182 reviews for:

Ripple Effect

Ki Stephens

3.87 AVERAGE

emotional hopeful medium-paced

"you lean on me, i lean on you"

first off.. thank u ki for the arc!! second off.. THIS BOOK? daisy and elio are honestly my fav book couple, possibly ever?? third off.. HE CALLS HER DAISY GIRL???
i will always stand by the fact that im a sucker for the way ki writes and how she always includes disability rep. wether its learning disability or in elios case, a physicial one. i love how she describes her scenes too, it helps me imagine the scenes in a way that i often struggle to. also, we love to see bentley thriving!!!
medium-paced
emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

pub day which means review time *YAY*

oh wow. i've been waiting for this book for what seems like forever and it did not disappoint one bit. ki has the ability to truly make me feel all my emotions on such a deep level and this book proved just that.

ripple effect was a beautiful story about self discovery. it was so heartfelt and refreshing to read a story about two complex but sweet characters. it was just two people being in love and caring about one another. i think this book is a perfect example of someone coming into your life at the exact time they need. elio and daisy needed one another at this point in time and were able to rely on one another for emotional support. it was beautiful.

i think what this book did so well was prioritize and shed light on the reality of sex workers and the toll it takes on them. but it also doesn't diminish and shame the job. elio is such a beyond sweet guy who was delt a bad hand, but he grew from his past and was able to make amends. i loved seeing the scenes with him and luca, it was very touching seeing their relationship grow.

overall this is absolutely by far my favorite book from ki. this one really had me in my feelings and i couldn't probably babble on for hours about how much i loved this book.

thank you ki for the arc <3

5 / 5

Title: Ripple Effect
Author: Ki Stephens
Stars: 4/5
Spice: 5/5 (Sizzling Moments)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Dual (FMC & MMC) - 1st person
Type: #3 in series but could be read standalone
Themes: Small Town Vibes, Romance, Friends to Lovers
Format: Book

Ki Stephens crafts a compelling narrative in “Ripple Effect,” seamlessly blending small-town charm with a captivating friends-to-lovers romance. The dual first-person perspective adds depth to the characters, allowing readers to connect with the protagonists, and her approach to Elios’ sex work was chefs kiss.

The sizzling moments between the main characters are expertly woven into the storyline, contributing to a spice level that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Stephens successfully captures the essence of small-town life, creating an immersive experience that enhances the overall atmosphere of the book.

As the third installment in the series, “Ripple Effect” manages to stand on its own, making it accessible to readers who may not have experienced the earlier books. The author’s skillful storytelling and the well-developed themes of friendship and love contribute to a solid 4/5 rating. A delightful addition to the contemporary romance genre, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of heartwarming love stories.

I loved seeing the healed relationship between Luca and Elio!

Favorite highlight:
“As a partner, I don’t have as much to offer her as she does me. I never have, and I likely never will. Despite the fact that I’m clean now, I’ll always be an addict, a former sex worker with a f***-up digital footprint, and most of all, a man with a track record of disappointing those closest to him. I don’t want that life for Daisy, but if she chooses me, then I’ll work to become at least a fraction of the person she deserves.”