Adrianna Rossi is no stranger to the rigorous demands required of her body. Years of pain and determination make her one of the best. Olympic glory is the ultimate goal, and she’ll do anything to achieve it. Even if that means leaving home to attend World Cup Academy of Gymnastics, a training center that serves one purpose–producing champions. Perfection, precision, and dedication are required … required of his athletes. When two time Olympian Konstantin Kournakova is persuaded into training the young hopeful, he immediately regrets it. She doesn’t come close to his high standards. As the relentless pursuit of her dream keeps her striving, a passion is ignited within him.
Kova’s power and domination, coupled with Adrianna’s fierce tenacity, reveal there is more for her body to learn. Every interaction can be misconstrued, but there’s no mistaking the darkening of his gaze, the lingering of his touch, or the illicit image of his bare skin pressed against hers. Integrity is on the line. One toe off the beam and their forbidden desires could ruin everything they’ve worked for, throwing it all off balance.
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I have read books where under sex was the main highlight of the book, namely, Lolita and All the Ugly and Wonderful Things. My facination for such books is I’m always looking out for difficulties of their relationship, it’s very un-normal than usual books. There is no redemption and things only keep getting worse. Off Balance series may offend many readers but if you’re able to separate a fiction from reality you might be able to enjoy a character’s personality of this difficult book.
Adrianna is older for her age, she does act like a teenager and she has good understanding of her circumstances. Her parents are basically absent from her life. She loves them and her dad is the only parent who gives her little attention to her wishes. She spends most of her time at the gym training hours and hours to be part of the World Elite team.
Adrianna and Kova’s age-gap is not an issue. Adrianna being a 15-16 year old and having a maturity and tolerance of an adult is awe-inspiring. Balance is only 20% of the Off Balance series and it already shows the life altering problems Adrianna faces and mind you it’s no teenage drama. Kova is not my favourite, not because he had sex with an underage girl but because the way he wants to hide their relationship and he admits to deny if Adrianna gets pregnant. Surprisingly I want to read more of Kova. I have a feeling he is going to hurt Adrianna a lot.
This book is wrong in every way, nothing is relevant here. If you’re starting the book with a good conscience, get out, you don’t have to endure it. The book ends with a cliffhanger. Hint: Kova and Adrianna are in major trouble.
Balance: A Forbidden Gymnastics Romance
Off Balance, Book 1
By: Lucia Franco
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett
Balance…the title doesn’t quite fit the story…at least not yet. I love taboo stories, and this one did not disappoint. From the beginning as I began to listen, I knew there was going to be a romance. We met Adrianna, with the sole focus of wanting to be a gymnast in the Olympics. With some pull from her father, a deal is struck and she is now training with the best. Kova is a two time Olympic champion, and he knows what it takes to get there. And getting involved with one of his trainees is not part of the program. Not only is it illegal, since Adrianna is underage, but it will destroy both of them. But the pull is so strong! I couldn’t decide as I listened if I loved these characters or hated them. The sign of a great book to me, since they are constantly on my mind and I need to keep listening to make the decision! Adrianna is a tough one to like. At first, I thought she is amazing, focused, a little bratty but good head on her shoulders. I thought the same of Kova at first. Driven for perfection, tough to get the result out of his students. Then things changed, and I thought…they know better than this…I kept going back and forth and honestly, I still am not sure! It’s full of steam, it’s enlightening to the exorbitant training and cost for the love of a sport and made me both cringe and smile. And interesting start to this series, only leaving it so I need to know what happens next!
Sarah Puckett brings it all to this book. With the story line, she needs to be young, naive, mature, sensual, frustrated and passionate…and that is just for Adrianna! Add in Kova, with his tough exterior and his Russian accent and she nails this performance. She is amazing in her ability to go from ages 16 to 32 flawlessly, giving attitudes to the teammates, and building the emotional story up to the very end.
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Honestly, I don’t even know where to start with this book. It will make you question your morals. But, if you are like me and love forbidden romance that absolutely pushes every moral boundary you thought you had, you will love this book.
Balance was my first book by Lucia Franco and she is one hell-of-a writer. I was completely engrossed by her story. She adds details effortlessly and her words are very enjoyable to read. Oh yea, she also writes the HOTTEST sex scenes I’ve ever read. You have been warned. This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Like I said, this book pushes boundaries. Balance is a forbidden romance with an age gap involving a minor.
