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Off Balance #3
Release
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 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.
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 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.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 24, 2019
733 people are currently reading
7756 people want to read
About the author
Lucia Franco
28 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 959 reviews
December 15, 2019
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Release, book 3 of 5. Reckless & ultra-forbidden affair between aspiring gymnast & her hotter-than-sin Russian 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
My review of book 1: Balance
Release, told from Adrianna’s POV, is an ultra-forbidden affair that pushes the envelope of right and wrong, skates and crosses the line of what’s appropriate even lawful. A glued-to-your-Kindle, butterflies-in-your belly roller-coaster addictive affair driven by the anti-hero of all anti-heroes, the reckless, mercurial, conflicted and ruthless Kova.
Taboo! Risky! Suspenseful! Scandalous! Controversial!
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | LOW FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Release, book 3 of 5. Reckless & ultra-forbidden affair between aspiring gymnast & her hotter-than-sin Russian 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
My review of book 1: Balance
Release, told from Adrianna’s POV, is an ultra-forbidden affair that pushes the envelope of right and wrong, skates and crosses the line of what’s appropriate even lawful. A glued-to-your-Kindle, butterflies-in-your belly roller-coaster addictive affair driven by the anti-hero of all anti-heroes, the reckless, mercurial, conflicted and ruthless Kova.
Taboo! Risky! Suspenseful! Scandalous! Controversial!
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | LOW FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Purchase: | MOBI | EPUB |
August 15, 2020
This series has me fucking hooked. I can't get enough! I didn't really start reading book 1 until Sunday. It's 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, and I'm ready for book 4! I actually have to take a break for an ARC, but rest assured I will be jumping right into Twist when I'm finished. I need to know what happens next! I feel sorry for myself already, because I know when I'm finished reading the fourth installment, I'm going to want to 5th one desperately. 😭 Too bad for me it's not out yet. 😫
Release showed a different side of several characters in the series, and it had an overall slightly different feel to me than it's predecessors. Regardless, I felt the connection between Kova and Ria as much as ever. There is no doubt in my mind that these two people are meant to be together. Even if they infuriate you, I don't see how you could deny it.
There is plenty of heartache, secrets, and lies between them this time around. At this point, I pretty much want to just knock the fuck out of Adrianna and Kova, but at the same time, I'm rooting for them to be together. You can literally feel the toll being apart/distant takes on them both, because Lucia Franco makes you FEEL it. In fact, she has done an incredible job of making me feel every emotion the characters experience. I would be shocked if anyone that read this series told me they didn't feel any strong emotions while reading these books. This author reaches inside your chest and makes you feel whether you want to or not. She makes your heart melt, pisses you off, punches you in the gut, turns you on, and continues to do it again and again until you feel like you're going to burst.
The Off Balance series is turning out to be one of my favorites of 2019. I'm so happy I decided to read Balance in support of the author. Truly one of the best decisions I've made this reading year. This is an unforgettable series, and I don't say that lightly with the number of books I read this year. Based on these three novels alone, I will never hesitate to pick up another book by this author. She is an autobuy author for me from now on, and I don't have very many of those. Lucia Franco, you got yourself a brand new fan!
Taboo/age gap romance fans, this is a MUST READ!
Release showed a different side of several characters in the series, and it had an overall slightly different feel to me than it's predecessors. Regardless, I felt the connection between Kova and Ria as much as ever. There is no doubt in my mind that these two people are meant to be together. Even if they infuriate you, I don't see how you could deny it.
There is plenty of heartache, secrets, and lies between them this time around. At this point, I pretty much want to just knock the fuck out of Adrianna and Kova, but at the same time, I'm rooting for them to be together. You can literally feel the toll being apart/distant takes on them both, because Lucia Franco makes you FEEL it. In fact, she has done an incredible job of making me feel every emotion the characters experience. I would be shocked if anyone that read this series told me they didn't feel any strong emotions while reading these books. This author reaches inside your chest and makes you feel whether you want to or not. She makes your heart melt, pisses you off, punches you in the gut, turns you on, and continues to do it again and again until you feel like you're going to burst.
The Off Balance series is turning out to be one of my favorites of 2019. I'm so happy I decided to read Balance in support of the author. Truly one of the best decisions I've made this reading year. This is an unforgettable series, and I don't say that lightly with the number of books I read this year. Based on these three novels alone, I will never hesitate to pick up another book by this author. She is an autobuy author for me from now on, and I don't have very many of those. Lucia Franco, you got yourself a brand new fan!
Taboo/age gap romance fans, this is a MUST READ!
September 16, 2022
4.25 stars
This book really put me through it. By the end I was wrecked. As a nurse, I knew what was coming so it wasn’t so much of a shock for me but still devastating none the less. And I actually really started to like Kova in this one…. who would have thought LOL! I’m so sad the rest of these aren’t on audio, but I’ll be reading them asap because I have to know what’s going to happen next with Adrianna and Kova!
This book really put me through it. By the end I was wrecked. As a nurse, I knew what was coming so it wasn’t so much of a shock for me but still devastating none the less. And I actually really started to like Kova in this one…. who would have thought LOL! I’m so sad the rest of these aren’t on audio, but I’ll be reading them asap because I have to know what’s going to happen next with Adrianna and Kova!
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4.25 stars
Narrators: Sarah Puckett
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Sports Romance
Length: 11h 7m
May 3, 2019
This book had me completely hooked from beginning to end. Lots of books touch me for various reasons but this one touched me deep and left me with chills. It’s a story of lies, secrets, powerful love and inner-strength. The storyline was well written and the characters were so well developed that as I turned each page I was drawn deeper and deeper in as the story developed between Kova and Adrianna! This book covers some touchy subjects but is written so well that you can almost feel the struggles all the parties are going through.
If you are looking for something light and drama-free – this is NOT the book for you. It’s hard, it’s painful, with some serious issues raised, but felt so real and touched my heart deeply.
Thank you for the opportunity to read it!
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 5/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 3/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest reiew.
If you are looking for something light and drama-free – this is NOT the book for you. It’s hard, it’s painful, with some serious issues raised, but felt so real and touched my heart deeply.
Thank you for the opportunity to read it!
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 5/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 3/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest reiew.
January 18, 2021
Release is a very different book because it’s very focused on the sport of gymnastics. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some gymnastics but everything gets old eventually. On the flip side of that I enjoyed the slow burn. I loved that Kova willingly handed over his control to Adrianna. I like that she made him miserable even though she made herself just as miserable. But the drive to get through this book was the results at her doctor. What is it? Tell me, I need to know!
Well damn, Hayden is obviously a no go. But what do you expect when you go from the big leagues and step down to the minors?
