Elle Kennedy is THE author for hockey romance. Super spicy and SO fun, I loved this - especially all the appearances from the OG crew. Can’t wait for the next books 🫶🏻

I loved the Off Campus series, so I was very excited to read the first installment of the Campus Diaries and follow the offspring of the Off Campus characters. This was a great college hockey romance and I loved the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the characters of Off Campus after Elle Kennedy’s the Legacy? Well here in this book we have the legacy of Garret Graham through GGs daughter… Gigi

Elle Kennedy begins her newest series through a generational link to her prior Off campus and Briar U series as Hannah and Garrett’s daughter Gigi goes off to university and encounters Luke Ryder, Ryder for short. Gisele only to him. Without Ryders help she may not achieve her dream of making it to the women’s national hockey team. Without Gigis help, Ryder may never win over the attention of Garrett Graham.

Honestly these characters were so cute, like all of Kennedy’s other books they try to resist their attraction until it’s too late. Additionally I would argue I like it better than Kennedy’s original: The Deal as it feels like Gigi has a greater ambition than surviving the school year.

With a HEA guaranteed for these two I would highly suggest this hockey romance as a book to sink your nose into, if you don’t mind the length ;)

Such a good opener back into the world of Briar University! Loved seeing the little cameos of the characters from the older books and seeing them interact with the kids was just too cute. I loved Gigi and Ryder was to die for. I just love the way his love for Gigi sneaks up on him and then he is just so miserable for her in the end. A true ride-or-die kind of guy. Love him.

If you’re looking for a steamy, college hockey romance, you can’t go wrong with Elle Kennedy. This is the first book in the second-generation series Campus Diaries and tells the love story between Gigi Graham (daughter of Garrett and Hannah from The Deal, Book 1 of the Off-Campus series) and Luke Ryder. They’re both top hockey players and come to an agreement that he’ll help her with her behind-the-net skills in anticipation of making the Team USA roster and, in return, she’ll talk him up to her retired and revered dad so he has a shot at being hired for Garrett’s elite summer hockey camp. After being cheated on by her former boyfriend Case (Ryder’s co-captain in a newly-formed team combining rival colleges), the last thing she’s looking for is a relationship, and Ryder’s sole focus is on making sure the Dallas NHL team that drafted him has no reason to change its mind. So, they’re both surprised when feelings begin to grow.

I really enjoyed this romance because their relationship is grounded in respect, honesty, and friendship. It’s a dual POV, so we get to hear about both of their vulnerabilities. I especially appreciate that there is no third act break-up due to miscommunication, a common but unwelcome trope, in my opinion. They also both seem wise beyond their years. Highly recommended.

The second book in the series, The Dixon Rule, is now available as well.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Sourcebooks Bloom Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The hockey romance queen has returned with this new series set in the Off Campus/Briar U universe. Featuring the characters we love from the original books, this follows Garret Graham’s daughter as she plays hockey at Briar. This enemies to lovers slow burn has a lot of push and pull energy, but the reader is cheering for them the whole time. I love that this book features a female hockey player (girls are players too…year of the PWHL!!), rather than just the boys like in the original series.

I really enjoy Elle's hockey romance series. I never thought I was much of a next gen kind of reader but I have been getting into them more and more.
I really like Gigi's character. Appreciate that she doesn't expect to ride in with her influence and wants to earn everything on her own. I don't remember Garrett being such a hardass but man, he is tough.
Ryder - Once I learned his whole story, I just wanted to swoop in and take care of him. I love Hannah's relationship with him. It made me appreciate him even more because he really had it tough.
There are a whole ton of side characters, and we really got to know them pretty well. Obvs, we'll get some of their stories too moving forward. Did not expect that ending, but I'm not mad about it. :)

This was exactly everything I wanted a book about Garrett and Hannah's daughter to be! <3

OK, TBH [I'm still not crazy about the whole getting married with one year of college left--honestly, what the heck was the rush there? (hide spoiler)] but even with all that craziness this made me LOL and highlight so many passages and sigh with freaking satisfaction at the end that I'll let it go.

Technically you could read this without having read the Off-Campus series, but why do that to yourself? ;)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I love Elle Kennedy and this was a great first book to the series. I love the sports aspect and enemies to lovers. Kennedy knows how to write a story that drags you in and makes you not want to leave.

Never in my wildest book dreams did I think I’d be here making an arc review for The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy but here I am 😱

5/5 ⭐️| 3.5/5 🌶️

This is a thick book but that didn’t stop me from reading it in one sitting. We all know Elle is the queen of hockey romance but I won’t lie, I was nervous this wouldn’t live up to the Off Campus & Briar U series BUT oh my god it was everything I wanted and so much more!

