DNF @ 30%. I really wanted to like Collide; however, I couldn't get past the characters and writing. The book read like a rough draft. I thought the story could have gone through more editing. The grammar and overall story telling could have been better. As for the characters, I found them wanting. Summer and Aiden were not my favorite main characters. I also thought the many side characters blended together. The college setting didn't feel real and some of the elements to the story didn't make sense such as the 4.5 GPAs (do some colleges do that?) and the hockey punishment. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC.

#NetGalleyARC I LOVED this book. There’s some similarities to other hockey romances out there, but this one is better. The scenes are fun without being overly or unrealistic. The two main characters are well written and make you root for them. I hope this series continues!

What an absolutely delightful read.
This book you follow Aiden and Summer. Aiden is captain of the hockey team and Summer is a Pysch major that is doing a report on the strains of being a student athlete. Summer has a rocky past with hockey players and to her dismay finds out her research paper will pair her with none other than Aiden.
These two have a forced proximity that sets their worlds on fire with hilarious banter, tension, and spice.
I really enjoyed the main characters and their dynamic of more of a "rough banter" as in they pick on each other a lot and it is absolutely hilarious. Summer is more standoffish and Aiden is the golden retriever that is not afraid to tear down her *icy* walls.
The pacing in this book is the one downfall as some parts I almost felt like I missed a page/chapter because it was moving so quickly. Aside from that this book had a good story and was easy to breeze through for a nice light and spicy romance.
Highly recommend if you like icebreaker, this book was in my opinion better, with much stronger side characters and character development.
I had several moments in this book where I legitimately laughed out loud from the ridiculous come-backs the characters have with each other.
I will for sure be picking up the second book in this series.

Well, well, well, turns out Hockey Themed Romance Books are a whole thing! Who knew, right? I vaguely remember people on BookTok going on about hockey romance books, but I had no idea it was such a big deal. Full disclosure: I haven't read "Icebreaker." Anyway, guess who got their hands on an ARC of Collide by Bal Khabra, thanks to NetGalley? That's right, yours truly! The book had just the right amount of spice, but let's be clear, I wasn't in it just for the spice - it's a solid 3.5 on the spice-o-meter. Plus, it's got that classic enemies to lovers storyline. Yep, it's a college hockey romance book, folks. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when I found out that Summer was only "21." I mean, come on, I practically turned into a raisin on the spot. Summer and Aiden go from being enemies, to friends with benefits, and then to lovers. I have to confess, I was totally lost on the project Summer was working on, but hey, it all worked out in the end, right? Maybe a little more info on that would've been nice? The whole story moved at lightning speed, and I feel like the writer could've cranked up the hockey aspect a bit more. It was missing that certain je ne sais quoi for me, unless I'm just not into hockey players? But hey, I'm all about that Epilogue! However, I couldn't shake the feeling that the book was dragging on a bit. I almost gave up on those last few chapters, but hey, Aiden and Summer's happy ending made it all worth it. Overall, I'd give the book a solid three stars because at one point, I really enjoyed reading it.

I am on a big hockey romance kick right now, so this sounded up my alley. Especially because our protagonists are in uni and I love a college campus story.

Strengths:
- love the friendly banter/bickering between Summer and Aiden
- love that Summer isn't willing to sacrifice her academic pursuits for a romantic relationship
- love the built in cast of characters with the hockey team house
- college setting is my catnip

Weaknesses:
- this feels like this was written in fanfiction-esque installments; named characters come up randomly and are introduced as if we should know them (like Tyler? He shows up named for a study session, like we should know who he is), or Summer suddenly reveals that her childhood hockey player friend uses the nickname "Sparkles" for her because they watched My Little Pony as children (and then that never comes up again); additionally there were awkward transitions between chapters that felt like there had been a passage of time for the writer (and made for a strange experience as a reader); all of this is fine while reading Wattpad or fanfiction installments, but not so much in a traditionally published story
- because of the fanfiction feel, I wasn't sure if Khabra was dropping bread crumbs for a future book in the series (like the basement dweller who is weirdly cagey and won't switch rooms with Aiden and Summer so that no one else has to listen to their enthusiastic bedroom fun times) or if it was a funny bit that was meant to be developed into something and then forgotten

Opportunities:
- obvious series potential with the hockey house fellas and there are quite a few who we meet who I wouldn't mind spending more time with
- give me the basement dweller! what is he hiding?!

