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Off the Ice #2
Spiral
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romance (2025)He’s on edge while she’s en pointe in this fake-dating sports romance from the author of the smash hit Collide.
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.
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.
338 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2025
About the author
Bal Khabra
10 books5,112 followersBal is a Canadian writer, romance enthusiast, and book lover. Before she decided to jump into the romance pool, she spent her time gushing about books on social media.
She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams.
She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams.
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Want to Read
March 2, 2024Am I the only one who wants this book to be about Dylan and Kian!?
December 20, 2025
4.20!
“I want you to be mine. If anyone in this world deserves someone who’s there for them, it’s you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you believe you’re worth every bit of worry and care.”
I should have known better than to doubt Bal Khabra.
These two were very thing honestly. What called out to me the most was how her writing just calls out to me, like it's perfect for me to just be in that comfort space if mine with her world. I can just ease and relax because it's th perfect amount of fluff that I need and it's perfectly catered to what I want. The chapters are short and it's just so damn encouraging, it's so easy to fly past it. I was in a slump when I read it so it took me some time but whenever I would pick this book up, I would just eat it up. I find the same comfort in this series, that I found in icebreaker. She's slowly sneaking in to my top authors.
Sage, I loved her character so much. She called out everyone on their shit, she was so ambitious and determined on what she needed to achieve and I just loved her character overall, the reveree grumpy sunshine trope truly shined here. I loved how her whole arc was written, it made the book so much more interesting. Eli, myyyy man, he was the most shyest, cutest, obsessive person that I've ever seen. Socially awkward but so attentive. He was a relatable character and honestly, it's always so good to read about relatable characters, it just amplifies your whole experience.
The romance, absolutely delicious. LITERALLY FINGER LICKING GOOD. Fake dating never ever disappoints, the dynamic between them plus their unstand chemistry made this book so damn enjoyable. I was rooting for them since their first interaction, and I love how when the two main characters meet their first thought about each other is not sexual 😭 because I hate that but these two knew better. The spice was very well written but it didn't iveroier their romance which was the best part.
I'm reading revolve and it's banging and I know Kian's book is gonna have me in a chokehold!
__
Bal Khabra I need you to do your magic!! Pls let this be another hit 🙏
Buddy reading with Hoda.
Recommended by Rowan
“I want you to be mine. If anyone in this world deserves someone who’s there for them, it’s you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you believe you’re worth every bit of worry and care.”
I should have known better than to doubt Bal Khabra.
These two were very thing honestly. What called out to me the most was how her writing just calls out to me, like it's perfect for me to just be in that comfort space if mine with her world. I can just ease and relax because it's th perfect amount of fluff that I need and it's perfectly catered to what I want. The chapters are short and it's just so damn encouraging, it's so easy to fly past it. I was in a slump when I read it so it took me some time but whenever I would pick this book up, I would just eat it up. I find the same comfort in this series, that I found in icebreaker. She's slowly sneaking in to my top authors.
Sage, I loved her character so much. She called out everyone on their shit, she was so ambitious and determined on what she needed to achieve and I just loved her character overall, the reveree grumpy sunshine trope truly shined here. I loved how her whole arc was written, it made the book so much more interesting. Eli, myyyy man, he was the most shyest, cutest, obsessive person that I've ever seen. Socially awkward but so attentive. He was a relatable character and honestly, it's always so good to read about relatable characters, it just amplifies your whole experience.
The romance, absolutely delicious. LITERALLY FINGER LICKING GOOD. Fake dating never ever disappoints, the dynamic between them plus their unstand chemistry made this book so damn enjoyable. I was rooting for them since their first interaction, and I love how when the two main characters meet their first thought about each other is not sexual 😭 because I hate that but these two knew better. The spice was very well written but it didn't iveroier their romance which was the best part.
I'm reading revolve and it's banging and I know Kian's book is gonna have me in a chokehold!
__
Bal Khabra I need you to do your magic!! Pls let this be another hit 🙏
Buddy reading with Hoda.
Recommended by Rowan
February 17, 2025
3.5 ˖⁺‧✮
collide was the only hockey romance that i rated 4 stars or higher but spiral was honestly so close to stealing the spot. fortunately or unfortunately collide is still my favorite 💕
i want to begin my review with discussing the cover of the book, because it deserves so much recognition. i love love love it! the purple cover and characters is such an incredible mix and i’m honestly obsessed.
now, lets talk about the book.
i enjoyed chemistry, dialogues and interactions between main characters. there weren’t any weird or uncomfortable moments where i wanted to close the book or dnf it. i was genuinely interested in the storyline even more wanted more scenes with sage and elias.
i loved sage. she was so determined and focused on her goal that with or without elias she’d still get that job. but he was a nice addition. no opinion about him? i was a little confused with his whole situation and i didn’t care about him as much…
i think last 3 chapters should’ve been longer. the ballet drama was actually pretty good and i loved how it was developed but it was so short and therefore it felt rushed.
i also wished for more scenes with that person from the epilogue (this person was mentioned earlier in the book👀🩰) i was honestly not expecting this to happen but omg it was a nice surprise. i’m just curious about the story behind this whole moment and i’d love to read about them talking and making the decision.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy of Spiral.
pre-read
no way i have this book in my hands🫠
collide was the only hockey romance that i rated 4 stars or higher but spiral was honestly so close to stealing the spot. fortunately or unfortunately collide is still my favorite 💕
i want to begin my review with discussing the cover of the book, because it deserves so much recognition. i love love love it! the purple cover and characters is such an incredible mix and i’m honestly obsessed.
now, lets talk about the book.
i enjoyed chemistry, dialogues and interactions between main characters. there weren’t any weird or uncomfortable moments where i wanted to close the book or dnf it. i was genuinely interested in the storyline even more wanted more scenes with sage and elias.
i loved sage. she was so determined and focused on her goal that with or without elias she’d still get that job. but he was a nice addition. no opinion about him? i was a little confused with his whole situation and i didn’t care about him as much…
i think last 3 chapters should’ve been longer. the ballet drama was actually pretty good and i loved how it was developed but it was so short and therefore it felt rushed.
i also wished for more scenes with that person from the epilogue (this person was mentioned earlier in the book👀🩰) i was honestly not expecting this to happen but omg it was a nice surprise. i’m just curious about the story behind this whole moment and i’d love to read about them talking and making the decision.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a copy of Spiral.
pre-read
no way i have this book in my hands🫠
May 11, 2025
3 stars ⭐
this book didn’t do much for me if i’m being honest 😔 i didn’t really connect with the characters, especially sage, who i found petty and unreasonable at times. elias was sweet, but there were certain things about him that didn’t quite match his personality if that makes sense. the found family aspect was definitely the highlight for me though—i eat it up every. single. time.
pre-read 🏒🩰
tysm for all the recommendations besties 💖 (i’ll keep the rest in mind for later ~) a few of you recommended this book, so i’ve decided to give it a shot! i know i haven’t read book one yet, but let’s be real… i never read romance series in order anyway 🤭
impromptu br with my bb asra 💋
this book didn’t do much for me if i’m being honest 😔 i didn’t really connect with the characters, especially sage, who i found petty and unreasonable at times. elias was sweet, but there were certain things about him that didn’t quite match his personality if that makes sense. the found family aspect was definitely the highlight for me though—i eat it up every. single. time.
pre-read 🏒🩰
tysm for all the recommendations besties 💖 (i’ll keep the rest in mind for later ~) a few of you recommended this book, so i’ve decided to give it a shot! i know i haven’t read book one yet, but let’s be real… i never read romance series in order anyway 🤭
impromptu br with my bb asra 💋
![Profile Image for ivy [semi-ia].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1776029644i/163591977._UY200_CR2,0,200,200_.jpg)
December 10, 2025
3.5 stars
⤹ i ate this book up in 2 days 😩 the way that this book must have contained CRACK because i literally could not put it down. i fear hockey romances are just getting higher and higher on my to-read list because why is every mmc a neon green flag 🥰 ELISAGE?!? i love them, they are so precious. this book had a substantial plot, lovable characters, and so much drama 😋
⠀⠀ ☆ ( the characters ) ...
