved a book from Mariana Zapata. While the "recipe" stays relatively the same, I really like the fact that all the characters, especially the female ones, have very distinct personalities, flaws, and histories. I love to see their progress through the story, and how events push them to evolve, without entirely changing the core of their personalities and what makes them. I also love them being so driven and passionate about their dream, and how the male characters support and love that. They are making things happen, on their own and by their own merit.
The performance felt a bit weird. I would have put 4.5 if I could, but 4 felt too little. I have loved each narrator: Callie Dalton does a great job, and Teddy Hamilton has a wonderful voice that suited Ivan very well. The idea of having a male narrator speaking his part was great, and something I have been looking forward to since I started to listen to audiobooks. It makes the dialogue between the two main characters that much more awesome, and considering the level of sass sometimes, it makes for a great experience. My only criticism is the imbalance between the two narrators. Callie Dalton does all the other voices and the narration, while Teddy Hamilton only speaks up occasionally (which is frankly a waste). Maybe having him doing all male characters would have helped to balance things out?

Anyway, a great listening experience, and I will definitely listen to it again.

Great audio

Brilliant story but what makes it better is the best audio I have heard. I have listened to this book over and over again.

Enjoyable

I loved this book and I loved the narrators they brought the characters to life

Freaking love this so hard.

Once again Mariana had done a beautiful job at writing another amazing story. I can't wait to see what she has no store for her readers next. This book is amazing, the story the Chemistry between Jasmine and Ivan was beautiful and Callie and Teddy did an amazing job at Narrating it.