This book was perfection! Eli stole my heart with the way he showed love to Sage. The way he expressed his love was through acts of service, and that’s my love language. Everything this man did warmed my heart. This book made me feel so many emotions—crying being one of them, which is rare for me.

Sage, on the other hand, was so strong and determined. Even though she wasn’t dealt the best hand in life, she made the most of it and still pursued her dreams. When Eli and Sage start fake dating, feelings begin to surface that they can no longer deny. Sage and Eli support each other and never let the other give up, even when they want to.

I loved the found family dynamic in this book—that’s a trope I will always adore. I devoured this story and enjoyed watching these two characters grow individually and as a couple. Plus, all the side characters were so much fun, and I loved how they always had each other’s backs.

I could go on and on about all my favorite moments, but that would give away too much.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.75🌟 rounded up!!
OH MY GOD!!!! This is my first read of 2025 and I am so glad it is because I absolutely loved and adored it!

I loved Sage as a fmc. As the oldest daughter, I totally related to her with everything she did and felt. She was so strong, selfless, caring, funny, and hard-working. I genuinely rooted for her the entire time because she deserved to be taken care of by Elias. She deserved to let herself relax and not stress all the time, and Elias gave her that. I loved her so much!!

Okay, Elias was AMAZINGGGG. An acts of service KING!! Literally could go on and on about the things he did for Sage but I'll just name a few: taking care of her little brother, buying her different flowers because he didn't believe that she didn't have a favorite, THE TATTOO. I'm deceased. His vulnerability felt so realistic and I loved the way him and Sage treated each other with such tender love and care.

I loved that this was a slow-burn. Their relationship development felt so realistic. They were so sweet and funny together, I found myself giggling and kicking my feet so many times throughout the book. They not only had so much love for each other, but they also had so much respect for each other whether that be in their professions or for their pasts, which I totally adored. Sage needed to learn how to let others in and take care of her while Elias needed to learn how to trust others, and I thought the way they helped heal each other was beautifully done. The found-family aspect is also really fun and enjoyable. I really just loved them so much!! I will NEVER stop thinking about Elias, he is a top tier book boyfriend and I need him ASAP!!!!!!

+Fake Dating/Forced Proximity
+Sports Romance (Hockey + Ballerina)
+ Slow burn

Sage Beaumont, is a ballerina who’s not only trying to pirouette her way into Swan Lake and parent her little brother but also just trying to keep her life from becoming a full-blown disaster. When her dream role gets snatched away because she doesn’t have enough Instagram followers, Sage is left questioning if her big break will ever come.

Enter Elias Westbrook, aka Eli, the shy NHL rookie struggling to score his first goal. Poor guy is drowning in media chaos, bad publicity, and all the expectations of being hockey’s next golden boy. Between being unfairly labeled a playboy and psyching himself out on the ice, Eli’s confidence is skating on thin ice (sorry, I had to, the pun was right there.)

This is a slow burn romance - emphasis slow. You don’t get to the truly spicy bits until about 80% into the book (chapter 37, if you’re keeping track). But trust me, the build-up is so well-written. Eli and Sage have this delicious tension that’ll have you screaming, “Just kiss already!” Eli’s love language? Acts of service. Reading how these two characters open up and be vulnerable with each other is swoon-worthy.

Sage’s “eldest daughter energy” really jumps off the page. She’s sweetly protective of her little brother, stepping into a parental role with a mix of tenderness and stubbornness. Her refusal to let her uncle, who by the way is an NHL team exec, help out was so questionable to me. But hey, I’m an only child, so what do I know about sibling dynamics.

Overall, Spiral is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance about two people trying to chase their dreams while life keeps throwing them curveballs. It’s got heart, humor, and just enough angst to keep you hooked. I will circle back to read Collide so that I can discover Aiden and Summer’s love story.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC! Sprial will be released on January 28, 2025, and is available for pre-order now.

4/5⭐️

Oh man, I love this series! I enjoyed Summer and Aiden’s story so much and I was ecstatic when I heard Eli was getting his own book.

Sage? An icon👑 I just love when an FMC is confident in her own power, skill, independence and sexuality instead of the meek, “I’m not like other girls” FMC that rose to popularity as I was growing up. She’s a baddie and I love that for her. And Eli???? Sir, I apologize I was not familiar with your game before reading Spiral cause DAMN DOES HE HAVE GAME. He was just as sweet as I expected him to be but also so much more and half the stuff that came out of his mouth made mine drop open and I LOVED IT.