﹒ꗃ elias westbrook ; he was a perfect mmc — the way he CARED for sage was so attractive, always putting her needs above his own 🤭 he bought her flowers every week and got a TATTOO of her?!?!?!? 😭 a sage for sage 🥹 if you’re looking for a golden retriever man that cooks, this book is perfect for you 😩 his conflicts in this story also felt meaningful; i loved how his relationship with sage was tied to his initial conflict and how they worked through that together. as for his main conflict later on in the story, i felt like it was much different from other hockey romances and added a deeper layer to him that we normally don’t get from contemporary romances, especially hockey romances.
﹒ꗃ sage beaumont ; help i just realized how royal their names sound because wdym “beaumont” and “westbrook” 😮💨 anyways, i loved her so much!! many people were saying how they didn’t like her personality, but i think it made perfect sense, especially since we got so many stories about her upbringing. she is literally the definition of an eldest daughter — not letting her depend on anyone and always carrying everyone else’s burdens on her shoulders. as a fellow eldest daughter, i can heavily relate 😚
﹑ꕤ﹒୧ the romance. THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS 🥹. i loved how their opposite personalities fit together perfectly. their constant support for each other made me yearning for something like they had irl. i will say, though, the sex scenes were just not my style 😭 read the first one and then had to skip the rest.. maybe it was because elias was celibate for over 3 years? their romance was truly the best part of this book though, and i truly enjoyed watching it develop 🙂↔️
⤹ ( side characters ) — 🖇️
ꕤ ⊹ aiden and summer ; they were cute but i still don’t have any interest in going back and trying their book again.
ꕤ ⊹ dylan & kian ; they were both so hot 🤭 cannot wait for their books.
୭౿ ！🗝️ overall, this is such a cute and easy-to-read book that you can definitely binge in a day with a cup of tea 💝
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
ᝰ ⋆ ── preread ✶
hockey romances have surprisingly been redeeming themselves for me ?! hopefully this one can continue the streak 🤞🏻💜💫
༄˖꒷ : to my bff, joni, who recommended this to me 🤭
♪⁺࿓ december tbr: #3
⤹ i ate this book up in 2 days 😩 the way that this book must have contained CRACK because i literally could not put it down. i fear hockey romances are just getting higher and higher on my to-read list because why is every mmc a neon green flag 🥰 ELISAGE?!? i love them, they are so precious. this book had a substantial plot, lovable characters, and so much drama 😋
⠀⠀ ☆ ( the characters ) ...
﹒ꗃ elias westbrook ; he was a perfect mmc — the way he CARED for sage was so attractive, always putting her needs above his own 🤭 he bought her flowers every week and got a TATTOO of her?!?!?!? 😭 a sage for sage 🥹 if you’re looking for a golden retriever man that cooks, this book is perfect for you 😩 his conflicts in this story also felt meaningful; i loved how his relationship with sage was tied to his initial conflict and how they worked through that together. as for his main conflict later on in the story, i felt like it was much different from other hockey romances and added a deeper layer to him that we normally don’t get from contemporary romances, especially hockey romances.
﹒ꗃ sage beaumont ; help i just realized how royal their names sound because wdym “beaumont” and “westbrook” 😮💨 anyways, i loved her so much!! many people were saying how they didn’t like her personality, but i think it made perfect sense, especially since we got so many stories about her upbringing. she is literally the definition of an eldest daughter — not letting her depend on anyone and always carrying everyone else’s burdens on her shoulders. as a fellow eldest daughter, i can heavily relate 😚
﹑ꕤ﹒୧ the romance. THEY ARE SO PRECIOUS 🥹. i loved how their opposite personalities fit together perfectly. their constant support for each other made me yearning for something like they had irl. i will say, though, the sex scenes were just not my style 😭 read the first one and then had to skip the rest.. maybe it was because elias was celibate for over 3 years? their romance was truly the best part of this book though, and i truly enjoyed watching it develop 🙂↔️
⤹ ( side characters ) — 🖇️
ꕤ ⊹ aiden and summer ; they were cute but i still don’t have any interest in going back and trying their book again.
ꕤ ⊹ dylan & kian ; they were both so hot 🤭 cannot wait for their books.
୭౿ ！🗝️ overall, this is such a cute and easy-to-read book that you can definitely binge in a day with a cup of tea 💝
⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹
ᝰ ⋆ ── preread ✶
hockey romances have surprisingly been redeeming themselves for me ?! hopefully this one can continue the streak 🤞🏻💜💫
༄˖꒷ : to my bff, joni, who recommended this to me 🤭
♪⁺࿓ december tbr: #3
November 22, 2024
4.5 stars ★
⟶ collide has nothing on this cutesy perfection of a book <33
🫶🏼 “Let’s go home,” she whispers into the crook of my neck. I nod, but she doesn’t know that im already there. 🫶🏼
when I started this book, with pretty low expectations bc unfortunately collide disappointed, i did not expect to see the most thoughtful man in the world with the purest kindest heart on the planet. they truly exceeded all my expectations and raised all my standards.
💌 plot 💌
elias westbrook has been having a rough time adjusting to the fame at the nhl, being a rookie. anytime he’s captured in the press with a woman, the tabloids go crazy. calling him a playboy, harassing him with unwanted attention— and even sending death threats and hate towards any woman he’s seen with. to make matters worse, he still hasn’t scored his first career goal, which only earns him even worse press. fans begin to doubt his capabilities, calling him unworthy of a role in the NHL.
sage beaumont, niece of NHL coach marcus beaumont, is also having a dilemma in her career. as a ballerina, her biggest dream is to have a role in the production of swan lake. but when she goes to audition they turn her down— not due to her lack of dance capabilities but rather her low following on social media. as it turns out, the studio focuses on people that can advertise their production well through socials, more than their ability to dance and perform.
so when sage and elias cross paths, they strike a deal to fake date— this will allow the media to stop commenting on his relationship status and respect his privacy, and also gives sage the attention she needs to gain a following on social media. it’s a foolproof plan. until real feelings get involved..
🫂 general thoughts 🫂
sorry, that was a longer plot description than I was going for but let’s get into my thoughts!!
🩰🏒 characters. i found elias and sage to be some of the most lovable characters i’ve encountered. sage was witty, flirty, funny and incredibly confident which i adore seeing in an fmc. elias was shy, reserved, gentle. for a hockey player it was quite refreshing to see portrayal of someone who’s not all cocky and arrogant and full of ego. they matched perfectly and i found myself highlighting basically every page bc it was so funny and sweet. love them <3 soooo much better than book 1.
💞💐 tropes. this book has it allllll. all my fav tropes crammed into one: fake dating, shy mmc x confident fmc, nightmare trope, forced proximity, slowburn-ish, found family. everything one can ask for, in a SINGLE BOOK. that’s just amazing.
🧸 conclusion 🧸
i wouldn’t wanna bore anyone, plus I don’t wanna go into too many details so the book can be a surprise to everyone that’s excited for it!! so i’ll stop here though i really could go on and on about this book. pls read it when it comes out— and if you do, spam me ALL your thoughts. it’s all i wish for <3
thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!!
⟶ collide has nothing on this cutesy perfection of a book <33
🫶🏼 “Let’s go home,” she whispers into the crook of my neck. I nod, but she doesn’t know that im already there. 🫶🏼
when I started this book, with pretty low expectations bc unfortunately collide disappointed, i did not expect to see the most thoughtful man in the world with the purest kindest heart on the planet. they truly exceeded all my expectations and raised all my standards.