Adrianna is 15 and has just started at World Cup Academy of Gymnastics. She’s moved three hours from home and will be living on her own. She’s hard at work trying to become an elite gymnast. Kova is Adrianna’s coach. He is also 32 years old. Kova is freaking gorgeous. As the two of them spend endless amounts of time training together things start to unfold.
I want to give nothing away about this book because I loved it that much and want you as a reader to have a chance to let this story unfold as you read it without any spoilers ruining it for you. But, I can say that this book is probably one of the best books I’ve read. Not only is it full of angst, forbidden love, sexy love scenes and a leading man that if pure hell fire. But, it’s also extremely well written.
You DON’T want to miss this sexy Russian in action. Trust me!
5 out of 5 stars!
This book is actually more than just 5 stars. It’s ALL the stars! Don’t pass this one up if you are a lover of Forbidden romance. WARNING: If you are someone who is triggered by underage sex and isn’t a fan of a relationship between a 32 year old man and a 15 year old girl this book won’t be fore you. Don’t let the age gap throw you off. This book is forbidden but it is beautifully written. Seriously, don’t miss out on this one!
Lucia kept you on your toes and made you feel as if you were a part of this book. Reading it I could smell the chalk in the air of the gym, feel the pounding of Rias heart, feel her desire. This book is filled with angst, forbidden attraction and keeps you wanting more!
Have you ever read a book that you just couldn’t get out of your head no matter how many days, weeks and months passed? Balance is that book for me. I guess you could say I have a really bad book hangover. #NoRegrets
It’s been months since I read Balance and I still can’t stop thinking about Adrianna and Kova. They are on my mind constantly, because their story is unlike anything I have ever read. It’s taboo AF and it will make you question your morals every step of the way, but no matter how many lines it crosses, you will not want to put it down. If you’re anything like me, you may not even want to sleep just so you can keep reading it. Who needs sleep anyways? Sleep is for the weak. 😛
I went into Balance pretty much blind and honestly, I think it’s the best way to go into Balance so you don’t go into it with preconceived notions. If anything, go into it with an open mind, because your morals will be tested, and what you once thought was wrong, may not seem so wrong after you read Balance.
I knew full well that Balance was a taboo novel when I started reading it, but I had no idea just how far it surpassed the lines of what is morally wrong and right.
Kova is Adrianna’s gymnastics coach, and he is not only older than her, but he is also an old friend of her dad’s. I knew none of this going into it, so you can imagine my surprise when I not only learned just how far back Kova and Adrianna’s dad go, but also the age gap that exists between Adrianna and Kova.
I’m really glad I went into Balance knowing none of this, because it completely took me by surprise when I learned how much older Kova was than Adrianna. I think that if I had known Adrianna and Kova’s age gap before starting Balance I would have been put off by it and not have read Balance at all, because I honestly would have thought it was wrong and just passed it up. But when you don’t know any of those details and go into the story with an open mind and start to get to know the characters and see the relationship that starts to develop between them as Kova coaches Adrianna, you start feeling like age doesn’t matter.
Does age matter? Most people say no. They also say that in love there is no age, but I never agreed with this. Not until I read Balance.
Adrianna and Kova have really made me start to question what I have believed for years. I don’t even know what to think anymore. I know that what they have is wrong, but how can something so wrong be so right?!
Adrianna and Kova’s relationship is the epitome of taboo. It’s so taboo I felt guilty reading it, because I knew it was wrong on so many levels, but at the same time I enjoyed reading their story. That alone made me feel even more guilty, but not even that could stop me from devouring Balance. I’ll admit that there were times where I felt like I needed to be doused in holy water, because Balance is without a doubt the most taboo story I have ever read, and the fact that I actually liked reading it made me feel really guilty, but I couldn’t help it. It was that good! I could not for the life of me get enough of Adrianna and Kova.
What Adrianna and Kova have is so much more than just simple attraction or lust. It’s something they have only with each other and no one else. What they have is simply indescribable. They bring out the best in each other and at times, even the worst, but I love them together just the same, and could not imagine them being with anyone else. They belong together. I know some readers don’t agree with this, but I’m all for #TeamKova.
I have no idea where Lucia Franco is going to take this story in the next novel, Execution, but I am excited to see what she does with Kova and Adrianna, and cannot, and I mean cannot wait for the next installment!
