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Off Balance #2
Execution
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 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.
Kova underestimates Adrianna's endurance, 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.
557 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2018
1158 people are currently reading
9130 people want to read
About the author
Lucia Franco
29 books4,280 followersLucia Franco has written over a dozen romance novels. Her emotional stories often include an age gap and forbidden love.
Her novel Hush Hush was a finalist in the RWA 2019 Stiletto Contest. Her novels have been translated into several languages.
Lucia resides in South Florida with her husband, two boys, and five pets. She was a competitive athlete for over ten years – a gymnast and cheerleader – which heavily inspired the Off Balance series. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the beach getting slammed by waves or wandering through her butterfly garden.
Her novel Hush Hush was a finalist in the RWA 2019 Stiletto Contest. Her novels have been translated into several languages.
Lucia resides in South Florida with her husband, two boys, and five pets. She was a competitive athlete for over ten years – a gymnast and cheerleader – which heavily inspired the Off Balance series. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the beach getting slammed by waves or wandering through her butterfly garden.
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December 15, 2019
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Execution, book 2 of 5. Aspiring gymnast is swept into a dangerous, reckless & forbidden affair with her hot-cold sex-on-a-stick much older coach!
Books in Off Balance series should be read in order:
Book 1: Balance
Book 2: Execution
Book 3: Release
Book 4: Twist
Book 5: Dismount
In Balance, book 1 heiress and student Adrianna Rossi, Ana, Aid aka Ria moved to different city to be trained by Olympic gold medalist, gym owner, gymnastics coach and real estate investor Konstantin Kournakova, Kova for a chance at the Olympics.
Kova and Adrianna embarked on a rigorous training regimen complicated by their combative and dysfunctional relationship. As tensions brewed and recklessness clouded their better judgment, they acted on their lust and desire for each other.
Execution, book 2 opens up after book 1’s shocking ending. It’s a roller-coaster of contradicting events and emotions. From sweet victories to agonizing set-backs; Shocking confessions to devastating betrayals; Scandalous seductions to ultra forbidden feelings.
Konstantin Kournakova, Kova is everything I ask for in an anti-hero. He played his part to perfection. Ten words to describe Kova: Brooding, conflicted, hot-cold, rareless, determined, commanding, possessive, mysterious, selfish and ruthless.
Adrianna Rossi, Ana, Aid aka Ria: for most part held her own against Kova. Nine words to describe Adrianna: Focused, ambitious, smart, stubborn, reflective, strong, resolute, confused and impressionable.
Execution, told from Adrianna’s POV, is forbidden romance at its absolute best! A butterflies-in-your belly candid account of a doomed affair center stage a reckless, mercurial, conflicted yet ruthless Kova. Another beyond perfect cliff-hanger ending while I pine for book 3, Release and the continuation of their story.
Taboo! Risky! Suspenseful! Scandalous! Controversial! Larger-than-life anti-hero!
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | LOW FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Execution, book 2 of 5. Aspiring gymnast is swept into a dangerous, reckless & forbidden affair with her hot-cold sex-on-a-stick much older coach!
“Feel that between us? That chemistry, that fire. The harmony of two people who are so wrong for each other but somehow come together, throwing everything off balance to the point that nothing makes sense but it feels right. That is us.”
Books in Off Balance series should be read in order:
Book 1: Balance
Book 2: Execution
Book 3: Release
Book 4: Twist
Book 5: Dismount
In Balance, book 1 heiress and student Adrianna Rossi, Ana, Aid aka Ria moved to different city to be trained by Olympic gold medalist, gym owner, gymnastics coach and real estate investor Konstantin Kournakova, Kova for a chance at the Olympics.
Kova and Adrianna embarked on a rigorous training regimen complicated by their combative and dysfunctional relationship. As tensions brewed and recklessness clouded their better judgment, they acted on their lust and desire for each other.
“The only thing I give a fuck about right now is your tight pussy and how I am going to fuck you senseless.”
Execution, book 2 opens up after book 1’s shocking ending. It’s a roller-coaster of contradicting events and emotions. From sweet victories to agonizing set-backs; Shocking confessions to devastating betrayals; Scandalous seductions to ultra forbidden feelings.
Konstantin Kournakova, Kova is everything I ask for in an anti-hero. He played his part to perfection. Ten words to describe Kova: Brooding, conflicted, hot-cold, rareless, determined, commanding, possessive, mysterious, selfish and ruthless.
Adrianna Rossi, Ana, Aid aka Ria: for most part held her own against Kova. Nine words to describe Adrianna: Focused, ambitious, smart, stubborn, reflective, strong, resolute, confused and impressionable.
Execution, told from Adrianna’s POV, is forbidden romance at its absolute best! A butterflies-in-your belly candid account of a doomed affair center stage a reckless, mercurial, conflicted yet ruthless Kova. Another beyond perfect cliff-hanger ending while I pine for book 3, Release and the continuation of their story.
Taboo! Risky! Suspenseful! Scandalous! Controversial! Larger-than-life anti-hero!
“He had balls of steel that hung from a body made of stone. A delectable body that had to be derived from cocaine because all it took was one hit and I was addicted.”
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | LOW FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
May 10, 2019
So, I read book 1 and ended up skimming it because it was very upsetting. However, I kept telling myself that there has got to be more. It can’t be this bad and there be four books in the series, no way! Well WAY!! It’s TOTAL TRASH and ALL THREE ARE TRASH!
I’m pissed thinking whoever thought this offensive story was worthy of publishing? And it’s maddening how each book just gets worse!!!