💌 plot 💌
elias westbrook has been having a rough time adjusting to the fame at the nhl, being a rookie. anytime he’s captured in the press with a woman, the tabloids go crazy. calling him a playboy, harassing him with unwanted attention— and even sending death threats and hate towards any woman he’s seen with. to make matters worse, he still hasn’t scored his first career goal, which only earns him even worse press. fans begin to doubt his capabilities, calling him unworthy of a role in the NHL.
sage beaumont, niece of NHL coach marcus beaumont, is also having a dilemma in her career. as a ballerina, her biggest dream is to have a role in the production of swan lake. but when she goes to audition they turn her down— not due to her lack of dance capabilities but rather her low following on social media. as it turns out, the studio focuses on people that can advertise their production well through socials, more than their ability to dance and perform.
so when sage and elias cross paths, they strike a deal to fake date— this will allow the media to stop commenting on his relationship status and respect his privacy, and also gives sage the attention she needs to gain a following on social media. it’s a foolproof plan. until real feelings get involved..
🫂 general thoughts 🫂
sorry, that was a longer plot description than I was going for but let’s get into my thoughts!!
🩰🏒 characters. i found elias and sage to be some of the most lovable characters i’ve encountered. sage was witty, flirty, funny and incredibly confident which i adore seeing in an fmc. elias was shy, reserved, gentle. for a hockey player it was quite refreshing to see portrayal of someone who’s not all cocky and arrogant and full of ego. they matched perfectly and i found myself highlighting basically every page bc it was so funny and sweet. love them <3 soooo much better than book 1.
💞💐 tropes. this book has it allllll. all my fav tropes crammed into one: fake dating, shy mmc x confident fmc, nightmare trope, forced proximity, slowburn-ish, found family. everything one can ask for, in a SINGLE BOOK. that’s just amazing.
🧸 conclusion 🧸
i wouldn’t wanna bore anyone, plus I don’t wanna go into too many details so the book can be a surprise to everyone that’s excited for it!! so i’ll stop here though i really could go on and on about this book. pls read it when it comes out— and if you do, spam me ALL your thoughts. it’s all i wish for <3
thank you to netgalley and berkley publishing group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!!
April 5, 2025
not a super unique/original plot but i did appreciate the characters! both had flaws but weren't irritating. not sure that the hero's cock being pierced really fit his personality but other than that, no complaints really.
October 20, 2025
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 1.75/5
When they're fake-dating but they were already lusty towards each other so like what's the point? 😒
I'm sorry, but this was not the fake-dating hockey romance I was expecting. It had so much potential and it didn't hit the way it could have.
The characters? Mostly insufferable.
The plot? Barely there.
The chemistry? Truly non-existent.
The lust? Off the charts.
The eye-rolling moments? More than I can count.
I genuinely believe that most often when a book is being promoted as "fake-dating", it's being mislabeled. When I think of fake-dating, it's that they didn't have any lusty feelings towards each other and they fall along the way, not that they declare fake-dating and basically behave like a real couple. At this point, just be a real couple? What was stopping you? Not the lust or your feelings lmao.
The fact that the fake dating was basically unnecessary to the plot since they were almost dating for real took a lot away from this book.
Also, every other book these days has fake-dating and it's the same formula every time. They lust, they fake-date, they confess, third-act breakup or in some cases like this one some unnecessary conflict, a second round of confessions, and finally hea.
I won't lie and say I've hated every single fake-dating book even when it had this same plot progression, but I'm low-key tired of reading the same book just with different characters each time. I want more angst, less lust, and something that would make me want to put the book down and think about it in the middle.
It's been a long time since I've had to deeply think about a book and I miss that feeling. I mean, I want there to be more to the plot beyond the superficial lust they feel for each other. A lot of times, I'm thinking that these characters are going to breakup at some point after the book because I don't feel the chemistry between them.
The smut was super cringey. I was reading it with a face that I cannot even describe and I was also trying so hard not to laugh. It was low-key giving teenagers who are so horny, but they don't know what to do.
I was about to die of humiliation when he said: “Please, Sage, just—fuck,” he moans. “I need a second, j-just give me a second, and then I want you to sit on my cock,” he stutters.
And before you try to come at me, it's not because of the stuttering, it's just that sentence in the middle of the rest of the awkward sex they were having made it so cheesy.
All I will say beyond this would be that if two characters seriously have the tension and the chemistry that we can feel off the page, there doesn't even need to be smut for me to understand their feelings.
And then we have the length of the book. It's too long to be honest given the plot. It's easy to read, I'll give it that for sure, but literally nothing happens. There was so much filler in the middle that honestly could have been cut out and it wouldn't have affected my reading experience.
Overall, I couldn't enjoy this....and with that comes my third 2-star read in a row and my fifth for the month out of the nine books I've read thus far. It's not going good.
--------
pre-read: I'm a few chapters in already and I hate to say this, but it hasn't impressed me so far.
When they're fake-dating but they were already lusty towards each other so like what's the point? 😒
I'm sorry, but this was not the fake-dating hockey romance I was expecting. It had so much potential and it didn't hit the way it could have.
The characters? Mostly insufferable.
The plot? Barely there.
The chemistry? Truly non-existent.
The lust? Off the charts.
The eye-rolling moments? More than I can count.
I genuinely believe that most often when a book is being promoted as "fake-dating", it's being mislabeled. When I think of fake-dating, it's that they didn't have any lusty feelings towards each other and they fall along the way, not that they declare fake-dating and basically behave like a real couple. At this point, just be a real couple? What was stopping you? Not the lust or your feelings lmao.
“Oh my God, that’s it!” She watches me so intensely I have no choice but to listen. “We don’t have to escape anymore.”
“What?”
“We should date. You and me.”
My head rears. “Excuse me?”
The fact that the fake dating was basically unnecessary to the plot since they were almost dating for real took a lot away from this book.
Also, every other book these days has fake-dating and it's the same formula every time. They lust, they fake-date, they confess, third-act breakup or in some cases like this one some unnecessary conflict, a second round of confessions, and finally hea.
I won't lie and say I've hated every single fake-dating book even when it had this same plot progression, but I'm low-key tired of reading the same book just with different characters each time. I want more angst, less lust, and something that would make me want to put the book down and think about it in the middle.
It's been a long time since I've had to deeply think about a book and I miss that feeling. I mean, I want there to be more to the plot beyond the superficial lust they feel for each other. A lot of times, I'm thinking that these characters are going to breakup at some point after the book because I don't feel the chemistry between them.
The smut was super cringey. I was reading it with a face that I cannot even describe and I was also trying so hard not to laugh. It was low-key giving teenagers who are so horny, but they don't know what to do.
I was about to die of humiliation when he said: “Please, Sage, just—fuck,” he moans. “I need a second, j-just give me a second, and then I want you to sit on my cock,” he stutters.
And before you try to come at me, it's not because of the stuttering, it's just that sentence in the middle of the rest of the awkward sex they were having made it so cheesy.
All I will say beyond this would be that if two characters seriously have the tension and the chemistry that we can feel off the page, there doesn't even need to be smut for me to understand their feelings.
And then we have the length of the book. It's too long to be honest given the plot. It's easy to read, I'll give it that for sure, but literally nothing happens. There was so much filler in the middle that honestly could have been cut out and it wouldn't have affected my reading experience.
Overall, I couldn't enjoy this....and with that comes my third 2-star read in a row and my fifth for the month out of the nine books I've read thus far. It's not going good.
--------
pre-read: I'm a few chapters in already and I hate to say this, but it hasn't impressed me so far.
