4/5☆
2/5🌶

I loved the description of this book so I was tickled to recieve not only an eARC copy, but also a physical ARC from the publisher. I think this story had a great premise and, for the most part, was successful in telling the story. I would recommend it to my friends who like grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and hurt/Comfort. The "twist" of what was happening behind the scenes was fairly obvious, to me, but it didnt detract from my enjoyment of the story.

I think my only real issue with this was I didn't realize it was part of a series of interconnected standalones, so I felt like I was missing some background of the characters and their friends. It wasn't until I looked it up on goodreads that I realized the other book by this author is the same group of friends. I think it should be listed this way so that readers go into it knowing there may be more information available to them before reading it.

Here's my note for the publisher: This book is clearly part of a series. These two characters play heavily into the story of Maggie North's first book. However, because there's no indication that a previous books should be read before this one...I didn't read the first book. I went into this even more blind because I feel like I won't be the only reader to be tricked like that. It greatly impacted my understanding of these characters and I believe needs to be adjusted.


I was ready to give this a low rating until 80% of the way through this book when my feelings got pulled in and I realized I was rooting hard for Stellar and Lyle. I mean, I teared up when the resolution happened. But that first 80% wasn't a fun ride for me.

Stellar is an unpleasant character for me to be in the head of for an entire book. She is a broken down person. Her childhood was terrible, her professional life combusted a year ago, she's barely holding it together. She keeps score in every relationship and is terrified she won't be able to "give enough" to keep the people she loves invested in her. I don't view the world that way, and to watch her bean count every interaction is exhausting. I think I would've had a better time if I got any chapters in Lyle's POV. I needed a break from her. I read three other books while reading this ARC because I couldn't stay in her head that long.

Lyle....I love him. I will always give bonus points for a burly ginger man with a beard and a belly. I can't help it. That might be my physical kryptonite. Add in that he's a compassionate therapist/outdoors man who is overly generous...I swooned. He goes through so much professional upheaval in this book, and has to balance that with his love for Stellar. He pins. I love pinning. Why couldn't I be in his head for some pining???

The book opens with Stellar and Lyle running into each other at a concert and then having a one night stand. (Which fades to black!!!!) The time jumps a year later and Lyle convinces Stellar to be to doctor for the couples whitewater therapy retreat he's starting with (and this is where I got annoyed) Stellar's best friend's husband. Why that connection? Because book one is about Stellar's best friend and her husband working through their marriage in crisis with the help of their therapist who is Lyle. (So there's a lot of story you miss if you only read this book, as I did.)

The business is already off to a rocky start as a critical article of Lyle and this program was published. One of the criticisms is that Lyle has no business counseling married couples as he is single. In a fit of frustration, Stellar proposes to Lyle and "volun-tells" him that they will pretend to be engaged. This also means they had to share a tent, and act engaged in front of the guests of the retreat. It has the right amount of yearning and awkward. At one point there's a "we should make out where we could get caught" moment, and that make out session unlocks many repressed feelings.

If you thought this was only a story about Stellar and Lyle, you're wrong. The retreat is plagued by drama, espionage, and betrayal. It's tough to watch, but beautiful to see. There's so much greatness happening in this book...it's just coming from the lens of a paranoid, almost rabid person who is determined not to need anyone yet desperate for human connection.

By the time we got to the 80% mark, feelings between Lyle and Stellar are reaching a boiling point, we got a little bit of spice, sh*t has hit the fan with the retreat, and I was on the edge of my seat looking for how this was gonna end happily. I actually felt really satisfied with the ending, and had far more positive feelings than I expected to. But I don't think this would be an honest review if I didn't emphasize how long it took me to be truly invested and enjoy my time reading.

4.75 rounded up. I really enjoyed the growth of both characters and how they have to work through the uncomfortable in order to save the business, but also for the FMC, Stellar, to save herself from becoming her own island. In addition to the character growth and tension, this book was also a refreshing break from so many other romance books I've read.
The FMC views everything as transactional based her past, so she has very little network to rely on, taking on everything herself. Stepping into the role of camp doctor puts her in a position that she must put her trust in someone else - her one night stand from a year ago, and the last person she slept with because of how it impacted her - giving her more than the singular transaction she expected.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the electronic advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a second chance romance and a solid follow up to the first novel by this author. The writing, plot, and setting are fantastic, and it has lots of heart and a great cast of secondary characters. I struggled some with the main couple though (which was a problem given that it's their story). I just never really connected with the characters or felt their chemistry build naturally. McHugh's character sometimes felt inauthentic to me (lots of slang and over-the-top positive/chummy). There's a lot commentary on his size and plays on his name (McHuge) that felt repetitive at times. I enjoyed the first book by this author more but this was an enjoyable read.

