So I LOVE the Off-Campus series and when Elle Kennedy announced this book I was so excited and this book did not disappoint! It gave me the same feeling I had when I first read The Deal.

Gigi and Ryder are both very loveable characters and their story was so much fun. I was a little sad we didn't get to see more of Gigi playing hockey and hanging out with the team as we spend so much time with the boys team instead.

I feel like many of the plot elements were very copy paste from The Deal, but it actually didn't bother me that much as I love Elle Kennedy's writing and characters.

Vey excited to read the rest of the series and get my own copy of this book!

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

This book was a sweet and spicy book about the second generation of Elle Kennedy’s most popular series. Do I think more Briar Uni books were needed? No. But do I respect Elle Kennedy making her money off something that is guaranteed to be popular? Absolutely.

The only Briar university book I’ve read before this one was The Deal, but I don’t think this affected my reading experience for this book at all. There were a few cameos and mentions of characters that I assume were part of the series, but these didn’t have any major affect on the plot of this book. I would recommend that all potential readers of this book read The Deal first though to understand Gigi’s parents relationship.

There was nothing to hate with this book. The characters were likeable, the plot predictable and the spicy scenes there. It’s a very average book.

This book felt 100 pages too long. All outstanding plot points were resolved by the 400 page mark and the book could have ended very satisfyingly there. The last 100 pages could have been summarised in an epilogue.

I expected a bit more conflict when Gigi’s ex boyfriend found out about her and Ryder, especially considering the enemies to friends storyline they had

Elle Kennedy as an author can be really hit or miss for me. I think the books get better throughout series, such as the Avalon Bay series where I loved the most recent addition. I hope this series continues and I will continue reading as the side characters introduced have potential to make great main characters.

What stood out to me:
The characters and friendships, the growth, the second generation of Briar U and the tension.

My thoughts:
I loved this book, Elle Kennedy really knows how to write a hockey romance. It was sooo good, it’s the kind of book you stay up until 3 to finish (and I did). Gigi and Ryder were such a perfect match. They help each other grow and become better people and players. I also adored all the friendships and bonding that happens in this book.

Summary:
Gigi Graham's three goals are to join the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. To achieve these, she needs to improve her game with help from Luke Ryder, a tall, opinionated, and sexy rival. Ryder, facing team turmoil and a failed impression with his hero, agrees to assist Gigi in exchange for her father's favor. The only challenge? Their undeniable chemistry, making their risky game of cooperation tempting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Elle Kennedy has been an automatic buy for me for years at this point, but while i’ve enjoyed all of her books, none have hit harder than the first three, until now.

this book was fun, emotional, exhilarating and steamy af. The references and the cameos from well known characters were used so sparingly and so well. Ryders character development throughout the book was such a rollercoaster and seeing Gigi dominate women’s hockey, a side we’ve not seen yet, was SO refreshing. I hope we get more focus on that element in the coming books.

Ryder could give ANY of the OG briar U guys a run for their money.

i cannot WAIT for the next in this series

This one is for you if you like hockey romances, or grumpy sunshine tropes!

I really liked the two main characters, there was a nice amount of character development and backstory given which helped to connect with them. This book started off a four star read for me but sadly downgraded a little after the MCs got together. It got less exciting and almost like we had run out of plot. It was also a bit of a shame that most of the hockey focus was on the male MC and we didn’t get much detail on the female MCs game.

Overall a solid choice, especially if you enjoy hockey romances! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Elle Kennedy is the author that is mainly responsible for my love of sports romance, especially hockey so I’ve been so excited to read this book. And it did not disappoint. I loved every second of this story, and the characters. The tension in the beginning were great, and I loved how everything developed between Gigi and Ryder. The cameos and mentions of the characters from off-campus and briar u were so great.

The book gave me all the feels, and it was cute, fun and had some moments that made me tear up. As I have which the two other series, I will probably reread this multiple times and I’m so excited to read the rest of the series and very curious to see which couple we will follow next. I’ll recommend this for ever.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book!

The Graham Effect has Gigi Graham a female ice hockey player desperate to become a member of Team USA and go to the olympics and win gold as female players are unable to play for the Stanley Cup.
Eastwood college has closed down and the hockey team are now having to join their rivals at Briar, no player is happy about this and there is a lot of discord and no team spirit between them. Ryder a player from Eastwood known for his temper and not tolerating fools attitude is given the co captaincy with his rival.
When Gigi and Ryder meet there is instant attraction, Gigi’s father is a very famous Stanley Cup past winner. Ryder made a bad impression on him and now desperate to show him how much hockey means to him he asks for Gigi’s help.
This story is about their developing relationship, with some heartbreaking revelations from Ryder. The cast of characters are brilliant and at times really funny, from Gigi’s parents and uncles to Ryders teammates.
This turned out to be a page turning excellent story that I enjoyed very much.
My thanks to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

" That's when I realised I don't want my whole life online. All these moments belong to me. Not anyone else." I wave at the butterflies and moths floating freely around us. " This is just for me."


