Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin/HTP the Hive for the ARC of this book.

This book seems to be one that would be a good beach read. Therefore I am surprised it was released in November. I thought this book was pretty enjoyable but it wasn't my favorite book of 2024. With that being said, I found it enjoyable enough, and in no way do I think it was a bad book. Overall, it was a cute romance.

Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. i thought this book was wonderful, right down to the setting in Hawaii where it made you feel you were there. it was really atmospheric for someone who's never been there. i liked that the FMC was passionate about both her job and her personal attachment to the Hawaiian landscape.

Read if you like: books set in Hawaii, unlikely love stories
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'Iwa grew up on Hawaii and works as a field biologist fighting to protect Maui's rainforest. She meets Dane after he wins a bug surfing competition but 'Iwa is reluctant to go out with him and carefully guards her heart. Dane is able to break down the barriers though and the two start a relationship and experience a complicated romance.
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Ackerman knows how to write a romance and I was completely sucked into this book right rom the beginning. I loved 'Iwa and Dane and how they learned to love each other while experiencing many different challenges. I also loved the Hawaiian setting and felt like I was back in Maui. Overall a great story.

This was an inspiring story about resiliency and following your heart wherever it may lead. I have always admired big wave surfers so I was eager to dive into this story. I was hooked from the beginning and loved following along with both Dane and 'Iwa.

This story really resonated with me. As a kid growing up on Oahu, I spent all my time outside in nature. Hiking and exploring while also spending time with the ocean. I love that the story shined a light on conservation of the islands. There are so many species of flora and fauna only found there and they need to be protected and preserved. It is truly spiritual on a whole different level if you're willing to open yourself to the magic of the islands.

While I loved Dane my heart was enamored by 'Iwa. I have an affinity for the mountains because they played such a huge part in my own personal story. 'Iwa and myself had such similar feelings and intentions that it was easy to relate with her and form a connection. She was determined and dedicated to do the right thing, which I really admired.

I was beyond delighted to see the horses and the mentioning of how therapeutic they are. There is something special about the power horses have. They can help in ways you'd never expect and I was ecstatic to see it highlighted. Fun fact, my horses nickname is Iwa so that was another draw to the story for me. While my other horse is named after the flower of Maui. There were too many connections for me to pass this story up.

This story ended up being deeper than I was expecting. It was emotional and heartbreaking at times while also being inspirational and enlightening. The characters were well rounded and a joy to read about. I liked that we got to see so many places because the writing was so well done that it painted a beautiful picture of all the surf spots. I really felt like I was back home while reading this and I loved all the little nuances of Hawaii added in. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it!!

I really, really enjoyed Sara Ackerman's new contemporary romance set in the big surfing world of Maui and features an eco activist and award winning surfer falling in instant love but never quite finding a way to make a relationship work for them. Full of tender moments, appreciation for the land and a painful experience with drug addiction/pain meds after a terrible accident, this book really takes readers on an emotional roller coaster but the end is worth all the highs and lows! Great on audio narrated by Jennifer Robideau and perfect for any surfing lovers out there! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have read all of Sara Ackerman’s books and The Uncharted Flight Of Olivia West is by far my favorite. As a matter of fact, I have loved most of her books. However, this one fell a bit short for me. I believe it is because I just had very little connection to the characters.

One character, Dane, is heavily into surfing and this is a major part of the story. The other character, ’Iwa, is into conservation of the Islands. All of this is great, it just didn’t interest me as much as some of this author’s other novels.

Dane and ’Iwa have a a typical, romance book relationship. He is the pursuer and she tends to put him off…that is until she cannot resist anymore. Then, as you guessed, their relationship falls apart. So, it is a bit predictable in the story line as well.

All of that being said…the setting of Maui is fantastic. And like I always say…read it for yourself.