The Ripple Effect is a fun, quick, and easy read. There is a small cast of interesting characters. It’s so much more than a romance. Stellar is on a journey of personal discovery. She’s spent much of her life being left behind and feeling unsupported. She thought that if you do this for me, I have to do that for you. She likes having a balanced sheet. The only exception to this was when she was working in the hospital. For Stellar, keeping her feelings to herself and pushing people away is easier.

As for McHuge, he’s a giant teddy bear. He’s afraid to allow himself to feel angry because of his size. He’s been big for his age all his life, and as an adult, he easily towers over people. As such, he has worked on being one with compassion and compromise. So, it is easy to say that he has his own character growth throughout the book.

The descriptions of the setting will make you want to join the cast of The Love Boat. Cool mountain water. Beautiful mountains all around you. What more could a person want? Okay, I’ll be honest. I wouldn’t want to sleep in a tent, but the rest of the setting sounds like perfection to me!

As for the romance, there’s plenty of push-and-pull between Stellar and McHuge. They have a history, which plays into the tension. The intimate moments are there, and they tend to fade to gray. Yes, we know they’re about to have some intimate times, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed. Occasionally, there may be mention of past times, but again, nothing graphic or overly detailed. Who should read The Ripple Effect? Everyone, of course! If you enjoy reading small-town romances with fake dating and grumpy sunshine elements, you will enjoy this book.

I love the way Maggie North writes. Her books are funny, tender, emotionally smart, and just the right amount of spicy. She somehow makes big feelings and bigger messes feel comforting—and The Ripple Effect is no exception.

Stellar J. Byrd is a burnt-out former ER doctor who had one wildly unforgettable night with sunshiney psychologist Lyle “McHuge” McHugh a year ago. It was explosive. Vulnerable. The kind of night that makes you feel too much, and Stellar? She panicked. She ghosted. I respect the chaos.

Fast forward a year: Stellar’s broke, exhausted, and in need of a job. And who offers her one? Yep. Him. She ends up as the reluctant physician at Lyle’s very woo-woo whitewater canoeing couples therapy camp (aka The Love Boat), and when some bad press threatens to sink the whole operation, the only solution? Fake an engagement. Obviously.

Also—once you find out why Stellar is in need of a job post pandemic… let’s just say I was fired up. No spoilers, but I was ready to throw hands.

The setting was everything. An adult couples camp in the wilderness? Yes please. It gave just the right blend of cozy, chaotic, and emotionally charged. Watching Stellar and Lyle slowly open up to each other again, peel back their defenses, and finally talk about that night? So, so satisfying.

And the chemistry. The one bed scene. The lingering glances. Maggie North writes longing and tension so well I was practically pacing my living room. Lyle is a cinnamon roll with biceps and big softie energy, and Stellar is a grumpy queen who is deeply relatable in her “feelings are terrifying” energy.

If you’re into:

- fake engagement
- grumpy/sunshine
- second chance (ish)
- forced proximity
- camp/workplace romance
- emotional healing (with canoe metaphors)
- found family
- heroes who fall hard

Then go ahead and add The Ripple Effect to your cart. Maggie North is now firmly on my must-read list.

This book just isn’t for me. I found the characters’ motivations, histories, and conflicts to be needlessly convoluted, and the protagonist was straight-up annoying.

The queer and neurodivergent representation was nice to see, but I just didn’t care about the story or characters overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to @netgalley & @stmartinspress for the digital copy. A special thank you to Michele @just_talking_to_my_shelf and Ashlee @bookswithnopictures
for coordinating the Talking to my Books Traveling ARC for The Ripple Effect and to @maggienorthauthor for sending an advanced copy so we could do so!

I really enjoyed this story that felt fresh in so many ways! It’s not just that I haven’t read very many romances tied to “the great outdoors,” but I’ve never read a second-chance romance with a whitewater canoeing/relationship therapy startup company setting. This was simply so well written with fantastic character development!

While this novel is a standalone novel, I do think the reader will have a greater appreciation for the MMC and FMC if they’ve already read Rules for Second Chances by the same author.

