The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman is a captivating novel that delves into the intriguing concept of opposites attracting. Brimming with passion, adventure, and a compelling battle for nature, this book left me spellbound, reaffirming my belief in the transformative power of love and determination.

I really wanted to LOVE this book but ultimately I have some frustrations. I will say that the book is well written, easy to digest, and I did not see any errors in my e-book ARC that I received from Harlequin publishing through Netgalley. My review and thoughts are my own. I really only enjoy romance books that have some emotional grit to them. Rom-Coms are not my forte, and this seemed like it was going to be RIGHT up my alley. I also LOVE and appreciate a dual POV. This was my first book with surfing as a sport and I really enjoyed reading about it. Overall, this book is good. The execution of the surfing storyline and the environmentalism storyline with a romance subplot was just... missing something. I feel like the ending felt rushed and the romance plot was missing some believability. I will read more from this author.

Thank you! Following Iwa, a biologist trying to preserve the beauty of Hawaii. The cover caught my eye. This is the love story of Iwa and Dana and also Hawaii. The book explores the sport of surfing in great detail and sometimes felt like the love story was a backseat to make way for these vivid descriptions. The plot felt like it was disjointed at times and I couldn't exactly feel the love story between Dana and Iwa. Read for the beautiful descriptions of Maui!

Blue Crush meets environmental activism in this new romance novel about a field biologist in Maui (‘Iwa) and a big wave surfer (Dane).

Maui is such a special place and I loved this book for diving into the beauty of not just its oceans and beaches but its lush forests, waterfalls, and endemic wildlife.
The surfing was dope too, big wave surfing is so fascinating to me and I loved getting to see the science and intensive process behind it.

The love story was cute and the tension in the first half of the book was fantastic. The spicy scenes however were confusing. They would start off being very open door and then that door would slam in your face when it started getting good and fade to black. Slightly disappointing with the build up that we were given.

Other than that, I really enjoyed reading this one!

If you were a Blue Crush fanatic and love sticking it to big corporations trying to turn paradise into a parking lot then you’ll love this book.

Iwa is a field biologist doing what she can to preserve the natural beauty of Hawaii, even if she has to go toe to toe with developers. She doesn't anticipate the distraction of big-wave surfer, Dane, who goes against all her carefully laid out rules. Will they be able to accomplish all their individual goals and find common ground?

Thoughts 💭
As much as this was a love story between Iwa and Dana, this was also a love story to Hawaii. The descriptions and understanding of the land could only come from someone who lived there. I was impressed with the detail not only of Hawaii but of surfing as well. A lot of time and attention were given to these details. In fact, the love story at times took a back seat to the descriptions, which is my only big complaint. Things dragged for me a little in the middle, and it didn't seem like the plot was developing much at all. Also, be warned that this isn't a light-hearted story. There was a severe injury, cheating, and substance abuse. I enjoyed this story overall and would recommend checking it out, especially if you love Hawaii and surfing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A good summer read that kept me entertained, laughing and happy until the end. The Maui Effect made me feel like the summer never ended but also kept me hoping the two MCs would get their HEA. The plot and writing were good and Sara gives a good story in this one!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I felt like this book was three different pieces that didn’t fully go together. First you have ‘Iwa and her efforts to preserve Maui and its habitats, then you have Dane and surfing, and then you have a littleeeee bit of romance. I don’t think there’s enough romance here to classify as a romance book and it also really falls to the back burner. I like Ackerman’s writing but I wish the characters made a little more sense as a couple and spent time together like in your typical romance. It seemed like they were apart for most of the book. I also found the pacing to be pretty slow

I read a historical fiction by Ackerman a couple years ago and really enjoyed it, so I do plan to continue reading her books. This one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you Harlequin for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my thought on this book.

Iwa’s mother passed away a few years ago. She now works part-time with her father at their restaurant, where she often sings and entertains the guests. Her passion lies in preserving the natural beauty of Maui. Iwa has decided she’s not interested in dating, especially not surfers—she’s been there and won’t go back.

Dane grew up in California, but his roots run deep in Maui, where his friend Kama lives, and together they share a love for surfing.

While there’s a romance between Iwa and Dane, this book feels more like a love letter to the ocean and to Maui. The Hawaiian islands are incredibly beautiful, and I feel lucky to have visited two of them.

The book explores the world of surfing in great detail, making it a fantastic read for those who love the water and the thrill of the waves. The romance here is less about the characters and more about their shared love for the ocean, with all its beauty and danger.

'Iwa had two rules when it came to men - no surfers and no mainlanders, yet when Dane enters her orbit she cannot resist his pull.

I had finished this book this morning, but I can still *feel* that ending. This book was very much a romance, and I thought 'Iwa and Dane had a great dynamic. They had an ease with each other that had been missing from their other relationships, and they fit together so well. They both had so much passion for the things that were important to them as well. Dane had a big love for the ocean and surfing while 'Iwa was devoted to her island home and preserving the undeveloped pieces of it. I enjoyed the romance very much, but there was a lot more packed into this story that piqued my interest.

Ackerman did an incredible job transporting me to each and every location and immersing me in its beauty and danger. I think my heart beat faster during every big-wave scene, but I also let out contented sighs just envisioning these amazing locals. The authors love and knowledge of Hawai'i really showed, and it was a pleasure to get to "visit".

I found myself deep in the big-wave surfing world. All of Dane's trips were captivating. Ackerman's descriptions had me feeling those drops and seeing those gigantic waves. The surf sequences were very exciting and there were some nail-biters too.

