Revolve

Off the Ice #3

by Bal Khabra

The road to redemption is far from smooth as ice in this sweeping romance between a figure skater and hockey player from the USA Today bestselling author of Collide.

Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong.

After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus.

As the figure skating world awaits Sierra's comeback, she finds herself in need for a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan's a wildcard, Sierra's a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2025

About the author

Bal 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.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ (semi-ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 5 stars ⋆⭒˚.⋆

arc review 💌
release date: oct 14

I’m here for all of you. All the parts that you think are broken are just more for me to love.

⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
⛸️skating partners
💗black cat x black cat
⛸️figure skater x hockey player
💗trauma rep
⛸️reformed playboy
💗found family

𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: the greatest by billie eilish ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
hello? bal has done it again !!
live laugh LOVE bal’s writing, like excuse me how does she write so perfectly.

fav dalton university couple award goes to…. DYLAN AND SIERRA 👏🏆

take a moment to appreciate my fav brown author 🤭

moving on this book - filled with every single emotion possible. like i wanted to cry but then was giggling SO damn much after. i love this series and the character so much (due for a collide & spiral reread before this gets released) easily one of my auto-read authors!!!!! so excited for the rest of this series and anything bal chooses to write after this 😫

dylan mf donovan.
that’s all

he’s so freaking hot and i just love his whole personality. he also felt a bit like kenji??? idk but maybe that’s kian lol. the way he takes CARE of sierra?!! pushes through her walls and WANTS to help her. these type of men 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️
someone who genuinely cares and wants to be there for his girl PLSSSS like i need more of him

this book was filled with so much angst and emotion i had to check if it was written by peyton because bal, where’d you learn how to make me cry like this??

biggest fan of bal & peyton’s friendship!!! toren getting mentioned in this made my whole month 👀

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚
her perspective was really nice to read from, and she felt really authentic. i liked how she was healing from her struggles with her body and ice skating journey. it was such an emotional roller coaster with these types of things, and i liked her learning to love herself—that really stood out to me, as i could relate to that in a way.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝you need me just as much as i need you.❞

i love their banter, but then it would go from silly and flirty to serious and emotional—and it was done so well. like, bal started writing sob stories!?

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝i’ve never been easy, i was always reminded of that.❞

✧.➛ hello??!! bal how do you write a piece of my soul in EVERY single fmc 😭😭 i could relate to sierra being seen as too much and too hard to please, like i’m sometimes a difficult person to be around, but i loved how dylan saw all of that and wanted her. didn’t try changing her or dimming her light, it was so poignant.


i’m beautiful,” i say. “and i feel it the most when i’m with you.

✧.➛ THIS is what a girl should feel with her boyfriend, feeling confident with him?!! i just love how he helped her learn to love HERSELF like self love needs to be prioritized 🫂❤️‍🩹


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝i feel like I’m too much and not enough
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ at the same time.❞

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝sometimes, it takes a while to finally
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ love yourself enough.❞

✧.➛ this quote healed something in me


𝐝𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧
my man my man my mannnnn

guys im obsessed like kicking my feet and giggling. so swoony and loveable

dylan is your typical college f-boy, who parties a lot and hooks up with all the girls. but the second he meets sierra? he doesn’t see anyone else.

(don’t kill me but i lowkey forgot who he was before reading this… 🫣)

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝believe it or not, there are people who want
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ you to succeed, dylan.❞


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝this is the only thing i had, and i f*cked it up
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ just like he said i would. that's all i’ll ever be
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ good for—f*cking up a good thing❞


the self-sabotaging is too real 😔💔


it’s hard to feel grateful for something i didn’t ask for
✧.➛ dylan’s inner thoughts are me (and his humour fr)


‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝you only have to look at me and i’ll give
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ everything to you, sierra.❞

we love down bad guys 😋

he also pays attention the the LITTLE things - she always watched videos of the lantern festival and he knows how important it is to her - so takes her on a surprise date to it 🤭 it’s like the quiet small things that matter. he always shows up for her and doesn’t let her push him away.

he fights for her and also gives her the space when she needs it. he’s my ideal type literally.



if i can’t follow you into your head, i’m going to follow you everywhere else


𝐤𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐚
the little snippets of him and summer are so cute, i hope he finds his love soon. it’s so sad seeing him be alone while everybody else finds their person, and being a hopeless romantic on top of that? ☹️❤️‍🩹 give my poor baby the sweetest girl ever please bal

𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫
LOVE seeing their cameos and them being happy together 🤭 aiden just existing in summer’s world and obsessed with her. i love how much you can tell they care about each other from their friend’s perspectives.


𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
we don’t get direct mentions of them but separately, like eli on a video chat in one scene and sierra watching sage’s videos.


﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐝𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚
dalton’s HOTTEST couple 😙

they are that couple

such a pure relationship, they do hookup somewhat earlier on and more spice than her other stories but it makes sense for these characters. it doesn't feel forced or anything.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝you're the only person i’ve ever wanted to hug❞

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ❝everything could be a blur, and i’d still see
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ you clearly ❞


𝙞 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞 𝙨𝙖𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 💌
i’m here for all of you. all the parts that you think are broken are just more for me to love

i love you, sierra. on your darkest days, the good days, and all the ones in between. show me your worst, baby, and i’ll show you just how far my heart can stretch for you

he holds me like all those ugly parts of me fit seamlessly in the space he creates. the parts that never feel like me when they come out, that so many people hate me for. dylan doesn’t do that. dylan doesn’t hate me for anything.

because the way dylan loves me makes me want to love myself for the first time.



﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏


⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
this book is perfect for you if you love sports romances, mental health rep, healing, and finding yourself. also if you love angst / peyton corinne this is perfect!!

one of my favorite hockey romances of all times.

it does get a bit spicy tho so just be aware

thank you so much to berkley and netgalley for a digital arc!!

mwah,
joni 🤍

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏


𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

LIVE LAUGH LOVE DYLANSIRERRA

omg this book had all the feels!!! full rtc!!! bal never misses

i had SO much freaking fun with this & i rate purely off vibes for most of my books 😙


𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
soo im finally starting this!!!! literally one of my most anticipated reads 🤭

(read spiral last year and LOVED it so this has some expectations... maybe 2nd in ranking)
current ranking
1. spiral
2. collide

⤿ 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 june 8

live laugh love bal and peyton's friendship - apparently my fav guy ever (toren) makes an appearance in here so yay !! (ty felicia for telling me that 😙)


📎┆ᛝ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 ❆
GUESS WHO GOT THE ARCCCCCCC ILY SM BERKLEYYYY


i'm literally so freaking excited for this book and need the arc rn 🙏
⤷ cover reveal on insta - so gorgeous omg

gonna email the publisher for this... pleaseeee

edit: guys it's on netgalley?!!! berkley omigosh i live and breathe bal khabra i'd so anything for an arc 😭

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC!