August 6, 2024
Can you hear that? It’s me gnawing at the bars of my enclosure because this was so unbelievably good!!! Hockey player x ballerina with fake dating and a rule that there’s no pda whatsoever and oh they can’t fall in love with each other either. SHUT UP!!! It’s actually so criminal that this is one of my top romance reads this year and it doesn’t even release until Jan 2025!! I don’t even know where to begin on what I loved the most, the most deliciously mouth watering slow burn ever, tension and angsty parts that came with the forced proximity or the fact that the Elias had me barking like a dog the entire time.
There was so much vulnerability between Elias and Sage, the pair of them having gone through so much and opening up to one another had me genuinely sick to stomach. I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOUR!
But I also have to add for my the right move girlies you will LOVE THIS!!! ELIAS gave Ryan Shay energy in the best way possible!!!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Berkley for blessing me with this arc, I owe you everything!
There was so much vulnerability between Elias and Sage, the pair of them having gone through so much and opening up to one another had me genuinely sick to stomach. I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOUR!
But I also have to add for my the right move girlies you will LOVE THIS!!! ELIAS gave Ryan Shay energy in the best way possible!!!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Berkley for blessing me with this arc, I owe you everything!
April 4, 2026
4⭐️
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
⋆˚꩜｡ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💭
╰┈➤ this book was such an improvement from collide. with this one, i felt like both characters were able to actually build a great foundation and continue to grow from there. while collide made me feel like their relationship was sort of bland and mostly physical, the relationship in this book just seemed so much healthier. elias and sage work so well together, and their support for each other was genuinely so cute to read!
˙⋆✮ 𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 🩰
╰┈➤ sage is such a strong fmc and i found myself connecting to her in some ways. she takes care of everyone she loves without thought; always putting others before herself. also, she never asks for help which is something i can connect with very deeply 😭 I just really loved sage and seeing how she grew throughout the book
˙⋆✮ 𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙨 🏒
╰┈➤ it’s a shame i don’t have an elias in my life right now 😔 the jealousy, the love, and the support that this man showed throughout the book, puts real men to shame (almost every other mmc puts real mean to shame tbh) i loved elias’ character so much and just watching him grow alongside sage was so beautiful 🥹 i for sure loved him much more than the mmc in the first book!
⋆˚꩜｡ 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i would recommend skipping the first book and jumping straight into this one (but that’s just my opinion🙂) i can’t wait to continue the rest of the series!
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
although i didn’t really like the first book, i’m still gonna move on with the series and hope the rest of them are better🤞i genuinely just want to get to embrace 😔
⤿ ⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 17𝘵𝘩 | 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 25𝘵𝘩
╰► 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!
“𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆, 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒉?”
“𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔.”
⋆˚꩜｡ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💭
╰┈➤ this book was such an improvement from collide. with this one, i felt like both characters were able to actually build a great foundation and continue to grow from there. while collide made me feel like their relationship was sort of bland and mostly physical, the relationship in this book just seemed so much healthier. elias and sage work so well together, and their support for each other was genuinely so cute to read!
˙⋆✮ 𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 🩰
╰┈➤ sage is such a strong fmc and i found myself connecting to her in some ways. she takes care of everyone she loves without thought; always putting others before herself. also, she never asks for help which is something i can connect with very deeply 😭 I just really loved sage and seeing how she grew throughout the book
˙⋆✮ 𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙨 🏒
╰┈➤ it’s a shame i don’t have an elias in my life right now 😔 the jealousy, the love, and the support that this man showed throughout the book, puts real men to shame (almost every other mmc puts real mean to shame tbh) i loved elias’ character so much and just watching him grow alongside sage was so beautiful 🥹 i for sure loved him much more than the mmc in the first book!
⋆˚꩜｡ 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣🔒
╰┈➤ i would recommend skipping the first book and jumping straight into this one (but that’s just my opinion🙂) i can’t wait to continue the rest of the series!
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
although i didn’t really like the first book, i’m still gonna move on with the series and hope the rest of them are better🤞i genuinely just want to get to embrace 😔
⤿ ⋮ ⌗ ┆ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥: 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 17𝘵𝘩 | 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥: 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 25𝘵𝘩
November 28, 2025
ੈ♡˳ rating: five of five stars
ੈ♡˳ summary: spiral by bal khabra is a fake-dating sports romance that brings together the worlds of professional hockey and ballet. elias westbrook, a newly drafted nhl player for the toronto thunder, is struggling under immense pressure, his career is just starting, but the media is already scrutinizing his every move. sage beaumont, a dedicated ballerina, is facing her own challenges, without enough social media attention, she might not get the roles she’s been working toward her entire life. to fix their public images, they strike a deal: a fake relationship that benefits them both. but as they spend more time together, the past comes creeping in, and suddenly, the line between fake and real isn’t so clear anymore.
ੈ♡˳ thoughts: this book completely took over my brain. elias is the perfect book boyfriend—protective, patient, and just the right amount of possessive without being overbearing. the way he treats sage??? obsessed. and sage?? i loved her. she’s so strong, so determined, but still soft in a way that makes you root for her every step of the way. their backstories were so well developed, and i loved that the book didn’t just throw their pasts aside. it actually built on them to make their connection even stronger. also, the tension??? immaculate. every interaction between them had me fully invested.
this book had everything, angst, longing, undeniable chemistry, and a romance that felt earned. i loved how their past wounds weren’t magically fixed just because they found each other, but instead, they helped each other heal in a way that felt real. i already know i’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time.
ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
➼ “does it look like i’m fucking jealous?” he says. “i don’t care about him. i care about you.”
➼ “what does it mean when your celibate fake boyfriend kisses you like he’d die if he didn’t?”
➼ “this is for me?” “it’s always for you.”
overall: this book fully delivered on everything i wanted and more. if you love fake dating, deep emotional backstories, and a hero who worships the ground the fmc walks on, you need to read this. 5/5 stars.
------
post read: ohhhhhhh mama ate with this book >>> 10x better than the first book. full rtc. 💌
———
pre read: i think i remember close to nothing from the first book but that i didn’t love it. hopefully this book is memorable.
ੈ♡˳ summary: spiral by bal khabra is a fake-dating sports romance that brings together the worlds of professional hockey and ballet. elias westbrook, a newly drafted nhl player for the toronto thunder, is struggling under immense pressure, his career is just starting, but the media is already scrutinizing his every move. sage beaumont, a dedicated ballerina, is facing her own challenges, without enough social media attention, she might not get the roles she’s been working toward her entire life. to fix their public images, they strike a deal: a fake relationship that benefits them both. but as they spend more time together, the past comes creeping in, and suddenly, the line between fake and real isn’t so clear anymore.
ੈ♡˳ thoughts: this book completely took over my brain. elias is the perfect book boyfriend—protective, patient, and just the right amount of possessive without being overbearing. the way he treats sage??? obsessed. and sage?? i loved her. she’s so strong, so determined, but still soft in a way that makes you root for her every step of the way. their backstories were so well developed, and i loved that the book didn’t just throw their pasts aside. it actually built on them to make their connection even stronger. also, the tension??? immaculate. every interaction between them had me fully invested.
this book had everything, angst, longing, undeniable chemistry, and a romance that felt earned. i loved how their past wounds weren’t magically fixed just because they found each other, but instead, they helped each other heal in a way that felt real. i already know i’m going to be thinking about this one for a long time.
ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
➼ “does it look like i’m fucking jealous?” he says. “i don’t care about him. i care about you.”
➼ “what does it mean when your celibate fake boyfriend kisses you like he’d die if he didn’t?”
➼ “this is for me?” “it’s always for you.”
overall: this book fully delivered on everything i wanted and more. if you love fake dating, deep emotional backstories, and a hero who worships the ground the fmc walks on, you need to read this. 5/5 stars.
