A return to form for Elle Kennedy - I feel like she should stick to the college hockey scene cause she does it well. Couldn’t really tell you why I liked it so much, but the characters were likeable, as was the romance which is pretty much all I want from my romance books. Bit of a strange ending plot point but didn’t detract from it being enjoyable. Was definitely too long though.

I've loved immersing myself in Elle Kennedy's other books and this one was no different. She mixes spicy and sincere so perfectly. I particularly enjoyed how much space she gave us to delve into the romantic side of Ryder and Gigi's relationship. It's anticipation without the slow burn. Solid romance, I feel like it would make a particularly great Christmas read.

This book absolutely met and exceeded my expectations. Stepping back into this universe and reuniting with my all-time favorite characters filled my heart with warmth. Seeing Garrett and Hannah as parents was everything I could have hoped for. And the icing on the cake? Dean and Logan making an appearance as Gigi's uncles! Thank you so much for that. The Off-Campus series will forever hold a special place in my heart. I think about these characters more than anyone can imagine. They feel like family to me, my best friends, and we're all one big happy family. Gigi Graham is the ultimate IT GIRL, no doubt about it. She's a product of Garrett and Hannah's love, but her character resonated with me on such a deep level. I adored her growth throughout the story, especially how Ryder brought out the best in her. Now let's talk about Ryder… Oh boy, I fell head over heels for him in an instant. He's everything and more, definitely earning a spot as one of my top book boyfriends. Since picking up this book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him. Despite his grumpy and broken exterior, he never treated Gigi that way. He consistently showed up for her, expressing his care and affection in every action he took. From bringing daisies to her house to opening up about his past, he melted my heart time and time again. What I loved most was the absence of miscommunication between them; they were perfect for each other. I wholeheartedly fell for their love story, kicking my feet and screaming with joy throughout the book. It has easily become a new favorite of mine, evoking the feeling of reliving a cherished memory. It was like experiencing my favorite universe all over again for the first time, and nothing can beat that feeling!

I absolutely loved this book.

The off campus series has a safe place in my heart. Reading hannah and graham's daughter book was everything.

Ryder is 100% the kind of man you want. Who is sure of you even when he doesn't realise it.

Gigi exploring herself in this book was written so well.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

I absolutely adore this book, I’m a huge fan of Elle Kennedy so I knew I would, Gigi and Ryder are just perfect, the chemistry between them was off the charts and the spice was spicing 🥵❤️ I immediately bought the physical copy

Another steaming hockey romance that I could not put down. I adore Kennedy's work and this one was an absolute hoot.

another icy-hot story from the queen of ice hockey romances! the graham effect follows gigi, daughter of garrett and wellsy (the deal), as she tries to step out of her father's shadow and prove her worth in the ice hockey arena. she needs help to level up and in strolls luke ryder, a 6ft 5 wall of muscle who thinks they can come to a mutually beneficial situation. lets hope they can avoid the undeniable chemistry between them long enough to reach their goals ;)

Another amazing book from Elle Kennedy! I am such a huge fan of her books I knew I would love this one (and I did!) Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was gripping, with the romance having me kicking my feet and giggling. Was such a cute pallete cleanser.

First of all, when I got an ARC for this I was ecstatic! I loved The Deal so much, and the entire series is just so cozy for me.

The Graham Effect did not disappoint!! Absolutely pick this up if you're a fan of The Off Campus series - all the cameos are so much fun to see. Loved it!

Let me begin by stating that I adored Hannah and Garrett's book and that I am a MASSIVE fan of the Off-Campus series. So when I got an ARC for their daughter's story, I was ecstatic!

When Eastwood College and Briar U merge into one so do there rival hockey teams. Which brings Gigi Graham face to face with Luke Ryder, a hockey player she met as a young teenager who was rude to her on the ice.

I loved Gigi Graham so much. She plays hockey like her father, but she's also endearing, funny, and her character is easy to fall in love with. She and Ryder's relationship got off to such a rough start, but it was fantastic to witness them grow throughout the course of the book. It was quite the journey, but it was well worth it. The back and forth between Gigi and Ryder was incredibly captivating to read, and their chemistry was ridiculously hot 🔥🥵.

What a phenomenal book, I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Headlines:
From shallow to depth
Contrasting families
Pucks and wit

I started off this read with a superficial interest at this ice hockey-centric sports romance. Ryder was your typical jock (I thought), Gigi was an entitled hockey princess...and that was exactly how they viewed each other. I only needed to scratch the surface to see the hidden depths to not only these characters, but to the plot as well.

The story was founded on the merging of two hockey teams and a very unsettled and acrimonious bunch of male hockey players. Gigi was given equal footing in this story as an elite college hockey player for the female team and I enjoyed the somewhat begrudging respect she won from Ryder and his peers.

Family was a backdrop, with Gigi's famous family and a mystery around Ryder's upbringing. Those reveals were sad and deep and helped carve out Ryder's characters. Gigi's dad was funny.

This crew of people and the story really grew on me. I absolutely loved that later plot direction that was so unexpected. I ended up cheering for these two big time. I'm looking forward to more Kennedy-Campus goodness.