I ended up really enjoying this book!! It was a really fast, addictive read that I finished in just a couple of sittings. I think the main thing that I loved about this book was definitely the chemistry between the characters. It felt really palpable and believable, and made their dynamic so fun to follow, even when the plot itself felt a little unbelievable at points. Their banter was exactly up my street though - kinda (jokingly) mean and flirtatious at the same time.
That said, there were moments where the writing felt a bit clunky. Since I was reading an uncorrected proof, I couldn’t quite tell if that was just the draft version showing through or if that’s the author’s actual style (it didn’t feel like this in book 1 or 2 so I’m leaning towards the former). Either way, it didn’t ruin the experience, but I did notice it here and there.
The storyline itself was entertaining, but I feel like it stretched believability in places, especially with the male lead stepping into the world of figure skating without the kind of background or training you’d realistically expect (he used to train with his sister a good few years ago, and is now skating with a former olympian). I had to suspend my disbelief a bit with that one, but it didn’t hugely impact my reading experience.
Overall, this book was exactly what I wanted at the time: fun, fast-paced, really great chemistry/banter, and a cute plot (also had some cameos from prevues couples and maybe a hint at future ones??? Which was fun!). It was definitely my favourite of the series so far. If you’re looking for something that’s relatively light, has great chemistry, and super bingeable, I think you’ll like this.

General tropes/vibes:
- Figure skating partners
- Dislike (ish) to love
- Flirty banter
- Kinda black cat x black cat
- Also figure skater x hockey player
- Reformed playboy vibes

[Clace · Rating 5 out of 5]

😮‍💨 I love what they did to me.
___
Was I impatiently waiting for Kians book? Yes.
Is this Kians book? No.
Iqra gave it a five so I have to read it now 🤭

And obviously buddy reading with Hoda

[maryam]

IM BEING FED 2 BAL KHABRA BOOKS IN THE SAME YEAR ???????

[Iqra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ೃ⁀➷ 4.5 stars *ੈ✩‧₊˚

I missed Bal Khabra’s writing sm omg reading this felt like being revived.

I was in the most disgusting slump recently and this book gave me everything I didn’t realise I needed. It’s been a right minute since I’ve finished a book under 24hrs like I truly don’t know what kinda crack Bal laced this book with but whatever it was I need 12 more thankyewwww 🙏

Listen this is def the book where he’s a reformed player and if you’re not into that then please know what ur getting urself into before reading this. He was a wild one. But Dylan was going heavy on the reformed in this book okay 🤚

DylanSierra my babies my children ugh I adore them SFM. Like wdym it’s over?!?!!!! Wdym I can’t read about them again for the first time ever!!!

Their banter was sooooo fucking funny I was gasping for air at their disses in the middle of the night. And it stayed guys!! Their banter stayed even after they got together! It didn’t suddenly pull a Houdini like almost every other couple that changes their personality as soon as they start clapping cheeks.

The smut was hwat icllll - that shit had me fanning my face like damn boi 😮‍💨🪭

The tenderness in this book was so perfect. It was intense and incredible. Both Dylan and Sierra stood as their own characters but also made sense together. They’re mirrors and it genuinely gave me such satisfaction to see them grow and learn to lean on each other 🥹🥹🩷

It wouldn’t be a Bal Khabra book if it was intrusively relatable. from things like watching three hour episodes of Turkish dramas all the way to being read to filth 😭😭 like I had no idea I was gna end up crying for any part of this book!! Finding out the reason behind the smiley face had waterworks GOING like I was an absolute mess I’m telling u. It feels so insignificant but the REASON 😭🤚

Listen, all this to say? READ THE DAMN BOOK. Thank you mwah 😇 xx

ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley, Valentine PR and Berkley for the ARC! ♥︎

𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
The AidenSummer crumbs 😫🥹🩷💘 my heart my precious

𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧
One in a million — Asia Holiday

𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:

“You can look, but you’re going to have to be a little nicer if you want to touch.”
“Why? Am I too much to handle? Never had a girl that could put a skate to your throat?”
His dimple appears. A fucking dimple.
“Never, but I think I’d enjoy anything you’d do to me.”

“I don’t know if I’m in the mood anymore. You were kind of mean.”
“Shh!” I cover his mouth with my palm.
“Can’t. I like it loud.”

Worst of all, he’s wearing glasses. Black brow line framed

I don’t hug people. Every time it’s happened it’s been wholly unpleasant, but with him it didn’t feel that way. Not even a little bit.

Sierra: Why is your entire hockey team following me on social media?
Dylan: Because they’re nosy idiots.
Sierra: Aw, you talk about me?
Dylan: No. I think about you.
Sierra: You’re thinking? Big day for you then.
Dylan: Brat.
Sierra: Asshole.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” she says.
“I’m giving it to you anyway.”

“Don’t come near me.”
“If I can’t follow you into your head, I’m going to follow you everywhere else,”

“You missed my dorm.”
“I know,” he says, his voice low.
“Then where are you taking me?”
He sighs, giving me a sidelong glance. “I’m taking you home, Sierra.”
“Where is home?” I ask.
“With me.”

“I only came over for your grilled cheese.”
“Good. You ate, now it’s my turn.”
~SCREAMING ??!!!!!!

When she tries to reach for it, I notice the darkened smiley face on her hand. She retraced it.
~after finishing this book I think I’m gna bawl every time I see a smiley face 😭😭

“Winning feels useless if I’m not doing it with her.”

“Didn’t know I had you on such a tight leash.”
“That’s how I like it.”
~a man that knows his place 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀:
Icebreaker — Hannah Grace
Game on — Ki Stephens
Unsteady — Peyton Corinne

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fierce, Fiery, and Addictive Ice Romance 🔥

Bal Khabra does it again! Revolve is an emotionally-charged, high-stakes sports romance that glides effortlessly between raw vulnerability and sizzling tension. This story had me hooked from page one, and even now, I’m still thinking about Sierra and Dylan’s passionate, push-and-pull connection both on and off the ice.

Sierra, once an Olympic-level figure skater, is clawing her way back after a traumatic fall left her frozen by fear. Enter Dylan—a hot-headed, sidelined hockey player with a bruised ego and even messier baggage. Forced into an unlikely partnership, these two ignite a dynamic that’s every bit as sharp and exhilarating as a triple axel. Their banter crackles, their emotional wounds run deep, and their slow-burning bond builds into something genuinely powerful. Watching them stumble, clash, and ultimately support one another as they fight to reclaim their dreams was deeply satisfying.