My only qualm with this book is I want MORE SPICE🔥🔥🔥🔥 I completely understand that the lack of/delayed spice is an important part of the plot but that doesn’t mean my thirsty ass has to be happy about it✋🏼

I love Bal Khabra’s writing and I hope we get more of this series in the future because I truly believe she could be the next Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace of the hockey romance genre.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my open and honest review. Every thought and opinion expressed in this review is entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

dnf @ 26%

I previously read Collide and while I did not love it, I wanted to give this author a second chance but I’ve realized this author and their writing style are not for me. The writing is easy enough to read and get through quickly, but it and the characters fell flat.

જ⁀➴ 4.75/5 ⭐️

<i> </i> ꒰🧾꒱ 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚕

<i> thank you so much to berkley for this arc </i>

꒰ 💜 ꒱ - this book is actually adorable and perfect in so many ways. ugh like i’m already missing sage and eli sm. bal’s writing style is so refreshing and endearing. i am in love with spiral and i read collide earlier last year and devoured that book. i am sage, she is me. what’s it with bal and peyton when it comes to writing THE most relatable fmc’s ever (personally.) like i feel so exposed when reading these books (in the best way tho). it’s acc insane how emotionally connected i am. eli is for the quiet misunderstood people, the ones who let people walk over them and put others before themselves. this book does have smut.

────୨ৎ────

꒰ 🩰 ꒱ 𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄 - my girl. i love her so much, and i can’t even begin to describe how i felt so seen and understood while reading about her. her behaviour and feelings, how she cared for her brother and put him before everything. sage is for the people pleasers and the eldest sisters who want to be taken care of but don’t want to ask for it. she seems like an openbook, tells people (almost) everything and is an oversharer, but it’s a facade she hides behind. not who she actually is. eli explained it perfectly:

“she hides her guarded heart beneath a cloak of openness that not many have the privilege to pull back.”
➵ lives were changed!! how is my entire being described in one simple sentence. like oh my gosh… bal how do you keep writing characters that are so deeply connecting to me and hit really hard. like why am i learning so much about myself reading this (LOL)

“it’s like no matter what i do, no matter how much i try, i’ll always be scraping by.”
➵ damn okay.

꒰ 🏒 ꒱ 𝐄𝐋𝐈 - um, he’s perfect and the new loml. (hehe) why can’t he be real? this man wore eye masks for her on her self-care night, posted a picture with them both wearing them as her fake boyfriends, and captioned it best part of my day? ughh actually invested in this guy. also googled her dance moves for her performance right before so he could understand them better, brought her extra glue and crystals:

“you told me that one time they came off before you even got onstage and how upset you were. I didnt want that happening again.”
➵ screaming rn - brb.
okay so um when do i get my own elias westbrook. i’m patiently waiting for my hockey boyfriend. 🙏he literally makes sugar free cupcakes for her younger brother because he’s diabetic (did i mention he’s a baker + chef?!!) like my heart is breaking that he’s not real. he used micellar water to remove her makeup when she was exhausted, like he’s perfect y’all.

꒰ 💖 ꒱ 𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐗𝐄𝐋𝐈 - goals literal goals.
life goal: to have a relationship at least half as amazing.
i need someone to love me like eli loves sage. Like someone who can see right through me. being an over sharer who doesn’t actually share enough about their life?

“sometimes i think you do too much for me.” - sage
“nothing is too much when it comes to you.” - eli

“i’m a people pleaser” - sage
“then let me be the one to please you.” - eli

➵ these two omigosh. ahhhhh squealing!! their actually adorable and so sweet

────୨ৎ────

꒰ 💟 ꒱ - definitely recommend if you love hockey romances and found family! loved every drop of this book and will read anything by bal. first review of 2025!! also how blessed am i to be given arc’s of spiral & unloved?!! forever thankful to berkley for this arc 🫶🏽

I LOVED Eli and Sage as characters and I think Bal found the perfect sweet spot for lovable and light characters with interesting and complex histories that result in fulfilling and warming character growth.
Sage’s journey with ballet and Eli’s journey with hockey being things the other never lets them falter on even through their struggles but still validating the feelings and experiences the other is going through was SO refreshing to see in a romance novel. Bal’s special talent for writing banter that is endearing and revealing of her characters’ depth is unmatched in this one. I absolutely loved how Sage’s character was written and developed and I can’t wait for the world to meet her!!

Spiral is book two in the Off the Ice series. It is a Canadian hockey player x ballerina story that is bound to suck you in and make you smile while reading it. There is no shade to other books, but I think this is the superior new adult hockey series, at least from the ones I’ve read.

