After Kova’s devastating betrayal, Adrianna must become her own champion and place her Olympic dream ahead of all else. In doing so, she ignores the warning signs as both the extreme training and unending heartbreak begin to take their toll.There is no atoning for what Kova did. The vow he made cannot be undone. With boundaries set and lines clearly defined, Kova will now have to be the one to … the one to relinquish control in order to regain Adrianna’s trust.
Though the dynamics shift between coach and gymnast, nothing can prepare them for the agonizing truth that is to come. Fighting for a dream becomes only half the battle when Adrianna’s fate is sealed, leaving them both with their biggest challenge yet.
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At the moment I want to know the end, the situation Kova and Adrianna is facing is chaos. Adrianna draws a line between their relationship, the betrayal she faced breaks her. What’s in Kova’s head, why he is doing whatever it is? Adrianna’s determination for gymnastics is now stronger. Her passion for her dreams is admirable until I thought it was an obsession. She is so careless of her health, she works through her pain and it makes me ache.
Rating 5/5
Plot 5/5
Spice 4.5/5
Character Development 5/5
“Release” is the third book in Lucia Franco’s Off Balance series. In this book, Adrianna continues to work towards her Olympic dream while battling her strong feelings towards Kova who is now married to his childhood girlfriend Katja. Although Kova is married, he too still has strong feelings towards Adrianna that he cannot suppress. Adrianna continues to push herself beyond the limits as she trains to qualify for the Olympics and learns terrible news that could jeopardize her chance at becoming an Olympic athlete.
I’m not a fan of love triangles because I always face a “pick me, choose me” feeling, however, Franco knew what she was doing when she wrote this series because I’m so in love with Hayden and Kova. Both men share different qualities and have unique personalities that make me want them both in my life! This book was so emotional and I found myself refusing to believe what was written in the last few chapters. With yet another cliffhanger, you already know I’m going to be reading “Twist” (book 4) next!
Please note this review has spoilers from the previous two books, Balance & Execution, & it is strongly recommended you read those books before this one. This book series is written to be read in order.
After the heartbreaking news & cliffhanger in Execution, Ria finds herself leaning on Hayden more than she ever thought she would. She then finds herself realising she is broken & is making bad decisions due to the heartbreak & decides to keep to herself to work through it. Meanwhile, Kova is giving her the space she deserves. Even if it is breaking him as well.
As their story continues, Ria concentrates purely on her gymnastics career in which is succeeding in. Kova is her ever supportive coach by her side & yelling support by the sidelines. This creates them to get a friendship back again, even though Ria’s heart is only just healing. But why does Kova act like he feels the same way as Ria when he is married?
Ria also has to face her health issues in this book. Every book in this series so far has shown Ria definitely is not healthy & we find out in this book why. As she starts to puzzle her family life together, she must be an adult & face she may not be able to succeed in gymnastics like her dream if it means her health will not allow her to.
This book once again leaves off on a cliffhanger, & of course I jumped straight into the next one.
This was an easy 5/5 star read with 3/5 steam.
5+ “MY HEART BEATS FOR HIM” STARS!!!
After the last cliffhanger I needed this book and they needed it too. I feel like out of the 5 books this was the most important for their relationship and possible future together. In this book there was so much pain, disappointment and heartbreak. This chapter in their story was gut-wrenching but so needed.
Release hit different. In this one there was no rush, they were at their lowest relationship wise and things wouldn’t get back to normal anytime soon after that betrayal and Kova knew that. So he gave her time and that was what she really needed at the moment. In her anger Ria grew so much, she showed her strength, she stood up to him and didn’t take him back straight away. She let him to suffer a little bit and took the time to focus on her passion and I loved all the championships in this one. She was growing as a woman and as an athlete and it was beautiful to see.
In this book, for the first time we truly start to see Kova’s emotions. We start to really feel his love and devotion for Ria. I loved that he gave her time in their personal life but he didn’t let her push him away when it came to training and reaching her goal. He did and does anything to help her achieve her dream and he doesn’t care how mad she is, he will make her listen when it comes to her future in gymnastics.
For all the pain this book brings it also had so much healing too. If you didn’t believe in their relationship before, here you will, because after all struggle, apologies and forgiveness comes acceptance and with that their love truly shined. By the end of this book they were so stronger together and then we are hit with another heartbreaking moment in the last couple of pages. At this point I realize there’s truly no rest went it comes to this author and this series, my heart just has to handle it.