What I absolutely loved about this book is how unapologetically it leans into the intensity of sports and healing. The skating scenes are vivid, the tension is thick, and the romance? Off the charts. Sierra’s arc is full of grit and grace, and while Dylan isn’t perfect, there’s something magnetic about watching him evolve—not just for Sierra, but for himself. And together? They don’t just complement each other—they challenge and elevate one another in all the best ways.

Yes, there were a few pacing issues (especially near the end), and a few scenes felt longer than they needed to be. Still, none of that dulled the emotional depth or the fiery chemistry that kept me flipping pages. I would have loved just a bit more time to see some threads wrap up more naturally, but that’s a small note in what was an otherwise thrilling read.

I am fully, unashamedly addicted to Bal Khabra’s voice. Her writing is electric, her characters always bring the heat, and the way she blends the thrill of competition with romance makes her stand out in the genre. I’ve loved her work from the start, but Revolve might be my favorite yet—I even preferred this concept over Ice Breaker, and that’s saying something.

A huge, heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read this unputdownable digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Bal Khabra is my go-to for addictive sports romances with edge, heart, and heat—and Revolve proves why she’s at the top of her game.

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[aira {vacay ia} · Rating 2 out of 5]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 1.75/5

Honestly, I could sit here and write a whole essay, but I've been feeling super lazy lately, so writing long reviews hasn't been at the top of my to-do list. ☹️

I don't even know how to write out all my thoughts right now. I have so many, but I don't know if I can even put them into words right now.

I thought it was alright, albeit long. Had it been a little shorter, I might have enjoyed it more.

--------

1.75...rtc.

--------


just don't judge me, ok? 🤧

[naz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,” 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕-𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕. “𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚,” 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒚.

This is already the third book in the series, so obviously I know my man Dylan 😏 already, the typical player that roams the college halls and plays hockey 🏒 FINALLY GETS HIS GIIIRL 💅 And boy, oh boy, he gets hooked on her as soon as he meets her 😭 By her, I mean our black cat girl, Sierra 🖤 I haven’t read such a stubborn FMC in a LONG TIME, and I loved it so much 🙌

This book is about our man Dylan Donovan, who, due to his behavior, gets kicked off the team. His only chance to get back is to help Sierra Romanova with her figure skating problem ⛸️… which is that she needs a skating partner. And in comes Dylan, who has some experience under his belt 😉

I loved the chemistry between them!!! The flirty banter and undeniable tension 🔥 EVEN THE FIRST KISS SCENE WAS SO HOT 😮‍💨 To be honest, why I continue to read Bal Khabra is because she makes her characters feel so human with pasts that reflect who they are now. Dylan has family trauma he tries to hide, but it’s impossible with Sierra 💕 Meanwhile, Sierra is still trying to overcome her figure skating accident. Seeing these two face their problems, together and individually, makes this book really beautiful 🥹!!

I do want to be transparent and say that the last 20% was a bit hard to get through 😅 because he becomes, in my opinion, too obsessed. The whole “I can’t breathe without you” vibe walks a fine line for me as a reader 😬, and some of the scenes toward the end were a little too cheesy for my taste.

To summarize: if you’re patient and love a stubborn AF FMC baddie 💁‍♀️ you will love this book! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys vulnerability, complexity, and watching characters grow all while knowing everyone gets their HEA 💖.

tropes
💙 college romance
💙 black cat x golden retriever
💙 he falls first and hard
💙 figure skater x hockey romance
💙 mental health rep


⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅I needz some sports romance so hopefully this one delivers heheh 😈

SCREAMINGGGGG I JUST GOT THE EARC FOR THIS BOOK AND AHHHHHHHHH. Thank you Berkley for giving me this opportunity.

[zoë ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“you are my home. no matter where you go, that will always be true.”

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚༉‧₊˚✧˚₊⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

ੈ♡˳ rating: 4/5 stars
ੈ♡˳ spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

ੈ♡˳ summary:
sierra romanova was an olympic figure skater until a life-changing fall left her terrified of the ice. now back at dalton university for her senior year, she is determined to make a comeback, even if it means facing her fears head on. when she is paired with dylan donovan, a passionate hockey player fighting his own battles, sparks fly both on and off the rink. together, they learn that falling is not always failure and that love, like skating, is about balance and trust.

ੈ♡˳ thoughts:
so i liked this book, but i did not love it the way i thought i would. sierra is kind of annoying, and i do not mean that in a completely bad way. i get the whole strong independent woman thing, but she takes it to a level that makes it hard to root for her sometimes. i understand wanting to prove yourself, especially after everything she went through, but refusing help from everyone for half the book made her feel frustrating instead of empowering.

the anxiety representation also did not completely work for me. i know everyone experiences anxiety differently, but the way it was written just felt off somehow. and then the pacing. this book takes place over one semester, which made everything feel so fast. the relationship, the growth, the emotions, all before midterms. i wish there had been more time for the story to breathe because the romance felt a little rushed even though i liked the chemistry between sierra and dylan.

that being said, revolve was still a good read. it had emotional moments, a sweet romance, and some solid spice, though i definitely would not have minded more. dylan was easily the best part of the story. his quiet patience and support made him the perfect counterpart to sierra’s intensity. bal khabra’s writing is consistently addictive and easy to sink into, and even if this one was not a perfect hit for me, i will still keep reading whatever she writes next.


ੈ♡˳ tropes:
ꕥ sports romance (figure skating x hockey)
ꕥ college romance
ꕥ grumpy x sunshine
ꕥ emotional healing
ꕥ he falls first

ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
➼ “you are my home. no matter where you go, that will always be true.”
➼ “maybe love is not about being ready. maybe it is about being brave.”
➼ “she is chaos. she is warmth. she is everything i did not know i needed.”

[Jessica Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

catnip for the people who never got over The Cutting Edge (me)

[veerali · Rating 3 out of 5]

── .✦ 3.75 stars

dylan donovan has single-handedly raised my standards.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

❥ My Thoughts & Rating ❥

This contemporary sports romance book was great! What ultimately drew me into reading this book was the beautiful cover, but the inside of it is even better! This book had me laughing out loud many times while reading it! This book isn’t all fun and laughter, it is emotional, tense and hopeful! The main characters were perfectly written and balanced, they change and grew within the story. I could really connect to the female main character named Sierra. Even though she had a traumatic accident and gets filled with anxiety and fear, she ends up overcoming that fear and becomes a strong, powerful woman. She reclaims her identity in the story and it is just beautiful. This story is very well structured, believable and contains lovable characters. The minor characters in this story really stood out to me also! This is a medium paced read that is both plot and character driven. This comes with a diverse cast of characters!