First, poor Hayden, he is the ONLY one with any G.D. sense in this series. He is the only one saying what everyone reading this book is screaming. Nova is a sick bastard and she is an immature idiot. Unfortunately, Hayden is basically being used by this girl and he takes it because he has feelings for Adrianna. However, Adrianna has high standards and prefers the cheating child predator (NOVA) so I think she is doing him a favor in the long run.
What is most annoying about THIS second book is she spends the ENTIRE book trying to justify that their relationship is not wrong because Adrianna WANTED it! Newsflash, just because you say something over and over again won’t make it true. ANYWAY, even after trying to beat into our minds that this relationship is truly okay I am STILL finding this story to be more REPULSIVE than “forbidden”. Instead of trying to justify this sicko’s behavior, this book should have just went in another direction and helped Adrianna be with a better character.
Nova is a master manipulator. He goes around apologizing to Adrianna for being horrible to her and she eats it up like candy only to turn around and treat her like trash again, and again, and again. Ugh, and the fact that Nova calls Adrianna MALYSH, the same pet name he calls Katya, his long-term girlfriend, makes me want to vomit every time I hear it. Then this 32 year old man begins speaking to his 16 year old dirty secret about how his Katja is pulling away from him and he is upset about Katja not being wholly consumed with him and he wants Katja to be in love with him. So, he is telling his under age f~>k buddy about his love life with his long-term girlfriend .... WTF? Moreover, this guy admits to going home and sleeping with Katja yet ANY time Adrianna has any contact with Hayden this jealous hypocrite punishes her. What an awesome guy, so sexy, give me more! What a freggin joke!
The cherry on the cake in THIS book is this Winner right here takes photos and video of himself having intercourse WITHOUT Adrianna’s knowledge after he gave her a sleep aid to knock her out. And of course, what does she do? How does she feel? It’s okay because she looooooooooves him. You go girl! Your dumb a$$ and him deserve each other. I can’t think of a bigger violation of someone’s privacy but it’s okay because you looooooove him! In fact, she told him: “I think the videos were really sexy, but next time I’d like to be awake.” Minor detail right there, next time she’d like to be AWAKE, as in COHERENT, AWARE OF WHAT THE F~>K IS GOING ON ... sounds reasonable. 👍🏽
And since when is a “half-brother” not “really” your brother. Just one of a myriad of stupid comments from this girl. Finally, Adrianna gets mad because she finds out other people in her family have told lies about their relationships but she has the NERVE to be upset at them when she is STILL lying and has the dirtiest secret of all, but apparently she doesn’t really consider being an underage home-wrecker that big is a transgression.
I’m pissed thinking whoever thought this offensive story was worthy of publishing? And it’s maddening how each book just gets worse!!!
First, poor Hayden, he is the ONLY one with any G.D. sense in this series. He is the only one saying what everyone reading this book is screaming. Nova is a sick bastard and she is an immature idiot. Unfortunately, Hayden is basically being used by this girl and he takes it because he has feelings for Adrianna. However, Adrianna has high standards and prefers the cheating child predator (NOVA) so I think she is doing him a favor in the long run.
What is most annoying about THIS second book is she spends the ENTIRE book trying to justify that their relationship is not wrong because Adrianna WANTED it! Newsflash, just because you say something over and over again won’t make it true. ANYWAY, even after trying to beat into our minds that this relationship is truly okay I am STILL finding this story to be more REPULSIVE than “forbidden”. Instead of trying to justify this sicko’s behavior, this book should have just went in another direction and helped Adrianna be with a better character.
Nova is a master manipulator. He goes around apologizing to Adrianna for being horrible to her and she eats it up like candy only to turn around and treat her like trash again, and again, and again. Ugh, and the fact that Nova calls Adrianna MALYSH, the same pet name he calls Katya, his long-term girlfriend, makes me want to vomit every time I hear it. Then this 32 year old man begins speaking to his 16 year old dirty secret about how his Katja is pulling away from him and he is upset about Katja not being wholly consumed with him and he wants Katja to be in love with him. So, he is telling his under age f~>k buddy about his love life with his long-term girlfriend .... WTF? Moreover, this guy admits to going home and sleeping with Katja yet ANY time Adrianna has any contact with Hayden this jealous hypocrite punishes her. What an awesome guy, so sexy, give me more! What a freggin joke!
The cherry on the cake in THIS book is this Winner right here takes photos and video of himself having intercourse WITHOUT Adrianna’s knowledge after he gave her a sleep aid to knock her out. And of course, what does she do? How does she feel? It’s okay because she looooooooooves him. You go girl! Your dumb a$$ and him deserve each other. I can’t think of a bigger violation of someone’s privacy but it’s okay because you looooooove him! In fact, she told him: “I think the videos were really sexy, but next time I’d like to be awake.” Minor detail right there, next time she’d like to be AWAKE, as in COHERENT, AWARE OF WHAT THE F~>K IS GOING ON ... sounds reasonable. 👍🏽
And since when is a “half-brother” not “really” your brother. Just one of a myriad of stupid comments from this girl. Finally, Adrianna gets mad because she finds out other people in her family have told lies about their relationships but she has the NERVE to be upset at them when she is STILL lying and has the dirtiest secret of all, but apparently she doesn’t really consider being an underage home-wrecker that big is a transgression.
September 9, 2022
4 stars
Execution was just as addicting as the first! And still so messy LOL but I loved it. I actually liked Kova more in this one… until the end. I wanted to throttle him when I finished this book. I am in shock- like I can’t even believe this. These cliffhangers are killing me. I need to get to book 3 asap. This is an unputdownable series.
