The move to World Cup Academy of Gymnastics is the greatest challenge Adrianna has encountered. Punished for Coach Kova’s overwhelming desires, she’s reeling with resentment while she sits out the first meet of the season. As Adrianna fights to regain her focus, he pushes her body to the extreme, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted. Kova underestimates Adrianna’s endurance, and … and gravitates more toward her, despite his internal battle raging within to stay away. They try to disentangle themselves, but the tension between coach and gymnast mounts, engulfing them both in a forbidden world of deception and passion.
The one place where they should never feel alive, is where they find complete absolution. But one slip, one wrong landing, a missed grip, and everything they built can come tumbling down, damaging both their professional and personal lives.
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I wish I could give more than 5 stars!!!!! Execution was my most awaited release of 2018. And OMG! Lucia Franco sure delivered! I devoured page after page, living the story with Kova and Ria. I felt the drop in my stomach, the palpitations in my heart. I felt like I was on the floor in the gym while Ria competed, in the room while they were together. I can’t express in words how awesome this book was!! Twists and turns kept me on edge . The sexy alpha who made me want to kick him in his balls one minute and then swoon over him the next. The strength of Ria inside and outside of gymnastics. The supporting characters who gave that extra girth to the story. This is a must read. I feel like I will be stuck in a book hangover for a while with this one! Can’t wait for Release and Dismount!
This book was just wow. I have no words to explain how amazing this book was seriously Lucia blew me away with this one. So many emotions and so many feelings going on as I finished this book. It was hot, it was angsty and it was just everything, seriously blown away and can’t get this book out of my mind. I already want to re-read this book, it’s definitely going to be one of my favorite reads this year and I was hooked, couldn’t sleep or eat or anything until I finished this book. Can’t wait for more words from this author.
Kova is born in the wrong generation, he is supposedly born in the bodice-ripper era and time-travelled to modern era because he earns 100-points just by existing! Kova needs one swift kick on the butt by Adriana to stop torturing with his “we shouldn’t do this”!
This book is such an emotional- tragic mess. Each person – Adriana’s parents, her brother, her best friend, her team mates has secrets and I think Adriana’s mom is the only person without secrets and is saving everyone’s ass. Also we experience the mothers vindictive-selfish-cruel-bitch self here. I’m so mad at Kova, I doubt he is the hero because of the great mess he created. I’m very curious how he is getting out of this.
I’m glad I waited for the series to complete. I have the next book downloaded and there is no commercial adds in between the next book except chores.
Adrianna and Kova’s story continues in this highly anticipated follow up to Balance, the first book in the Off Balance series…
I have this feeling that Lucia Franco is on a mission to slowly destroy her readers hearts one story at a time with her addictively captivating forbidden romance series that will capture you whole body and soul.
Ever since devouring Balance a few weeks ago…thank goodness I waited to read the first book until closer to the release of Execution because otherwise I would have died a slow and painful death…I have been on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the next book. That cliffhanger at the end had me in a fit of emotions and it certainly did not prepare me for the never ending twists and turns that were thrown our way in Execution. One second I think I finally have things figured out and then BAM…you have no clue what’s going to happen next!
Oh and let’s not forget the fact that my kindle decided to die at the 48% mark and I was left waiting for that dang thing to recharge for what felt like hours. I mean COME ON it was right at a good part too, but at least it gave me time to do a little adulting before I jumped back in. TRUST ME when I say that this is the kind of book that you need to clear your entire schedule for because there is no way you are going to want to put it down.
Execution is the kind of story that will test your limits and have you second guessing which team you are on and as many times as I wanted to slap some sense into him, there is not doubt in my mind that I am still and forever will be TEAM KOVA…although we are currently in a disagreement that I am praying will be resolved in Release, which is schedule to hit our devices on September 24! Let’s just hope that I can wait that long without going CRAZY…oops TOO LATE!
Someone once told me I was a glutton for punishment. They weren’t wrong. This book was torture to my emotions. But, the good kind of torture. Ria and Kova’s story continues in the second installment of the Off Balance series and it’s even better than the first book. Going into Execution I didn’t expect to like it as much as the first one and I was quite shocked to find out that I liked Execution even more than Balance.
Lucia Franco’s writing is fantastic. Like I said in my review for Balance, this woman knows how to write a love scene. Her words put you into the story. You are right there with Kova and Ria. It’s pure book magic! I know I like to mention book magic a lot here in my reviews, but, some writers just have that ability to grab you and take you right into their stories. Lucia is one of those writers.