I absolutely loved the sports aspect and the romance of this story! The female character became strong because of the male main character named Dylan. They were just absolutely perfect! They develop a connection on and off the ice and I was absolutely blown away by their chemistry! This book is all about second chances, following your passion, identity and self discovery and overcoming trauma! This sports enemies to lovers book is not one you are going to want to miss! Overall, I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

❥ Synopsis ❥

“Revolve” is a novel that centers around Sierra Romanova and Dylan Donovan. Sierra is a former Olympian figure skater that had a life altering accident on the ice. Then we have a guy named Dylan, who was a very well known hockey player, ended up being kicked off the team because of reckless behavior. Their paths cross and as the story unfolds, a strong connection builds up between these two! Be sure to read the content warnings. I think anyone who is a fan of hockey/figure skating sports romance would really really enjoy reading this one!

❥ Thank You ❥

Thank you to NetGalley, author Bal Khabra and Berkley Publishing Group for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

❥ Release Date ❥

This book is expected to be published on October 14, 2025!

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

didnt think anyone could dethrone eli and sage for me but omg

[sabrina (on vacation🏝️) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS ONE!!! Collide was amazing, Spiral wasn't my favourite but this one was so good!!

I love a snarky main character and Sierra was so feisty not taking shit from anyone. The tension between the characters was FIRE 🔥 Their relationship was a constant push and pull until they both eventually give into the insane chemistry. I was kind of worried there was gonna be a third act breakup for a second, but there wasn't. thankfully.

Sierra's character growth and healing was amazing to read and I loved seeing Dylan evolve into a mature and well rounded character. He was beyond selfless. The type of character who would burn down the world for the FMC in a fantasy novel. 🥵 The characters complemented each other perfectly.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the arc!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[Grace Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

**arc review**
Revolve is the third installment in the Off The Ice series, and after reading it, I can confidently say that it was definitely my favorite in the series.

This book is quite frankly, Icebreaker 2.0. If you read Icebreaker and was—like me—not impressed at all, you should give Revolve a try.

After a near death accident on the ice, Sierra struggles with PTSD and panic attacks at the mere thought of returning to the ice again. Dylan, after a failed drug test gets him kicked off the team, will do anything to get reinstated—even dusting off his figure skating skills and partnering with Sierra.

This book really did have the perfect setup. I was also pleasantly surprised when the follow up was just as perfect.

❄️Here’s all the good:

-the romance, it was executed beautifully.

-there were sprinkles of family drama/trauma that added to the storyline in a very engaging way.

-we got to see Sierra work through the trauma and PTSD in a very realist way.

-she thinks her scars from her accident are ugly, but of course, Dylan helps her see that every part of her is beautiful.

-found family. this really warmed by heart.

-he wears glasses ❤️‍🔥

-no third act breakup!!!! there was a very exciting ending, but no pointless miscommunication and third act breakup.

Of course, my review is not going to be all rainbows and butterflies, I did find something things in this book that I found unrealistic/unenjoyable.

-first, Sierra was struggling with her quad twist, she kept doing a triple. Then, out of nowhere, she accidentally did a quad, then they both acted so surprised that she did it. I was a level 10 gymnast, and take it from me, you don’t just accidentally add another twist unless you genuinely don’t know where you are in the air.

-next, this one’s kind of nitpicky, but just for fun and to show off, Dylan did a double lutz during the warmup of one of his hockey games. Excuse me, but how the heck do you do a double lutz in your bulky hockey gear??

-The kisses. They kissed 20% through the book. This is just my opinion, but I wanted a buildup. I want to feel that tension and the anticipation of are they gunna kiss or not??

-how cocky the mmc was. i know we love a confident man, but we love to see some humility now and again.

4.5/5 stars 🌟 (rounded up)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review. Thoughts are all my own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pre-read: ⛸️🏒💕

I’m genuinely surprised that I got this ARC! I love this series and I excited to see where this goes!!!!

[nikki ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ - the writing and stories are improving!!!!

revolve is definitely the best out of the three books in this series. dylan & sierra are such an iconic duo from the start. and i think they also had the best chemistry, i mean them sharing the drink at the party?? that was fire!!! what also added to their relationship was the constant banter throughout the first half of the story. but once they got to know each other, it was amazing to see them opening up and being there for each other.

sierra is definitely a character you wan't to get to know more. her story was so heartbreaking and i'm not going to lie... i did cry a bit. i understand how frustrated and miserable she was, because no one should go through what she had to go through. but her journey to regain confidence and do what she loves the most? that was 100% worth it.

dylan was annoying me at the start of the book. he actually is a great person, definitely an amazing boyfriend and it's easy to fall in love with him when you get further into the story, but his actions before he got to know sierra... i understand that people deal with issues and stress differently, but why was he and his friends surprised he was kicked off the team?

whilst i enjoyed this story a lot and the first 70% of the book was so easy to read and it was entertaining, i then reached the point when i started losing focus (that was an issue not just with this story, but with the first two books as well). i just feel like once bal gets their characters into the ""honeymoon phase"", it's hard to add spark to the story that would keep me engaged and excited for the next chapter. it either needs to be ended a little sooner, or the little plot twists should add more to the story. i'm not saying the book is bad or that i didn't like it!!! but this is something that i hope is also improved in her next books, because i know i will then love them.

────୨ৎ────

౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: help i read some 1 star reviews and now i’m scared 😭😭 still putting my trust in this 🤞🏼

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ˖⁺‧✮

sierra and dylan stole the best couple award🙂‍↕️

i actually enjoyed this book so much, and it becomes the best one in this series! from chemistry and tension to plotline and writing. everything was catching and fun to follow.

”She smiles then. It nearly kills me. There she is again. The girl with the soft, bruised heart.”

CHARACTERS
i’m obsessed with sierra and her character. she was strong and resilient but also caring and soft. it was actually pretty nice to see different sides of her story. the hard working side that has very specific goals and timelines and the friendly side, where she lets herself relax and show her flirty and open personality.
omg, that scene at the party with alcohol 🤭

i loved seeing her putting herself first and asking something at the end👀. following her character, i loved the representation of trauma and anxiety but i also wished for more detailed scenes of her dealing with the consequences of Olympics.

now moving to the dylan. i can’t say he was much different from other guys in the series (i think elias is still my number one) but, again, it was so nice to see him soft and new for sierra. some moments that were confusing to me:
• i can’t figure out his behavior at the beginning. i know the general reason behind them (no spoilers), but it was weird of seeing him do that so randomly. like, was it one time dealing technique? i don’t know

for some reason i can so vividly see the figure skating teacher. like she’s sooo detailed in my head😭 i love how she was matching both characters. and that photo at the end - scene 🙂‍↕️

”Guarded heart and guarded words. There’s no time limit with us.”

