I read the first book, Collide in January and immediately read this one after. I love a good hockey romance and thoroughly enjoyed this one. I LOVE Save and Elias, their chemistry was just perfect and I love them so much. The cover is also so pretty, I love the purple.

Spiral by Bal Khabra is an emotional, character-driven romance that artfully explores the ups and downs of love, trauma, and self-discovery. The story centers around two flawed but deeply relatable characters who are grappling with their pasts while trying to navigate the complexities of their relationship. Khabra does a fantastic job portraying the internal struggles of both protagonists, offering readers insight into how pain and vulnerability can either push people apart or bring them closer together.

The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, and their journey is marked by heartfelt moments of connection, as well as realistic challenges. The pacing is mostly strong, though a few scenes felt slightly rushed or underdeveloped. However, the depth of emotion and Khabra’s evocative writing more than make up for it.

For readers who enjoy contemporary romances with emotional weight, healing themes, and plenty of heart, Spiral is a rewarding and memorable read.

After reading the first of the series i was not expecting much, but i have to say that these two people warmed my heart.

I loved the hockey and ballet references, of course.

Eli is the best, can't wait to read the third book

This book has my heart! It’s so soft and emotional- perfect for the tender lovers. Her writing has grown and the characters are really developed. The plot was a bit weak and the ending could be refined a bit more but the characters just mean so much to me! I’m very excited about the next book already!

This is my first book by Bal Khabra but I loved it and will definitely be going back to read book 1. I can't wait to read Summer & Aiden's story because I loved their friendship in Spiral and how Summer took Sage under her wing.

I'm a huge fake dating fan and this one is done so well. I adored Sage's sassy side and the way she challenges Elias and calls him out. And I loved that Elias knew how to support Sage and knew what she needed even when she refused to ask for help. They work so well together, so damn cute.

The chemistry and the tension is perfect, the romance was so sweet and the character development was beautiful. Getting to know both of them and learning about their pasts and how it affected them made the characters so real. I also love that they both supported each other in their dreams.

Seeing Eli interact with Sage's little brother was so freaking cute. The epilogue was adorable and really cemented the found family.

I recently read Collide for the first time and found it enjoyable. Spiral was definitely better in my opinion and I connected to the characters more.
Sage is a ballerina. Training since she was a child, she works hard to provide for herself and her young brother after her parents left them. She is fierce, loyal and just hilarious to read. Her uncle is the coach for the Toronto Thunders, a hockey team where Elias has recently joined. We met Elias in Collide and it was really great seeing a different, deeper side to him. The media is painting the picture of a player, constantly sleeping around and taking advantage of his newfound fame. This couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s such a gentleman. With his position on the team in jeopardy and his public image under attack, Eli turns his initial meeting with Sage into a potential scheme to improve his media presence while making her more popular to get her dream role in Swan Lake.
The pair have amazing chemistry but their friendship and respect for one another is really great to read. They genuinely seem like partners throughout the book.
I know people loved Collide but I genuinely think Spiral was my favourite of the two. The characters individually, and together were really great to read.
I’m so excited to read Bal Khabra’s next book!

🏒🩰REVIEW🩰🏒

I didn’t know this was not gonna be college hockey so I was surprised there but pleasantly! I actually really enjoyed this one! it was so good. Nothing like a fake relationship and the tension that builds. Add in the roommates situation and sparks fly!

I really liked how their relationship was built and how they opened up to each other. They were honestly so cute together & Eli really came through for Sage in every possible way. He was such a good guy.

I really liked the characters and how much we got to see of Aiden and Summer & how they were doing now that Aiden went pro. Actually, the whole friend group is amazing. I love how they all took in Sage into their fold. They are such a cute friend group. I’m really excited to read more of them and get to know the other guys better! The next book is coming sooner than I thought it would and I’m really excited for it!

⭒ Rating: 4.5
🌶️ Spice rating: 0.5/3

Spiral - Bal Khabra

Thank you to Netgalley, Bloomsbury and Bal Khabra for the ARC.

Spiral follows the story of Eli the rookie hockey player and Sage the struggling ballerina as they realise that the publics perception of them does matter to their carers.
Eli struggles with being known as a playboy to the point no news story about him mentions hockey.
Sage is told at an audition that follower counts are important and she has ~90ish.
The two meet at a charity auction and end up fake dating to help Eli's playboy image and being seen with the most popular rookie boosts Sage's follow count.

Eli and Sage are adorable. I think I might actually like them better than Aiden and Summer 😍
They seemed to have more things to overcome both as individuals and as a couple and they're there for each other through it all.