I hope everyone out there takes a chance on Balance! Adrianna and Kova’s story will make you question right and wrong, and at times it may even make you feel guilty like it did me, but once you see how great they are together you will not want to put Balance down. It is that addicting!
What are you waiting for?! You need Adrianna and Kova in your life! Go and buy your copy now!
I give Balance 6 out of 5 stars because it’s just one of those books I can’t stop thinking about no matter how much time goes by! I highly recommend it to everyone out there looking for a forbidden romance that will make you question everything, including your own name. 😉
Where do you begin with a book that has been put into,A sports coming of age bracket, and you have no idea why, All across social media sites I have seen bloggers raving about this book, so I took the plunge and bought it, DAMN I REALLY WISH I HADN’T.
LET ME SAY NOW UPFRONT I HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM TABOO BOOKS, I TAKE EACH BOOK AND READ IT AT IT’S OWN MERIT, I ALSO HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH OLDER MAN/YOUNGER WOMAN BOOKS OR OLDER WOMAN/YOUNGER MAN. THIS BOOK FOR ME WAS NONE OF THESE.
First of all This 600 page book ends on a cliffhanger ( I HATE CLIFF HANGERS) lately more and more books are ending on cliff hangers just NOOOOOOOOO, Some of my favorite authors are also getting on the band wagon. I refuse to buy the book but as a blogger by the time I get round to reading it, the reviews are no good so I tend to wait, my money and time are better spent on other books that I can actually finish. I’m not saying I won’t read them but I will wait until they are all out.
I have no problem with them been in a series, as they are usually individual stories attached to the same series. I just really hate it when a book abruptly ends and your sitting there thinking ‘WTF’. I want to know what happens but instead I have to wait until how ever long it is before the next one comes out. I usually forget and either have to re-read the first or don’t bother, or far worse still, I find out the first was not as good as I thought. Which then sours my reaction to the next.
Getting back to this particular book. “Balance” is a story about Adrianna Rossi, a very innocent, very naive 15-year-old gymnast her one and only goal/dream is to compete at the upcoming Olympics. To make that dream a reality, with the help of her father she transfers to “World Cup Academy of Gymnastics” to train under a 32-year-old, two-time Olympic gold medalist, Konstantin Kournakova, otherwise known as Kova. I’d seen all the great reviews flying over my Facebook page and how fantastic it was, you have to get this book was the general census been shouted out A MUST READ, so I took the plunge and bought it.
Let me get this out of the way. There is an age gap. Adrianna is 15 and Kova is 32 and they have sex. ( I have no idea what the age limits in other countries are but in the UK it is 16 and he would have been prosecuted.) I was extremely uncomfortable with that, regardless of anything else to do with the story, he had a position of a tutor and she technically was a child, and which ever way you cut it, that is an abuse of power, for me this book gives out a GROOMING ELEMENT to the book. At this stage I am starting to question if in fact I had the right book, because everyone and his mother has been shouting out how good this book is or how much they all want this KOVA !! NO JUST NO, he is a creep who used his position to take advantage of a young girl !!! GIRL NOT WOMAN ! Not only does this ‘Kova’ cheat on the girlfriend, he intents to marry, he actually tells this poor girl, that he’s heading home to have sex with his girlfriend right after they have sex. ‘WTF’ She is a kid, He often brings up his girlfriend and their sex life when speaking to her. So if any of that bothers you, my advice skip this book. I was not fine with the age gap simply because she was ’15’ hardly the age of consent and true understanding, also cheating in a book is awful, I read to escape and yes I know life is not all unicorns and rainbows. but after reading so many others raving about this book I was not expecting this. I didn’t like it. I normally have no problem with older man younger woman stories but for me this wasn’t that, and as a victim of abuse I found it very distasteful. This was done in a way that actually made me feel unclean. It was real sleazy. On top of all that, I was not good with her first day of training it went something like this, (After her first day of training at her new gym, Adrianna couldn’t help but to notice that all though she was good fantastic in fact, she didn’t quite measure up to that of the other female gymnasts in her age bracket)something her new coach KOVA seems to take great delight tormenting her with, as evidenced by this distasteful way in which he commented.
“Had I evaluated you before you came, without a doubt, I would have turned you away from the elite program. But your father made a generous donation to have our café funded, which allows you to be here. So here you are.”
What an absolute shit head way to inspire confidence in a young girl, Yes I know it’s the OLYMPICS. But all the same !!!!!!!!!!