Threats:
- there is not much to distinguish this from any other middle of the road hockey romance; the writing is young and has potential, but so does everyone else jumping on the hockey romance train
- it offers nothing to make it stand out like Pucking Around with the polyamory and the penis ribbed for her pleasure with a million piercings; I'm going to remember Emily Rath is responsible for that reading experience for years to come
- a few months from now I won't remember if this was Hannah Grace or Elle Kennedy or Becka Mack or someone else entirely

Overall, I am grateful for having the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Collide. I am not opposed to checking out the next book that Bal Khabra writes.

3/5 stars (closer to a 4 than a 2)

This book is a scrumptious, feel-good romance with charm to spare. Aiden's sweetness and attentiveness shine, triumphing over the hurdles in their love story. Summer's stubborn streak adds a delightful twist, making their dynamic a joyride. While there's a slight deduction for external relationship drama, Aiden and Summer's eventual connection pays off handsomely. As a newbie to Bal Khabra's work, I'm already itching for more!

Hockey romance seems to be the trend at the moment, and I am 100% behind it!! This book is the perfect hockey romance. The banter between Summer and Aiden is an A+! Set in a college environment, you have all the antics that go along with it. College pranks, toga parties, fraternity parties etc. It will bring all those fun memories rushing back. I love how Aiden loves his team and will do almost anything for them.
Add this hockey rom-com to your TBR.

Collide by Bal Khabra

I needed a fun lighthearted hockey romance and boy did this one deliver!

Summer is every type A girly personified in a book. She has her 5,10,15 year plans set and will not let anything sway her from her goals, not even the hunky hockey captain. She has her goals set on the prestigious grad program, and one paper is in her way.

Aiden is the golden retriever athlete of everyone’s dreams. He’s loyal, goofy and will do anything to make his people happy.

The way he did everything he could to make her comfortable, knowing she was everything he had dreamed for in a women was adorable. Watching her fight her feelings tooth and nail was a little tedious but really made the ending so much sweeter.

Could have been a little shorter but overall it was a delight.

4⭐️
2/3🌶️

This is my first novel by Bal Khabra, and overall, I really enjoyed it. It was a solid college hockey romance. It reminded me of Elle Kennedy’s The Deal. I liked that book, so naturally this was right up my alley as well. Aiden and Summer were fun characters, I’m a sucker for enemies-to lovers.. This is the first book in the Off the Ice series, and I will be reading the next books in the series for sure! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sports romances, it was a great read, and got me out of a reading slump.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!

This was a super cute hockey book! I loved the forced proximity element of this book,
Aiden was such a good mmc, so kind and kind of the definition of a golden retriever hockey guy in a book. I eat up the "he falls first" trope and Collide did this very well.
Summer was good, but I definitely preferred Aiden. She had a lot of contradictory/hypocritical thoughts that found me being a bit annoyed at her at some points.
All in all though I enjoyed this! I didn't have to think too much and I was able to really just sit around and enjoy it.
It definitely felt like it was inspired by Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy's series, but I love those so I still enjoyed this book.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are fast approaching, so 'Collide' came with perfect timing. While the entire City of Toronto's currently cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs (which usually ends in heartbreak), I’m happy to cheer on Summer and Aiden, and the Dalton Royals.

While the sports romance genre's expanding, I found Bal Khabra’s version to be original with small moments of cultural intimacy. The chai making scene - was small but hilarious. While it may seem insignificant to some readers, it made me smile. For me, it’s the simple things that make my reading heart happy. Representation matters.

