The Ripple Effect is full of the emotion, heart, and depth that Maggie showed in her debut last year with this new story.

We have another amazing showcase of Golden retriever/black cat energy in a couple. But the energy we can relate to as post-pandemic burnout is a real thing and the FMC is doing her very best to survive. Then we have the MMC, Lyle, who is honestly the perfect guy, especially for Stellar. These two characters complement each other and help each other grow throughout the book.

Also, as someone who is NOT an outdoorsy person, this was an excellent way to experience the outdoors without actually doing it.

All in all, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you, NetGalley for gifting me this arc.

Stellar and McHuge unite together to lead a couples retreat and find themselves becoming a couple themselves. I enjoying Stellar’s no bullshit attitude, but found her character development to be a little wonky. I would have loved to learn more about McHuge, but felt like I left the story still not knowing a ton about him. While this book is marketed as an interconnected stand alone, I do feel like I missed a lot of context by having not read the previous book.

I really enjoyed this writing style but struggled with the overall pacing and feeling like the story was taking longer than needed. The beginning felt rushed and yet there were 100 pages left and I felt like things could have been wrapped up quicker. This is a 3.5 stars out of 5 for me!

This was an enjoyable story, especially the interactions between Stellar and McHuge. Stellar’s father was a con artist, and her mother was passive and codependent. As a result, Stellar has a very transactional view of relationships — family, friend, professional — and tries to keep everything balanced, not taking more than she gives or giving more than she receives. This attitude has been reinforced by the ways she was mistreated by colleagues and supervisors when she was an ER physician. She becomes angry when she sees others being taken advantage of. Lyle McHugh (or McHuge because of his size) is a gentle giant, one of the kindest and most zen-like people you’ll ever meet, refusing to let himself get angry. He is also a psychologist and whitewater rafting instructor who has created a wilderness couples therapy program centered around whitewater rafting. However, a hit piece filled with lies and distortions may sink the Love Boat before it can be established. A fake engagement is created as part of the plan to save the business.

I think the way the author ends the book is great, with the reporter that previously published a hit piece on McHuge and Love Boat now writing a positive article about McHuge, Stellar and Love Boat.

I loved this book! Everything from the atmosphere to the characters to the conflict was great. The connection between Stellar and Lyle was wonderful. I loved seeing Stellar go from being closed off and having every relationship be transactional (but to protect herself not because she wanted to make sure she always received more than she gave) to being open and vulnerable. Her growth was such a pleasure to read. Lyle was wonderful as well. I really enjoyed seeing him move past being a big hippie who didn’t allow himself to feel anger.

Everything about this book felt good. This author is definitely one that I’ll be reading in the future.

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, one night stand to fake engagement, forced proximity, it’s cuffing season...I need a big boy

For me, this one just didn’t hit. I loved “Raiders of the Lost Heart” by Jo Segura that had very similar vibes (minus the fake romance) but I couldn’t really get into liking our FMC. I do believe she was written to be inherently unlikable and we are supposed to warm up to her but….i couldn’t. If you’re into romances where both characters need to find themselves and what they want, you will likely love this. For me, the prior one night stand and Stellar’s character held me back from loving the book as much as Lyle deserved!

This was my first read by this author and all I have to say is wow!

This had so much emotional depth. The characters are dealing with complicated emotions around trust and anger. I really appreciated how North wrote the characters. Lyle and Stellar felt very realistic and genuine. I found both characters' arcs to be compelling and moving.

The romance is well done here too. The chemistry certainly has sparks and the little bit of steam we did get was great. This romance was more about the intimacy between the characters than lust and I found that so refreshing.

I also enjoyed the camp setting and all the activities. I thought it was creative and unique.

Overall, I would recommend this if you enjoy emotional romances.

