There was so much I loved about this book and I won't like, Eli was probably 90% of it!
Sage saves Eli from a potentially disastrous situation the first time they meet and after pressure from other factors, end up fake dating. The two couldn't be more opposite but they work so well together and complement each other in every way. Sage has a super lively personality, she was flirty, cheeky and so much fun, but underneath it all she's just trying to prove to herself and everyone around her that she isn't a failure. Eli is the shy, quiet type he keeps his head down and works hard but he has a wicked sense of humour and a really really sweet side.

This ticked all the boxes for a fake dating/forced proximity situations. There was tension, angst and amazing chemistry for the slowest, hottest burn! But there was also so much fun and banter, especially from the hockey family in the first book. I was laughing one minute and swooning the next.

What I love the most about Bal's characters is that they are so grounded and feel real. It doesn't feel like their personalities are only there to serve a purpose, their different moods and emotions all make up who they are as a character that drive the plot, not the other way around.

Thank you to netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the ARC, this is my honest review.

An okay story but not one I will remember. The chemistry felt forced for some reason. I liked the characters individually but them together made no sense to me. I did like them learning to be emotionally vulnerable and how they supported each other and their dreams, as it should be!! Especially Sage's feelings of responsibility and carrying the weight of the world felt verly real and tangible.

It was nice to see a Black ballerina and how Misty Copeland was such a huge inspiration to Sage as the first Black ballerina to land a principle role! And I loved how body image issues were brought up and how messed up the industry can be, but it was nice to see Sage had learned to love or at least accept her body regardless.

Eli being adopted was a nice touch too, I don't see that very often in books and it made trauma bonding easier between Eli and Sage.

But Aiden and Summer felt different from how they were in Collide, and I read Collide and Spiral back to back so the difference was really noticable. I can't put my finger on what was different, but they did not feel the same at all.
So there were nice things, but it just did not click for me personally and I'm really bummed about that :(

I should have loved this book because of the themes, and I hope you will love it if you like these things:
🩰 Black ballerina
🏒 Adopted Ice Hockey Player (NHL rookie)
🩰 Little brother with Diabetes
🏒 Forced Proximity
🩰 Open door Spice (eventually)
🏒 Trauma because of child abuse/neglect
🩰 He buys her flowers
🏒 He cooks for her
🩰 Found Family

I really enjoyed Spiral, it’s my favourite in the series so far. Elias ticked all the boxes! I enjoyed Sage’s character a lot. And I can’t forget about the found family, honestly they just make the book even better! Will be adding a more detailed review to my goodread/instagram soon

This is the first romance I have read in a while (fantasy lover here) but it was such a good book!

Elias was yummy and I really enjoyed the slow burn!!

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed parts of this story, in particular I really liked Sage and Eli as characters. Both were super likeable and really sweet. Plus I love hockey player/ballerina romance. I feel like there was a bit of development missing on specific scenes - Eli’s situation with his dad and what was happening with Sage’s ballet company at the end felt very rushed and not thought out fully.

I absolutely loved this book. I adored both main characters, Elias and Sage, and thoroughly enjoyed their fake dating slow burn romance.
It was dual pov, which I always love, and there was a lot of emotions and tension from both sides.

🩰hockey player x ballerina
🩰 fake dating scheme
🩰 and they were roommates
🩰 tensions and emotions
🩰 slowish burn
🩰cameos from summer and aiden

Highly recommend!

I’M SCREAMING.
I DID NOT EXPECT THIS. LIKE, I’M ACTUALLY SPEECHLESS RN.
Why didn’t I read this book sooner? Major regrets, because I’m only 44% in, and I’m fully obsessed. This is definitely gonna be my favorite — especially since Collide didn’t exactly blow me away.

But Eli? OH. MY. GOD. AHHHHHHHH 😍
HE’S LITERALLY OUT HERE RAISING MY STANDARDS.
I’M KICKING MY FEET, BLUSHING, AND MAKING WEIRD FACES THAT I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW I COULD MAKE (all good things btw).

Like, Eli isn’t just a book boyfriend — HE’S A GIFT TO WOMANKIND. My top-tier book bfs better start fighting for their spots because Eli is taking over.

AND NOW IT’S OVER 😭
I DID NOT WANT THIS BOOK TO END.

Tbh, I had low expectations because Collide wasn’t really my thing. But this book? It BLEW. ME. AWAY. Hands down, my favorite read of the year. Like, it gave me everything — the laughs, the butterflies, the shivers, the feels. THIS is what I want in a book.