It has taken me a few days to figure out what to say. I was completely wrecked by the first two books I don’t know why I thought this would be any different. Lucia’s writing is phenomenal and don’t even get me started on the twists and turns that go through her brain. In this book, we see a different side to every character. We learn secrets and answers but left needing to know more. We see a deeper, darker side to Ria, and see just how far she is willing to go for her career. We were left off in Execution with her world completely crumbled and in Release we see her work to try to put it back together. The side we see of Kova is different in this book as well. We see that everything he does really IS for her and makes you fall in love with him even more. I have never been so taken with a book series as I am with this, my brain has been turning nonstop since I hit the end and can’t wait to see what Lucia has in store for us in Twist.
Release is the perfect center to this series.
Book 3 of 5
I don’t know how she did it but Lucia made me Team Hayden in Release and I’m not even mad about it.
Release begins right after that cliffhanger delivered in Execution. In this book Ria and Kova relationship makes a drastic change.
Seriously, I have no idea how Ria is able handle all the personal drama and heartache she is faced with at such a young age but she does. Lucia writes her struggle and fight in a completely believable way for her age and experience.
Ria focuses on herself and gymnastics in this book more than ever. All her blood, sweat and tears begins to pay off in this book.
So, what does Lucia do? Oh you know hits us with another jaw dropping moment.
See you in Twist!
Release begins where Execution left off. You will have to read books 1 and 2 before you read this book. In Release we see Adrianna pull herself together and do what she’s best at, gymnastics. Her goal is to be in the Olympics. She still loves Kova even though he did the unthinkable and she fights herself not to love him. So she does what she needs to do to betray Kova. You will see Kova opening up but I still have a lot of questions to be answered. This book is a page turner, you won’t want to stop reading it. Lucia Franco knows how to pull her readers in and keep us wanting more.
I am utterly ruined, drained, devastated, crushed, traumatized, shocked shattered and hopeless. This book has shattered me to my core. My heart is breaking. I have never ever been so wrapped up in a series that I can’t be a productive adult. I have no words for the emotions or the feelings that are in my heart. Release was the hardest book ever.. I am so angry. I am so sad. That being said….I THINK THIS SERIES IS MAGNIFICENT and I can’t wait to start TWIST. I had to take a mini break because of all the emotions that I couldn’t quite get a hold of. I have to get the courage to read Twist because I don’t know if my heart can take it. ONCE IN A WHILE A SERIS TAKES OVER MY HEART AND I AM FOREVER CHANGED…….
Favorite quotes:
I have complete confidence and belief in you. You may not see it but you are far better than them. I am not saying that just to bullshit you. When you let go and surrender yourself, you are absolutely magnificent.
We do what is required to get through each day to survive. Some days are harder than others, and we may not be able to look at ourselves in the mirror, but we do what we have to do.
Omg!! This series has me all twisted. This is the third book in the Off Balance Series and all books must be read in order to keep up with the storyline. Release picked up where Execution left off. So many secrets came to light in this book and showed different sides to characters that you would have never guessed. I believe that Adriana made some questionable choices due to how shook she felt when wading through all the craziness in her life. She is still just a kid and is trying to make the best choices in her mind to get to her end goal. Lucia Franco left us with a crazy cliff hanger, I cannot wait for the fourth book! If you haven’t read this series, you need to start because it’s really good.
JESUS THIS SERIES IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SERIES!! IT’S SUCH AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER THOUGH!! So many secrets and things are revealed, sometimes you want to scream at Kova and Ria but at the same time you root for them because these two deserve to be together, these two deserve a happy ending together. All the emotions I’ve experienced in this series are more intense in this book, Release is captivating, addictive, page turning, steamy and refuses to let you put it down! This series and this book had me HOOKED. I can’t find the words to describe how much I love this book and how in awe I am of Lucia. Her words, plots, twists, characters and descriptions are are just INCREDIBLE. This book and Lucia are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
I started reading The Off Balance series by Lucia Franco a few months ago after I read Hush Hush and fell in love. I’ve purposely been putting several books in between each book of this series because I know I’m going to have one hell of a book hangover when all is said and done. So with that said, and no surprise here, I give this book a whopping 5/5 stars.
I know there has been a lot of controversy lately with these books and them being “taboo”. But in my opinion, it’s a book and a fictional one at that, so I don’t think it should be an issue. I think the book is wonderfully written, especially with the gymnastics lingo. (I know nothing about gymnastics so I’m just assuming everything is correct. Lol.)
There is so much depth to the characters and to the story that you can’t help but become extremely invested in them. I find myself so angry at some points and the next I’m laughing and wanting to cry. I will tell you, there is definitely a plot twist that I didn’t see coming, but as usual, Lucia Franco does it beautifully. Bottom line, if you like age-gap, taboo books with an extremely high steam level, then I 1000000% recommend this book (well the entire series honestly).
UGH.
THIS. BOOK.