Sooooo this was certainly not it for me. This is the first book I’ve read from Maggie North, and while do enjoy the grumpy/grumpy dynamic and some diversity in my stories, this plot just didn’t pull me in. I kept waiting to feel invested, but instead, I found myself dreading opening my Kindle to keep reading. From the blurb alone I feel like this had so much potential and I actually heard about it before I even found it on NetGalley and when I did was like YES. Sooo needless to say, in super disappointed. The pacing, the semi cringe…just a huge no for me. Sorry.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This book tugged at my Canadian heart in all the best ways! I loved the tenderness that is Lyle McHugh (McHuge, hehe) and how warm his heart is. He’s the kind of man you dream of for your friends to fall in love with. And Stellar felt like a friend to me so fast. Her period of healing & self growth is so beautiful and raw that you can’t help but love her.

The Canadian wilderness was the PERFECT setting for this story! I’m obsessed with The Love Boat idea and all of the side characters really completed this story. It’s amazing to see what a little love & kindness can do for people… even the ones you never expect to like.

I was really rooting for Lyle and Stellar, and their happy ending made my heart so happy. Their journey may have had many ups and downs (both in and out of the water!) but seeing them grow as a team was so heartwarming. This book was just perfect for my romantic heart!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This review may contain spoilers

This was a solid 3 -star read for me.

Who doesn't love a good grumpy/sunshine trope, especially when she is the grump! We got so many great tropes in this book, one night stand, LGBTQ+ representation, he falls first, found family, fake engagement, forced proximity, and just one tent!

Stellar and McHuge are both sweet tortured souls who have come from difficult beginnings and have made different choices that lead them down different paths. Stellar allowed herself to become closed off and keep a tally of gives and takes and then her suffering from misogyny in the workplace and her burnout only furthered her hurt and caused her to draw more into herself. McHuge went a different route and did everything he could to be zen and show free love, but at the detriment of being allowed to truly express himself. Both characters were so complex and diverse and showed so much growth in this book I was rooting so hard for them.

I loved the slow burn and the absolute teddy bear that McHuge is, how patient he is waiting for Stellar to come to terms with her feelings. It was a breath of fresh air that he was described as being a bit soft, not all our MMC have to be ripped! We did get some open door romance scenes but they did not take away from the plot and was done very well. McHuge was so swoony with his big heart and the devotion he showed to everyone around him. I loved being in Stellar’s head, she was hilarious, prickly, and yet oh so relatable!

The addition of Babe and all the side characters really rounded out this book with humor, some mystery, love, and friendships.

The way the author, Maggie Ripple, described the Canadian wilderness was pure magic. I wish I was there right now!

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a romance that is not the norm. It was so fun to read something that was a little out of the box, but still checked all the boxes!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #TheRippleEffect #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book and how original it was. Stellar and Lyle had a really great dynamic. The big tropes here are forced proximity and fake engagement. They are done well in this and I really enjoyed the way they played into the story. I liked how Stellar grows and heals throughout the book after being put through so much. I liked the setting of this and that it was people being out in nature, doing an activity and also working on their personal relationships.

Maggie North’s The Ripple Effect is a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply emotional romance that blends the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, fake dating, and the healing power of love. Set in the rugged beauty of British Columbia, this novel delivers swoon-worthy moments, sharp humor, and a refreshingly unique premise—relationship therapy through whitewater canoeing.

Stellar J. Byrd, a burnt-out former ER doctor, is struggling to stay afloat in her beloved but pricey wilderness town. When she takes a job at The Love Boat, a couples’ therapy retreat centered around whitewater canoeing, she expects awkward sing-alongs and cringey bonding exercises—not to be working under the one man she’s been avoiding for a year. Lyle “McHuge” McHugh, a sunshiny psychologist with a knack for getting under Stellar’s skin, is in big trouble after a brutal article threatens to destroy his business. Their only option? Fake an engagement to restore credibility and save the camp. But as they navigate their working relationship, growing attraction, and lingering personal wounds, they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings.