PLOT | DETAILS
i can’t get the timeline of the book. their relationship felt so fast paced and those feeling were developing so fast. like in one semester? but then it kind of jumped into may or something. maybe it was just me losing the track of time🤷‍♀️

the conflict at the end was not as much enjoyable. i understand both sides but the overall chapter was just… not it

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc.

i’m probably going to update this review soon. didn’t have much time but wanted to post😭

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Revolve is the third book in Bal Khabra’s ‘Off the Ice’ series and I enjoyed it just as much as the others. I love a good hockey romance and this had such a fun spin with the figure skating. I loved Sierra and Dylan’s dynamic. It was sweet and emotional, but they also had great banter.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 When the Cocky Hockey Player Meets his Match ✨'s

Revolve follows Sierra, a professional figure skater coming back to the ice following an injury that changed her life, and Dylan, the hockey player who after losing his spot on the team following a failed drug test, ends up as Sierra's new skating partner for the season. This whole series has been amazing, I've loved every book and this one is no exception! Bal Khabra has a way of taking the most confident men and turning them into love sick fools and I eat it up every time. Dylan was so sweet and caring, I loved how he hung on Sierra's every word and truly strived to become better for her. The man was completely smitten, it was just so hot how he was willing to do anything and everything to make her happy. Aside from the romance, the found family was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved how Dylan's hockey team rallied around him and knew when to offer their support. The crazy friend group was so invested in his love life and it was so fun how they teased him over his obvious crush on Sierra. If you enjoy hockey romances with a healthy dose of bickering and banter, steam, character growth, undeniable chemistry, and all the sexual tension; I cannot recommend this one enough!

Read if you like:
⛸️Dislike to Love⛸️
⛸️Forced Proximity⛸️
⛸️Found Family⛸️
⛸️Black Cat x Golden Retriever⛸️
⛸️He Falls First⛸️
⛸️Reformed Playboy⛸️
⛸️Mental Health Rep⛸️

~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[eveonne ୨୧ ˚⟡˖ ࣪ - ia · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧

5★
⛸️🏒

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ thank you so much to netgalley and berkley publishing group for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review. all opinions here are my own!

this book. this book. you need to read this right now. revolve is a figure skater x hockey player romance that follows main characters sierra and dylan. sierra had a bad skating accident that forced her off the ice and after dealing with her traumas, she’s eager to get back to skating. the only problem is that her former skating partner quickly moved on to a new partner after her accident. sierra is desperate for a skating partner and she is running out of time to find one. in comes dylan: fiery, hot headed hockey player who has just been suspended for reckless behavior during a game. he needs to prove himself to his coach and the higher ups at the school in order to be reinstated to the hockey team, and this is where he and sierra are partnered up for the upcoming skating season. sierra is not happy about this arrangement but does what she needs to do for her skating career.

i really loved this book!! i wasn’t sure what to expect going into this as i’ve never read anything by bal khabra previously, but i was pleasantly surprised! dylan gave me the ick early on in the book, but he quickly redeemed himself. i loved the relationship that formed between sierra and dylan throughout the book. the found family aspects in this book were strong as well, which made the reading experience a lot more cozy.

i especially enjoyed the plot of this book. while it has a typical romance plot, there are some differences that made it really stand out from the rest. i really enjoyed how the third act scenario was written, which is unusual for me. overall, i think had a really enjoyable time reading this book and i would recommend it to anyone who likes sports romances and bold fmcs. even if you don’t like sports romances typically, i’d still suggest to give this one a try!!

__________________________


|| 💐 pre-read ||

got approved for the arc! the playlist at the beginning is such a cute addition. i’ve never read anything by this author so i’m excited for this one!

[lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️

this was the most utterly useless and pointless book WHAT

thank you to netgalley and berkley for the arc

[vanessa ⋆.☕︎]

AND YEAHH THE COVER? ATE. THE CHARACTERS? EIGHT PLUS TWO.

Tropes:
⛸️ 1. Enemies-to-Lovers/Rivals-to-Lovers.
🏒 2. Forced Proximity.
💔 3. Broken Hero / Wounded Heroine.
🎯 4. Redemption Arc.
💃 5. Sports Romance.
💘 6. Grumpy x Sunshine (but reversed!).
👏 7. Opposites Attract.

➵ WHAT TO EXPECT:
⤿ Second Chances and Redemption, Sierra and Dylan are each grappling with profound personal challenges that shape their journeys. Sierra is haunted by her traumatic past, which triggers debilitating panic attacks that threaten her aspirations. Meanwhile, Dylan struggles with the fallout from being removed from the hockey team, leaving him to question his identity and purpose. As the narrative unfolds, it explores their intertwined paths to redemption, highlighting their quests for healing and self-discovery. Through their individual battles, they seek to reclaim their dreams and a sense of belonging, ultimately illustrating the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
⤿ Slow-Burn Romance with Banter, Anticipate a charged dynamic between the main characters, filled with clever exchanges, playful teasing, and a slow progression toward deeper feelings. Dylan's knack for "pushing her buttons" leads to flirtatious banter and lighthearted arguments, creating a compelling will-they-won’t-they scenario that ultimately evolves into undeniable chemistry.
⤿ Opposites Attract & Forced Proximity, Sierra is graceful, disciplined, and composed, while Dylan is brash, intense, and unpredictable. As they become partners in their training, their forced proximity leads to moments of high-stakes trust and vulnerability. Through shared experiences and challenges, the barriers between them begin to crumble, drawing them closer together in unexpected ways.
⤿ Healing from Trauma and Growth,Sierra's journey is deeply emotional, with her panic attacks adding significant weight to the narrative. Dylan plays a crucial role in her healing process, not by rescuing her, but by providing both challenge and support. Throughout the story, Sierra gradually reclaims her strength, while Dylan learns to grow beyond his identity as a reckless athlete.
⤿ Sports Drama & High-Stakes Competition, As the story unfolds, viewers can anticipate a rich tapestry of training montages and electrifying performance scenes that highlight the intense world of competitive skating. The narrative will delve into the complexities of rivalries that emerge on the ice, alongside the mounting pressure from coaches and scouts who are keenly observing every move. As the climax draws near, the stakes become even higher, particularly with Sierra's much-anticipated comeback hanging in the balance and Dylan's aspirations of making it to the NHL at risk. This combination of sports drama, high-stakes skating moments, and emotionally charged competitions promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, fully invested in the characters' journeys and the outcomes of their hard-fought battles.

➵ WHAT to expect from the characters:
Sierra Romanova completely captured my heart. She defies the typical “ice queen” stereotype of figure skaters; beneath her elegance lies a young woman grappling with her identity after a life-altering accident. I was drawn to her complexity—outwardly confident yet wrestling with profound anxiety each time she returns to the ice. Her journey of rebuilding not only her career but also her self-esteem is both gradual and poignant, making her struggles resonate deeply. Tough, stubborn, and guarded, she also possesses a vulnerability that invites empathy, making her feel incredibly real.
Then there's Dylan Donovan, the embodiment of chaos on skates. With his cocky demeanor and reckless attitude, he seems like the last person to appreciate figure skating—until he surprises everyone. Beneath his bravado lies a genuine passion for the sport and a fear of losing the one thing that truly matters to him. What struck me most (hopefully) about Dylan was his softer side when it came to Sierra. He challenged her, yes, but always with respect and belief in her potential, even when she doubted herself. That unwavering support was everything.

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

⛸️ Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cute and fun sports romance. I really appreciated the mental health rep. Watching Sierra face her anxiety and find her way back to the ice was incredibly rewarding. Dylan had some growing up to do, but I was fully rooting for him by the end. His care and support for Sierra genuinely warmed my heart. Their banter was chef's kiss!

❄️ What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Black cat FMC
• Golden retriever MMC
• Figure skating duo
• Mental health rep
• Redemption arc

📖 Final Score: 4 stars
📅 Pub Date: October 14, 2025
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts

[ᖰhiᖱeɭia]

hell no.

[tahaslibrary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm being generous. Why were the doing the horizontal tango all over the place when they could barely string enough sentences to have full conversations with each other? Eh, that's probably why.

The progression of scenes had me feeling like I suddenly had amnesia.

Dylan and Sierra are characters that stand well on their own with a solid foundation for interesting character development. Bal Khabra is consistent in setting up promising stories. However, she NEVER follows through.

The developing animosity and atrraction between the leads slowly fizzles out and turns into a horny fest. Their personal traumas get resolved and wrapped up in a bow pretty quickly. Then we pan back to the hanky panky canoodling that doesn't add that much to their relationship development.

Also, is the skating competition a joke to you??? Why did that become so background when it was so integral to these characters and their motivations? How could you disrespect the GRAND PRIX like this?

My mans Victor and Yuuri are never gonna see another grand prix and yet these two weenies coasted in no biggie.

The absolute disrespect.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Collide and now Revolve felt like a better versions of Icebreaker, I'm not complaining though. Whatever happened with Spiral (which I wasn't a fan of), didn't seem to affect Revolve, which was as good as the first book.

But it's not without its flaws, the biggest one being that the book was a bit too long/drawn out, I felt like I was barely making a dent in the audiobook, but I liked the characters and the romance.

The ending was sure...something!! I'll leave it at that. Also, the skating kind of died off as the book went on, which was expected (when has a hockey romance book focused on hockey, for example), but still kind of disappointing.

What I appreciate is the fact that we didn't get a classic third act breakup, I've accidentally been reading books without that trope back to back and it's been very beneficial for my sanity.

I'll absolutely be reading book four when it's out, and any other book we get in this series, they're fun.

[ahmeeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

[arc review] controversially I never read interconnected romance series’ in chronological order because I believe in reading a book when it gets your attention—unless it’s integral to the plot, I’m not an animal.

with that being said, revolve has made me want to go back and read the first two books in the series.

revolve is an ice skating romance that follows sierra and dylan.

after a serious injury that almost made sierra never skate again, she’s picking up the pieces—and her confidence—to get back out and do what she loves.

in comes dylan, the hockey player who thinks he’s untouchable. when dylan fails his drug test and finds himself kicked off the hockey team and a future in the NHL in tatters, his only way back is to team up with sierra, who is looking for a male figure skater.

I really enjoyed reading this—it was very no nonsense and it felt like we didn’t get the characters as a couple almost immediately. I wouldn’t say it felt like enemies to lovers, but the banter and angst between sierra and dylan was SO good.

we got to learn about both characters in their respective points of view. we saw their insecurities, fears, and how despite their differences, they work well together.

I loved how we saw the community that dylan has within his friendship group, and how sierra began to be incorporated in that.

a solid 4* read that I finished in ~24 hours!

thank you bloomsbury uk for an arc of revolve ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably would have enjoyed this more if the hero had less “sex-pest” energy.

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Release Day!!

3.75 stars

I am a huge sucker for ice skating stories I think, especially if the MMC is a hockey player.

This was really cute, which has been the theme for all the books in this series, but I think I had a hard time getting into Dylan. He was the typical hotshot hockey player, but his arrogance and cockiness just didn't land for me here. Sierra had a traumatic past related to her skating, and I was really hoping for him to be humbled a bit more and a bit sooner, but he was just laying it on a little too thick for me.

But I really liked Sierra. She was working through a ton of past issues and loving herself and that whole part of the story was so emotional and relatable.

But would recommend for any sport romance readers 💗

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This enemies-to-lovers sports romance about a figure skater and ice hockey player was a fun read! While a massive fan of the concept, the execution of the plot meant important moments were skated over. 🩷💜

To me, love isn’t something that fits into one neat box. I don’t love her the same way I love my parents. That love is complicated, broken, and tangled in old wounds, bound by unspoken conditions. The love I share with my friends is easy, unconditional, and full of care. But the love I feel for Sierra is different.
It’s the rhythm of my heart, the air I breathe—it’s the love I hold closest. It’s simple, never fragmented, and it comes with only one condition: I’ll love her as long as she lets me, and probably forever after that—even if she doesn’t feel the same. This love isn’t about kisses or hand-holding or even sex. It’s something deeper, something that lives in my bones, earned through what I do, not just what I say.

[ Contains some spoilers ]

PLOT SUMMARY
20-year-old “Ice Queen” Sierra Romanova is a figure skater who suffered a near-fatal accident on the Olympic stage a year ago; her long-time skating partner Justin dropped her whilst doing a reverse lasso. Self-conscious about her physical and mental scars, but now determined to get back out there, she struggles to find a new skating partner.

“Double D” partier and flirt Dylan Donovan fails the preseason drug test for hockey, his constant reckless behaviour resulting in his newly-appointed position as Captain revoked and a potential ban by the director of athletics. His on-again-off-again parents invite him to their vow renewal, which he is not happy about because his father cheated on his mother.

