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sienasummerrreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This started strong. Love the forbidden taboo dynamic. The FMC Adrianna’s determination and competitive fight with a touch of being a brat and talking back to the coach was delicious. Kova was saying and doing all the right things until I started getting the ick. Don't get me wrong I think this book is good and I'm intrigued to continue to see where it goes but I had a real issue with character behaviours so let's talk about it.
(POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW)
First off the FMC is a virgin also 17 so we have the taboo element. It is discussed in the book the legal age of consent which is fine just keeping in mind she is still a minor. When we got to the spice no discussion of protection. I just don't believe this grown-ass man who is 32 didn't have the decency to verbally discuss if she has done it before and not using protection. When it comes around to doing it again the FMC pokes the bear and says something like “Why don't you go back to Katja” the partner he is with and cheating on. He turns around and says “I don't want her right now” WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT HER RIGHT NOW? You're acting like you'll have whoever whenever you feel like it. ICK. Then the FMC who has had one or two rodeos on this man says to him during the intimate scene “Is she tight like me?” WHAT girl come on you only just found out how to navigate the appendage. Sit down and stick to the books. Then it starts getting toxic and manipulative when the situation comes up of we can't do this anymore he starts saying well you're the fault or in a way it paint that he thinks she is the instigator. Basically manipulating her. It gets worse though because THIS GROWN ASS MAN TURNS AROUND AND SAYS…
“If you get pregnant, I'll deny it till the day I die”
Throw him in the bin at this point. This fictional man needs to grovel from the grave because he is 10ft below right now. Redirecting back to the FMC she started getting worse towards the end going into the office and throwing a tantrum saying she would cry wolf. It is toxic, manipulative and gaslighting behaviour more from the MMC side but also the FMC aswell. Both are just as bad as each other but I do have a bit more anger toward the adult who is clearly a man-child. It was a real turn-off. I'm gutted.
Minor pick up of detail at the start the FMC had burgundy hair but in the end Alburn. One is more red the other is more purple so not sure what happened there.
Now I will read the next book. I'm interested to see if I change my mind but I have been told the toxic behaviour continues.
If you love:
🔹Taboo
🔹Forbidden
🔹Sports Coach and Student
🔹Age Gap 15yrs
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Toxic Relationship
Genre/Type: Adult Sports Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 592
Audiobook Length: 17hrs 18mins
Narrators: Sarah Puckett - Solo
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Off Balance Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Gymnastics), Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (15 yrs), FMC Gymnast, MMC Coach, FMC Brat, Jealousy, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Toxic Relationship, Letters, Cursing, Drug Use, Medical Content, Sexual Content, Praise, Virgin, Spanking and Dirty Talk
Mentions: Rape
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
(POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW)
First off the FMC is a virgin also 17 so we have the taboo element. It is discussed in the book the legal age of consent which is fine just keeping in mind she is still a minor. When we got to the spice no discussion of protection. I just don't believe this grown-ass man who is 32 didn't have the decency to verbally discuss if she has done it before and not using protection. When it comes around to doing it again the FMC pokes the bear and says something like “Why don't you go back to Katja” the partner he is with and cheating on. He turns around and says “I don't want her right now” WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT HER RIGHT NOW? You're acting like you'll have whoever whenever you feel like it. ICK. Then the FMC who has had one or two rodeos on this man says to him during the intimate scene “Is she tight like me?” WHAT girl come on you only just found out how to navigate the appendage. Sit down and stick to the books. Then it starts getting toxic and manipulative when the situation comes up of we can't do this anymore he starts saying well you're the fault or in a way it paint that he thinks she is the instigator. Basically manipulating her. It gets worse though because THIS GROWN ASS MAN TURNS AROUND AND SAYS…
“If you get pregnant, I'll deny it till the day I die”
Throw him in the bin at this point. This fictional man needs to grovel from the grave because he is 10ft below right now. Redirecting back to the FMC she started getting worse towards the end going into the office and throwing a tantrum saying she would cry wolf. It is toxic, manipulative and gaslighting behaviour more from the MMC side but also the FMC aswell. Both are just as bad as each other but I do have a bit more anger toward the adult who is clearly a man-child. It was a real turn-off. I'm gutted.
Minor pick up of detail at the start the FMC had burgundy hair but in the end Alburn. One is more red the other is more purple so not sure what happened there.
Now I will read the next book. I'm interested to see if I change my mind but I have been told the toxic behaviour continues.
If you love:
🔹Taboo
🔹Forbidden
🔹Sports Coach and Student
🔹Age Gap 15yrs
🔹Slow Burn
🔹Toxic Relationship
Genre/Type: Adult Sports Romance 18+
APK: Kindle / Audiobook - Audible
Pages: 592
Audiobook Length: 17hrs 18mins
Narrators: Sarah Puckett - Solo
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book One In The Off Balance Series
Tropes or Themes: Sports (Gymnastics), Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Age Gap (15 yrs), FMC Gymnast, MMC Coach, FMC Brat, Jealousy, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Toxic Relationship, Letters, Cursing, Drug Use, Medical Content, Sexual Content, Praise, Virgin, Spanking and Dirty Talk
Mentions: Rape
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫
All Round Romance Reader
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
simonlorden's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
God, I have so many thoughts and emotions. This was a scorching hot taboo romance with an age gap, underage relationship, and some very toxic relationship elements. I nearly screamed when Ria threatened to accuse him of rape, like she did not just go there!! Girl!!
Avery and Ria's friendly relationship was great. I really liked Hayden, the "secondary" love interest, although I'm not really a fan of love triangles.
I wasn't a fan with the mean girl rivalry with Reagan.
And finally, damn, these two are SO BAD at hiding an illegal relationship. They have so many close calls because they are dumbasses who keep having relations in semi-public spaces or with the doors unlocked. She has her own apartment where she lives alone!! I'm begging you to use it!!
Overall, I loved this, and the sex was scorching hot. But man, I beg them to wise up.
Additional content warnings: gymnastics is fucking brutal, and it comes with a diet that is bordering on an eating disorder. There's backstory mentions of rape and incest (to a character who isn't one of the mains).
Avery and Ria's friendly relationship was great. I really liked Hayden, the "secondary" love interest, although I'm not really a fan of love triangles.
I wasn't a fan with the mean girl rivalry with Reagan.
And finally, damn, these two are SO BAD at hiding an illegal relationship. They have so many close calls because they are dumbasses who keep having relations in semi-public spaces or with the doors unlocked. She has her own apartment where she lives alone!! I'm begging you to use it!!
Overall, I loved this, and the sex was scorching hot. But man, I beg them to wise up.
Additional content warnings: gymnastics is fucking brutal, and it comes with a diet that is bordering on an eating disorder. There's backstory mentions of rape and incest (to a character who isn't one of the mains).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Eating disorder
Minor: Incest and Rape
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
2.5
This book is messed up! Check content warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Abortion
bookishbabbles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
The audiobook changes some facts about the book. The narrator changes the age of the female MC to 18 instead of 16. When I switched to physical copy I was very confused. This book was not for me. There wasn’t much of an emotional connection between the love interest, mostly sexual. The male mc also manipulated her a lot. Not my taste but I can see why it’s so popular.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual content
haileycummings333's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
i loved everything about this besides the large age gap. like why 16 and 32, he easily could've been made younger or her older. it didn't seem predatory at all, but the age gap is definitely noticeable, as noticeable as the lack of contractions. im excited to read the rest of the series- which i've heard conflicted reviews about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
lotte5322's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Rape