4/5 stars

it was really long but i wasn’t necessarily bored… if you liked the deal/other college sport romance, you’d like this book. this fmc had a backbone (unlike most college romances) and is pretty confident and snarky (in a loveable funny way). i loved the banter she had with his best friends, it was so so cutise girly fun (but with hockey players). the banter these two had are unmatched, and he’s so caring and tentative, and actively tries to remember the little things about her (even though he claims to hate her).

when aidan crawford takes the fall for his teammates mistakes, he doesn't expect to be forced into a research project (or that he would have to beg to do it).
summer preston is a sport psychologist student and when her only option is to interview a hockey captain when she hates all hockey players, she is ready to drop it all.
so when aidan crawford shows up at her door begging for a chance, she has no choice but to make him work for it.

tropes:
- college hockey romance
- research partners
- hockey captain x sport psychologist student
- no third act breakup
- he falls first, and harder
- the banter >>
- black cat fmc x golden retriever (kinda) mmc
- enemies to lovers (mild)
- found family
- goofy teammates

*so so glad to see this book being traditionally published, so so proud and love seeing canadian authors achieve big things. this review has been altered to fit the traditionally published version, and is a complete honest review.

thank you random house canada for providing me with this ARC copy via netgalley 🩷

I’ll admit it. I got sucked in by a pretty cover & a snappy blurb.

Lighthearted hockey romance featuring a snarky Psychology student & overachieving jock. Summer is assigned to write a super important psychology paper on the hockey team. And wouldn’t you know it…Mr. Hockey Captain aka Aiden is set to be her research subject 🧪

Their relationship starts slow but progresses through all the usual stages of rom-com relationships kissing friends ~ fu*k buddies ~ dating until minor inconvenience ~back together 4ever 💞 and if you’re looking for a lighthearted rom com with great banter & a sprinkle of smuttiness THIS IS FOR YOU!

I have to say it fell a little short for me. The first 30% of the book are quite slow & I was just waiting for anything to happen. I’m was also so sick & tired of Summer’s “I’m afraid to feel” personality *insert eye roll* she was a bit annoying with her “ohh I have no feelings and I don’t get attached” ❌ nothing against the author this is just personally annoying.

Also Summer saying she has “traumatic past” with the sport of hockey 🥅 girrrrrl if you don’t!!

I thought Aiden was actually quite a cutie 🏒 but the constant miscommunication between him & Summer were not the vibe. At times he was just a dummy!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The perfect pick me up in between my heavy world building/politics novels that im currently reading. Only reason for the missing stars is because i felt i was reading Icebreaker all over again. Dont get me wrong this novel is it’s own storyline and characters (dont mind the enemies to lover troop and hockey house). Did i mention this book was draaaagging at the end, yes it could of been 100pg shorter.

Overall i would definitely reread this book in the future. The characters are hilarious, just don’t mind our annoying main character summer that can’t make up her mind.

I’m so conflicted here, I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve seen this book all over, and have been so incredibly excited for it. Cover? Gorgeous. Blurb? Sign me up. Golden retriever hockey captain? SAY LESS. New adult romances are my jam, I don’t care what anyone says but throw hockey in there too and I’m contractually obligated to read it to keep my Canadian citizenship. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Buuuuuut I have a few concerns. *wails*

Like why is Summer so unnecessarily adversarial all the time? I get it, grumpy sunshine, and makes for good banter. I’m down for that. But where is the reprieve?! Even after “admitting” to liking Aiden. I’m dying here! To me it felt like it was almost getting worst after 45/50%. It was a bit frustrating at times when I wanted to grab Summer’s shoulders and shake some sense into her.

Or getting jealous and throwing tantrums, but then telling Aiden to go sleep with other girls. Repeatedly. Like I get it, we have character flaws (I may or may not have a bit of a jealous streak) but how is the response to being jealous telling Aiden to go do the thing that would make it worse? That would cause a complete meltdown if him reading a text message in her presence was enough to cause a scene. I need it to make sense.

I think ultimately this is too long as well. Or at least not enough excitement to make it un-put-down-able. All in all I found this to be very anticlimactic both in terms of the relationship and the plot of the book. There is also a big difference between banter and being difficult. We started with fun banter. I was smiling. I was highlighting quotes. I was thinking “yeah, you tell him!” But then not only did it not stop, but felt like Summer doubled down which continued into… I don’t even know. A headache. Could have easily shaved off 50 pages, or used them for something else.

