Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 💫 Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 💫 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

by Elle Kennedy

Kennedy’s The Deal is one of my favorite sports romances, so I was all-in when I heard that The Graham Effect would follow Garrett and Wellsy’s daughter at Briar University, and, WOW, did she deliver.

Gigi and Ryder are both among the elite of D1 hockey. Ryder’s hockey hero is Garrett Graham, but his hockey rival is Graham’s school – Briar University – until his college goes under and the hockey programs of both schools merge. With an NHL offer already secured, he just has to not screw up his senior season. Gigi is vying for a spot on the US Women’s hockey team and a unique opportunity to step out from the shadow of her legendary dad, Garrett Graham. What starts as a rivalry becomes more as Gigi agrees to talk Ryder up to her dad in hopes of landing him a coveted summer coaching position in exchange for Ryder helping her refine some rough edges in her hockey technique. But, the more they work together, the less they can deny their electric chemistry.

This is such a fun book that, like the rest of Kennedy’s writing, has a tenderness and depth not found in some sports romances. It was a risk to bring forward a next-generation story based on such a beloved series, but it pays off, and seeing how the OG series characters have stayed close and become a family was the icing on top of a story that is incredibly enjoyable all on its own.

The dual narration audiobook was perfect, which is no surprise, as CJ Bloom (Ever After Always) and Teddy Hamilton (Fourth Wing, The Cheat Sheet) were the narrators. They are two of my favorites.