How the heck did I guess what was wrong with her?!?! I blame Mitch Hedberg and his wicked sense of humor. 🙈
Why would her Dad hide that from her?
Welp this ended with me wanting to wring Adrianna’s neck for several reasons. But I suppose it’s her life to decide what she wants to do with it but damn ... I can’t wait until Kova finds out.
Well damn, Hayden is obviously a no go. But what do you expect when you go from the big leagues and step down to the minors?
How the heck did I guess what was wrong with her?!?! I blame Mitch Hedberg and his wicked sense of humor. 🙈
Why would her Dad hide that from her?
Welp this ended with me wanting to wring Adrianna’s neck for several reasons. But I suppose it’s her life to decide what she wants to do with it but damn ... I can’t wait until Kova finds out.
May 5, 2019
5 Release Stars ⭐️
There are taboo stories that make us slightly uncomfortable and then there is the ‘Off Balance’ series.
Make no mistake, this series is the real deal.
Release cannot be read as a standalone. It must be read after Balance and Execution.
This is a significant age gap romance. It is the forbidden story of Russian coach Kova and his young protégé gymnast Ria. Lines became blurred when they entered into a sexual relationship. This series is filled with high octane angst, heartbreak but also love.
If you are not yet put off; this series is pure insanity. It is brilliantly written, seductive, addictive and gut wrenching. Be prepared to experience many emotions….not all good.
If you are into taboo reads, you are missing out by not reading this series.
Lucia Franco was true to her words. I did need a pack of cigarettes and vodka to read this book!
As this is only book 3, Release ends with a cliffhanger.
There are taboo stories that make us slightly uncomfortable and then there is the ‘Off Balance’ series.
Make no mistake, this series is the real deal.
Release cannot be read as a standalone. It must be read after Balance and Execution.
This is a significant age gap romance. It is the forbidden story of Russian coach Kova and his young protégé gymnast Ria. Lines became blurred when they entered into a sexual relationship. This series is filled with high octane angst, heartbreak but also love.
If you are not yet put off; this series is pure insanity. It is brilliantly written, seductive, addictive and gut wrenching. Be prepared to experience many emotions….not all good.
If you are into taboo reads, you are missing out by not reading this series.
Lucia Franco was true to her words. I did need a pack of cigarettes and vodka to read this book!
As this is only book 3, Release ends with a cliffhanger.
November 7, 2019
Sincerely I’m speechless! This book took my breath away.
The characters are ... I don’t have words to describe them. There are so emotions, love, secrets. It’s powerful.
Poor Adrianna... She didn’t deserve such horrible things.
The characters are ... I don’t have words to describe them. There are so emotions, love, secrets. It’s powerful.
Poor Adrianna... She didn’t deserve such horrible things.
May 1, 2019
I waited this long for that? 😑 I’ve been racking my brain wondering if I missed anything. But NOPE didn’t miss anything since the whole book was her missing doctors calls till nearly the end, when you finally get to find out what her health issues are. Kova was his usual self with a hint of kindness sprinkled in. What I didn’t get is how in the beginning he wanted to tell her the reason why he married Katja and then when she finally wanted to know because that took the whole damn book too he was just like “your mother is evil” not exactly those words but just enough of a hint to have her reeling on what it could be. Honestly I really do like this series but this book was hyped up a bit too much for me to be like “wow...that was anticlimactic” thankfully I’m on an 8 hour flight so I had nothing but time to read, however I’m kind of disappointed. Yes Lucia can write; I’m not knocking that. I love how she writes, but damn all that hype and time and that’s what I get?! I’m ready for these next two books...which I wish would just be one if each book is gonna have a clue about one thing and then confirmation about another.
Maybe I need a different perspective, but as of right now it just didn’t shock me the way I thought it would.
Maybe I need a different perspective, but as of right now it just didn’t shock me the way I thought it would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2019
This book.
This damn frigging book.
I have been waiting for the book for far too long and I have been exciting myself and going a lil bit crazy everytime the Facebook group released something.
But oh my good lord. This book is just ..
It’s just...
Terrible.
I have never been more annoyed with characters ever. I know Adrianna is 16 but my god. I have never dealt with a more insufferable character.
And Kova my sweet sweet Kova.. what the hell happened to you!?
He’s turned into this weird flip floppy version of himself and it’s made me very sad.
Four things happened
1- possibly one of the most stupid decisions ever. And then more drama with said stupid decisions (AKA HES A DRUG DEALER) like what the hell where is this arc going??!!
2- call your fucking doctor. This was the part cliffhanger of the last book and it’s continued through the -my ibooks says 576 pages; and dear god I seriously hope it wasn’t that ducking long- just please. Call you’re fucking doctor when they’re adamant to see you.
3- the other half of the cliffhanger. Frank’s a cheating twat and ‘She is NOT your child’. What the fuck happened? Some more drama that gets glossed over:(
4- congrats!! And now some shit happens and nothing really happens I guess...- wait!, what??.)-&9-
Freaking useless stupid inner dialogue and non interactions. Everything felt super weird it felt like Adrianna was aware of “ like hey do you see that girl that’s me and that was the day I fucked my coach” her own existence. Weird.
But back the to book, it was so loooooong, sooooo looooooooooong. It was almost impressive. Also I’m pretty sure that about 3/4 of the book in every other character in the universe just dies because it’s just Adrianna and Kova, and maybe a doctor if you’re lucky.
But I thundered on. Everyone was raving about this one bit where your soul is just crushed into a thousand pieces by Ms Franco. Was it when Adrianna decided she was going to hide her feelings? Was it when one of the love triangle people is actually worse than the one we thought was bad? Was it when nobody told Kova happy birthday? Oh and what the freak frack was that ending?! My mind was midway through the paragraph and then got shot in the face.
So. Writers. They use ‘writing techniques’ to try and evoke different emotions from their readers. And when you are so far into the reading zone, you trip into every single one. Ms Franco used ellipsis, dramatic pauses, metaphors, imperatives, hyperbole, and that super duper confident teenagers voice when they’re dead set on something. Short sentences to make them pop and jump into the next sentence with vigour as you convince yourself it would be a good idea to get a tattoo of your boyfriend of 2 weeks. The paragraph was ending and I was ready to jump into the next one, we’re in the middle of someone’s very own ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. And I was ready to hold Ms Adrianna’s hand as she jumped into her confidence and purpose, ready for her to go and.. And... there was none.
I jumped off of the metaphorical mountain confident my wings would catch me... and they didn’t. They dropped me.
Down the cliffhanger I guess.