Need a book with the fabulous setting of Hawaii…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I loved this book and was transported to Maui. It had everything I was hoping to read. Hawaii history, culture, romance, surfing and a little suspense.
Sara Ackerman writes a moving story and even a few tears were shed. I loved getting the in-depth look at the big wave surfers and Dane was the best main character. 'Iwa had so much strength and heart, her determination to save the land and endangered species felt genuine.
I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book so much, the nature, the setting, the characters. Beauty is surrounding these two people far and wide but they’ve only got eyes for each other. It was definitely a good pair of main characters with Iwa being a great eco activist and Dane being a surfer, it reminded me of how much we really can overlook our outdoor surroundings by spending so much time inside. Lovely read!

I loved this book that made me feel nostalgic for the Hawaiian Islands and want to book another trip to Maui as soon as possible!

Iwa is a Hawaiian native, a protector of Maui’s nature, and a lover of the lush mountains. Dane is a mainlander whose second home is with his found family in Maui, he’s a woodworker and a surfer, and the ocean is his calling. When Dane meets Iwa after a surfing competition, he can’t seem to get her out of his head, and can’t seem to get her to agree to go out with him. That changes when Dane offers to help Iwa save her beloved waterfall in the heart of the Hana mountains. Can they save the waterfall and come together with enough shared passions to make a relationship work? Or, will their own paths take them away from one another?

I adored Iwa and Dane together while their relationship was growing in love and found myself rooting for them to get over themselves and find their way back to one another when their relationship faced hardships. I loved the author’s use of the Hawaiian language throughout the story, and her vivid descriptions that matched places I’ve been in Maui. Her knowledge of surfing made the story come to life and I appreciated learning more about a sport that’s truly a way of life for so many Hawaiians.

Read this if you love found family, he falls first, reverse grumpy sunshine, and strong FMCs.

Thank you to Net Galley, the author Sara Ackerman, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Native Hawaiian Ackerman sets her newest novel in a place she knows well and clearly loves. I am sure that, like Iwa, she is concerned about the ecology of the island.

Two people meet. They are Iwa and Dane. Each has feelings for Hawaii though their work and hopes for the island may differ. When they meet, what will happen? How will their pasts influence their futures? Throw is rain forests, surfing, Portugal and the novel moves forward.

Those who like books with settings that are vividly brought to life will enjoy this title. The same is true for those who like to read romances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the team at HTP for this title. All opinions are

"You are made of salt water.
The ocean runs in your veins.
The ocean is you."

I just finished up ARC reading The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman! Let me start by saying, I really wanted to love this book. I loved the cover and the synopsis, and everything that I've read prior by Ackerman has been amazing... but this one just seemed to lack a little bit.

I struggled to get into it at first, and while I understood where the story was going, 'Iwa and Dane's relationship was kind of all over the place at times and I had a hard time following everything. I just felt like I couldn't connect to 'Iwa or Dane, and I was very disappointed in that! I wanted to like them both, but their romance seemed as though it got put on the back burner for most of the book.

This is a more modern romance novel versus Ackerman's typical historical fiction, but it still touches on some deep topics like the death of a parent, drug addiction, and cheating. However, despite these topics, it's also a story about finding yourself and doing what you believe in. If you enjoy reading about surfing, conservation, and the beauty of Hawai'i, you will enjoy this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

'Iwa Young is working as a field biologist in Maui. She encounters surfer Dane Parsons who wants to build an eco resort in the area. As 'Iwa fights development, sparks fly with Dane.

I wanted to read The Maui Effect because I have loved Sara Ackerman's historic fiction books. I was intrigued by the Hawaii setting and the surfing that is important to this story.

This was such a great, sweeping read! I loved visiting Maui in this book and also enjoyed 'Iwa and Dane's story. It was a lovely and engrossing love story, and unique from other reads. I highly recommend The Maui Effect for other readers! Five enthusiastic stars.

This is, of course, a book with great settings and atmosphere. The author's knowledge of, experience of, and love for the setting and people is clear and that's the best part of this book. However, I found the characters to not be quite as compelling as the setting. The pacing is pretty leisurely, though it didn't feel overly slow or long.

This novel is about two characters, Iwa and Dane. Iwa is a field biologist who has lived her whole life on Maui, and is fighting to protect the island from overdevelopment. Dane is a big wave surfer from California. Both have their own issues in the past and neither is looking for a relationship, but they find it hard to deny the sparks between them.