This books starts exactly where Balance leaves off and takes you on an even bigger nail-biting journey than the first book. Lots of tension. Lots of angst. Of course, lots of hot, steamy scenes (this book has even better ones than the last one) with Kova. What I love about this books is as the characters are questioning their morals over being together that you as the reader will do the same. Is it wrong for Kova and Ria to be together? Am I a bad person for wanting them to end up together? It makes for a VERY interesting reading experience. A quite enjoyable one at that. I don’t want to give anything away about this book so I don’t want to go into too much detail. All I’m going to say is that if you liked the first book you will LOVE Execution!
5 out of 5 stars
Just like Balance, if there were more stars I would give them ALL to this book. It will grab you and pull you in. Break your heart and piss you off all while making you lust after Kova. It’s the greatest kind of torture! WARNING: this book contains a relationship with a grown man and a minor. If that is something you can’t stomach then this book is not for you. Don’t miss out on this one guys! It freaking amazing!!
Rating 5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 4/5
Character Development 5/5
“Execution” is the second book in the Off Balance series by Lucia Franco. This book continues the story of Adrianna Rossi and Konstantin “Kova” Kournakova. We start off right after the devastating cliffhanger from “Balance” (book 1). The relationship between Adrianna and Kova has become even more intense and “Execution” is filled with many more emotional and overwhelming moments of vulnerability and love. Adrianna continues her journey to become an Olympic athlete while also battling her strong feelings towards Kova. Although Kova’s relationship with his childhood girlfriend Katja has evolved, Kova has a difficult time denying his feelings for Adrianna.
I loved this book as much as I loved book 1! The characters continue to shine and the plot continues to grow with intense and overwhelming moments that will keep you reading until the very end. With yet another cliffhanger, you already know I’m going to be reading “Release” (book 3) next!
I don’t even know how to review this damn book.
I’ll be honest, I was a little on the fence about this series after reading Balance. When I read Balance, I read the original version where Ria is fifteen. I had a few issues with Balance, as I said in my review, and ended up buying the “safe” version of Execution for this reason. Ria being older, even if just a couple years, was a game changer for me!
I’m absolutely obsessed with Kova and Ria, even if I want to punch both of them in the face 25/8. This book is so frustratingly captivating. It was all-consuming and I couldn’t put it down.
I still had a few issues, again being the treating Plan B like birth control, and how little Ria seems to care about her health. There is also the HUGE elephant in the room being Kova having sex/taking videos of Ria after giving her a sleeping pill without her knowledge, and Ria voicing that she would “rather be awake” next time. That was my biggest issue with this book. I feel like there are multiple moments where Ria tells Kova no or doesn’t consent, yet he basically forces himself on her. Those scenes are my biggest issue. I think Ria has a lot of maturing to go and Kova is just… Kova. He’s annoyingly captivating.
I really did enjoy this read though, much more than Balance. I’m literally obsessed now and can’t read the next book fast enough
Please note this is a 5 book series and you must read the first book; Balance, before reading this sequel.
*This review contains spoilers from Balance (book 1)*
This story picks up right where Balance left off. Hayden just caught Kova & Ria in a position they shouldn’t have been in, and after the betrayal of Kova pulling Ria out of the Meet Competition, Ria is left emotionally exhausted. Her first goal is calming down Hayden & making sure he doesn’t report what he saw. Hayden is a good friend, you can tell he has a big crush on Ria & would do anything for her, & he does just that in agreeing to stay quiet. Until Kova shows up on her door step begging to be forgiven & to understand why he has done what he has done.
Jump forward a couple of weeks of healing & space between Kova & Ria, Ria starts to appreciate Kova as a coach only & continues to concentrate on gymnastics being her goal & passion. Unfortunately her body has other ideas, when it comes to injury & reacting to Kova.
Ria faces a lot of challenges in this book. She continues to feel like she can’t stop making mistakes, & finds herself fighting with not just her mum but her best friend too. (I personally do not like Avery & think she is a bad friend), however you can tell Ria is lonely & of course Kova is there for her.
Until an unexpected bomb is dropped on her, leaving the 2nd book with a heartbreaking cliffhanger.
I am so addicted to this series! 5/5 stars with 3/5 steam.
5+ “FORBIDDEN CHEMISTRY” STAR!!!
Execution. Ugh, after Balance’s ending I started this book mad at Kova and I finished feeling the same way!!! lol. I inhaled this book like I did the first one, there’s just something about these books that I literally can’t look away from, I need to know what will happen next every time, even in my re reads when I already know it.
This book was even more intense, angsty and steamy (hello phone scene *wink, wink*) than the first one. There’s just so much going on with training and with their relationship. All the twists kept me at the edge of my seat not knowing what would happen next and Lucia really surprised me a bunch of times in this one.