Huge shoutout to Bal Khabra for creating this masterpiece and giving me Elias Westbrook. My man, my man, my man.
Also, thank you for letting me read an ARC — I’m so, so grateful. This was perfection.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You know the feeling of immense longing after finishing a romance book with the sweetest couple? Yeah, this book almost made me cry because of how perfect Elias and Sage are for each other.



This is an incredibly soft and sweet romance, Elias is the biggest walking green flag imaginable and Sage deserves everything. The characters have had difficult pasts that have shaped them and added to their insecurities but throughout the book, you can see them break through each other’s barriers and just be there for each other.


The slow-burn, fake-dating and forced proximity in combination with a passionate and determined FMC and an incredibly sweet and caring MMC made this a very joyful read. I loved the romance. If you are looking for a book that will make you fall in love with love again, give this one a go!

The reason this only gets four stars is because there were a few things with the plot that didn’t fully tie up in my opinion. One being the whole side plot with her ex-boyfriend.. I didn’t really see the point of introducing him when he didn’t add much to the story. But I have to say, that none of it was bothersome in any way and the beauty of the romance is 100% retained.

Spiral ist out January 28th 2025!

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for an ear in exchange for an honest review!

A fun escapism romance which is a little predictable, but at the same time you’re urging the characters to just get on with it and to show their true feelings; to stop hiding, stop pretending. This makes one of those books were you’re kind of shouting out loud “JUST tell them how you feel”. It’s a good ‘feel good’ read however as everything turns out OK in the end and whilst I kind of knew what was coming, I was still hungrily turning page after page and then was sorry when the pages ran out and I realised it was finished.

So Elias is meant to be this very hot rookie ice hockey player who was hired for his impressive college team goal average, but since joining the Thunders can’t seem to get his puck into the goal. Now after a press video went viral, he’s being stalked by fans and paparazzi alike, none of which helps relieve his goal drought. Sage is an excellent ballerina determined to dance the principal role of Swan Lake in the well know NBT ballet company, but is constantly overlooked, seemingly as she has zilch social media presence. When an unexpected encounter puts Elias and Sage together, they find their problems improve. With the fans thinking Elias has a girlfriend, they and the press find him less interesting whilst Sage’s link to Elias has her social accounts soaring. But is this ‘fake’ relationship what they really feel and what will happen when each reaches the goals they set themselves???

Oh my GOSH, I need a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor because wow—this book delivered! As a die-hard hockey romance fan (who’s also very particular and protective of the genre), I went into Spiral by Bah Khabra with high expectations and, much like Collide, it did anything but disappoint. I honestly don’t even know where to begin because there’s so much to love.

This is a hockey player x ballerina romance with a fake dating trope, and oh my, the tension is absolutely palpable. The slow burn had me racing to turn every page, desperate for more. And the forced proximity only added to the angst! It was downright delicious and may or may not have left me staying up way too late. Both main characters had pretty tough pasts, and watching them slowly open up and find comfort in each other brought me so much joy. I loved how their relationship felt real and raw, with just the right balance of vulnerability and sweetness. The story also did a great job showing how hard it can be to stop being a people-pleaser and finally put yourself first—to feel like you’re worthy of being chosen and experiencing good things.

The chemistry between these characters was so intense it had me staring at the page in total shock, wondering if I was actually reading what just happened. Their interactions were everything—funny, emotional, and sometimes so charged I couldn’t help but giggle or kick my feet like a freaking child. This book left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and already wishing I could read it the next one BECAUSE DYLAN here we come.

This is a fantastic slow burn romance, I love that we got to see more of Aiden & Summer after Collide as well as some guest appearances from Dylan and Kian (hoping they get a book at some point). The way that this delved into the self doubt that both main characters have in multiple aspects of their life was handled so well and beautifully written. I love the found family that Eli had already found but instantly accepts and includes Sage without a second thought. I loved everything about this book - which is surprising as fake dating is not my go to trope.

