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Balance (Off Balance series Book 1) Kindle Edition
An Amazon Top 100 bestselling series
#1 Sports Romance
#1 Sports Fiction
I’ve given up everything to train under renowned coach Konstantin Kournakova. The two-time Olympian from Russia only works with elite gymnasts. He's exactly what I need to take me to the next level - the Olympics. Kova produces champions, and I want to be one.
His rigorous training is demanding and unapologetic. Kova tries to break me, but I thrive under his pressure. I follow his every command. He pushes me to become a better athlete. Against the rules, we grow close while training fifty hours a week.
I'm his gymnast. He's my coach. Our careers would be ruined if anyone saw the position we were in.
But in this moment, we don't care.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFebruary 26, 2021
- File size3169 KB
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See full series-
First 3$17.97
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First 5$29.95
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All 6$35.94
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First 3$17.97
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First 5$29.95
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All 6$35.94
This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 5 books.
This option includes 6 books.
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From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
"5 glorious stars the second time around. To be honest, I forgot how intoxicating Kova and Ria are. I also forgot how much of an a-hole Kova is. He is pure chaos. A true sadist and I loved every minute of it." - Moretomary
"I'm coming down from the most incredible high of my life. Reading this book was what I needed." - Benevolent Bastard
"The beginning of an amazing love story filled with angst, desire, pain, pleasure and endless love. Read this series, you will never regret it!!" - LoveRomanceBooks
From the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B08XNSCYBX
- Publisher : Timeless Romance; 3rd edition (February 26, 2021)
- Publication date : February 26, 2021
- Language : English
- File size : 3169 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 592 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #12,174 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #38 in Love Triangle Romance eBooks
- #527 in Sports Romance (Kindle Store)
- #599 in Erotic Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Lucia 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.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story engaging and emotional. They appreciate the writing quality, romance, and spice level. Many describe the series as captivating and love it.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the engaging storyline with its mix of drama and romance. They find the writing captivating and the cliffhanger at the end intriguing. The characters are well-developed, and the twists are unexpected. Overall, readers are hooked from the start and appreciate the amazing start to the series.
"...Remember, it’s a story, not a manifesto. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to yell about how amazing this book is… because I need more!" Read more
"This book was powerful! Also beware that it ends on an interesting cliffhanger...." Read more
"...However, the story is addicting and I’m definitely invested. -COACH/ATHLETE -TABOO/FORBIDDEN..." Read more
"...Real life is often not very ethical or right. This story is complex, on one hand I'm clutching my pearls at the horror of it all, on the..." Read more
Customers enjoy the emotional content of the book. They find the tension and angst delicious, keeping them engaged throughout. The passion and buildup are described as indescribable. Readers describe the book as an intense, heart-pounding thrill ride that takes their brain for a spin.
"...What I actually got was a heart-pounding thrill ride that took my brain for a spin and left me gasping for air until the very last page...." Read more
"...It’s hot and intense! And they have to keep working together as coach and gymnast which just fuels their intense connection...." Read more
"...But still they compell some sympathy. Tropes- Age gap Coach/gymnast/sports Enemies to lovers Grumpy/mean/sunshine..." Read more
"...Overall, this made me feel a lot of emotions and I love when a book can make me do that...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the story well-written, with a natural dialogue that sounds authentic. The author explains things clearly and the book is detailed in all aspects. Readers appreciate the attention to detail and the realistic feel of the story.
"...the adrenaline of possibly being caught, but they’re written in such delicious detail that they’ll have you squirming in your seat...." Read more
"...However, it's so well written, I devoured every word...." Read more
"...Lucia’s spicy scenes are top tier and I do enjoy her writing. The story is interesting and I find myself needing to know more...." Read more
"...The Russian accent sounded authentic and even though I don't speak Russian that dialoged sounded so natural and not at all forced...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's romance. They say it's a forbidden love between an elite gymnast and her coach. The attraction between them is explosive, and they love watching their love story unfold.
"This is an athlete/coach age gap romance...." Read more
"...This book is filled with forbidden romance, age-gap, spice, mean girls, drama, and much more...." Read more
"...I will not lie. I started this book UNCOMFORTABLE. This is a huge age gap and a totally taboo subject matter...." Read more
"...Their connection and chemistry are too strong, and I love watching their love story unfold." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's spicy and well-written scenes. They find the forbidden romance, age gap, and drama engaging.