I love Kova and Ria but OMG are they frustrating!!! Kova with all his secrets and inability to communicate and Ria with all her recklessness when it comes to her health. Both have so many flaws but I’m incapable of staying mad at them for too long. I just feel for them. I see their struggle, their doubt, their desire and insecurity. They went through so much in this book and I was here for the crazy and intense ride.
However, what I was not here for what that ending. Come on Lucia!!! Way to kill my mood after all those amazing and steamy scenes lol. I think in the whole series this was the moment I was the maddest with Kova, I could literally kill him at this point and then the freaking end *cry*. Lucia is an evil genius, that’s all I’m going to say.
We were a team, he had said. I exhale, and you inhale.
When I mentioned in my last review that Franco would break me with this series, I did not understand the truth behind that statement.
Kova and Ria push the boundaries like no other and you will be binging the heck out of this series.
Franco writes her words so that every ounce of emotion is felt as if the reader was experiencing it themselves.
PSA: Tissues, wine, and a solid wall to chuck your kindle to being mandatory accompaniments while reading!
Firstly, the writing is good and her buildup of angst and gutwrenches is spot on.
******************Spoiler-ish review*********************
“Любовь не то, что вы можете понять, это то, что вы чувствуете в своем сердце. Нет слов, это просто так.
“Lyubov’ ne to, chto vy mozhete ponyat…”
“Love is not what you can understand, it’s what you feel in your heart.”
“No words, it’s just that”
A painful story of hurtful love where the young innocent girl falls for a damaging man again and again and all he can say is
“Pozhalyusta prosti, menya,”
Please forgive me, I’m sorry
While the sentiment is beautiful, the story is infuriatingly frustrating. it’s pitiful to see a young life being destroyed by debilitating & forbidden love. I had a strong urge to somehow pierce the Love Bubble Adrianna was trapped in, but she wasn’t listening to her well wishers and her Executioner himself, there’s a fat chance she’d listen to a reader
I am not a Kova fan so let the brickbats from #KovaLovers begin !
Having said that,he suits the story perfectly because he’s a quintessential asshole alpha who hides behind professional facade yet messes up with naive Adrianna’s heart, every chance he gets. The young girl is an aspiring Olympic Gymnast. Her body takes battering of the worst kind when training and her heart suffers innumerable blows in this book.
Kova doesn’t help the matter , in fact one of the blows, or should I say the hardest blow, was delivered by him.
His job was to catch me if I fell. Not sweep the rug out from under my feet and watch me hit the ground.
but guess what? he’s still mishandling her and throwing off her Balance with his Bipolar moods
Book 1 had me fuming at Adrianna’s Naivétè & stupidity and Kova’s insensitivity.
Glad to know nothing has changed in book 2! They’re still wearing those crowns firmly.
It’s a song I’ve hear before
” I can’t stand you”
“I’m enamoured by you”
“I hate you”
“I love you”
On. Repeat !
Here’s the thing, I actually felt sorry for Adrianna, cause she’s just an impressionable 18 year old, all starry eyed at her handsome as devil coach, who’s the essential role model for her. They speak the same language, they understand gymnastics, they’re both driven by ambition and they understand dedication and discipline required to get into Olympics better than regular folks, so it’s like finding your soulmate, only he’s forbidden !!
This is why we clicked so well. He more than anyone understood my drive and determination . The need to succeed in the sport , not just because I wanted to be on top, but because I hungered for it, craved it.
The girl doesn’t know any better and the man is driven by lust, at least that’s what came across!
Kova was my strength, but I was his weakness.
A weakness he worked on to improve and make resilient.
A strength that I drew from.
They’re comrade-in-arms on opposite sides of the field !
Ahhh, I wanted to strangle Kova for destroying the poor girl, before she even started in life.
The secondary characters are simply awesome !!
I was loving Hayden and Avery so much. They’re the soundest pair of besties anybody could have or should have in their lives and they CONSTANTLY had Ria’s back, gave her advice, hell warned her all the time, but I guess Aid’s brain was in a lusty haze emitted by Kova…tsk…tsk!
“What is wrong with you? It’s like you have Lucifer on both of your shoulders cheering you on. The louder he gets, the dumber you get.”
“Ria, it doesn’t just happen.” She scolded me as if I were a small child. “We’ve gone over this, you can’t just fall onto a dick.”
Or Hayden
“Are you fucking kidding me?”!!
“Damn straight you weren’t thinking.”!!
“Un-fucking-real.”!!