Execution was just as addicting as the first! And still so messy LOL but I loved it. I actually liked Kova more in this one… until the end. I wanted to throttle him when I finished this book. I am in shock- like I can’t even believe this. These cliffhangers are killing me. I need to get to book 3 asap. This is an unputdownable series.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Sarah Puckett
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Sports Romance
Length: 16h 24m
December 10, 2019
If Kova was real, my ass would be in jail. Fuccckkk. This book is still so damn good though! 5 stars all the fucking way! I have an ARC of something else, but I HAVE TO fit some of book 3 in. I can't wait. I can't imagine the pain everyone felt that read these books as they came out. Thank God I can binge through book 4, because that's exactly what I intend to do. I have a feeling this series might wind up being one of my favorites of the year.
January 17, 2021
Balance was so tumultuous, everything was push and pull. Everything that Kova and Adrianna shared was raw and harsh and dirty. In Execution things progress, the edges are still rough but there’s more there than skin deep now. There’s unsurety but there’s burgeoning trust and a growing affection.
Hayden is so great so why? Because the draw is real! Kova is so toxic and manipulative. So why?!?! -FYI love triangle writers, this is how it’s done. Make the footing as equal as possible so the reader understands why it’s hard to choose. Because I hate that there’s a choice but I don’t think I could choose.
It’s men like Kova who destroy women.
The meet was a turning point. It gave the reader a chance to see everything good about Kova. I like the affection they share that doesn’t surpass a kiss on the cheek.
I can imagine jumping rope on a balance beam is somewhat common for a gymnast. But for me it makes Kova sound like Mr Miyagi. Which coincides with Avery naming the beam Johnny, at the time, I of course pictured Johnny Lawrence. I say we name the vault Daniel LaRusso.
Holy shit, I just realized the book covers gave away a pretty big plot twist. 🤦🏼♀️
Last time I didn’t get emotionally invested in these characters, but now I’m lost. I can’t believe I’m shedding tears for Kova.
This is the beautiful book. This is the book where you see the relationship the best coaches and gymnasts share. The loyalty, the affection and the trust. I have no idea how many of those relationships have crossed that line but in this case and at this point in time it works beautifully.
Another cliffhanger ... this time I understand why.
Hayden is so great so why? Because the draw is real! Kova is so toxic and manipulative. So why?!?! -FYI love triangle writers, this is how it’s done. Make the footing as equal as possible so the reader understands why it’s hard to choose. Because I hate that there’s a choice but I don’t think I could choose.
It’s men like Kova who destroy women.
The meet was a turning point. It gave the reader a chance to see everything good about Kova. I like the affection they share that doesn’t surpass a kiss on the cheek.
I can imagine jumping rope on a balance beam is somewhat common for a gymnast. But for me it makes Kova sound like Mr Miyagi. Which coincides with Avery naming the beam Johnny, at the time, I of course pictured Johnny Lawrence. I say we name the vault Daniel LaRusso.
Holy shit, I just realized the book covers gave away a pretty big plot twist. 🤦🏼♀️
Last time I didn’t get emotionally invested in these characters, but now I’m lost. I can’t believe I’m shedding tears for Kova.
This is the beautiful book. This is the book where you see the relationship the best coaches and gymnasts share. The loyalty, the affection and the trust. I have no idea how many of those relationships have crossed that line but in this case and at this point in time it works beautifully.
Another cliffhanger ... this time I understand why.
April 20, 2023
Cheating pedo asshole. He cheats on his gf & Cheats on the 16 yr old side piece who’s the h for this stupid trilogy with the gf.
Decent writing. I still hate this stupid trilogy because of the spineless doormat girl who takes and takes all his crap.
She watches him make out with his gf right in front of her face, he tells the doormat that he fucks the ow at night, he’s worried about his gif pulling away from him, that his gf is starting to act differently, that he loves and is obsessed with his gf, but when he snaps his fingers, the underage doormat still runs to him.
Cheating doesn’t bother me, it’s always these pathetic girls that pisses me off. This girl also has no shame sleeping with another woman’s fiancé.
A nice fiancé/gf at that.
The hero is not redeemable. This guy is trash. Honestly one of the worst heroes I’ve seen.
I don’t get all the rave reviews. Self respect ladies!
I won’t pick up another book by this author. She apparently only writes cheating books with doormats.
Decent writing. I still hate this stupid trilogy because of the spineless doormat girl who takes and takes all his crap.
She watches him make out with his gf right in front of her face, he tells the doormat that he fucks the ow at night, he’s worried about his gif pulling away from him, that his gf is starting to act differently, that he loves and is obsessed with his gf, but when he snaps his fingers, the underage doormat still runs to him.
Cheating doesn’t bother me, it’s always these pathetic girls that pisses me off. This girl also has no shame sleeping with another woman’s fiancé.
A nice fiancé/gf at that.
The hero is not redeemable. This guy is trash. Honestly one of the worst heroes I’ve seen.
I don’t get all the rave reviews. Self respect ladies!
I won’t pick up another book by this author. She apparently only writes cheating books with doormats.
May 1, 2018
+++5 FORBIDDEN STARS+++
“We were forbidden chemistry. A lethal attraction. With Kova I had this dark desire to always want to be his little vixen and attract all his attention. I’d do anything for it.”