------
post read: ohhhhhhh mama ate with this book >>> 10x better than the first book. full rtc. 💌
———
pre read: i think i remember close to nothing from the first book but that i didn’t love it. hopefully this book is memorable.
Read
November 10, 2025pre-read:
after seeing bal khabra’s post on ig, i just know i had to resume with this series!! i just hope for this one to be better than the first book though 🥹💜
after seeing bal khabra’s post on ig, i just know i had to resume with this series!! i just hope for this one to be better than the first book though 🥹💜
do-not-bother
July 22, 2024apparently it's about eli and sage
this better be amara and eli
this better be amara and eli
March 4, 2026
⋆˙⟡ — 4 stars
⤷⊹ started: march 1st, finished: march 3rd
rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
time for book 2!! i remember loving these two so much, so i know i’m gonna love them all over again 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bestie har!! i love you sm bestie!! i can’t wait for you to meet these two 😼💓
⤷⊹ started: march 1st, finished: march 3rd
rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
time for book 2!! i remember loving these two so much, so i know i’m gonna love them all over again 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bestie har!! i love you sm bestie!! i can’t wait for you to meet these two 😼💓
March 6, 2025
4⭐️
Please I love this series so much 😭 I had no doubts when people were telling me I was going to love this one! While it did have its problems, I ended up really enjoying it regardless.
When I tell you I have not liked a book boyfriend this much in a long time, I mean it. Eli reminds me a lot of Theo from Reckless! Just the care-taker mindset and the way he cares for the people he loves is just so heartwarming. I found Sage to be extremely relatable and I could feel for her in so many ways. However, I found her character to be a bit annoying at times. Although, her determination and the way she shows her love was adorable. In general, I liked her character! The relationship between her and Eli was undeniably special. I really enjoyed their connection and I thought they had amazing chemistry!
I find that sports romance can be a hit or miss for me, and this ended up being a hit. The plot line of Eli and Sage's career was written so well. Not only was it just about their connection and relationship, but we go much deeper into was makes Eli and Sage who they are. His hockey career and her ballet career. Seeing them grow throughout the book was beautiful and it was just the right amount of everything. The spice was entertaining; I liked it! However, one thing I wasn't too fond of was just how far and fast they moved especially towards the end of the book. It really took away from the amazing story and it felt rushed.
Overall, this series is one of my favorite contemporary romances. I enjoyed so much of this and I would definitely recommend. The love, strength, and determination was so apparent and I think a lot of people can resonate with it. Yes, it did have its low points, but I think it was enjoyable and I had a really good time. Can't wait to see what the next one holds. 💜
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanted something cute and fluffy and I really liked the first one so I just had to start this 🤭💜
Please I love this series so much 😭 I had no doubts when people were telling me I was going to love this one! While it did have its problems, I ended up really enjoying it regardless.
When I tell you I have not liked a book boyfriend this much in a long time, I mean it. Eli reminds me a lot of Theo from Reckless! Just the care-taker mindset and the way he cares for the people he loves is just so heartwarming. I found Sage to be extremely relatable and I could feel for her in so many ways. However, I found her character to be a bit annoying at times. Although, her determination and the way she shows her love was adorable. In general, I liked her character! The relationship between her and Eli was undeniably special. I really enjoyed their connection and I thought they had amazing chemistry!
I find that sports romance can be a hit or miss for me, and this ended up being a hit. The plot line of Eli and Sage's career was written so well. Not only was it just about their connection and relationship, but we go much deeper into was makes Eli and Sage who they are. His hockey career and her ballet career. Seeing them grow throughout the book was beautiful and it was just the right amount of everything. The spice was entertaining; I liked it! However, one thing I wasn't too fond of was just how far and fast they moved especially towards the end of the book. It really took away from the amazing story and it felt rushed.
Overall, this series is one of my favorite contemporary romances. I enjoyed so much of this and I would definitely recommend. The love, strength, and determination was so apparent and I think a lot of people can resonate with it. Yes, it did have its low points, but I think it was enjoyable and I had a really good time. Can't wait to see what the next one holds. 💜
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanted something cute and fluffy and I really liked the first one so I just had to start this 🤭💜
January 23, 2025
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆.”
Hello, it is I, letting you know that this book was so freaking amazing.
First off, yes the hockey x ballerina trope was perfect 💞. A hockey guy that needs the press to lay off his back and a ballerina that needs media exposure aaand obviously let's give it a round of applause for fake dating! 💏
“𝑰 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈.” “𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏?” “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
I’ve read a ton of fake dating, and you know how it goes "is this real, or is this fake?" AND To be honest, the transition was done so well. You could fully see how the lines started to blur and how amazing Eli is at respecting the boundaries set at the beginning with Sage and how he REALLY tries not to break them... but you know what they say rules are meant to be broken , buahaha 😈.
“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐,” 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚. “𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕—”
“𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.”
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕?”
“𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑺𝒂𝒈𝒆,”
“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔.”
I also adored Sage. She is so relatable, having the world on her shoulders and never letting anyone else take care of her until Eli ❤️ She is so resilient and strong that watching her character development throughout the entire book was one of my favorite parts.
Lastly, let's talk about romance. Yes, there is spice, and it was amazing, but also the scenes embody how giving and receiving doesn't have to be transactional. I think that's important to illustrate because that part of it was what made the love scenes SO MUCH BETTER.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆. 𝑼𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆.” 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒍𝒚. “𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒄𝒌.”
tropes
💛 sports romance (and dance - ballerina)
💛 fake dating
💛 roommates
💛 forced proximity
💛no third act breakup
Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ idk how the Berkley gods blessed me with not just a hockey romance but a hockey x ballerina, so excited 😭🩷😭🩷
Hello, it is I, letting you know that this book was so freaking amazing.
First off, yes the hockey x ballerina trope was perfect 💞. A hockey guy that needs the press to lay off his back and a ballerina that needs media exposure aaand obviously let's give it a round of applause for fake dating! 💏
“𝑰 𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈.” “𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏?” “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
I’ve read a ton of fake dating, and you know how it goes "is this real, or is this fake?" AND To be honest, the transition was done so well. You could fully see how the lines started to blur and how amazing Eli is at respecting the boundaries set at the beginning with Sage and how he REALLY tries not to break them... but you know what they say rules are meant to be broken , buahaha 😈.
“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐,” 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚. “𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕—”
“𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏.”
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕?”
“𝑺𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑺𝒂𝒈𝒆,”
“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒔.”
I also adored Sage. She is so relatable, having the world on her shoulders and never letting anyone else take care of her until Eli ❤️ She is so resilient and strong that watching her character development throughout the entire book was one of my favorite parts.
Lastly, let's talk about romance. Yes, there is spice, and it was amazing, but also the scenes embody how giving and receiving doesn't have to be transactional. I think that's important to illustrate because that part of it was what made the love scenes SO MUCH BETTER.
“𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆. 𝑼𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆.” 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒍𝒚. “𝑫𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒄𝒌.”
tropes
💛 sports romance (and dance - ballerina)
💛 fake dating
💛 roommates
💛 forced proximity
💛no third act breakup
Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ idk how the Berkley gods blessed me with not just a hockey romance but a hockey x ballerina, so excited 😭🩷😭🩷
January 28, 2025
happy pub day to this cutie!!! 💫
wowwww she was actually pretty darn cute. elias and sage were so swoony from the beginning (my absolute favorite way for chemistry to reveal itself!!) and it honestly felt like they developed really authentically? i wasn’t bored for the non-romancy parts and was fully invested in their scenes together which i’ll take as a win 🩰
they were actually so pure due to a particular plot point that i honestly wish they HAD gotten more down and dirty…justice for these fools because the tension was out of this world and i know miss girl can write some smut 🤨 i digress
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
wowwww she was actually pretty darn cute. elias and sage were so swoony from the beginning (my absolute favorite way for chemistry to reveal itself!!) and it honestly felt like they developed really authentically? i wasn’t bored for the non-romancy parts and was fully invested in their scenes together which i’ll take as a win 🩰
they were actually so pure due to a particular plot point that i honestly wish they HAD gotten more down and dirty…justice for these fools because the tension was out of this world and i know miss girl can write some smut 🤨 i digress
thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc!!
October 14, 2025
જ⁀➴ 4.75/5 ⭐️
꒰🧾꒱ 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚕
thank you so much to berkley for this e-arc
꒰ 💜 ꒱ - 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. as an over sharer who doesn’t actually share personal things? yea..
“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 🫶🏽 also this review was so time consuming
ೃ⁀➷pre-review
omg this was so cute and I loved it
4.75 ⭐
rtc!!
ೃ⁀➷pre-read
december 12, 2024
OMD OMD I GOT THE ARC OMGG
꒰🧾꒱ 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚕
thank you so much to berkley for this e-arc
꒰ 💜 ꒱ - 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. as an over sharer who doesn’t actually share personal things? yea..
“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 🫶🏽 also this review was so time consuming
ೃ⁀➷pre-review
omg this was so cute and I loved it
4.75 ⭐
rtc!!
ೃ⁀➷pre-read
december 12, 2024
OMD OMD I GOT THE ARC OMGG
March 16, 2026
i really enjoyed the concept of fake dating. i've read a few books like that but i swear it never gets old. hockey romance x ballerina? sign me up.
elias is such a sweetheart, i love him. 🥹❤️
᭝ ᨳଓ ՟ pre-read
i've been meaning to get back into off the ice series. 🤭
elias is such a sweetheart, i love him. 🥹❤️
᭝ ᨳଓ ՟ pre-read
i've been meaning to get back into off the ice series. 🤭
May 3, 2025
Grumpy x sunshine u will forever be loved by me xx
In all seriousness, I had the best fking time with this. Once I truly got stuck in, around the 50 page mark, I genuinely couldn’t stop reading. It kept me fighting sleep for one more page. It was the last thing I saw before my eyes closed and the first thing when I woke.
I just knewwww Eli was GNA be a gentleman in the streets and filthy in the sheets. But man is he so freaking caring and considerate 🥹😭 I loved him sm. the forehead kisses and flowers had me feeling all sorts of feelings 😫 where is my Eli !!??
Sage, my cutie patootie bbyg. I just wanna give her the biggest hug everrrr. She deserves all the love and support the world has to offer.
I have adored Bal Khabra’s writing since before she got trad published and I’ve been soo freaking happy to see her get the recognition and success she deserves.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
This one’s for Ro 💋💋 (can’t wait to snatch my man Eli out from under ur clutches)
In all seriousness, I had the best fking time with this. Once I truly got stuck in, around the 50 page mark, I genuinely couldn’t stop reading. It kept me fighting sleep for one more page. It was the last thing I saw before my eyes closed and the first thing when I woke.
I just knewwww Eli was GNA be a gentleman in the streets and filthy in the sheets. But man is he so freaking caring and considerate 🥹😭 I loved him sm. the forehead kisses and flowers had me feeling all sorts of feelings 😫 where is my Eli !!??
Sage, my cutie patootie bbyg. I just wanna give her the biggest hug everrrr. She deserves all the love and support the world has to offer.
I have adored Bal Khabra’s writing since before she got trad published and I’ve been soo freaking happy to see her get the recognition and success she deserves.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
This one’s for Ro 💋💋 (can’t wait to snatch my man Eli out from under ur clutches)
August 12, 2024
4.5 rounded up!!! bal khabra absolutely redeemed herself for me with this book.
i am super excited to say that though i strongly disliked collide, i LOVED this book and i am so happy i decided to give bal another chance. eli and sage were just immaculate start to finish 😭
the only reason i knocked .5 off of this is because around 70% it felt like the book was hitting a point of “ok what could possibly happen for the next 30%” and made it feel as though the book could have been about 50 pages shorter because in that last 30% concluding every pilot point that was left felt a little rushed (aside from sages ballet, that pacing was awesome) but i did feel like if there were some trimmed pages in the first half to give the last half more room to breathe it wouldve been perfect.
one of my favorite things about this book was the tension my god it was THICK and palpable, the slow burn in this was so ridiculously good. this book will give you blue balls over and over again as their right on the cusp of explode just for something to snuff it out and i DEVOURED.
eli is the perfect man in like every form possible and sage is chaos personified yet so graceful and beautiful inside and out 😭
there are SOOOO many things that i want to absolutely go in on gushing about but i think theyre so much better left to reading yourself in the book so until next january i am refraining and barking & gnawing at the gates of my enclosure like a rabid dog trying to get to elias myself 🐕🐕🐕
lastly because i just cant help myself and feel the need to say it - if this summer that was in this book (amazing beautiful wonderful kind to my sweet sage) was written in collide i would have no doubt in my mind rated that book 5 stars. i cannot describe to you how much i wish that collide summer was the same girl as spiral summer.
PS as a hardcore canadian hockey team hater and tampa bay lightning stan absolutely side eyeing bal for her comments against my tbl. only in your wildest dreams would we be the lowest ranking team in the eastern conference 🤺
i am super excited to say that though i strongly disliked collide, i LOVED this book and i am so happy i decided to give bal another chance. eli and sage were just immaculate start to finish 😭
the only reason i knocked .5 off of this is because around 70% it felt like the book was hitting a point of “ok what could possibly happen for the next 30%” and made it feel as though the book could have been about 50 pages shorter because in that last 30% concluding every pilot point that was left felt a little rushed (aside from sages ballet, that pacing was awesome) but i did feel like if there were some trimmed pages in the first half to give the last half more room to breathe it wouldve been perfect.
one of my favorite things about this book was the tension my god it was THICK and palpable, the slow burn in this was so ridiculously good. this book will give you blue balls over and over again as their right on the cusp of explode just for something to snuff it out and i DEVOURED.
eli is the perfect man in like every form possible and sage is chaos personified yet so graceful and beautiful inside and out 😭
there are SOOOO many things that i want to absolutely go in on gushing about but i think theyre so much better left to reading yourself in the book so until next january i am refraining and barking & gnawing at the gates of my enclosure like a rabid dog trying to get to elias myself 🐕🐕🐕
lastly because i just cant help myself and feel the need to say it - if this summer that was in this book (amazing beautiful wonderful kind to my sweet sage) was written in collide i would have no doubt in my mind rated that book 5 stars. i cannot describe to you how much i wish that collide summer was the same girl as spiral summer.
PS as a hardcore canadian hockey team hater and tampa bay lightning stan absolutely side eyeing bal for her comments against my tbl. only in your wildest dreams would we be the lowest ranking team in the eastern conference 🤺
May 1, 2025
Okay! I just slapped my head too hard! It hurts like hell! But I made stupid decisions! Don’t get me wrong—reading this book was the smartest decision ever, but my biggest mistake was procrastinating! Why didn’t I request it sooner? Why did I have second thoughts?
Well, lately, I’ve been reading too many sports romances, and I guess I was looking for something different. But that’s still a lame excuse because I loved Collide, the first book of the series. And, fun fact, the second books in most sports series are even better than the first.
At least, that’s my perception. Anyway, in this case, my opinion holds: Spiral is an even better, cozy, cuddly, sweet romance than Collide, which already earned my five hockey-ballet-sweetest-main-characters-impressive-fake-dating-forced-proximity-sports-romance stars!
