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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m so…….confused. I have no idea how to feel. But, let’s just get this out of the way, I gave this 5 stars instead of 4 because it legitimately kept me - for lack of a better word - entertained. Very much unhinged. For the most part I was giggling and having the time of my life. It went by fast, I was consumed by it and completely invested.
The characters
I loved Adrianna. Even though I became insanely frustrated with her towards the end, I loved her. The way she viewed and talked about gymnastics was quite interesting, and I liked how fiery she was, she didn’t take anyone’s shit. It was very easy to invested into her character. I also loved Adrianna’s friend, Avery.
I’m not 100% sure how I stand with Kova. I’m leaning towards disliking him. Physically, he’s very attractive and he’s very good at dirty talk but like😭😭. The age-gap itself is one thing but the way he words things when he’s talking about their relationship/Adrianna… yikes. He’s hot, but was such an asshole for the last third of the book. Legitimately pissed me off; I just wanted to strangle him and let Adrianna be on her merry way with Hayden. Unfortunately that’s not how the first book ended !!!
The relationship between the two leads
Cant say much about it right now because it’s the first out of five books, but right now it’s toxic and I’m not liking it.
Favorite quotes:
The characters
I loved Adrianna. Even though I became insanely frustrated with her towards the end, I loved her. The way she viewed and talked about gymnastics was quite interesting, and I liked how fiery she was, she didn’t take anyone’s shit. It was very easy to invested into her character. I also loved Adrianna’s friend, Avery.
I’m not 100% sure how I stand with Kova. I’m leaning towards disliking him. Physically, he’s very attractive and he’s very good at dirty talk but like😭😭. The age-gap itself is one thing but the way he words things when he’s talking about their relationship/Adrianna… yikes. He’s hot, but was such an asshole for the last third of the book. Legitimately pissed me off; I just wanted to strangle him and let Adrianna be on her merry way with Hayden. Unfortunately that’s not how the first book ended !!!
The relationship between the two leads
Cant say much about it right now because it’s the first out of five books, but right now it’s toxic and I’m not liking it.
Favorite quotes:
His breath tickled my neck. Malysh. He called me malysh again and I almost melted.
“Like that...just like that. Keep going,” his voice cracked, hips moving.”
“I do not know what has gotten into me, I feel like a crazed man.”
Tropes:
Age-gap, Dad’s [Best]friend, Sports Romance, Taboo,
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Could not get over the age gap. Tabbo, big age gaps are one thing, but fetishizing minors is completely different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Medical content
I literally read this entire series in four days. I couldn't put it down. I have never given a five star rating but this series deserves it!
TITLE: Balance
GENRE: Romance
AUTHOR: Lucia Franco
TROPE: Age Gap, Forbidden, Sports Romance
TYPE: Series (Off Balance Book 1)
POV: Single POV
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Adrianna moved away from home to accelerate her gymnastics career by moving her training to World Cup gymnastics, to be coached by Kova, a friend of her dad's. The training program is rigorous and intense, with Kova committing to additional one on one coaching to bring Adrianna's skills up to elite status. There is a significant age gap/taboo relationship with Adrianna being 16/17 and Kova at 32, not to mention him being her coach. There is an intense, spicy relationship with a love-hate connection between them. There are moments that I'm not too fond of Kova and his actions and times when Adrianna shows her age, but the storytelling is gripping. Balance is the first book in a five-book series that is off to a strong start and something I will read again in the future, making this a 5 / 5 Star read, in my opinion.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
GENRE: Romance
AUTHOR: Lucia Franco
TROPE: Age Gap, Forbidden, Sports Romance
TYPE: Series (Off Balance Book 1)
POV: Single POV
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Adrianna moved away from home to accelerate her gymnastics career by moving her training to World Cup gymnastics, to be coached by Kova, a friend of her dad's. The training program is rigorous and intense, with Kova committing to additional one on one coaching to bring Adrianna's skills up to elite status. There is a significant age gap/taboo relationship with Adrianna being 16/17 and Kova at 32, not to mention him being her coach. There is an intense, spicy relationship with a love-hate connection between them. There are moments that I'm not too fond of Kova and his actions and times when Adrianna shows her age, but the storytelling is gripping. Balance is the first book in a five-book series that is off to a strong start and something I will read again in the future, making this a 5 / 5 Star read, in my opinion.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
the last chapter was intense..... kova's a real bastard im like 80% sure i hate his ass
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
That ending is a killer one!