Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
So a spicy but controversial as heck novel. I’m not sure where the author is going to go with this storyline since I have 4 more books to read, but I’m definitely curious. It helps if I pretend the main character is over 18 and that’s how I’m rating it with a 4 star review, but I’m feeling pretty torn overall.
Trope: “forbidden romance”. Overall attention grabbing storyline.
Trope: “forbidden romance”. Overall attention grabbing storyline.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
spice: 3.75 🌶️
this is a taboo forbidden romance about a gymnast and her coach with a huge age gap. listen, i don't judge and wanted to see what all the hype was about.
i was enjoying this until the 70% mark. that last 30% really took me out. i do think this was way too long and girl, there are 5 more books about the same couple! of what? i don't know lol. i can make some predictions but it's not enough for me to pick up the second book. for now... with that being said, i do think it was too long because at some point it gets repetitive af. like we get it, this can't happen, shouldn't happen, you drive me crazy, something about you, ect. ect. i needed SOMETHING to happen PLS
another thing that happens towards the end that i just didn't appreciate was when the main heroine threatens the hero with R. like girl, we did not need this and it ain't funny. then they proceed to fuck after LOL ya'll i was shooketh. this did not need to be in the story and i don't understand why the author had to include that in a book that's already very very taboo.
also, the hero is a total ass. i never felt like their relationship was anything more than physical. they do share "deep" conversations in the beginning but after the physical aspect of their relationship happens, that's it. lets also talk about the fact that the heroine had a kidney infection? i can't remember but girl was SICK, emergency room SICK and the hero didn't give no fucks. the doctor also told the heroine it was because of the plan B (yes the plan B) and then she proceeds to take another one!! like fuck yo life huh.
i do wish the heroine could've been a lot more mature. we are TOLD she's mature but she's not. i never got that vibe. she made some stupid ass decisions back to back and i was just like GIRL. i do think that we could've done the age gap and made the heroine mature and we would've been fine or AT LEAST make her make some GOOD decisions.
i will say i did love the gymnastics aspect and the idea of training for the Olympics and seeing the ins and outs of gymnastics whether accurate or not i don't know. BUT speaking of which, the way that the heroine was amazing in the beginning and towards the end she was trash at gymnastics LOL ya'll im telling you, it went down hill.
it sucks cause this could've been REAL good AND still been a duet or a trilogy MAX with that extra novella, extra content book.
will i pick up the second book? i kind of want to but i also don't.
don't recommend as of Jan. 2023
this is a taboo forbidden romance about a gymnast and her coach with a huge age gap. listen, i don't judge and wanted to see what all the hype was about.
i was enjoying this until the 70% mark. that last 30% really took me out. i do think this was way too long and girl, there are 5 more books about the same couple! of what? i don't know lol. i can make some predictions but it's not enough for me to pick up the second book. for now... with that being said, i do think it was too long because at some point it gets repetitive af. like we get it, this can't happen, shouldn't happen, you drive me crazy, something about you, ect. ect. i needed SOMETHING to happen PLS
another thing that happens towards the end that i just didn't appreciate was when the main heroine threatens the hero with R. like girl, we did not need this and it ain't funny. then they proceed to fuck after LOL ya'll i was shooketh. this did not need to be in the story and i don't understand why the author had to include that in a book that's already very very taboo.
also, the hero is a total ass. i never felt like their relationship was anything more than physical. they do share "deep" conversations in the beginning but after the physical aspect of their relationship happens, that's it. lets also talk about the fact that the heroine had a kidney infection? i can't remember but girl was SICK, emergency room SICK and the hero didn't give no fucks. the doctor also told the heroine it was because of the plan B (yes the plan B) and then she proceeds to take another one!! like fuck yo life huh.
i do wish the heroine could've been a lot more mature. we are TOLD she's mature but she's not. i never got that vibe. she made some stupid ass decisions back to back and i was just like GIRL. i do think that we could've done the age gap and made the heroine mature and we would've been fine or AT LEAST make her make some GOOD decisions.
i will say i did love the gymnastics aspect and the idea of training for the Olympics and seeing the ins and outs of gymnastics whether accurate or not i don't know. BUT speaking of which, the way that the heroine was amazing in the beginning and towards the end she was trash at gymnastics LOL ya'll im telling you, it went down hill.
it sucks cause this could've been REAL good AND still been a duet or a trilogy MAX with that extra novella, extra content book.
will i pick up the second book? i kind of want to but i also don't.
don't recommend as of Jan. 2023
Balance is the first book in the Off Balance series. I wasn't sure if I would like this book, because I'm not a huge fan of the age gap, however, I loved this book and couldn't stop listening to the audiobook.
Balance is told from Adrianna Rossi's point of view. She is a gymnast and will do whatever she can to move up in her career to try to get to the Olympics. Her father gets her a spot on Konstantin Kournakova's gym. He is a two-time Russian Olympian.
As soon as Adrianna gets to Kova's gym she learns that he trains his gymnasts a lot different than she has been taught and she wants to fight it the whole way. She has to do extra work with Kova to get to his standards. However, as they are doing this extra work they start to have feelings for each other. Kova is in a relationship and knows it's wrong to be with Adrianna, but things still happen.
So much happened in this book. Adrianna's mother isn't the type of mother to be there for her, and her father is always working. So she looks up to Kova. I can't wait to see what happens next with these two. Something happened at the end, and Adrianna is not at a happy place with Kova.
Balance is told from Adrianna Rossi's point of view. She is a gymnast and will do whatever she can to move up in her career to try to get to the Olympics. Her father gets her a spot on Konstantin Kournakova's gym. He is a two-time Russian Olympian.