"...I mean don’t get me wrong the sex scenes are pretty spicy 🥵 but it just fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t satisfying but at the same time it was...." Read more
"...How does that work?! Lucia’s spicy scenes are top tier and I do enjoy her writing...." Read more
"...This book is filled with forbidden romance, age-gap, spice, mean girls, drama, and much more...." Read more
"...think I can do it I mean the story is very well written and the spice is so good!..." Read more
Customers enjoy the series. They find it engaging and well-written, with short chapters that keep them interested.
"I am loving this series!!!! Coach and athlete and age gap!!! Their chemistry is crazy good no matter how hard they try to fight it...." Read more
"...It’s such a good series, forbidden age gap, forbidden coach/gymnast, none the less, it’s so good" Read more
"...The tension and angst were delicious and it kept me engaged the whole time." Read more
"...This is my absolute favorite series of all time! I read it back in January...." Read more
Customers have different views on the pacing. Some found the gymnastics elements engaging and fascinating to read about intense training. Others felt the back-and-forth was repetitive and tedious, with slow-moving details and confusing details.
"...So, here’s my final plea: read this book with an open mind...." Read more
"...Adrianna feels she is in a good place with her gymnastic skills until she starts at her new gym and with her new coach Kova, He is beast of a coach..." Read more
"...Kova is absolutely infuriating to read about and is easily the most unlikable character. Yet, I’m still attracted to him...." Read more
"...The gymnastics elements were really engaging and the spice was unmatched. Ria’s dreams and drive were commendable for someone so young...." Read more
Customers have different views on the character development. Some find them well-developed and perfect, while others feel the main character is still a minor.
"...that are all out now and focus on these two people with some solid side characters...." Read more
"...It's uncomfortable. These characters are uncomfortable. Flawed. The lie, they sneak, they cheat, the are selfish...." Read more
"...moment that I started reading this book I fell in love with the characters in the storyline...." Read more
"...This story was sooooooooo good!!! The thoughts and feelings of the characters are genuine and the dilemmas completely plausible...." Read more
Reviews with images
The best taboo romance
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024I dove into Balance thinking I was getting just another steamy coach-student romance. What I actually got was a heart-pounding thrill ride that took my brain for a spin and left me gasping for air until the very last page. Spoiler alert: it messed with my head in the BEST way. I devoured all six books in this series in, oh, a week and a half. No, really. That happened.
Quick note to future readers: go in with an open mind. Seriously, it's a book—not a moral debate. It's designed to make you think, to make you feel, and maybe even to squirm in your seat a little. So, let's not turn this into a judgment fest, okay?
Bottom line? This book is absolutely bonkers—in the best way possible—and you can bet I’ve been shouting at everyone to read it. You're welcome.
And let's be real: the moment I realized just how forbidden this story was, there was no hesitation. Lucia’s words? They gripped me and didn’t let go, pulling me right into the blazing passion that sets every page on fire.
This isn’t your typical romance. It’s the kind that’ll make you see things from angles you never thought possible. Kova, the 32-year-old coach, and Adrianna, the gymnast, have this off-the-charts intensity that makes it impossible to look away. You’ll want to scream at them both, maybe smack some sense into them... but then, you’re rooting for them, too. It's a whirlwind of emotions, and trust me, you'll feel EVERY bit of it.
Now, about Kova... oh, boy. Did I hate him at times? Absolutely. He’s got this bastard streak that’s maddening. And yet—ugh, here comes the complicated part—I GOT him. My hate lasted about ten minutes before I was all tangled up in his web again, just like Adrianna. Not my proudest moment, but hey, I’m owning it.
And don't even get me started on the scenes. Sweet mercy... These steamy moments are off-the-charts hot... These are hands down some of the most electrifying moments I’ve ever read. Maybe it’s the risk, the adrenaline of possibly being caught, but they’re written in such delicious detail that they’ll have you squirming in your seat. I’ve been waiting for a book that brings that level of intensity for a while, and boy, did this deliver.
And if you’re worried about the gymnastics side of things? Don’t be. It strikes the perfect balance—not too sports-heavy, but just enough to set the stage for some fiery dynamics between Adrianna, Kova, and everyone else in the gym. It adds a whole other layer to their relationship—the way they have to switch gears, the constant danger of someone catching on. And let's not forget the pressure on Adrianna’s performance as their secret begins to take its toll. This book gives you the full spectrum, from the thrill of the forbidden to the real consequences.