I have loved Sara Ackerman’s historical fiction set on Hawaii, and this is her first totally contemporary book, and I loved it too! It’s a romance but not a rom com, it’s a tribute to surfing, it’s an environmental novel that’s compelling but not preachy, and it’s filled with wonderful characters who really come to life, even the smaller side characters. I have never been to Hawaii nor been surfing, but the vivid writing in this book truly made me feel like I’ve done both - the kind of book that just really unfolds so cinematically in your mind’s eye.

Iwa is a passionate and determined field biologist fighting to protect endangered species from an eco-resort development. Her personality clashes with Dane, a big-wave surfer whose carefree lifestyle hides surprising depth. The two characters have undeniable chemistry, and the narrative explores how their seemingly opposite worlds intersect.
With its themes of environmental conservation and an opposites-attract romance, execution was a bit lacking for me. The pacing is uneven, with moments that drag and others that feel rushed. The globe-trotting from Maui to Portugal, while exciting, sometimes detracts from the emotional core of the story, making it harder to fully invest in the characters’ relationship.

Overall, the story offers stunning descriptions of nature and surfing culture, but its storytelling doesn’t quite live up to its potential. For readers who enjoy environmentally conscious narratives with a dash of romance, it might still be worth a try. However, for those seeking a deeply engaging love story, it may fall short.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman is a great contemporary romance primarily set in Hawaii. Ackerman creates an inspirational fictional heroine in the character of ‘Iwa who is a biologist and activist for preserving Maui’s rainforests. Dane is a surfer who encounters ‘Iwa, and they cannot forget each other. I recommend The Maui Effect to lovers of romance with surfing and a little suspense. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Thanks to MIRA and HTP for my advanced copy of The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman. I love Sara Ackerman's historical fiction and this is her first contemporary romance. I loved the beautiful Maui setting of this book and this book was a love letter to Hawaii and the ocean. It has me wanting to book a trip to Hawaii,

'Iwa is a biologist who is fighting to save one of her favorite waterfalls when a developer wants to build an "eco-resort". Dane is a surfer who travels the world for the big waves. He's on Maui when he meets "Iwa and wants to get to know her more. I loved the descriptions of Maui and the rainforests. You can feel Sara Ackerman's love for Hawaii in this book.

There was a little too much surfing for me in this book -- and I just didn't feel the love story between 'Iwa and Dane. The story dragged a little for me.

If you like surfing and conservation you'll love this book!

THE MAUI EFFECT – Sara Ackerman
Mira
ISBN: 978-0-778-36956-1
November 19, 2024
Contemporary Fiction

Maui, Hawaii – 2012

‘Iwa Young is a field biologist on her beloved island of Maui and is fighting to save its ecosystem from a ruthless land developer. Big wave surfer Dane Parsons arrives on Maui and soon encounters ‘Iwa at the restaurant where she works. She is a beautiful singer, and he becomes entranced with her voice and her beauty. She is more cautious about having a romantic relationship with Dane because she has been burnt in the past by a man who cheated on her. But he is interested in her quest and even goes with her to an isolated waterfall where they passionately kiss. But their interlude is interrupted by the men employed by the land developer. He has purchased the land and intends to keep ‘Iwa and her fellow conservationists off the land. It isn’t, however, going to stop ‘Iwa from continuing to pursue finding something—anything—to stop the developer. Meanwhile, Dane is spending his usual time surfing, which is where he gets his highs, and enjoying time with the woman he has become very attracted to. But something has to give—‘Iwa’s quest to save the wildlife preserve or Dane’s mission to be the best surfer in the world.