Sometimes we look to our close friends for advice when we’re figuring out relationships and love. In 'Collide', we have a strong supporting characters. Characters the served as pillars of support, sounding boards, and sources of wisdom. I just loved scenes when multiple characters were present because I felt the family bond. Special shout out to Amara, I loved her energy.

On a side note, I’m like a romance detective. I’m already guessing possible pairings, figuring out character chemistry, and predicting upcoming potential romances. There’s so much to unpack, but I’m so ready for book two.

Summer and Aiden are such lovely characters and Bal will continue to make an impact in the sports romance genre. The epilogue was so sweet and I loved the time jump. Can I just say, Berkley Romance keeps slaying! I’m loving all their releases and 'Collide' is just another soaring hit.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an ARC!

COLLIDE by Bal Khabra is an indie BookTok sensation (as I understand it; you know I'm not on the Tok) that's soon to be trad pubbed, with bonus content.

This book is perfect for people who love the drama and spice of hockey romance books. This is a New Adult story, featuring a psychology student forced to pair up with the captain of the hockey team for her research project. Of course, she hates hockey, and he has no interest in wasting his valuable time on her project, but they have to work together if they're both going to get what they want most. But as feelings change, maybe what they both want most is...each other.

After an assignment from a professor, Summer must work with Aiden, her college’s hockey captain. Summer has reasons why she avoids hockey players, but this one has a way of really getting under her skin. They both need to make this partnership work, but the last thing they want is to be around each other… at first.

This book is a college hockey romance and sets itself up nicely to be the first in a series. The main tropes found here are grumpy (her)/ sunshine (him), enemies to lovers, he falls first, and forced proximity. Aiden is a very attentive and endearing male lead. This book is full of steamy moments, a fun college setting, and a lot of likable characters who I hope to see again in follow-up books. If you enjoy Elle Kennedy’s The Deal and Off Campus series, you’ll love the similar vibes here!

Thank you to Bal Khabra and Berkley Romance for sending me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I think a lot of readers new to the romance genre will enjoy this. It's a textbook 'college romance' book with a lot to offer. But, as a reader, I've already read quite a few that followed such a similar formula that it made this one fall flat. I don't think it made a strong enough impact on its own.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summer and Aiden were such a joy to read. Highly recommend for fans of:
- he falls first
- sports romance (he plays college hockey)
- dual POV
- no break up!!

Aiden will make you swoon at how badly he wants to be with Summer, which is funny since he's never tried this hard with any woman before. Summer definitely resists a relationship with Aiden since she never wanted to be with a hockey player because of who her father is and how her life was growing up with him.

Definitely one to check out!

I loved the trope of class partners in this and the way it was such a forced proximity and that there was no third act break up and that they both had their povs!

I ended up really enjoying this! If you are a fan of hockey romances, I feel like this is going to be a great pick for you. I was in a bit of a slump and it definitely got me out of it reading it in 2 days! I loved the banter between the two and really enjoyed the writing style.

I’ve seen this plenty on my Instagram feed that I was very interested in reading this when I was offered an ARC opportunity.

This is sports romance set during college. This made it a quick read for me.

I liked that the heroine was training to be a sports psychologist. I thought it was different and cool to represent women in that field.

This was a fun opposites attract romance. I enjoyed their banter and chemistry. I also liked how gone Aiden was for Summer. I love it when he falls first. The steam is good too.

I think readers of sport romances will love this. Especially Icebreaker and Breakaway.

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. There were many holes in the writing, especially with scene setting and characterization. The story jumped from place to place with no explanation of where we now were. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional. I am a sucker for a cheesy, easy to read rom-com, but I couldn't get past the writing.

Summer has to write a paper for class to get into her desired major program as a psychology student and she has to write on paper on the burnout of athletes. Her advisor pairs her up with a hockey player which is the only sport that she did not want to do her research on. On top of that, her advisor is rude and mean.

Aiden on the other hand is a golden retriever and loyal to a fault. As the hockey team’s captain, he felt like it was his duty to take the punishment for the chaos his teammates caused before the season even began. His coach partners him up with Summer for community service, and the two fall in love.