I can't say I didn't try because I really really did. I even have a cute little Collide lanyard that I was gonna use to help show off the book, but...yeah, I didn't like it.

I think the concept was interesting. I particularly liked how Summer was studying athletes and burnout because that's very real, but it was everything else that I couldn't get behind.

I didn't really care for Summer or Aiden. Aiden had a personality I couldn't quite pin down. One moment he was the cool team captain throwing parties and being a bro with his teammates and the next he was grumpy and angry with his coach and then he was a charming, college guy intent on wooing the ladies. Very confusing. Summer was better, at least consistent, but still not a character I loved reading about.

Hockey is my jam so I was really disappointed that I kept growing increasingly more irritated with this one. Maybe next time.

This book was very cute! I loved Summer's feistiness and her no nonsense attitude. The strength and independence from her is awesome and I love that in a main female character. And Aiden is so sweet and attentive. I smiled every time he did something swoon worthy. Their slowish burn was definitely burning hot and the spice was on point. Also I LOVE no third act break ups.

There are a few things that made this a 3.5 rating for me. Summer was hell bent on not being with Aiden. She was constantly dismissing his feelings to his face that didn't sit right with me. Seemed overly cruel to act like that with so many doubts to be with him, when he was constantly showing and sharing his genuine feelings to her. I also was a confused that she was friends with multiple hockey players yet explicitly saying that she hates hockey players and everything to do with hockey. Didn't make sense to me.

I'm a sucker for a sports romance, especially hockey. I recommend this to 18-24 year olds, as it focus on college aged kids and is set on a college campus. Also for those who enjoy fun and upbeat sports centered romances.

While I enjoyed reading “Collide,” it was pretty comparable to every other hockey romance on the market. The characters were lovable and the story was basic but sweet enough. The book hits the spot as romance goes.

if you liked icebreaker, this is for you. a college hockey romance with spice, collide is a story that you won’t want to miss

this book makes me want to BARK. that may sound weird but it’s not. these two are absolutely perfect for each other and the sexual tension between them is absolutely nuts. not only the relationship but the friendships amongst this book make it feel like a family. the grumpy girl and sunshine book was so perfect. this is hands down one of the best hockey romance books i have read.

(Thank you for the ARC, Berkley Romance!)

Grumpy girl and Sunshine boy and make it a sports romance?! Yes, please!!

I really enjoyed this New Adult hockey romance. Aiden is the captain of the hockey team, and takes the fall for a (hockey) party that got out of control. His coach was able to get him out of probation by nominating him to be the subject for a student's research project. Summer has one goal right now-get accepted to the best Sports Psychology program, which means submitting the best research paper for her application. Why did she have to be partnered with a guy who plays the one sport she can't seem to get far enough away from?

The banter? So fun. And it was made even more fun by all the forced proximity of them having to work together.

The college setting was great, and I appreciated that the MCs felt age appropriate. College kids doing college things, and feeling all the feelings.

Overall, this was quick and enjoyable. Definitely worth picking up for when you’re in the mood for a light, fun read.

Thank you Berkley and Net Galley for the arc of the newest edition of Collide by Bal Khabra!

Collide centers around Summer and Aiden who are 2 college students forced to work on an assignment together against both their wishes. After being forced to spend time together again and again, the two can’t help but fight and flirt with each other in equal measure.

I really enjoyed Summer and Aiden’s romance story. Their relationship felt organic and the book went through a lot of encounters where their feelings for each other could shine through their actions. The middle did drag slightly, but overall it was a solid romance with plenty of spicy scenes.

Highly recommend for fans of ice breaker or the deal! Black cat golden retriever spicy hockey romance. I really enjoyed both characters and watching their feelings for eachother grow. No 3rd act break is also FANTASTIC

this book was everything my friends said it would be and more. Bal's writing style drew me in and I couldn't be stopped. it reminded me of icebreaker and i would highly recommend this to you if you loved that one to read this one next. let me say it louder for the people in the back- WE LOVE A GRUMPY GIRL and SUNSHINE BOY!!!!! I cannot wait to read more from this author!

I really love the cat-dog fight between Aiden & Summer. Summer hates hockey players, and Aiden hates being forced to work with Summer on her research project with Hockey players, which she hated. The book, overall, is very light-hearted and YA-esque. Aiden is lowkey a simp for Summer because he's very attentive to her. And an icing to the cake for this book is the golden-retriever vibes of Aiden which teenagers these days love so much.

