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!

I was so excited to be back in the world that Maggie North created, this time with Stellar and McHuge having leading roles. I loved meeting them both in Rules For Second Chances, and while this is a standalone romance and you don't need to read that first, it was great to have insight into McHuge's background and plans for The Love Boat.
Their dynamic had its moments of making me cringe and want to scream at (mostly) Stellar. Stellar is complex, angry, and worried. As she tries to trust in Lyle and show he can trust in her, too, she's also building some rapport with Sloane. Lyle is calm and patient but doesn't allow himself to defend himself, Stellar shows him it's okay to get angry, angry doesn't mean dangerous, despite what he thinks. As they work together and become true partners, everything is so balanced and it's nice to see the way they can take care of each other. 
I really enjoyed this one, thank you St Martin's Press of the ARC in exchange for a review!

I enjoyed this author’s debut, but this one was not a favorite for me. I think I struggled with the wordiness and the pacing. It lagged for me and I struggled to finish.

I enjoyed Maggie North's book last year and although I expected to like this one also, it wasn't quite as good as I anticipated. One thing I do appreciate about both of North's books that I've read so far is that they have building strong relationships as a main theme. The way this is achieved in both books is a little unconventional but it's still a positive thing to me. In this one, the two main character fake an engagement to try to ensure that a wilderness relationship retreat business is successful upon launching. The people attending the retreat are all dealing with various relationship issues; some of them seem to absorb the tools they're given better than others. I also appreciate that North's characters have realistic struggles that they grow through with each other's support. All those positives aside, I had two main problems that help me from rating this higher than 3 stars. First, even though I appreciate the idea, I don't really buy that this whole whitewater retreat thing would actually improve a relationship. The advice felt so cheesy to me. Secondly, I just never really connected with the characters or felt the chemistry build naturally. I got a little tired of Lyle McHugh's character being built so heavily on how huge he was. I swear someone had to comment on it at least every other page. And of course, Stellar is just so tiny. This seems to be a thing lately in contemporary romances: huge lumberjack men with beards with teeny tiny women. I'm over it. I'll still come back to North's books in the future because I think her writing is better than many contemporary romances and I enjoy the depth she tries to put into her characters' growth.

The Ripple Effect by Maggie North has such an authentic feel to it especially the toil on the doctors during Covid’s early and deadly debut. Dr. Stellar J Byrd is in recovery even though she doesn’t admit to it, which for her is an angry and wary stage. McHuge is still a mystery at times. I liked him in the first book, and in this book. McHuge and Stellar have some serious struggles but find they can help each other. The forced proximity trope works for them, including the fake engagement which the reader sees before they do that this is good for them both.

Stellar in another author’s hands may not have been a character that is understood or liked. It takes a great writer to help the reader see the strength, weaknesses, vulnerability and growth. Not the usual character that I want to learn more about but this author just has such a lovely compassionate style of getting into their heads so you can’t help but want to know more hoping that they find the light.

Stellar is a former ER doctor, and McHuge is a psychologist, her best friend is his best friend’s wife. I really enjoyed this book. The characters have amazing chemistry, even though the spice level is pretty tame, there is so much heat that you feel while reading scenes where they are interacting, Stellar’s thoughts racing make your heart race while she describes the impact of McHugh’s slightest touch. The exploitation she suffered while working as a doctor during the pandemic also draws you into caring for Stellar’s character more because of what she went through as a child with her dad. I felt that her transition from resistance to the Love-Boat and to her feelings of ownership and loving the Love-Boat was rushed, I feel like it was too sudden the change in mindset towards the project. Compared to the chemistry that jumped off the pages when McHuge and Stellar kissed in a few different chapters, their first and only love scene feels very lack-luster and attempts to be too poetic, almost. I really do love the book, I couldn’t stop reading. I just have those qualms. The ending also feels a bit lackluster for me as well.
It’s not a long read so this is still worth the read, I feel.

This second chance romance was fun. I liked the writing and how we experienced the MC’s thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed the camp setting, the pacing of the book, and the secondary characters/overall cast. I think this will be a solid summer read for anyone looking for something unique and entertaining to breeze through.

This was a unique take on a romance story and it was refreshing and really made me want to go for a walk (if only it hasn’t been pouring nonstop here). This was a fun romp at a summer camp for adults that tackles mental issues in regards to relationships with significant others as well as oneself, and Maggie takes us on a beautiful journey with Stellar, and with Lyle, too. And my goodness, if by the end I didn’t just want to squeeze Lori, Mitch, and Sloane and never let go. The twist was actually unexpected, and I didn’t see it coming, which I especially appreciate in a romance because usually they’re an afterthought, so that was fun! And you know what I really loved? At the end, our characters aren’t perfect. They aren’t perfect at all but they’re still acknowledging that they’re worthy of love and still choosing each other and happiness, and I loved it. This will be a fun summer read that you should definitely pick up come June!