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courts_hodge's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
If the female main character was 18+ the book could’ve gotten so many more stars because I’m a fan of forbidden romances BUT, she was 16 and dating a 32 year old?!!! Far too much of an age gap which is also borderline illegal.
It’s a shame because the premise was great - huge fan of gymnastics and romance books.
I’ve had to DNF because I just can’t handle her repeating her age all the time… morally feels like a very wrong read…
It’s a shame because the premise was great - huge fan of gymnastics and romance books.
I’ve had to DNF because I just can’t handle her repeating her age all the time… morally feels like a very wrong read…
deb_anselmi's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
laurenmcd7's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lady_bookdragon's review
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I love how the author thoroughly shows how difficult it is for a gymnast to become as good as they are at what they do.
I really appreciate the fact that the female main character wasn't the best she's not the best she's working so hard to achieve what she wants.
I do wish though we had the male main characters point of view.
95whit's review against another edition
2.0
Sooo I can’t tell if I like this or not. It started off so strong but the longer it went on….the more immature they both seemed. And the ending?
lnhstewart's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
HOLY ANGST AND TENSION! So good. I ate this book up! I don't know why it took so long to get it off my TBR. I don't usually like Single POV but I devoured this book. Although I would killllllll for some Kova POV. This man has me hating him but wanting him at the same time. 5 ⭐ and starting book 2 immediately!
sarahs_book_corner's review against another edition
4.0
✩4.5
✦What to Expect✦
•Gymnast x Coach
•Age Gap
•Forbidden Romance
✦Characters✦
•Adrianna *Ria* Rossi
•Konstantin *Kova* Kournakova
✦Fav Quotes✦
This was past just physical attraction. This was animalistic. And highly forbidden, which just made it that much better.
✦Thoughts✦
This book is def not going to be for everyone. It’s very taboo and has lots of TWs.
Holy crap this book was crack. I truly could not put it down because it was so addicting. The tension and buildup between these two was so good. When they finally got together… holy crap. The dynamic and push/pull relationship these two had was so dam toxic, but god I ate that sh*t up. That ending!!!! My jaw was on the floor.
✦What to Expect✦
•Gymnast x Coach
•Age Gap
•Forbidden Romance
✦Characters✦
•Adrianna *Ria* Rossi
•Konstantin *Kova* Kournakova
✦Fav Quotes✦
This was past just physical attraction. This was animalistic. And highly forbidden, which just made it that much better.
✦Thoughts✦
This book is def not going to be for everyone. It’s very taboo and has lots of TWs.
Holy crap this book was crack. I truly could not put it down because it was so addicting. The tension and buildup between these two was so good. When they finally got together… holy crap. The dynamic and push/pull relationship these two had was so dam toxic, but god I ate that sh*t up. That ending!!!! My jaw was on the floor.
sienasummerrreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This started strong. Love the forbidden taboo dynamic. The FMC Adrianna’s determination and competitive fight with a touch of being a brat and talking back to the coach was delicious. Kova was saying and doing all the right things until I started getting the ick. Don't get me wrong I think this book is good and I'm intrigued to continue to see where it goes but I had a real issue with character behaviours so let's talk about it.
(POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW)
First off the FMC is a virgin also 17 so we have the taboo element. It is discussed in the book the legal age of consent which is fine just keeping in mind she is still a minor. When we got to the spice no discussion of protection. I just don't believe this grown-ass man who is 32 didn't have the decency to verbally discuss if she has done it before and not using protection. When it comes around to doing it again the FMC pokes the bear and says something like “Why don't you go back to Katja” the partner he is with and cheating on. He turns around and says “I don't want her right now” WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT HER RIGHT NOW? You're acting like you'll have whoever whenever you feel like it. ICK. Then the FMC who has had one or two rodeos on this man says to him during the intimate scene “Is she tight like me?” WHAT girl come on you only just found out how to navigate the appendage. Sit down and stick to the books. Then it starts getting toxic and manipulative when the situation comes up of we can't do this anymore he starts saying well you're the fault or in a way it paint that he thinks she is the instigator. Basically manipulating her. It gets worse though because THIS GROWN ASS MAN TURNS AROUND AND SAYS…
“If you get pregnant, I'll deny it till the day I die”
Throw him in the bin at this point. This fictional man needs to grovel from the grave because he is 10ft below right now. Redirecting back to the FMC she started getting worse towards the end going into the office and throwing a tantrum saying she would cry wolf. It is toxic, manipulative and gaslighting behaviour more from the MMC side but also the FMC aswell. Both are just as bad as each other but I do have a bit more anger toward the adult who is clearly a man-child. It was a real turn-off. I'm gutted.
