Thoroughly enjoyed this easy read! Character building was wonderful and Maggie North’s writing was done so well and it allowed me to immerse myself into the setting and visualize the characters as if I was watching tv or movie. I don’t normally gravitate towards Grumpy/Sunshine books, but I am happy I was given opportunity to read this book! It’s definitely worth the read. It was giving summer camping vibes and Im here for it! I found myself mentally highlighting favorite quotes multiple times! One of those quotes was
“You don’t have to be perfect to deserve love, Stellar”
Overall I am thankful to netgalley for allowing me to read this book and I am ready to read more of Maggie North’s work!

really well written, sizzling romance with a great pair of MCs and a nice setting. Maggie North does it again, as her previous book is just as fantastic as this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This book is hands down five stars. Centred on Stellar, a doctor who has experienced trauma in many shapes and forms throughout her life - we watch her team up with former one-night-stand Lyle "McHuge" as he starts up his outdoor whitewater therapy business.

The book goes through the necessary emotional journey necessary for Stellar to heal herself, and fall in love with the ever deserving, kind, patient and wonderful Lyle...who has quietly and patiently loved her and waited for her to come to terms with her trauma and allow herself to love him back.

The cast of characters, incredibly beautiful setting and plot were top notch. I loved this book thoroughly and can't recommend it enough.

many thanks to SMP, NetGalley and Maggie North for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

I made it 15% before deciding to DND this book. I really thought I'd love this book but it just wasn't working out for me. I feel like the FMC was all over the place and didn't connect with her. The premise was good but the characters for me, didn't do it.

Even though I didn't care for this book, I think it will definitely work out for others!

This book covers some really heavy topics with such care! More than a romance for sure!

One night stand turns into a second chance romance…

They both have past regrets and some trauma. She is a grumpy MD and he brings the sunshine as a psychologist. They work together to build a relationship retreat called the Love Boat. It’s kinda glamping with white water rafting and therapy all rolled into one!

He is just perfection and breaks down her walls brick by brick!
I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

I reads the first book in this series, and liked it, so I wanted to give the second one a chance.

Overall, I liked it, but I didnt love it. I love the setting, and the overall premise. I always love forced proximity.

I like that we learn more about Stellar’s own past, and how that can shape future relationships. I also liked seeing Stellar and Lyle’s evolution. But overall, this book was just ok to me. Not bad at all, but not amazing either.

After adoring and loving the first book in the series, I was beyond excited to read this one. Stellar and McHuge were two people who you wouldn’t expect together and yet it somehow worked? Although I will be honest and say I did struggle a smidge. First off, I wish we would have gotten his POV. Secondly, this book didn’t seem to focus on them as a couple but more Stellars relationship with everyone else and her lack of trust in said relationships. It focused a lot on her relationship with Liz and how she felt uncertain where they stood with Liz’s new role. It focused on her relationship with her and her sister and how she was hurt by her sister. Stellar just plain didn’t trust people. And I get it’s how she was raised and what not but i expected more of her and McHuge.

Overall I really did enjoy the story. The moments with her and McHuge were good. And Stellars growth was great and to see her slowly start to open up to people and learn to not be so angry all the time was so nice to read. Her and McHuge really balanced each other out with that.

This is a cute, one-night stand turned fake engagement story. The FMC first-person, singular POV didn't really land with me here. I think understanding the MMC's POV would've enhanced the story for me as I didn't feel as connected to him. The plot is cute & I like the setting (wilderness camp). Overall, it's an enjoyable romance, but for me, it's one that was really hard for me to get through.

☀️Grumpy vs Sunshine
💍 Fake Engagement
⛺️ Forced Proximity
🏳️‍🌈 Bi Rep
🫶 Found Family
🌲 Glamping/Wilderness Setting

The Ripple Effect is a book about trauma and its effect on a person’s relationship to others and themselves. Stellar and Hugh were very sympathetic characters, even when Stellar was at her flintiest. Their draw to each other was visceral. The pacing seemed to bog down in places. Overall I thought it was an interesting look at a dynamic couple, but I wish I didn’t have to push myself through a few chapters like I did. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Dr. Lyle “McHuge” McHugh, Ph.D., was such a fascinating character that I immediately started reading Maggie North’s Rules for Second Chances the moment I finished The Ripple Effect. I’d thumbed through it when it first came out in 2024—I’m a sucker for the second-chance romance trope—so it had been sitting near the top of my TBR for a while. I liked the writing, the premise intrigued me, and when I saw another kinda second-chance romance from Maggie North, I knew it was a sign.