I’m going to read the next two regardless. I’ve invested some misplaced like with these characters and I’m curious to see what they’ll do with themselves. But don’t think I’m happy about it.
I wanted to love this book so badly. But it was just horrendous. I can’t even really believe it exists. And that I read it.
And that other people are going crazy for it!? Did we read the same book? Did I get the unedited version?
Good luck with this one children!
This damn frigging book.
I have been waiting for the book for far too long and I have been exciting myself and going a lil bit crazy everytime the Facebook group released something.
But oh my good lord. This book is just ..
It’s just...
Terrible.
I have never been more annoyed with characters ever. I know Adrianna is 16 but my god. I have never dealt with a more insufferable character.
And Kova my sweet sweet Kova.. what the hell happened to you!?
He’s turned into this weird flip floppy version of himself and it’s made me very sad.
Four things happened
1- possibly one of the most stupid decisions ever. And then more drama with said stupid decisions (AKA HES A DRUG DEALER) like what the hell where is this arc going??!!
2- call your fucking doctor. This was the part cliffhanger of the last book and it’s continued through the -my ibooks says 576 pages; and dear god I seriously hope it wasn’t that ducking long- just please. Call you’re fucking doctor when they’re adamant to see you.
3- the other half of the cliffhanger. Frank’s a cheating twat and ‘She is NOT your child’. What the fuck happened? Some more drama that gets glossed over:(
4- congrats!! And now some shit happens and nothing really happens I guess...- wait!, what??.)-&9-
Freaking useless stupid inner dialogue and non interactions. Everything felt super weird it felt like Adrianna was aware of “ like hey do you see that girl that’s me and that was the day I fucked my coach” her own existence. Weird.
But back the to book, it was so loooooong, sooooo looooooooooong. It was almost impressive. Also I’m pretty sure that about 3/4 of the book in every other character in the universe just dies because it’s just Adrianna and Kova, and maybe a doctor if you’re lucky.
But I thundered on. Everyone was raving about this one bit where your soul is just crushed into a thousand pieces by Ms Franco. Was it when Adrianna decided she was going to hide her feelings? Was it when one of the love triangle people is actually worse than the one we thought was bad? Was it when nobody told Kova happy birthday? Oh and what the freak frack was that ending?! My mind was midway through the paragraph and then got shot in the face.
So. Writers. They use ‘writing techniques’ to try and evoke different emotions from their readers. And when you are so far into the reading zone, you trip into every single one. Ms Franco used ellipsis, dramatic pauses, metaphors, imperatives, hyperbole, and that super duper confident teenagers voice when they’re dead set on something. Short sentences to make them pop and jump into the next sentence with vigour as you convince yourself it would be a good idea to get a tattoo of your boyfriend of 2 weeks. The paragraph was ending and I was ready to jump into the next one, we’re in the middle of someone’s very own ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. And I was ready to hold Ms Adrianna’s hand as she jumped into her confidence and purpose, ready for her to go and.. And... there was none.
I jumped off of the metaphorical mountain confident my wings would catch me... and they didn’t. They dropped me.
Down the cliffhanger I guess.
I’m going to read the next two regardless. I’ve invested some misplaced like with these characters and I’m curious to see what they’ll do with themselves. But don’t think I’m happy about it.
I wanted to love this book so badly. But it was just horrendous. I can’t even really believe it exists. And that I read it.
And that other people are going crazy for it!? Did we read the same book? Did I get the unedited version?
Good luck with this one children!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2025
cue 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 by lana del rey♪🍒❤️🔥
May 9, 2019
After the long wait for this book it certainly wasn’t worth it.
The author is dragging out the story (which frankly has become boring) into another TWO books. I can’t see how she can stretch the story any further as it could easily have been concluded in this book.
She made some odd changes to Hayden and Kova’s characters. I preferred them both in the previous books.
As I have said before, Adrianna is only 16 yet her internal monologue comes across too mature. It does not read like the voice of a 16 year old girl.
As for the ongoing health problems it’s clear she has, well this was drawn out until the end of the book to leave it on a cliffhanger but it seemed ridiculous to me that she is that dedicated to her sport she would rather die trying 🙄
In conclusion, I’m now completely bored of this dragged out story and won’t be bothering with the other two books as quite frankly, I don’t care about any of the characters anymore.
The author is dragging out the story (which frankly has become boring) into another TWO books. I can’t see how she can stretch the story any further as it could easily have been concluded in this book.
She made some odd changes to Hayden and Kova’s characters. I preferred them both in the previous books.
As I have said before, Adrianna is only 16 yet her internal monologue comes across too mature. It does not read like the voice of a 16 year old girl.
As for the ongoing health problems it’s clear she has, well this was drawn out until the end of the book to leave it on a cliffhanger but it seemed ridiculous to me that she is that dedicated to her sport she would rather die trying 🙄
In conclusion, I’m now completely bored of this dragged out story and won’t be bothering with the other two books as quite frankly, I don’t care about any of the characters anymore.
June 19, 2021
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.
April 29, 2019
How can I describe my feelings about a book that I've been excited to read since the end of Execution? Ohmigodthisbookwaseverythingandmore!
In the third book in the Off Balance series, Ria is heartbroken but more determined than ever to push her fears and pain aside and focus on the only thing left in her life that she can count on, gymnastics. Her determination fuels this story but so does her denial of the truth.
I love this book the most because Ria has grown tremendously over the other two books, but her growth comes from deep hurts caused by plenty of secrets and lies. Kova, who I love dearly, has proven he is not a villainous man but a flawed one with emotions and a soft side for Ria that shows in his actions more than his words. Lucia Franco has made these characters shine and changed my opinion of Ria (who I grew to love in Execution) and Kova for the better.
In the third book in the Off Balance series, Ria is heartbroken but more determined than ever to push her fears and pain aside and focus on the only thing left in her life that she can count on, gymnastics. Her determination fuels this story but so does her denial of the truth.
I love this book the most because Ria has grown tremendously over the other two books, but her growth comes from deep hurts caused by plenty of secrets and lies. Kova, who I love dearly, has proven he is not a villainous man but a flawed one with emotions and a soft side for Ria that shows in his actions more than his words. Lucia Franco has made these characters shine and changed my opinion of Ria (who I grew to love in Execution) and Kova for the better.
June 5, 2020
Oh Ms. Franco, what have you done to us? All other taboo reads pale in comparison. Until this next book is released I’ll spend my time on goodreads searching for something just as good.
