Book Review: Revolve by Bal Khabra

Official Synopsis: 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.

Oh man, we are back with another hockey romance. Just in time for the NHL season to start! I have read the other two books in Khabra's series of interconnected romances that center around the hockey team at Dalton University. Due to this being the third book in the series, we get to see some familiar faces from the other books and even some updates on those characters and their lives, which I always really like.

This book follows Dylan, notable goon and playboy for Dalton's hockey team who is looking forward to playing his senior year before going and joining the NHL like his former teammates. What he doesn't expect is to fail a drug test, end up suspended from the team, and looking towards the future with uncertainty. If he can't play, there is a chance he won't get a contract from the NHL and he isn't sure what else he could do. When he runs into Sierra, a figure skater who is coming back from injury and definitely doesn't have time for his shit, he is intrigued. He is supposed to be avoiding the rink, but he finds himself drawn to her.

Sierra is trying to come back from a bad fall that kept her off the ice for months. The issue is she no longer has a skating partner and is nervous every time her skates touch the ice. As she tries to avoid her anxieties, she turns into Dylan, who decides to annoy her at any cost. When she learns he used to figure skate with his younger sister, she is shocked that he still has some of the skills. Now, they are forced into the only partnership that makes sense for them. Dylan can earn his way back on the hockey team if he helps Sierra, and Sierra will get the partner she needs to be able to compete.

Sierra isn't sure about working with Dylan, he is cocky and definitely attractive, he also can't seem to stop flirting with her. But now they are spending more time together and Sierra has to learn how to trust herself and Dylan when it comes to lifts and jumps and the routines she used to find comfort in. Dylan is also realizing that maybe life isn't only about hockey, especially when he starts to find himself falling for Sierra, which is not something he usually does.

As their relationship grows both on and off the ice, they have to navigate these new feelings they have, for each other, for their sports and for their futures.

I really liked how this book played out. I liked Sierra and Dylan's dynamic at the beginning of the story and how it plays a role later in the story. There is a lot going on in both of their backgrounds as well and I think for Dylan that helped me not just think he was a bro-dude hockey player. This book has a big theme of anxiety and protecting yourself from the past but also yourself. I really liked how the characters came together due to this feelings and the things they had been through. Also, their respective best friends are great and I adore how they play a role in the story.

Overall, a decent sports romance with some good themes and spicy scenes. I liked how the plot worked in the story and how the characters came together.

I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars!

Revolve is scheduled to come out Oct 14, 2025!

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