As soon as Adrianna gets to Kova's gym she learns that he trains his gymnasts a lot different than she has been taught and she wants to fight it the whole way. She has to do extra work with Kova to get to his standards. However, as they are doing this extra work they start to have feelings for each other. Kova is in a relationship and knows it's wrong to be with Adrianna, but things still happen.
So much happened in this book. Adrianna's mother isn't the type of mother to be there for her, and her father is always working. So she looks up to Kova. I can't wait to see what happens next with these two. Something happened at the end, and Adrianna is not at a happy place with Kova.
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slowwwwwwww burn
But when it burned, hell hath no fury! Wow!!!! This angst in this book is unmeasurable. Kovas dominating, bruising, personality is HOT!
But when it burned, hell hath no fury! Wow!!!! This angst in this book is unmeasurable. Kovas dominating, bruising, personality is HOT!
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lucia Franco is becoming one of my favourite steamy & forbidden authors. After falling in love with her writing when reading Hush Hush, I was told to jump into Balance. And oh boy, am I glad I did!! I am currently addicted to the gymnastics thanks for the Olympics so this was the perfect book for my mood read.
Adrianna (or Ria), is a spoilt wealthy 17 year old who seems to get anything & everything she wants thanks to her father being a top realtor in the Georgia state real estate. However in reality, she is ignored & lonely, with her only want & passion being gymnastics. When her father and her come to a deal to start training as an elite, she is to attend the top world gym ran by Konstantin, or Kova as we come to know him. A strict Russian gymnast who has won gold in the Olympics & knows what must be done to make it.
Ria first struggles in finding her gymnastics style. She didn’t realise how under trained she was & struggles to keep up with Kova coaching technique. But she can’t deny he is one handsome man who knows gymnastics & she must listen to him to get where she wants to be for that Olympic level.
It’s obvious that Kova & Ria have a connection from their first meeting. But not only do they have that lust connection, but they form that emotional friendship as well. Lines of course become crossed & a secret affair does commence. Until Kova betrays Ria in her career like she never thought he would.
Be warned, yes there is cheating. Kova is in a “committed” relationship when he does sleep with Ria. There is also a 15-16 year age gap between them both. (I personally didn’t mind because I’m a fan of the forbidden).
I could not stop reading. 4.5/5 stars with 3/5 steam. This is definitely a cheeky bingeable series!! On to the next!
Side characters Ps. I hope Hayden finds his true love!!!! And anyone else get bad vibes from Avery? C’mon she’s definitely doing it with Ria’s brother. And she really ain’t a good friend!
Adrianna (or Ria), is a spoilt wealthy 17 year old who seems to get anything & everything she wants thanks to her father being a top realtor in the Georgia state real estate. However in reality, she is ignored & lonely, with her only want & passion being gymnastics. When her father and her come to a deal to start training as an elite, she is to attend the top world gym ran by Konstantin, or Kova as we come to know him. A strict Russian gymnast who has won gold in the Olympics & knows what must be done to make it.
Ria first struggles in finding her gymnastics style. She didn’t realise how under trained she was & struggles to keep up with Kova coaching technique. But she can’t deny he is one handsome man who knows gymnastics & she must listen to him to get where she wants to be for that Olympic level.
It’s obvious that Kova & Ria have a connection from their first meeting. But not only do they have that lust connection, but they form that emotional friendship as well. Lines of course become crossed & a secret affair does commence. Until Kova betrays Ria in her career like she never thought he would.
Be warned, yes there is cheating. Kova is in a “committed” relationship when he does sleep with Ria. There is also a 15-16 year age gap between them both. (I personally didn’t mind because I’m a fan of the forbidden).
I could not stop reading. 4.5/5 stars with 3/5 steam. This is definitely a cheeky bingeable series!! On to the next!
Side characters Ps. I hope Hayden finds his true love!!!! And anyone else get bad vibes from Avery? C’mon she’s definitely doing it with Ria’s brother. And she really ain’t a good friend!
I originally picked this book up due to it being recommended to me after I read From Lukov, With Love by Mariana Zapata. I thought that it might be similar to that or better which made me feel that I would really enjoy it. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. I have tried and failed to finish this book for over a month now. I finally decided to just throw in the towel. I should mention that I don't think that it is a poorly written book but I had too many problems with it to be able to finish it.
I'll start with the characters. I didn't like either one of the main characters which made it hard to care or empathize with them. Each of them clearly have issues especially Kova. I felt that Adrianna was naive, selfish, and ignorant. She doesn't seem to care about how her actions affect others or maybe she doesn't comprehend the gravity of said actions. Frankly it was hard to tell which it was as I was reading. She didn't strike me as the mature type even though I think that is exactly what the author was trying to convey with this character. I liked Kova even less than Adrianna. He was cruel and seemed to be driven by lust alone. I'm guessing that readers of this book are supposed to see that he cares for Adrianna and she for him but I didn't buy it. He seemed to get off on her pain and the control that she gave him.
Read full review here: https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2019/01/balance-off-balance-1-by-lucia-franco.html
I'll start with the characters. I didn't like either one of the main characters which made it hard to care or empathize with them. Each of them clearly have issues especially Kova. I felt that Adrianna was naive, selfish, and ignorant. She doesn't seem to care about how her actions affect others or maybe she doesn't comprehend the gravity of said actions. Frankly it was hard to tell which it was as I was reading. She didn't strike me as the mature type even though I think that is exactly what the author was trying to convey with this character. I liked Kova even less than Adrianna. He was cruel and seemed to be driven by lust alone. I'm guessing that readers of this book are supposed to see that he cares for Adrianna and she for him but I didn't buy it. He seemed to get off on her pain and the control that she gave him.
Read full review here: https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2019/01/balance-off-balance-1-by-lucia-franco.html
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A