May 8, 2019
I am not a quitter but ooooh how I wish I was so I could be done with these two people. Because I am not a quitter I always have to finish what I start even if it’s TORTURE; and THIS is torture!! What’s more irritating is the lackluster “cliffhanger” that’s not really a cliffhanger and the end of these books because you KNOW she will always go back to him and be his lapdog. There is literally nothing KOVA can do where ADRIANNA will really be “over him.” She’s ALL talk and no action and women readers DON’T want to read about a pushover or a doormat; we want strong women. So needless to say after three books Adrianna is STILL a pushover.
Three books of this back and forth is lame. Basically you should just skip to the last book in the series because all the ones before it are a bunch of he loves me, he loves me not, then she loves me, she loves me not with a little who is yo’ baby daddy issues thrown in there and my best friends are liars - shocker!
Three strikes, you’re out! I have tried and tried to read, mostly skim because there is A LOT OF blah blah blah in these books, but in the end it just isn’t a good series. I LOVE dark forbidden romances and I kept hoping for it to make sense but it just frustrated me. I love T.L. Swan, LJ Shen, Callie Hart, TM Frazier, Pepper Winters ... but this, ugh.
On another note, this third book comes with a little disclaimer at the beginning of it. It may or may not be because people seem to really like or loath this series, but honestly a good book doesn’t need a disclaimer saying it’s a “highly forbidden” romance as a warning before you read it. A lot of books written today are about taboo or forbidden topics, that’s why people like them. But if you are going to write a “forbidden romance” novel it’s got to be really good and this ISNT! Skip this series and read ANYTHING by L.J. Shen, T.M. Frazier, Callie Hart, Aly Martinez, A.Zavarelli, Jewel E. Ann - those are some good authors with GREAT “forbidden romance” books that can push you out of your comfort zone but not off a cliff into insanity!
Three books of this back and forth is lame. Basically you should just skip to the last book in the series because all the ones before it are a bunch of he loves me, he loves me not, then she loves me, she loves me not with a little who is yo’ baby daddy issues thrown in there and my best friends are liars - shocker!
Three strikes, you’re out! I have tried and tried to read, mostly skim because there is A LOT OF blah blah blah in these books, but in the end it just isn’t a good series. I LOVE dark forbidden romances and I kept hoping for it to make sense but it just frustrated me. I love T.L. Swan, LJ Shen, Callie Hart, TM Frazier, Pepper Winters ... but this, ugh.
On another note, this third book comes with a little disclaimer at the beginning of it. It may or may not be because people seem to really like or loath this series, but honestly a good book doesn’t need a disclaimer saying it’s a “highly forbidden” romance as a warning before you read it. A lot of books written today are about taboo or forbidden topics, that’s why people like them. But if you are going to write a “forbidden romance” novel it’s got to be really good and this ISNT! Skip this series and read ANYTHING by L.J. Shen, T.M. Frazier, Callie Hart, Aly Martinez, A.Zavarelli, Jewel E. Ann - those are some good authors with GREAT “forbidden romance” books that can push you out of your comfort zone but not off a cliff into insanity!
June 25, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars
The angst!!! Oh my goodness! The drama is palpable! I can’t take much more of this, but I certainly can’t stop! Please read this series, you will not find a more interesting or entrancing group of books!😍
The angst!!! Oh my goodness! The drama is palpable! I can’t take much more of this, but I certainly can’t stop! Please read this series, you will not find a more interesting or entrancing group of books!😍
January 26, 2023
6/15/21 re-read - still 5/5 Kova my fav Russian man
1/26/23 reread
1/26/23 reread
May 9, 2019
I'm not sure what to make of this. I adored the whole forbidden thing along with the mucho angst, but in this book the angst took an unexpected turn. Not a fan of that particular sort of angst
Ends on a cliffhanger. Available on ku. Not sure I want to read any more of this series now.
Ends on a cliffhanger. Available on ku. Not sure I want to read any more of this series now.
April 27, 2019
FUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK.
This was stupid good. I'll be honest, as much of a fan I am of Lucia, I was scared shitless that this book wouldn't live up to my expectations. I was afraid my personal issues would make me sneer at the parallels I knew would be present. I was afraid that there was no way this series could keep being a five star read each time. I don't know about you guys, but in a series, for me, usually the first two books are so great, and then it just.....DIES. So, I had that fear too. But all my anxiety going in was, thankfully, unnecessary.
The book. Her clever, repeated us of the word "release" had me so excited from a literary nerd POV.
Kova. He was less asshole, more swoon. And I was LOVING IT. Ria stuck it to him good so many times that I just couldn't help but say, "you tell 'im, chica!"
Hayden. I'm not allowed to give spoilers until the "release" :D of "Release". And I just cannot comment here with my thoughts without doing that. Check back later.
The drama. SHIT. I think I was saying, "Oh, shit" about five times before 11%. If you're into the Avery drama, alas, that is not a focus in this book. Be patient;) You find out what's wrong with her, you find out who mom is, and you're teased with more vague information about why Katja (known as Cuntja among us rabid fans) and Kova said those disastrous two words than fucked us all over in book two.
The gymnastics. I've never been proud of a fictional character until this book. Coach and athlete relationship was just....heartwarming.
The Cliffhanger. It's the worst so far. Be warned, be prepared. Then cry.
Disclaimer: Yo. I got this arc from the fantastically kind author, but I also pre-ordered it. So, there.
This was stupid good. I'll be honest, as much of a fan I am of Lucia, I was scared shitless that this book wouldn't live up to my expectations. I was afraid my personal issues would make me sneer at the parallels I knew would be present. I was afraid that there was no way this series could keep being a five star read each time. I don't know about you guys, but in a series, for me, usually the first two books are so great, and then it just.....DIES. So, I had that fear too. But all my anxiety going in was, thankfully, unnecessary.
The book. Her clever, repeated us of the word "release" had me so excited from a literary nerd POV.
Kova. He was less asshole, more swoon. And I was LOVING IT. Ria stuck it to him good so many times that I just couldn't help but say, "you tell 'im, chica!"
Hayden. I'm not allowed to give spoilers until the "release" :D of "Release". And I just cannot comment here with my thoughts without doing that. Check back later.
The drama. SHIT. I think I was saying, "Oh, shit" about five times before 11%. If you're into the Avery drama, alas, that is not a focus in this book. Be patient;) You find out what's wrong with her, you find out who mom is, and you're teased with more vague information about why Katja (known as Cuntja among us rabid fans) and Kova said those disastrous two words than fucked us all over in book two.
The gymnastics. I've never been proud of a fictional character until this book. Coach and athlete relationship was just....heartwarming.
The Cliffhanger. It's the worst so far. Be warned, be prepared. Then cry.
Disclaimer: Yo. I got this arc from the fantastically kind author, but I also pre-ordered it. So, there.
