𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕙𝕒𝕞 𝔼𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 • ARC Review

2 ★

𝚜𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜 — Gigi, the child of ‘The Deal’ couple by the same author, makes her own deal with Hockey bad boy Ryder. He will help her perfect her game to get drafted for Team USA if she puts in a good word for him with her famous dad. Add in secret ‘I dislike you with benefits’ hooks-ups, a deeply interconnected college friend group, and her ex who wants her back and is his new teammate!

𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 — This was definitely written for the fans of her other series, so if you didn’t like those stay clear. I oscillated between 2 and 4 stars the entire time while reading this. The romantic and spicy moments fully had me, but everything else aka plot and character development was seriously lacking in my opinion.

𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 —
Listen, I get it. I get the hype around this author and her male MC’s because the spice was spicing! And Mr. Luke Ryder, aka bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks with a heart of gold and a dirty mouth?! Yeah, swoon city. There were romantic moments while their relationship developed that I really loved. They had great chemistry and there was fun banter between a lot of the characters. So, I get it. We also get a lot of tension in the second half between Gigi and her father, as her relationship with Ryder blooms, which I loved.

𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 — SPOILER ALERT!!!
Everything else. Ryder has a heartbreaking backstory but we get to it too late, so his happy ending falls flat. The first 15-20% of this novel could have been totally cut in my opinion. We get to the couple and their relationship late in order to set up so many side characters, future couples I assume, and it makes the first part of this very dull. We also start with the couple as teens at a camp Gigi’s dad runs, but then jump to the future with her dad hating Ryder. I felt that was a plot hole and didn’t set up their relationship well enough anyway. This really didn’t get interesting until 30% in.

We also get the twist that her ex did more than kiss the girl he cheated with, which is used as a hollow plot device - seriously neither she, her dad nor her boyfriend are upset with her ex after she discovers this. I don’t buy it at all. I can think of a few more interesting ways their secret relationship could have been revealed. Some of the language felt so cringe and ’trying to write the way young men talk’ that I couldn’t stand it. There are also moments where it feels very misogynistic, like, “I need a chick’s opinion.” As well as moments where it feels like Kennedy is going to write a deeper story about what it is like to be a female athlete, but she chickens out. And because we focus so late on their backstories the happy ending doesn’t ring true. It feels theme and growth-less. I wished that the useless beginning and cheating reveal would have been cut to dig deeper into both their backstories - her being an athlete in the shadow of her father in a sport that favours men, and him a survivor of tragedy and loss learning to love for the first time.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Graham effect by Elle Kennedy book review (arc) 🏒⛸️

Gigi Graham has three goals: qualify for the women's national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father's shadow. All achievable, right? Except for one problem, she needs to improve her game behind the net. Her solution? Practicing with Luke Ryder, Briar's new hockey co-captain.
And so they make a deal, Ryder helps her with her game and she puts in a good word with her father. Simple, right? Well until feelings get involved…

Officially back in my Elle Kennedy era!! The moment I started this book I was totally fangirling, this book gave perfect nostalgia of the off campus series and it might have been even better. The tropes themselves were giving as well, we got enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, found family and it’s a hockey romance!!

I adore Gigi, she’s an icon, she’s a legend and she is the moment. She gave everything that needed to be given and I absolutely love her. Ryder, I have no words. I was giggling every time I saw him appear, I cannot lie. Don’t let me forget to tell y’all about the things this man said, they were so out of pocket sometimes but it made him absolutely iconic. AND THE FUCKING BANTER BETWEEN THEM!!! Oh my god, it was perfect. All of the characters in this book were absolutely amazing.

The plot was giving, it was so interesting and I never lost interest, I was invested the whole time. I finished this book so quickly and I cannot recommend it enough!! This book is coming out October 31st 2023 so save the date!! 🤭

note: will be posting this review on my bookstagram on the 27th of October so check it out if you wanna! @readwithnini13

I didn't think that the any book could beat the original series but this certainly holds its own. Loved all the new characters and the nods to the original ones too. Would highly recommend if you're a fan of the original series. Full of nostalgia but a fantastic book on its own right. Can't wait to read about the other kids and hopefully hear more about Gigi and Ryder!

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Ryder & Gigi🫶🏼

Wow I absolutely loved this book & I knew I would from the first few chapters! It had such a good balance of romance & hockey as sometimes it can be hard to find this balance but Elle Kennedy does this so well!

