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!

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.

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.

I only wish it was longer

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.

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.

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.

✫✫ 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!

How old are we??

I’d love to know the ages of those who said they loved this book, especially the “banter”. As a 41 year old woman, who enjoys healthy adult relationships, I found this book to be pathetic and Juvenile, especially the “banter”. Snapping at each other for sitting too close and bumping into each other, then tossing out an insult only to hear the overused reply of: no I’m not, you are! Seriously?? Their “banter” and every other conversation between them sounded way to similar to what I hear 12 year olds say. OMG, everything about this book was so annoying. Everything was so drawn out for way too long, even towards the end they were still so immaturely picking on each other. I couldn’t even finish it. MZ seems to either hit it way out of the park or completely strike out. This one definitely did not take first. If you still laugh at fart jokes you may enjoy it, but if you’re looking for something more in line with a rated R movie, don’t bother.

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.

The narcissism was unbearable

This book was painful to listen to as the main character was self absorbed, self aggrandizing and basically a contemptible person with zero compassion and depth. The other main characters were no better.

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.

Loved the book. Struggling with listening to it.

I have read the book a few times now and loved the story. When hearing the sample narration I didn't mind it. But after 5 min of it (first at normal speed and then at 0.85x) I could not recognise the character I remembered. It might be a personal thing, but the main heroine is incredibly complex and could easily be disliked. The balance that the book had in portraying her simply did not echo for me in this performance.

A bit too slow burning romance

Zapata is known for slow burning romance but this was too long as there was not much happening beside much bickering that eventually becomes bantering.

Very quick and pleasant listen

Not as good as Kulti but far superior than most books of the genre. Not a big fan of having the male character voices by a male actor but I got used to it.

pure enjoyment

loved this book. so funny, enjoyed it from stat to finish. would absolutely recommend

Slow burn romance at its best

Zapata is queen of the slow burn romance but sometimes her slow burn romances just fail to show any spark. This is, however, the best of that genre, with a beautiful romance that develops from apparent mutual dislike, and a lovely cast of secondary characters who round out the story. The epilogue is particularly good. Really enjoyed listening to this, and the narration was fabulous.

Liked, but not loved

Jasmine's inner monologue is very repetitive and it is hard to see what Ivan sees in her. The ending happened pretty quickly and as always is tied up a bit too sweetly (for my liking).Didn't mind the narration style though. Kulti still my fav, though could be because I listened to that first.

Least favourite MZ novel

I struggled to like Jasmine. I mean, the main characters in these books are always a little infuriating with how oblivious they are to other people’s feelings, and how easily things could go if people just communicated, but this one was annoying. Still a nice listen though, just not as good as usual.

Fantastic

If I could give more than 5🌟I would. Brilliant slow burn story. The interaction between Lukov and Jasmine was so funny, the chemistry was great.
I loved Callie & Teddy’s duet narration, wasn’t sure if I would but it’s so good I think I’m going to start all over again.

Ending is too rushed.

Great story!!! However the slow burn relationship doesn’t even kick in until literally the last 3 chapters, and the whole book ends with an abrupt time skip 10 years forward. Made the entire work seem way too rushed which is a shame because I loved the characters. Would also have loved a POV from Ivan, but I understand why there isn’t.