June 16, 2020
⭐️ 5+ "Mind Over Matter" Stars ⭐️
I finished Release a few days ago and I'm still reeling over this spectacular read! Lucia Franco crafted an unputdownable and compelling story bursting with all the feels! I was fascinated by Ria’s arduous journey toward her dream and her damaged relationship with Kova. This novel is one hell of a ride packed with ups and downs that left me completely drained! Release played with my emotions as I was put in a whirlwind of intense sensations!
“Even though my body was an empty shell, my heart still beat for him. Beat for his seductive lies. Beat for who he was deep inside. Kova wasn’t a bad man. He just made awful choices.”
The trust between Adrianna and Kova is so tenuous after all the heartbreak, but their relationship is slowly on the mend. On a personal level there’s a certain animosity, but on a coach/athlete facet they still have this common passion for the sport. I was dying over the pure joy radiating from both of them during Ria's meets. Her victories are his too! They're so beautiful to witness in these moments that it put wide smiles on my face and made me teary-eyed! I felt like they need this bonding time to help them heal and forgive the mistakes of the past.
Kova needed to redeem himself for his actions and he delightfully rises to the challenge. He is more than ever devoted to Ria and her well-being. Their dynamic is more emotional focused and the physical pull is only secondary. I felt it was really fundamental to repair their relationship. It doesn't mean they don't get sexy moments, it only means that it's more profound and exquisite!
"Sometimes I feel like I will miss you for the rest of my life, to the point I ache with sickness just thinking about it."
Release is so much more than a romance novel though! It’s most of all a story about ambition, true dedication, conquering adversity, surpassing your limits and losing yourself to your goal. It’s a poignant process to see Adrianna commit herself mind, body and soul to her sport! To achieve her ultimate goal, nothing else matters! Her emotional state is fragile and her body is one the brink of breaking, but she fights with everything! Ria is the epitome of inspiration!!!
The troublesome revelations of the previous novel are gradually explained, but certainly not fully resolved and it makes the process of reading this series amazing! Other secrets are exposed making this web of lies and deception more than ever intriguing!
“We made no sense at all yet we made perfect sense to each other, because there was no such thing as immoral or wrong when you’re were with the right person.”
I could rave about Release for a long while, but nothing I can say would do justice to this story! Lucia Franco shaped another masterpiece that filled my heart to the brim, but also shattered it! I inhaled and lived every words with avidity! That cliffhanger was truly hard to take and now I need the next book! This is incontestably another top favorite read for me this year!
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
April 28, 2019
Forbidden romances are my favorite trope but Release (and the entire Off Balance series) are in a league of their own. Lucia Franco tore my heart open, let her gut-wrenching words seep inside and (somewhat) put it back together and now Ria and Kova will be there forever. I'm completely and utterly obsessed with their story. Lucia has mastered the art of a forbidden romance, giving us so much more than delicious, steamy illicit scenes. This series is so much more than a gymnast's relationship with her coach. Release deserves more than five stars-- I'd give it a perfect ten.
January 26, 2023
3.5 Stars
This definitely was more of a filler book. We really get to see more gymnastics and how much training Ria really does but KOVA!
I need him to grovel. Like grovel a lot. I need answers from this man. I NEED ANSWERS.
This definitely was more of a filler book. We really get to see more gymnastics and how much training Ria really does but KOVA!
I need him to grovel. Like grovel a lot. I need answers from this man. I NEED ANSWERS.
May 23, 2019
I’m ready for #4. So ready, like I need it now. 😩😩😩
December 22, 2021
⭐⭐⭐💫 messy stars here...
I'll think about this review later...
I'm still trying to understand what bothered me on this one...
I'm still addicted to these characters messy life, and I will finish the series for sure... but i don't know...
Something was missing on this one.
June 4, 2019
What a ride!
Holy Moly! Lucia Franco has once again managed to control my whole day with her written words!
About Release:
Release is the third book in the Off Balance series and I highly recommend you read tge books in order. I'm completely shocked right now, given that ending there are so many tears and so many questions.
With her dreams within fingertips reach and gold on her mind, Adrianna must choose between what matters to her and what is most important for her. She's stuck between a rock and a hard place and for once her world isn't revolving around Kova. She's got bigger issues risking an end to her dreams.
My Thoughts:
I told myself I wasn't going to read Release by Lucia Franco until Twist and Dismount released. But then something happened and I accidentally added it to my kindle unlimited library. And I accidentally read a few pages and then I read a few more and basically binged on this book all day. I am so consumed by this series! I can't help but devour every word this author writes! I'm absolutely enamored by Adrianna and Kova's story and the drama that always finds them.
I thought the coach and gymnast relationship dynamic in this novel was stronger than before. I loved the fierce connection Adrianna and Kova have. There is no denying chemistry and these two have it in spades! But given the fact that Kova is now married kind of puts a dampening effect on all that was sexy and smoldering. I loved the fact that this novel wasn't all wrapped up in sex and in the end I felt a greater emotional connection between the two.
Adrianna deals with a lot of personal stuff throughout this novel. I have to say, some parts in this novel were really difficult for me to read, especially that ending. My dad suffers from a very rare autoimmune disease and he's been through several things that were mentioned in the novel. My heart literally broke for Adrianna because I know the fear she dealt. Trust me when I say, the fear and the raw emotions at the end of this novel brings a sense of terrifying reality to Adrianna's story. My heart is still hurting over that last scene.
I absolutely loved everything about this novel. I felt this one was more thought out than the first two books in the series. The plot was nearly flawless with loads of laughs and tears. It's everything I was expecting plus so much more. That cliffhanger was brutal though. In need to know if all is going to be okay with Adrianna! This was a great read and so far my favorite in the series! I can't wait to see what's to come next for Kova and Adrianna!
________________
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Holy Moly! Lucia Franco has once again managed to control my whole day with her written words!
About Release:
Release is the third book in the Off Balance series and I highly recommend you read tge books in order. I'm completely shocked right now, given that ending there are so many tears and so many questions.
With her dreams within fingertips reach and gold on her mind, Adrianna must choose between what matters to her and what is most important for her. She's stuck between a rock and a hard place and for once her world isn't revolving around Kova. She's got bigger issues risking an end to her dreams.
My Thoughts:
I told myself I wasn't going to read Release by Lucia Franco until Twist and Dismount released. But then something happened and I accidentally added it to my kindle unlimited library. And I accidentally read a few pages and then I read a few more and basically binged on this book all day. I am so consumed by this series! I can't help but devour every word this author writes! I'm absolutely enamored by Adrianna and Kova's story and the drama that always finds them.
