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.

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.

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.

✫✫ 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!

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.

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.

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.

I couldn’t stomach it!

Just listened to part of the first chapter and had to turn it off!!! Every other word was the f*** word! It was disgusting to me!

There Will Only Ever Be You

I loved this one. *heart eyes* I actually slowed down my reading at the end so I could make it last longer. I would listen to a chapter and then go back and read it, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. The BFF's brother, enemies-ish to friends to lovers build up was done so well and I loved how things gradually shifted and changed between Ivan and Jasmine. It's a MZ novel, so be prepared for the slow burn, but it was so worth it in the end. The reveal about Ivan's roommates and his gift had me smiling like a fool. The book leaned a bit more into family dynamics and drama than I was expecting, but I loved how it allowed Ivan to really shine and show Jasmine how much he cared. These two had such fiery chemistry (their banter was A+++) and it made the end so satisfying. That epilogue was so sweet it almost gave me a cavity and this was the perfect first read to start 2023!

No surprise, the audiobook was fantastic! I love Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton individually and knew the narration would be amazing, but I was not expecting the audiobook to be in a duet style. It was a great way to experience the book and I loved that any time Ivan spoke, Teddy Hamilton voiced it. Definitely recommend the audiobook!

Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

CW: parental abandonment (past), financial insecurity, FMC has a strained relationship with her father, mentions and discussion of: stalkers, aggressive fans, receiving threatening and sexually explicit messages, photos, and letters

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.

One of my favourites!

I've just listened to this for the second time and it hit me in the feels, just like the first time I read the ebook.

It was funny, emotional, and exhilarating. I loved how the author really understood what it took to be a top elite athlete - all the sacrifices you make in order to succeed. I loved watching Jasmine and Ivan's relationship grow. His devotion to her made me swoon hard! The narration was spot on as usual from the amazing Callie Dalton as Jasmine, and I loved the addition of Teddy Hamilton speaking all of of Ivan's parts. Just brilliant and still remains one of my Top Reads.

Perfect

Fantastic playing off between the two voices. Jasmine is my all time favourite. She was brought to life amazingly by Callie.

Meatball

Honestly, when Lukov calls her Meatball, I melt. I absolutely love these two narrators. The story is phenomenal but these narrators are just perfection.

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.