Read for:
- A second chance romance
- The grumpy/sunshine trope
- A book that references another book, “The Little Prince.”
- LGBTQ+/bisexual representation
- A book set in the Canadian wilderness.

Super fun and entertaining summer read. I loved the cutesy romance and how well written it was. The feelings were outlined well but I didn't care for the McHuge nickname used over and over. Loved this book and will definitely recommend to others.

Stellar J. Byrd, a former ER physician, takes a job as camp physician at The Love Boat, a whitewater canoeing/relationship therapy startup run by Lyle McHugh, with whom she had a one night stand a year ago. The two end up in a fake engagement to try to help salvage the public image of the camp.

There’s plenty to love about The Ripple Effect. The tropes are some of my favorite. The setting is gorgeous. The main characters and side characters are engaging. I really like North’s writing style, and I love the premise of this book. There were also some things that didn’t work for me. The book is told entirely from Stellar’s POV (except for the last chapter), and it left me feeling like I was missing part of the story without McHugh’s perspective. The pacing was a bit slow for me, and I felt like North could have leaned into the tropes a little more. I had a hard time believing the chemistry between Stellar and Lyle as well.

Tropes and such:

grumpy/sunshine (she’s the grump)
fake engagement
workplace romance
summer camp vibes
forced proximity
LGBTQ+ rep
1st person single POV

This book encapsulates the important topic of burnout among physicians. We had the best time talking with Maggie about The Ripple Effect on the Mayo Clinic Read.Talk.Grow podcast

The Ripple Effect is a delightfully sharp, sun-drenched romantic comedy about healing, hiding, and falling for the very person you swore to avoid. Former ER doctor Stellar Byrd is burned out, broke, and barely hanging on when she lands the last job she wants—camp doc at a kumbaya-style couples therapy retreat. It’s only for the summer, she tells herself. Until her new boss turns out to be Lyle “McHuge” McHugh, the walking ray of sunshine she once slept with and hoped never to see again.

Maggie North’s writing crackles with wit and warmth, balancing biting sarcasm with genuine emotional depth. The fake engagement trope gets a hilarious, high-stakes spin as Stellar and Lyle team up to save the camp’s image while trying to avoid reigniting very real feelings. With rivals, secrets, singalongs, and one woman’s quest to control everything but her own heart, The Ripple Effect is summer romance at its best: smart, swoony, and sneakily heartfelt.

This was a really cute premise. I loved the idea of a whitewater marriage/dating counseling camp.

I loved McHuge! I always love big and bulky heroes but Lyle was different. He was such a sweetheart and someone you earnestly just want to get a hug from, or in Stellar’s case a very special hug 😂

This book has very light spice… nearly closed door, but has small details.

Lyle and Stellar have mutual friends which leads them to having a one night stand. One year later they run at the sight of each other… until they have to fake an engagement to save everything they care about.

The Ripple Effect was refreshing. I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance book quite like it, and the main characters were unique. I enjoyed it! At times the pacing felt slow, but I have to give this book credit where credit is due.

Second chance is hard to write, and this is why. This one is just ok. I liked Stellar but McHuge was bland and annoying. They don’t match to me. Their story was alright, but I think I’d like it better in audio.

Title: The Ripple Effect-a standalone

Author: Maggie North-new to me author

Publication date: 6/17/25 | Read: 6/13/25

Format: eBook 334 pgs.

Genre:
*Women's Fic
*Contemporary Romance

Tropes:
*grumpy/sunshine
*fake engagement
*forced proximity
*slow burn romance
*2nd chance romance
*LGBTQIA+ rep

POV: 1st person single-Stellar

TW: burn out-h, con artist parent-h's father, parental abandonment-h's mother, imprisonment-h's father, hostile work environment

Setting: Canada

Summary: When a Beeswax magazine journalist writes a "hit piece" critical of Dr. Lyle McHugh's romantic expertise, and it gains traction Stellar suggests they enter into a fake engagement. She hopes to save the camp and Lyle's public image and score a partnership w/ Renee Greene- a wellness culture media darling. The problem is she has been avoiding him since a disastrous hook-up over a year ago.

Heroine: Dr. Stellar J. Byrd- 33, a grumpy former ER physician turned camp Dr. @ The Love Boat - a whitewater canoeing/ relationship therapy start-up.

Hero: Dr. Lyle "McHuge" McHugh-a sunny psychologist, becomes Stellar's boss. Launches a relationship therapy program in the wilderness with tandem whitewater canoeing.