The character’s aren’t overly immature, it’s not super smutty, it feels like a realistic romance for those in their early 20s. In Spiral, you get to revisit Aiden and Summer, but also get to know Sage and Elias. Sage is an independent ballerina who has had to take care of herself and her little brother for as long as she can remember. She’s quick-witted and sharp. Elias is a hockey player for the Toronto Thunder and although he didn’t have the best childhood, he comes off as privileged and rich. He’s facing some social media scrutiny, and she needs some social media attention to help grow her page and together they realize how mutually beneficial it would be for them both to fake date. This book is just super cute, it’s fully of banter, and characters who are good to each other. Their relationship development felt natural, and although there are times I wanted to bonk Eli on the head, he was the ABSOLUTE sweetest to her.

This is one of those plots where things seem forced. A candle burns down an apartment, so she moves in with him. Does her uncle need a ballerina for a hockey event? Huh??? There are some beautiful moments, but the story needs editing for contrived moments and the addition of substance.

4.5 - This was cute, hot, and EMOTIONAL!! Everything I need in my ideal sports romance. Elias and Sage are my babies and I felt so emotionally attached to them by the end of this book. And I LOVED the ballerina trope, especially in a sports romance, as I feel like we never get to see ballerinas or dancers, much less a badass Black ballerina!!

Spiral is the second book in the Off the Ice series, following Collide. Spiral follows Elias, a professional hockey player, and Sage, a professional ballerina. Elias is struggling with keeping up his end of his contract after starting out the season with no goals and Sage is barely making ends meet, scrapping by and she struggles to land roles as a ballerina and care for her little brother. This book has all the tropes I love. Elias is DOWN BAD for Sage. Like the man is OBSESSED WITH HER (and rightfully so). Sage is a badass, powerful woman, who struggles to let her guards down and let someone else care for her. The two agree to a fake relationship, so that the media will get off of Elias' back and Sage can get some publicity to land her a role. From the second the meet, even before their fake relationship starts, it is so clear that the two have deep chemistry and have feelings for each other. There is a lot of emotional depth, angst, and hot tension between these characters!!

The forced proximity and banter was perfect, and had me blushing and kicking my feet the whole book. I just loved every second of it and felt like the pacing and writing in this one was wonderful. I am LOVING this series and cannot wait to see where the next book goes!! The found family is so wonderful. Thanks to Berkley for the free book!!

That was such a cool story! I had the opportunity to read the author's previous book and I wasn't thrilled with it. My main problem was with the main character, who I simply couldn't like. Everything about this story was great! I really liked the main characters and their complicated past that shaped them in this way.
Elias is great book boyfriend material. He is patient, tender and sensitive, and above all, he always cares about protecting his loved ones from suffering. Can't wait for Dylan's book!

I don't know the last time i stayed up all night but this was an up all night read. I couldn't put it down.

I loved Collide but Spiral was as good if not better. I loved how Eli and Sage navigated so much but also were so there for the other one.

I can't wait for more

There is something about Bal Khabra’s writing style that makes it impossible to put her books down. I literally read this in one sitting with a big smile plastered on my face.

I enjoyed this one, but I do have to say that Collide is still my favorite by her. There were some aspects of this book (that I’ll talk about more on release day) that could’ve been condensed or cut out. And on the other hand, there were some elements that could’ve been extended, especially the last couple of chapters because those were FANTASTIC. Either way Bal is an autobuy author for me and I can’t wait to go get my physical copy on release day! If you love a good hockey romance book with found family, do yourself a favor and add this one to your tbr.

3.75 stars

“That’s the thing about having your people. We’ll always be right where you left us. Still loving you, and still cheering you on.”

Spiral tells the story of Eli and Sage - both athletes ( hockey player and ballerina, duh) and both very interesting characters. I love me a good grumpy sunshine but this book was better because Eli isn't a grump, just a reserved and introverted guy who struggles with letting anyone in for good reasons. Sage is a ballet dancer struggling to get her dream audition while raising her 15 year old brother. She is on the surface a sunshine character, but the more you know her, the more you realise it's a very surface description.

The book takes us on a ride with these two as they struggle to let each other in where they haven't let anyone else before and it's a wholesome journey. The Dalton Crew appearances ( especially my girl Summer) were fun, emotional and everything in between. Sage and Eli's journey is also more emotional and of the heart for almost 70 percent of the book. The book makes it difficult to be put down because you get invested in the characters preety easily.

My only issue was that quite a few things were just told, and not shown and that left me dissatisfied because I wanted more. The character sketches are deep and raw but they aren't explored as much as I wanted to read. The last 10 percent feels very rushed as the book tries to wrap up multiple - and important - plot points. It is kind of a whiplash after the beauty of a slow burn.