I know, I know, Summer is beauty, she is Grace, she is Miss United States, but I just needed more from her. When it gets to the point that everything from her mouth is:
1. An argument
2. About her application/paper
3. Telling Aiden they are nothing
We get it. Let’s move on.

All I can think about is Abby from Dance Moms, “you were good, I’m waiting for you to be great”. Cracks me up every time.

Granted Aiden wasn’t flawless either. I wasn’t thrilled with his martyr tendencies, and really wish he called Summer on her shit, but alas. The golden retriever vibe is fun. Plus his relationship with the teammates is always a good time to explore.

And now here it comes, but I can’t do this review without saying it. This feels … a lot … like an Icebreaker knock off. And I’m in no way saying that’s the case. But themes, scenarios, character traits, all down to the roles the secondary characters played………… I’m just saying. You can make your own conclusions, but I read Icebreaker and Collide about 3 weeks apart so it’s pretty fresh, and these similarities were popping up early on.

I swear though there is good in this as well! I’m always a sucker for found family, and I think college books can really hit the nail on the head there. The relationships the characters make with each other lend so well to the development of a series because as a reader you get invested with each of them. I for one cannot wait for a Kian book!

While I may have struggled a bit with some of the heroine’s bullheadedness, I did appreciate her growth near the end and can see how that would have made a huge impact on her.

This review makes the book sound like a mess but you know what? New adult/college age characters and yeah, things will be messy. That’s what makes them more relatable, and that’s what keeps us entertained. Even look at Cinderella, if she got her man immediately we all would have forgotten the story. It’s the messiness of fictional life (or making all the girls try on a shoe) that keeps us going.

So sure, I had a few issues with this one but hey, I liked it too. Not every book will be 5 stars and that’s okay. I’m intrigued by this world of characters so will be sure to check out future releases, and will definitely be keeping an eye on this author in the future to see what she comes up with!

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Adorable sports romance novel! This was such a cute romance set in a university setting, I loved the banter between the main characters so much. Excited to see what's next!

I was so invested in these characters! I stayed up so late reading this book 3 nights in a row because I couldn't put it down. All of these characters were so likable, the chemistry and anticipation was best I've read in a long while. I've already recommended this to my book club because I know they'd all love it!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Bal Khabra for the copy of Collide.

Told in a dual point-of-view, Collide follows the story of Summer and Aiden. Summer is a Sport Psychology student who is given and ultimatum to work with a hockey student for her thesis. With reluctance, she is forced into working with Aiden, the captain of the Dalton hockey team. Aiden and Summer both have a steady focus on their future careers, and not much else, until they start to work together and the sparks ignite. This is an enemies-to-lovers, he falls first, college romance story.

This book is a good fit for those who like hockey, college romances, or similar readalikes like Icebreaker.

The secondary characters are a dynamic part of the story and can easily transition into future stories of their own. I look forward to reading Bal Khabra’s future books in the same series.

Rating - 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - March 14, 2024
Publication Date - May 14, 2024

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @authorbalkhabra, @penguinrandomca, @vikingbooks and @netgalley!

I am not an audiobook girlie but I do love a good book playlist and I really enjoyed listening to the playlist that was included in this book!

Collide is a new adult book and you get to experience the University party life that you always see in movies! This book is a funny but sweet and cute hockey romance. While there is some spice, Collide also involves deeper topics so it is not just a surface level story. I loved the banter and I annotated so much, which I do not usually do! I liked reading a reverse grumpy x sunshine book for a change and I swooned with the hair tie part (IYKYK)!

This book is perfect if you love cheesy hockey romances. If you enjoyed reading Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, you would love Collide too!

Get excited to read Collide, available May 14, 2024! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

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.

He is an athlete and she is a bookworm who has working towards getting more education in grad school. Summer wants to study hard, focus on her goals and avoid distractions. But Aiden comes into her life and becomes a large distraction to her. They start to have to interact because of a school project Summer has to complete and they start to realize that they have let their guard's down and their feelings get invvoled.