THE MAUI EFFECT is filled with emotion and pain as ‘Iwa and Dane experience highs and lows. She works in her father’s restaurant and sings while she mourns the mother she recently lost. She is used to the surfers coming in and flirting with her. But Dane is different. He tempts her and pulls her into his life. He seems to care for her, but can she trust him? As a big-time surfer, Dane attracts women who are more than willing to sleep with him. After being cheated on, ‘Iwa doesn’t want to face more heartbreak. But love doesn’t care. Their relationship starts as a tentative friendship, but by the time they are kissing underneath the waterfall, it all changes. Now she fears that something will happen to break her heart. Dane is driven to succeed, but readers sense that the water will soon prove to be the reason he is brought down to earth.

Taking place over several months in 2012, we get to see the romance blossom in THE MAUI EFFECT. ‘Iwa’s quest to save the birds and other wildlife on Maui is commendable, even as it is difficult. She brings Dane into her circle of friends, as he does her into his. Once he leaves Maui to return to the mainland, will she make the trek there? Or is their romance over? This tale is a beautiful spectacle about saving the ecosystems of our world before they are destroyed by greedy developers. Readers will no doubt root her on, as well as hold their breaths while Dane surfs the wild oceanic waters. Even as they experience the ups and downs of their romance, readers will wonder if ‘Iwa and Dane will get their happily ever after. I won’t give away the answer but just know they have a long way to go before they find out.

If you love a tale that is a bit different from other romances out there and takes place on the beautiful island of Maui, then don’t miss THE MAUI EFFECT.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Dane and ‘Iwa are both special people who enjoy the ocean area. When they start dating, all is well, but soon there is conflict. I loved the descriptions of Hawaii in this novel, and it was interesting to me to hear about all of the bird species living on the island. However, the surfing information fell flat on my ears, as I’ve never been interested in surfing. I also never really felt that the couple’s relationship was strong. It was an ok read for me, but not one that I’d necessarily recommend to others.

Interesting Departure, Still A Love Letter To The Author's Homeland. Ackerman, at least in my time reading her works, has been a historical fiction writer before this tale. While there were generally some elements of romance to her tales that have always featured a female lead, that was seemingly almost there for realism and impact as much as trying to add in a romantic subplot.

Here, Ackerman goes instead for a more full-bore romance, still set in her native Hawaii. While not as impactful as some of her more recent historical fiction work, it still works well for what it is - a drama-filled romance tale set against the backdrop of a native Hawaiian and a mainlander surfer trying to become a surfing legend. Fans of most anything to do with Hawaii and/ or surfing will enjoy this work. Fans of the early 2000s era movie Blue Crush, since it just came up this week (great timing for Ackerman!) with the Weds, November 13, 2024 airing of The Masked Singer in the US and specifically who was revealed that night (though this is all I'm saying... it is likely still too much to avoid spoilers of *that* show... which I never guaranteed) will enjoy the callbacks to both the tropical scenery and the surfing competitions and their dangers.

More interesting, at least to me, are all the connections to the Avatar scifi franchise. Our female lead here is named Iwa Iwa, apparently for a native Hawaiian plant - and yet Eywa (which sounds similar to this Southern United States boy's ears) is the Na'vi goddess in the Avatar franchise. Similarly, when Iwa begins praying to the various natural gods early-ish in the book, the language sounds remarkably like the language spoken by the Na'vi in the movies (and in the Pandora world at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom, for that matter). Which shouldn't come as *too* much of a surprise, since James Cameron and staff openly admit they were inspired by Pacific Islander culture - including Hawaiian culture - in the creation of the Na'vi. Still, this is the first fiction book I've ever seen with such a clear and pervasive connection, and it was both interesting and jarring. Then there are the conservation connections, as both storylines feature at least some level of fighting to preserve nature from "greedy developers". (So yes, the anti-capitalist themes are there to a degree, but I personally didn't find them too be too preachy or overbearing here. Avatar is certainly *far* worse in that regard.)

This isn't a light romcom by any stretch, there are absolutely some very weighty subjects dealt with herein - including a serious injury that leads to opioid addiction - and this may hit harder for some readers than others.

Overall it really was an interesting departure from Ackerman's norm (again, at least in my own experience with her books), but one that shows that Ackerman is a strong enough storyteller that she will be able to give us a compelling story in any genre she chooses while also still allowing for some growth in these new adventures.

Very much recommended.