Ryder & Gigi are both amazing MC’s..with Ryder trying to face his past & with Gigi trying to make it on her own talent without using her dad’s fame!

The side characters of this book made it sooo enjoyable too! Would most definitely recommend this to your romance lovers, sports romance lovers or just hockey lovers!

5 star read!!!

Am I glad Elle Kennedy revisited this fictional world? 100%! This is a series where after you finish the books, you can’t stop imagining where the character’s lives took them. It was beautiful to get a glimpse into the life that Garrett and Hannah built for themselves 🥹🥰 I adored the cameos from existing characters in the off-campus and even briar U worlds 🤭 it’s exactly how I imagined them all being, just one big extended found family 🥹

Now for Gigi and Ryder, their first meeting 6 years prior at a hockey training camp Garrett Graham runs showed them instantly getting off on the wrong foot when he assumes she’s a figure skater because she’s a girl. Enemies to lovers?? I will eat that trope up!

I ADORED the fact that Gigi is a female hockey player and that there were discussions on how the sport is different for men and women. I also just loved Gigi as a character, she is so down to Earth and kind.

Luke Ryder has a reputation, he is a total grump who is always aloof and just brooding in the corner in social situations. I wanted to know WHY he’s like this, and as the story progresses and we get a glimpse into his childhood, it all makes sense.

There is great chemistry between them and such an easy playfulness!! A good level of spice too, with *chefs kiss* dirty talk from him, and a bit of a praise kink for her. Haven’t we all got one of those? 😅

The shower scene!! The sauna scene!! The library scene!! The opera scene!! Do I need to say more?

I loved the similarity to her parents love story in The Deal, where she also strikes a deal with Ryder that’s beneficial to them both.

The merging of two rival hockey teams, Eastwood and Briar, is such a great concept. It added so much angst to the story and even better that Ryder’s new co-captain is Gigi’s ex boyfriend!!! 👀

Each chapter has a name, and it is such a fun addition! Some of them are hilarious and made me excited to dive into another chapter 😆 I binged this so fast and am beyond excited for the Campus Diaries series 🩷

What I thought it's going to be a frivolous and light read, turned out to be a light, heartfelt and lovely read.
This is a Next Generation series and if you are familiar with the Briar U and the Off-Campus series then good for you. I wasn't, but that did not make me enjoy it less.

I loved the two main characters... Gigi and Luke's first meeting was a disappointing one if I might say and a classic trope in romances. However, after those first pages, everything became so much better and this is mostly because the characters are fabulous. Luke is just a sweetheart and Gigi is such a spitfire.... a true Graham legacy!

I enjoyed this book and I will just follow up with the series...

Ok yeah so I loved this.
I adored Gigi and Ryder and GOD DAMN, Elle Jennedg writes incredible hockey boys - I loved those little weirdos.

The only thing that did gripe me slightly were all the surnames of previous book Off Campus/Briar U alum children but I get why.

Graham girl forever 🤍


Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

I forgot how much I loved this universe and how much I love Elle Kennedy's writing!
I love the sincere, heartfelt storyline but the skill of adding bits of humour here and there is just the cherry on top.
I loved visiting this world again with the original Briar men.
The story between Gig and Ryder was beautiful and quite unexpected in some ways. Some of those reveals - wowza!

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for and honest review**
4,75-5 ⭐️
I'd read "The Deal" in 2021 and rated it under 3 stars, I didn't think I would ever revisit this universe, but then when I saw this book was about the children of Hannah and Garrett, I got very curious, and I wanted a light read to change my mind. I'm so happy I got the opportunity to read this book, because I ended up loving it, and that's an understatement tbh.
I'm going through some stressful uni weeks, and this book was just what I needed to be relaxed and feel happy and giddy !! I loved the characters so much, they were adorable and interesting, yes a bit cliché on some points but this time I didn't care at all, I just felt it was very well done. Gigi and Ryder were really a good couple, with a good dynamic and who were interesting individuals when separated. The side characters as well were super funny and I'm looking forward to reading books about them ;)
Also one thing I really really enjoyed was the third act usual drama, because it wasn't really about the couple but more external factors and that was refreshing. The book is a bit about trauma as well on some points so I would advise readers to check the trigger warnings before reading. But even with this, I was smiling on almost all of the pages because it was funny or cute or just made me happy for the characters !!
The only thing I wasn't a super fan of happened near the end, I won't spoil anything but even if I didn't enjoy it as much, it didn't taint my enjoyement and thoughts about the book.
So in the end i think this leans more towards a 5 star than a 4,75 haha