I will say I'm okay with instalust but this one did verge a little onto the instalove side for me. Not fully insta but pretty damn quick. I did enjoy seeing them as a couple mind you. And Eli interacting with Sage's brother is just down right adorable.

All round I really enjoyed this book but I would say I feltnthe last couple of chapters felt as if they went by very quick. I loved the epilogue but 😍

Cannot wait for Revolve!

As someone who was a ballet dancer when they were younger this book was for me. I related to the main character so much as was rooting for her the whole time.

A thoroughly brilliant romance read that had me feeling all of the warm fuzzy things as I watched Sage and Elias' story unfold from the rocky beginning to a charming ending. Sage's fiery side was great to read and I loved watching her challenge Elias - especially at the beginning when he definitely deserves to be called out the way Sage does. These two characters really complement each other and we get to know them both well across the course of this story. Sage is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, fiercely independent and determined to make her dreams come true. She has difficulty letting to but with Elias there to give her room to do that, she's learning to let others in, Elias struggles with the fame - and the fans - that comes with being a famous athlete. His image is being damaged more and more by the press and he's struggling with the pressure of his new position in a big team. These two really balance each other, and support each other. Their love story is beautifully written and filled with character development and lots of chemistry. This is the first book I've read in the series but I'm definitely going to have to go back to Collide for Summer and Aiden's story - these two make brilliant side characters in the story and I'm always here for a genuine, supportive male friendship in a book so Aiden and Elias's brings the story to an extra level.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Firstly thank you to Bloomsbury, NetGalley and Bal Khabra for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read Collide but I most definitely will be after reading Spiral.

The Dual POV from our main protagonists so that we know they are both anxious dumb dumbs. The fake dating, family dramas and slow burn all worked for me. The characters are likeable and the writing flowed smoothly.

SPOILER ALERT
No miscommunication or third act breakups! However the dumb dumbs did have their pivotal moment and I then I was worried as still plenty of story left but other tensions and drama concluded the novel.

Loved the epilogue super cute and having way for more within universe to follow. One I'd recommend.

Tropes:

🏒 Dual POV
🩰 Spicy
🏒 Fake Dating
🩰 Found Family
🏒 Hockey Romance
🩰 Slow Burn

#bookreview #books #reading #book #bookpost #bookworm #bookish #romcom #contemporaryfiction #fakedating #romance #spicy #sportromance #hockeyromance

Spiral é um hockey romance fofinho.

A história em si é um fake dating entre dois amigos. Gostei muito da história. Tocou em temas mais sensíveis, como a família. Uma vez que a Sage não tem pais, e cuida do irmão mais novo, acabamos por ver uma irmã mais velha que dá tudo de si aos outros e acaba por se esquecer de cuidar dela mesma. É uma people pleaser e ela própria o assume.

O Elias é a mais recente compra da equipa de hockey e anda com dificuldades em marcar o primeiro “golo”. Ele é muito fofo. Mesmo uma pessoa que se preocupa com os outros e que dá vontade de abraçar e dizer que vai ficar tudo bem.

A história em si é leve e fofa. Temos o hockey, o ballet e a pressão de ambos os desportos.

A escrita da autora melhorou imenso desde Collide. Gostei muito mais deste livro, por isso quero dar os parabéns!!!

Estou muito curiosa com o próximo livro da saga, Revolve. Mal posso esperar!
Não dou 5 estrelas porque houve momentos no livro em que a história não me estava a prender, no sentido de que, senti que eram capítulos “para encher”. Acho que menos 3/4 capítulos e o livro tinha ficado excelente.

5⭐

I loved this book so so much. First of Hockey x ballerina was a trope I didn't know i would love as much as I did. I love a fake dating trope and oh boy was this done good. I really related to sage and not letting anyone take care of her. While there is spice and I LOVE the spice the romance is what made this book so perfect. Also, I love any book that doesn't have a third act break up so this immediately got bonus points.

Thank you for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to read this book after adoring Collide and this was so brilliant!! I loved Eli and Sage. Their fake dating / friends to lovers vibe was SO cute and the book had me so hooked.

I loved seeing the exploration of both their characters and felt that the more challenging topics were handled well. Seeing the side characters from book 1 was also such a delight. I’m so excited for the next book in this series!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Eli, a professional hockey player in his rookie season who is struggling to score for his team; and Sage, a talented ballerina who can’t seem to land any auditions. When they meet, they realise they can help each other by pretending to date.

