Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Unfortunately, I decided that this wasn’t the book for me and have decided to step away from reading it.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read this book!

I really enjoyed this book I love how much you learn about the nature of Hawaii! And learn more about surfing too!

There’s something magical about nature, and this story truly captivated me.
I haven’t been to Hawaii, but it’s on my bucket list and with beautiful writing and vivid descriptions this book took me there.
A beautiful story about life, nature, the power of community and love you don’t want to miss.

I was so excited to jump into another book by Sara Ackerman. It is very different than her other books, but I enjoyed it all the same.

I loved learning about 'Iwa and Dane, and how they were drawn together. Add in the beauty that is Maui, and you have a really interesting and engaging story.

I can't wait to see what Ackerman writes next!

Another fabulous book by Sara Ackerman!

I really liked this contemporary novel. While it's different from her previous books, the love for Hawaii still shines through - and in an even bigger way.

'Iwa and Dane come from different lives, but when they meet on the island of Maui, they find themselves drawn together. Will their love survive or will their different passions pull them apart?

I loved 'Iwa. She was such a passionate character. Her love for her native island shone through. I loved that she was a field biologist. Through her eyes the reader gets a unique view of the Maui rainforest.

Dane's passion for big wave surfing was so interesting. I love a book that teaches me something, and I definitely learned a lot more about surfing from this one.

As in all Sara Ackerman's books, the setting is such a gorgeous part of the story. I love the descriptions throughout the book - from the beauties of Maui to the big wave scene across the world.

Highly recommend!

This author’s writing is beautiful. I was so immersed in the setting of Hawaii and the surfing that Dane did. I loved his passion for it and ‘Iwas for the island and her connection to it. It was emotional and I loved how things weren’t predictable. I liked how the relationship developed and they had a lot of meaningful conversations. It was a lot more than just a romance. There was a great sense of community, loss, and standing up for your beliefs. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you @saraackermanbooks @harlequinbooks @htpbooks @netgalley and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the #gifted ebook.

In THE MAUI EFFECT Sara Ackerman takes us to the beautiful island of Maui. Her descriptions of the rainforest have me wanting to visit Maui soon! Iwa is a field biologist trying to save the rainforest and a favorite waterfall from a supposed eco developer. Dane is a big wave surfer that has just won a big competition. When they meet at her father's restaurant, the attraction is immediate. Iwa has dealt with surfer boyfriends in the past and is not interested in a relationship. Can Dane change her mind?

I liked the conservation aspect of the story as Iwa was trying to save the flora and fauna of the island. I learned about surfing as this is big with Dane's story as he strives to be the best. Iwa and Dane's relationship has a lot of ups and downs and I couldn't help but route for them. If you are looking for a contemporary romance set on a beautiful island, The Maui Effect is the perfect book.

Sara Ackerman has a beautiful writing style that always draws me in and captivates my imagination. I feel her words in my soul and get lost in the moment as I read. This romantic adventure took me on such a lovely emotional journey through grief, the beauty of nature and the need to save what we have, self-discovery, and the fear and delight of falling in love. I adore her books and this one is my new favorite.

3.5 stars.

"The Maui Effect" by Sara Ackerman paints a beautiful, sweeping portrait of both Hawaii and California. Gosh, the descriptions here are some of the best I have ever read. I felt like I was standing in a Hawaiian forest, hearing bird calls all around me as waterfalls clamor before my eyes. I felt like I was sitting on a California beach with my toes in the sand. I could feel the waves crashing on top of me and taste the salt air as it kissed my skin. Some beautiful, evocative stuff where the descriptions are concerned. Unfortunately, the romance aspect of the story leaves a lot to be desired. I loved 'Iwa, the main female character. She is strong but sensitive. Her work as a biologist is compelling and engaging. Dane, the main male character, and his constant surfing are truly the main characters of this story, much to my chagrin. His antics leave ‘Iwa and her wants and needs on the back burner. It took me quite a bit to get invested in their romance. I think Dane is a flawed lead character as he is selfish and off-putting. 'Iwa has her own issues, but I found her more relatable. There is a lot going on in this story. We've got the romance aspect, Dane's loss, 'Iwa's loss, the fight to stop developers from building a resort on the mainland, the surfing competitions, Dane's ex, their respective friend groups and jobs, etc. It felt like too much at times. Also, the story takes quite a while to get going. The uneven pacing means it took a while to capture my interest. While I did find myself more invested the longer the story went on, I don't think I would buy this book or re-read it. Still, I think a lot of readers would enjoy this one more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sara Ackerman, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and MIRA for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Posted on Instagram as a reel, December 4th, @whatisshelbyreading

Overall giving this a 3.5 but rounding up on here and Goodreads!