Ok so it is now very much apparent to me that each book in this series is better than the last. I loved Execution, and I will say that it was definitely steamier than Release. But that’s because Release brought the ANGST like whoa.
This book was chock full of angst, which we sorta knew would happen based on the way Execution left off. But I’m an angst whore myself, so I was totally into it.
Throughout the series, I’ve felt Ria maturing a lot, which is appreciated. Don’t get me wrong, there are still times when I want to strangle her for being so stubborn and not listening to the advice of those trying to help her. But she has definitely grown up a lot, and you can feel that. I also have grown to adore Kova so much more since Balance. I could feel his personal anguish throughout Release and it made me so sad for him. I just know he’s holding onto secrets, and there’s a lot to be revealed, hopefully in the next book because I NEED to know what’s really going on with his marriage.
But in Release more than any of the other books, I felt the closeness between him and Ria when it comes to gymnastics. The excitement that he felt for his gymnast when she succeeded at her competitions was enlivening. And then the moments the two of them shared on a personal level were so heartwarming, it gave me all the feels.
Of course, there is still so much standing in the way, and I’m PRAYING for some relief in the next book because I just can’t take any more of their mutual, shared heartache.
But outside of the relationship, good GOD… My heart BROKE for Ria at the end of this book, and even before that when she began to learn the truth about what is going on with her. I always knew it would be something traumatic, and for the first time in this series, I felt tears behind my eyes for this girl. I can only imagine how I would react experiencing what she is and in all honesty, and complete despair for my wary heart, I cannot see how this could end well for her. SERIOUSLY. For the first time ever in my history of reading romance, I really can’t see how this could end happily lol.
I’m not saying I mind… I’m not one of those people who needs a HEA, although it is appreciated. But it just seems like the end is near and it’s worrying. Hopefully Lucia doesn’t completely gut us readers with the finale!
One thing I forgot to mention in my review of Execution which has really nothing to do with anything other than that it’s odd to me, but does anyone else notice how short these chapters are??? They’re almost unnecessarily short and usually almost right in the middle of scenes. It’s strange, and it seems like something maybe an editor or someone mentioned to the author after book 1 and she started doing it. Obviously it doesn’t really change the readability of the books, I just found it to be weird lol. That’s my author/editor brain going, I guess.
ANYHOO, this book was my favorite so far of the series, though I am almost entirely sure that will change when I read Twist. And I’m SO READY!!
I need some stuff to get worked out here! I don’t mind facing even more angst and devastation to get there either, so I suppose I should prepare myself lol.
Beautifully done, Lucia! Applause for the Release, and onto the Twist!
The feels. So many feels.
If there is one thing that Lucia knows how to do, it’s to make you feel every word and every emotion she puts into her stories.
In my eyes, Release had a different feel that the first two books. I don’t know how to explain it. Don’t get me wrong, there was heartbreak, lies, secrets revealed, lust and love. But Release was.. not as slap you in the face, take your breath away from the pain kind of book Balance and Execution were. But don’t take those words as a negative thing! I feel like we NEEDED this. I can’t even call it a break because it still packed a punch. I just can’t find the word I want to use for how it felt different..
Kova and Adrianna. These two. I SWEAR THEY ARE SO INFURIATING. I just want to push their heads together and say, “Now, kiss.” You can FEEL their need for one another through the pages. They were made for each other but everything gets in the way. Everything. Nothing is ever easy for these two.
Lucia has spun this story into one of my favorite reads ever. I know it’s only January 7th, but I can already tell that this series will be one of my favorites of the year. It’s simply unforgettable.
I won’t go into detail because I refuse to spoil anything for any reader.. but this story truly impacted me. It got me moving and on the ball. It got me looking at my life and my health through different eyes. So for that, I want to thank Lucia. Thank you for opening my eyes. Thank you for this story that is MORE than a coach and a gymnast. It’s more than a simple ‘they meet, they fall in love’ story. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed.
I’m not sure my heart can take much more. This book had more mixed feelings for me than the first two in the series. There were parts that I found myself really engaged in and parts where I really wanted to throw my kindle. Adrianna’s stubborness or lack of desire to make her health a priority was really frustrating, especially considering that she is a gymnast and needs to be in good health to succeed. I have to believe that maybe it was a fear reaction and a bit of denial working there because otherwise it was really just plain immaturity and stupidity, and aside from this area, I felt like her character showed some growth in this book.
Adrianna and Kova’s relationship continues to be stressed and strained given their past as they try to navigate what they mean to each other while trying not to blur lines and remain professional, while it is often so clear that they desperately seem to need each other to feel at peace and whole.
