Lucia FrancoCritiques

This review is spoiler free.
"Yes, Malysh"

I'm a new taboo romance lover and this book did not disappoint. The writing was on point, the characters were fantastic. The character development, the pacing. I loved the side characters and what they brought to the table. I loved the main characters determination and drive and I loved how Kova was so supportive! If you love age gaps and taboo, you'll love this book. This was my first read by this author and I can't wait to read more, I've already ordered the next book!! This book is definitely a taboo read, a girl 15 and a guy 32 her coach. She is younger than half his age. Lucia’s exceptional writing, plus her mind blowing knowledge about gymnastics made me enjoy this book.

Nobody should be making the choice of what I can and can’t read! Just because you don’t like the book or the message of the story doesn’t mean you can bully an author and get a book banned.

Can somebody come pick my jaw up off the floor? This forbidden romance is off the charts hot! Everyone is drop dead gorgeous In the world of competitive gymnastics. I am so far from being a teenage athlete that at times it felt like I was watching animals at a zoo. Crazy, beautiful, frisky animals. ‘Balance’ reads like a game of tug of war. First you feel like the story will go one direction, then something pulls it towards a different direction. Normally this would irritate me. Think rope burns from having my emotions dragged all over the place. Instead Lucia Franco makes the back and forth feel like extended foreplay.

My only criticism is minor. The beginning of the book felt a bit slow and weighed down by the athletic side of the story. Post-reading, the pace and emphasis made sense. It made for a richer story overall. Don’t let the beginning put you off.

It took me a long time to start reading this due to some disparaging reviews. From what I have read, many of the negative reviews are based on the subject of ‘Balance’. I have said it before and I will say it again: reviews should focus on the writing not the subject matter.

One final note: The current Kindle edition is different from the original 2016 edition. If you want the uncensored version, it is available at the author’s website https://authorluciafranco.com/

Excruciatingly good

I’ve got a book hangover. My voice is hoarse from shouting at Adrianna and Kova. I’m dehydrated from crying so many tears. I alternated between sobbing and weeping for nearly a quarter of the book.

The book overall was stellar. I can’t remember the last time I read something which provoked such a massive physical reaction.

The negatives:

Too much angst. I know it goes hand in hand with my tears and shouting, but...

Primarily singular POV. What I wouldn’t give to know what was running through the other characters heads.

I just cannot believe it is over. I. Am. Shattered.

The love story continues. I’m not totally sure how I feel about this one. It was well written and tore at my heart just as much as ‘Balance’. However, in a way it felt like I was swimming through caramel as I read the story. Tasty and enjoyable but still a bit of a struggle.

‘Execution’ excelled at solidifying the story line. The tumultuous relationship between Adrianna and Kova continues. Adrianna’s training intensifies. Secondary characters and plot lines are developed...

In the end I’m left thinking that I might have been able to skip this book and move straight to book 3. That is in hindsight. In reality, I made it to 70% then started using the search function to get to the intense bits. That could just be me and my lack of patience. I still think this series is awesome. So sexy and heart achingly beautiful. I can’t wait to jump in to book 3!

I enjoyed the ‘Balance’ series but I couldn’t get into ‘Hush, Hush’. I don’t understand the point of this book. Maybe it was too highbrow for my tastes? I made it to 36% before giving up. I can understand when a book doesn’t grab me by 36% because there is an extended build up to the characters connecting. This was not the case here. The characters had connected. Plenty of details were given, and the tone of the book was evident. I just failed to be moved.

This series is giving my heart a workout! Who is good? Who is evil? Who cares?

All the characters in ‘Release’ add a depth to this intense story. The confusion and heartache is further intensified by the singular POV. I wish I knew what was going through the other characters heads. I liked ‘Release’ better than ‘Execution’. ‘Release’ just seemed to flow better.

I know this isn’t much of a review. I am way too eager to start reading ‘Twist’.

3.5 stars

This is one of the authors that writes age-gap romance that I never shy away from. I had been looking forward to this book since I first heard it was in the works. Something about the whole Pretty Woman vibe that drew me in. However, it was not my favorite that she has written.

The story started very slow and felt drawn out with Aubrey almost seeming dense as Natalie slowly hinted at what she actually did for a living. That bothered me for a woman who was as intelligent as she was. Normally, I am a fan of details and build up but this started to feel tedious. I was baffled at other times too by certain actions of Natalie, the relationship with the grandma, and Daniel. However, what I DID like and kept me turning the pages was the actual relationship between James and Aubrey. Those scenes were so HOT. Even the scenes were they were discovering each other was delicious. And those scenes are the ones that kept this book afloat for me. Otherwise, this would not have been my favorite which pains me to say since I love this author.

That is the beauty of books though, What might not be my favorite might be the book for someone else.

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.

4.3 stars

Very intense continuation of this saga. Some VERY hot steamy scenes. Even though this is considered taboo because of the age difference, especially Ria only being 17 (which was how old I was), it is more taboo because of the coach /gymnast relationship in my opinion.

As much as I am enjoying this series, I'm getting frustrated that it is taking 5 books to get to the conclusion. Normally, I don't want books to end but this one is getting to the point that I'm ready to move on to these characters getting their HEA. It definitely ended on a whopper of a cliffhanger.

3.5 stars

The premise of this story was great but felt like it was caught between a YA book trying to be NA. At times the heroine felt like she was a high school kid and the hero would vacillate in his emotions. This book had a lot of potential. I appreciate the author's attempt at some serious subjects.

4.4 stars

This series. So much angst. Taboo but still compelling. Like the book before it, it ends on a whopper of a cliffhanger. As much as I go back and forth on hating Kova, I love him just as much. There is something big that is being hidden and I cannot wait to find out what it is.