I loved the setting of this book, Hawaii is like my second home so I enjoyed the talk and the descriptions. I also enjoyed the setting of California and Santa Cruz, because that’s where I live now so that was a fun surprise! I did wish there was more drama and story around the waterfall, I felt like that part of the story fell short and it ended up being more about Dane and his surfing and ‘Iwa story was put on the background. I did enjoy the surfing parts but I also felt like those pieces really dragged on for an unnecessary amount of time. I enjoyed the romance between ‘Iwa and Dane but again, wish we saw them more together and their story. Overall it was cute and I enjoyed it!

The Maui Effect is a love story with sides of surf competitions and suspense and a strong sense of place to thrill Hawaii enthusiasts.

‘Iwa is a field biologist and is happiest in Maui’s rainforests surrounded by trees, birds, and waterfalls. Her quiet and happy life is interrupted by the news that a developer plans to build a resort in the middle of her beloved forest. As she gears up to fight the developer, she meets Dane, a handsome and irresistible big-wave surfer from California. She doesn’t want him to distract her, but he offers to help her fight the developers. Romance and complications ensue.

Fans of big wave surfing and rainforests will love these aspects of The Maui Effect. The author’s vivid descriptions create a picturesque and strong sense of place, and her love for Hawaii is evident on each page.

Ackerman’s previous work has focused on Peal Harbor during WWII, so contemporary romance is a switch in genres for her. I’m an Ackerman completist, so I’m glad I was aware of this genre switch going into this new release. It will be quite a surprise for her loyal fans who are not aware!

The Maui Effect can be categorized as contemporary romance with sides of suspense and competition. The surfing competitions and the plan to derail the development plan in the rain forest add depth and complexity to the story, but the heart of the story is a romance. It’s also more open door than we’ve come to expect from Ackerman.

I wonder how her fans will react to the genre switch after she built her reputation on women’s/historical fiction. Those who love romance will appreciate her new direction.

Content Consideration: some open-door romance, substance abuse, severe injury, depression

Sara Ackerman fans might enjoy this genre switch to contemporary romance. Surfers and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the attention given to themes of competition and preservation. Readers who love Hawaii will love the descriptions.

Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books Fall 2024 Blog Tour for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMauiEffect upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Sara Ackerman is back with a brand new novel, but it’s a little different from her previous ones. The author is known for historical fiction and Hawaiian settings, but this time around, she’s trying her hand at romance! A field biologist and a professional surfer embark on a tumultuous love affair with many ups and downs, tons of passion, intense chemistry, and exciting adventures. But it’s not all fun and games. Both characters take their careers very seriously which creates multiple challenges and distractions that get in the way of their budding romance. This all provides an exciting cat-and-mouse, will they/won’t they game for the reader to get caught up in. Ackerman truly excels at describing the scenery and overall vibe of Maui. My family and I visited last February, and it felt like my toes were still buried in the sand. Take me back! The surfing lingo was plentiful throughout and went way over my head at times. It was a lot, and probably my only complaint about the novel.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Gorgeous Hawaiian setting
- Surfing culture
- The ocean, rainforests, and waterfalls
- Nature, hiking, and the mountains
- Environmental activism
- Bird watching
- Sports romance
- Reflections on loss and grief

QUICK SYNOPSIS:
“𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮, 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙪𝙞 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙞’𝙞 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙡, 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨—𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮.”

THE MAUI EFFECT is available now! 4/5 stars!

Title: The Maui Effect
Author: Sara Ackerman
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: November 19, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Authentic • Adventurous • Transportive

📖 S Y N O P S I S

'Iwa Young's life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a field biologist, she's happiest in company with trees and birds and waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called "eco resort" in the middle of a forest full of endangered species, 'Iwa puts all her energy into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her. His name is Dane Parsons, and he's a big-wave surfer from California. 'Iwa has a few unbreakable rules, and at the top of her list: never date a surfer.

Dane Parsons is part of an underground group of big-wave riders, and his connection to the ocean runs deep. When he meets 'Iwa, he can't get her out of his mind. But 'Iwa wants nothing to do with Dane until he offers to help protect her beloved forest and waterfall. Always on the hunt for the ultimate ride, Dane suddenly glimpses something even greater, but just out of reach.

💭 T H O U G H T S

The Maui Effect, Sara Ackerman's first foray into contemporary romance, was the second book of hers I picked up this month. The cover was my initial attraction, yet I was also eager to get back to the beautiful Hawai'ian landscape.

Told through dual POVs, this is by no means a lighthearted romance. It tackles the environmental impacts of tourism on the Hawai'ian landscape and a dependence on prescription medication, all while the romance takes a backseat. I will say the author has managed to develop a fantastic cast of secondary characters to enhance the story.

The setting - from the Hawai'ian islands, to the seaside town in California, to the European atmosphere of Portugal - plays a huge role throughout the entire story. Ackerman is able to bring her landscapes to life, so that I felt I was there with the characters. What really stood out was the beautiful description and love for the Maui rainforest - I wanted to be walking among the waterfalls and dense greenery.

Being someone who has been landlocked her entire life, I cannot say I have a keen interest or vast understanding of the world of surfing, so I appreciated getting a deeper look into that world and the culture surrounding it. The narrative does get bogged down from time to time with too much technicality though.

