Synopsis:
Adrianna Rossi is no stranger to the rigorous demands required of her body. Years of pain and determination make her one of the best. Olympic glory is the ultimate goal, and she’ll do anything to achieve it. Even if that means leaving home to attend World Cup Academy of Gymnastics, a training center that serves one purpose—producing champions.

Perfection, precision, and dedication are required of his athletes. When two time Olympian Konstantin Kournakova is persuaded into training the young hopeful, he immediately regrets it. She doesn’t come close to his high standards. As the relentless pursuit of her dream keeps her striving, a passion is ignited within him.

Kova’s power and domination, coupled with Adrianna’s fierce tenacity, reveal there is more for her body to learn. Every interaction can be misconstrued, but there’s no mistaking the darkening of his gaze, the lingering of his touch, or the illicit image of his bare skin pressed against hers. Integrity is on the line. One toe off the beam and their forbidden desires could ruin everything they’ve worked for, throwing it all off balance.

WARNING: This novel contains explicit content.

My Review:
Title: Balance
Author: Lucia Franco
Format: Audio
Narrator: Sarah Puckett
Genre: Romance – Forbidden (age gap, coach/student), Sports (Gymnastics), Dark, Some YA/NA themes, Alphahole
Standalone: Nope
Part of a Series: Book 1 of 5 in the Off Balance Series
POV: Adrianna
Steam Level: Slow Burn to fiery hot
3.5/5

I liked this book, I did. But I’m also hatting that it ends on a cliffhanger. The book was over 17 hours and it ends on a cliffhanger. Kinda twitching over here about that.

Now that that’s out of the way Balance was hot, hot, hot. Listen with headphone hot. Some elements started to get annoying – especially with the struggle with “it’s wrong. I shouldn’t be doing this. We shouldn’t be doing this.” Often repeated several times in a row. However I did get a kick over Adrianna going over the age of consent and legalities over the age gap and how she used it to get for and against Kova. It also made me think of the Larry Nassar sex scandal and I wanted to look up when this book was written but was too engrossed in the story to do so. This book definitely did not feel like 17 hours. Adrianna is smart and determined and Kova is a true alphahole. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. I’ll definitely be looking into the rest of this series.

I received this book for free. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book is no longer available on Amazon or Audible (It’s been banned). However, you can buy it directly from Lucia Franco here.