Thank you for the arc.


Slow read and hard to get into. Just felt off while trying to stay invested into the story. I could only get through a few pages before I found myself putting it down.

This story was entertaining, but for some reason I failed to connect with the MCs. Lyle was super sweet but came off a little boring. The chemistry between Lyle and Stellar was just ok to me, and the relationship jumped from fake engagement to a genuine "I love him" SOOOO fast. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

A fake engagement, black cat/golden retriever romance where FMC Stellar takes a job as a physician at a relationship retreat and ends up in a fake engagement with relationship coach Lyle in an effort to save the camp from bad publicity.

I thought this was interesting and introspective and thoughtful and touched on a number of ways we can be damaged by our childhood, and yet still come out on top as good humans. The imagery and descriptions of the setting were gorgeous and made me want to book a spot at the Love Boat just for the scenery alone!

The romance between Lyle and Stellar was a bit secondary in my opinion to the overall “betterment of ourselves” story. If this had taken place over the course of a summer working together I would have perhaps been more invested in them together. As it was, falling in love in two weeks during a fake relationship and tense working situation felt forced a bit. However, despite the quick timeline they were so charmingly awkward and lovely together. The lessons Stellar learns from Lyle, Sloane and the other campers come quickly but poignantly.

This book alone gets 4⭐️ for referencing skunk cabbage which I could have sworn was something my dad made up that grew wild around us but is apparently real?!

Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for the
E-ARC! Loved so much! Great characters & loved the setting. Fun banter too. Will read more from this author.

[ARC REVIEW]
THE RIPPLE EFFECT by Maggie North is a deep pool of emotion (and also the follow up to Rules for Second Chances.

I wanted to make a whitewater joke there, but it was a little tortured. As is Stellar J Byrd, protagonist of our tale! Her childhood was rough, being a doctor during the pandemic was rough, the way she got pushed out from the hospital was rough, and now trying to find her way forward isn't looking great either.

Part of that new life involves pretending to be engaged ("it's not fake if I asked and you said yes!" psh) to Lyle "McHuge" McHugh, the one night stand she kind of never got over and now works with at his new relationship therapy/whitewater adventure company that she wants to become a partner in. The stakes are high, is what I'm saying.

It's very emotional. They are both SO CAREFUL. She is careful to keep everything fair, never asking more from anyone than she gives. He is careful to never be angry, to give and give and never take. But you can't have a relationship where everyone only gives, because then who receives? The have to learn how not to keep score if they're going to be in a real relationship.

I really liked it. There was one passage describing how she behaves in relationships (basically as a trauma response) that almost took my breath away, like "I'm in this picture and I don't like it." But that's a me problem, lol, the book is good.

Wow, do I adore an FMC who seems unlikable. I think if you have ever been told you are too much, or made to feel like "less than", this story will speak to you as it did to me. Stellar worked SO hard to escape her upbringing that she often felt like she was running in place. Lyle was also working to put his past to bed, and walked on eggshells to be perceived a certain way. Of course they helped to round one another out in a hard-fought conclusion. I adored these characters, and was happy to be back in the world that started with Rules for Second Chances. 😍
4.25🌟

If you are into camping, white water rafting and being in tune with your emotions, the primary premise of this book will really resonate with you. This book did not start off great in my opinion but by the end, I was starting to enjoy it! The main characters at the beginning, specifically the main female character, weren't very likable until about 3/4 of the way through. I think it was the contrast between a super affable character and a really pessimistic character that felt off for me, but by the end, they were balancing each other a lot more.

I REALLY wanted to love this book. It had everything I genuinely look for in a romcom but something was just missing? There wasn’t anything that drew me in immediately and I didn’t feel like I connected with the characters or loved them. It had so much potential!!

💭𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
This was a solid read for me! I enjoyed the first in the standalone series (‘Rules for Second Chances’) and I was happy to get Lyle and Stellar’s story this time around. I enjoyed the setting (especially the outdoor vibes, camping and whitewater rafting). The forced proximity and opposites attract chemistry were on point. Sometimes a fake dating trope has been getting stale for me in the romance genre, but it’s not poorly done in this book by any means, especially given that the MMC and the FMC were working together for a common business goal. There were relatable components in each character that I loved and I literally wanted to reach into the book and give Lyle a hug - he seems like he would be an awesome person to know. I thought the romance was sweet, if a bit whirlwind, but it worked in the way Lyle and Stellar balanced one another out.