The Maui Effect is a departure from the historical fiction Sara Ackerman typically writes, yet it's almost not your typical romance book. Yes, there is romance, but there is also depth, attention to detail, and important topics being discussed. For me, this is a love story with the planet - Hawai'i, the natural world, the ocean, and surf culture. It's always fun to discover new authors, and I have enjoyed both books I've read from this author in November, so will be interested in reading more.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• California Golden and/or Blue Crush
• Hawai'i
• surfing

⚠️ CW: injury/injury detail, drug use, drug abuse, opioid addiction, addiction, mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, cursing, grief, death, death of parent, infidelity, sexual content, cancer

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Sometimes we can't save people, all we can do is love them. But even that isn't always enough."

My adrenaline was pumping a ton during this read. The book has some of the most intense surfing scenes and I’ve never even surfed. I honestly could see this book being a movie.

The read has Iwa and Dane as the two main characters and the book gives us both of their points of view. Iwa is a native of Maui and is working with a company trying to keep an Eco Resort from destroying the natural landscape of Maui. Dane is a mainlander and part of the Big Wave Community who is trying to catch a big wave in Maui. Their paths cross while Iwa is singing at her dad’s bar.

This book has adventure, nature, drama, and a love story. It is a fantastic read.

3.5 ⭐️

Iwa is a Hawaiian field biologist who prefers to spend her time in the rainforest, protecting Maui's natural resources, endemic birds, and waterfalls. When a developer threatens the peace by proposing an eco-resort, Iwa swears off all distractions--even if those distractions come in the form of a gorgeous surfer, Dane. Dane is a well known surfer who seeks Iwa out, going as far as offering his help in saving the rainforest. However, he's still a surfer at heart and with that, comes its complications.

I really was enjoying this book. This isn't just a love story between two people, but also a love story for Hawaii. The language is rich with Hawaiian culture and I felt so informed reading it. I'm also a nature geek, so the constant imagery didn't bother me. The pacing was a little off, where some areas dragged a little bit. I loved Dane and Iwa's story...until Dane did something SO STUPID. It made me want to DNF the book. I read romance to escape, but unfortunately, this one was a little more on the realistic side. He did a massive no no, his justification was stupid, and their was minimal groveling. I feel like Iwa was way more forgiving than I would have been. This would have been 4 stars if that particular plot point was avoided. It just wasn't for me and I didn't see the redemption. That being said, this is still a gorgeous story about a man and a woman and the love they have for their passions and each other.

The ocean, surfing, rainforests, and saving animals.. this book was filled with all my favorites!

I loved the setting and atmosphere in this book. With the descriptive detail into the Hawaiian island I felt I was transported to Hawaian beaches and the rainforests during this story. I felt like I was hiking the trails to the waterfalls! There’s some traveling to the shores of California and Portugal as well!

The two main characters were in many ways opposites in their careers but in many ways had so much in common. I loved Iwa’s love for the island and conserving the beauty, culture and rainforests especially the animals as much as possible. Dane is a professional surfer loving traveling and the thrill of the next big wave.

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

This story is such a love letter to Hawaii, the culture and surfing.

I picked up The Maui Effect expecting a heartfelt romance set against the stunning backdrop of Hawaii, but the book turned out to be more literary fiction than the romance I had in mind. While the story itself was interesting and kept me reading, I found it difficult to connect with the characters, which left me feeling somewhat detached from their journeys.

The pacing was uneven; the beginning felt slow, and it took a while to fully engage me. However, the last part of the book was much more compelling and made the journey worthwhile. It’s also worth noting that this feels more like a summer read—light, atmospheric, and perfect for lazy afternoons.

If you’re looking for a romance-heavy story, you might find yourself wanting more from this book. But if you enjoy literary fiction with vivid settings and a slower exploration of relationships and personal growth, this might be right up your alley. Overall, a 3-star read for me.

This is such a unique and interesting story! I love that it was set in amazingly beautiful places, mainly Maui and CA, but also Portugal. The way she describes the setting in Hawaii makes you feel like you’re there, it’s so easy to picture. The author’s note explains the author’s connection to the land, and why she chose to set the book in 2012-2013.
MMC Dane is CA based and has a passion for surfing, and travels for competitions and the biggest swells he can find. Iwa lives in Maui, where she is a field biologist, and is on a mission to save the land and native animals from a sketchy developer. She isn’t a trusting person, but Dane sets his sights on her and eventually she lets him in. Their relationship goes through tumultuous ups and downs, and all the while I loved Iwa so much. I definitely recommend this one to romance readers, especially ones who want to escape to a gorgeous place, and love the environment.

Thank you so much to HTP Books, The Hive Sara Ackerman and NetGalley for the eARC

An emotional Hawaiian romance between a professional surfer and a conservationist. Set in Hawaii but takes place around the globe. Tackles death and abandonment and drug addiction.

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.