Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Balance

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Balance by Lucia Franco

18 reviews

lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

An undeniably polarizing book that I can’t help but enjoy. So toxic and full of tension, it’s addicting. I love the focus on gymnastics, it makes the book a lot more interesting

This is going to be a series you either love or hate

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sienasummerrreads's review against another edition

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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
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