“We were on the same page, more than one could fathom. We had nothing and everything in common. It made no sense. The only thing I was positively certain about was that we were inexplicably wild about each other. ”
This book was emotional, intense, full of love that it was overwhelming. If you are looking for a "real" taboo story then this one is it. I don't even want to tell my thoughts because I feel like you need to experience this one on your own. Execution broke me, crushed me whole and devoured my every being. It was all so hard on Adrianna and I really felt that pain, the indecision and the stress she was holding on her shoulders. Kova conflicted me, he shook me and made me love and hate him simultaneously. The love between them was electric and it was paradise and it was dangerous in so many aspects. The sizzling sex is enough to set your panties on fire. Execution was hot, forbidden and the sexual tension could be felt in each word! I found it compelling and heartbreaking, and I highly recommend it.
“The harmony of two people who are so wrong for each other but somehow come together, throwing everything off balance to the point that nothing makes sense but it feels right. That is us.”
“An energy between two people so powerful it couldn’t be contained, no matter how much they tried. No matter how wrong, how illicit, how morally sinful.”
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 5/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
“We were forbidden chemistry. A lethal attraction. With Kova I had this dark desire to always want to be his little vixen and attract all his attention. I’d do anything for it.”
“We were on the same page, more than one could fathom. We had nothing and everything in common. It made no sense. The only thing I was positively certain about was that we were inexplicably wild about each other. ”
This book was emotional, intense, full of love that it was overwhelming. If you are looking for a "real" taboo story then this one is it. I don't even want to tell my thoughts because I feel like you need to experience this one on your own. Execution broke me, crushed me whole and devoured my every being. It was all so hard on Adrianna and I really felt that pain, the indecision and the stress she was holding on her shoulders. Kova conflicted me, he shook me and made me love and hate him simultaneously. The love between them was electric and it was paradise and it was dangerous in so many aspects. The sizzling sex is enough to set your panties on fire. Execution was hot, forbidden and the sexual tension could be felt in each word! I found it compelling and heartbreaking, and I highly recommend it.
“The harmony of two people who are so wrong for each other but somehow come together, throwing everything off balance to the point that nothing makes sense but it feels right. That is us.”
“An energy between two people so powerful it couldn’t be contained, no matter how much they tried. No matter how wrong, how illicit, how morally sinful.”
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 4/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 5/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
November 7, 2019
Poor Adrianna!!!! She didn’t deserve this!
Her life wasn’t easy!!!
But I need to congrats her, because she is strong, immature, but strong!
Her life wasn’t easy!!!
But I need to congrats her, because she is strong, immature, but strong!
January 26, 2023
Get the fuck out of here
April 23, 2018
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
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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
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Want to read
August 24, 2016GIVE IT TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! That ending was not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 28, 2025
let me tell you that the fucking terminator couldn’t pry this book from my hands.
5 messy stars★
5 messy stars★
December 9, 2019
Utterly disgusting. Yes, there's a content warning, which fails to mention the gymnast in question is underage, the coach a victim blaming ass. Minors can't give consent, and adults in positions of power and authority are scum when they use that to take advantage of a teen, grooming them to exploit them for sexual gratification. Sure teens can be manipulated into believing it's love - that's part of how the victimization works.
Beyond sickening this is marketed as Romance. It's not a "forbidden romance", it's molestation.
Beyond sickening this is marketed as Romance. It's not a "forbidden romance", it's molestation.
December 7, 2019
Child rape is not sexy. A 30-year-old man grooming and abusing a 15-year-old girl is not romance. It’s sick, it’s damaging, and it should not be glorified. Take it from someone who is an expert on the subject (aka survivor).
http://jennytrout.com/?p=12833
http://jennytrout.com/?p=12833
July 5, 2018
Hot damn. *wolf whistle* So, if you read my review for Balance (Off Balance #1), you'll remember that I was a bit of a "focused" individual. Uh, I dare say I was just as focused on this book...maybe even more so. *wipes brow*
Words...what are they and what order am I supposed to put them in? *falls over in hot mess of hormones*
I'm kidding, sorta. I inhaled these two books... almost 1200 pages in just over 2 days. Execution is the 2nd book in the Off Balance series and you absolutely need to read these books in order. Ms. Franco's writing style is infectious. And truthfully, the books are like my own personal catnip. A Bully...forbidden love... gah. The sexy times. Sound the alarm! And no, not just sex to up the word count. It was hella hot, but I felt like it was used well, if that makes sense. The angst... yes, please... the angst, I love it. It's soul food, right there! I had almost a perma-pretzel tummy. I know, there's probably something to be said about that... take it up with Freud, it's his fault.
There were four main twists that I felt the author threw in... three of them I knew were coming (whether it was predictability or just me being me, I don't know), one of them not so much. However, that's all I'm going to say about that, because... spoilers....not my style.
While we're here though... let's talk about style. Ms. Franco's style is top-notch. While I still felt it was a bit heavy handed with the technical gymnastics jargon, I can appreciate that in her perspective it probably felt necessary to include. It certainly added more to the authentic feel of the book, although at times it read a little bulky and weighted. There were still a bit of editing/proofreading things that need to be fixed, but nothing to detract from my enjoyment of the story. With this particular book being almost 600 pages, of course there are going to be a few little oopsies.
Hot. So amazingly melt my kindle screen hot. Contact fever hot. Do not read this in public hot, because when your face gets flushed... people will ask you if you're ok... then ask what you're reading... and then you have to put up or shut up. *side-eyes everyone* Not that that's ever happened to me.
But then... there's also passages like the ones I'm going to quote below. Amazing.
Sometimes the moments in life that caused the most damage to the heart put us on the path of reward and gratification. To the greatest glory.