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓-𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄
⛺ One night stand
⛺ Opposites attract (grumpy x sunshine)
⛺ Forced proximity
⛺ Fake ‘dating’
⛺ One tent

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy for this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!!

Ya'll, I LOVED this book! I've read a lot of good books this year, but this might be my favorite. It's romantic and cute and fun and a little bit healing, too.
The romance is, of course, wonderful, but the set-up was so, so intriguing. Lyle "McHuge" McHugh and his whitewater couples therapy retreat were breathtaking. And Stellar J and her jaded heart were beautiful. I loved them together, I loved them individually, I loved them leading this camp, I loved them healing each other (but mostly themselves).
While I'm not a doctor, I related to Stellar in ways I didn't think I would when I first picked up the book. Being disillusioned with a workplace is something I deeply understand, and this book healed some pieces of me. Watching Lyle and Stellar figure things out and navigate their trust issues was so, so good. And watching Stellar figure out when/if/how to trust herself again was beautiful.
I've immediately ordered North's first book, and she has a fan for life now!

3.5 stars

This ended up being a lot of fun! I love a prickly FMC and although this FMC is a little more prickly than most, I found myself still really enjoying her backstory and her character growth. As a therapist, this really made me want to start a white water rafting couples therapy retreat, or attend a white water rafting couples therapy retreat hahaha. I also enjoyed the MMC and liked how both people were able to grow together. I wish the author had leaned a little harder into the fake dating (it is my favorite after all), but still enjoyed the tension and chemistry. This was a lot of fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

I didn't realize this was the 2nd in an interconnected series of standalones. I definitely want to read the first one now. I had problems at first with the main male character because of the way he talked. I get that he's a crunchy granola kinda guy but it took me a bit to get used to him and the way he approached everything. However, I LOVED that he was the sunshine and she was the grump. Stellar tugged at my heart in a zillion different ways and I really enjoyed her sub-plots. I also thought the setting of the book was really unique. A white water rafting relationship camp is not something I ever would have conceived of. That's why I'm not a writer, just a reader. And I'm here for the different settings. Bring it on. Maggie North, you've got a new fan.

This was a unique and cute Canadian wilderness romcom. I enjoyed the writing and the main characters (most of the time) but I was so lost with the side characters and didn't realize it until late in the book that I had them mixed up.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Thank you to @youhadmeathea for providing me an early copy of this ebook. All opinions are my own.

Stellar and McHuge hooked up a year ago, and things have been pretty awkward ever since, especially because Stellar’s best friend is having a baby with McHuge’s business partner…And now, Stellar’s in a bit of an uncomfortable bind after agreeing to help their new Whitewater Canoeing Relationship Therapy start-up…😬

Oh my goodness I loved this one just so much! From the summer whitewater canoeing camp setting, to the fun side characters, to the gentle giant, McHuge and the insecure and deeply feeling, Stellar, I just loved everything about it.

McHuge, or Lyle as he is more affectionately called, is so kind, never wanting anything in return. Meanwhile, Stellar has been severely let down by those around her all her life, and now lives with a strict quid pro quo mindset. They really are a yin/yang of a duo, but obviously so good for one another.

The writing was so beautiful, and I made so many highlights that I know I will have to go back and physically highlight in my pre-ordered trophy copy; one of those books that got me tearing up, right back in my feels, as I went back over my highlights again.

Apart from the “romance” and “feelings”, we also get to witness their difficulties (and successes) starting up this relationship camp, and the storylines with their clients, as well as their nemeses, were also very engaging.

A perfect summer read, especially if you like visiting the (fictional) outdoors, and love a sweet and fun romance story.

What this book is giving:
✅ Contemporary Romance
✅ Single POV
✅ Whitewater Canoeing Relationship Therapy
✅ One Tent
✅ Fake Engagement
✅ Black Cat/Golden Retriever
✅ Bi/Pan Rep

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️ / 5

The Ripple Effect
Maggie North
Pub: 6/17/25
4☆

This was a fun and refreshing second chance romance. Maggie North’s writing gets you in your feels and the Ripple Effect was no different. Stellar and Lyle were complex characters yet highly relatable. There was so much growth and I loved the focus on honest communication. I couldn’t help my mind from wandering and looking at my own relationship several times. All in all a entertaining, unique, and adventurous story.