Thank you to Piatkus Books for the review copy.

Here we are talking about the latest release from the college/sports romance queen, Elle Kennedy.
First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and the Publishing House for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!

Before starting, some useful information. This book is/has:
- college romance + sports romance
- a deal
- double POV
- I would say NA since there are several descriptive scenes
- next generation child

I had my first contact with this author with The Deal, which I still, currently love, and is one of my favorite romances ever. Well, this story has the same setting, because we are going to meet the second generation of the characters of that saga, starting with Gigi, protagonist of this novel and daughter of the protagonists of The Deal.

The plot is quite interesting, especially for the possible chemistry that could arise, given the dynamics, between the two protagonists. Well, I certainly liked this point, because I found a connection between the two main protagonists; the reader can certainly perceive the connection!
But, why, then "only" 3 stars?
So, certainly not because I didn't like it at all, because I still enjoyed reading this book, above all because I rediscovered Kennedy's style. Elle has the ability to make me read anything, even if it's a book with a very banal plot and which I already have read a million times. So this is definitely a plus point, although certainly also a guilty pleasure of mine. The fact is that I liked it, but not like all the other books by her that I've read over the years!
When I read The Deal and all the other related books, the same thing always happened: I started reading and then I couldn't stop, every moment was good to read again and again. This happened because I found in Kennedy's pen a writing capable of making me do all this.

During this read this thing happened a little less, although, in my opinion, it is also partly due to the internal dynamics of the story, which see the characters reach a kind of "agreement" as the previous generation did but which is not nothing compared to the first. Then, obviously, one shouldn't make comparisons, but if it's a next generation story with so many similarities it's obvious to make them. Gigi and Ryder are a couple that definitely has some nice dynamics and good chemistry, which keeps you hooked on the page for what might happen.

What I certainly liked was returning to this university world of which Kennedy is now queen, with the many protagonists I know. Gigi and Ryder's story is cute but it didn't make me fly like many others, but certainly already in this book we see the basis for other future stories that I will definitely read!

A small note is that it seemed like a book that was too long with sometimes avoidable scenes (not because they were bad but because they didn't serve the story). The ending fits even if, in fact, I would have avoided some dynamics that seem to stretch the story a little too much!

I hope you enjoyed this review, even if it's more of a story of my reading experience than a real review!

This is the first book I read by Elle Kennedy but certainly not the last. I'm ready to go for the Off Campus series because oh my god, I absolutely adored The Graham Effect.

Gigi and Ryder are quite likely one of my favourite couples this year. Usually, I have issues with sports romance or any romance that isn't dark because lately, I feel like the characters talk to each other like they were at constant therapy. Instead, these two have very clear communication but not in an unnatural manner.

I really admired how their relationship evolved without it feeling fake.

The humor was spot on, I giggled so many times. The side characters were such fun additions.

All in all, this was definitely an unexpectedly great read.

When someone asks me who my favorite sports romance author is, the answer has always been Elle Kennedy. From the day I read "The Deal," I was obsessed with Elle’s books. I devoured the entire Off-Campus series and the Briar U series. I have to thank Jessica for introducing me to Elle’s hockey world. So, when Elle dropped the bomb that her next book would be about Garrett Graham’s daughter, I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Yes, my cousin from the UK is getting me this book. Before I start pouring my heart out about the book of the hour, I just want to urge you guys to please read the Off-Campus and Briar U series. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited. You will thank me later.

Now, coming to "The Graham Effect." I am literally obsessed with this book. Gigi and Luke are just perfect. Their chemistry is spot on, and their character arcs are brilliant. Gigi, the daughter of Garrett Graham, is a fierce, hardworking woman ready to take on the women’s hockey world. Her dynamics with her family are swoon-worthy. She has her own insecurities that she needs to fight, and it’s beautiful seeing her break out of the boxes she made for herself. Luke Ryder is a grumpy, A1 hockey player who will make you go all heart eyes. He is someone who doesn’t let anyone close to him until he meets Gigi. And let me tell you, no one writes the best first kisses like Elle Kennedy. Their dynamics were off the charts. You could feel their pull towards each other. It’s beautiful to see that a book can evoke so many emotions. And let me tell you, the spice in this book. Oh, I had to fan myself after reading it. All I am saying is that this book had it all—from depth to character growth to romance to hockey scenes. This book was packed with scenes from members of the Briar U and Off-Campus universe, and that was just so nostalgic for me. I just didn’t want this book to end at all.

Elle’s writing just flows. Reading this book made me feel so giddy. I swear I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time I was reading it. This book is definitely my favorite read of the year. It felt like I was experiencing emotional fireworks within me. But please read "The Deal" first before you read this book, even though this is a standalone. You will thank me later. So thank you, Elle, for giving us this book, and I cannot wait to read more books in this Campus Diaries series.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for sending me the ARC.

*Slight spoilers*
Second generation of the Off-Campus couples? I’m all in.
After Elle Kennedy announced her, new series following the children of the OG couples, I think every past and present bookish fan became hyped for the Graham Effect. The Off Campus series is one of the original and extremely popular hockey romance series that went from indie to being globally available and known to everyone in the book community. As with Off-Campus, the Graham Effect follows Garrett and Hannah’s college aged daughter Gigi. She’s a female hockey player determined to reach the National team to play for the US. Her twin brother Wyatt is briefly mentioned through the book and he is just as good at hockey as his sister and father but decided to follow Hannah in pursuing music.
After Eastwood College closed and merged with Briar University, two hockey teams merge into one forcing Luke Ryder to co-captain this new and tension filled group of hockey players.
Luke Ryder and Gigi Graham have known each other in passing since they were 15. Now Ryder is a co-captain on the Briar team, there is no avoiding Gigi and their banter is great to read.
I’m not sure what trope’s this book embraces. By the end it felt very mismatched. Obviously the two had great chemistry and their friends with benefits arrangement was fun for a while, until they were MARRIED?! Like it came so out of left field for me. I didn’t think their relationship had developed emotionally before that bombshell was dropped and then everything carried on like normal. I think the main objective of this book was to include Garrett and Hannah and the original group as much as possible. That sounds horrible because Gigi and Ryder’s more emotional conversations were really great, but they felt so rushed to make room for other elements.
If you’re after a hockey romance, then I would recommend it. There was a lot of hockey discussion that I did not understand but overall, it was an entertaining read.
Thank you for the eARC!

This had a bit of a slow start for me, I found the first 20-30% a little difficult to get in to but once Gigi and Ryder started interacting more in the story I flew through it.

As with all of the Off Campus/Briar U books it was an easy, enjoyable, entertaining read but I did think the pacing was off. As I said the first 20-30% was slow, then it got quite fast paced with a rushed ending.

It was good to see Hannah and Garret Graham from The Deal make some appearances throughout the book, I would have liked to see more of them but that’s because they’re one of my favourite couples from the original series.

I will definitely read the next books in the series and I’m hoping we see more from Ryder’s house/team mates, I enjoyed their banter and I’d like to see where they end up.

A solid 3⭐️ that would have been a bit higher if the pacing wasn’t off.

Read if you like-
• Sports/hockey romance
• Next gen

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Incredible!!!!!! Seeing Graham and Hannah was amazing but seeing Gigi and Ryder growing together but also separately was fantastic.
I love their chemistry, their tension and their personalities. I loved the way they communicate with each other and also the banter.

This book has to be one of my favourite books of the year! It is a real page turner and I loved every minute of it.

Thank you to the author and little brown publishing for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read from Elle Kennedy but I will definitely be reading her other linked series. This was such a great read and the dual POV is my favourite romance format. I loved Gigi and her family and I adored Ryder and his friends. There was some great banter which was entertaining and made me laugh. Gigi and Ryder are so cute together and I loved the found family. There are a lot of side characters to keep track of but they all add to the story and most of them are pretty lovable. I enjoyed the joining of the 2 rival teams and all the drama that came with it. Also a huge fan of there not being a dramatic 3rd act breakup. Still not fully sure how I felt about a certain event near the end but honestly I loved the ride enough to overlook it.


I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read the digital ARC!

Okay, confession - I didn't know this was part of a wider universe of Elle Kennedy books. This story focuses on Gigi, who is the daughter of two characters who were the focus of a previous series...so this is the continuation of this world and family. Thankfully, I didn't realise this until reading other reviews, as Elle did a great job of making it accessible and easy to understand. You don't need to have read previous books to enjoy!

And I did enjoy this! It wasn't ground breaking or revolutionary, but it sucked me in once I started reading and didn't let up until I'd finished it. I'm tempted to go back and read the whole other series now, because I did enjoy this that much.

Gigi is a nice character, but she felt overshadowed in her own book by basically everyone else. Her dad is a hockey superstar that everyone in the world knows and bows down to, her mum is a Grammy nominated songwriter and her love interest is the number one male ice hockey player in the college ranks. This means that she's the least interesting character, which sucks. There were attempts to make her more interesting - her desire to get Olympic gold, her interest in nature and butterflies, but it paled in comparison to Ryder.

This definitely suffered from stereotypes - the insanely talented brooding bad boy with the tragic back story meets the perky, talented girl who grew up with a privileged life. The author tries to make Gigi aware of her privilege, but it doesn't really help. Despite what Gigi says, she'll never get anywhere in the world of hockey without it basically being because her dad's so important and influential.

Ryder, on the other hand, was more interesting. He was portrayed as being a dick, but he never seemed to actually be an asshole. Just aloof. He has the tragic backstory, and it really does suck, but he's not an arse about it all. I enjoyed his character more, and the struggles he went through.

The plot of this book happens over a year, and boy does it move fast. A little too fast, regarding some incidents at the end. There's insta-lust and sex sessions that are beyond realistic, and it was actually a little tiring reading about the sex after a while. I got bored of it, and it just felt unnecessary. We get it, they're young and hot and horny.

Despite all this...it was easy to read and a good palette cleanser, so I would recommend this to others!