Hello there, bookworms! It feels like it’s been ages. I just opened my computer for the first time in probably a week and I have over 50 books still in my queue to review. What can I say – life just keeps getting busier so I’m taking things a day at a time!

I’m actually heading out of town soon for a family wedding so before I pack up and road-trip it, I wanted to jump on here and FINALLY give you a book review. I’m going over a series I read last year, so I’m hoping that because I’m covering all five books, that it’ll tide us over until I’m back on schedule! Wishful thinking, right? Anyway, I figured since we’ve recently come off another summer Olympic run, I’d get to talking about a book series I read awhile ago but never posted. Let’s talk about the Off Balance series by Lucia Franco!

Warning: These books contain taboo topics with an age gap romance, so if this is not your thing, back out now. For those of you who proceed, please keep in mind that this is just fiction.

Balance (Off Balance #1)

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. 

Execution (Off Balance #2)

The move to World Cup Academy of Gymnastics is the greatest challenge Adrianna has encountered. Punished for Coach Kova’s overwhelming desires, she’s reeling with resentment while she sits out the first meet of the season. As Adrianna fights to regain her focus, he pushes her body to the extreme, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted. 

Kova underestimates Adrianna’s endurance, and gravitates more toward her, despite his internal battle raging within to stay away. They try to disentangle themselves, but the tension between coach and gymnast mounts, engulfing them both in a forbidden world of deception and passion. 

The one place where they should never feel alive, is where they find complete absolution. But one slip, one wrong landing, a missed grip, and everything they built can come tumbling down, damaging both their professional and personal lives.

Release (Off Balance #3)

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.

Twist (Off Balance #4)

Rocked to her core, Adrianna is faced with an incurable illness. She’s aware of what she’s up against and is willing to risk what’s left of her for what she loves. With one last chance, and despite her doctor’s orders, Adrianna struggles harder than ever to achieve her dream.

Tired and torn, Kova embraces his flaws as he watches Adrianna reach her breaking point. Unable to stand by as she continues to endanger herself, he surrenders to what he wants most, even if it means losing himself in the process.

As Adrianna fights for her life, Kova battles for them both. No one is left unscathed as they succumb to their darkest hunger. Passions reignite and their actions grow bolder, creating an endless link between them. Once is a mistake. Twice is reckless. Three times is a choice. But this time they may have gone too far.

Dismount (Off Balance #5)

Adrianna and Kova let caution fly for love despite the odds. Each lesson learned formed a new scar for them to bear. And now that her father knows their secret, the damage left behind is irreparable. They both must pay for their actions.

Torn apart, Adrianna is forced to face the last challenge of her gymnastics career alone. While Kova, the beautifully anguished man who has been at Adrianna’s mercy giving her everything she’s demanded, has no choice but to walk away.

Adrianna and Kova survived deception and betrayal. Now they face their greatest enemy. Time. With just one hurdle left, the clock is winding down to the final moment. Adrianna must soon realize life is more than an Olympic dream. But in order to live and salvage them both, she will first have to save herself. 

Adrianna and Kova’s relationship is anything but traditional – as I said, there’s a taboo topic of an age gap. She’s a teenage gymnast and he’s her 30 year old coach (and a family friend). Their connection is intense, full of friction and butting heads, and sensuality. They know their relationship is wrong and they know the focus should be on competing, but the temptation is just too great – and they both hate themselves for it. Their forbidden romance will utterly consume you and you’ll be flipping pages like a mad person to find out what happens next on this rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Oddly enough, my biggest issue with this book was Adrianna’s health condition. Her problem/hinderance is something my dad has been going through fairly intensely for the past three years. How Adrianna copes with it or makes her own decisions regarding her care when she gets to be in pretty rough shape had me shaking my head. It just wasn’t realistic and didn’t seem thoroughly researched on the author’s part. Maybe that’s just me basing it off of personal experience, but it drove me crazy how that whole aspect of the story was handled.

Overall – if you are a fan of forbidden romance, this book series is the one for you! It’s dark, heart wrenching, angsty, dramatic, and erotic – all the wonderfully delicious things us romance fans look for in our books and fictional men. Kova will leave you feeling sated and satisfied. You won’t be able to get enough!

Until next time, bookworms. Stay safe, stay cool, and happy reading! xx