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Off Balance
What is a family?
Kelsey, fifteen, finds herself abandoned by her mother with a birth certificate in hand that says Caleb Ramirez, a total stranger, is her father. She turns to Juliette, her ballet teacher, for help.
Caleb, living across the country and unaware he ever fathered a child, receives a phone call that changes his entire life. If moving to the East Coast and in with a teenager who doesn't believe he never knew she existed wasn't enough, Caleb has to deal with Juliette— the ballet teacher whom Kelsey wishes was her guardian.
Unfortunately for Caleb, Juliette is everything he's ever looked for.
A woman who couldn't become a mother.
A man who always wanted to start a family but never found the right person.
And a child who's always fended for herself.
A story about what exactly is the role of genetics in family?
Kelsey, fifteen, finds herself abandoned by her mother with a birth certificate in hand that says Caleb Ramirez, a total stranger, is her father. She turns to Juliette, her ballet teacher, for help.
Caleb, living across the country and unaware he ever fathered a child, receives a phone call that changes his entire life. If moving to the East Coast and in with a teenager who doesn't believe he never knew she existed wasn't enough, Caleb has to deal with Juliette— the ballet teacher whom Kelsey wishes was her guardian.
Unfortunately for Caleb, Juliette is everything he's ever looked for.
A woman who couldn't become a mother.
A man who always wanted to start a family but never found the right person.
And a child who's always fended for herself.
A story about what exactly is the role of genetics in family?
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2024
7 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 15, 2024
4.5 stars
Had the fortune to received an ARC last week and binged it as soon as I could.
Loved the constant character development throughout the whole book from all Juliette, Caleb and Kelsey.
Though the book was almost 600 pages, it didn’t feel long enough, probably because it was a slow burn and I don’t read a lot of those.
Just a lil something I can’t put my finger on right now that stopping it from being a 5 star but I loved it nonetheless.
Can’t wait for others to read it this August.
Had the fortune to received an ARC last week and binged it as soon as I could.
Loved the constant character development throughout the whole book from all Juliette, Caleb and Kelsey.
Though the book was almost 600 pages, it didn’t feel long enough, probably because it was a slow burn and I don’t read a lot of those.
Just a lil something I can’t put my finger on right now that stopping it from being a 5 star but I loved it nonetheless.
Can’t wait for others to read it this August.
July 20, 2024
CW: parental abandonment, infertility, cheating (not between MCs), narcissistic parental abuse
🌟(Sort of) enemies to friends to lovers
🌟 Found family
🌈 Latinx Hero
🌶 Praise
I laughed. I cried. I swooned.
Wow. THAT was an emotional journey from start to end.
Okay so, I'm gonna say infertility related storylines are always a gut punch of sadness, but I praise any author to the heavens who deals with it with grace and this was so carefully handled so I wanna get that out the way before I go on.
This story was a beautiful journey of three people lost, in need of love, and with a tangible yet fragile connection to one another. Watching the three of them learn to love one another was an absolute gift.
My heart went out to Kelsey the most in the story. We've all been a lost teenager with troubles, but this poor girl was just dealt such a bad hand in life. To be thrust into a life of forced independence so young is heartbreaking and then throwing in lies you've been told your whole life is just too much for any fifteen year old. Such a subtle part of her development throughout the book really hit me in the feels and it was the slow change from her inner mind referring to Caleb as "Caleb" to "my father" to "dad" that really got me 😭 So subtle but so effective.
Juliette was a beautiful heroine. So much responsibility on one woman, not only bearing the weight of her infertility journey and the emotional scars of a divorce, but also an abandoned child and attempting to construct a family between C and K when all she wants is a family of her own 😭 The grace, the strength, the sheer determination of her is enviable.
Then we come to Caleb, who has probably just had the biggest shock of his life, instead of running for the hills, unwaiveringly forges a relationship with his daughter. His dedication to being a father for her was beautiful.
The three characters just worked so well together that there was literally no other option for them to become a proper family. They all found love in each other and it was just beautiful 😭😭😭
ALSO THE EPILOGUE!!!!!!
🌟(Sort of) enemies to friends to lovers
🌟 Found family
🌈 Latinx Hero
🌶 Praise
I laughed. I cried. I swooned.
Wow. THAT was an emotional journey from start to end.
Okay so, I'm gonna say infertility related storylines are always a gut punch of sadness, but I praise any author to the heavens who deals with it with grace and this was so carefully handled so I wanna get that out the way before I go on.
This story was a beautiful journey of three people lost, in need of love, and with a tangible yet fragile connection to one another. Watching the three of them learn to love one another was an absolute gift.
My heart went out to Kelsey the most in the story. We've all been a lost teenager with troubles, but this poor girl was just dealt such a bad hand in life. To be thrust into a life of forced independence so young is heartbreaking and then throwing in lies you've been told your whole life is just too much for any fifteen year old. Such a subtle part of her development throughout the book really hit me in the feels and it was the slow change from her inner mind referring to Caleb as "Caleb" to "my father" to "dad" that really got me 😭 So subtle but so effective.