After reading all these rave reviews, I actually thought it was going to be a corker of a book, I should have waited for more honest reviews, because they are coming out now. I am not alone in thinking this is a ABUSE !! I will say without a shadow of a doubt that the supposed star of the book ‘KOVA’ is actually a user and an abuser. I had a major problem that I did not connect emotionally to any of the story except to shudder, there was more connection between Adrianna and Hayden, than with that horrid KOVA !!
I’m not interested in seeing what happens next so I will not be picking up the next book once it is released.
I wish I would have known ahead of time that someone on the blogger circuit had put up a better review because I would have avoided it all together, abuse, cheating a total creep of a so called hero, I don’t think so. The only good part for me was I really liked the secondary character Hayden .
I have read Taboo books and had no problem with them, but this nope nothing doing, not interested in finding out what happens
Abuse is abuse however way you fancy it up, and for me this is it. However this is my opinion alone, Will it stop me from reading any more of this authors works hell no, I have favorite authors who have put out dire books but still with them, this is how I feel about this particular book.
Lucia Franco, a name I’ve seen over and over but hadn’t indulged in. Now, of course, I am kicking myself. Her writing is superb. I know she pushed the boundaries with the initial release of this book and to be able to continue to be successful with it she had to make changes. I understand her reasons for doing it, but still believe that the fact this is called a taboo book, she shouldn’t have had to do it. But, one must appease the masses.
Adrianna, Anna, Ria, whatever you wanna call her, I love her. She is no dummy. She may have been raised a certain way but when you see what she isn’t afraid to do later on in the book, you will think the same. She’s human, and honestly regardless of our age, there comes a point in our life that we want to experiment, we feel things we aren’t too sure of, and one can’t help the person we become pulled to and attracted to.
Kova, oh man, the sexy older, ex- Russian gymnast. Swoon. Yup he’s a butt, but he’s also a man that has given into temptation.
I will not place all the fault and blame on Kova. After reading the story, Adrianna knew what she wanted and what she was doing. And guess what people, this is real freaking life. Regardless of age, things happen, it’s not always predatory or grooming. Sometimes feelings can’t be helped. And that’s what I will walk away with from this story.
Love the way it was written, look forward to reading more and seeing how things progress.
Sarah Puckett did an amazing job narrating this story. She played Adrianna perfectly and was perfect with her accent so we knew when Kova was speaking.
Audio ARC received and I decided to leave an honest review.
Lucia Franco tests boundaries and examines forbidden/taboo subjects in this marvelously decadent and delicious book. I went on such an emotional roller coaster listening to this awesome audiobook. Heart wrenching and sizzling, I immensly enjoyed this real and raw story full of passion, lust, want, need, love and hate. I am left breathless and aching for more. She completely blew me away with Kova and Ria’s story.
The writing is STELLAR. The storytelling is outstanding. I read the 2016 edition of this book and listened to the 2021 audiobook. Thank you Lucia for your perserverance and staying true to your story despite the horrendous censorship.
Sarah Puckett’s narration was absolute perfection…..enthralling, powerful and highly passionate.
Thank you @PinkFlamingoProductions @AudiobookObsession #TheFlock #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Kova and Adriana a taboo romance, brilliant writing, a great story, characters that you will simply love and enjoy, the world-building were good and I definitely need to read more by Lucia Franco. I got the audiobook version narrated by Sarah Puckett, she did a terrific job portraying the characters, her voice really made me feel the emotions, the editing was good and overall I totally recommend getting the audio, so good!
***AUDIOBOOK REVIEW***
Balance by Lucia Franco is one steamy listen!! This is my first book by this author and I’m vested now in this series!! This is a forbidden romance/age gap and wowzers is it hot hot hot!!
Adrianna Rossi is a gymnast with a dream of the Olympics who finds herself under the watch of a well respected coach Konstantin Kournakova after transferring in order to perfect her skill in gymnastics. Konstantin is also a friend of her fathers. A demanding coach, he produces champions and he’s determine not to fail…
This story blew my mind! Steamy AF and intriguing I enjoyed the student/coach dynamic.
Narration was great! I’m not typically a fan of single narration where one narrator tackles both male and female voice but this narrator did a great job. She nailed Kova’s accent and really brought all the characters to life.
5 star listen!!!
Wow Definitely taboo in the gymnast world.
I was so involved with this book and it filled me with so many different emotions. The book is very detailed in the writing and all of the characters are well defined and distinctive.