It might be my personal experience speaking up, but I really connected with Stellar J. Byrd. Maggie North paints a beautiful, almost 4D picture of her and really puts the reader in her head. Stellar walks through the world as someone who believes she doesn’t care—but her actions say otherwise, again and again. What I loved most is that she’s not fully aware of how much she does care, and the book lets that be.

As for Lyle—at times he was a bit too ridiculous, and there were moments when the nuance of his inner world didn’t quite shine through. But to me, the whole “gentle giant” thing felt more endearing than distracting.

That said, I wasn’t entirely sold on the one-night stand setup holding so much emotional weight a full year later. That part leaned a little insta-lovey for me and didn’t fully land. Still, it’s a minor gripe in a story overflowing with heart, humor, and tenderness.

And the way nature is written into this book? Just stunning. I’m not especially outdoorsy, but Maggie North’s descriptions of the Canadian landscape made me wish someone would whisk me away to the woods. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to go on a hike… or at least think about it.

A perfect summer read—sparkling, big-hearted, quietly hopeful, and full of fresh air in every sense.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

This book shows the long-lasting effects that history, trauma, and decisions can have on a person especially when it comes to their relationships with others and themselves.

Stellar’s been dealt some blows in life and has been betrayed by those who should have had her back. Being open and letting go of the anger she holds on to as a crutch is part of her journey. She has to contend with the one-night stand that never left her mind when it turns out they will be working together 24/7. Lyle is a gentle giant who has to learn not to make himself small. These two have an emotional connection that lets them pursue their second chance.

This read was more women’s fiction than romance, so it may be perfect for you if that is the genre you lean to. I think that fans of Annabel Monaghan and Katherine Center would enjoy.

I read an ARC from the author and St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Totally adorable. Perfect second chance romance. Written by a canadian girlie 🇨🇦 what’s not to love?? Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC, what a lovely read! Loved the Canadian wilderness setting, and the side characters were interesting and funny!

Even after a year, Stellar has been avoiding Lyle after their one night stand. In order to save his whitewater canoeing/relationship saving camp, she takes on the role of not only the staff doctor, but also his fake fiance.

There was so much to enjoy about this book. Grumpy vs sunshine, quirky side characters, neurodivergent representation, and finding family. And of course, only one tent. I loved watching Stellar and Lyle both address their issues and grow as individuals. Healthcare burnout and dark side of academia were also addressed, which I loved.

Stellar, however, was just so prickly as a character. She grew on me as the book went on, but my heart ached for all her insecurities, and at times I wanted to yell at her. And Lyle was just SO trusting. This honestly though, made them a great foil.

This was a super quick read for me, which has not been typical lately. I also enjoyed that this wasn't a super predictable story. The mystery subplot really ensured that.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All views and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is definitely a fun and outdoorsy romance between a doctor and psychologist. Although I wish there was less of a focus on the physical size difference between the main characters, I loved how they helped each other through their traumas and grew together. The side characters were really compelling and interesting. I think there was a missed opportunity to focus more on the people attending the relationship therapy camp but what was included was great. The Ripple Effect is an enjoyable and romantic summer read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Maggie North for giving me the opportunity to get an ARC of "The Ripple Effect". The cover and synopsis of this book HOOKED me...however, I couldn't make it past Chapter 6. It felt disjointed and I just couldn't find a flow and rhythm to the book. HOWEVER, just because this book wasn't my JAM, doesn't mean it won't be someone else's. Don't let that stop you from checking it out when it becomes available on June 17th!

North writes contemporary romance and this was another enjoyable one. When you bring two different personalities together that usually creates fireworks which can be both hot and cold.
Lyle is a psychologist is an optimist with a sunny personality. Stellar is an ER Doctor who is burnt out and exhausted.
A fake engagement might be a second chance for both without realizing it.

DNF’ed at 50%. I was bamboozled by the cover but I couldn’t get past the damn names. Really, Stellar J? McHuge? The writing alone felt like in needed polishing. I get that Stellar is a doctor, but did we have to go into detail about where the xiphoid process is? Give me a break..

This book had some really good writing at times, but several times throughout the book I would be a little bored. I never really connected with the characters and that made it hard for me to connect with the story. There were flashes of intense feelings for the two main characters, but I wanted more of that to love the book. Overall I would give 3 stars.

Honestly who doesn’t love grumpy x sunshine and fake engagement?? Those two tropes will have me hooked every single time. This book was edible. The writing was so well done and I felt in the book while reading!!

ARC Review: The Ripple Effect by Maggie North
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

The Ripple Effect was a charming and adventurous read that leaned into themes of relationships, timing, and truth. I loved the unique cast of characters and how fresh the storyline felt. It’s a sweet story about facing your past to build a better future—and any book with an adorable dog automatically earns extra points from me!