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A review by lisa_ella
Collide by Bal Khabra
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Collide offers a refreshing take on the ice hockey romance genre, with Summer Preston and Aiden Crawford leading the way in this enjoyable story. Aiden is truly the definition of a book boyfriend. Though his initial attitude comes across poorly, it becomes clear that his behavior stems from personal struggles rather than anything to do with Summer herself. What makes him stand out is how he consistently respects Summer's autonomy. He subtly steers her in the right direction, but always lets her make the final call, a perfect balance of gentleman without being a pushover.
Summer is a breath of fresh air in contrast to the typical shy, school-focused heroines. Her feisty determination to complete her project is admirable and adds depth to her character. However, I did find it a bit odd that, despite her strong dislike for ice hockey, she’s already quite close with a few players. It felt like she would have distanced herself from them until her character developed more throughout the book.
One small aspect that could have made the story even stronger is Aiden’s approach after their first intimate interaction. Given that Summer has some trouble expressing herself, it would have been great to see Aiden make more of an effort to meet her halfway rather than waiting for her to come to him.
Despite these small critiques, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Aiden and Summer, and the plot kept me engaged from start to finish. Collide is definitely a solid and enjoyable read!
Summer is a breath of fresh air in contrast to the typical shy, school-focused heroines. Her feisty determination to complete her project is admirable and adds depth to her character. However, I did find it a bit odd that, despite her strong dislike for ice hockey, she’s already quite close with a few players. It felt like she would have distanced herself from them until her character developed more throughout the book.
One small aspect that could have made the story even stronger is Aiden’s approach after their first intimate interaction. Given that Summer has some trouble expressing herself, it would have been great to see Aiden make more of an effort to meet her halfway rather than waiting for her to come to him.
Despite these small critiques, I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Aiden and Summer, and the plot kept me engaged from start to finish. Collide is definitely a solid and enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Minor: Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy