4⭐️

this book was so good!! I really loved that this one wasn’t in college settings. bc I have been wanting a NHL book and this delivered that for me.

the beginning of the book was so good, and I LOVE Eli and Sage. their relationship was so cute. I loved the fake dating in this.

the only reason why I gave this book a 4⭐️ is bc I felt like the book was being dragged in the last 30%. it really frustrated me how much Eli was indecisive about his relationship with Sage.

But in the end, this book was good, and I absolutely enjoyed it. and I can’t wait for Dylan’s story!! 🤩🤩🤩

Thank you so much Netgalley and Berkley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I've had a copy of this arc for a while and just never picked it up until recently and I honestly think that was my biggest mistake because I should've read this masterpiece sooner! I'm a sucker for sports romances and this book ticked off all the boxes. This was, in my opinion, slightly better than the first book in this series, Collide, and I immediately fell in love with both of the MCs. Eli is the textbook definition of a perfect book boyfriend and Sage had so much emotional depth. The things this man did when Sage wasn't 100%, like wiping off her makeup with micellar water when she was too drunk (immediate swoon). The only reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars is just because I felt like it could've been 50 pages shorter, but other than that, this was an amazing book with an incredible romance. I will definitely be continuing the series and can't wait to see more of all the characters.

"As long as I get to end up in your arms like this, it's worth it. You are worth it." <33

I LOVED IT!

I've read the first one and loved it as well. This one didn't disappoint either! Really excited for "Revolve" ! :D

First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me the ARC for Spiral by Bal Khabra.

This book has ended up becoming a 3/5 star read for me, and I am happy to say that I would recommend it.
Sage and Elias are a couple that emulate selfless love. There is beauty in their ability to show us that loving someone should be effortless, that there are people out there who want to help you shoulder the load you constantly carry not because they have to, but because they want to. Because they love you. That was my main takeaway from this story, to allow yourself to find a love that helps you heal yourself, and in-turn, love yourself more than you ever have before.

Sage's personality was strong, in the best way. I love finding FMCs who have a fire within them, while also having the ability to give us glimpses to their soft side throughout their journey. Elias was a special character, one that has shown us that we need to stop punishing ourselves for the actions of others, and that the love of a partner can be gentle and soft in a world of chaos. These characters have gone through hardships individually, ones that translated into them as a couple, and I enjoyed watching them heal one another every step of the way.

There were moments within this book where I felt certain moments, whether they be subplot points or one-liners of dialogue, that did not feel as though they fit in this story. It was as if they were added because it is a well-loved trope, rather than feeling true to the story at that point in time. There were a few lines from Elias that as a reader I love each time, but they felt disconnected and almost untrue to the story itself in those moments. It just felt like all of the favorite tropes we all have were mashed into one story, and for me it felt forced.

I think my favorite part of this entire book was the epilogue, which solidified the rating for me tenfold. The found family in this series is beautiful, one that will have me continuing this series as our author continues. It brought out emotion in me that I hadn't felt during the rest of the book, and it was a heartfelt, beautiful ending.

ELIAS WESTBROOK 🗣️🗣️🗣️ makes me wanna bark. 100/10
“I’m beginning to think Elias Westbrook could tell me to bark and I would.”

Diva Sage is an icon, a legend, and she is the moment. Bal Khabra can write A MAN. The acts of service in this was 🤌🏻 This book had me gigging and kicking my feet the entire time. I have zero complaints and want to shout about this from the rooftops.
Sweet Elias’s dirty mouth had me foaming at the mouth DADDY I LOVE HIM

elias needs the media off his back and the focus on his game. sage needs to increase her social media following so she can land a ballet audition for swan lake. after betting in an auction for a date with elias, the two of them hatch a plan to fake date to get what they want. but when she unexpectedly needs to move in with him and feelings start to develop, it’s starting to feel a whole lot less fake.

fake dating anddddd roommates with only one bed? delicious tension!! sage is unbelievably strong and so caring for not only elias but also her younger brother, sean. she literally faced so many hardships and always got back up and I loved her for that. and sweet, quiet, caring eli. I loved him so much!! seeing him and aiden’s friendship in this book was so special too (and summer!!)

Thank you berkley romance and netgalley for the gifted copies!

what to expect
⟢ fake dating
⟢ roommates
⟢ slow burn
⟢ hockey player x ballerina

This book had a fun 'subplot' to the overall hockey romance, with having two people from broken homes find their way to each other and figure out ways to trust and love without the barrier. I enjoyed how Sage and Eli worked together, though occasionally frustrating with them not remembering the 'rules' they set with fake dating. I do enjoy the fake dating trope, with a lot of fun side twists within this story. Overall, still a hockey romance that I enjoyed.

This book was extremely cute, I love the fake dating trope so much. I love that even though this was interconnected, I wasn't spoiled by anything. I love Elias.

hockey player x ballerina?

sign me right up.

I was hesitant going into this book because book 1 wasn't my cup of tea but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. the banter, the forced proximity and a mmc who is embarrassingly down bad for his girl... I ate it right up. these covers are absolutely gorgeous and I cannot wait to read more!

I’m such a sucker for fake dating turned friends turned lovers, so this was right up my alley. I enjoyed this one, but I think Collide still comes out on top for me!! Really enjoyed seeing more sides of Elias (doesn’t hurt that that’s one of my favorite names😍) and watching him grow throughout the book. I also appreciated the slow burn of it, though the spice didn’t capture me the way I was expecting it to. Some of Sage’s inner monologues were too close to home for me OOF, and I really appreciated the depth of her internal struggles with feeling worthy because she herself didn’t believe it (relatable😭).