“I’m going to fucking kill him,”
“Do not have sex with him again. Please,”
After Keira from thoughtless series, Adrianna is the next heroine who’s really stubbornly frustrating for me. She’s just so in love , she starts to blame HERSELF for his Faults!!!
Un-fucking-believable!!
I was disgusting. I was literally the reason why he acted the way he did.
I really pitied her at this point, a girl who lost everything, how is she still standing !
So in conclusion, I may have not liked Kova much, I urge you all to go read this book, it’s eagerly awaited sequel to Balance, its a dream for Kova Lovers or #TeamKova .
Two scenes had me like WTF !
The scene in his office and the ice therapy scene after her rigorous training. *SSMH*
I need to mention something, with this being a hefty book, the story didn’t progress much from Balance, they’re still stuck in a quagmire of indecision and Lustful desperation. Except for bombshells that destroy Aidrianna in the last 20%, the initial 80% is a detailed account of Gymnastics and meets. Maybe it’s a deliberate attempt to heighten the angst and showcase the hopeless love, if it was; it worked.
The angst factor of the story is a gauge breaker. infinite heart breaks and tears saturate the plot. A perfect read for people who love slow burns.
I’ll wait to read Release because I really wanna know what the doctors’ prognosis is, cause the end kinda left me hanging !!!
4 Hangry stars
This book is very taboo, but it is still a heartbreaking romancing when all is said and done. Although I don’t agree with the age difference at all, this is fictional and can just pretend that she is older. I have enjoyed both the first book and this one and can only hope that the next will be approved for audio in the future.
The obsession continues in Execution.
Book 2 of 5
I don’t know why, but to me Kova and Ria’s relationship felt even more forbidden in Execution. More aspects as to why these two shouldn’t be together begin to arise. Ria is trying to come to terms with the betrayal and disappoint she is feeling after Kova’s decision at the end of Balance.
Execution gives us more of a look into Ria’s family life and the dynamics that entails. There is quite a lot of drama on a family level thrown at Ria in this book.
She begins to develop more of a friendship with Hayden and other fellow gymnast. Once again Lucia brings back all the devotion and drive for success, Ria has for gymnastics in this book. Serious workout motivation!
Kova and Ria together are even more sexy and combustable than before. The emotion, attraction and need they have for one another is deeply rooted in Execution whereas Balance is a beginning of their exploration.
That cliffhanger was just plain cruel.
Before you start Execution you must read Balance. This continues with Adrianna finding out Kova has not put her in the upcoming competition she’s been training so hard for and Ria and Kova were caught in the act.
You’ll get to know Hayden a bit more in this book and how strong his friendship is with Adrianna and he actually likes her. Is Kova playing mind games? Hopefully we’ll find out soon.
Adrianna’s life seems to be down spiraling. She finds out family secrets and a huge one about herself along with a huge betrayal from Kova, and from her best friend. She feels like her whole life has been a lie and she doesn’t have anyone to turn to.
The last two weeks have just been incredible!! I can’t even describe the euphoria that has set in my heart and soul. All because a little TABOO book series! These books have given me the biggest book high of my life. I am in love with the Off Balance Series by Lucia Franco. Each book is just MAGNIFICENT, AWE-INSPIRING, SENSATIONAL and EXECUTED so perfectly. This series is everything I LOVE about books and why I LOVE reading. I can’t get enough Kova and Ria. Execution was so intense and I feel it took me forever to read it. I had to stop several times to let my heart slow down and catch my breath. BEST. FEELING. EVER. I AM SO OBSESSED RIGHT NOW! .
. .
“We are a team—I exhale, you inhale. We fight together. We work together. It is an amazing feeling when you find someone who shares the same passion as you. The possibilities are endless. I am the beast beneath your beauty, pushing you. From here on out, we do it together. You come to me for anything and I will do everything in my power to make it happen.” LUCIA FRANCO Execution
Wow. I think I’ve said word in my head for most of this book. Lucia Franco turns up the angst-meter to 11o percent with this 2nd book in the Off Balance series. And now I’m getting to understand why she named it Off Balance since that’s how I’m feeling. This unconventional romance has enormous highs and just as devastating lows. I have no doubt the depth of both Kova and Adrianna’s love for the other but there are an almost ridiculous number of hurdles that would’ve and should’ve keep them from pursuing more. But they keep on and I’m honestly floored at their drive, both in and out of the bedroom.
With the backdrop of the grueling world that is gymnastics, both Kova and Adrianna are always reaching for more no matter what the cost. I have to admit I have enjoyed learning more about the sport, although there were a few times that I skimmed a few of the more lengthy descriptions. But it’s that determination that draws them both closer together and even a bit more apart as their lives start to go in different directions.