I thought the coach and gymnast relationship dynamic in this novel was stronger than before. I loved the fierce connection Adrianna and Kova have. There is no denying chemistry and these two have it in spades! But given the fact that Kova is now married kind of puts a dampening effect on all that was sexy and smoldering. I loved the fact that this novel wasn't all wrapped up in sex and in the end I felt a greater emotional connection between the two.
Adrianna deals with a lot of personal stuff throughout this novel. I have to say, some parts in this novel were really difficult for me to read, especially that ending. My dad suffers from a very rare autoimmune disease and he's been through several things that were mentioned in the novel. My heart literally broke for Adrianna because I know the fear she dealt. Trust me when I say, the fear and the raw emotions at the end of this novel brings a sense of terrifying reality to Adrianna's story. My heart is still hurting over that last scene.
I absolutely loved everything about this novel. I felt this one was more thought out than the first two books in the series. The plot was nearly flawless with loads of laughs and tears. It's everything I was expecting plus so much more. That cliffhanger was brutal though. In need to know if all is going to be okay with Adrianna! This was a great read and so far my favorite in the series! I can't wait to see what's to come next for Kova and Adrianna!
________________
Find me here:
The Staircase Reader
May 2, 2019
I don't even know where to begin. Release, was seriously such an amazing story. I want to preface this by saying that this is a series you MUST read in order.
Ok now that that's out of the way.... HOLY SHIT I loved this book. In Exectuion, we were left crying on the floor nursing our broken hearts. Release was everything I needed. Adrianna setting (and sticking) to her boundaries made me love her even more. The growth in her character since Balance is a nice thing to witness throughout this series. KOVA KOVA KOVA.... God, Kova is everything. Even when he's wrong, he's right. Even when he's bad, he's good. I loved everything about this story. EVERYTHING. If you are a fan of the series, you will love this story, and if you are new to this series, and you're of fan of forbidden romance, do yourself a favor and start the series. Lucia is the queen of angst & will forever take the cake as my favorite forbidden romance author!
Ok now that that's out of the way.... HOLY SHIT I loved this book. In Exectuion, we were left crying on the floor nursing our broken hearts. Release was everything I needed. Adrianna setting (and sticking) to her boundaries made me love her even more. The growth in her character since Balance is a nice thing to witness throughout this series. KOVA KOVA KOVA.... God, Kova is everything. Even when he's wrong, he's right. Even when he's bad, he's good. I loved everything about this story. EVERYTHING. If you are a fan of the series, you will love this story, and if you are new to this series, and you're of fan of forbidden romance, do yourself a favor and start the series. Lucia is the queen of angst & will forever take the cake as my favorite forbidden romance author!
December 12, 2019
pedophilia and rape are not romantic
May 23, 2019
The reason this has 3 stars and not 1 star is that the author is really good at writing scenes. Franco can write some serious tension and is currently queen of "Show don't tell." I am entranced with her descriptions and ability to invoke emotion. It's inspiring.
However, the plot is pissing me off a little.
I hate, hate, hate books that can't find a plot point and stick with it. I hate when books add random fluff that is not consistent with the characters or the story. I hate random things added that just add drama for the sake of drama. I feel this story could have been finished with three books and instead it's being dragged across five. There is also serious lack of consistency and random character and environment changes that just irritate me.
Do not continue if you don't want SPOILERS
1) Avery and Ria's brother's relationship. This adds nothing to the story, I vented about it in my review of book two. And I still think Ria is a bitch that abandoned her friend for selfish reasons.
2) The "mom" isn't a "mom" thing. This was out of no where and there was nothing wrong with having a "mommy dearest" mom. Why throw in this randomness?
3)The Real mom is out of the picture... oh wait.. no she isn't, She's still hanging out with the dad apparently often. Why? Why is this in here? It feels like lazy writing. It was super convenient to have her there to explain that her sister died of the complications Ria is having. Lazy Writing.
4) Katja was once in love with Kova. In the first book she acts like a woman that wants to spend more time with her boyfriend. She feels she is second (and she was). Her boyfriend was an ass and throws things in her face like "I work so you can shop." (Jackass). And Katja later in the stories does things to try to connect with Kova. Kova even admits wanting to want her more. Katja seems almost desperate in some scenes where she is trying to "please him" and connect with him. And suddenly, randomly, Katja is now a bitch who can't remember his birthday? Not just after he's been unfaithful to her (I'm guessing she knows) as a big "Fuck you" to Kova. She's missed his birthday like his WHOLE life after they grew up together and are as close as they supposedly are. No...….. we can't just change characters. Either Kova is a selfish prick with no self control actively participating in an illicit affair or this doesn't work. He can't suddenly be a victim with no choices and suddenly have a manipulative girlfriend out of no where. Write the story you started, don't change it mid way to add drama.
5) Hayden (and how dare you fuck with my Hayden) is suddenly a drug dealer and *gasp* had sex before! Why was this in here? And we all know Kova will find out in the next two books and the soap opera continues.
6) Reagan is suddenly a drug addict and also knows about Kova and Ria... but for no real reason.
7) Kata apparently knowing about Ria and Kova. It's obvious in the way she acts in the book and things we here her and Kova say in private. This is also just drama for drama.
8) Holly is the reason there is a no dating rule. We find out Kova helped her with something. Hayden knows about it. They at one point lived with Kova…. and now it's hinting that Holly was in some sort of relationship with pedo, spittle coach from the past. What?! Why is this even here?
9) Kova being forced to marry Katja because Joy found out about the relationship. OK. So not only does this not fit with Kova's "fuck you" character and Katja's innocent love character, it also doesn't make sense time line wise. Joy was suspicious until she saw Ria's phone. And when she saw Ria's phone... Katja and Kova had apparently already married. So...…. how did Joy force this marriage without evidence other than "found a jacket that belonged to Kova at my house." Seriously, this whole thing doesn't make sense from story point or character points. And what woman raises a kid as her own and then spends her entire adult life trying to make that kid miserable? This is just ridiculously extreme. And to top all this off, Kova wants to tell this to Ria from start of the book and when she's finally listening he basically says "your mom is a bitch" and that's it? The only reason Kova didn't give it to Ria is straight is simply BAD WRITING. In any real situation where a guy is begging for a chance to explain and gets that chance to explain and then doesn't and instead gets all mysterious and alludes to something... that's just bad writing. A cliffhanger so we all go and get the next book.