Okay Collide was good but this was somehow even better!!! I was so hooked to this one. I really felt invested in the characters & loved the build up between the FMC & MMC. The tension was DELICIOUS. Like Collide, I also liked the balance between plot & romance in this book. It felt very realistic & believable while still being very engaging. I also ADORE the side characters & the found family in this book. I seriously loved this read so much & I already can’t wait for the next book!!!

Thank you so much to Penguin Canada for the ARC & Berkley for the eARC!!!

A spinoff in the same universe as her debut, Collide, sees aspiring pro ballerina, Sage agreeing to fake date the rookie pro hockey player, Elias 'Eil' in order to help both their career aspirations. This was a slow burn, dual POV, forced proximity interracial romance set in Toronto that has cameos from Summer and Aiden of book one but can be read as a standalone. I loved both MCs, they each carry emotional baggage (Eli was raised by a foster family and has an alcoholic father) and Sage's parents were drug dealing addicts who abandoned her to raise her younger diabetic brother all on her own. Steamy, swoony, good on audio narrated by Nia Serge and Aaron Shedlock and HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Elle Kennedy and Helena Hunting. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

How the mental game plays a big part in the hockey world. You can’t let the outside play with your head.

Don’t get involved with the family of the people that sign your pay check. That’s advice I would give to my child in this situation and I would hope he would listen, but where is the fun in that.

After reading and enjoying Collide at the end of 2023, I was excited to read this next installment in the Off the Ice series. Elias and Sage are two characters who, when they meet, are struggling in their professional lives while also being at the top of their careers. Elias is newly in the NHL and seeking his first goal while trying to stay out of the tabloids, and Sage is searching for a principle role within a ballet company and has been told she needs an online following in order to even get an audition for her dream role. Those struggles are what lead them to decide to fake date; having a girlfriend will get the media out of Eli's personal life, and dating an NHL player will increase Sage's reach online. The premise sounds like such a fun time, and while I did enjoy this book, it took me a while to be invested in the characters. Also, this series moving away from Dalton University while also trying to keep the side characters from the first book involved just made me want this book to be set at Dalton. Overall, this book was incredibly readable and I really like how Bal Khabra writes! After the first book I was hoping that Kian would get his own story, and want it even more after this one (but set back at Dalton - I missed the hockey house antics)!

3.5 — This one was very cute. Fake dating + forced proximity. What could go wrong. I really enjoyed the progression of the relationship between Eli and Sage. Seeing them interact and share their paste. How Eli takes care of Sage is just *chefs kiss*. I enjoyed the story but also felt like I wanted more? I think the way they dove into the harder parts of the characters’ pasts and their professional challenges just didn’t feel fully fleshed or just felt like they wrapped up too quickly. Perhaps because the characters were pretty young but not college age? But for me it just won’t be a favorite.

Thx PRH Audio for the advanced listening copy.

3.5
I really really loved Bal’s first in the series- and did end up liking this one quite a bit. I struggled a little with the pacing in this one- I felt it jumped around a bit in the emotional arcs. But overall I loved the characters and Bal’s writing style!

I love the fake dating trope, I love the hockey trope. I love a POC as one of the MC. I should have loved this book. I was a little off put my the POV of Sage. I wanted to like her but it felt more like I was reading a YA novel then an adult romance. I think this would have been a fun book for someone else. I encourage people to read it!

This was so cute!! 4.5/5 ✨⭐️ Thank you to @netgalley & @berkleypub for approving me to read this e-arc! I enjoyed every second of it 🫶🏼 This is the second book in the Off the Ice series that is releasing on January 28th 💜

I will have to say I think I liked this one better than Collide and I think that is just because I enjoyed Eli’s and Sage romance. I adored these two and their communication and just the romance vibes between these two was just perfect besides the complications they came across along the way. Eli is pretty much what you want out of a book boyfriend lol he shows acts of service even though be is a bit shy for a hockey player.

I also enjoyed Sage’s character and found her to be witty and funny and very flirtatious. This was a slow burn and I wish we had a bit more spice in this book but I feel the romance between the characters made up for that 💜

The plot was good I did like how it started off as fake dating trying to save Eli from the press. This was a good hockey romance book and I’m so glad I was able to read this in advanced and I would highly recommend picking this one up especially for my hockey romance girlies 😉

Spiral is a heartwarming, binge-worthy romance that beautifully blends the worlds of ballet and hockey. Sage and Elias have incredible chemistry, with a slow-burn connection that feels so natural. Elias isn’t like any other hockey boyfriend I’ve read—his discipline and emotional depth make him a standout. A man that in tune with his feelings is rare, and it’s exactly why I keep taking chances on sports romances.

The story balances humor, tenderness, and found family perfectly. If the characters' traumas had been shown more deeply rather than told, this easily would’ve been a five-star read. Still, it’s full of charm and heart, making it impossible to put down.


Thank you to Berkley Pub for the physical and digital arc <3

If you’re looking for a sports romance that’s a quick fun read, this is definitely something you should consider.

I love books where men simp hard and this is definitely where the mmc is a big simp and a gentlemen.

Things you’ll love:
-Forced proximity
-Fake dating
-Dual POVs
-He falls harder
-He bakes and cooks for her

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Always love reading Bal’s work.