Review: Spiral by Bal Khabra
Thank you Berkley for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I know hockey romance has been trendy for a while, but when it’s done right, I will never get sick of it. I was intrigued by this book due to the fake dating trope and was treated to a delightfully sweet, steamy, fun romance between a professional hockey rookie and a ballerina. It was so fun and I look forward to going back and reading the first book in this series and continuing on with the next one!
Synopsis:
“Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. With a growing fan base and too many expectations on his shoulders, he’s struggling to make his first career goal. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight.
Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina with dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but her lack of popularity online leaves her at a major disadvantage for securing the lead role. When Sage finds herself with the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true by fake dating Elias, she takes her shot.
Soon enough, the flimsy fake-dating rules they set in place fall away in the face of their sizzling connection. But before things spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they’re willing to take the leap together or if they'll call it quits.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept/Tropes—Fake dating! Hockey player/ballerina! It was so fun. Had the dishiness of a college hockey romance but a bit more adult themes. I really liked the emphasis on found family as well.
The Pacing—It was fun and quick and made me want to keep reading, always a win in this distraction filled timeline we’re living in.
The Charm—Elias was adorable and Sage was a firecracker. I loved their humor and banter together. They utterly charmed me.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Some jumps in time—I feel like some chapters ended and I thought the storyline would continue, but we’d jump onto something else. A me problem!
Lost the Fake Dating Stakes—The stakes just weren’t there for the media finding out about their fake relationship or it impacting Sage’s ballet career. Felt like we lost the plot on that one a bit.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 3/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
blackmail, abandonment, child abuse (off page/past), fire, body shaming