Opportunity knocks conveniently for both of them: Dylan used to do figure skating with his sister Ada, before college. In order to get back into good graces and reinstatement, Dylan must help Sierra qualify for next year. Not only does Sierra not like him (thanks to a rather arrogant first-meet) but she doesn’t trust him. He is a wildcard in this situation. And their lifestyles are so different.

With their proximity comes chemistry, but Dylan doesn’t do relationships. He’s always been a hookup man, refusing to go through what his parents did. But Sierra is the kind of woman he wants to make an exception for. What’s more, Justin is still on the scene, intending to win. Will they manage to get to the ISU Grand Prix and give the show of a lifetime or will Sierra’s future fall again?

My eyes start to sting, and Dylan must see it, because he pulls me into his arms like I’m meant to be there. Like I haven’t been running from this exact place. He holds me like all those ugly parts of me fit seamlessly in the space he creates. The parts that never feel like me when they come out, that so many people hate me for. Dylan doesn’t do that. Dylan doesn’t hate me for anything.

This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Sierra and Dylan.

OVERALL OPINIONS
A lot of this plot reminds me of Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey but on ice (there’s even a similar booth scene) but I felt the not-so-meet-cute and reasons to be enemies were more justified in that story than this one. This story however, feels much more realistic in terms of the sporting events, college partying lifestyle, and family dysfunction which were done exceptionally well.

The subplot concerning the latter (in this case, Dylan’s parents’ broken marriage) I thought was touching: Dylan hopes his mother will leave his cheating father but she keeps believing he is different this time. Unfortunately, a lot of people experience relationships like this where they stay for the wrong people and this was handled effectively. Maybe some people might read this and see the red flags in that behaviour, and the impact that staying will have on their own children, and have the strength to leave.

I absolutely loved the dedication for the book:

“For anyone who has put themselves back together, even when the pieces no longer fit.”

ㅤ⛸️ a magnificent performance 🏒
What worked the best was the character arcs. Dylan especially has a very poignant developmental journey, going from a playboy with irresponsible and self-destructive tendencies to redeeming himself as someone emotionally mature and able to have a healthy relationship. He really had a good complexity to him that made him a compelling read, as I wanted to see what he would do next. Something I wasn’t expecting was him wanting to give up ice hockey to be a skating partner. That was a really nice touch! Seirra by the end of the book overcomes her trust issues and has higher self-esteem and belief in herself.

The thing I adored the most about this story was the parallels between Dylan and Sierra. At a glance, they couldn’t seem more different, but then it’s clear they’ve both lost the thing they always loved (ice hockey for Dylan; figure skating for Sierra). Both have this news showcased for many people to see (for Dylan it’s in the newspapers; Sierra’s accident was recorded and can permanently be found on the internet) and both want to make their comeback. Yet they are both pitied because of what has happened to them and neither have a choice about working together. This is something I noticed in Khabra’s previous book Spiral

I also really liked the unconventional dynamic, where the woman is more dominant.

ㅤ⛸️ deduction of points 🏒
The main thing I felt was the issue was that there was too much content being explored which made this not only unnecessarily long but missed out on depth and important plot points. In the “Acknowledgements” section, Bal Khabra herself says

“There’s something about them that tugged at the deepest parts of who I am, making this writing experience unexpectedly therapeutic. I’ve never written more than I have with these two—I’m pretty sure I have enough deleted scenes to fill a second book.”

I feel like this actually shows because so much was crammed in and aspects weren’t fleshed out and given the chance to breathe. The priority of the book should have been the vow renewal, Dylan getting back on the hockey team and the Grand Prix. Instead, fillers took away from what should’ve been the centre stage: there are quite a few parties and outings and just about every second chapter after the 50% mark was spice, and this I felt got repetitive and in the way of the promising depth.

Their competition at the Grand Prix is arguably the most important aspect of the whole story, and it had a tense plot point as Dylan is skating when he isn’t meant to and Sierra doesn’t know it. This completely, ironically, fell flat because the competition itself only lasted 4 paragraphs! This should have been much longer; more tension could have been there and it should have had an impact on the performance. Maybe there is a moment of doubt in Sierra, maybe Dylan nearly slips up, maybe there could be a point where she visualises falling again but reminds herself she has nothing to be afraid of.

ㅤ⛸️ to conclude 🏒
The component score, you might say (because figure-skating puns), is 3 stars. I was completely obsessed with the core concept and was deeply invested in Sierra and Dylan as a couple. However, I didn’t vibe with the initial meeting which made the start slow-going and the plot got caught up in itself halfway through, scattering in different directions and preventing the story’s potential to shine through.

<< Positives >>
🠚 Compelling core concept
🠚 Realistic college, family, and sporting events.
🠚 Family dysfunction subplot felt touching and effective.
🠚 Loved the powerful and moving book dedication.
🠚 Dylan’s character arc was a great journey.
🠚 Playlist that accompanies this has an excellent combination of music artists!
🠚 Dylan and Sierra’s relationship.
🠚 Halloween party makes this book ideal for this time of year
🠚 Return of characters from previous books.
🠚 Healthy masculinity is depicted with the guys on the hockey team wanting to be there for Dylan. He would rather pretends to be happy and funny than unload his problems. Aiden saying this was so heartwarming: “Hiding it doesn’t mean we didn’t know you were struggling. I hope you know that we’d listen, whether it’s the carefree you or the one struggling to talk about your parents.”
🠚 Easy-to-read standalone.
🠚 Some amusing moments in here. From the nicknames “Brat” and “Asshole”, to Kian telling everyone everything.
🠚 The alcohol scene where Sierra is above Dylan. Slay!
🠚 The symbolism of Dylan surpassing his father in height after puberty, serving as a “reminder of how much I’ve outgrown him” was an excellent touch.
🠚 The scene between Dylan’s mother and Sierra where they discover he draws smiley faces where they dig their nails in was actually such a beautiful moment, I got emotional.
🠚 Summer saying to Dylan “it’s not up to you to decide what she deserves”. We love to see it!
🠚 LOTR reference with “don’t go where I can’t follow”?? Right?? That’s a reference, right???
🠚 Cute epilogue (quite the time jump though, of 7 years)