Other Characters:
* Liz-Stellar's pregnant BFF, autistic+ husband Tobin-McHugh's business partner
* Sloane Summers- 40, Stellar's half-sister, an actress/they have the same father-Stellar calls her to endorse them. She comes to the camp w/ Dereck Burgos-Sloane's boyfriend and fellow actor
*Camp Couples: Brent/Willow, Mitch/Lori, Petra/Trevor, Sloane/Dereck

My Thoughts: I enjoyed the interpersonal relationships of all the couples including Lyle and Stellar. I'm glad Stellar was somewhat vindicated from her previous job and willingness to step in for Lyle. The queer representation was accepted as a "matter of fact " which I appreciated. I'm glad Stellar and Sloane were able to reconnect even though they held secrets from each other. Lyle and Stellar were meant to be but miscommunication kept them in a slow burn romance.

Rating: 4/5
Spice level 3/5 open door

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Maggie North for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

This was alright in the end. I liked the first half of the book much better than the second half. Stellar's inability to talk to literally anyone was a big hindrance to any character development she might've had sooner. The panic to get Love Boat ship shape before it's maiden voyage was too much of a scramble and made my brain hurt a little. The fake engagement was an interesting choice and I'm not entirely sure it helped sell anything initially; however Stellar said she felt like she went through the program herself in the end.

I really disliked the nickname "McHuge" for Lyle and it clearly bothered him the whole time. He was too agreeable to a fault and behind the scenes he could seem disingenuous when interacting with the campers once you knew how he really felt. I did like reading about the 2 real couples on the trip and seeing how they worked together. I really hated Brent from the start, which I'm almost positive you're supposed to, until Stellar's "My Guy" conversation with him and it all clicked. The mole was VERY obvious from the get go. I really wanted to read an excerpt from the podcast in the end even if we didn't get it on page. Brent's followup article was nice, but left me wanting A LOT more.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT had me reading into the early morning hours because I just couldn't make myself put it down. Stellar Byrd walked away from medicine after dealing with misogyny and burnout. Lyle "McHuge" McHugh is a cinnamon roll psychologist who left academia after unfair treatment from his PhD professor. The two find themselves working together to launch The Love Boat, McHugh's wilderness paddling/relationship retreat, one year after Stellar ghosted Lyle after their hookup.

I was rooting for Stellar and Lyle from the very beginning. I loved their journey to learn to trust each other and let go of their baggage. I also enjoyed the side characters, who really played a part in the plot.

Maggie North is a new-to-me author, but I definitely won't miss her next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series (of standalones) and I was excited for McHuge to get his own book, he was definitely entertaining but still deep in this one. Unfortunately, I did not like this as much as book one and I'm honestly really bummed about that. There are so many important topics to be explored in this book- healthcare burnout, your friend having a baby when you are single, your friend making different friends than you, running back into your one night stand you were accidentally super into. But the execution didn't always work for me.

Whyyyy did she ruminate so much on how the first time she met her bestie it was when they hooked up and realized they would be better as friends? To me, that is normal thing to have a relationship with someone and go from lovers to friends but it's almost a credit to this author's vivid storytelling, why are you still thinking about what she looked like the morning after, seeing her naked in different contexts, etc YEARS later. It's just not the inner monologue when the external dynamic is truly friendship, I believe she wasn't still hung up on her friend but why think about it SO much. Sorry, this was honestly a small part of it but just bothered me like your friend could be in labor and you are still thinking about how you met.

Also, this lends itself to my other issue with the book- the repetition. I wish this trusted the reader more. I would be 0% surprised if this author has an MFA. These chapters and the writing style are really set up to be vivid samples or character studies, but brought cohesively together it's like I understand this character, we've seen them inside and out now can something please HAPPEN.

Thank you to SMP for the eARC.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine
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Stellar, a burnt out doctor, gets a job working for an outdoor therapy startup. The catch is it is worth her hookup from a year ago, Lyle "McHuge." The two must navigate a rocky business and relationship and see where things will go.
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Overall, this was cute, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between Lyle and Stellar. I wanted to love them and I thought this had some potential, but I just couldn't get into it unfortunately. I did like how calm Lyle was and how he really pushed Stellar to find her best self, which was a great aspect of the book!

I was not a huge fan as the pacing seemed slow and I kept putting the book down. However I found the premise intriguing and wished I had enjoyed the book more. It is more likely a me problem, and not the novel itself!