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 ?
.

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.

🌶️🌶️🌶️

She's a ballerina who dreams about becoming the lead dancer but with her brother's medical bills, being the only provider, and constantly being rejected by dance companies... life isn't looking up until she meets the newly drafted hockey player who is the social media star despite it being against his will and he's willing to do anything to get himself out of it and just focus on not getting kicked off the team, cue the perfect deal: a fake relationship... thats not feeling fake at all. Sage Beaumont is an aspiring ballerina who dreams about making it in the Aurora ballet Theatre... but her lack of popularity on social media leaves her at a huge disadvantage of actually scoring the lead role. Sage's life is filled with: looking after her brother, paying for all the bills, and avoiding the fact that everything is slowly crumbling around her. Cue, Elias Westbrook, the newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder who has become the main sensation for the media (despite it being against his will). The media has made it their main mission to constantly put Elias under it's scrutiny and with the constant papers writing absurd things about his dating life and his lack of actually scoring on the ice, it's left him on thin ice with his team. Elias is willing to do anything to get the media off his back and to finally score on ice so he's not transferred off the team.... and when his friend asks Sage to bet on him during the annual hockey player bidding date auction he' intrigued. When Sage offers him a deal: he helps her get all the social media popularity she needs since he's filled with it and she gets the media off his back by having him appear like he has a stable girlfriend rather than being a player. Yet the more time they spend together the more they begin to fall together... but they both have so many things on their plates and so many other obstacles... could they ever consider a real relationship or does this fake relationship expire after they both get what they want? Oh how i've loved this world that Bal has written. The romance, the humor, the tear jerking moments... this series is just so good. I adore all the characters so much and they just feel so real. Sage and Elias are both going through so many things, their difficulties and struggles are so real, but they are also so supportive and caring of one another. Their kindness towards each other was so sweet and I was rooting for them from the get go. i loved the spice but I also adored all the sweet gestures and moments between them. I can't wait for the next book and I would highly HIGHLY recommend this series!!!

Release Date: January 28,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Am I the only one who before this book has never read a sports romance?
I have seen an increase in the popularity of sports romances in the past several years but was never tempted to pick one up until I threw caution to the wind and decided to see what the big hoopla was all about. This may tell you something about me. Yes, I enjoy romance books a lot but a subgenre of sports well, not what I could see myself reading because I don't really care about sports.

A newly drafted hockey player and an inspiring ballerina. They've each been involved in their perspective filed for a long time, but will all that practice finally have them seeing the big time?
Though she's a ballerina she's been around hockey players for a long time as a family member is involved in the hockey league.

How will the public receive it when these two let it be known they are dating but it's actually fake dating? She needs the publicity dating him will ensure, he can't help falling but either can she.

Dynamic conversations with lots of humor. I loved seeing the interracial dating represented and boy was the sexual tension steaming.
This couple tries to keep it casual and he's the grumpy with her being the sunshine. He holds out the longest in keeping it casual.

They each have an unexpected background that they are working on, because of course they do. Have to add in that drama. Funky, fun fresh and I'm convinced that I'll be looking for more sports romances now.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I read this book in less than 24hrs! I adored the characters right from the beginning Sage & Eli's story had me giggling and kicking my feet.

Sage ,my girl. I love her so much, and I don’t even have the words to tell you how I understood while reading about her. She is such a strong, enjoyable well written character. She shows fierce love to those she cares about. There were so many times I just wanted to give her a hug.

"she hides her guarded heart beneath a cloak of openness that not many have the privilege to pull back."
"it's like no matter what i do, no matter how much i try, i'll always be scraping by."

Eli, the man you are! I loved him. I also felt connected to him and relate to his desire to be in control, to stray away from change in order to prevent failure or disappointment. He is strong, caring, and the way he loves Sage melted my heart. He googled her dance moves for her performance right before so he could understand them bette



Sage & Eli's relationship was so full of care, fun, and love. Being able to see them both bring down each other's walls, find comfort in each other was special. Filled with banter, tension, and chemistry! They're so special & so perfect for each other, I LOVED them with my whole heart!!!

SO excited to see what Bal Khabra does with this series 💜🩰⛸️

I was excited to read this book—the cover is adorable, and I love fake dating stories! Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters, found the pacing uneven, and was disappointed by some of the stereotypes presented.

4.25⭐️ reading this reminded me why I love fake dating romance books so much!! Elias and Sage were everything 😭😭

This is a romance between a rookie hockey player and a ballerina. Both characters have personal struggles. Eli is trying to get out of the media spotlight and Sage is the guardian to her younger brother and trying to book an audition. They end up fake dating AND end up roommates and when I tell you the tension was everything!! Eli had me melting and is literally the sweetest man ever 😭 and the mouth on him during the spice oh my!

I personally thought this book was so much better than Collide and couldn’t put it down.

🩰 hockey player x ballerina
🏒 fake dating
🩰 forced proximity
🏒 slow burn
🩰 tension
🏒 he has piercings 🤭

I loved Collide and was surprised to love Spiral just as much! We follow Elias (who we know from Collide, being Aiden’s best friend for so long) and Sage - who’s the hockey team’s General Manager.

Sage has never had it easy in life. Her parents dipped, leaving her to fend for her little brother because they were struggling with their addiction issues. Her uncle Marcus was more than ready to step in and help in any way possible, but Sage is stubborn and likes to do things on her own terms. Only ever accepted help if it was for her brother. And ballet is her entire life and what she’s working so hard for.

Then there’s Elias, who can’t make a goal now that he’s in the NHL, and the tabloids continue to run stories about him being a playboy (even though he’s celibate!). After a hockey player auction, Aiden convinces Sage to bid on Elias so his crazy stalker doesn’t win. They go on their “date” and tabloids spark up about them and Sage watches her social media start to bloom.

Because of that, she finally has a chance for the big time ballet she’s wanting - where they strive on a strong social media presence to ensure their shows are sold out. Because of this, the pair start fake dating because they think it’s the best way to help both of them.

Add in some forced proximity to our fake dating after a fire, and I’m absolutely SOLD.

A hockey romance, got what I expected. It was cute and kept me in it but I didn’t love love it. Sometimes it feels like they’re trying very hard to make the characters deep and have hard backgrounds and sometimes it feels a little too much to me. But it was cute overall and I’d recommend it to someone who likes this genre.