What I enjoyed:
🛶 One Night Stand To Lovers
🛶 Fake Engagement
🛶 Black Cat/Golden Retriever
🛶 Cinnamon Roll MMC
🛶 Forced Proximity
🛶 Found Family

Thank you so much to Maggie North, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

🌲☀️ MUST READ MONDAY 🛶🌲

Thank you @youhadmeathea and @maggienorthauthor for the #gifted copy of "The Ripple Effect." Extra gratitude for @just_talking_to_my_shelf and @bookswithnopictures for hosting this traveling arc. [Pub Date: June 17, 2025]

I finished this yesterday & I had to come into the book world to coax you all to R E A D this!!! This is the perfect read for people who loved "Happiness for Beginners" and miss going to summer camp. You're immediately going to be transported into the Canadian wilderness smelling the pines and hearing the rush of the rapids as soon as you crack open the spine.

"...brand new respect for the people who show us life's most important lessons in some of the world's most unexpected places" is a direct quote from the book & the perfect way to describe this story.

Reading this made me deeply appreciate the love that I have for my partner and the beauty of the outdoors. The lessons I learned just from reading this book are something I am going to keep for the rest of my life. Seriously, this could be a relationship guide hidden inside a fictional story. It hits that hard.

I adored the way North's words naturally created an image in my head of all the beautiful setting. As I was reading, I had it all play out to me like a movie. She does a perfect job of dropping you right into the middle of a canoe so you can ride alongside the characters down a river.

Stellar & Lyles tiny acts of love are my favorite favorite favorite moments of this book. I could physically feel butterflies when the pair broke down their walls to celebrate the love that they had for each other. There's a moment where he asks her to dance... I wanted to throw the book from being so giddy.

Don't even get me started on the character growth. Ugh. It's all perfection.

Do yourself a favor. Pre-order this book. Mark June 17th on your calendar to go book shopping. Keep a space empty on your June tbr.

Because this book is w o r t h i t !

🌲 Black Cat Golden Retriever
☀️ One Night Stand
🛶 Opposites Attract
🧭 Slow Burn
🌲 Doctor FMC
☀️ Outdoorsy
🛶 Perfect Summer Read

I really enjoyed The Ripple Effect! The characters felt fresh and original—easy to root for and fun to follow. I especially loved the setting; it was so vivid and atmospheric that it made me want to plan a wilderness canoe trip... and I don’t even like canoes! The premise was unique and pulled me in right away, and the mystery element added a layer of intrigue that kept things moving. The side characters brought so much personality and charm, making the whole story even more enjoyable. A compelling and refreshing read!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

I received a ARC through netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the second book in a series. I read the first book "Rules for Second Chances" last summer.

Our main characters in this novel are Stellar and Lyle "McHuge." Both appeared in the first book as minor characters. Stellar was a doctor but has been fired and basically forced out of a job and has had to resort to being an uber driver to pay her bills.

Lyle is coming off a successful publication of his first self-help book and is looking to launch a wilderness relationship course called The Love Boat.

Stellar and Lyle have a history. About a year prior they had a one night stand. Stellar left in the middle of the night, and had been intent on ignoring Lyle since.

Lyle needs a physician for the Love Boat, and Stellar is desperate for a bigger pay cheque. Negative press results regarding Lyles lack of relationship status results in Stellar and Lyle deciding to say they are an engaged couple. It's just in front of guests, what could go wrong??

I enjoyed this book. I had a few minor annoyances. Stellar is very angry. As understanding as I was about the reasons behind it, it does get tiring to read. Also how many times do we need to hear how massive Lyle is? Often highlighted is the daintiness of Stellar comparatively.

Lastly, I'd like to compliment the absolutely beautiful front cover. It's absolutely perfection.

“We need a place where we can be brave, and we need that place to be with each other.”

4.25 stars

This book was really enjoyable. I think it was pretty unique in that the main characters are extremely relatable, but it was a little hard to get into at the beginning. However, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic with the grump FMC and sunshiny MMC was so great. I also think that the exploration of being burnt out from your job, especially in the medical field was so important. This is nitpicky but I think that the "McHuge" nickname for the MMC was a little cringey. Overall, I loved the camp-like setting and thought the plot outside of the romance was also really interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.