This was such a great read I really enjoyed it. I love a good hockey romance I am such a sucker for them. Was it anything new, no but it was such a feel good and filled with smut and I loved it.

This book was absolutely exceptional. Immaculate vibes.
Summer and Aiden were absolute perfection in every sense of the word. Aiden the perfect golden retriever boyfriend, who just doesn't date until he meets her. The 'he fell first' aspect of this was so fun to read, because Aiden was just so stinking cute and Summer was so hesitant. It was really fun to watch them push at each other- the girl who hates hockey players and the captain of the team.
Filled to the brim with fun and witty banter, found-family and of course steam- Collide is perfect for fans of the maple hills series! I'm very new to the sports romance scene so I was happy to find another series of interconnected standalones!
One of my favourite things here was how fun the side characters were too! Amara, Kian, Eli! I loved them all and can't wait to read their books!

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Collide re-releases May 14, 2024

2.5

Collide is book 1 in the Off the Ice series, and is told in dual pov from Summer and Aiden.

Summer is a sports psychology student, and her research paper for her grad school application must be on hockey, which she despises. This has her working closely with Aiden, the captain of the hockey team.

Too many characters were introduced in such a short amount of time, which had me feeling overwhelmed.
Summer was such a dull character, and Aiden falling first and as fast as he did (20% range), didn’t add up with his initial characterizations of being such a playboy that only cared about casual hookups. The pacing was really off — 27% was way too early for him to be exhibiting such strong signs of jealousy.
Summer says Aiden “feels like home” at 30%, and they’re fully intimate by 36% — I’m heavily side-eyeing everyone that is classifying this as a slow-burn romance, because it’s not.

In comparison to a lot of other similar new adult, college hockey romance books, I just didn’t love this one as much and found it difficult to form an attachment with the characters in a way that would mean something to me.

Aiden was too good for Summer and deserved someone better than a girl with daddy issues so deeply ingrained that she would throw a fit and get mad at him for being a literal GENTLEMAN just because he didn’t want to fuck her for the first time in the backseat of his truck. It’s absurd!
Or the fact that she made him hide in her bathroom for over an hour??
Summer rubbed me the wrong way and I really didn’t care for the constant “let’s see other people” thing which dragged the book out for an unnecessarily long time.

Another thing that stood out to me was a scene of sexual harassment that was glossed over, when Aiden had a drink spilled on him at the toga party and a girl cornered him in the bathroom and lifted her dress up to show him that she wasn’t wearing any underwear, even though he made it clear that he wasn’t interested. That’s not cool.

I hate to say it, but Collide was a knock-off version of Icebreaker, down to the multiple plot points, group chats, and eerily similar character dynamics.

4.5/5
"I forgot how much you feel like home."
"Home. She thinks I feel like home."
Wow! I loved this! this book managed to keep me entertained throughout the entire story and made me fall in love with the characters. This book gave me the same feelgood feeling as icebreaker, so if you liked icebreaker you're going to love this! I really enjoyed the way Aiden and Summer interacted, the writing made me feel like I was reading about real people. The banter was amazing and I never felt bored while reading this. The only reason this was a 4.5 stars out of 5 was because I'm not a particular fan of the grumpyXsunshine trope, but that's entirely my fault. The spice 10/10! The banter 10/10! The friendships 10/10! Please read this book, you will not regret it.

I very eagerly received an ARC from Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada – which makes me so happy because it makes me giddy that I get to support Canadian authors.

Summer Preston is applying for an elite grad school program in sports psychology (cool as heck) but her super intense advisor insists she has to do it with the hockey team. Which would be great to get a top tier team, other than Summer hates hockey players. With the fire of a thousand burning suns. And team captain Aiden Crawford is not helping. He’s arrogant and rude when they first meet, and is only agreeing to “help” with her project so that he doesn’t get suspended and risk ruining his chances of playing professionally. Qu’elle surprise, angry sparks turn into sizzling scenarios, and soon they’re spending more time together than they do apart. He obviously falls in love SO fast, whereas her abandonment issues keep her from wanting to take their physical relationship to an emotional one. The book is full of sarcasm, banter, and maaaaany innuendos (one in which both Summer and I scrunched our noses at), and overall reads as a fun, flirty read.