I've been such a fan of the Off Campus series so I was excited when I received the ARC for this book. I have a soft spot for the original couple Garrett and Hannah so reading about their off spring was an instant yes for me.

Gigi Graham is a hockey player and always striving to be seen as her own person instead of just being her father's daughter. Ryder is also a hockey player but is grumpy, broody and closed off. When we first met them, I immediately felt their chemistry. When they started their friends with benefits arrangement I was thrilled that I would be able to witness the change in their arrangement. I was able to see their arrangement turn into trust, then real feelings and finally to love.

It was such a delight seeing the small cameos from previous characters or having their names sprinkled throughout the story which made me feel really nostalgic for the original series. I'm so glad there was no third act breakup and they had healthy communication. The side characters are so fun too.

I really love a good hockey romance and Elle Kennedy always delivers that for me. I look forward to seeing more books in this series as I truly loved it.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This gives me Icebreaker vibes and I loved it so much. It follows Gigi and Ryder who are both ice hockey players. Incredibly fun, instant chemistry and it was a joy reading them fall in love. Gigi is actually the daughter of Garrett and Hannah from The Deal, also by Elle Kennedy, which is a super fun interlinking of the Briar world. I loved it! :)

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for giving me an eArc copy for this book in exchange for my honest review.

As we all know, Elle Kennedy is a must read author for me now and there is nothing that she has written that I don’t absolutely love. This book was no different, and was easily one of my top 5 books I have read this year.

The queen of hockey romance is back and I am so excited!!!!! I loved coming back to Briar in this new series, as it features a new generation with the sons and daughters of the old Off Campus season couples. This book focuses on Gigi who is Graham and Hannah’s daughter. It was fast paced and easy to read and I think I read most of this in one sitting cause I could not put it down. 😂

The romance in the book was honestly some of the best I have read, I was rooting for this couple for the entirety of the book. They started as FWB before realising they were falling for each other, you see them slowly open up to each other and realise that they are each other’s person. They communicate really well and have a really healthy relationship which is so refreshing! And the spice, as always with Kennedy, was top tier. AND no third act breakup?!?!! I was obsessed.

I also loved the wide array of side characters Kennedy always brings to the table, teasing little hints on which books the next in the series will be focusing on. My favourite is Beckett, I love a witty man and can’t wait to see what the author does with him next. The character development in this book is also so sweet. You see both the FMC and the MMC both learn from each other, both about the relationship and becoming better people. You watch them grow into amazing people as well an amazing couple.

I would highly recommend this book as well as Elle Kennedy to anyone I can. It’s a great addition to the Briar universe and I cannot wait to see what’s next.

Elle. Kennedy. never. misses.

I can’t tell you how excited I was to read The Graham Effect - it was simply the *best* to dive back into the Off Campus world; to see all the characters I loved in a new light and to meet their kids (!!) whom I also adored.

From the prologue alone I knew I was going to love Gigi and Ryder - two hockey buffs who turn from annoyance to friends to lovers in every sense of the word. They were magic together. Sexy, funny and supportive - I loved how positive and healthy communication was a theme throughout and I love how they grew into it.

I cannot recommend this enough for any hockey romance, Briar U, Garrett&Hannah loving fans out there (I can confirm, they are great parents).

I’m so intrigued to find out who the next books will be about, I have my theories, and there is one pairing in particular I *really* hope gets a book.

A few teasers without spoiling anything…
💐The flowers.
💁‍♂️ Coach Jensen is still a king.
👨‍👨‍👧Uncle Logan and Uncle Dean (!!)
😮GASP worthy revelations throughout.
🥹“You fall I pick you up. Always.”
🤍Found family - something that is especially beautiful for Ryder.

Thank you NetGalley and Piatkus for the DRC!

Devoured this in one go 🙈 I forgot how much I enjoyed a good hockey romance and Elle Kennedy always delivers. Definitely don't pick this up on a weekday unless you are prepared to pull an all nighter to finish it, because trust me you won't be able to put this down.

Special thanks to Little Brown Group UK and Netgalley for providing me an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley, for sending me an arc of one of the year's most anticipated books in exchange for an honest review. It truly means a lot to me because I read and loved Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series long before I started my bookstagram account.