Can we pick a plot and stick with it? Instead of all these random little useless side plots? I'm cool with Ria's illicit affair and having Hayden stand by her and even it ending with her dying (or probably Kova giving her a Kidney or something selfless... w/e). But all these little side drama's are annoying and pointless. I don't care. And Ria is not such a victim and Kova is not "tied hands" and innocent. Also, don't tear down characters to make them evil to victimize the main ones. It's ok if we HATE the main characters. I think that's stronger writing. There is so much in this book trying to justify and make it ok that Kova and Ria are together. It's almost arguing that Statutory Rape is FINE as long as...… "insert reasons." Look, I'm obviously fucked up because I read the description and was like "Sign me up!" But I KNOW that statutory rape is wrong and you CAN'T justify it. This story NEEDS to allow Kova be the bad guy and WRONG, or else it's condoning and even justifying so many girls that have been taken advantage of. I don't mind reading books with very questionable alpha's and very questionable scenes, but I want my book to have the man grovel for it or for everyone to know it WASN'T ok. OR else we are just promoting rape and in the environment of #MeToo and how many women come forward and are ignored... can we not justify it? At first Kova knew this was wrong. And Hayden pointing out how it was wrong and slugging Kova (Seriously.... Hayden FTW) was a GOOD thing in this book. And then we have a scene where Hayden essentially tells Ria he suddenly gets why Kova is taking advantage of her. That is, in fact, Ria's fault. NO. BAD. BAD BOOK.
Honestly, the descriptions, scene creations, interactions, and emotions is amazingly written. It's just the fluffy plot and even a weak predictable plot line that's driving me insane. I can even let the fact that we keep justifying the underage thing (seriously... I need to turn in my feminist card). I once read a book that needed more called Unforgettable Lola. This was a "rough draft" book IMO. It needed more and the writing really needed an editor. But I felt the plot was so intriguing and unique. If you could take Franco's amazing detailed writing and ability to "show don't tell" it like a god damn champ and give Franco a unique idea and a strict outline of plot point "A" to end, I feel like we could be looking at something epic. But when you take someone who can write a sex scene or a gymnastic meet like a GOD and then give them the plot of a horrible day time TV soap opera we get this mess.
Of course I'll read book four. The sex scenes are the best ones I have ever read. But I almost don't care about the story at this point.
However, the plot is pissing me off a little.
I hate, hate, hate books that can't find a plot point and stick with it. I hate when books add random fluff that is not consistent with the characters or the story. I hate random things added that just add drama for the sake of drama. I feel this story could have been finished with three books and instead it's being dragged across five. There is also serious lack of consistency and random character and environment changes that just irritate me.
Do not continue if you don't want SPOILERS
1) Avery and Ria's brother's relationship. This adds nothing to the story, I vented about it in my review of book two. And I still think Ria is a bitch that abandoned her friend for selfish reasons.
2) The "mom" isn't a "mom" thing. This was out of no where and there was nothing wrong with having a "mommy dearest" mom. Why throw in this randomness?
3)The Real mom is out of the picture... oh wait.. no she isn't, She's still hanging out with the dad apparently often. Why? Why is this in here? It feels like lazy writing. It was super convenient to have her there to explain that her sister died of the complications Ria is having. Lazy Writing.
4) Katja was once in love with Kova. In the first book she acts like a woman that wants to spend more time with her boyfriend. She feels she is second (and she was). Her boyfriend was an ass and throws things in her face like "I work so you can shop." (Jackass). And Katja later in the stories does things to try to connect with Kova. Kova even admits wanting to want her more. Katja seems almost desperate in some scenes where she is trying to "please him" and connect with him. And suddenly, randomly, Katja is now a bitch who can't remember his birthday? Not just after he's been unfaithful to her (I'm guessing she knows) as a big "Fuck you" to Kova. She's missed his birthday like his WHOLE life after they grew up together and are as close as they supposedly are. No...….. we can't just change characters. Either Kova is a selfish prick with no self control actively participating in an illicit affair or this doesn't work. He can't suddenly be a victim with no choices and suddenly have a manipulative girlfriend out of no where. Write the story you started, don't change it mid way to add drama.
5) Hayden (and how dare you fuck with my Hayden) is suddenly a drug dealer and *gasp* had sex before! Why was this in here? And we all know Kova will find out in the next two books and the soap opera continues.
6) Reagan is suddenly a drug addict and also knows about Kova and Ria... but for no real reason.
7) Kata apparently knowing about Ria and Kova. It's obvious in the way she acts in the book and things we here her and Kova say in private. This is also just drama for drama.
8) Holly is the reason there is a no dating rule. We find out Kova helped her with something. Hayden knows about it. They at one point lived with Kova…. and now it's hinting that Holly was in some sort of relationship with pedo, spittle coach from the past. What?! Why is this even here?
9) Kova being forced to marry Katja because Joy found out about the relationship. OK. So not only does this not fit with Kova's "fuck you" character and Katja's innocent love character, it also doesn't make sense time line wise. Joy was suspicious until she saw Ria's phone. And when she saw Ria's phone... Katja and Kova had apparently already married. So...…. how did Joy force this marriage without evidence other than "found a jacket that belonged to Kova at my house." Seriously, this whole thing doesn't make sense from story point or character points. And what woman raises a kid as her own and then spends her entire adult life trying to make that kid miserable? This is just ridiculously extreme. And to top all this off, Kova wants to tell this to Ria from start of the book and when she's finally listening he basically says "your mom is a bitch" and that's it? The only reason Kova didn't give it to Ria is straight is simply BAD WRITING. In any real situation where a guy is begging for a chance to explain and gets that chance to explain and then doesn't and instead gets all mysterious and alludes to something... that's just bad writing. A cliffhanger so we all go and get the next book.
Can we pick a plot and stick with it? Instead of all these random little useless side plots? I'm cool with Ria's illicit affair and having Hayden stand by her and even it ending with her dying (or probably Kova giving her a Kidney or something selfless... w/e). But all these little side drama's are annoying and pointless. I don't care. And Ria is not such a victim and Kova is not "tied hands" and innocent. Also, don't tear down characters to make them evil to victimize the main ones. It's ok if we HATE the main characters. I think that's stronger writing. There is so much in this book trying to justify and make it ok that Kova and Ria are together. It's almost arguing that Statutory Rape is FINE as long as...… "insert reasons." Look, I'm obviously fucked up because I read the description and was like "Sign me up!" But I KNOW that statutory rape is wrong and you CAN'T justify it. This story NEEDS to allow Kova be the bad guy and WRONG, or else it's condoning and even justifying so many girls that have been taken advantage of. I don't mind reading books with very questionable alpha's and very questionable scenes, but I want my book to have the man grovel for it or for everyone to know it WASN'T ok. OR else we are just promoting rape and in the environment of #MeToo and how many women come forward and are ignored... can we not justify it? At first Kova knew this was wrong. And Hayden pointing out how it was wrong and slugging Kova (Seriously.... Hayden FTW) was a GOOD thing in this book. And then we have a scene where Hayden essentially tells Ria he suddenly gets why Kova is taking advantage of her. That is, in fact, Ria's fault. NO. BAD. BAD BOOK.