<< Negatives >>
🠚 Not-so-meet-cute didn’t feel justified. He bumped into someone – so what? This happens so often.
🠚 First half was slow-going, second half was overloaded.
🠚 Spicy scenes got repetitive and distracted from plot. Sometimes they happened super fast too.
🠚 Crucial Grand Prix competition fell completely flat.
🠚 Slight plot hole, if Sierra is bitter to everyone, how come her parents don’t see it at all?
🠚 Should have supplied information about how many competitions they needed to be in to get into the Grand Prix.
🠚 Describing a man’s attention as “so focused on you it’s borderline predatory” felt problematic. Especially when it’s a man you like, never phrase it like that again.
🠚 Scarlett giving Dylan her address is super odd.
🠚 It’s nice of Sierra to want to help Dylan, but her opening his mother’s letter and reading it aloud is incredibly invasive. It would have been nicer to let him do it himself.
🠚 “Don’t come tomorrow” plot point felt too forced and repetitive.
🠚 The reveal about Dylan’s family could have been integrated into the story mostly via dialogue rather than an info dump in the narrative.
🠚 The scene where Scarlett gets pulled into a game of beer pong. “The loss is brutal. It’s only ten minutes later that a buzzed Scarlett shuffles back to me. “That game sucks.””
🠚 Sierra should have told her parents about Justin.
🠚 Lidia mentions Dylan was in the ISU championship twice. I feel this should have been explored more. Perhaps Sierra should have known this as she would be around the same age, competing in the same thing. Surely their paths had crossed before? Or surely Dylan recognises her?
🠚 Sierra threatening to put her skate to his throat and him enjoying the threat doesn’t quite sit right with me.
🠚 “I try my hardest to think with my actual head, and not the one that stands to attention” – I cringeee.
🠚 This quote falls flat because it sounds cliché “When his gaze crawls over me, the desperation to know what he’s thinking almost kicks in. He’s like a roller coaster you know you shouldn’t get on, but you do it anyway.”
🠚 “Without skates, I’m reminded just how much shorter she is than me” – she’s shorter than you with and without skates, man!
🠚 “I’m nothing without you” felt too melodramatic. No wonder Sierra wants to make sure Dylan is doing the right thing.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Sierra꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I adore the way she knits things for Dylan, that was so adorable. I love that her friend Scarlett is a people-pleaser and she is protective over her. She is so sensible when it comes to wanting to take things slow and for Dylan to think his career through.
🠚It’s always the jerks that begin with J that traumatise you somehow isn’t it? Love that she threatens him if he speaks about her partner again, she’ll give him hell. It’s a shame she doesn’t have many friends too, I dig that. And I hate that she thinks she’s too much. We all get that sometimes, but we’re never too much. For the right person, we’re perfect.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Dylan꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ His arc is excellent! THE SMILEY FACE HE DRAWS ON HER HANDS IN THE PLACE WHERE SHE DIGS HER NAILS IN AWW THAT WAS SO CUTE! I LOVE that he gives Sierra the nickname “Firefly”. I adore that he takes her to the lantern festival. I love how much faith he has in her. Oh and the glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers!
🠚 The only things I didn’t like were: the double standards Dylan has, not being okay with Aajay saying hi to and hugging Sierra when he was literally flirting with the server moments ago, yikes. And being jealous saying “Friends don’t just cook for you when you’re in the area” – my man, he is literally a cook at a diner??? His pranks with Kian felt off to me too.

FAV QUOTES
• I’ve seen his type—the tall, popular kind of guy who’s too good-looking not to know it and juggles hookups like an extracurricular.
• I didn’t expect to like the sound of my name on her lips this much. “Been doing your homework, I see. Did you go home and look me up?” I ask, leaning against the reception desk. “Find any good pictures?” | “Yeah, I have the perfect one taped to a dartboard.”
• What do you do when you see the person you despise gliding effortlessly on the ice, when they should be buried beneath it?
• “Sierra, I didn’t have a choice.” Those words are carried away with the wind because of how useless they are. As if I had a choice—like the unforgiving ice, solid beneath my body as my bones liquefied under my skin, had asked my permission. Nothing has been in my control since that fall, not this fractured life, not the anger, not even the way my chest tightens whenever I catch sight of my skates.
• Worst of all, he’s wearing *glasses*. Black brow line framed and devastating. What kind of sick optometrist would approve of this?
• “You seriously think that I’d drop you? After all you’ve been through, you think there’d be a second that I’d ever let you touch the ground before I could catch you?”
• Confiding in someone is like wiping the protective layer of varnish from a painting people admire, only to find that the glossy finish was the only thing hiding the ugly cracks.
• Dylan handled my body like he’d know exactly what to do with it, where’d he’d want it, how he’d want it. Each touch was certain, and ready, boiling over with a neediness that can only be created by constant daydreams. Like he’s thought about me.
• The tension between us is thick, too heavy to ignore. I can see her fighting it, but something’s changed, something in the way her eyes soften just a fraction, the way her lips part, like she’s trying to find the words but doesn’t know how. I want to tell her she doesn’t have to . “Tell me what you need, and I’ll be that for you,” I whisper.
• “Miss Rot in Hell but do it with a pair of gloves so your hands don’t get cold.”
• I look at him, a beat of silence between us, and the pull in my chest grows stronger. “Dance for you this time,” he says softly. It’s a simple sentence, one that shouldn’t have my heart flipping on its side.
• Dylan pulls my leg over his, pulling me close and cradling my body like we’ve never not been this way. “You are so much more than your scars.” He presses a kiss on the scar on my head. “So much more.”
• I put her hand on my chest, the steady thrum of my heart against her palm. She doesn’t hesitate as she takes my hand to do the same. It’s in moments like these where I see her. Not for the darkness she thinks surrounds her, but for the girl that glows. Like a firefly.
• “I know hockey is important to you.” | “You’re important to me.”
• She smiles then. It nearly kills me. There she is again. The girl with the soft, bruised heart.
• I try to pretend his words don’t affect me, but the blush creeping up my neck betrays me. When I look at him again, he’s still watching me like I’m the only thing that matters. And that doesn’t scare me as much as it should.
• They won gold. I won a lifetime of pain.
• I knew then that the next time I had her, I wanted to wake up to her. I wouldn’t be satisfied until I could have that.
• “You’re not thinking straight,” she blurts out as some sort of last-ditch effort. | “Everything could be a blur, and I’d still see you clearly,” I say.
• A pulse starts low in my stomach. “You’re trying to be different for me?” | “Look around, Sierra. Everything in this room is new. There’s not a single place in here I could take you on that’s been occupied by another person. I even painted the fucking walls. My shower? You’re the first person who has ever been in there with me.” He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “And today? I know I could have drunk, but I didn’t, because I hoped you’d be here. And I don’t want to miss a thing when it comes to you.”
• “I’m here for all of you. All the parts that you think are broken are just more for me to love.”
• “For you, I’ll go at any pace you need. I’ll match you stride for stride, baby. You can take your time, but when you’re done, I’ll still be right here, waiting for you to fall back into my arms. Because there’s no part of me I want to get back, if I’m losing the most important one.”


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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Bal Khabra, Bloomsbury Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.