Juliette was a beautiful heroine. So much responsibility on one woman, not only bearing the weight of her infertility journey and the emotional scars of a divorce, but also an abandoned child and attempting to construct a family between C and K when all she wants is a family of her own 😭 The grace, the strength, the sheer determination of her is enviable.
Then we come to Caleb, who has probably just had the biggest shock of his life, instead of running for the hills, unwaiveringly forges a relationship with his daughter. His dedication to being a father for her was beautiful.
The three characters just worked so well together that there was literally no other option for them to become a proper family. They all found love in each other and it was just beautiful 😭😭😭
ALSO THE EPILOGUE!!!!!!
June 9, 2024
Okay yall...wow.
I had the absolute fortune to receive an ARC of this book before its publication and for that i am grateful.
This book is so real and raw and i say that wholeheartedly.
First and foremost, Kelsy's story broke me and the turmoil that she faces throughout the book is painful. and her growth? makes it all worthwhile to keep pushing.
Jules...what a beautifully written character. She is this prim and proper ballet teacher who has walls built around her heart. Watching her soften over the course of the book for Caleb was heartwarming. however, her never ending devotion to Kelsy was all that she deserved and more.
Caleb...is such an idiot in the most positive way possible. this man made me laugh more than i thought possible in a book like this. he is absolutely hysterical and if i could share the highlights, they would mostly be the stupid and endearing things he says bc he gets nervous and runs his mouth.
It's so much more than the spice, but when the spice came up...it delivered. Like perfect. No notes.
These have to be some of the best characters i have read from a smaller author i have ever read. honestly, the best book, period. full stop. the way this author has the attention for detail....yall..its the smallest things that have you going back and putting pieces together. so well done. this author deserves all the attention. its so beautifully written and the descriptions are insane. just wow. i am in awe. 10/10 would recommend.
I had the absolute fortune to receive an ARC of this book before its publication and for that i am grateful.
This book is so real and raw and i say that wholeheartedly.
First and foremost, Kelsy's story broke me and the turmoil that she faces throughout the book is painful. and her growth? makes it all worthwhile to keep pushing.
Jules...what a beautifully written character. She is this prim and proper ballet teacher who has walls built around her heart. Watching her soften over the course of the book for Caleb was heartwarming. however, her never ending devotion to Kelsy was all that she deserved and more.
Caleb...is such an idiot in the most positive way possible. this man made me laugh more than i thought possible in a book like this. he is absolutely hysterical and if i could share the highlights, they would mostly be the stupid and endearing things he says bc he gets nervous and runs his mouth.
It's so much more than the spice, but when the spice came up...it delivered. Like perfect. No notes.
These have to be some of the best characters i have read from a smaller author i have ever read. honestly, the best book, period. full stop. the way this author has the attention for detail....yall..its the smallest things that have you going back and putting pieces together. so well done. this author deserves all the attention. its so beautifully written and the descriptions are insane. just wow. i am in awe. 10/10 would recommend.
July 12, 2024
🩰Off Balance is a contemporary romance with angst! It's comes complete with a golden retriever single dad (he just found out), a perfectionist dance teacher, a snarky teenager, and plenty of angst to go around... oh and did I mention the lap dance? 🔥🤭
If you enjoyed Wild Love by Elsie Silver then you'll love this one! It's a beautiful, heartfelt story about what makes a family and all the kinds or love that matters!
If you enjoyed Wild Love by Elsie Silver then you'll love this one! It's a beautiful, heartfelt story about what makes a family and all the kinds or love that matters!
July 19, 2024
If you have the privilege to read this book, your heart will burst. It is equal parts adorable and cute, as well as heart wrenching and heart breaking.
I love how Caleb is fully committed and that Juliette is ready and willing to kick his butt if he hurts Kelsey. I think the dynamic is so unique and lovely. What a story to tell. I’m so thankful I could read it.
I love how Caleb is fully committed and that Juliette is ready and willing to kick his butt if he hurts Kelsey. I think the dynamic is so unique and lovely. What a story to tell. I’m so thankful I could read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2024
Really enjoyed this multi-POV read. The character development was perfect and in my opinion realistic. This book definitely tugged on my heart strings and I will admit to shedding a few tears. This was a new to me author and I look forward to reading more of her work.
April 28, 2025
I love when you're reading a book you can tell the author has personal experience in. Nuanced experiences from ballet are beautifully woven into this high-angsty, sexy as hell story. I also appreciated the chapters from the teen girl's perspective because it added to the "No way!" plot. Highly recommend! This was my 2nd book of Tiffany's after recently discovering her and I cannot wait for her to give us more. An author to read right now and to watch...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews