The Graham Effect is a trope-filled delight from Elle Kennedy

Elle Kennedy captivated the romance world with the release of her Off-Campus series. She’s become a mainstay when it comes to hockey romances and she’s back with The Graham Effect.

While hockey romances are all the rage now, Elle Kennedy helped make the genre into what it is now. Her Off-Campus series really started it all yet she’s branched out from there.

She decided to write a spin-off called the Briar U series and is now releasing another new adult series called the Campus Diaries. The first book is The Graham Effect which might sound familiar.

Before getting into my thoughts and feelings (there’s a lot!,) I want to thank Bloom Books for sending an ARC of this one because I was SO excited to pick it up and begin this new chapter.

The Graham Effect is another slapshot from Elle Kennedy.

If you’re wondering where the book’s title comes from, you’ll need to think back to The Deal. The Graham Effect follows Hannah and Garrett Graham’s daughter: Gigi Graham and the romance she has with Luke Ryder. As you might imagine, the tropes are somewhat similar to The Deal.

While the tropes might be similar, the premise is much different. I don’t want to give too much away, but Gigi and Ryder meet under some unique circumstances. It all comes to a head when the two end up deciding to help each other. Gigi needs some hockey help as she’s trying to be on the Women’s Olympic Team and Ryder needs to make a good impression on her father.

The two agree to fake date and it’s a wild ride from there. Ryder and Gigi are both dealing with a lot at school and in their personal lives. What I adored was how Elle Kennedy wrote these two characters as they couldn’t be more different yet the passion was there. Ryder had a lot of trauma in his past and Gigi was dealing with feeling like a side character in her own life.

The relationship between Ryder and Gigi felt so mature in comparison to other new adult stories. It’s clear she put a lot of time and care into developing their romance but I don’t want to give too much away. I will say that there was a moment around the 75%-80% mark that had my jaw on the floor. If you’ve read it, you know but if not, you’re in for a real treat.

Aside from Gigi and Ryder, the friendships and familial bonds help to flesh out the story. Of course, we see some of our favorite men from the Off-Campus series, the comradery of the Briar U hockey team, and Gigi and her best friends. I just loved seeing Gigi and Garrett’s relationship as it’s clear Garrett wants the best for her yet he’s still struggling with some things.

Ultimately, I feel like I could gush about this book all day but I don’t want to get too deep into spoilers or talk about too much. If you love the Off-Campus series or are just craving some hockey romance, then The Graham Effect is an absolute must-read before the end of the year.

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy is out now where your favorite books are sold. 

Will you be picking up the latest from Elle Kennedy? Let us know your thoughts on the first book in this new series.