Where there was perfection, there was pain hidden in darkness. Most days were brutal, and I often questioned my sanity. Others filled with regret, but then something magical happens and everything falls into place. All the heartache and pain once dealt with washes away and forgotten when that one moment you've been chasing your whole life is caught and becomes reality.
Feel that between us? That chemistry, that fire. The harmony of two people who are so wrong for each other but somehow come together, throwing everything off balance to the point that nothing makes sense but it feels right. That is us. That is trust.
Your silence will be your success. ... Strength didn't come from what you could do, it came from the power within one's heart, a determination unlike no other to thrive.
The love of money was the root of all evil and I hated it.
Adrianna and Kova both need a good ass kicking. In fact, I think everyone in this book needs a good swift boot to the rear. No one is safe from me right now.
It shouldn't need to be said, but I'm going to say it anyway. I feel the author probably took a lot of heat for book 1... she's probably taking more flack for this one due to the taboo/forbidden love aspects of the story. Again, I'm not commenting on that. What I am going to say is... read the warning at the front of the book. She spells it out quite clearly, if this subject matter makes you uncomfortable...it is quite simple... put the book down and walk away. There is no one forcing you read the book and certainly no one forcing you to rate/write a review for it. Blasting an author with a low rating and/or a scathing review because you think the subject matter is "vile" or whatever, is inappropriate. No one forced you to read the book. On the flip side, I do understand free speech...and freedom of expression, so if you have constructive feedback, by all means, I'm sure that Ms. Franco would love to see it. Remember above all else, this is fiction, and more importantly, writing is probably a large part of her livelihood... so be helpful not hurtful. *steps off soapbox*
Cliffy. Big one. I'm ready to stalk the author already... can't hurt, right? Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited. The only thing that could have made this better for me, would have been a soundtrack, LOL! Well, that's not entirely true... but spoilers, you're not getting them... haha! Sorry. Even though I have a couple little bitsy things that I could pull off for, I have to give this one 5 stars (I know, right?!? it has been QUITE a while!), it really did completely snag my attention though. And for a 2nd book in the series to make this much of an impact on me... well, that's saying something.
Words...what are they and what order am I supposed to put them in? *falls over in hot mess of hormones*
I'm kidding, sorta. I inhaled these two books... almost 1200 pages in just over 2 days. Execution is the 2nd book in the Off Balance series and you absolutely need to read these books in order. Ms. Franco's writing style is infectious. And truthfully, the books are like my own personal catnip. A Bully...forbidden love... gah. The sexy times. Sound the alarm! And no, not just sex to up the word count. It was hella hot, but I felt like it was used well, if that makes sense. The angst... yes, please... the angst, I love it. It's soul food, right there! I had almost a perma-pretzel tummy. I know, there's probably something to be said about that... take it up with Freud, it's his fault.
There were four main twists that I felt the author threw in... three of them I knew were coming (whether it was predictability or just me being me, I don't know), one of them not so much. However, that's all I'm going to say about that, because... spoilers....not my style.
While we're here though... let's talk about style. Ms. Franco's style is top-notch. While I still felt it was a bit heavy handed with the technical gymnastics jargon, I can appreciate that in her perspective it probably felt necessary to include. It certainly added more to the authentic feel of the book, although at times it read a little bulky and weighted. There were still a bit of editing/proofreading things that need to be fixed, but nothing to detract from my enjoyment of the story. With this particular book being almost 600 pages, of course there are going to be a few little oopsies.
Hot. So amazingly melt my kindle screen hot. Contact fever hot. Do not read this in public hot, because when your face gets flushed... people will ask you if you're ok... then ask what you're reading... and then you have to put up or shut up. *side-eyes everyone* Not that that's ever happened to me.
But then... there's also passages like the ones I'm going to quote below. Amazing.
Sometimes the moments in life that caused the most damage to the heart put us on the path of reward and gratification. To the greatest glory.
Where there was perfection, there was pain hidden in darkness. Most days were brutal, and I often questioned my sanity. Others filled with regret, but then something magical happens and everything falls into place. All the heartache and pain once dealt with washes away and forgotten when that one moment you've been chasing your whole life is caught and becomes reality.
Feel that between us? That chemistry, that fire. The harmony of two people who are so wrong for each other but somehow come together, throwing everything off balance to the point that nothing makes sense but it feels right. That is us. That is trust.
Your silence will be your success. ... Strength didn't come from what you could do, it came from the power within one's heart, a determination unlike no other to thrive.
The love of money was the root of all evil and I hated it.
Adrianna and Kova both need a good ass kicking. In fact, I think everyone in this book needs a good swift boot to the rear. No one is safe from me right now.
It shouldn't need to be said, but I'm going to say it anyway. I feel the author probably took a lot of heat for book 1... she's probably taking more flack for this one due to the taboo/forbidden love aspects of the story. Again, I'm not commenting on that. What I am going to say is... read the warning at the front of the book. She spells it out quite clearly, if this subject matter makes you uncomfortable...it is quite simple... put the book down and walk away. There is no one forcing you read the book and certainly no one forcing you to rate/write a review for it. Blasting an author with a low rating and/or a scathing review because you think the subject matter is "vile" or whatever, is inappropriate. No one forced you to read the book. On the flip side, I do understand free speech...and freedom of expression, so if you have constructive feedback, by all means, I'm sure that Ms. Franco would love to see it. Remember above all else, this is fiction, and more importantly, writing is probably a large part of her livelihood... so be helpful not hurtful. *steps off soapbox*
Cliffy. Big one. I'm ready to stalk the author already... can't hurt, right? Thank goodness for Kindle Unlimited. The only thing that could have made this better for me, would have been a soundtrack, LOL! Well, that's not entirely true... but spoilers, you're not getting them... haha! Sorry. Even though I have a couple little bitsy things that I could pull off for, I have to give this one 5 stars (I know, right?!? it has been QUITE a while!), it really did completely snag my attention though. And for a 2nd book in the series to make this much of an impact on me... well, that's saying something.