Ryder is a grumpy hockey player who isn’t happy about the team he landed on & Gigi is killing it in the women’s hockey division but she has put so much pressure on herself to step out of her fathers shadow & by her father of course it’s the one and only Garrett Graham.

Gigi & Ryder realize they can benefit from working with each other when it comes to their dreams.
Ryder needs to fix his reputation & she needs help on improving her behind the net skills.

These two have serious chemistry which leads to another benefit… using each other for sex to release the stress they’re under. However, no one can find out because Ryder is a co-captain with Gigi’s ex boyfriend… who happens to want her back.

I really enjoyed getting a fmc who also plays hockey. It was such a different take having it be both of their dreams & the call-outs of how different it really is for women’s hockey teams.

ALSO. I was not prepared for the spice. Hot freaking damn. The shower. The opera. The library. My freaking god. The spice was so good!! 🔥

Thank you so much to Elle & her team for the arc copy 🤍

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Elle Kennedy is a staple for our store. We were super grateful to read THE GRAHAM EFFECT so we can better hand sell the title. The Graham Effect is another hit from Elle Kennedy.

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for this arc!

4/5 stars

I ate this hockey romance up with a damn SPOON and I don't normally like sports romance! This was fantastic and my first Elle Kennedy, I can't wait to read more!

Elle Kennedy is the queen of hockey romance and she continues to shine in The Graham Effect. As with her other books, she knows how to bring the steam and tension. Gigi and Ryder seem like more fully developed characters and they come across more realistic then her other series. I liked that the problems that they had were fleshed out and resolved in a mature way. We get to see some of our favorite men from the Off-Campus series, the comradery of the Briar U hockey team, and Gigi and her best friends. This book was a highly enjoyable read and would be perfect for fellow fans of spicy sports romances!

“You feel this too, don’t you?” His eyes are on mine. Dark blue and bottomless. “Yeah, I feel it.”

Oh, Elle Kennedy I love you for giving us more Briar U hockey! Gigi and Ryder are such a power duo. Smart and talented, with sharp banter and chemistry for days. This new adult romance fits based on the setting and age of the characters but, the writing and maturity of the MCs will appeal to a much wider audience. Who doesn’t love some quid pro quo? And did I mention the chemistry?? 🔥

Note: This novel works as a stand alone and you do not need to read the prior books (Off Campus and Briar U series) beforehand. However, I highly recommend adding them to your list because they are amazing!

This was just fine, I've recently decided that I don't super love Elle Kennedy's books, but I don't dislike them enough to not keep up with the series? Very conflicted. Overall a decent continuation of the series and I like what she did with the characters.

Thank you to netgalley and the for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This book was incredible! The storyline was easy to follow and well laid out. I loved the characters dynamic and easy banter. Thank you Bloom Books for the ARC!

Gigi and Ryder are two characters who grab your attention right from the start, and I loved how they met. Gigi reminded me a lot of Garrett, and I have to say I saw a bit of Hannah in Ryder. Despite comparing the characters in some aspects, they have their own story, and I loved every moment. Gigi and Ryder have undeniable chemistry, and one of the things I loved the most was how honest and communicative they are. Ryder starts off as that grumpy guy who hardly speaks, but as he gets involved with Gigi, he starts to open up, and it's heartwarming to watch. They come from very different worlds, but I think they end up complementing each other. Seeing Gigi with the uncles is hilarious. Just like in the Off-Campus series, the secondary characters are wonderful, and I can't wait to see more of them.

This was so good!! I love a good enemies to lovers and this one was perfect. I loved Gigi’s character and how she grew throughout the book, especially her chemistry with Ryder! I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Thank you @getredprbooks for the advanced copy!

I love a good Elle Kennedy college sports romance! The tension, banter, drama and chemistry are all off the charts amazing. I love Gigi, she is a such a talented yet humble (except sometimes with Ryder) hockey player who will put in whatever work it takes to excel and achieve her dreams. Ryder is hot. Just have to start with that! He's protective, kind of quiet and grumpy but a softy on the inside who does sweet romantic gestures pretty much from the start and truly cares about his team/friends. He's also more than willing to put in the work for what he wants, whether that's related to hockey or Gigi. They come from very different backgrounds but still find a lot of common ground and respect for each other. Their spicy scenes are just that: spicyyyyy and the more emotional/conversational scenes are heartwarming and just really show the chemistry between the two. They have a very healthy friendship --> relationship and I feel like that's so rare in a lot of new adult romance books so it makes me very happy to see it here. There's really nothing I didn't love about this book. If you're a sports romance reader and especially a hockey romance reader, you're going to want to add this one to your TBR!

*Friends With Benefits
*Hockey Players
*Almost Public Spicy Scenes
*Found Family
*Amazing Side Characters
*Off Campus Cameos

I really appreciate the advanced digital copy from NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is out now so if you haven't already read it, I definitely recommend!