Read this if you like:
•fake dating
•thoughtful men
•sports romance
•complicated family dynamics

Hockey player and ballerina start fake dating. This book was so sweet. I love a thoughtful man. I love fun banter. And I loved seeing both of them unravel for each other. Thank you Berkley for eARC!

This is my first ever Bal Khabra book and I am immensely impressed. The banter between the characters is so good it makes me feel like I actually want to be friends with them, specially Sage!!! The found family trope that hockey romance usually have is something I adore so much.

The slow burn on this one was burning 🔥 but the tension and the chemistry between Sage & Eli was undeniable. And every time they almost go all the way and let the walls they have up fall all the way they turn around and start doing something else—I was annoyed but I thought it was still cute.

If you are looking for another bingeable swoon-worthy Hockey Romance book, you will find it with this book.

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4.5 stars!
I went into this one slightly skeptical, because I didn't love book one (Collide), however, I was very grateful that Berkley blessed me with an ARC, so I was cautiously hopeful going in, but it blew my expectations out of the water!

I loved this book. It had some little Canadianisms without stereotypes being shoved down your throat which I greatly appreciated. I believed moving away from the college setting really increased my enjoyment of this story compared to book one.

These characters were well developed with similar backgrounds that led to life outcomes on the opposite ends of the spectrum, while still connecting them in a way that allowed for deeper understanding of one another.

The FMC has guardianship of her younger brother after her parents took off to evade arrest related to drug involvement. I respect that while she was working hard to provide for her brother, she never compromised on her own dreams as a prima ballerina for the production of Swan Lake for the company of her dreams. She worked hard to make ends meet, parented a teenaged brother, refused to take handouts from her well off uncle and eventually, learned to lower her wall to be vulnerable with and accept help from the MMC.

We often read about hockey superstars in romance books, but I loved that we had the opportunity to see more of the struggles of being a professional athlete. Our MMC is painted as a playboy even though he's the furthest thing from it. He's also struggling to perform the way he, his team and team management expected him to perform under the pressure of his rookie season. Additionally, he's dealing with his own personal life issues that no one is aware of.

I loved that there was no third act break up in this story. These characters genuinely deserved to be happy and work through some of their trials with the support of one another.

I enjoyed Bal Khabra's style in this book and noticed an improvement in her writing from book one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and Bal Khabra for the advanced copy.

I haven’t read Collide, the first in the series, but the joy of interconnected standalones 🙌This was my first book by this author and it didn’t disappoint! Sage is a struggling ballerina, Elias is a rookie hockey player who is also struggling to show his skill. She needs a bigger social media following to get the attention of ballet companies, he wants to escape the media scrutiny and pictures of him and every woman he is seen with. They enter a fake relationship, and Sage moves in with him, but it isn’t long before their friendship turns to longing.

This was a slowwwwwwburn. Probably one of the most slowburniest books I’ve read in a while. I really felt the author was putting in the work of developing their friendship and their feelings for each other which was great. I love me a forced proximity roommates situation and this delivered on the tension! Sage’s relationship with her brother was really special and I loved their moments too.

💜 fake dating
💜 roommates
💜 hockey player/ballerina
💜 found family

Different characters getting their own book in a series is one of the best blessing in the book world.

I wanted to smirk at the characters throughout this book, like yall remember this is 'fake dating' right. *wink wink*
Elias and Sage were very sweet and fitting for each other. The communication between the two of them was there right from the gecko.
Would I have loved more spicy scenes (especially because of the hot tension scenes)? Yes
But I loved the emotional connection and the character development with Sage & Elias is the true heart and what really pulled the reader in.

I LOVED THE SUMMER & AIDEN APPEARANCES!

I LOVED everything about this book! It hooked me right from the start—the plot was so cute, and I couldn’t get enough of the hockey player x ballerina dynamic. Elias Westbrook is officially a new book boyfriend of mine—everything he did for Sage made me swoon so hard. He was just so adorable. And Sage? I adored her just as much. She was such a relatable, caring character, and I especially loved how she wasn’t used to letting anyone take care of her—until Elias.

Their chemistry was absolutely off the charts, and they were perfect for each other in every way. 🥹🤍

I’ll definitely be thinking about this book for a long time!

Bal Khabra is truly an author whose quick jump from indie to trad is deserved. I loved loved loved Spiral, and just like in Collide, Khabra has created deep and complex characters without forgetting to balance them with enough humor and fun to keep the story light enough.

Their "meet cute" for the fake dating feels natural enough and the way their relationship forms as friends with just enough tension had me giggling and kicking my feet, leading to a really satisfying break of tension. I really adored this version of fake dating. And Eli's acts of service? Hello? ADORABLE top to bottom.

Khabra is an auto-read author for me now!

My favorite trope ever!!!! Loved it just finished it I don’t know what else to say right now but I would and will recommend it to everyone I know

3.5/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️

Sage and Elias Unfiltered 🥰

Such a sweet pairing. I do love a fake dating trope and this one was fun! The characters had enough chemistry for the slow burn to be realistic and not cringy. Bal Khabra continued the humor we saw in Collide. Overall, most of the pacing and banter felt spot on. I do believe the last few chapters could've had a bit more.