I want to hear more of all of them, especially Adrianna, Coach Kova and Hayden.
Lucia captures such realistic moments between Adrianna and her peers. As well as showcasing her budding friendship with Hayden. At times I was so disturbed by Kova’s treatment and conversations with Adrianna that I was shocked and wanted to throttle him yet Adrianna is so smitten with him and I really felt for her. The ending of this first book is jaw dropping and makes you want to dive into the next instalment right away. Hopefully it’s not long until we get the next audiobook.
This is taboo and while Adrianna is only 15 at the start, she turns 16 soon afterwards. She’s also very independent, self sufficient and used to taking care of herself. She consciously makes the decision to be with her older coach so please don’t read it if this premise bothers you. If you do enjoy dark taboo romance then you will be fully engaged by this book. If you read/listen going in, know it’s a dark age gap taboo story and don’t condemn them! after-all her parents are also very far apart in age so it isn’t unusual for her to be attracted to Kova.
Sarah Puckett is extraordinary in this audiobook and I’m in awe of that performance here. She plays the innocent Adrianna so wonderfully that you become her, feeling all of her emotions right along with her. And Sarah’s Russian accent as Coach Kova is superb, it’s like hearing another narrator doing all of the male characters and to me that is real acting. So if you fangirl hearing Sarah Puckett like I do, this audiobook will amaze you.
Can’t wait for more in this story. Definitely 5 huge stars. or headphones if you hear the audiobook like me.
#PinkFlamingoProductions
#TheFlock
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!
I first tried to read Balance back in 2017, and ended up DNFing it before the 5th chapter. I was seventeen at the time, and while I did read smutty romance back then, I didn’t read romance of this capacity and couldn’t handle it. Now that I’m twenty-one, a totally different person, I’m SO glad I didn’t read Balance when I was an emotionally fragile teenager. Balance is a lot. It’s a book that you have to be completely open-minded to read. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Lucia has since updated Adrianna’s age in the book to make it “less taboo” so it can be sold on Amazon, but I opted to purchase the original version of Balance off of Lucia’s website in which Adrianna is 15/16 throughout the duration of the story, and Kova is 32. I personally don’t think authors should be censored, so I wanted to read Lucia’s original work before it was banned.
In a quick summary, Balance is the first book in a series of five about a forbidden illicit affair between a 16 year old gymnast and her 32 year old coach. Adrianna Rossi has devoted her entire life to gymnastics, so she moves off on her own to train at an elite gym under the hand of former Olympic gymnast, Konstantin Kournakova. Long story short, despite their ages, Adrianna and Kova enter into a sexual relationship.
I have so many thoughts about Balance and spent all day writing down notes about how to write my review, because I feel like an in depth review is super important for this book. First off, the elephant in the room;
1. Adrianna is underage. When she and Kova start having sex, she’s sixteen and in Florida (where the unedited book takes place) the age of consent is eighteen. In the book, Adrianna talks with her best friend about the age of consent, and how Kova would be charged with statutory rape if they were caught. For me, this is where I have to remember that this is FICTION and continue reading. I think what helped me in this situation is that Lucia didn’t brush it under the rug and actually addressed it.
2. Kova is such an asshole. Like I’m talking MAJOR PRICK STATUS. A lot of times I can overlook stuff like that (I mean hello, give me all the high school bully romance) but sometimes it felt like Kova was being unnecessarily mean to Ria just because he could. I also didn’t particularly enjoy him cheating on Katja, but beggars can’t be choosers I guess.
3. I freaking hated that Kova treated the morning after pill like birth control!!! Like man up and wear a condom, my god! And the fact that it ended up hurting Ria and she took it AGAIN just to make him happy… MADE ME WANT TO PULL MY HAIR OUT
4. This is me being nitpicky, but the almost constant talk of food and how Ria basically starves herself to “not get fat” was rather triggering for me personally and I couldn’t wait for the story to end because of that. I hope it doesn’t continue in book two.
5. HAYDEN!! I loved Hayden so much and he was such a good friend to Ria from the very beginning. I lowkey rooting for him there at the end haha
I’m sure there’s stuff I’ve missed and I may come back and add to this review. I personally don’t view Balance as a romance book. That may change as I continue on with the series, but Balance is simply an affair. A forbidden, illicit affair. So far, there’s no love between our two characters. Lust? Sure. But love? Absolutely not. Kova has so far to go before he redeems himself even A LITTLE and Ria has a lot of growing up to do.