So, here’s my final plea: read this book with an open mind. It's not asking you to take a moral stand; it's showing you how these situations can unfold. It’s messy, it's wrong, and yet you feel every ounce of it. Remember, it’s a story, not a manifesto. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to yell about how amazing this book is… because I need more!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024This book was powerful! Also beware that it ends on an interesting cliffhanger. There are six books in this series that are all out now and focus on these two people with some solid side characters.
This one starts off with Adrianna being a 16 year old ready to push for the next level in gymnastics and her father happens to have a connection in that world. She transfers to said father’s friend’s gym and starts to train HARDCORE. She finds friendship in Hayden and slightly in Holly.
She starts to develop some slightly more than friendship feelings for Hayden but they both put the kibosh on that.
Then the relationship with her coach starts to ramp up something fierce and once they finally break the barriers into MORE.. WATCH OUT as it’s freaking fireworks! It’s hot and intense!
And they have to keep working together as coach and gymnast which just fuels their intense connection.
This series was built to focus MORE on the sport than the romance BUT I think she did a good job of blending the two once she had them breech the barrier.
I will for sure come back to this series to finish it
- Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023BALANCE | ☆☆☆☆⭒
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."
T o x i c, addicting, all consuming, I'm obsessed. I cannot get enough. And I cannot put it down.
"𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱"
"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱"
Yes this book is taboo. Therefore it may not be for everyone, but to me, there is nothing ick about what I was reading. Yes Adrianna is young. At times she seems mature beyond her years and others her age shines through. But I really enjoyed her character. Her inner monologue had me laughing.
Kova. Wow. I am loving this man. He is such an enigma to me. He is hot and cold. He can be so caring and also a giant dick. But I just know that there is so much more to him than we have yet to learn.
"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭"
Together they have an undeniable connection. Palpable chemistry. A mutual understanding of one another and their drive and passion.
"𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘹 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘩"
I can't believe I waited so long to read the Off Balance series. I knew it was going to be a commitment because the series is long. BUT I didn't know how long each book was!! Since I read it on my Kindle I was shocked by the page count. However, it's so well written, I devoured every word. I felt everything in these pages, like I'm right there in the scene envisioning the gymnastics, the emotions, the tension, the spice.. e v e r y t h i n g. Lucia did a phenomenal job.
I'm not sure what it says about me, but despite it all, I'm shipping the heck out of these two. I'm cheering off on the sidelines for their happy ending. I know there's going to be a wild journey ahead but I'm here for it.
"𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦…"
5.0 out of 5 stars The best taboo romanceBALANCE | ☆☆☆☆⭒
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."
T o x i c, addicting, all consuming, I'm obsessed. I cannot get enough. And I cannot put it down.
"𝘛𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱"
"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱"
Yes this book is taboo. Therefore it may not be for everyone, but to me, there is nothing ick about what I was reading. Yes Adrianna is young. At times she seems mature beyond her years and others her age shines through. But I really enjoyed her character. Her inner monologue had me laughing.
Kova. Wow. I am loving this man. He is such an enigma to me. He is hot and cold. He can be so caring and also a giant dick. But I just know that there is so much more to him than we have yet to learn.
"𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭"
Together they have an undeniable connection. Palpable chemistry. A mutual understanding of one another and their drive and passion.
"𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘹 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦, 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘩"
I can't believe I waited so long to read the Off Balance series. I knew it was going to be a commitment because the series is long. BUT I didn't know how long each book was!! Since I read it on my Kindle I was shocked by the page count. However, it's so well written, I devoured every word. I felt everything in these pages, like I'm right there in the scene envisioning the gymnastics, the emotions, the tension, the spice.. e v e r y t h i n g. Lucia did a phenomenal job.
I'm not sure what it says about me, but despite it all, I'm shipping the heck out of these two. I'm cheering off on the sidelines for their happy ending. I know there's going to be a wild journey ahead but I'm here for it.
"𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦…"
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
- Naiara (@nareadsalot)Reviewed in Brazil on March 7, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars This is so wrong, I love it
This is a must read for those who love ag3 gap and forbidden romance. It's a totally different approach on both subjects, it's wrong and that's why it is so good. God, the angst. Lucia's writing is amazing, I love it.
