A sapphic rivals-to-lovers rom com for fans of Ted Lasso and A League of Their Own

They're risking their hearts for a match worth winning.

Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women's National Team since she was 16. But when she's side-lined with an injury at just 26, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn't - a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace has lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become friends-with-benefits with this class clown.

Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace's skill and was starstruck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she's hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.

As the World Cup approaches, and Grace works her way back from injury, the women try to find a way they can play together instead of vying for the same position on the pitch. But as the sparks between them start to ignite, will both players realise they care more about their relationship than making the roster?

Why readers love Meryl Wilsner . . .

'Vibrant, intoxicating romance' Ashley Herring Blake

'Sexy and compelling, reading it is like being in on the most tantalizing secret' Dahlia Adler

'Both undeniably sexy and incredibly sweet' Olivia Dade

A summer job at a lake-town resort brings together two women with an unlikely connection in this new contemporary romance by USA Today bestselling author Ashley Herring Blake - perfect for fans of Alexandria Bellefleur, Meryl Wilsner and Rosie Danan

She stole her ex. This summer, she just might steal her heart.

April Evans' life is in shambles. Her tattoo shop has just closed, she has no money and her love life? Non-existent - ever since her ex-fiancée left her for a younger woman three years ago. When she's asked to teach a summer art class at the town's new resort, April jumps at the opportunity. She's sure that this is the silver lining she needs . . . until she meets her cabinmate: Daphne Love, the woman who stole her ex. And even worse, it's clear Daphne has no idea who April is.

Daphne Love is cursed in, well, love. She thought she'd found the unconditional love she craved in her ex-girlfriend, but now she's single again and utterly broken-hearted. When her friend hooks her up with a summer gig as an art instructor at a swanky resort, Daphne feels optimistic for once. If only she had a roommate who didn't seem to hate her on sight.

But slowly, barriers begin to fall, and an inexplicable allure keeps drawing April and Daphne closer, leaving them to wonder if the perfect picture they're looking for can only be painted with each other.

Why readers love Ashley Herring Blake . . .

'A hot, frothy romcom with a relatable heart beating at its centre' Talia Hibbert

'A truly exquisite romance . . . I'm wildly in love with this book' Rachel Lynn Solomon

'A swoon-worthy, laugh-out-loud romp of a romance' Kosoko Jackson

'Snappy banter and seriously scorching chemistry' Lana Harper

'Charming and entertaining . . . will have readers swooning' Karelia Stetz-Waters

'Snarky, steamy, and swoony in equal measure, I never wanted this book to end' Meryl Wilsner

❤️Tropes❤️
❤️ enemies to lovers
forced proximity
⬛ black cat/golden retriever
slow burn
sapphic romance

Collide is the first book in the Off the Ice series. Spiral, Revolve and Embrace are all out now!

'Equal parts spicy and sweet' Peyton Corinne, author of Unsteady

When Summer Preston’s professor issues her with an ultimatum, she finds herself on an unexpected collision course with hockey captain Aiden Crawford.

Summer hates everything about hockey, for good reason, but she isn’t going to let that stand in the way of her becoming a sports psychologist.

Aiden loves being the hockey captain, except when his team’s reckless mistakes risk jeopardising their entire season. When Coach puts him forward for a research paper as punishment, he has no choice but to accept.

Summer can't stand his blasé approach to life, and Aiden doesn't understand her uptight, scheduled one. They are off to a rocky start, and provoking each other – it turns out – is what they do best.

As sparks fly, neither wants to be the one to give in. Can they get everything they want – including each other?

Now with a never-before-seen bonus scene from Summer and Aiden’s love story as well as an extract from Spiral, the next book in the Off the Ice series. Find out which of your favourite characters from Collide will be featured next!

If you love...
Ice hockey
College setting
Reverse grumpy meets sunshine
Forced proximity
No third act breakup
Multi-racial characters
He falls first
Dual POV
... you're going to love Collide

Readers are falling for Summer and Aiden...
'The spice levels won't disappoint'
'Someone please point me in the direction of where I can get my own Aiden Crawford'
'If you loved The Deal and Icebreaker, you’ll love this!!! I could not put this book down!'
'Bal Khabra is quickly becoming one of my favourite sports romance authors!'
'Bal Khabra never disappoints. I will read anything she will write. PERIOD.'

Spiral ranked No. 6 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart week ending 01/02/2025.