[Book Review] The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

Summary

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.

Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word
with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

Facts

Published: October 2023
Length: 498
Genre: Romance
Format: Paperback

Review

I finished the off-campus series earlier in the year, so I knew this was just going to be great! A spin-off about Garret Graham’s kid… yes please. When I say I as excited to get started its an understatement!

Gigi was so fun! I love hocky romance books and when the female protagonist is also a hockey player it just brings something a little extra. I liked her determination to make it on her own without the help from her dad. I also loved getting peaks at some of the other characters from the off-campus series and learning what they were up to. Really hoping we get a book about Gigi’s twin brother Wyatt.

Ryder is classic grumpy surly hockey player, and it took me a little bit to warm up to him, but I did end up loving how he was with Gigi, she brought out his softer side and got him to really open up. When I got to the part of the story about his issues with his dad I was shook! I did not see that coming at all.

As for story itself, I liked all the background drama that was going, nothing about it annoyed me which was flipping great, sometimes side drama can make a great book bad, that wasn’t the case here, it just enhanced the overall story. It was just a fun great read, I loved everything about it.

I’m so excited for the next book. I really enjoyed the banter from the side characters particularly Diana and Dixon, so I was over the moon when Elle announced The Dixon Rule! They are getting their own book and I’m so ready for it!!

My Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

About the Author‘s

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!