simonlorden's profile picture

simonlorden 's review for:

Balance by Lucia Franco
4.5
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: Complicated

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).

Expand filter menu Content Warnings