Gigi Graham, daughter of famous hockey player Garrett Graham, has her heart set on Olympic women’s hockey gold, but her challenges playing behind the net threaten to squash this dream. The Briar University men’s hockey team has just merged with a rival team, which is causing disputes amongst the new teammates including the co-captain Ryder, who is hoping to earn a summer coaching job with his idol Garrett Graham. When Gigi approaches Ryder with a proposition, Ryder will help Gigi improve her skills behind the net while Gigi talks Ryder up to her father, it seems like a win-win. When their chemistry becomes too hot to ignore, Gigi and Ryder begin a secret relationship to avoid the wrath of Gigi’s ex, who is also Ryder’s co-captain.
The Graham Effect is a spicy new adult hockey romance perfect for fans of books like Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, Iced Out by Veronica Eden, Shutout by Avery Keelan, the Playing for Keeps series by Becka Mack, the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, and the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese. Even though it could be read as a standalone, for the best reading experience, The Graham Effect is ideally suited for readers who are already fans of Kennedy’s Off-Campus and BriarU series as The Graham Effect takes place after these series and includes many characters from these series. Themes and topics present in The Graham Effect include secrets and lies, love and heartbreak, parenthood and family, trust and forgiveness, friendship, social media, criminal justice, fame, communication, and appearance versus reality. Some potential trigger warnings include domestic abuse, foster care, attempted assault, and cheating.
I love the Briar University universe from Kennedy’s Off-Campus and BriarU series, so I was very excited to read The Graham Effect, which takes place in the same universe and contains the descendants of the Off-Campus and BriarU characters (namely Gigi Graham, daughter of Garrett and Hannah). The Graham Effect definitely exceeded my expectations and fellow fans will also enjoy the newest instalment in the Briar University universe, especially Gigi and Ryder’s spicy “friends with benefits” and “good girl with bad boy” relationship. “Bad boy” Ryder ended up being very swoonworthy, such as when he finds excuses to bring Gigi flowers and he plans a charming opera date! I also appreciated that there wasn’t really a miscommunication trope (even though Ryder is quiet, Gigi and Ryder learn to communicate with each other throughout the book) and enjoyed the unanticipated twists and drama in Gigi and Ryder’s story. Lastly, being a huge lover of butterflies myself, I really connected to Gigi’s love of butterflies and very much enjoyed reading about her visits to “her happy place” a.k.a. the local butterfly gardens.
There wasn’t much about this book not to like, but perhaps there wasn’t overly the need for the inclusion of the transcripts from Garrett’s hockey broadcast nor the transcripts from Gigi’s beloved soundscapes? It was also disheartening to read about how women’s hockey players, like Gigi, have less opportunities in the sport than their male counterparts.
I cannot wait to read more of this series and maybe the next book will be about one of Gigi or Ryder’s teammates (like the Off-Campus and BriarU series) or if it will be about another descendant of the Off-Campus or BriarU characters? Guess we’ll have to wait and see! Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read and this would be perfect for fellow fans of spicy sports romances!
The Graham Effect is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 31st 2023.
Will you be picking up The Graham Effect? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
The first book in the delicious, icy-hot Campus Diaries series, a spinoff of BookTok sensations Off Campus and Briar U, by New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy.
Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.
Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.
Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.
The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.