With jaw-dropping revelations that could truly put Adrianna in one heck of a tail-spin, I will be diving into book 3 with my heart in my throat as she feels betrayed by way too many people. Those who should have had her back and failed her. Hayden, though, continues to be a bright spot and I can only hope he gets to shine more as the series goes forward.
This is story packed full of emotion that is almost too much to take at times. But the writing is quite good and I’ll be with Kova and Adrianna to the end, no doubt about it. I couldn’t stop now if I tried.
Well worth your time, Execution is worthy of a solid 4 stars!
This book is even more intense, steamy and emotional than the last one. I just want to protect Ria and give her a hug. This book makes me hate but also love Kova… I’ve read the entire series but I can’t lie, Kova is still one of my absolute favourite book boyfriends. The chemistry, passion and sex between Kova and Ria is just electric and so GAH! It’ll leave you squirming hehe. Execution is suspenseful, action packed, steamy, emotional, romantic, an emotional roller coaster and has so many moments that will make you gasp with shock. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book and this series!!
Things are gettin cray cray in this series man!
I enjoyed this book way more than Book 1 if we’re being honest. I kind of knew it would happen with this series, since there are several books and the story obviously gets more intense and dramatic as it goes on in the series. Again there were moments I found to be a bit unnecessary in this book, like a lot of tedious details and conversations, but I have no problem overlooking it for the ultimate storyline.
The Kova and Ria scenes in this book were HAWT. Like super steamy and deliciously forbidden. Because I’m a huge sap, I love when the alpha asshole guy starts dropping his guard and getting all cuddly and whatnot. Especially Kova. It’s a great look on him lol.
HOWEVER, it frustrates me to NO END the whole Kova and Katja thing, which, yes, I realize is the point. And the frustration is good because it’s building toward something. I just think whatever it is will blow up soon, in the next two books. I can feel it like the rumble before a volcano erupts.
Ria clearly grew up and wised up a bit more in this book, though sometimes she was still so hard-headed it made me want to wring her neck. Like, when it comes to taking care of herself and resting … It just annoyed the crap out of me that she wouldn’t listen to anyone. And I already have a sneaking suspicion this will all catch up with her soon. I was so glad when she dominated her meets, it felt like a weight off for me lol. Now I’m really scared something bad is going to happen to her. Eeek!
Speaking of the drama, I knew from THE JUMP exactly what Avery was hiding. I felt like it was sooo obvious and it annoyed me that Ria didn’t push her harder for details when Avery was ALL UP IN Ria’s business like a colonoscopy!!! So that reveal didn’t feel as dramatic as say… the thing with Ria’s mom. That was kinda nuts. Joy Rossi is a raging C U next Tuesday, and someone needs to burn her in her bed lol.
Lastly the final shock at the end, which also wasn’t as shocking for me as it was for Ria lol. I totally saw it all coming and I thought her interaction with Katja at the end was forced and corny. BUT I GET IT. All that being said, the book was wonderful, better than the last. And I can’t wait to get started on Release! These books read really fast, so while it seems like it should take a while to binge, I’m powering through it to find more secrets and DRAMA!!
Chalk-covered applause for Lucia! More more more!
Execution continues right where Balance left off. Adrianna has one bad fall, and everything changes. Kova gets distant, and Adrianna becomes very careless. This catapults them into making poor decisions, that could cost Adrianna her whole career, even life. Will Adrianna come to her senses? The twists, turns and revelations in this book kept those pages turning or the audio playing. I could not put it down. I cannot wait to read the next installment and find out what happens as Kova and Adrianna risk everything to have a moment in time.
Sarah Puckett once again delivers a wonderful performance. She keeps the characters consistent and easy to follow from one book to the next. I am devastated that the other books will not be narrated at this time. Ms. Puckett’s narration truly brought these books to life.
********* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *********
These are quite lengthy books. I knew after listening to the first that it isn’t exactly my cup of tea but I’m always into branching out of my comfort zone. I can tell you that Lucia Franco can seriously tell a story. The way she writes is packed full of emotions and this intense feeling. Execution felt like I was being slowly tortured. You’ll seriously hate Kova. He’s mean… this cruel manipulative jerk that you’ll want to hang out by his toenails. Yes, you won’t be able to stop the train wreck between these two. Adrianna, oh Adrianna, she’s so young and naive. I just want to take her under my arm.
Sarah Puckett just knocks this story out of the park! Her voice seems to really capture what I feel for Ria. A bit timid and meek but she’s starting to find her voice, her backbone. Execution is a story you are going to hate that you love! It’s highly emotional. You can feel that in every work Puckett recites.