ELI WESTBROOK, THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER THAT YOU ARE.

I couldn't put this book down. Eli was the most thoughtful man I have ever read about, I wanted more. How he cared for Sage just melted my heart; their banter was everything. Both Sage and Eli deserved the world and I'm glad the found a bit of it in each other. This book will be one of the best romance books of 2025 and will be a book I won't stop thinking about.

I need an Eli and I need him right now,

OMG OMG OMG

Elias and Sage you are my new favourite hockey couple!!! This book was such an enjoyable and fun read. I giggled and kicked my feet so much. The found family was so incredible.

The character development and the to MCs growing together was written so beautifully. There is nothing I love more than a funny, little bit spicy, and easy romance.

I highly recommend this to any ice hockey fans 🫶

Thank you to Netgalley, Bal Khabra and Bloomsbury publishing for this ARC

Spiral by Bal Khabra
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶🌶.5

Spiral by Bal Khabra, the second instalment in the Off the Ice series, is an emotionally gripping sports romance that follows the journey of Elias and Sage. Elias, a professional ice hockey player, is fighting to prove his worth both on and off the rink, while Sage, a struggling ballerina, is craving to be seen in a world that often overlooks her.

I want to extend a huge thank you to Bloomsberry Publishing for the E-ARC—I was absolutely blown away by this book. From start to finish, it’s a heartfelt romance that perfectly blends some of my favourite tropes: sports romance, found family, and fake dating.

What truly sets Spiral apart is the incredible character development. Both Elias and Sage undergo transformative journeys, not just as a couple but also as individuals. Their personal growth is deeply moving, and I found myself laughing, crying, and cheering them on every step of the way.

Bal Khabra’s writing is captivating, and I couldn’t stop smiling while reading. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the story is a perfect balance of emotional depth and light hearted moments.

With its release set for January 28, 2025, Spiral has already secured a spot in my top 10 reads of 2024. If you’re a fan of sports romances with heart and soul, this one is a must-read!

Spiral by Bal Khaba was a delightful surprise! The author has once again crafted a captivating romance, this time blending the worlds of ballet and athletics. The main couple’s chemistry is off the charts, their banter is witty, and their love story is simply swoon-worthy.

While I adored the main plot, I did feel a bit rushed at times. Some scenes jumped ahead, leaving me craving more of the slow-burn moments. A few plot points could have been explored in greater depth, but it didn’t significantly impact my overall enjoyment.

The characters, as always, were fantastic. Their growth and development were heartwarming to witness. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, I highly recommend giving Spiral a read.

Now, here’s a plea to Bal Khaba: Please, please, please give us more books in this world, especially with Kian! I’m dying to know what happens next for him.

Final review 4.5⭐️

Another fabulous hockey romance by Bal Khabra! I was so excited to read Spiral after loving Collide, and this one absolutely did not disappoint. Following Aiden from book 1's teammate Elias, we follow him through his start out in the NHL after college. I love a fake dating trope, and this one was great. No miscommunication, just an easy flow from fake dating to a real romance. I know this one isn't even released yet (not out for another 2 months) but I'm already excited to see what Bal has in store for us next.

3.5 stars

- Shy, rich boy hockey player
- Outgoing ballerina
- Fake dating
- Jealousy
- Slow burn

Spiral, the second book by Bal Khabra, was more cohesive and enjoyable than Collide, with our story following the same group of friends and a beautiful ballerina.

I found Khabra's writing style very similar to Ana Huangs - the story is a bit rushed and filled in at places with tropes teased but not thought out fully and thrown in for shock value. It felt like it became a book around tropes instead of the plot. I am also trying to see where being celibate has been a plot twist kind of thing??

Both main characters had to have their own journeys - was it needed? Sage's journey was likeable, her resilience was admirable but the drama in the last part of the book was random

The writing style is simple which made it bingeable and the characters were actually likeable. I felt her FMC's in both her books were more better developed than the males.

I wanted to enjoy Collide but it fell flat. Spiral is a noticeable step up in the right direction and I am hoping the rest of the series gets better.

Please do Kian next!

This book will forever have a place in my my heart.

Sage is such a powerful FMC. In an industry notorious for body image she is such a positive light, seeing herself for who she is. I love her outlook on things that women struggle with “I wear the clothes. The clothes don’t wear me”. This moment was so empowering.

Elias is the blueprint for the best book boyfriend. He is gentle and caring and cares about so much more than the physical attraction side of things. He goes above and beyond.

The way this book made me love a fake dating trope!!! It was done so incredibly well. It wasn’t thrown in your face every second that it was a fake arrangement and I loved that.