There is still so much mystery aroung Kova and Katja’s relationship though it is clear it is not at all a marriage of love. Adrianna’s health issues are deeply concerning and I cannot wait to dive into the next book to see where this story continues to lead. The author continues to have me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going on with these characters and where the journey is going to go. I can only hope it ultimately leads to some kind of a HEA or I may be completely gutted. I really, really hope I don’t have to wait too long for book 5 🙂
After a much anticipated wait. Lucia has brought us back into the World of Ria, Kova, Hayden. There is so much that happens in this book. It was perfect.
Oh my god!!!! How do i even start my review? Shall i just say this book and its previous installments left me reeling and desperate for the next story? Or that i’m close to throwing my kindle away? Or that my poor heart can’t take any more angst and heartbreak?? Release was such an emotional rollercoaster ride! Every single page was addictive, every chapter left me craving for something that will make everything alright. I’m just devastated and if i know Lucia well enough, then we’re all in for more intense and heartwrenching moments in the next book. I don’t think this hangover is going to leave me any sooner. I’m DYING for the next book!!!!!!!!!
I wanted to read Release so badly! I wanted to snatch it as soon as it released and shut out the world until I flipped through every last page. Unfortunately, life happened 🙁 Really, life should get that reading books is the most important thing to do! I was finally able to dive in yesterday and it was so worth the wait.
Release is angsty, taboo, emotional and absolutely unputdownable. I wasn’t in the least bit surprised that this book grabbed me on page one and left me reeling on the very last page.
The characters in this series are so captivating, so intriguing. They get under your skin, sometimes like a bad rash… but they are there to stay. And this is one rash I have no desire to make go away! Some of these characters I love, some I loathe, some have me highly confused and some I have a little love-hate thing going on with.
There is so little I can actually say about this book without ruining it for you! I would love to do a whole rant about things with Ria that happen toward the end of this book… but really you need to experience it. I will say that I completely understand her drive, her passion, her stubbornness to ignore everything around her in her single minded pursuit of her dream. I know what it is like to be afraid to take time to stop and heal because you fear you will never get another chance.
Gahhhhhhhhhhh. Just. Read. This. Book. No. This. Series.
This is a series that without a doubt needs to be read in order. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I am now counting the time until I can get my greedy little hands on the next book!
Seriously! Release is even better than I even imagined! Lucia just blew me away with this book! I loved both Balance and Execution but Release is even better! She did not hold anything back while writing this book.
My heart little ached for Ria when she found out Kova was married and we all knew she would do something stupid. When she calls Hayden we can all guess what it will be.
But let’s talk about Hayden, and the fact that she’s an asshole. He’s made out to be such a good guy or to think he is. I believe that fact that he does what he does proves he is not a nice or a good guy. A good guy would have told her no and walked away not taken advantage of her.
The shift in power between Kova and Ria in this book is not something I saw coming. And I say power because Kova 100% let Ria choose what was going to happen. He respected her boundaries even when she pushed for more. This was not something we saw in the first two books. I absolutely think Kova loves Ria, I just don’t think he’s ready to admit it to her. He’s afraid for what it will do to her I think more so than what it will do to him. I’m also pretty convinced Kova married Katja because she knows about his relationship with Ria and threatened to tell. I think as much as an asshole as Kova is he truly does care about her.
Ria is thrown a few curve balls during this book, and although I may not agree with her reactions to everything in a way I understand. It was great she was able to take her hurt, and anger and put it towards something she has wanted all her life. I wish she would have paid more attention to her health. I’m also not sure why her dad wouldn’t call and find out what’s happening with her and then let Kova know. I don’t agree with Ria not telling him but I see where she is coming from. She has worked so hard to get to where she is and it could all be taken from her and never given back.
Lucia made you feel every emotion the characters were feeling. The heartache and pain they both had was felt in every page. The torment Ria felt about being around Kova. The misery Kova felt about being around Ria without being able to be with her.
I loved this book so much!! Lucia did an amazing job!!
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This book. . .
This bloody book grabbed me and broke me all at once. I laughed, cried, and was so turned on by #KOVA I would definitely have babies with this Russian hunk. This series is a brilliant story that captivated me right from the start. Once again Lucia Franco has written a heartwrending forbidden love story that was so powerful it rocked my world.
First you will binge read it, then savour every word.
Lucia is a true angst queen, Release has such a rawness and heartbreaking scenes it is legit the most beautiful books I have read in my life.
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What the heck just happened? I can not deal with all my emotions right now. The angst. The tension. The tortured characters. That mother flipping cliffhanger! Gah! I am so wrapped up in Ria and Kova’s story. I have all these thoughts and theories and I need the rest of the story right now! Lucia Franco has developed these characters to such a deep level that I have invested hours and tears and laughs and heartbreak in them. The other shoe finally dropped for Ria in this book and I am crying for her. I need it all to be fixed right now.