Elle Kennedy's proficiency in crafting hockey romance novels is truly commendable. While I have yet to explore her literary works beyond the realm of grumpy hockey players, I am unequivocally content with her mastery in this niche. It's a common perception that recurring themes may lead to predictability, but Elle possesses the remarkable ability to captivate and immerse me with every publication. Returning to the familiar setting of Briar was a delightful experience, and I hope to be back soon.
Elle Kennedy, your ability to infuse entertainment and addictive allure into your narratives is remarkable. You have a unique talent for making the reading experience both enjoyable and compulsively engaging.

Thank you, Little Brown Book Group for trusting me and allowing me to review this title before release.

Perfection 💜

„The Graham Effect“ is the first book in Elle Kennedy's Campus Diaries Series and tells the story of Gigi Graham and Luke Ryder.

For me the book was like balm for the soul. Unfortunately, I didn't like any of Elle Kennedy's last books - including the Briar U series. But the Off-Campus series is definitely one of my favorite college series and I just had to read Gigi's book! Apparently I'm back to my Elle Kennedy era!

Gigi and Ryder's story is an Enemies to Lovers story that captivated me from the first page.

God I love Gigi and Ryder! For me, Gigi is an absolute role model when it comes to women in the male-dominated world. She fights for her dream and doesn't let anything stop her. With Gigi, Elle Kennedy has one of the greatest female characters Elle Kennedy has created. I really like the contrast of the butterfly-loving woman to the ruthless hockey player on the ice!

Ryder was arrogant and aloof at first, but I just love it when they break in and they show that they've opened their hearts and I especially have a fondness for Ryder. His past was very moving and it hurt to read what he had to go through.

An absolute icing on the cake for this series is that we see some of the originals again. It was just so great 😭

For me, “The Graham Effect” is a successful start to the series and I’m really excited to see which couple the second volume has in store for us.

“The Graham Effect” gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and a clear reading recommendation!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

The Graham Effect follows Gigi, Garrett’s daughter, who is now all grown up and off to college. Can you guess which one? 😉
This was super fun, full of character development and really loveable friends much like the original series. There’s also no annoying third act breakup, which I appreciated.
I didnt love the way she kept calling her godparents hot (just weird) and the rushed ending, which is what stopped this from being a 5 for me. But being back in this world made me so happy!

Immersing myself in this captivating book was a delightful experience. Despite the complex themes, the chemistry between the main characters was brilliantly portrayed, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a longing for youthful days.

The subtle moments woven into the story brought smiles and a warm feeling, making me yearn for the innocence of youth. Even though not all themes were pleasant, there was a perfect balance that allowed me to feel genuinely well. Those little details within the narrative made me smile and, in a way, transported me back to a time when life felt simpler.

The book's length was hardly noticeable as time flew by, leaving me eagerly anticipating more. It's a rare gem that managed to capture my heart in unexpected ways. I can't wait to dive into more stories that evoke such genuine emotions and take me on unforgettable journeys.

I loved this book!
Elle Kennedy knows how to write a sports romance.and this one did not disappoint with Gigi and Luke

This is my first book by Elle Kennedy and I absolutely loved it!

The main characters were perfection and I adored them! Their romance and their banter were adorable and hilarious, I couldn’t get enough.

This book didn’t disappoint! It was a very enjoyable book.

Arc generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

As a Huge fan of the Off-Campus and Briar U series’, I absolutely couldn’t wait to step back into that universe with the Campus Diaries series. Because I loved the previous series’ so much, I went into this with pretty high hopes but it’s safe to say that I was not disappointed.

First of all, Garrett and Hannah as parents?? Love them! I really loved how this book and the romance between Gigi and Ryder had some parallels with The Deal. It had all of the parts that I loved from Garret and Hannah’s story which made me feel so at home but at the same time it was unique to Gigi and Ryder.

The chemistry between Gigi and Ryder was amazing to read!! I loved the way that their romance went down. Their relationship blossomed beautifully and we got to see their banter but also some of their serious side. Not to mention that the flirtation had me swooning!!

I was hooked on every little mention and cameo of the characters we know and love! It was nice to see them in a different light but with the same energy as when they were younger.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read because it was familiar and comforting yet new and engaging because I just couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I can’t wait to see which of the kids this series will follow next!

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group, Elle Kennedy and Netgalley for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Following the offspring of the Campus diaries couple, this is another series set in the world of hockey on the Briar campus. Our focus this time round is Gigi Garrett, female hockey star, and Luke Ryder.
Our story begins with two male hockey teams having to merge. Clearly this is going to cause tension, and it allows Kennedy to introduce Luke Ryder, the star of Eastwood, who has something of a bad-boy reputation. Interestingly, from the outset it was clear that this was rather undeserved.
There's a little sniping in the early stages and situations are carefully manipulated to allow Gigi and Luke to develop their relationship. Their mutual attraction is evident, and it becomes more about them navigating their way through others' misconceptions and expectations.
Plenty of hockey scenes for those who are into their sports, and there's a lot of peripheral characters that you can see might be further developed in the series. There's the expected steamy scenes, which started to feel a little repetitive, but they were not the main focus of attention so it was easy to somewhat skip these elements.
Whether this series really has legs I don't know. It felt rather indulgent, with someone trying to eke out a bit more life from a scenario/characters they'd fallen for and didn't want to give up on. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. i was super happy to receive it because i was a major fan of the off campus series.

we’re SO back with this series! the romance is hot and fun, the characters are easy to love, and packed with humour and depth. even the side characters reel you in so you’re remembering who everybody is for future books.

elle kennedy has a crazy talent for college hockey romance. and i’m super glad because i eat this books up like nobody’s business.

excited to carry on with the rest of the series. intrigued to see who the rest of the books are about out of the friendship group, now that we’ve already had gigi (garrett graham’s daughter!!) and ryder!

The graham effect~ Elle Kennedy

Review ⛸️🏒

Holy smokes I loved this book! The sexual tension, the chemistry and Garrett graham being back in a book was just perfect. The humour in this book was amazing! It does also deal with childhood trauma.

This book is the first in the campus diaries series and follows Gigi Graham, daughter of Garret graham and a female hockey player and Luke Ryder, cocaptain of the college hockey team. Ryder offers to help Gigi with her game behind the net in exchange for her talking him up to her father in order to get him a space at his summer camp coaching hockey. However, when they begin this deal their chemistry becomes undeniable and the sparks start to escalate…

Honestly I couldn’t recommend this book enough, if you loved the deal then get excited for the graham effect.

Tropes
*enemies to lovers
*forced proximity
*hockey romance
*grumpy x sunshine
*forbidden romance

Spice
🔥🔥🔥

Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A wholesome hockey romance with healthy relationship development.

Gigi Graham wants to make a name for herself and achieve something her Stanley Cup winning father hasn’t; however, she’ll need the help of her ex-boyfriend’s co-captain, Luke Ryder, to do so. Ryder has his own goals in mind, so the pair make a deal and fight their chemistry along the way.

What drew me to ‘The Graham Effect’ originally was the juxtaposition between the bold yet feminine cover, and the attention grabbing title. I had never read the Briar U or Off-Campus series, and so I hadn’t known what to expect from this second generation college student romance. I’m happy to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Gigi and Ryder’s story was an easy read with a warm character development for the main male character (MMC). I would raise that the MMC’s history and progression did feel better explored than the main female character’s; however, I do feel this leant itself to part of why I enjoyed this read.

There were a few story developments that I questioned the importance of whilst reading, but these didn’t hinder the plot of the story and were more individual preference than anything. I did appreciate that after the first few chapters the writing style progressed, helping the characters feel more fleshed out and mature.

Overall, an enjoyable read that has left me likely to explore the Off-Campus and Briar U novels.


Genre/Type: Romance, Hockey Romance
Rating: 3/5
Spice: 3/5 - a few sex scenes with kink elements
Series?: Campus Diaries Book 1

Tropes and Themes:
- Enemies to lovers / friends with benefits
- He falls first
- Hero’s journey
- College life
- Famous parents

Trigger warning:
- mentions of parental murder
- mentions of domestic violence
- mentions of substance misuse
- possible sexual assault
- Physical violence