Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I really did not like Stellar J. at the beginning of this book but grew to really appreciate and like her perspective. I loved the gradual and then all at once shift from fake romance to real romance. Lyle McHuge is lovely and even I share Stellar's initial feelings about a self-help couples white water canoeing retreat, I became incredibly invested.

I wish the ending of the book and the lead up to the conflict was a bit more addressed, as well as Stellar and Liz's friendship. That aside, I really enjoyed The Ripple Effect. I loved the epilogue/ article.

My Thoughts

As I sometimes do, I had a bit of trouble getting on board with Lyle and Stellar, or connecting with their guests at beginning of this story.

The more I read and started to enjoy the wilderness location as seen through the authors detailed descriptions, the easier it got for me to enjoy learning about all the characters as well.

As romances go the pairing of Lyle and Stellar had its ups and down for both the couple themselves and myself as a reader who prefers a somewhat more conventional approach than was used in this story.

Be prepared as the story builds slowly, your emotions will be tested and even if you are not an outdoor type live vicariously through all the mishaps and wonders that this group of characters experience while you stay comfortable doing so.

When you finish don’t be surprised that certain struggles by a few characters may cause tears but overall this book is meant to bring its reader into these characters lives and show how sometimes what we struggle most with is accepting our own selves.

Not an exact resolution to the story at its end but one I can live with as it was a positive one in my opinion.

[EArc from Netgalley]
On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

First- some people will love the fact that the main character is bisexual, some won’t care, but some will hate it and may give it poor reviews based on that. I think it’s best to be upfront so that people don’t purchase with false expectations.

With that out of the way, let’s discuss the story. The main characters didn’t do it for me. Stellar is not a stellar character. I didn’t like her until the end. Then there is Lyle. I thought I would like his character, but the more I read, the less I liked him. And the McHugr name got old really quick. However, even though I didn’t like the characters, their romance worked. I found myself invested in their interactions and human foibles. The exact end was a bit of a humdrum ending, but it did provide a wrap up.

So how does this rate? Character: 3. Romance 4. I’ll go with the high score for a 4 rating.

Enjoyable but slightly awkward couple really pushes the boundaries on fake-it-til-you-make-it. I have a hard time with plausibility in Romance (knowing what I know about romance books) and I just tend to be very harsh towards villains and foils and their motivations. These were strangely over-the-top, which I had a hard time letting go as I read. I enjoyed the couple, as they really do fit together well, and talk through their issues. I enjoy reading how they deal with their emotions, especially understanding that they’re professionals teaching these things to the folks on the trip.

This book was so good, I can't wait until more people can read it. It was great, sweet, cute, and funny. I loved the book just as much as I adore the cover. Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

I really, REALLY, loved this Canadian author's debut last year and was nervous how their interconnected standalone/sequel would measure up. Let me reassure you that it does and while it's a bit less steamy than Rules for second chances, it still has lots of heart, emotional depth and a great cast of secondary characters. Be prepared to get angry on Stellar's behalf as she grapples with post-pandemic burnout and an unceremonious release from her ER physician job. I love how Lyle (McHuge) is a quietly, loving presence, who patiently waits for her to come back to him in this second chance, slow burn romance. Suffice it to say, you want to pre-order and mark your calendars for this latest Canadian romance coming in June 2025!! Maggie North is definitely an author to watch and I can't wait to read what she writes next! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Stellar can solve any crisis except her own life, the irony. In order to save up some money she agrees to work at a local start up as the camp physician for the summer. The love boat is owned by Lyle McHugh the man she hasn’t been able to get out of her head since their disastrous hookup a year ago. Her plan to avoid him quickly backfires. On day one they’re already fake engaged an sharing a small tent. What could possibly go wrong?

I had not heard about this author before receiving this arc and I’m thrilled to say this is a really fun summer romance. With lovable characters, some steamy scenes, fun banter and adventures both the water and around camp. The espionage and threat against The Love Boat is a fun twist that caught me by surprise in a good way.

The business idea is certainly unique but it brought together an interesting bunch of people for the adventure of a lifetime. I especially enjoyed Sloane who’s Stellars sister and seeing their relationship evolve. And I have to mention Lori and Mitch, they’re too sweet.

The ripple effect is an outdoorsy summer romance with both adventure and steam, what’s not to love. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for North’s books from now on.


Read this if you like
☀️Grumpy x sunshine
🩵Forced proximity
💍Fake engagement
🏕️Summer camp (for adults)

Much like Maggie’s first book in this series I loved the writing! And the characters are fun. There is nothing better than a grumpy/sunshine pair and Lyle and Stella were perfect.

The nicknames really were off putting to me. Which seems like a silly thing to mention… but… it was distracting.