I’m excited to read Elias’ story in the next story, and see what Bal Khabra does next!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for an Advance Reading Copy in exchange for my honest opinion! ❤️

1. Wonderful diversity in the cast of characters
2. Unfortunately, very cliché. It feels as if I've read this book before.
3. The two MMCs are extremely endearing
4. If you're new to hockey romance, I encourage you to pick it up!

* copy granted by penguin random house canada in exchange for an honest review *

what else is there to say except YUP

4.5 ⭐️

“I’m all in. Mind, body, and soul, or whatever the fuck that movie summer made me watch said. Down to my core, i’m hers”

for those looking to scratch the hockey romance itch, look no further! this book gives the perfect balance of a fun, lighthearted plot with a cheeky little romance between two people who couldn’t be more different.

Summer is an ambitious grad student with a 5-year plan she plans to follow and become a sports psychologist. Aiden is the captain of the hockey team who’s only ambition is getting to the NHL and having fun. If Summer had her way she would avoid everything hockey for the rest of her life, but her thesis advisor requires her to do her final project on the very sport she despises. Meanwhile, Aiden has taken the fall for his teams mistakes and as punishment he’s required to be the test subject of Summer’s project.

I found Bal Khabra’s writing to be intriguing, engaging, and authentic. I loved the banter between Summer and Aiden. It was the perfect combination of witty and flirty. the character development from both of them throughout this book was beautiful. the deeper topics discussed were done well and felt so realistic. I loved how loyal and sweet Aiden was, a true golden retriever to match Summer’s black cat energy 🤭

This was one of those books that’s more character-driven than plot-driven. You start being there for the story and finish wanting more from the characters! The found family in this was perfection!!! a fantastic hockey rom-com where he falls first AND harder, lots of forced proximity, and one of my favourite tropes… a scorned ex who gets what he deserves! I highly removed for a fun, easy, and lighthearted read!

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Bal Khabra for an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💖

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC!

This book was such a fun, fast read, reminiscent of "Icebreaker" by Hannah Grace. I breezed through it in under a day! It was cool seeing Summer studying sports psychology since I don't see that in books very often. Plus, I liked the switch-up with Summer being the grumpy one and Aiden being a total cinnamon roll. Their chemistry was undeniable, making for some steamy moments, and the HEA left me with a smile. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read!

I randomly stumbled upon Collide by Bal Khabra before it was traditionally published and absolutely fell in love with it. For those of you who enjoyed Icebreaker by Hannah Grace and The Deal by Elle Kennedy, this one's for you. It has everything you want in a spicy rom-com but provides character depth that I find is missing some of the time in other popular books in this genre.

As a person of colour I always am a huge supporter of books that show representation. In this book, there FMC is a person of colour and this is something that I love to see in sports romances where the main characters are predominantly caucasian. The supporting characters also display the natural diversity we see in everyday society. The presence of diversity within the book isn’t emphasized simply for representation's sake. It is written as one facet of a person that consists of many things.

Aiden and Summer’s relationship was perfect. The reverse grumpy x sunshine, athlete x academic, he falls first and harder, with top tier banter and bickering made them so loveable. These are popular tropes that you’ve seen before but they’re beloved for a reason and Bal Khabra absolutely nailed their dynamic.

“When I hold her like this, I realize my entire world fits in my arms.”

All the characters in general, including the supporting ensemble, are so likeable and they really made such a great hilarious found family that you’re rooting for and laughing with. The relationships between characters is a massive strength in this book.


The deeper topics touched upon in this book are ones that are relevant to many young adults: academic pressure, family relationship issues, self esteem, etc. The book is not one dimensional and while it definitely brings the spice, the characters have depth and struggles. It is the perfect balance of spice and plot.

One of the things I love the most about this book is the humour. It truly is a rom-com in that there are so many funny moments in the writing and amazing witty banter between characters. The comedy style is reminiscent of Emily Henry’s and I say that as a compliment. Hilarious inner dialogue and narration by the characters adds to the warm and light feelings you want from a rom-com.

“Is that a weird thing to say? Fuck, maybe I should google serial killer tendencies again.”

Collide By Bal Khabra was one of my favourite reads last year and I think it has the potential to be as popular as books like Icebreaker and in fact improves on areas that are missing. I think it is a great read for those new to the genre or those who are already a fan. I can’t wait to see what Bal Khabra has next.