Now, on to The Graham Effect, which is the first book of the Campus Diaries series. I truly loved this book, and it made me realise how much I missed Briar. It was also one of those books that made me forget I was reading, so did I stay up all night to finish it? Yes…I absolutely did.
If you’re a hockey romance fan like me, you’ll enjoy this book because we don’t only have one but two hockey-playing main characters. This was the first book I read that featured women’s hockey, which I think was great because it still doesn’t get the same recognition as men’s hockey.
Both main characters were interesting and had their own history and personalities. I loved that Gigi was such a strong but humble character, that she didn’t rely on her famous father, tried to be successful on her own, and constantly tried to learn and improve herself. When it came to Ryder, I first thought he lacked personality because he was this grumpy/broody and quiet type, but he had an amazing development throughout the book. I loved seeing that there was more to him than that and how he learned to open up to Gigi and trust her. Gigi’s and Ryder’s relationship was very well-written with a lot of fire and chemistry (so if you’re not into steam/spice and open-door scenes, I wouldn’t recommend this book to you). It was spicier than I remember the Off-Campus series being, but I didn’t mind this at all ;) At the same time, I liked that there wasn’t any unnecessary drama, third-act breakup, or misunderstanding.

Overall, this book gave me everything I needed from a sports romance. It was nice to see Garret as an overprotective dad and Logan and Dean as the cool uncles. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and can’t wait to see if Shane and Beckett get a book.

After reading the Off Campus and Briar U series I was looking forward to reading the next gen. It did not disappoint! I actually preferred this book. If you’re after angst then this is probably not the book for you. There was no miscommunication, no third act break up and any issues were discussed. There was enough action to keep the story progressing but not turn it into a drama. A nice easy going read, I look forward to seeing if Beckett or Shane gets a book

Perfect start to I hope is another series! I enjoyed this one more than the original series will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one let’s me honest we’re all hoping it’s Larson and Beckett.

This is the first Elle Kennedy book I've ever read (I know, I'm sorry). Two hockey players becoming friends with benefits and eventually falling in love, who doesn't love to read that!! There are several sex scenes that actually aren't cringey to read like it is in a lot of books. I feel as though the book could've been at least a hundred pages shorter but other than that I quite enjoyed it.

4.5⭐️

A Garrett & Hannah legacy book🥹
This was honestly adorable & I love how easy Elle’s writing is to read for me. This book gave me all the feels and I fell in love with Gigi & Luke. All the OC appearances🥹?!

One thing I will say is Gigi saying slay really made me cringe, it just felt a little out of place for me.

I really enjoyed Luke’s development throughout the book, and how much the couple helped each other through ups and downs of life.

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who loved the Off-Campus & Briar U series and want to get a glimpse of where they all are now!

Thank you NetGalley & Little Brown for this Arc!

Loved, loved, loved this book! I am a big fan of Elle Kennedy especially her Briar University series (I reread at least once a year) and I will be adding this to my reread this. I loved Gigi and Ryder’s relationship, the perfect friends with benefits to love with a little forbidden romance thrown in. They had great banter and communication (no miscommunication trope!) great MCs, plot, spice and really good side characters. I can’t wait for the series to continue.

I can confidently say if you read one Elle Kennedy book you've read them all.
I expected a bit more. I read all of Kennedys Hockey books and having loved the Deal, the mistake, and the risk I hoped this book would be another five Star read. Unfortunately this book offers little new, with the same story about the insanely goodlooking playboy superstar hockey boy and good girl.
I would love if the guy would be the shy/ awkward one once in a while and the girl the promiscuous one. The way promiscuity is treated by Kennedy through all of her books is bordering internalized misogyny. While every friend group has a promiscuous guy/ fuckboy and even the ones not seen as promiscuous get to have their fair share of one night stands with it all being treated as normal, Kennedy's girls all are the relationship type (looking down the girls trying to sleep with the hockey guys and calling them puck bunnies although they want to sleep with the hockey players themselves and its totally fine when they comment on the guys looks). So yeah that was not it.
The story itself was fine, and I enjoyed how much of a role hockey played contrary to other sports romances where the guy is an athlete but other than that the sport is not really part of the story.
I will probably not pick up anymore books by the author because they are too much alike to the point the characters are exactly the same only with a different name slapped on them.
Unless Kennedy decides to write a book about brooks weston, which I still hope she will because he's the only guy with an interesting personality.

I really enjoyed this addition to the Off Campus series! I loved the protagonists, the romance between Gigi and Ryder was wonderful and very believable, I really liked their dynamic and the inside jokes. Not to mention the s t e a m - they had a lot of chemistry!

The hockey, unsurprisingly, was done well. Although sometimes I was lost with it because I know literally nothing about hockey, and personally, I'd have some cut down as I skipped some of it. But I'm sure she knows what she's talking about :D

I loved the side characters, they were so much fun, a great addition to the story and I look forward to seeing them in future books. Lots of potential to keep the series going.
Please :)

Elle Kennedy is a great romance writer, she knows what she's doing. I've been reading her books for years and she never disappoints. This was exactly what I was hoping it would be.

The Graham Effect also has some lovely, nostalgic nods to the characters in the original series which is always a nice touch. And not just mentions but whole scenes. I read The Deal when first came out years ago so I was happy to see them again. I fancy a reread now!

Fans of the series will love this.

Thank you for letting me read this early.