Elias, a rising hockey star, is trying to prove his place on the team. He hasn’t scored a goal yet and is dealing with paparazzi who are trying to ruin his reputation with sexcapades he wasn’t even involved in! He’s just trying to be part of the team, working hard to change their manager’s biased perception of him as a rich daddy’s boy who always gets his way.
His path crosses with Sage, a young ballerina working tooth and nail to become the Swan Queen at the latest theater auditions, where a strong social media presence is more important than a professional resume. After being abandoned by her drug-addict parents, Sage raised her little brother, who suffers from diabetes and is bullied at school.
He’s now thirteen and at boarding school, thanks to her support. Sage attends a charity sports auction as a last-minute replacement for the dance performers. When Elias’ teammate and best friend Aiden, who shares the same table with her, asks for help to win the auction for Elias, she agrees to help save Elias from a stalker. What Sage didn’t expect is that after their forced charity date, the press would catch them together.
When Elias, ever the gentleman, carries Sage to help her walk after her feet start aching, rumors begin to swirl that Sage is his girlfriend. Sage comes up with an idea that could benefit them both: they’ll fake date to achieve their goals. For Sage, it’s the social media attention she needs to catch the Swan Lake judges’ eye, and for Elias, it’s shaking off the paparazzi by appearing to be in a stable relationship. Elias reluctantly agrees to the plan, laying down some ground rules, but as they spend more time together—and a tragedy forces them to share a room—he realizes those rules might be bendable.
Even though he’s hiding a secret he’s kept for four years that could affect their relationship, he can barely resist falling for her. But when the heart wants what it wants, all rules and promises are bound to fail.
Overall, I loved the slow-blooming romance and the strong chemistry between Sage and Elias, as well as the mature way they dealt with their family issues. Elias is definitely the best, most caring, sensitive, and giving boyfriend—even if he insists it’s all fake, his actions say otherwise.
I’m promising myself that as soon as the next book in the series comes out, I’ll dive into it without hesitation! This was so much fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this addictive romance‘s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
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Well, lately, I’ve been reading too many sports romances, and I guess I was looking for something different. But that’s still a lame excuse because I loved Collide, the first book of the series. And, fun fact, the second books in most sports series are even better than the first.
At least, that’s my perception. Anyway, in this case, my opinion holds: Spiral is an even better, cozy, cuddly, sweet romance than Collide, which already earned my five hockey-ballet-sweetest-main-characters-impressive-fake-dating-forced-proximity-sports-romance stars!
Elias, a rising hockey star, is trying to prove his place on the team. He hasn’t scored a goal yet and is dealing with paparazzi who are trying to ruin his reputation with sexcapades he wasn’t even involved in! He’s just trying to be part of the team, working hard to change their manager’s biased perception of him as a rich daddy’s boy who always gets his way.
His path crosses with Sage, a young ballerina working tooth and nail to become the Swan Queen at the latest theater auditions, where a strong social media presence is more important than a professional resume. After being abandoned by her drug-addict parents, Sage raised her little brother, who suffers from diabetes and is bullied at school.
He’s now thirteen and at boarding school, thanks to her support. Sage attends a charity sports auction as a last-minute replacement for the dance performers. When Elias’ teammate and best friend Aiden, who shares the same table with her, asks for help to win the auction for Elias, she agrees to help save Elias from a stalker. What Sage didn’t expect is that after their forced charity date, the press would catch them together.
When Elias, ever the gentleman, carries Sage to help her walk after her feet start aching, rumors begin to swirl that Sage is his girlfriend. Sage comes up with an idea that could benefit them both: they’ll fake date to achieve their goals. For Sage, it’s the social media attention she needs to catch the Swan Lake judges’ eye, and for Elias, it’s shaking off the paparazzi by appearing to be in a stable relationship. Elias reluctantly agrees to the plan, laying down some ground rules, but as they spend more time together—and a tragedy forces them to share a room—he realizes those rules might be bendable.
Even though he’s hiding a secret he’s kept for four years that could affect their relationship, he can barely resist falling for her. But when the heart wants what it wants, all rules and promises are bound to fail.
Overall, I loved the slow-blooming romance and the strong chemistry between Sage and Elias, as well as the mature way they dealt with their family issues. Elias is definitely the best, most caring, sensitive, and giving boyfriend—even if he insists it’s all fake, his actions say otherwise.
I’m promising myself that as soon as the next book in the series comes out, I’ll dive into it without hesitation! This was so much fun!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this addictive romance‘s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
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November 21, 2025
3 ⭐️ - save to say that this was better than collide!!!
elias is definitely a character that makes you want to keep on reading. i felt connected to him from the start. he is closed off, introverted, but despite all the things going wrong in his life, he is super cute and caring. and once you get further to the story, you realize he is the perfect boyfriend material. and truly fictional, because wonderful men like him don't exist irl.
sage is a complete opposite. bubbly, very open about her thoughts and feelings & chatty a lot. of course she deals with so many messed up things, but she always tries to get through them and be better. the only thing i don’t understand.. how on earth was she able to take care of herself and her brother when she could so easily set her place on fire? 😅
the story overall is really good. i actually did like their relationship. i think it had perfect pace when you consider eli's caution. it went naturally from strangers to friends to lovers. the fake dating was truly just a mask not just for the outside world, but also often for them.
but…. sometimes the story was dragging a little bit (similar problem i had with collide) and i found myself getting a little bored from page to page. it definitely needed some plot twist or just something to spice it up. there were potentials (e.g. sage getting her role or eli’s father), but these situations were just so rushed, i wouldn’t mind some drama.
i have a huge expectations for dylan’s book. and i have a little feeling i will LOVE that one.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: i need to catch up with this seriesss. i really hope this one is better than collide 👀🤞🏼
elias is definitely a character that makes you want to keep on reading. i felt connected to him from the start. he is closed off, introverted, but despite all the things going wrong in his life, he is super cute and caring. and once you get further to the story, you realize he is the perfect boyfriend material. and truly fictional, because wonderful men like him don't exist irl.
sage is a complete opposite. bubbly, very open about her thoughts and feelings & chatty a lot. of course she deals with so many messed up things, but she always tries to get through them and be better. the only thing i don’t understand.. how on earth was she able to take care of herself and her brother when she could so easily set her place on fire? 😅
the story overall is really good. i actually did like their relationship. i think it had perfect pace when you consider eli's caution. it went naturally from strangers to friends to lovers. the fake dating was truly just a mask not just for the outside world, but also often for them.
but…. sometimes the story was dragging a little bit (similar problem i had with collide) and i found myself getting a little bored from page to page. it definitely needed some plot twist or just something to spice it up. there were potentials (e.g. sage getting her role or eli’s father), but these situations were just so rushed, i wouldn’t mind some drama.
i have a huge expectations for dylan’s book. and i have a little feeling i will LOVE that one.