March 1, 2024
Kova. My one and only anti hero. How I love and loathe this man. I read Balance long timd ago and until now my obsession with Kova does not change. He is brutal and yet kind. Miss Franco done her best bringing the story alive.
And Adriane, she is holding her ground with Kova love and hate relationship. I love them both and yet in some part of the story, I hate them both.
4 stars
And Adriane, she is holding her ground with Kova love and hate relationship. I love them both and yet in some part of the story, I hate them both.
4 stars
May 31, 2019
4 stars
Oh hell no.
I know where this next book is going and I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.
Yet I can’t stop reading.
To be clear: I do not like Kova. I think that he is a manipulative bastard and that he abuses his power endlessly. Every single time he seems to convince Adrianna that she is the one who is wrong, that she tempts him and he is her victim. I don’t like his mind games, because that is what they are. Regardless of how young she is; she’s so vulnerable. Yet Kova takes from her anyway.
I have no doubt that the author will give us Kova’s perspective in the upcoming books, maybe even try and give reasoning for the way he is, but right now I’m pissed at him.
Frankly though, the sheer amount of times Adrianna sleeps with Kova, unprotected and without birth control, made me want to scream! Stupid, stupid girl.
I’ve surmised most of what I feel in my review for book one... and it hasn’t changed. I’m a little pissed that I assumed this was a trilogy being as though book one was written in 2016, however it’s actually over five books - and two have yet to even have release dates.
Toe curling storyline but compelling reading I must say. This is the reason I’m rating these books so high; I don’t like them but the pages keep turning and I need to know what happens next.
Oh hell no.
I know where this next book is going and I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.
Yet I can’t stop reading.
To be clear: I do not like Kova. I think that he is a manipulative bastard and that he abuses his power endlessly. Every single time he seems to convince Adrianna that she is the one who is wrong, that she tempts him and he is her victim. I don’t like his mind games, because that is what they are. Regardless of how young she is; she’s so vulnerable. Yet Kova takes from her anyway.
I have no doubt that the author will give us Kova’s perspective in the upcoming books, maybe even try and give reasoning for the way he is, but right now I’m pissed at him.
Frankly though, the sheer amount of times Adrianna sleeps with Kova, unprotected and without birth control, made me want to scream! Stupid, stupid girl.
I’ve surmised most of what I feel in my review for book one... and it hasn’t changed. I’m a little pissed that I assumed this was a trilogy being as though book one was written in 2016, however it’s actually over five books - and two have yet to even have release dates.
Toe curling storyline but compelling reading I must say. This is the reason I’m rating these books so high; I don’t like them but the pages keep turning and I need to know what happens next.
June 17, 2021
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.
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.
April 16, 2018
Execution (Off Balance #2)
by Lucia Franco
4.5 Elite Stars
Please note, this is book 2 in the Off Balance Series. You MUST read Book 1 before diving into this one.
When I closed my kindle on Balance many years ago 😉 I couldn’t stop thinking of Kova and Adrianne. When Execution landed on my kindle, I dropped everything to dive back into this story.
Would Kova have a change of heart and let Adrianne compete? The competition that she’d been training so hard for. Or would Kova be the coach that we’ve all gotten to know as the one who will do anything.
The push and pull between these two is stronger than ever. Becoming more and more intense. Could it be that they do truly love each other?
Secrets are revealed in this book that makes the puzzle even more hard to put together. It’s not a simple puzzle of a coach/athlete anymore. There are so many pieces that are waiting to be fit into place.
But the one consistent part of this series, Kova and Adrianne fit together perfectly. They get each other, they complement each other…
But will this be what finally destroys them?
I devoured this book…couldn’t stop reading it. This story is one incident after another pitting these two against each other. I have always been #TeamKova but after his latest move, I’m wondering how can it be possible for these two to survive!!!
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by Lucia Franco
4.5 Elite Stars
Please note, this is book 2 in the Off Balance Series. You MUST read Book 1 before diving into this one.
When I closed my kindle on Balance many years ago 😉 I couldn’t stop thinking of Kova and Adrianne. When Execution landed on my kindle, I dropped everything to dive back into this story.
Would Kova have a change of heart and let Adrianne compete? The competition that she’d been training so hard for. Or would Kova be the coach that we’ve all gotten to know as the one who will do anything.
The push and pull between these two is stronger than ever. Becoming more and more intense. Could it be that they do truly love each other?
Secrets are revealed in this book that makes the puzzle even more hard to put together. It’s not a simple puzzle of a coach/athlete anymore. There are so many pieces that are waiting to be fit into place.
But the one consistent part of this series, Kova and Adrianne fit together perfectly. They get each other, they complement each other…
But will this be what finally destroys them?
I devoured this book…couldn’t stop reading it. This story is one incident after another pitting these two against each other. I have always been #TeamKova but after his latest move, I’m wondering how can it be possible for these two to survive!!!
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July 30, 2020
Adrianna was right. Bad things do happen in threes. AGAIN WITH THE CLIFFHANGER
December 8, 2019
this isn't about "keeping an open mind" this is about rape
Read
August 31, 2020Oooh fuck that one hit me right in the feels.
January 3, 2023
I need a moment to gather my thoughts bc my heart is sad
December 21, 2021
I'm hooked to this series and i can't explain why!!