Minor pick up of detail at the start the FMC had burgundy hair but in the end Alburn. One is more red the other is more purple so not sure what happened there.
Now I will read the next book. I'm interested to see if I change my mind but I have been told the toxic behaviour continues.
If you love:
🔹Taboo
🔹Forbidden
🔹Sports Coach and Student
🔹Age Gap 15yrs
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Toxic Relationship
Genre/Type: Adult Sports Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 592
Audiobook Length: 17hrs 18mins
Narrators: Sarah Puckett - Solo
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Off Balance Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Gymnastics), Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (15 yrs), FMC Gymnast, MMC Coach, FMC Brat, Jealousy, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Toxic Relationship, Letters, Cursing, Drug Use, Medical Content, Sexual Content, Praise, Virgin, Spanking and Dirty Talk
Mentions: Rape
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
(POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW)
First off the FMC is a virgin also 17 so we have the taboo element. It is discussed in the book the legal age of consent which is fine just keeping in mind she is still a minor. When we got to the spice no discussion of protection. I just don't believe this grown-ass man who is 32 didn't have the decency to verbally discuss if she has done it before and not using protection. When it comes around to doing it again the FMC pokes the bear and says something like “Why don't you go back to Katja” the partner he is with and cheating on. He turns around and says “I don't want her right now” WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT HER RIGHT NOW? You're acting like you'll have whoever whenever you feel like it. ICK. Then the FMC who has had one or two rodeos on this man says to him during the intimate scene “Is she tight like me?” WHAT girl come on you only just found out how to navigate the appendage. Sit down and stick to the books. Then it starts getting toxic and manipulative when the situation comes up of we can't do this anymore he starts saying well you're the fault or in a way it paint that he thinks she is the instigator. Basically manipulating her. It gets worse though because THIS GROWN ASS MAN TURNS AROUND AND SAYS…
“If you get pregnant, I'll deny it till the day I die”
Throw him in the bin at this point. This fictional man needs to grovel from the grave because he is 10ft below right now. Redirecting back to the FMC she started getting worse towards the end going into the office and throwing a tantrum saying she would cry wolf. It is toxic, manipulative and gaslighting behaviour more from the MMC side but also the FMC aswell. Both are just as bad as each other but I do have a bit more anger toward the adult who is clearly a man-child. It was a real turn-off. I'm gutted.
Minor pick up of detail at the start the FMC had burgundy hair but in the end Alburn. One is more red the other is more purple so not sure what happened there.
Now I will read the next book. I'm interested to see if I change my mind but I have been told the toxic behaviour continues.
If you love:
🔹Taboo
🔹Forbidden
🔹Sports Coach and Student
🔹Age Gap 15yrs
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Toxic Relationship
Genre/Type: Adult Sports Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 592
Audiobook Length: 17hrs 18mins
Narrators: Sarah Puckett - Solo
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Off Balance Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Gymnastics), Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (15 yrs), FMC Gymnast, MMC Coach, FMC Brat, Jealousy, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Toxic Relationship, Letters, Cursing, Drug Use, Medical Content, Sexual Content, Praise, Virgin, Spanking and Dirty Talk
Mentions: Rape
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Blood, Cursing, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape
justlarissareads's review against another edition
5.0
Adrianna begins training at a new gymnastics facility where she meets her new coach Kova. I can’t decide if I live or hate Kova yet, but I love the writing in this book. It just flows so effortlessly and gives you all the feels. The emotions and spice are something that you just need to experience! I really love all the characters, with the exception of Reagan. I wish Adrianna would just knock her out already. Hayden is such a good friend and after that shocking ending I wonder what he’ll do?!
“I am going to own it so you never forget what I feel like inside of you, after tonight, you will never forget me," he whispered harshly, grabbing my face and kissing me.”
“I am going to own it so you never forget what I feel like inside of you, after tonight, you will never forget me," he whispered harshly, grabbing my face and kissing me.”