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: i need to catch up with this seriesss. i really hope this one is better than collide 👀🤞🏼
December 30, 2024
3.75 ⭐
i really liked the first half , i loved how they were communicating and sharing there feelings with each other . it was so beautiful and i loved everything about it so much . i also related to our fmc , sage , a lot. i definitely love eli as well!! but the last 10% or so dragged for me or it would have been a 4 star 😞
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review
i really liked the first half , i loved how they were communicating and sharing there feelings with each other . it was so beautiful and i loved everything about it so much . i also related to our fmc , sage , a lot. i definitely love eli as well!! but the last 10% or so dragged for me or it would have been a 4 star 😞
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review
January 31, 2025
dnf at 70% i was so pissed off for majority of the book everything they did made me so irrationally angry
the plot was supposed to be fake dating but there was absolutely no stakes to the fake dating. they set up the rules and reasoning at the beginning but then never actually had them interact in public outside of the few events they went to and news stories were never mentioned again. they talked about social media like 5 times (also used it in a way that didn’t fit with the characterization of eli at all). then rest of the time they were just hanging out acting like they were dating, except they weren’t and she also kept insisting that he didn’t actually like her like that even though he told her multiple times flat out that he does.
there was also no relationship building between any of the characters, but I wasn’t all that shocked considering it was also missing from the first book too. it took like 50 pages for them to start acting like they’ve known each other and been in a serious committed relationship for years despite having just met and weren’t actually dating.
the fucking fire pissed me off so bad because what do you mean her apartment randomly burnt down and then she's upset because she doesn't have insurance and then like 2 chapters later is talking about how her landlord is trying to figure out stuff with her insurance. literally anything else happening would've made more sense to force her to move in with the guy she just met and is fake dating, like maybe her drug addict parents could've turned up or something with his dad happened that involved her. either of their parents showing up would've driven the plot so much more considering how often they were referenced.
the plot was supposed to be fake dating but there was absolutely no stakes to the fake dating. they set up the rules and reasoning at the beginning but then never actually had them interact in public outside of the few events they went to and news stories were never mentioned again. they talked about social media like 5 times (also used it in a way that didn’t fit with the characterization of eli at all). then rest of the time they were just hanging out acting like they were dating, except they weren’t and she also kept insisting that he didn’t actually like her like that even though he told her multiple times flat out that he does.
there was also no relationship building between any of the characters, but I wasn’t all that shocked considering it was also missing from the first book too. it took like 50 pages for them to start acting like they’ve known each other and been in a serious committed relationship for years despite having just met and weren’t actually dating.
the fucking fire pissed me off so bad because what do you mean her apartment randomly burnt down and then she's upset because she doesn't have insurance and then like 2 chapters later is talking about how her landlord is trying to figure out stuff with her insurance. literally anything else happening would've made more sense to force her to move in with the guy she just met and is fake dating, like maybe her drug addict parents could've turned up or something with his dad happened that involved her. either of their parents showing up would've driven the plot so much more considering how often they were referenced.
January 25, 2025
This is the ultimate fake dating + found family romance! The heartwarming story follows Sage, a ballerina down on her luck, and Elias, a hockey player struggling with his newfound fame and career. When the two meet at an auction and Sage reluctantly bids on a date for Eli, they both quickly realize that a fake relationship would solve their problems. However, that is easier said than done when their feelings start to feel anything other than fake; and both must decide if they are willing to let their romance spiral into something real.
This was the sweetest and most caring hockey romance I've read to date! The love and attention Eli gave to Sage was so adorable, the two were just absolutely smitten for each other. Their whole relationship was so healthy and I loved all the communication and reassurances. Add in the wholesome found family and slow burn, and I was in heaven from beginning to end. This romance just delivered everything I wanted, the balance of raw emotion, humor, tension, and steam will be in my head for months to come!
~Many thanks to Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This was the sweetest and most caring hockey romance I've read to date! The love and attention Eli gave to Sage was so adorable, the two were just absolutely smitten for each other. Their whole relationship was so healthy and I loved all the communication and reassurances. Add in the wholesome found family and slow burn, and I was in heaven from beginning to end. This romance just delivered everything I wanted, the balance of raw emotion, humor, tension, and steam will be in my head for months to come!
~Many thanks to Berkley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
October 3, 2024
i really need to start reading descriptions because this is like the 8th time this year i’ve picked up a book just for the plot to be fake dating
i just didn’t enjoy this, i think the fake dating trope is so overdone and at this point the reasoning for them fake dating is unoriginal. the couple was okay but not people i really root for and the smut was boring. there was a point in the book where the love interest being celibate was revealed as if it was a plot twist and i just thought that was weird but whatever.
i just didn’t enjoy this, i think the fake dating trope is so overdone and at this point the reasoning for them fake dating is unoriginal. the couple was okay but not people i really root for and the smut was boring. there was a point in the book where the love interest being celibate was revealed as if it was a plot twist and i just thought that was weird but whatever.
August 11, 2024
↳ 3 stars 🌟 (are we surprised cuz i literally give every single romance book in the world this rating)
this is a sports, fake dating romance <3
i think this book was mid, like the characters were okay i guess?? i think they were cute in the beginning but then the guy started acting all dominant and weird and i wanted to throw myself off a cliff...... i hate it when male characters act like that like pls calm down, she isnt urs u met three weeks ago <3 also the owen dude and the marcus uncle dude were so annoying saur thats that !
overall i didnt hate this book, but i think the personalities of the main characters were flat and a little too centered on the romance. also, all the problems the couple had were fixed by doing the you know what 😭 i would recommend if youre looking for a spicy sports fake dating romance but if youre expecting depth and deep analyse on the characters backstories, i wouldnt say this is the right book for u....
my biggest thank u to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for a honest review !!
this is a sports, fake dating romance <3
i think this book was mid, like the characters were okay i guess?? i think they were cute in the beginning but then the guy started acting all dominant and weird and i wanted to throw myself off a cliff...... i hate it when male characters act like that like pls calm down, she isnt urs u met three weeks ago <3 also the owen dude and the marcus uncle dude were so annoying saur thats that !
overall i didnt hate this book, but i think the personalities of the main characters were flat and a little too centered on the romance. also, all the problems the couple had were fixed by doing the you know what 😭 i would recommend if youre looking for a spicy sports fake dating romance but if youre expecting depth and deep analyse on the characters backstories, i wouldnt say this is the right book for u....
my biggest thank u to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for a honest review !!
April 7, 2025
fake dating you’ll always be famous <3
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this one is for rowan 😽 i will be coming after u if i am disappointed 🤺
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this one is for rowan 😽 i will be coming after u if i am disappointed 🤺
March 17, 2026
Elias Westbrook is definitely fictional.
Evidence
🏒 He baked Sage a birthday cake. The EXACT one she eats every year, but he baked an even more delicious version. He then bought the same cake so that Sage could celebrate again with her brother.
🏒 He baked sugar-free cupcakes for Sage's brother. Damn it!
🏒 He cooked for her (countless times)
🏒 He paid for her brother's medicine. Sighs.
🏒 He remembered what she said (brought her extra glue and crystals because she mentioned that she got upset because they came off before she went on stage.)
🏒 He removed her makeup for her. (I seriously think he is a build-to-order boyfriend.)
🏒 He encouraged Sage to pursue her dreams despite the fact that they have to be in a LDR.
Bal Khabra has the ability to write such sweet and thoughtful mmcs and she creates such perfect scenarios. And I thought Aiden was perfect enough. Now I’m so looking forward to meeting Kian & Dylan. I love the forged friendships too. Sage was lonely her entire life, and she finally found friendships in Aiden, Kian, Dylan and especially Summer. Her uncle was such a wonderful man too, along with her adorable brother Sean 🥺
Evidence
🏒 He baked Sage a birthday cake. The EXACT one she eats every year, but he baked an even more delicious version. He then bought the same cake so that Sage could celebrate again with her brother.
🏒 He baked sugar-free cupcakes for Sage's brother. Damn it!
🏒 He cooked for her (countless times)
🏒 He paid for her brother's medicine. Sighs.
🏒 He remembered what she said (brought her extra glue and crystals because she mentioned that she got upset because they came off before she went on stage.)
🏒 He removed her makeup for her. (I seriously think he is a build-to-order boyfriend.)
🏒 He encouraged Sage to pursue her dreams despite the fact that they have to be in a LDR.
Bal Khabra has the ability to write such sweet and thoughtful mmcs and she creates such perfect scenarios. And I thought Aiden was perfect enough. Now I’m so looking forward to meeting Kian & Dylan. I love the forged friendships too. Sage was lonely her entire life, and she finally found friendships in Aiden, Kian, Dylan and especially Summer. Her uncle was such a wonderful man too, along with her adorable brother Sean 🥺
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