The romance is perfectly balanced with emotional depth, humor, and tension. Stellar is tough, closed-off, and emotionally guarded, while McHuge is big, burly, gentle-hearted, and endlessly patient. Their push-pull dynamic crackles with chemistry, making their journey from reluctant coworkers to something deeper both engaging and incredibly satisfying. North also masterfully creates an immersive setting that makes the outdoor adventure therapy concept feel refreshing and original. The thrill of whitewater canoeing, the peace of the wilderness, and the forced intimacy of the camp setting add layers of depth to their emotional journey.

Beyond the romance, the novel explores trauma, burnout, and emotional healing with nuance. Stellar must learn to release her anger and trust in others again, while McHuge needs to stop suppressing his own emotions in favor of always playing the “nice guy.” Their growth is deeply personal, and watching them work through their struggles adds richness to the love story. The fake dating setup creates sizzling tension, but it’s the genuine emotional connection that makes the romance shine. McHuge’s unwavering devotion to Stellar is heart-melting, and their physical chemistry is both intense and grounded in something real.

While the secondary characters could have been more developed, and the fake engagement resolution felt a little rushed compared to the slow emotional build-up, these are minor critiques in an otherwise outstanding novel.

The Ripple Effect is a deeply satisfying romance filled with emotion, humor, and undeniable chemistry. If you love grumpy-sunshine dynamics, fake dating with real emotional stakes, adventure settings, and heroes who truly worship their love interests, this book is a must-read. Maggie North delivers a beautifully written, emotionally rich romance that will leave you swooning.

Former ER doctor Stellear J Byrd takes a job as a camp physician at The Love Boat, a relationship therapy relationship
startup. When one of the founding partners, who is married to Stellar's best friend leaves earlier then expected for
paternity leave, Stellar is forced to pick up the slack. A major problem is the one night stand she had the previous year
with the other founder, Lyle McHugh. When his credibility is questioned, they decide to a fake engagement to
help save the Love Boat, while keeping their attraction to each other in check.
#FindingGrace #StMartinsPress #NetGalley

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

1⭐️/5

My GOD. This was just so unlikeable.

FMC, Stellar: unlikeable.
MMC, Lyle AKA McHuge: also unlikeable.
Entire book: unlikeable.

Only redeeming character, maybe Sloane?

I immediately got the ick with the constant emphasis on this man’s physical size compared to her “being sooo petite”.

This was so hippy-dippy. It wasn’t poorly written, but I just totally hated it. Would’ve DNF’ed but felt compelled to finish just to rate it 1⭐️.


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Maggie North and st martins press for giving me a chance to read the book in return for my honest review.! I love a big burly mountain man just as much as the next girl, however the fmc irked me and I just didn’t feel the connection between them.

I really enjoyed this one. It was hard to put down. It kept me wanting more. The characters are amazing! And I love the title and the story line. Such an amazing book!

Good read and a bit fun. Happy for the character growth.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

I read this over one (late) evening. It is de-light-ful and full of tenderness and emotion. It also has a great ticking clock with the summer camp that sets up a strong conflict. This gives me the same ‘real people caring for each other’ vibes that I get from Spite House by Olivia Dade which I also love. This has immediately gone onto my list for comfort rereads.

The cover of the "The Ripple Effect" reminded me of "Under Loch & Key" so I was excited to read this one - but this one doesn't have any Loch Ness smut, if you're looking for that. I didn't read "Rules for Second Chances" which is where I assume we meet McHuge and Stellar. So this was my first rodeo in this world. I found the first half slow and wasn't very engaging. Stellar is so in her own way in the first half but her character arc and love story felt slow and then rushed once I reached the halfway point. I did find the second half charming. I liked the side characters and their relationships with Stellar once she softens to other people. And I found the plot with rival whitewater company was fun.
3.5/5 stars

Fun journey on the love boat! I loved the quirky characters and the delightful plot twists.. there’s even a lovable dog in there.