Overall this book is a MUST READ. I cannot wait for a physical copy when it comes out. Again Bal Khabra writes another phenomenal book.

If this book was a song it would be The Only Exception by Paramore. It has played in my head on repeat reading this.

Thank you Bloomsbury and NetGalley for this incredible ARC !!

Thank you Bloomsbury Australia for providing this ARC for free via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ll start by saying that Eli is the king of ‘if he wanted to he would.’ The man continually buys Sage flowers just to find her favourite. If you love acts of service and a protective man, I imagine you’ll love Elias.

However, there were some things in this book that bothered me. When Eli discloses that he’s celibate, Sage responds like it’s a personal attack. It felt a bit immature.

There was also a comment about their relationship (or lack thereof) being enough to throw Sage into a “white-walled room with no windows and a straight jacket.” Unfortunately, this felt insensitive.

I adored Collide, so I will still continue with the series. This one just wasn’t for me.

This is Book 2 of the Off the Ice Series!

Bal Khabra’s Spiral brings all the excitement of a fake-dating trope with a unique twist: an NHL rookie and a ballerina find themselves tangled in a world of media attention, ambition, and undeniable attraction. This romance is filled with sizzling chemistry, emotional depth, and the thrilling tension of a relationship that might just be too real to stay fake.

Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted player for the Toronto Thunder, is overwhelmed by the sudden fame and the constant spotlight. He just wants to focus on his game without being tabloid fodder. On the other side of the stage is Sage Beaumont, a passionate ballerina whose lack of online visibility is keeping her from landing the roles she dreams of. When Sage agrees to a fake-dating arrangement to boost both their images, the boundaries between reality and pretense quickly blur.

Khabra’s portrayal of Sage and Elias’s dynamic is enchanting. Their contrasting worlds—his fast-paced, aggressive hockey life and her disciplined, graceful ballet career—create an intriguing push-and-pull that keeps the pages turning. The rules they set soon melt away as their emotional connection grows, and Khabra captures their transition from fake to genuine with just the right amount of slow-burn tension. Sage’s strength and dedication to her art make her an inspiring character, while Elias’s vulnerability behind his tough exterior adds depth to his role.

For fans of the fake-dating trope and sports romance, Spiral is a must-read. The chemistry between Elias and Sage, the thrilling pace of their romance, and the challenges they face make this book hard to put down. It’s a beautifully written, perfectly paced romance that’s all about taking risks and finding love where you least expect it.

Releases on 28 January 2025!!

Rating: 5 / 5⭐️’s

I was very very hesitant to read this book as I didn’t fall in love with the first book (rated 3.5 stars) however I was quickly captivated and thoroughly enjoyed. I am looking forward to buying the physical copy of the book because I need it on my shelf!

I am so thankful to have received an eArc for this book! I absolutely loved Collide and Spiral was no different. I loved the character dynamic between Sage and Eli and couldn’t put this book down!

sage and elias are absolutely adorable.
if you enjoy tropes like fake dating, hockey x ballet, slow burn and found family this book is for you.
sage has had no one to rely on for the past twenty years. she is a ballerina who is struggling to get accepted into shows for the nova ballet theatre as they are looking for people that have more of a social media presence.
elias is a hockey player for the toronto thunder, he just got listed on this major team after playing hockey for his college team. he is struggling with having no privacy with the press, and not being able to score a goal.
sage and eli join forces and decide to fake date, their relationship is swoon worthy and you can immediately tell there is going to be more to this relationship.
i really enjoyed how summer and aiden from collide were in this book and we got to see a good amount of their relationship as well.
some spice after about 60% of the book but nothing too extreme. if you enjoyed the first book or books like the deal and icebreaker you will definitely like this one!
overall i rate this read 4.25 stars.
thank you to netgalley, bloomsbury and bal khabra for the amazing opportunity to be able to read and review this book.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Tropes: NHL player x Ballerina, Fake Dating, Coaches Niece
Couple: Sage and Elias

I absolutely loved this book more than Collide. Elias and Sage were the perfect pairing. Elias is such a sweetheart and he is complete sucker when it comes to Sage which made it even better. I loved that Elias tried to solve Sages problems whilst also maintaining certain boundaries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury AU for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

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

Hot on the heels of Collide, is Bal Kahbra’s next story in her Off The Ice series, Spiral and it does not disappoint.

Following a debut pro hockey player and a struggling ballerina, Spiral tells of real world relatable struggles and issues while seamlessly folding romance and heartbreak all into one amazing book.