This is a very easy read, fast-paced and engaging throughout. The writing is simple and accessible, and there are only a couple of pacing issues where the story drags a bit, but it quickly picks up.

My main issue with this book was the chemistry between the main characters. Without risking any spoilers, the device used to create tension between them was poorly managed. I felt it was used to add shock factor rather than to explore the character’s relationship deeper, and it weakened the stakes.

Overall, it is a fun and easy read, I just wished the characters had been better developed!

A really cute slowburn sports romance with my favourite tropes of fake dating and found family! 💜

To misquote “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne: He was an ice hockey player, she did ballet. What more can I say?
First of all, I am in love with the book’s dedication. Let’s start there: “You are a light in this world, don't waste it on those who can't see it. Find the people who can.”

Spiral is an excellent title choice for this one because there is the phrase “spiral out of control”, which is accurate for their relationship – they try to restrain themselves but they lose control and are mad for each other. There is also the idea of “going into a spiral” which the two of them do often because of past traumas: Sage ; Eli . This is used in Chapter 31 wherein Sage feels she has been “tossed into a downward spiral almost as complicated as our fake relationship”.

Indeed there are beautiful parallels between Sage and Eli : they both perform well when they are together/supporting each other, they want to prove people wrong (Sage wants to show the artistic director Aubrey Zimmerman that she has come a long way since he laughed at her and her audition; Eli wants to show general manager of the team Marcus that he will do better and he will achieve his first goal and wants to show the media he is more than a playboy), they both get injured doing the sport they love, they have trouble sleeping.

The story draws attention to important aspects like: long distance can work and isn’t a be-all-end-all, healthy vs toxic family dynamics, the problems faced by a sibling forced to grow up too soon and step into their parents’ shoes and take care of the family, and last but not least the realistic issue of ballet dancers who are self-conscious of their bodies, especially because of remarks ballet directors have said.

There were unfortunately some things that were not so great about this book: like some of it felt too fast or moments felt unrealistic or not what the character would do, some opportunities to explore aspects like Nina and Sage's bond were wasted but all-in-all a delightful read I didn't want to put down

I fear this was so much better than the first book, I think that the writing ad editing in his book was so much better than collide. sage and Elias the main characters were so cute and I really liked the struggling ballerina and hockey player who needs to spin his image with the media.

I liked both characters and the struggles they both went through. I liked that though this is a slow burn there is immediate chemistry between the main characters even though they make guiding rules for fake dating. i

I’ve never read Bal Khabra’s books before and went into this not having read Collide first, but this book was absolutely amazing!!! I loved both Elias and Sage’s characters so much, and the chemistry and slow burn romance was soooo good!

This is a hockey player x ballerina romance with fake dating, and it was executed perfectly! Definitely one of my favourite romance reads ever!

I’d give it 4.5 stars purely because I would’ve liked the other side stories to be resolved/talked about more throughout the book, rather than all mainly focused at the end, but that’s a fairly minor thing because I really enjoyed this book and I definitely want to reread this in the future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for letting me read this ARC!

Honestly this book is absolutely stunning and so perfect. There was so much banter, dirty flirty jokes and the right amount of spice to make it all fun and interesting. Collide was amazing but Spiral was a knock out in my opinion. I devoured and left no crumbs and did not want to put this down.

Elias oh my god was just perfection he treated Sage with some much love and respect and honestly the perfect man. He was so caring, loyal, had so much patience, he had his own growth in this book with his carer and personal life. And he comes with tons of surprises ;)

Sage represents for a lot of people the older sister syndrome. Always caring for others before herself, sacrificing parts of her life for others, deflecting, loneliness, hard working.

Elias and Sage together just perfection and they helped each other grow and become better people

This books includes (in my opinion)
-ice hockey player x ballerina
-forced proximity
-fake dating
-found family
-bad childhood
-spice
-dirty flirty jokes
-celibacy

Spiral is a Ballerina/Hockey player sports romance following our rookie of the season Eli & talented ballet dancer Sage.

I’m a huge fan of a sports romance but I feel the pacing of this one was so off. It felt like we didn’t have enough time sitting in certain scenes with the characters which made the relationship feel pretty disconnected all the way through.

There was a couple of deeper meaningful topics of discussion brought up for both characters which were then glossed over, so it just felt pretty pointless for them to be introduced in the first place.

Also the constant sexual innuendos just grated on me, I don’t think I’ve ever read someone wiggling their eyebrows after a joke as much as I did in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review of this book!