Check out our interview with Bal Khabra, author of "Revolve."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
Ever since I wrote the first book in my hockey romance series, I knew I would write a romance between a hockey player and a figure skater. I wanted to write a heroine who loves the ice just as much as the hero does. But instead of having her enter his world, he’s thrust into hers with no option to turn back. Watching a hockey player try to figure skate is equal parts hilarious and swoony, especially once you realize he’s annoyingly good at just about everything. But my favorite part is that both are so similar that they go head-to-head on just about everything. The two of them have to figure out how to share the ice, balance their differences, and keep from letting pride get in the way. The setting might be brutal at times, but it’s also just as intimate.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
It means celebrating underrepresented voices and reading stories that bring you joy. This creates space for stories that are authentic, full of love, and encourage readers to be themselves, no matter what that looks like for them.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Growing up, I was privileged to see representation on screen through Bollywood movies and Indian dramas, and every school I attended was filled with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and family situations. To me, that’s always been the norm, and weaving that lived experience into my romance books has been a priority. It feels authentic, and hearing from readers who feel seen and represented through my characters is one of the greatest joys of writing. It’s like telling someone: you matter, and you are worthy of the same kind of love we read about in these stories. By including diverse voices and experiences, storytelling becomes more truthful to the world we live in and invites every reader to feel a sense of belonging in literature
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
A few years ago, I picked up figure skating again, and the second I stepped on the ice it was like muscle memory and nostalgia hit all at once. I’ve also always loved hockey, so writing this sports romance felt like the most natural next step for this series. One of my favorite things about the genre is how it gives the characters a life and focus outside of school or relationships. These athletes have spent their entire lives chasing excellence in their sport, which makes it even more compelling when love shakes their priorities. Suddenly, they’re faced with the question of how much they’re willing to risk for someone who matters just as much, if not more, than the dream they’ve been chasing forever.
What can fans expect from your book?
Readers can expect all my favorite hallmarks of a sports romance: a dash of enemies-to-lovers tension, a healthy dose of forced proximity, banter that crackles, and the spice turned up a notch.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
Next up is the fourth and final book in my hockey romance series, Off the Ice!
