Scan barcode
abidavisf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Gigi is a ray of sunlight on a gloomy day. She is kind, hard-working and knows herself so well. She is everything I hope my future daughter will be.
I would love to wrap Ryder in cotton wool. Witnessing his journey from closed off recluse to a committed and loving partner was so beautiful. His heart is so full of love and it’s wonderful to see him share it, not just with Gigi, but with his teammates.
My heart yearns for more intel on the rest of Hannah and Garrett’s friends and their families, but the glimpses I did get were gorgeous.
Now to The Dixon Rule!
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Classism, Misogyny, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Bullying, and Gaslighting
britwalsh16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love all they are all so close & Gigi grew up with them all as Aunts & Uncles & their kids as cousins! This has gotta be one of the best found family series I’ve ever read!!
But also, I just fucking loved Gigi & Ryder!!! They way they were there for eachother & supported one another! 🥰
This book gives you all the laughs, but then also gives you heart & the struggles of life. I really could not get enough!!! 💜💜💜
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Violence, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol and Blood
vickie0326's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Gun violence, and Toxic friendship
mabellene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Infidelity, and Abandonment
natshu's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Murder, Alcohol, and Death of parent
saoreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Grief
haley49's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Gun violence
notamouse's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexism, Physical abuse, and Infidelity
theheelerbooklife's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm currently in my sports romance era, and I've only read one other book by Elle Kennedy - The Chase from the Briar U series. I loved The Chase, and because of that, I expected to love The Graham Effect too.
The story is about Gigi Graham, the daughter of Garrett Graham from the Off-Campus series. Gigi wants to make her famous hockey dad proud by becoming one of the top female hockey players and making it to the Olympics. Luke Ryder wants to be chosen as one of the coaches for Garrett Graham's summer program. He offers to help Gigi improve her weak spots in hockey, and she agrees to help him get chosen as a coach. But to do that, they must overcome their disdain for each other, which stems from when they first met as teenagers.
As they help each other, sparks fly, and their chemistry becomes intense. They soon can't deny their attraction and let their passion consume them.
The romance between Gigi and Ryder is both sweet and spicy. The book is not just a romance but also deals with the characters' trauma and anxiety. The character development is well done, and both Gigi and Ryder bring out the best in each other. Gigi helps Ryder open up about his feelings, and Ryder helps Gigi become more confident.
I couldn't put the book down and finished it in 3-4 days. The writing is gripping, and the story never lets you go. I appreciate that there's no third-act breakup scene, which is a common trope in romance novels.
If you enjoy sweet/spicy romances, hockey, sports, fast-paced reads, and well-developed characters, you'll love The Graham Effect.
I can't wait to read the sequel, The Dixon Rule, coming out in May.
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Violence
abidavisf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Graham Effect is a love story but it’s also a tale of trauma and found family, forgiveness and when to choose not to forgive for the benefit of your own sanity, honesty and kindness. I am rooting for Gigi and Ryder all the way.
There was also the perfect amount of hockey in here. Having just finished another book marketed as a hockey romance that barely touched on it, I was ENGROSSED by the amount of hockey drama and detail in The Graham Effect. My only critique is that I wish we had more of Gigi and Ryder training together as their relationship progressed. Did they go from training to hooking up instead or did we just not see it? Surely they can do both!
A great read. Definitely recommend.
P.S. When do I get to hear more about Diana? I’m worried.
Moderate: Abandonment, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse