Okay! I just slapped my head too hard! It hurts like hell! But I made stupid decisions! Don’t get me wrong—reading this book was the smartest decision ever, but my biggest mistake was procrastinating! Why didn’t I request it sooner? Why did I have second thoughts? Well, lately, I’ve been reading too many sports romances, and I guess I was looking for something different. But that’s still a lame excuse because I loved Collide, the first book of the series. And, fun fact, the second books in most sports series are even better than the first.

At least, that’s my perception. Anyway, in this case, my opinion holds: Spiral is an even better, cozy, cuddly, sweet romance than Collide, which already earned my five hockey-ballet-sweetest-main-characters-impressive-fake-dating-forced-proximity-sports-romance stars!

Elias, a rising hockey star, is trying to prove his place on the team. He hasn’t scored a goal yet and is dealing with paparazzi who are trying to ruin his reputation with sexcapades he wasn’t even involved in! He’s just trying to be part of the team, working hard to change their manager’s biased perception of him as a rich daddy’s boy who always gets his way.

His path crosses with Sage, a young ballerina working tooth and nail to become the Swan Queen at the latest theater auditions, where a strong social media presence is more important than a professional resume. After being abandoned by her drug-addict parents, Sage raised her little brother, who suffers from diabetes and is bullied at school. He’s now thirteen and at boarding school, thanks to her support.

Sage attends a charity sports auction as a last-minute replacement for the dance performers. When Elias’ teammate and best friend Aiden, who shares the same table with her, asks for help to win the auction for Elias, she agrees to help save Elias from a stalker.

What Sage didn’t expect is that after their forced charity date, the press would catch them together. When Elias, ever the gentleman, carries Sage to help her walk after her feet start aching, rumors begin to swirl that Sage is his girlfriend.

Sage comes up with an idea that could benefit them both: they’ll fake date to achieve their goals. For Sage, it’s the social media attention she needs to catch the Swan Lake judges’ eye, and for Elias, it’s shaking off the paparazzi by appearing to be in a stable relationship.

Elias reluctantly agrees to the plan, laying down some ground rules, but as they spend more time together—and a tragedy forces them to share a room—he realizes those rules might be bendable. Even though he’s hiding a secret he’s kept for four years that could affect their relationship, he can barely resist falling for her. But when the heart wants what it wants, all rules and promises are bound to fail.

Overall, I loved the slow-blooming romance and the strong chemistry between Sage and Elias, as well as the mature way they dealt with their family issues. Elias is definitely the best, most caring, sensitive, and giving boyfriend—even if he insists it’s all fake, his actions say otherwise.

I’m promising myself that as soon as the next book in the series comes out, I’ll dive into it without hesitation! This was so much fun!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this addictive romance‘s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.

Bal Khabra is definitely a romance author to watch! All of her woks so far have been beyond swoonworthy and so compelling! Khabra is definitely an auto-buy author for me now!

thank you netgalley and berkley publishing group for the e-arc!!

give me a fake dating sports romance, and most of the time i will finish it in one sitting because it’s like there’s ✨crack✨ in these books. this just hit the spot for me on so many different points.

i will say this one did have a bit more of a plot than collide, but it wasn’t by that much. it was still mostly just a romantic vibes kind of book plot. however, that didn’t bother me because not only were the characters just so loveable, but their romance!!!

sage’s and elias’s moments and chemistry just had me giggling and kicking my feet, and it kind of made me emotional reading about them falling in love despite the odds and complications. their romance was slow burning in the best way possible and the tension between these two was so good. i was highlighting and annotating every single moment these two had. elias westbrook is an acts of service type of man and the eldest daughter in me was eating it up!!!

i won't give too much away, but i did really enjoy this!! 🏒🩰

The much anticipated follow up book to Collide, this was one of my most anticipated reads and I feel so lucky that I got to read this so early. *tears of joy* Spiral made for a really great companion book to Collide and one of the most surprising things about this book is how it is no longer set in college. Elias, who is our love interest in this book, is a professional hockey player in the NHL. This is his rookie season whom he gets to experience with his best friend, Aidan, the love interest of Collide. Elias is having a less than ideal season as his performance on the ice isn't up to par and on top of that, the tabloids are heavily reporting on his late night escapades with various women. The media is painting him out to be a massive playboy and also not performing at the level that a professional hockey player should be at. This is where Sage comes in.

