by Bal Khabra
Part of Off the Ice
First published 2025
Elias Westbrook just got drafted by the Toronto Thunder, but fame brings problems he never expected. Tabloids follow his every move. Fans pile on expectations. He can't even score his first NHL goal with all the pressure crushing down on him. Meanwhile, aspiring ballerina Sage Beaumont watches her dream role at Aurora Ballet Theatre slip away. She lacks the social media following that modern ballet demands. When Sage realizes dating a famous hockey player could boost her profile, she approaches Elias with a deal. He gets a steady girlfriend to quiet the gossip. She gets the spotlight she needs. They establish clear boundaries for their arrangement. But their fake relationship quickly becomes something real. The chemistry between them burns away their careful rules. Now Elias and Sage face a choice that could change everything. They can embrace what they've found together, or they can stick to their original plan and walk away.
Genres: fiction, romance, contemporary, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance, sports-romance
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, romantic, tension-filled
Tropes: fake-dating, forced-proximity, second-chance-romance, slow-burn
Setting: Toronto, Aurora Ballet Theatre
338 pages · Paperback · Berkley