It's so frustrating and intense and full of gymnastics every fucking where... And they all make so many mistakes and so many shit decisions that i want to throw my Kindle at the fire to burn with them all!
I won't even mention the lack of condom and the use of morning after pills as mints, cause I'm clearly over that by now....
But I Can't Stop Reading!!
I'm really invested in those characters life as if they're real people that i need to know more about... It's almost like the Kardashians, that no one admit to know about, but it's secretly in the known of who's getting pregnant or a divorce this month! 😂
It's addictive!
I want to see Adrianna's success as a gymnast, and see her learn about birth control and self preservation.
She really didn't deserved all the punches she got on this book... Poor girl needs a break and a full meal!
I want to see Kova's redemption and his jealous crisis when Adrianna finally fucks Hayden!
It's almost a guilty pleasure. 😂😂😂
Seriously though...
The first half of the book dragged a bit and the last 30% was full of revelations and new bombs.
All that was easy to guess from previous hints, but great to read anyway.
My missing star is for the dragging parts, and for two scenes that i reaaaally disliked.
Moving on to Release, cause even if the cliffhanger wasn't that bad, I'm not ready to let them go yet!
April 16, 2018
Gah!!! DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. Bury me right here because I am dead and keeled over. I still need another minute to catch my breath as this book just owned me! I absolutely FLOVED this story. Kova and Ria were EVERYTHING. They were sexy, addicting, compelling and an absolute GAMECHANGER! This was almost a forbidden soap opera that I could not get enough of!!
It's hard for me to put into words how much I loved this story. I felt so viscerally connected to these characters. Every jump, twist, pike, tuck, flip and fall. I felt every emotion and felt like I was right there on the sidelines rooting Ria on. Franco did a phenomenal job as I couldn't help but feel all of Ria's emotions: her determination to reach her goals and her growing obsession and carnal need for her devastatingly gorgeous and enigmatic Coach, Kova. The best part for me was the perfect way the author not only progressed the story but also the main characters. It was amazing to see more of Hayden and his growing connection to Ria but but more importantly (for me) it was fantastic the way she portrayed Ria and Kova's passionate addiction and growing emotions for each other. Their connection was intense and carnal and you could feel it deep in your bones.
Furthermore, I loved that the author provided the much needed emotional insight that I was DYING for. She brilliantly showcased both Kova and Ria's internal struggle and turmoil balancing their guilt, sense of right and wrong with what felt like an innate torrid need. We were able to see different facets to the typically proud and cold Kova, namely moments of vulnerability, volatility, anguish, guilt and his deep feelings for Ria. It was so powerful to see her as an aggressor in her pursuit of this man and act as the stick of dynamite in conjunction with their combustible chemistry that blew up this man's world.
Overall, I cannot recommend this story enough. It was beautiful, forbidden and filled with explosive gut punches galore filled with secrets and lies. I was hooked and obsessed and my love for this series has no bounds. Franco pushed the envelope and wasn't afraid to write from her heart which is pretty evident from her beautiful words. This story was magnificent and left you gasping for breath and praying for more. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
It's hard for me to put into words how much I loved this story. I felt so viscerally connected to these characters. Every jump, twist, pike, tuck, flip and fall. I felt every emotion and felt like I was right there on the sidelines rooting Ria on. Franco did a phenomenal job as I couldn't help but feel all of Ria's emotions: her determination to reach her goals and her growing obsession and carnal need for her devastatingly gorgeous and enigmatic Coach, Kova. The best part for me was the perfect way the author not only progressed the story but also the main characters. It was amazing to see more of Hayden and his growing connection to Ria but but more importantly (for me) it was fantastic the way she portrayed Ria and Kova's passionate addiction and growing emotions for each other. Their connection was intense and carnal and you could feel it deep in your bones.
Furthermore, I loved that the author provided the much needed emotional insight that I was DYING for. She brilliantly showcased both Kova and Ria's internal struggle and turmoil balancing their guilt, sense of right and wrong with what felt like an innate torrid need. We were able to see different facets to the typically proud and cold Kova, namely moments of vulnerability, volatility, anguish, guilt and his deep feelings for Ria. It was so powerful to see her as an aggressor in her pursuit of this man and act as the stick of dynamite in conjunction with their combustible chemistry that blew up this man's world.
Overall, I cannot recommend this story enough. It was beautiful, forbidden and filled with explosive gut punches galore filled with secrets and lies. I was hooked and obsessed and my love for this series has no bounds. Franco pushed the envelope and wasn't afraid to write from her heart which is pretty evident from her beautiful words. This story was magnificent and left you gasping for breath and praying for more. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
November 23, 2021
I have NEVER been on this big of a roller coaster of emotions in one book. With ALL characters! Every single one, depending on the chapter, I either wanted to hug or punch.
I commend the author for her writing skills because of this. Truly. This book is written so well and the emotions I felt showed that. It was always interesting, never felt slow. The pacing of these books is perfection.
The ENDING?!?! I hope Kova steps on a Lego in book 3.
I commend the author for her writing skills because of this. Truly. This book is written so well and the emotions I felt showed that. It was always interesting, never felt slow. The pacing of these books is perfection.
The ENDING?!?! I hope Kova steps on a Lego in book 3.
January 23, 2023
Re-read 6/11 - still 5/5
Reread 1/22/23
Reread 1/22/23
April 15, 2018
I’ve come to the conclusion that Lucia Franco is on a mission to slowly kill her readers. There is no other explanation I can come up with for the pain filled torture that she continued to put us through with this series.