Sage is a ballerina who is working towards securing a principle ballerina role in her dream production of Swan Lake. But the studio isn't taking her auditions since she is not social media famous. When she gets told that in order to even be considered for an audition, she needs to boost her social standing, she decides to hang up her dream. Until she meets Elias. They meet at a hockey fundraiser where they were auctioning dates with the team's players. Sage bids on Elias as a favor to his friend so Elias doesn't have to go on a date with an overbearing superfan. Elias decided to take Sage on the date anyways and the two have electric chemistry. Thinking they would part ways post date, that doesn't become a reality when the media seeing photos of them on their date and decide that the two are in a committed relationship. This is later confirmed by Elias during a press conference when he is confronted with the question. And this is how the seeds of their fake dating scheme are planted.

I had much a great time with this novel and loved how Sage and Elias couldn't get out of each other's orbit. Highly recommend!

“Spiral” is Bal Khabra’s sequel to “Collide”.

I remember finding “Collide” before it got picked up for traditional publishing. I was so happy to find a hockey romance that wasn’t toxic and full of red flag behavior, and I loved “Spiral” even more for continuing that trend!

Elias is such a softie - would do anything for his friends, family, loved ones, cooks AND bakes, and is always there to take care of Sage. He recognizes that she wants to be taken care of without asking for it, because she doesn’t want to be a burden or be let down, and he sees right through that and consistently shows up 🥹

Sage was such a strong female character for me. Her determination, grit, fierceness, and protectiveness all blended together to make her a force to be reckoned with. I loved her character arc and how she eventually opened up and became more vulnerable with Elias, while maintaining her strength. 💗

I’m excited to see Bal Khabra continue to grow as an author!!

This was such a fun book! i absolutely adored every single thing! the characters, the plot, the writing, the cover! it was such a wonderful book! definitely adding this to my collection

Spiral by Bal Khabra follows Fawn and Elias, professional hockey player and aspiring ballerina, through fake dating to help Elias' public image and heighten Fawn's career prospects as a ballerina. I loved this more emotional spin on your classic hockey romance and thought both Elias and Fawn were super fun characters to read about. I loved how our main male character was super thoughtful and acts of service driven, Elias is truly what book boyfriend dreams are made of. Fawn was also a total shining star, she was spunky, kind, and charismatic. Elias and Fawn drive each other a little bit crazy throughout the first half of this book and it was so fun to read their back and forth. I thought Bal did an excellent job pacing their romance where it felt like really see to people I could know in real life fall in love.

I do think Spiral landed on the slightly too long side, towards the end, the reasons keeping Elias and Fawn apart felt less compelling and believable which made me lose a little bit of interest, but I still had a wonderful time! I would definitely recommend this for sports romance lovers looking for a fresh new voice in the space.

“Sage lifts her pinkie. “Elias and Sage unfiltered?” I smile, intertwining our pinkie fingers. “Yeah, Elias and Sage unfiltered.””


““I’m a goddamn mess.” “You’re my mess.” Sage snorts. “Was that supposed to be romantic?” “It’s supposed to be me telling you that I’m here, and all of this— all of you, is safe with me.””



ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


SAGELIAS YOU'RE MY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!


I'm so in love and grateful for them and this series you have no idea, literally my life is not the same it was before I read them.

this series had been a pleasant surprise, and not only did I love aidensummer and the beautiful found family the bunny patrol has, but sagelias stole my heart in such a way.

since the last chapters of collide I was so so so intrigued by Elias (or Eli) I just knew I needed his book (Kian and Dylan too, my babies are all stars and have secrets I need to find out for my health)

but every expectation I had was blown away by this story. Sagelias you have changed the trajectory of my life and future.

Sage my strong princess, my badass ballerina, your love and perseverance, your courage and big heart, you deserve everything and more and I'm so glad Elias is going to give it to you. That he saw beyond what you wanted to show and broke down your walls (you did too with his). You and Sean are my family I adore you.

Elias ELIAS THE MAN THAT YOU ARE, THE ONLY MAN EVER!!! He has one of the biggest hearts I've ever read, he cooks, he is the perfect golden retriever gentleman, he lives by the mando flores, he can do it all and how I wish he was real because I need my own Elias. He had his secrets and his walls, but she had no chance against Sage and her heart.

I just finished this book and I already want to read it again, I miss them so much.


I need everyone to go read them and this series so they can fall in love with this wonderful group of people asap!!!! I need edits and fanarts people chop chop.


also bal this is my formal petition tl give Sampson a book with Amara, I know you know they're chemistry is there for a reason. That man is an honorary bunny patrol member in my heart. And if the juniors can have one each too, I won't complain!!!


now, I have sooooo many quotes, chosing the ones to share was difficult, so I saved some of my favs and gave you others of my favs.


potential spoilers ahead so you've been warned!!!