Overall, I did like this book enough to give it 4 stars. The plot was unique, the sex was hot, and Lucia’s knowledge of gymnastics kept me hooked! I love when an author writes about a sport they formerly played. I’m going to continue on with the series, but I’m going to take a break for awhile because this book was exhausting lol
5+ “RELAX FOR ME, MALYSH” STARS!!!
I remember that everything that usually makes people stay away from this series was what attracted me to this book the first time I read it in 2018. I wanted to wait for the series to be finished but I couldn’t resist, this book seemed to have everything I ever wanted but never found and I was so right. It was so worth it all the anxiety of waiting for the rest of their story. And what a story it is!!!
Balance. In this book we get to know Adrianna an aspiring Olympic gymnast who is determined to reach her goal and the only person who can truly help her at this point is Kova her new coach. This is the beginning of their tumultuous relationship.
Ria is such a determined girl, she set her mind in the Olympics and she will do whatever it takes to get there. The devotion she has for the sport is something else, she lives and breathes gymnastics. Her training is so hard because she is already behind at her age but she fights her mind and body and doesn’t give up. She has focus, ambition, strength and a weakness for the forbidden aka Kova.
Kova is such a hard-ass coach. He can be so mean to get his point across but he promised he would coach her and he did to the best of his abilities. He gets her dream and he believes in it and in her even though he doesn’t let it show. He is hot and cold, brooding, intense, possessive, mysterious, mean but sometimes sweet…basically my favorite type of hero.
Their relationship is extremely forbidden so it’s a struggle for both of them to understand their feelings. That made for a perfect slow burn that always left me wanting more till they came together in an explosion of fireworks and I was so not ready for it. Those two have so much chemistry and they are fire together. This book builds and builds and then we get to that ending and my reaction is no way, no, nope, I don’t accept it lol. Lucia really knows how to write an ending that leaves you needing to jump into the next one straight away, that’s all I’m going to say.
I have to say after all of the uproar that went on with this book awhile ago, I was hesitant to read. After having read Balance, this just goes to show why you should experience something first and have the facts before you make a judgment, which I should have already known but this just solidified it. Also, my review is based off of the originally published book, not the revised version.
I loved this book way more than I anticipated I would. I love taboo reads, but have never read one quite like this. Kova and Adriana’s relationship is definitely one of the more taboo, what with her age and then the fact that he is her coach. This book is meant to make you feel all the things, including feeling uncomfortable at times, which I did.
Kova and Andriana had me going back and forth between feeling this is so wrong, but then rooting for them. My emotions were such a mess throughout this book. And if you like your hero’s, or anti-heroe’s, to be the grumpy asshole kind? You’ve found your man in Kova. I wanted to reach through the pages and throttle this man so many times.
The relationship between these two was frustrating as hell, it was uncomfortable in the testing your moral boundaries type of way, and it was quite possibly the hottest relationship I’ve ever read. Lucia Franco has a talent for writing some hot as hell love scenes, that’s for sure.
Balance for sure tests your boundaries of what’s right and wrong. But there is just something about Kova and Adriana, maybe it’s the magnetism between them, but you just can’t help but be sucked into their orbit.
If you love taboo but are still on the fence about this series, I recommend giving it a chance. I never thought that I would like it so much, and I’m aware it won’t be for everyone, but you won’t know unless you give it a chance.
BALANCE is the first book in the Off Balance series by Lucia Franco. This book/series follows an aspiring gymnast as she delves into a consensual (albeit forbidden) romance with her coach. There are a total of 5 books in this series and they all must be read in order. I look forward to reading the next one as this one ended in quite the cliffhanger!
Balance is a good book even though I only rated it 3 stars. There were definitely a few things that I didn’t like about this one, but I have a feeling the series is going to get better as it progresses which is why I’ll be purchasing the next on immediately. There’s just something about a forbidden romance like this one that intrigues me! I know there will be a few readers who dislike it BECAUSE of the underage sex (and the age gap between the two!), but I enjoy the fictional aspects of it because its an escape and something DIFFERENT from what I tend to read. So, heed my warnings; if you don’t like books where the forbidden romance involves underage but consensual sex then don’t read this one! If you can keep an open mind and enjoy the slightly taboo nature of the story, then I definitely recommend picking it up!