But enough about Dane, 'Iwa was also very interesting. She worked in conservation and spent a good part of the book trying to keep a developer out of her rainforest. We made frequent trips to these lush environments where I got to observe the flora and the fauna, and again, it was all really interesting and informative.

There were a lot of great things that happened in both 'Iwa and Dane's lives that hit me emotionally. And like I said, that ending had me feeling my feels and shedding a few tears. I was just really happy and touched by it. This may have been a romance, but there was also the love stories between the characters and nature, the ocean, and Hawai'i which made this a wonderful reading experience for me.

Sara Ackerman continually creates immersive stories set in Hawaii. This book is a contemporary story and the reader is swept away be the descriptions of the beaches, valleys and forests of Hawaii. 'Iwa is a native who is working to save pristine land that a developer wants to use for an eco-hotel. She doesn't need the distraction of Dane, but he wins her over as she breaks her own rule of never getting involved with a surfer. He is part of a small group of friends on a quest for the big wave. He lives in California but travels everywhere for the big contests. The pull of the giant waves of Portugal can't be denied, and 'Iwa watches him battle the water. 'Iwa never gives up and finds creative ways to save her beloved valley.
I loved the descriptions of the flora and fauna of Hawaii as well as the amazing people of Maui. I've been lucky enough to travel to Hawaii and driven the road to Hana and visited other locations on Maui and Hawaii so this book brought back great memories. As a native Hawaiian, the author knows how to bring her settings to life and the pace of the story keeps you wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next. The author notes explain this was written before the devastating fires on Maui.
If you are looking for a contemporary story about environmentalism, romance, and surfing, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it!
#TheMauiEffect #NetGalley
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review will be posted to Goodreads, BookBub, Twitter, Instagram today. Reviews will be posted again on pub day to Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The Maui Effect
By: Sara Ackerman
Pub date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: MIRA
I have loved all of Ackerman’s novels. She takes me away to her beloved Hawaii.

This novel is about Iwa Young and her love for the Maui rain forest. She is a field biologist and when a developer tries to build in the forest, rich with endangered species she must fight to stop his development.

Iwa meet a surfer Dane Parsons who gets her distracted, but their chemistry is OFF the CHARTS and she is trying to fight it. Her history with surfers has not been the best.

I enjoyed how this relationship played out with all the distractions, distance and their love of the rain forest and keeping this part of Hawaii preserved. Pre-ordering soon to add to my Ackerman novels.

This book was a love letter to Hawaii, to nature, to the ocean, to surf culture. Though I loved Sara Ackerman's historical fiction, I really enjoyed this pivot to contemporary romance! Her description of Maui and the ocean and the rainforests were so well done, it made me want to be there. I loved Dane and 'Iwa. And of course, that cover is stunning!

This book had so much care and detail in every page. Ackerman’s love for the sport of surfing and Hawaii was felt as I read the novel. I really loved this book. It was a fresh feel to the romance genre, and I loved learning about surfing. I actually looked up big wave surfing videos! This book was beautiful and I will definitely tell everyone I know to read it!

Sara Ackerman has hands down become one of my favorite authors. She has to unique ability to really make you feel like you’re in Hawaii in her books and The Maui Effect was no exception! This was the ultimate beach read for summer; such a sweet romance.

This was such a beautiful book. I loved 'Iwa's and Dane's love story and I loved the surfer storyline. And I want to go hike in Maui after reading about the various hikes. This was an unputdownable read. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and NetGalley for a chance to read this one early in exchange for an honest review.

this was such a sweet romance book!! i loved that it was set in hawaii. sarah ackerman really transports you to the rainforests and the beaches of hawaii with vivid descriptions that made me feel like i was there. when a surfer from california falls in love with Iwa, a native to hawaii. can they make their relationship work?

'Iwa is from Hawaii and is trying to protect a section of land that contains a special waterfall from a developer. Dane is a world class surfer who just won a huge event on Hawaii. They meet and he asks her out. She turns him down flat as surfers first life love is the sea. She agrees to meet when he offers to help her fight the developer. He may end up being more distracting than she anticipated.

This book has great romance with a fun twist - big wave surfing! I have always loved to read about big wave surfing, so this was a bonus to what was already a great romance. In addition to the surfing, The Maui Effect takes us through rainforests, on birdwatching trips and through the spots in Hawaii that few tourists really get to experience. Sara Ackerman's native knowledge really came through. The book was a compelling romance that also felt like an eco-tourism trip. Loved it!

Finally, the ultimate beach read! We meet ‘Iwa as she's walking through her journey with grief - Ackerman conveys this so beautifully and yet manages to keep spirits high. There was a lot of love and respect for beautiful Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture interwoven throughout the book, which was refreshing to see. Dane wasn't my favorite MMC, but ‘Iwa more than made up for it. My only regret with this book was that I couldn't be in Hawaii to read it, but a girl can dream!

This book reads like a love letter to Hawaii and I loved that so much. As always, Ackerman’s writing transports me to the setting with the most vivid descriptions and makes me feel like I was on the beach in Maui with ‘Iwa and Dane. I did enjoy their story, however I felt like something was missing with the two of them, or the connection just wasn’t as strong I was hoping for. I could have also used a little more character depth with the two of them. Still a wonderful romance not just between their characters but the love for their careers. I appreciated how much passion shone through the pages when it came to what these characters loved. All the talk about surfing was so fun. I am not a surfer but damn it made me want to be. I also could relate to ‘Iwa and her grief of losing her mother. I honestly wish that had been a little more forefront to the story. All around a great read and will recommend!