Overall, it's definitely was a good pick for me to start the year. Thank you Berkeley and Netgalley for the ARC!

What a great start to my reading year. A rookie NHL hockey player trying to prove he's more on the ice (and off) than he has been lately and a ballerina who raised her younger brother and who is trying to prove she has the capabilities and the ability to be a principal dancer in state... If only she could get the chance!

Could Eli BE more perfect?! This guy had me swooning left and right. The way he is with Sage in every aspect is amazing. Sage, who always puts everyone before herself, deserves this man who takes care of her, cooks for her, holds her when she cries, etc.

The slow burn is a SLOW BURN with the rules they put in place for their fake dating scheme but oh so worth it. The tension crackles off the page during it.

I enjoyed this one much more than Collide actually! I felt like her first book was very similar to other books I've read in the sports romance world but Spiral redeemed Bal in my eyes! I am usually a sucker for a sports romance anyways soooooo there you have it!

You can tell she's written before and has upped her game!!! Keep the Off Ice Series coming PLEASE!

After reading Collide at the beginning of this year, I knew I needed Spiral in my hands ASAP! Sage and Elias' story was so cute. I LOVE a book with found family and this delivered. Additionally, the vulnerability between the characters and how their guards came down over time felt natural and well paced. I think my biggest critique of the book is the repetition. Some scenes felt overwritten for the sake of some plot points being drawn out longer. But! This was still such a cutesy hockey romance and I always recommend Bal Khabra for a hockey romance moment.

This book was simply wonderful. I loved the diversity and the world of hockey and ballet. The worlds colliding with Sage and the LI, Elias.

Sages character was so well thought out. Oh my god, my girl was going THROUGH it. I felt so bad for her through almost this entire novel. She was the type of person who carries everything on her own because she never wants to put it on anyone else and that just made me so SAD. She deserved so much better in her family, but I’m so glad she had Sean, her little brother.

Their familial relationship was so cute. You could tell Sean was more like her son than her little brother because of everything that happened in the past with her awful parents, but the line was also drawn sometimes to where she was clear that she wanted to be a big sister, not a mom. Sean was so hilarious to me. I hope we get to see him in next books or even him having his own book in the future.

Elias Westbrook, the man that you are. Also felt bad for him because of his past scandals and his biological father. Also his hockey career and all the pressure he had. For him to still be such a golden retriever and goofball was just everything.

Elias and Sage together were just chefs kiss. They just made sense. The fake dating was so funny, because almost immediately it was like “is this fake? It feels real.” And I loved that. Also the fact of the forced proximity!!!! The tension was tensioning. I screamed so much over this book. It was wonderful. I had a delightful time. I cried a lot as well which is an added bonus.

There were some parts of the book where I kind of felt like were unnecessary or just frustrating but I still enjoyed the book a lot so it rounds up to 5 stars in the end.

I have not read the first book of this series, but seeing the friend group interact with one another, I’m definitely putting it on my radar.

*3.25

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the free e-arc in exchange for a honest review.

I think this book was really sweet. Elias and Sage are a match that makes sense. They’re both extremely understanding and supportive of each other. Elias falling hard was exactly what I wanted to see but other than that nothing stands out.

The last 30% of the novel was so questionable. And the resolution to it was too fast paced for my liking. As for the fake dating deal, I feel like they should’ve stopped fake dating sooner in the book because this plot line quickly gets lost in the book and doesn’t make sense.

I love time-skip epilogues but this one jumps 3 yrs and we’re presented with material that I would expect in a 5 yr-10 yr epilogue.

This book is cute but it doesn’t have any stand out characteristics.

Spiral is a book I was looking forward to after reading ‘Collide’ and I’m happy to say I loved it even more than the first! Elias Westbrooke is everything and I adored Sage as well. This was fake dating/friends to lovers done so well. And y’all know I love a hockey romance!

Eli is in his rookie season of playing professional hockey, and though his assists are on point, he can’t score to save his life. He’s in his head because of all of the unfounded media coverage he’s getting. Sage is a struggling ballerina who is exponentially talented but can’t seem to get auditions for the big roles she dreams of because she doesn’t have the reputation/social media following that the big companies want nowadays.

These two meet at a hockey auction that Sage is dancing at and strike a deal. They can help each other with their respective problems by fake dating. Sigh. There is nothing better than seeing fake dating become real and seeing friendship grow into something more. I adored this book so much. I hope there is more to this series because the secondary characters were great as well. This was a win for me!