First of all, this book makes me want to take up paddling, which is wild because I am clumsy in a boat! But I would absolutely do it to take a class with Lyle and Stellar, the main characters of this book. Lyle is a psychologist who has been plagued by the pitfalls of academia but earned some amount of success with a book. He's piloting a brand new business of high end adventure relationship retreats called Love Boat. After burning out in medicine during the pandemic, Stellar signs on to help run and serve as the camp doctor, but the twist here is that they had a one night stand a year prior, and that she ghosted him to avoid the possibility of getting hurt. It's clear that he still likes her, and that she still likes him, and when they fake an engagement to avoid fall out from a big celebrity dropping out of their program's trial run, they're forced to admit real feelings. I love a book in which the characters grow together and as individuals, and this felt satisfying because by the end, both Lyle and Stellar had come to terms with what they need for themselves and in a relationship. I loved their journey so much.

Thank you so much to Maggie North, SMP, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Ripple Effect hits all the sweet spots for an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine romance, and I am here for it. What I adored here was how their connection isn’t just about attraction, it’s about growth. Stellar’s journey from being closed off and cynical to slowly opening up was so satisfying to watch. And Lyle? He’s a softie, but with just enough depth to make him not feel like a walking motivational poster. The slow burn between them felt real and layered, as they both navigate their own insecurities, career pressures, and of course, that undeniable spark. The backdrop of the relationship therapy camp serves as a perfect setting to showcase their developing relationship, offering plenty of emotional and humorous moments. It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster with just the right amount of heart, humor, and steam.

Loved this so much! I got swept right in and didn’t want to put the book down once I started. The romance is tender and meaningful, with incredible rep that had me gobbling up. Would give it ten stars if I could.

Another gorgeous book by Maggie North with poetry-like prose.

Overall: 5
Spice: 3

Stellar Byrd "needs something" according to her best friend. After walking away from a medical career and stumbling through gig work, she is obsessed with making sure her interactions with others are even and fair, she'll never take more than she's due. When Liz's family could utilize Stellar's medical degree to help their start-up business, Stellar will take any chance to doing something for Liz - even if it means spending the summer working alongside Lyle "McHuge" McHugh, the one-night stand she can't forget.

After loving North's debut, Rules for Second Chances, earlier this year, I was thrilled to get the chance to read the next story in the Maggie-verse. She has outdone her debut with this beautiful story. First of all - yay for complex main characters in their 30's! Stellar and Lyle each bring their own teenage trauma to their forced proximity which causes them to circle one another cautiously. I love that they can pair their strengths and weaknesses to be stronger together. North did a great job of giving just enough info on the couples on the Love Boat to add conflict and interest, while keeping the main focus on Stellar & Lyle. The side stories of sisterhood (both by blood & friendship) and the injustice of misogyny in the workplace added a lot to the story. The tension after the one night stand is perfect for inserting steamy flashback scenes that build the slow burn. North's writing about people and nature is so beautiful, it reads like poetry at times. I especially loved the consistent imagery of water/the river/rafting throughout the book.

eARC Review: The Ripple Effect by Maggie North
Pub Date: June 17, 2025
Thank you to SMP for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. And thank you to @just_talking_to_myshelf and @bookswithnopictures for including me on this #talkingtomybooks traveling ARC! I was so honored to read it early.

Gosh I loved this book! It's a story about burnout, betrayal, and learning to open up even when the world has dragged you down. I absolutely loved the relationship between Lyle and Stellar - they're both really complex characters. Stellar hides behind her grumpiness and Lyle appears to be the most zen guy. I love me a man who is in tune with his emotions and boy, Lyle really met that objective for me!

Maggie's writing really shines here - I absolutely felt like I was there in the wilderness with the group. The setting was rich and lush and the characters were really well crafted. It's an emotional read that was really worth it for me.

Read this for:
- one night stand
- bisexual FMC, pansexual MMC
- Wilderness
- dog!
- found family
- Fake engagement

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

5 stars!

Getting to read another book by Maggie North is a privilege, I swear! I was lucky enough to also be a part of receiving this book as a traveling arc, and I couldn’t help but annotate the hell out of my copy.

Stellar and McHuge were PERFECT! (Also loved the cameos we got from Liz and Tobin). I really appreciate romance stories that feel real. That I can look at and say “yeah, that is absolutely believable” and Maggie north delivers that feeling spectacularly in her writing. She gives us deliciously flawed characters that you can’t help but be endeared to. And I have to talk about the side characters that felt like leads in their own rights! I loved all the moments we got with the other members of the retreat so much - particularly the Lori storyline! Now I just need a bonus scene with Lyle being the best uncle to Jess at a backyard bbq with Tobin and Liz and Sloan!!

Maggie will never stop being an auto-buy author for me.