Title: From Lukov with Love
Author: Mariana Zapata
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 1, 2018
Format: eBook
Page Count: 493
Re-read: Three Times
Spice Level: 2/5
Age Rating: 18+
Tropes: New Adult, Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn, BFF’s brother, Forced Proximity, Sports Romance
From Lukov with Love Review
Mariana Zapata is a queen of slow-burn romance. I’ve read most of her books, and although some were a hit and miss, I’ve got a few that are on my re-read list.
For me, From Lukov with Love is a masterpiece slow-burn romance by Mariana Zapata (And I don’t declare things lightly). I have re-read this book many times, and it never fails to make me laugh, cry, and fall in love with Ivan and Jasmine all over again.
If you’re looking for a comfort read or your next emotional rollercoaster, this sports romance book should be at the top of your list.
From Lukov with Love Summary
My mom said I had serious trust issues, but honestly, the more people I met, the more I didn’t want to meet more.
Set in the competitive world of figure skating, From Lukov with Love follows Jasmine Santos, a talented yet down-on-her-luck skater. After her former skating partner leaves her for a competitor, Jasmine is approached with an unexpected offer: to team up with none other than Ivan Lukov, one of the biggest names in the sport—and someone she just can’t stand.
Ivan Lukov is her childhood friend and nemesis, and they do not get along at all. They call each other names and basically hate one another. But Jasmine has always wanted to win a championship, and Ivan is a good enough bet.
What begins as a tense, forced partnership gradually evolves into a journey of trust, vulnerability, and love. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers romance with the kind of angst and slow build that Mariana Zapata fans live for.
And to be honest, this is the part where you just have to read it to experience it. To feel every moment between Jas and Ivan. Their bantering is funny and makes you laugh out loud. Every time they butted heads, I would read it faster to see who’d win that round.
With every chapter, you get attached to these characters. They have so many heartfelt moments, so many secrets unraveled, and the transition from enemies to friends is just so smooth and oh so pure.
Their growing friendship is the best part of the story. I love how Mariana allowed them that time to learn about each other and to develop together as partners and as individuals.
Ivan Lukov and Jasmine Santos
My Favorite From Lukov with Love Fanart featuring Ivan and Jasmine
You are who you are in life, and you either live that time trying to bend yourself to make other people happy, or… you don’t.
Jasmine Santos from From Lukov with Love is one of my favorite fictional heroines. I loved how strong she was. She has had a rough time in the past, but she emerged stronger from all that. She’s bold, brash, stubborn, and fiercely loyal to her family. Her foul mouth and fiery personality hide a soft heart and years of pain.
While pursuing her goals, she also made sure she gave her family her time and love. And I loved her connection with her family. Speaking of, her family is the best supportive character (just like Sal’s dad in Kulti). Her sister is Ruby Santos, from Mariana’s Dear Aaron. I loved seeing their relationship and the love between them.
One of the strongest parts of the book is Jasmine’s character development. Her internal struggles, self-doubt, and personal growth are so relatable that they’ll have you highlighting lines and nodding along.
“Because I’m okay with you having ten other people be your favorite. But you’re always going to be my favorite person,” he finished. “Always. No matter what.”
Ivan Lukov might come off as a cold, snarky jerk at first, but underneath his aloof exterior is a cinnamon roll hero who will make your heart ache.
What I loved most was how deeply Ivan supports Jasmine, even when she doesn’t realize it. He is so protective of her. He sees her, truly sees her, and believes in her more than she believes in herself. The way he is with her is damn heartwarming. You see it in every interaction in the story.
As the plot thickens, as a reader, you see how caring Ivan is and the way he builds her up. I’ve highlighted so many dialogues where he’s just loving on her, and she is like oblivious to it.
If you’re looking for a hero you want to swoon over, the one who makes your toe curl, who is so supportive of the heroine and very much into her, then Ivan is IT.
“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.”
In typical Mariana Zapata fashion, Ivan and Jasmine don’t get together until the last few chapters. It’s not just a slow-burn romance; it’s a story about ambition and hope, second chances, and learning to trust someone with your heart.
The chemistry between Ivan and Jasmine is electric, even when they’re at each other’s throats. Their banter is sharp and hilarious, and their connection is deeply emotional.
They are one of the best couples you’ll ever read about.
Is From Lukov with Love Worth Reading?
Yes. A thousand times, yes.
It’s a book that I turn to whenever I need a dose of heartwarming friendship, romance, and well-developed characters.
Whether you’re a fan of slow-burn romances or simply seeking an enemies-to-lovers romcom, this book has it all.
And guess what? It’s available on Kindle Unlimited, so there’s no reason not to skate into the world of Jasmine and Ivan. Trust me; you won’t regret it.
Books like From Lukov with Love
- Kulti by Mariana Zapata: Another signature Zapata slow burn, Kulti follows a female soccer player whose childhood idol becomes her new coach, who is unexpectedly gruff and not very friendly.
- The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata: When Vanessa quits working as the personal assistant to a famous football player, he makes her an unexpected offer. A grumpy hero, a strong heroine, and a marriage-of-convenience twist make it unforgettable.
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: While not a sports romance, this one nails the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating vibes. If you enjoyed the banter and emotional walls in From Lukov with Love, you’ll love this charming, slow-burning office romance with a Spanish flair.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are there spicy scenes in From Lukov With Love?
No, except for one explicit scene at the end of the book, From Lukov with Love is not a spicy read.
What are the trigger warnings in Lukov with love?
References to Cyber-stalking and bullying. Jasmine’s father is unsupportive of her, and she has dyslexia.
Do Ivan and Jasmine end up together?
YES! However, they sure take a long time to get there.
Is From Lukov with Love dual POV?
No, it is written completely from Jasmine’s Point of View. I wish we had Ivan’s POV, too, though.
Looking for Sports Romance? Check out my review for Kiss Hard by Nailini Singh
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From Lukov with Love Blurb
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.
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About Mariana Zapata:
Mariana Zapata began writing love stories soon after she learned how to spell. She probably shouldn’t admit that she started sneaking romance novels from her aunt’s bookshelves way before she was old enough to even understand what it meant when a man flipped up a woman’s skirt. (Don’t tell her mom.)
Mariana is a native Texan living in a small town in Colorado with her husband and two beloved (and emotionally manipulative) Great Danes, Dorian and Kaiser. When she’s not pretending to write, she’s reading. You can usually find her burning somewhat edible experiments in the kitchen or cracking jokes at the expense of her family members.
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