Honestly, the descriptions, scene creations, interactions, and emotions is amazingly written. It's just the fluffy plot and even a weak predictable plot line that's driving me insane. I can even let the fact that we keep justifying the underage thing (seriously... I need to turn in my feminist card). I once read a book that needed more called Unforgettable Lola. This was a "rough draft" book IMO. It needed more and the writing really needed an editor. But I felt the plot was so intriguing and unique. If you could take Franco's amazing detailed writing and ability to "show don't tell" it like a god damn champ and give Franco a unique idea and a strict outline of plot point "A" to end, I feel like we could be looking at something epic. But when you take someone who can write a sex scene or a gymnastic meet like a GOD and then give them the plot of a horrible day time TV soap opera we get this mess.
Of course I'll read book four. The sex scenes are the best ones I have ever read. But I almost don't care about the story at this point.
May 6, 2019
As someone who didn't love book 1 or 2 in this series, but found them totally addicting ... I had to slightly roll my eyes at myself when I decided to pick this up right away after it went live because really, why would I? I gave both book 1 and 2 three star ratings, and low three stars at that, so it doesn't seem fair that I would hold those ratings but still be so eager to see book #3, right? I really don't like to actively pick up books I don't think I will enjoy, as I feel it is unfair to the author and other readers.
So why did I? Well, it comes down to what I previously mentioned ... I find this "couple" and series a total hot mess that I can't seem to close my eyes against. It is a.d.d.i.c.t.i.n.g. and very memorable for me in both good and bad ways. So when I saw it was live and I was in between books I thought, why not. And I have to admit I am happy I did.
With all that *positivity* out of the way, I am both surprised and excited to say I actually enjoyed this way more than the previous books!! I think this has 100% to do with the fact that I felt (((someone))) grew a back bone in this story and delivered the satisfying and rightful confrontation/hold back I was looking for. I also thought that in general Kova transformed into a much more human character that I could sympathize with for the sake of his and Adrianna's relationship. Another pleasant surprise was the fact that I found Adrianna to be pretty insufferable to me in the previous books, with her age really coming on strong. So I am thrilled to say that actually found her strong and enduring throughout *most* of this one.
For whatever reason, this also didn't seem as long to me as books 1&2. I was very relieved by this, because the ratio of length to events/growth to page numbers in the first two books seemed very off to me and was one of the major issue I held with those books. They were looooong with not enough events of substance actually happening. This seemed to be way better in this book. I will admit, the gymnastics is still heavy in this causing the pacing at times to hold slow for me, but overall their was enough other story going on that I didn't mind it as much (and tbh I skimmed some in-depth gymnastics parts when I got too bored or confused).
Overall I am very pleasantly surprised by this, and am looking forward to *hopefully* having an even better reaction to book 4 when it comes out! This is a perfect book to series to pick up if you are looking for a highly taboo (like i'm talking illegal here), age - gap romance that is raw and angsty to the tenth degree. It is not for everyone, but be prepared for a wild and frustrating ride if you choose to pick it up. I my self will definitely be picking up book 4 when it is released! (ps: that ending pun was not intentional :/ oops).
So why did I? Well, it comes down to what I previously mentioned ... I find this "couple" and series a total hot mess that I can't seem to close my eyes against. It is a.d.d.i.c.t.i.n.g. and very memorable for me in both good and bad ways. So when I saw it was live and I was in between books I thought, why not. And I have to admit I am happy I did.
With all that *positivity* out of the way, I am both surprised and excited to say I actually enjoyed this way more than the previous books!! I think this has 100% to do with the fact that I felt (((someone))) grew a back bone in this story and delivered the satisfying and rightful confrontation/hold back I was looking for. I also thought that in general Kova transformed into a much more human character that I could sympathize with for the sake of his and Adrianna's relationship. Another pleasant surprise was the fact that I found Adrianna to be pretty insufferable to me in the previous books, with her age really coming on strong. So I am thrilled to say that actually found her strong and enduring throughout *most* of this one.
For whatever reason, this also didn't seem as long to me as books 1&2. I was very relieved by this, because the ratio of length to events/growth to page numbers in the first two books seemed very off to me and was one of the major issue I held with those books. They were looooong with not enough events of substance actually happening. This seemed to be way better in this book. I will admit, the gymnastics is still heavy in this causing the pacing at times to hold slow for me, but overall their was enough other story going on that I didn't mind it as much (and tbh I skimmed some in-depth gymnastics parts when I got too bored or confused).
Overall I am very pleasantly surprised by this, and am looking forward to *hopefully* having an even better reaction to book 4 when it comes out! This is a perfect book to series to pick up if you are looking for a highly taboo (like i'm talking illegal here), age - gap romance that is raw and angsty to the tenth degree. It is not for everyone, but be prepared for a wild and frustrating ride if you choose to pick it up. I my self will definitely be picking up book 4 when it is released! (ps: that ending pun was not intentional :/ oops).
July 15, 2019
My heart hurts!
This book was painful! There were actually times I felt nauseated just getting a real glimpse at what it’s like to be an athlete on an elite team trying to get Olympic level. What their bodies go through is beyond grueling and Lucia does such an amazing job showcasing this life. Kova just about obliterated my poor heart. I feel like Ria in that I wish I didn’t love him so much, but I do. I truly believe that he loves Ria, but for some reason his hands are tied. I need the next book badly. I’m so frightened for Ria. Her health is declining at such a rapid rate, and yet she keeps pushing. She is beyond stubborn and it’s infuriating, but she’s so scared of not achieving her dream of being an Olympic gymnast that she’s willing to risk her life. So many twists and turns in this story, and as always what a cliffhanger!!
This book was painful! There were actually times I felt nauseated just getting a real glimpse at what it’s like to be an athlete on an elite team trying to get Olympic level. What their bodies go through is beyond grueling and Lucia does such an amazing job showcasing this life. Kova just about obliterated my poor heart. I feel like Ria in that I wish I didn’t love him so much, but I do. I truly believe that he loves Ria, but for some reason his hands are tied. I need the next book badly. I’m so frightened for Ria. Her health is declining at such a rapid rate, and yet she keeps pushing. She is beyond stubborn and it’s infuriating, but she’s so scared of not achieving her dream of being an Olympic gymnast that she’s willing to risk her life. So many twists and turns in this story, and as always what a cliffhanger!!
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