Thank you Berkley and #NetGalley for this ARC!

Tropes:
🩰 Fake dating
🏒 Sports Romance
🩰 Slow Burn
🏒 Forced Proximity
🩰 Found Family

Book Blurb:
Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. With a growing fan base and too many expectations on his shoulders, he’s struggling to make his first career goal. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight.

Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina with dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but her lack of popularity online leaves her at a major disadvantage for securing the lead role. When Sage finds herself with the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true by fake dating Elias, she takes her shot.

Soon enough, the flimsy fake-dating rules they set in place fall away in the face of their sizzling connection. But before things spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they’re willing to take the leap together or if they'll call it quits.

I'm always down for a hockey romance, and if you tell me there is fake dating, and our other main character is a ballerina, you can count me in.
I read Collided last year, and I really enjoyed it, so when I saw that Spiral was available on NetGalley, I just had to request it and hopefully get it. I'm so glad I got my hands on it, because it was such a great read.
I have to say, I really enjoyed the chemistry between Elias and Sage. They were so great together and it was so much fun to see them slowly fall for each other. They were so cure together, and I couldn't help myself smiling and giggling when reading this book. Like, who wouldn't want an Elias.
Honestly, I think I enjoyed it more than Collided, and it only makes me even more exited for the next book (Revolve, which is already on my wish list for this year).
Honestly, if you are looking for a cute hockey romance with a great couple with lots of chemistry, I think you should give this book a shot.

🏒Elias is a newly drafted NHL player who hasn’t made his first career goal. If that’s not stressful enough the media has it all wrong and is portraying him as some sort of f@ck boy.

🩰Sage is a ballerina with dreams of getting the big part in swan lake. But popularity not talent is a big factor in ballet casting.

💛When they meet at an event the pair hatch a plan to help each other achieve their goals and a fun and steamy love story unfolds.

🥰I really enjoyed this story. The writing is crisp and fun, the plot is well thought out and punchy. Sage is a very likeable character and Elias is a golden retriever in the streets but dominant in the sheets.

If you love a sports romance, this is a must read! 💛

This is the follow up to “Collide”, which is one of my favorite hockey romances. In this book, Elias is a rookie who hasn’t scored a goal yet. He’s got several assists but wants that elusive goal. He meets Sage, who is a ballerina trying to land the lead in “Swan Lake”. Sage suggests that they start fake dating. The publicity will show Sage has a stable relationship with, and will keep the paparazzi away from Eli.
Of course, fake dating turns into real feelings for the two of them, but Eli has a secret that will affect their budding relationship.
I like the slow burn aspect of their relationship, their chemistry feels natural and readers will root for the success of their relationship. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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

Let’s get one thing straight—Elias Westbrook and Sage Beaumont own my heart. I went into Spiral with a bit of trepidation. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Collide, but it left me wary. Could Bal Khabra truly deliver on all the potential hinted at in her debut? Let me just say: not only did she deliver, but she wrapped it all up in an emotional gut-punch of a romance that left me breathless, giggling, and sobbing into my coffee.


Elias Westbrook: The Ultimate Book Boyfriend
Let’s talk about Elias, shall we? This man is perfection. From baking sugar-free cupcakes for Sage’s diabetic brother to Googling ballet moves so he can support her dreams, Elias is the epitome of thoughtful. When Sage’s apartment burns down, he doesn’t just offer her a place to stay—he makes her feel at home. When she’s drunk, he even does her skincare routine for her. And the way he handles his own struggles with such quiet maturity? Swoon.

Elias isn’t just a grumpy hockey player; he’s a man who sees Sage for who she truly is and fights for her in ways that matter. Oh, and did I mention the forehead kisses? Weaponized against me. Every. Single. Time.

Sage Beaumont: A Heroine Worth Rooting For
Sage is everything I didn’t know I needed in a heroine. She’s a people-pleaser in the best way—her sacrifices are born out of love, not weakness. Her relationship with her younger brother melted me. She’s raised him on her own, and the way he stands up to Elias to ensure his sister is being treated right? Pure gold.

Sage isn’t just sweet; she’s layered. She’s fierce, vulnerable, and has a lightheartedness that draws you in. Watching her become part of Elias’s tight-knit friend group and forge a friendship with Summer from Collide was genuinely heartwarming.

The Romance
Elias and Sage’s relationship is a slow burn that’s worth every second. Their love is tender, raw, and deeply emotional. Every milestone feels earned, every moment layered with trust and vulnerability. From their first “fake” date to the moment Elias tattoos a sage plant on his finger (yes, really!), their journey is one you feel in your bones.

There’s a scene where Elias bakes Sage two birthday cakes—one for them to share and another for her to celebrate with her brother. I had to put the book down and stare at my wall because HOW. IS. HE. REAL?

The Verdict
Bal Khabra has officially cemented herself as a must-read author for me. While Spiral ran a touch long in places, it’s so close to perfect that I’m more than willing to forgive it. This book isn’t just a romance; it’s a reminder of what it means to love deeply, selflessly, and unconditionally. Elias and Sage’s story is one I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Spiral left me grinning like an idiot, clutching my Kindle, and desperate for my own Elias Westbrook. (Seriously, where can I find one? Asking for a friend.) If you love fake dating, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, and heroes who set the standard for thoughtfulness, pick this up immediately.