To get into her dream sport psychology graduate program, Summer is forced to work with the team captain for the one sport she hates - Hockey. The emotionally estranged daughter of a dedicated NHL player everything about the sport and its players is triggering to her. But sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

As the team captain, Aiden takes the fall for a Hockey party that got out of hand. As his penance, he's assigned to be Summer's research. And while he's not enthused, Summer has him intrigued from the start. If only he could convince her to be friends... if only he could convince her to be more than friends..... if only she'd realize that he doesn't want to only be friends with bennies.

Summer brings the Black Cat Women in STEM, hold a-grudge vibes that are wonderfully balanced with Aiden's fun Golden Retriever (smart but) brawny dynamic. Which makes the two of them an explosive combination and team.

3.5/5 stars rounded to 4. <spoiler> (It missed the 4 star mark because it felt like the plot fizzled out around 30% and I didn't like how Aiden took the blame for her later on in the book. </spoiler>
4/5 steam

Things to expect: <spoiler> Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine (Black Cat x Golden Retriever), Brain and the "Brawn", Forced Proximity, College Setting/ College Hockey, He falls First, Slow Burn, No third-act breakup, Found Family, Friends to Lovers, Women in STEM </spoiler>

CW: Aiden is an orphan his parents passed in an accident.

A fun spicy sports romance?! yes please! Aiden and Summer's banter was honestly my fave part of this story. They had so much chemistry and I just couldn't stop swooning..

This is a classic new adult hockey romance! It has all of the musts for this specific book genre! Aiden is the golden-boy golden retriever we all know and love in romances. Summer is the badass take nothing heroine we love too. It's not a ground breaking plot but it's one enhanced by the character development and seeing these two navigate their way to each other permanently. A definite should read for hockey romance enjoyers!

i definitely needed something cute and light-hearted after getting into a bit of a slump with my previous read. and one thing that's for sure is that a hockey romance and spice will always have me giggling and kicking my feet. if you loved icebreaker, i'd recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this college hockey romance! Thank you, Bal, Netgalley, and Berkley, for sending me this ARC!

I haven't read a lot of golden retriever/black cat books, but I really like them and I'm glad I got to add this one to my list of that trope! Summer and Aiden's relationship cracks me up. She HATES hockey and wants nothing to do with it (you learn pretty quick her dad is a popular retired hockey player and Summer has daddy issues). She's stuck doing her sports psych capstone with hockey, and the coach sets up Aiden (the captain) to be her subject as punishment.

I loved watching Aiden slowly break down Summer to get her to date him. I loved how they supported each other, and there were a lot of really fun side characters. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Collide is a steamy collision between a focused honors student and a hockey captain whose ice-cool exterior hides a fiery connection. With banter as sharp as skate blades and chemistry that can't be put on ice, Collide scores big with a love story that's as unexpected as a breakaway goal. Four stars for a tale that proves opposites don't just attract – they ignite! Strap on your skates; this one's a wild ride!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

DNF'd at 37% I wanted to give this more of a shot but with the awful pacing and back and forth between Summer and Aiden I just couldn't keep reading. There was a lot of fun dialogue but that was the only thing I enjoyed.

This was really good! It took me a minute to get into it, but once I was in, it was really good! The professor aspect was INTERESTING. Really enjoyed these characters and their storylines!

Give me a hockey romance any day and I will devour it in one setting

This is one of the rare books that truly feels like these characters are college students. Their mannerisms and dialogue are exactly what I envision college students to act like today, and I appreciate that this author wrote, and executed this perfectly with Aiden and Summer. They felt authentic and real without being over exaggerating or immature. Their growth felt authentic and their relationship blossomed in the perfect way.

This book is fun it’s so much fun. I was laughing so much that I had tears, but it also is extremely sweet and emotional and endearing. There is so much heart in the story and you cannot help but fall for both Aiden and Summer. I wanted to live in this story and I’m a way I did because the author has a great way of bringing her words to life. She’s vivid in her descriptions and does a really great job of pulling the reader into the story.

I cannot wait to go back into this world and with all these characters and I cannot wait to see what’s next. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC

ARC REVIEW
This book reminded me a lot of Icebreaker. However you felt about it, I would almost guarantee you'd feel the same about this book. This was my first book by this author and I definitely enjoyed it enough to read another. Was this the most deeply written book l've ever read as far as a solid plot? No. But it was cute, had plenty of moments that made me snicker with the banter between Summer and Aiden, and a decent amount of smutty moments. Besides, any hockey romance is better than no hockey romance!!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️