““Who knew after breaking you out of your shell you’d become such a flirt?” Her words are nonchalant, but the heat that puts a deeper tint on her chest and neck gives her away. “I guess it just takes the right woman to come along.”“And I’m the right woman?”“The perfect one.””


“Sage is beautiful and strong, a ray of light in a field of darkness.”


“I feel myself wanting to somehow hold her closer. Everything about her feels like it’s mine. Mine to hold, mine to touch, and mine to admire. I’m so fucked.”


“Elias Westbrook is the most gentle man I’ve ever known, but if he wanted to, he could tear my heart to pieces.”


“My chest tightens when I see her ripping her heart open for me. Like a ray of sunlight, Sage cuts through the dark clouds distorting my vision. I realize that no matter what, I’d spend my entire life trying to be good enough for her.”



“I've waited my whole life for someone to tell me I’m worth it. Worth choosing, worth staying, worth loving. To tell me my dreams are attainable, and I wouldn’t be another fallen star with no way back. Elias has said that every step of the way, but it never truly clicked until this moment. Until I decided that I’m worth it.”


“There’s no room for clouds over my head when I have a ray of sunshine in my hands.”


“The girl is a star, and as much as I denied it then, I wanted to be the one she shone down on—the one she broke out of the sky for, and the one that caught her.”

This book was one of my favorite reads of 2024! I read spiral and 40% through realized I loved Bals writing so much that I needed the next book and immediately requested it. I read spiral in one sitting. I’ve been in such a hockey romance slump but this renewed my love for sports romances. The fake dating tension? Phenomenal. I loved the added aspect that Eli’s trauma added to the equation. Bal did such an amazing job with his character and I loved him so so much. And Sage?? I felt so connected to here while reading this. She deserved the whole world and I just wanted to see her accomplish all of her dreams and be happy–and Eli’s love for her?? She deserved that so much. His taking care of her made my heart MELT. Their chemistry was so good and they were one of those book couples that I believe could’ve survived anything. Their ending was absolutely perfect as well! I thought the epilogue was done so so well and it was everything I could have hoped for for these characters. Bal Khabra is on my auto buy author list forever!!💜

A Ballerina and a Hockey Player, what a huge SLAY.
I really enjoyed this book- the SLOW burn was torturous at times, but absolutely iconic.
Sage and Eli were both such complicated characters that watching them learn to trust each other was heartfelt, I was rooting for them both from the first page.
If you love:
-Fake Dating
-Slow Burn
-Forced Proximity
You will LOVE this book. It had everything.
I have to say, I really loved Elias, but my heart was for Sage. I loved her character and her sense of humour- she felt really real and relatable as she navigated achieving her dreams.
In this era of sports romance that we are all currently living- I highly recommend Spiral.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
First thank you to NetGalley for sending me this arc I was beyond excited and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read this. 🩷
I seriously ateeeee this book up, it had me hooked from the first chapter. I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. Hockey books + Fake dating=Perfection. The slow burn was BURNINGGGG and the forced proximity made it even better. The banter and chemistry was there from the beginning, but the deeper connection they built is what really had me connecting to the characters. Elias was such a sweet, kind, caring and insanely hot man, everything you could ask for honesty. Sage was so selfless and hilarious I felt like we could really be best friends. Overall I really loved this book and can’t wait to get a physical copy when it comes out.

3.5 stars

It was hard not to compare this book to Collide. Mostly, the pacing felt off and it kept me from feeling the development of the characters and their relationship to one another. There were also moments that felt unnecessary, like the sabotage attempt during opening night. Also Owen’s character as a whole. He felt set up in the first third to play a bigger role than he did, but then he just fizzled out. And Elias’s dad passing out on stage also just felt too easy. I think some things needed more time and development.
All that being said, I absolutely loved seeing Aiden and Summer again. And I loved that Sage found a friend in Summer. Would have loved more moments between the two of them.
Regardless of my overall thoughts, this won’t deter me from recommending this book to others because it was a good time. And I look forward to Dylan andKian’s books!

I LOVED the first book in this series but this one fell short, I liked these characters when they were just side characters of the first one. Now that they are at the forefront I was a little disappointed with how their story was laid out.
This book was good but I feel I just didn't like that characters or their relationship, I wanted to love it and to connect with them but I couldn't. It just felt as though there was nothing to connect to. There was nothing wrong with the writing I love this authors books and writing. I hope that if there is a next book in this series I love it as much as the first, or more than this one.

