Reviews

Release by Lucia Franco

takealookatmybookshelf's review against another edition

5.0

This series just keeps getting better and better! After the cliffhanger from Execution I was so mad at Kova, but to see him relinquish control to Adrianna so he could gain her trust shows how far he’s come. This book was well written and I devoured this book late into the night. This series is seriously addictive and there were moments that had me on the edge of my seat!

Another phenomenally narrated book by Sarah Puckett!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

prettylittlesmutreads's review against another edition

5.0

The drama and tension, and so many secrets. I’m living for this series. I’m so mad at myself for waiting so long to read it.

And the ending once again….

high_lady_of_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

3.0

The characters drive me insane! This took me so long to finish! 

kkelly04's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

booklovershangout's review against another edition

4.0

I am on angst overload after this story. Completely gutted and left wanting more. This series is an absolutely beautiful story and the relationships between each of the characters, keeps me coming back for more. I love that there is so much more to all of this than the forbidden aspect. Lucia is able to draw out every emotion in me when I am reading and I am seriously left in suspense needing to know what will happen next. I love the twists and I know I will be taken completely surprise again by the next story.

rihoward's review against another edition

4.0

4.3 stars

This saga continues with intense angst filled romance that is not only suspenseful but also taboo. It is decadent and titillating. I initially was going to wait to continue this series when it was complete but with the newest Son banning I figured I needed to catch up before the whole series was removed.

I'm still torn with my love of Kova and my anger. Adrianna is also still hit and miss for me. I have to remind myself that she's young. I'm getting frustrated with the why/secret is taking so long to come out.

loveandotherstories's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookmaniacforever's review against another edition

5.0

⭐️ 5+ "Mind Over Matter" Stars ⭐️
I finished Release a few days ago and I'm still reeling over this spectacular read! Lucia Franco crafted an unputdownable and compelling story bursting with all the feels! I was fascinated by Ria’s arduous journey toward her dream and her damaged relationship with Kova. This novel is one hell of a ride packed with ups and downs that left me completely drained! Release played with my emotions as I was put in a whirlwind of intense sensations!

“Even though my body was an empty shell, my heart still beat for him. Beat for his seductive lies. Beat for who he was deep inside. Kova wasn’t a bad man. He just made awful choices.”

The trust between Adrianna and Kova is so tenuous after all the heartbreak, but their relationship is slowly on the mend. On a personal level there’s a certain animosity, but on a coach/athlete facet they still have this common passion for the sport. I was dying over the pure joy radiating from both of them during Ria's meets. Her victories are his too! They're so beautiful to witness in these moments that it put wide smiles on my face and made me teary-eyed! I felt like they need this bonding time to help them heal and forgive the mistakes of the past.

Kova needed to redeem himself for his actions and he delightfully rises to the challenge. He is more than ever devoted to Ria and her well-being. Their dynamic is more emotional focused and the physical pull is only secondary. I felt it was really fundamental to repair their relationship. It doesn't mean they don't get sexy moments, it only means that it's more profound and exquisite!

"Sometimes I feel like I will miss you for the rest of my life, to the point I ache with sickness just thinking about it."

Release is so much more than a romance novel though! It’s most of all a story about ambition, true dedication, conquering adversity, surpassing your limits and losing yourself to your goal. It’s a poignant process to see Adrianna commit herself mind, body and soul to her sport! To achieve her ultimate goal, nothing else matters! Her emotional state is fragile and her body is one the brink of breaking, but she fights with everything! Ria is the epitome of inspiration!!!

The troublesome revelations of the previous novel are gradually explained, but certainly not fully resolved and it makes the process of reading this series amazing! Other secrets are exposed making this web of lies and deception more than ever intriguing!

“We made no sense at all yet we made perfect sense to each other, because there was no such thing as immoral or wrong when you’re were with the right person.”

I could rave about Release for a long while, but nothing I can say would do justice to this story! Lucia Franco shaped another masterpiece that filled my heart to the brim, but also shattered it! I inhaled and lived every words with avidity! That cliffhanger was truly hard to take and now I need the next book! This is incontestably another top favorite read for me this year!

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

bbarberwerts's review against another edition

4.0

So far, this book was my least favorite. I understand that Kova hurt Ria like I get that. But there was little interaction between the characters other than them fighting and pushing each other away even more. I can see a change in Kova after confessing he doesn't love Katja even after the bombshell of them being married comes out. You can tell he yearns for Ria, and ria is so protective of her heart now because she doesn't want to get hurt. And that understandable. But I feel like her age shows how she's acting and not allowing him to explain why he allowed her to find out the way he did. She doesn't owe him anything, obviously, but I think she would have a weight lifted off her shoulders if she would give him the time of day. And then finding out Ria is sick after EVERYTHING she found out?! She's so damn strong, mostly because she's still pushing so hard to achieve her dream of going to the Olympics. She's so close but now has all this extra baggage to try and get there. If she leaned on Kova just a bit, he would help her achieve her dreams. He's done everything he possibly could to get her to where she is now, and she's letting fear of getting hurt again to intervene with her gymnastics career. I like the book, but it wasn't my favorite, and I didn't finish it as fast as I did the last book. Execution is still my favorite right now. It just made me feel a certain way, and I think this book was lacking.

janet89's review against another edition

4.0

I am truly at a loss for words! This book completely captivated me and left me breathless. The characters are indescribable, evoking a whirlwind of emotions with their love, secrets, and vulnerabilities. My heart goes out to Adrianna, who endured unimaginable hardships that she certainly did not deserve.