- ChelleReviewed in Canada on September 23, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars This right here is how you write passion
This book could be a reference text for aspiring authors: how to write sexual tension.
That 5-star achievement aside, lucia does an outstanding job at putting you in the shoes of not just a gymnast, but an extremely driven person. Adrianna is relatable and strong willed. Yes, she is at times petulant and foolish but she is a 16/17 year old girl and it rings true to her character. In some ways she's maddeningly foolhardy and in others she's exceptionally mature and has a sense of purpose that most adults would kill for.
Kova is literally the devil and I hate him but I also feel for him somehow. His inner conflict is palpable on the page and his cruelty comes from righteous (if misguided) place rather than a morally bereft one.
Their story is steeped in mutual passion for both the sport and each other. The life of an elite gymnast parallels the unimaginable struggle, crippling pain and inexorable euphoria of their relationship perfectly. I'm in awe to be honest.
The characters and setting are believable and well flushed out, the plot is almost never stagnant, and slowly, somehow the author got me to care about a spoiled rich girl and an ex-olympian Russian from the bowels of hell.
The ending shocked and disgusted me to my core. The characters are by definition dysfunctional from the beginning boy howdy does it ever get dark in here! I can't imagine what lays ahead for these two but I'm excited to pour through the rest of the installments to find out.
Oh and yes trigger warnings for seemingly all things taboo. The writing is excellent in my opinion but it's not for everyone and if you're disgusted by the premise then by god, just don't read the thing.
- KasiaReviewed in Poland on November 11, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
Don't get me wrong, I love me some age gap, taboo, forbidden romance, I do, but this is something else... And as I read, my feelings toward this story went through a rollercoaster. Halfway through I was convinced I won't continue with the next book because of the MMC, who grated on my nerves. Kova seemed predatory, not really struggling with the immorality of their liason, and assholish. We also find out he has a steady girlfriend Katja, whom he beds all while sleeping with Adrianna, and whom he plans to marry. Kova is undecided, hot and cold with Ria, very moody, but first to initiate illicit contact. He uses no protection with her, and throws morning-after pills at her like tic-tacs, unbothered about her health or potential pregnancy. Kova is portrayed as a man who can't help himself around the FMC and blames her for it, like she is the only one responsible. He is manipulative, cruel, obsessive, a walking red flag - the list can go on. But Adrianna also plays her part - she is a careless, hormone-powered, inexperienced and immature teenager, as expected by her age. Sometimes she acts plain dumb, and also has no qualms about sleeping with a taken man. Their relationship shows the ugly parts of cheeting and affairs, and has a really toxic fallout. It's what made it seem very real and interesting for me. Lucia Franco did not write a sugarcoated taboo romance. This is a story about a toxic, codependent relationship between a minor and an adult with explosive chemistry. Can't wait to see what happens next in Execution.
- NadineReviewed in Germany on July 12, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked!
Those almost 600 pages just flew by. The story was never boring, never dragging - even if I have no clue about gymnastics. I felt the passion for the sports, just like Adrianna. And I loved how the story continued between chapters, it made reading on so easy (and addictive!)
So, Kova 🤤🤭 his hot‘n‘cold attitude drove me crazy. Sometimes I wanted to slap him. But most times, I wanted to be Adrianna 😂
It’s bittersweet between them. I felt so much with this book, it’s definitely a highlight for me!
- PopsreadsxReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED this book!
Let me tell you I read the whole book over the course of 27 hours, all while doing an 8 hour shift and sleeping!!! That is how good this book was, I could not put it down!
I LOVE taboo and I LOVE age gap, so I just knew this was going to be for me.
Kova - yes, he's a 8hole but don't we just love an 8hole, the bigger the 8hole the better I say. He literally is an absolute p1ick towards Adrianna, but this creates the Angst and the whole build up to some absolute explosive scenes!
I loved Adrianna, she is incredibly strong and has the sass we love! She knows how to keep Kova on his toes (sometimes) and is very grown up for her actual age.
The book was so well written, and the seg scenes were amazing!!! Like literally explosive, but some bits had me wanting to go get some frozen peas out of the freezer for the poor girl! Kova is not gentle, let's put it that way🤣.
The ending was a total whirlwind with both of them arguing and then with what happened! I can't wait to see what happens in Execution. Am I sleeping tonight? Probs not!