The FMC, Sage tells it like it is, with a no nonsense approach to the real world with a knack for sarcasm and dirty jokes. Then we have the MMC, Eli who has his guard up 24/7 trying to live a private life but with real Golden Retriever energy. And if you don’t think you are going to get some hot spice with this book, you are absolutely wrong. The spicy scenes hit perfectly, with the ultimate balance of tension, banter and timing. The main trope is fake dating, in which the FMC and MMC strike a deal to fabricate a relationship in order to improve both of their occupations respectively.

Spiral strikes the perfect balance of romance, sports, comedy and heat.

“Note to self: let the light in”

5 stars, 2 chilli spices - do yourself a favour and pick up the Off the Ice series!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of “Spiral” in exchange for my honest review. The premise of a hockey player and a ballerina immediately caught my attention, and I couldn't wait to dive in!

The banter between Eli and Sage is exceptional so natural and engaging. Their relationship unfolds beautifully, with each character filling the gaps in the other's life in a way that transcends mere friendship. They truly bring out the best in one another.

Eli Westbrook, the golden boy of the Toronto Thunders, is struggling under the relentless media spotlight that paints him as a womanizer. This scrutiny leaves him with few people he can truly trust, except for his best friend Aiden Crawford, the protagonist of the first book in this series, “Collide”. Beneath his confident exterior, Eli grapples with the fear of disappointing those around him, haunted by past betrayals that make him wary of opening up, especially to romantic partners.

Sage Beaumont is a rookie in the ballet world, striving to make her mark in an environment that prioritizes social status and fame. She’s an open book, wearing her heart on her sleeve, yet she carries heavy burdens from her past. Devoted to helping others, she often neglects her own self worth.

When Eli and Sage agree to a fake dating arrangement to help each other navigate their respective careers, Eli is initially reluctant, concerned about the potential fallout for Sage. However, they establish two rules: no public displays of affection and no falling in love. As their chemistry sizzles, they find it increasingly difficult to adhere to those boundaries.

Eli is hesitant to hold Sage back, as she has spent her life caring for others. Yet Sage simply wants to be loved without having to ask for it. Their journey is both sweet and tender.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Spiral” definitely a five star read! Returning to this world and seeing familiar friends was a delight. The resolution not only addressed their relationship but also the personal challenges each character faced, providing a satisfying sense of closure.

⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2/5

I loved this book so much!

“𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅,” 𝑰 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒕. “𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑺𝒐, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.”

Elias is an ice hockey player who makes headlines for all the wrong reasons and is constantly screwing up his game play, and Sage is a broke ballerina who picked up a last minute dancing job at a hockey charity event.

When Elias gets put up for auction at the charity event for a 'date with a hockey player', Sage finds herself bidding on Elias and winning. But when they meet, he is anything but nice... and Sage is determined to be respected.

After their auction date night, Elias and Sage realise they can solve their problems by fake dating (why am I being vague?... because I don't want to give all the good details away).

Fake dating always comes with a set of rules and some
bounderies... If only they can be followed.
After an accidental tragedy happens to Sage, she has no other choice but to move in with Elias. Things get a whole lot more personal, and one by one, the rules get broken.

𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔 𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐, 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔.

This was a beautiful and heartfelt love story. Elias and Sage both have completely different unbringings, yet both were filled with trauma, which has shaped who they are now and how they view themselves. I really related to Sage's internal thoughts about herself and her struggle to accept help and generosity.
What happened to Elias in his past was gut-wrenching and not recognised enough by society.

I really enjoyed the sweet, kind, calm side of Elias and how it levelled out Sage's fight and fire.

This was the perfect balance of tension, romance, drama,
banter, heartbreak, love, and comfort.

🏒 ARC gifted from NetGalley
🏒 Published by Bloomsbury
🏒 Full Aesthetics on my Instagram @reneepolksreads

Such great chemistry between the main characters! Definitely a must-read if you're into sexy sports/new adult romances.

okay that was actually adorable, sage and eli are officially my newest obsession and i’m absolutely kicking myself that collide has been sitting on my kobo for weeks waiting to be read. initially it seemed like there really wasn’t any chemistry between the two, and that the relationship was entirely one-sided, and a product of sage’s delusions, but the book ended on a high, and i feel insanely proud of sage’s character growth.

When I was approved for this ARC, I immediately dropped my current read and started this. Spiral is book #2 in the Off the Ice series and I think I loved it even more than the first book. Elias is such a perfect MMC and had such heart and depth. Bal Khabra has such a flair for passionate, heart-felt and fun-to-read romance that I think at this point I’d read just about anything she puts out. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I hope there are many more books to come as there are so many great characters who I need to see have their happy ever after.