Spiral by Bal Khabra is a delightful ice hockey romance that hits all the right notes. The story follows two strong, charismatic protagonists—Sage, an up-and-coming ballerina, and Elias, a a newly drafted rookie for the Toronto Thunder—who can't seem to resist their undeniable chemistry. The novel is fast-paced, flirty, and immersive, making it the perfect quick read for romance lovers. Khabra masterfully blends sports action with steamy, witty banter, creating a fun and engaging dynamic between Sage and Elias. Their sizzling, slow-burning tension and playful interactions kept me hooked from start to finish, with both characters developing in ways that made their relationship feel authentic and earned. While the plot is predictable in parts, the sharp dialogue and the vibrant, competitive setting of the ballet and hockey world kept it fresh. If you're looking for an easy, feel-good read full of sparks, Spiral is a must-read for any romance fan!

if you want a cute, easy read, fast paced romance book that’s also really, really good - read this!
i really enjoyed reading this book! it had a little of everything: banter, teasing, spice!!
will definitely read other books by this author!!
4,5⭐️

Firstly, thank you so much for letting me read spiral early.
Ice hockey and ballerina fake date.
They both are not achieving their goals with their careers. But when they are spotted together by the paparazzi, they come up with a plan which should help them both.
I highly recommend this beautiful book.

He was a top draft pick and is currently playing for Toronto. As far as everyone can tell he’s living the dream. The media isn’t a big fan of his performance and the pressure is getting to him. One day he runs into Sage, an aspiring ballerina but her lack of popularity puts her at a major disadvantage. Fake dating is the perfect solution to both of their problems. Before things spiral out of control they have to decide if they’re willing to take the leap together.

This is one of if not my favorite hockey romances novel and that’s saying something because I’ve read quite a few. The characters have a lot of depth and relatable struggles. Watching them being vulnerable and opening up to one another made me emotional. Elias is the most caring, sensitive and giving man ever. One of my new favorite book boyfriends.

The forced proximity and Elias vow of celibacy makes for an incredible slow burn romance. The tension between them is ridiculous. Couple goals!!

It’s an incredible novel however it could’ve been a bit shorter but that’s just me being nitpicky.

This is the perfect book for hockey romance girlies. If you’re not the biggest fan of slow burn this will change your mind. Keep an eye out for this one, it’ll be out early 2025.

Read this is you like
❄️Hockey romance
🔥Slow burn
💜Opposites attract
💫Fake dating

After not overly enjoying the first book in this series, I hoped this one would be better and it really was. The characters remained true to themselves throughout which is something I felt the first book didn't have. I loved how sweet Eli and Sage were together and how they brought out the best in each other too. The writing style flowed and the development of different relationships felt like it was organic and natural. I would definitely read this one and again and can't wait for the next in the series

This is the epitome of a slow burn emotional romance. The rollercoaster ride the characters take you one is completely perfect and completely worth it. You see Khabra develop as a writer through Spiral, and with it it creates the most beautifully tension filled romance that has you on the edge of your seats. Both a comfort read and a gripping romance in the sense that you can fall into it and forget the outside world, but be caught within the tension of the romance between Eli and Sage.

Easy 5 stars for this Hockey player x Ballerina fake dating romance. I enjoyed every minute of this.

Hockey player Elias has a bad rep with press who love painting him in a bad light.
Sage is trying to make it as a Ballerina but the company she wants to dance with shot her down and she needs to raise her social media presence for a shot at an audition. After meeting at an auction where she wins a date with him (funded by his best friend), a plan is concocted for them to fake date- her profile will be raised and the press will lay off him if they think he’s in a serious relationship.

I ate this up. Elias is everything. Attentive, supportive and loving. I loved watching his walls fall down as his relationship with Sage developed. They were both exactly what the other needed and I loved how they built each other up and watching them both overcome their own insecurities. The pacing of the book and the push and pull between them was delicious and the wait was worth it. I was invested the whole way through! Bal Khabra did a fab job.

There are plenty of hockey romances around but this has been the most enjoyable one I have read in a while.

This was an easy fun ready!

I love fake dating x sports romance, so that had me excited for Sage and Elias!

Elias was such an acts of service guy, which I love, so he had me swooning 🫠

I found the plot was lacking a bit for me, and it was a book based on the tropes in it rather than the story itself.

Who doesn’t love the the fake dating trope , add in forced proximity , a hockey playing mmc and ballerina FMC and you have all the ingredients of a truly engaging Rom com.

When the first book in a series is such a smash hit I almost worry how the author is going to match it or is book 2 going to fall short but Bal delivers a book that keeps the reader engaged with a great plot great characters Elias and Sage who support each other personally and professionally and have the reader wanting to read their story.

Not only do you love Elias and Sage but I loved the side character in this story and it is those characters that have you wanting coming back for more for the next instalment in the series.