Now don’t misunderstand what I say and think that I am not willingly surrendering to it because I can tell you that I am first in line to this emotional whiplash she continues to dish out.
Now when I first read balance I was blown away and overcome with feelings. Like a train wreck waiting to happen I could not turn away from and I inhaled it like oxygen.
How was she going to top it !!! Well she did and then some. Kova is like a guilty pleasure and holy hell I have a love / hate relationship with him in Execution. He’s crass, he’s mean and then he’s sweet and attentive. He makes my head spin. But I want more of him I literally want to drown in him.
And then there’s Adrianna who I also at times had a love hate relationship with. She’s innocent and sweet one minute and then I think to myself she’s Lolita.
We are still on this impending train wreck and at every turn of the page I waited with baited breath to see when that disaster would happen. Just when you think it’s happened something else comes along. It’s like the train barreling through and it hits one car and then another and then another.
Oh this book made me rage and then it made me heady. It had me cursing in a language that I don’t even think existed. But it was sooo freaking good. They say good things come to those who wait and with this one it was all that I expected and then some.
Shocking, sinfully seductive and full of drama. Lucia Franco delivers a forbidden tale of wanting something you can’t have and damn the consequences.
Now don’t misunderstand what I say and think that I am not willingly surrendering to it because I can tell you that I am first in line to this emotional whiplash she continues to dish out.
Now when I first read balance I was blown away and overcome with feelings. Like a train wreck waiting to happen I could not turn away from and I inhaled it like oxygen.
How was she going to top it !!! Well she did and then some. Kova is like a guilty pleasure and holy hell I have a love / hate relationship with him in Execution. He’s crass, he’s mean and then he’s sweet and attentive. He makes my head spin. But I want more of him I literally want to drown in him.
And then there’s Adrianna who I also at times had a love hate relationship with. She’s innocent and sweet one minute and then I think to myself she’s Lolita.
We are still on this impending train wreck and at every turn of the page I waited with baited breath to see when that disaster would happen. Just when you think it’s happened something else comes along. It’s like the train barreling through and it hits one car and then another and then another.
Oh this book made me rage and then it made me heady. It had me cursing in a language that I don’t even think existed. But it was sooo freaking good. They say good things come to those who wait and with this one it was all that I expected and then some.
Shocking, sinfully seductive and full of drama. Lucia Franco delivers a forbidden tale of wanting something you can’t have and damn the consequences.
November 16, 2018
Hey!! This book is on sale for $.99 today (November 16, 2018)! Go get it!!!
I LOVED the first book. LOVED. I didn't think it was possible to love the sequel equally. The thrill of the chase in the first books of series usually makes the sequels only so-so for me. But this. This book was sublime. It made it into my favorites list along with its predecessor.
My review sucks, I'm rambling incoherently, because honestly, I still can't think straight because of my book hangover. It was everything I wanted. She didn't disappoint me once, everything that happened in this book was necessary both for the development (and destruction) of all the relationships in the story.
She made me laugh, cry, swoon, scream in frustration, rage, sweat with arousal, and most of all smile. Kova is a huge asshole, but I want him anyway. If you felt like you didn't know how he felt in the first one, there's no way to miss it in this one. He's agonized, tortured, and torn in many directions.
Poor Ria, I know some of her struggles pretty intimately, and let me tell you....she's stronger than I could be.
Disclaimer: Yo. I got this arc from the fantastically kind author, but I also pre-ordered it. So, there.
PREVIOUS Pre-release review:
I love you, though.
I LOVED the first book. LOVED. I didn't think it was possible to love the sequel equally. The thrill of the chase in the first books of series usually makes the sequels only so-so for me. But this. This book was sublime. It made it into my favorites list along with its predecessor.
My review sucks, I'm rambling incoherently, because honestly, I still can't think straight because of my book hangover. It was everything I wanted. She didn't disappoint me once, everything that happened in this book was necessary both for the development (and destruction) of all the relationships in the story.
She made me laugh, cry, swoon, scream in frustration, rage, sweat with arousal, and most of all smile. Kova is a huge asshole, but I want him anyway. If you felt like you didn't know how he felt in the first one, there's no way to miss it in this one. He's agonized, tortured, and torn in many directions.
Poor Ria, I know some of her struggles pretty intimately, and let me tell you....she's stronger than I could be.
Disclaimer: Yo. I got this arc from the fantastically kind author, but I also pre-ordered it. So, there.
PREVIOUS Pre-release review:
I love you, though.
July 15, 2020
Holy Hell, Lucia killed me with that ending. What a cliffhanger.
Adrianna is working harder than ever to get to her dream. She is driven and doesn’t stop. She has come so far in her gymnastic career. Personally is wise and naive at the same time My heart broke for her. How much betrayal can one girl take?
Kova, I hated him as much as I loved him. He is still the brooding, selfish jerk, Fighting his demons. We see a small glimpse of why he treats Adrianna poorly.
Reagan starts to come around a little, While Adrianna's mother is just horrible and is out for vengeance. Of course, Hayden is still there for Adrianna, no matter what happens.
Adrianna is working harder than ever to get to her dream. She is driven and doesn’t stop. She has come so far in her gymnastic career. Personally is wise and naive at the same time My heart broke for her. How much betrayal can one girl take?
Kova, I hated him as much as I loved him. He is still the brooding, selfish jerk, Fighting his demons. We see a small glimpse of why he treats Adrianna poorly.
Reagan starts to come around a little, While Adrianna's mother is just horrible and is out for vengeance. Of course, Hayden is still there for Adrianna, no matter what happens.
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