Thanks to SMP for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A grumpy doctor with trust issues has been trying to avoid her feelings for a very zen and positive one night stand for a year when they begin working together to launch a couples kayaking retreat. Stellar’s inability to trust herself and ability to have close relationships comes from a history of being let down by her family and an awful past employment full of gender discrimination resulting in her medical career imploding. Lyle is dealing with own past traumas and overcompensated by always being what people need him to be and ignoring his anger even when it’s warranted.

The tropes were troping - one night stand, forced proximity, fake engagement, outdoor adventure, there’s one tent, grumpy/sunshine, secret family member, and that’s all I could think of off the top of my head. It could have been too much, but it wasn’t. The way the story and Stellar and Lyle’s relationship developed was really sweet and felt unique. Can my nickname be little star? Oh see another microtrope!

There were other nice moments too with Stellar and her estranged sister and BFF. Anyway it’s adorable. You should read it.

4 stars ✨ thanks to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for this advanced copy. Pub Date 6/17/25

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC for an honest review.

This Grumpy/Sunshine second chance romance finds our 2 main characters Stellar J Byrd and Lyle Q. "McHuge" McHugh, working together after a hookup a year earlier.  Stellar has lost the job she worked hard for, is afraid she's losing her best friend, and is now working at The Love Boat with the man she ran away from a year ago when she realized she could so easily fall for him.  As the 2 work to put on a whitewater couple therapy retreat, they learn about each other and themselves and take chances that they wouldn't be for.

I really enjoyed this book.  It starts out a bit slow and Stellar is definitely the type who gets in her own way too much but as our MCs begin to give in to their shared attraction and love, I couldn't get enough.  I love the suspense that builds through the fear of spying and sabotage.  And then as any good romance needs, the HEA comes in just the right way for me.  Stellar learning she can trust others and doesn't always have to even the score and Lyle letting himself take and not just give all the time is perfection.

A sweet romance which is set in a perfect outdoorsy setting. The love is steamy between with McHuge and Stellar there tension is strong and there faking dating is swoon.

This was such a cute book. it gave me all the feels and everything I needed from the plot. The ending does need a little work.

The Ripple Effect dazzles as Maggie North brings us back to Canada in this follow up to Rules for Second Chances. In one of my favorite tropes, of which I think we can crown Maggie Queen-of-the-Second-Chance-Romance, TRE follows loveable and relatable characters as they navigate the journey of finding themselves both in life and love. Add in some Canadian adventuring and found family, and I was hooked from the outset.

ARC via Net galley

Goodreads review

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

I really wanted to love the plot of this, but I just didn’t. There wasn’t really enough going on for me. However, I did love the characters and the location. The location and details were very nice, and so refreshing. The canoeing aspect was nice, as well. I really think that stellar and Lyle had really good chemistry. The writing was great, as well, I just wish it had more going on, and some more spice.

This is my first book by maggie north but won't be my last! Such a sweet, tropey romance that was great for an afternoon read! Loved it!

I had high expectations and I wish I was more into it. Characters were fine, story is fine. It’s a slow light read but I didn’t feel like I swooned or could relate to the characters.

The Ripple Effect was such a cute and heartwarming second chance romance. I love how caring and understanding the main characters are of each other. Stellar (the FMC) has a past that made her feel like she had to shut everyone out and she felt so relatable. I also love how this story focused on all aspects and types of love. The idea of a love retreat as a form of couples therapy and bringing couples together was so cute. Made me want to be there experiencing it all with the characters. Definitely going to keep an eye out for more heartwarming stories by Maggie North.

What I loved about this one was the depth of the story. There were so many layers (in a good way) of the characters, especially when it came to Stellar. Stellar is a former ER physician who's left the role (for reasons that become clearer as the story), and she finds herself helping with a relationship therapy canoeing excursion. The leader is Lyle McHugh, a psychologist who she has a past with. The story is about them and their grumpy/sunshine vibes, but it's also about getting the business started, other relationship dynamics, and how they ended up where they are now. I was most drawn in when it got into the deep "stuff" but loved the overall ride. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this June 2025 release!

This was a little different from what I expected. While some sis not care for the extensive descriptions she gave in parts of the story I enjoyed it. In my opinion it helps you to really visualize what the author is trying to give the readers. I loved all of the characters and side characters Babe especially. With that being said I feel as if some things were added to the book in the attempt to make it multilayered or to add depth but was not given the appropriate development. The ending for me was a miss I wish it had more resolution and conversation especially between her best friend.

Really enjoyed this book! A fun romcom with heart, humor, and heat. The writing carries emotional depth and her writing has grown from book to book. Love this series and cannot wait for more!