Adrianna Rossi is a 16-year-old gymnast who is looking to improve her skills so that one day she can go to the Olympics. In order to do this though she needs to go out of state to an elite gym where she will live and breath everything gymnastics. The work is grueling and the competition intense, but Adrianna’s dreams are coming alive. The only thing standing in her way is her incorrigible coach who knows how to get under her skin….
Coach Kova also lives and breaths gymnastics. After going into the Olympics, himself, and winning medals of his own he wants to help others train to meet their goals. But one girl is about to change everything for him. Who knows what will happen if one little touch or one little kiss gets out?
Readers will see as they dive into this intense and sizzling romance novel.
I love a forbidden romance. Give me all things age gap and all things taboo and I’ll read the heck out of it! This one is even MORE FORBIDDEN then others that I have read because the sexual encounters occur when she is UNDERAGE. I know many will be sickened by this but it’s their relationship that makes the series so INTRIGUING. I can’t wait to see what happens as their relationship explodes!
The sex scenes are on point! Lucia knows how to write a sizzling scene (or rather, many of them). This one is hardcore and HOT.
I liked how complex the characters were. While I wish their stories felt a little more authentic (more on that below) you could see their wavering emotions and fears.
This book is a part of a longer series. I love book series, especially those that follow one main couple! This is the first in a series just like that!
I never felt the initial chemistry. We’re TOLD that they slowly developed intense feelings for one another due to their close proximity for hours on end, but we never really see the buildup. It almost felt like they knew each other only for a few hours before they started their relationship which isn’t even the case. I wish the buildup were more apparent.
This book is overly long for the content presented. Had the author focused on their angsty relationship and the buildup of feelings rather than every other page of sex scenes we could have had a shorter book that felt authentic.
I disliked all the gymnastics talk . I know I KNOW this is a book about a gymnast and I appreciate the time and effort the author put into studying all that it entails but I felt bored reading so much about it. Instead of learning about how to perform the gymnastics (and I’m not kidding, it was DETAILED on how to do some of these tricks and tumbles) I personally would have preferred a little less detail on this and more focus on the relationship that was developing. I’m not saying to get rid of the gymnastics talk completely (that would take away from the setting and reasoning behind them being together) but a little less detail on that would have worked just as good.
Balance is an enthralling and forbidden read that seasoned readers who enjoy a little kink, and a lot of taboo will love. While the story needs a little bit more for me as a reader when it comes to chemistry and authenticity, it’s still a good read. I look forward to continuing on in the series and seeing what happens next!
:
Kova and Ria will always be my favorites!
Steam: 5/5
“You are my greatest weakness. From the moment I set eyes on you, I have been fighting my attraction.”
This was my first read from this author and I can already tell that she has worked her way into my favorite authors of all time list.
This book is full of forbidden love, chemistry and passion. Passion not only for each other but both have a passion for their craft.
Lucia will definitely break me with this series!
I absolutely loved this book/series and it all started with Balance. Lucia perfectly and effectively describes what it’s like to be an athlete. To live, breathe, and bleed for something that the burn to achieve your end goal is all consuming.
The relationship between Kova and Ria, is not something that comes over night. The build up is gradual so that you feel the overwhelming desire for them to be together. I loved that dirty talking deliciously sexy man. The sex scenes between them are beyond hot and realistic.
Let’s talk the taboo. To me the only Taboo topic is the student/teacher dynamic and yes in the world of gymnastics and the current environment it hits you right in the gut. However, it should not be confused with the violation and rape that countless gymnast endured by their trainer. The age difference didn’t factor to me. I am surrounded by countless relationships with various differing age difference. Let’s get honest for a second age gaps where a non factor to our grandparents and great parents. It is a modern society stigma. Would you condemn your grandparents and in turn pass judgment on yourself and where you came from? I surely can’t condemn my great- grandmother when she was married and had her first child at 14. Her husband was 26.
This is a love story, pure, gritty, and raw the way love is. The characters aren’t perfect. They cheat. They cross boundaries. They are human.
I read for the pure enjoyment and escapism of it all. Every time I crack open the off balance series I get all the feels and all the emotions the author poured into that series.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Steamy, sexy, angsty, taboo-y goodness.
This book has so much angst and steam you’ll need a cold shower often.
I like the story even if the underage thing gave me anxiety . It was just too good though!
Can’t wait to dig into book 2! #audiobookobsession