P e r f e c t i o n 🥹

EVERYTHING I want in a sports romance with added twists & turns. It has SUBSTANCE.

The characters & their developments were amazing.

The slow burn + spice 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 let’s just say they’ve got that 🎶BED CHEM🎶

I loved the communication.
The FOUND FAMILY.
Elias’ whole situation was a pleasant take on the hot shot rookie hockey player (when you know, you know)

I loved reading about ballet as well.

Just an overall beautiful story.
My new fave sports Romance 🏒🩰

listen….as a person who DNF collide, I was hesitant to read this BUT I freaking adore this book so much! It’s making me want to give collide another chance.

as soon as I started it, I literally couldn’t put it down.

Eli is literally the sweetest character ever. He deserves the world.
Sage is such a hardworking & caring person. I really liked her character.

Their chemistry was literally everything. I was here for their banter. Was it a slow burn? Yes but I ate every little crumb they left.

I wish I could say more but just know this book gave everything I wanted and more. Once this releases, you’ll find me at the bookstore.

Thank you Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group for this arc.

Read this if you like :

- ballerina x hockey player
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- dual pov

3.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed this quite a bit, but I was hoping to like it more than I did. It's a super easy read, highly bingeable, full of tender moments, humor, emotions, and an acts of service MMC — which happen to be my favorite! (he also happens to be very Ryan Shay coded.)

I really liked both Sage and Elias! I connected so much to Sage and how she is a ballerina and has the weight of the world on her shoulders being an older sister. Also, I really enjoyed how she was a different kind of people pleaser. Elias was TOO DIE FORRR he is for sure the highlight of the book for me. I love how much of a constant he was for Sage and how he showed her what she deserved, even in the moments she felt like she didn't. <b> In a world of boys he's a gentleman </b>

I do feel that at some points the tropes just took over the story and it became a book around tropes instead of a plot situation. There were also moments that reminded me too much of The Right Move, which is, for me, both a good and a bad thing.

Overall I do recommend! It's easy to follow, likeable characters, forced proximity, and piercings. Do with that what you will!

tysm to Berkley & Netgalley for the ARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the Arc copy in exchange for honest review!

4 stars

When I tell you I devoured this book!!! BABY!!! This book was good!! Took me right out of my reading slump and I could not put it down! Despite being busy, You better believe I squeezed in a time to dive back into this book!

I am a sucker for fake dating so of course I love the story. Ms. Bal knows how to write a good sport romance without making it sound too much (I am not a sport girly, sorry!) so I tend to get bored if the story goes to much into sport, I need the dummy version. However with this story, I didn’t not feel lost or bored but happy to be along for the ride of Sage and Elias romance shenanigan!

This book delivers all the goods:

🤍 Fake dating that will hook you right away
🤍 A sports romance that strikes the perfect balance
🤍 A smart, driven female lead you’ll root for
🤍 Rich guy/poor girl dynamic with sizzling chemistry

If you’re a fan of any of these tropes, this book is a must-read!

Thank you again NetGalley and Berkley!

I enjoyed Spiral a lot better than Collide. In Spiral I really enjoyed the characters so much and the pacing of the story flowed really well. Overall it's a cute romcom.

It the first book hadn't convinced me, Spiral was a really great read. I started out reluctant, and ended up moved, so I'd say it was a successful gamble!
I was absolutely hooked on Sage from the very first chapters. She's a people pleaser. She puts the happiness of those closest to her, who are a very small circle, before her own happiness. Despite rejections and setbacks, she doesn't back down from her dream of being a ballerina; on the contrary, she's determined, and I found that very realistic.
She was used to not showing her emotions as a child so now she's unfiltered, if she has to cry she doesn't hide, if she flirts she goes all out. In short, she's great.
It took me longer to get attached to Elias. I found it hard to grasp his tears and reactions at first, but as he let Sage in, I let him in and then adored him. If I had to give his language of love, l'd say words of appreciation and act of services.
He did a wonderful job of soothing Sage, where she allowed him to let go.
It was a real good slow burn and their fake dating was written to pertection!
It comes out in early 2025, and I recommend it, whether you want to read the first book or not!

Just like Bal Khabra's first book, I absolutely loved Spiral. I love a good hockey romance and this one did not disappoint! I loved Sage and Eli and their relationship and chemistry. I was wishing them both the best throughout the whole book. They are both such strong characters, together and apart.