In my most honest opinion, this book was okay. I made it through the end just fine but it left no resounding feeling of “oh my god that was amazing.”

This book is about Elias and Sage who fall into a fake dating scheme that then turns real like in all happy ending novels with this trope. The lines here were super blurred. I felt like at some point it was just too soon, there should have been more fake than that insta love that I felt came from the characters after a couple of chapters. Something I did like was the character development, I felt like Elias and Sage both grew to fall out of their own toxic relationship with themselves at the end of the story, which is always great to see.

That’s it, I hope that anybody who reads this can enjoy it!

Thank you @berkleyromance and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was book two in the Off the Ice series. It’s always fun revisiting old characters but you don’t have to read the previous book to enjoy this one.
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This book covered several romance genres. This sports romance has opposites attract, fake dating, and forced proximity. I really enjoyed these characters, especially Eli. It was nice seeing two characters really work hard at their respective careers and support each other!

This one is out tomorrow ?
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I had such an amazing time reading this story. I truly fell in love with Sage and Elias and the way that they clicked. Who knew I needed a ballerina/hockey romance? I didn’t see that coming.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & NetGalley for allowing me to have early access to this book!

Welcome to one of my new favorite authors: Bal Khabra! Its like Helena Hunting and Ali Hazelwood had this perfectly dramatic little baby! I read this in one sitting and immediately bought and read book 1; which is also fantastic.

Now, the fake dating trope I can honestly give or take. But the lines BLUR so delicious for Elias and Sage. Elias, hot and rising hockey star, isn’t what you’d call “reclusive” but the man is very solitary. He keeps to himself, but has strong opinions. So while quiet, he can also be gruff (yum!). But as his fame rises, so does the media’s obsession with him to the point where he cannot be seen with a woman without a sordid rumor going viral. Enter Sage, our lonely but fearless ballerina FMC. With dreams of performing, she needs a larger social media influence to stay relevant (uck). A loner herself, Sage sees an opportunity for them both when the tabloids snap them together; her rise in popularity, they’ll back off his “romanceability”.

But shes, hes, and theys…these two SPARK OFF. Not only do they develop a very quick and easy friendship, it was endearing how they seemed to actually become best friends first. I kind of liked that aspect (hello my hubby IS my best friend). So while the story progresses slowly when it comes to spice (but the spice is SPICY) the relationship between Elias and Sage is ADDICTING. They are supposed to be fake dating but omg these two buffoons fall in love so damn fast. You’ll swoon when Elias does facial care night with her. You’ll melt when she’s worried about him after some nasty hockey hits. This is absolutely a giggling and kicking your feet romance. I need MORE!

Spiral by Bal Khabra, book two in the Off the Ice series, is a slow-blooming romance, with fake dating, he falls first and harder, clever banter, and a hockey player and ballerina. Eli is a NHL Rookie with an undeserved bad boy reputation while Sage is an often overlooked ballerina striving for a role of a lifetime, as well as the niece of the manager of the hockey team. Though they appear to come from seemingly different backgrounds, they have much more in common than either realize. When they agree to fake date, what begins as a mutually beneficial agreement turns into so much more; especially with their off the charts chemistry. Despite hiding a major secret for the past four years, one that could affect their relationship, he can’t resist falling for her. When the heart wants what it wants, all rules and promises are bound to fail.

I enjoyed the slow blooming romance and the strong chemistry between Sage and Elias, as well as the mature way they dealt with their family issues. Sage and Eli’s relationship was cute, fun, and loving. Watching them both tear down each other’s walls, find comfort in one another was so heartwarming. Their relationship is filled with banter, tension, chemistry, as well as love and& caring for each other. They are perfect for each other.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Berkley #Spiral

I'm so happy that Eli got his own story! Bal is quickly becoming my new favorite author. Bal knows how to write realistic romance. Nothing is rushed, it feels realistic. The story isn't too far fetched and it's just an overall good plot.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing for the eARC of this book! This was a true 10 out of 10 amazing read!

“I’ve waited my whole life for someone to tell me I’m worth it. Worth choosing, worth staying, worth loving.”

I’m new to romance and this would be my first hockey/ballerina romance. I think Bal Khabra has such a way with words that I could not help but crave them and I think she might be my first auto-buy romance author! Khabra gave me the perfect balance of life struggles, romance, and interfamilial struggles and it was so easy to get invested in our characters.

The whole book was weaved so expertly between the sports action and the moving poetry of ballet that you can’t help but feel they are both art forms. Even the spicy scenes were elevated because they weren’t just spice. While all of that is happening, it’s still a story about two people falling in love and struggling to feel like they deserve the goodness they see in each other.

I used the quote above because, to me, it’s such a perfect summary of how emotionally charged this book is for someone who might have a similar life experience as Sage and Elias. They were both so cleverly written and Sage has made me actually laugh out loud while Elias has me squealing and kicking my feet.

🌶️🌶️🌶️