First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC.

This is 2.5 star rounded up for me.
While the premise was cute I felt that the whole story was very rushed.

There was a challenge for the female MC with some minor antagonists that ended up being resolved with no explanation just boom… no more problem just a resolution.

It was just fine, in my opinion.

I loved this story with its Jane Austen vibes, female power dynamics, and hockey romance. I am here for it all. The author did a fantastic job integrating Emma into the story without making it too on the nose and Harriet and Gale were adorable. I liked the way the author used personal insecurities on both main characters parts to create tension that bordered on miscommunication tropes but not going there. There were a couple of times the story felt drawn out but they were few and far between. Overall this was a really enjoyable read.

Unfortunately, The Emma Effect just didn’t work for me. I went in expecting a fun Jane Austen-inspired modern twist, but I found the story repetitive and hard to stay engaged with. The main character felt immature, and her constant indecision made it difficult to connect with her.

The AI plotline also didn’t add much for me. It felt like a distraction rather than a meaningful part of the story. I ended up DNF’ing the book because it just couldn’t hold my attention.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC, but this one wasn’t for me.

First of all, this had nothing to do with Jane Austen other than a couple characters' names, so that was a failed gimmick. On top of that, it was just not good. The dialogue, especially for the AI, was so cringey, and the plot so contrived and nonsensical.

This was my first book by Lia Riley. I thoroughly enjoyed The EMMA Effect, both Harriet and Gale's love and friendship were so heartwarming.

Super cute, adorable, predictable romance. Definitely enjoyed the characters and the tech + sports tie in. I really liked her writing style. The final chapter (not the epilogue - that was great, but the actual final chapter) felt forced and unnecessary and I really struggled with the main male character being named Gale. Those two things kept it from five stars. Otherwise I really enjoyed it!

I had high hopes for this book based on the description. It ended up having nothing to do with Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ aside from the acronym and matchmaking efforts of “E.M.M.A.” It was taking me a long time to read this because while the premise was great, the execution was not. I got to around 60% and decided that it just wasn’t for me so it was ultimately a DNF.
One thing I think people will complain about is the switch between first person for FMC and then third for MMC but I really didn’t mind that and have seen it done before in other books.

I loved the fact that the book has an AI base of the story and that the characters are reversed in their roles in a way.

Also.. the back story of Gale was one of the most interesting that I have read in hockey romances.

The story is well rounded but for me the love aspect did not hit it out of the park.

The E.M.M.A. Effect is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance that blends STEM, sports, and a touch of matchmaking AI. Harriet, a computer scientist, recruits Gale, her best friend’s younger brother and a pro hockey player, as a test subject for her AI program, E.M.M.A. When E.M.M.A. identifies Harriet as Gale’s perfect match to enhance his performance, their professional relationship takes a personal turn. The story is witty, steamy, and heartwarming, with a dynamic that keeps readers engaged.

Harriet Smythe es una brillante científica que ha creado un programa de inteligencia artificial llamado E.M.M.A., diseñado para ayudar a atletas a alcanzar su máximo rendimiento. Sin embargo, cuando su proyecto pierde financiamiento, Harriet se ve obligada a usar como sujeto de prueba a Gale Knight, un jugador de la NHL en crisis... que además es el hermano menor de su mejor amiga y su amor secreto de años.

Todo se complica cuando E.M.M.A. determina que la clave para el rendimiento de Gale no está solo en su entrenamiento físico, sino en su vida emocional. Según la IA, su "match" ideal es Harriet misma. Decidida a mantener lo profesional por encima de lo personal, Harriet programa citas con otras mujeres para Gale... pero ni el sistema ni la química entre ellos parecen dispuestos a colaborar.



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Estuvo entretenido, pero me desespero que Harriet casi destruyera su carrera y modificar datos por una tonteria.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

This was an interesting read. You're typical and very sexy romance story but with family trauma and AI intelligence thrown in the mix. The EMMA conversations were both equally funny because of the meddling and also freaky because of its intelligence and boundary issues. Interesting mix of possibilities of future AI growth, comedy, and spiciness. I loved the added spice. Most romance the characters really already know their own kinks. It was refreshing reading about characters who were really just coming into their own and learning what really makes them tick. I'd say this is a great technological Dom/Sub romcom(not words id ever thought id put together!)

I wanted to like this in the worst way possible. A STEMinist romance ala Ali Hazelwood but make it hockey? Yes, please. The MMC, Gale, was sweet and so in love with Harriet. Harriet was a smart AI coding team-lead in a male-dominated industry. They had great chemistry, a shared history, and a strong friendship to base their romance on. There was quite a bit of spice, which wasn’t my cup of tea but to each their own. And there was a little bit of hockey but it focused more on their relationship than anything else.

Sadly, it just missed the mark for me. Without spoiling anything I will just say that the ‘E.M.M.A.’ AI didn’t deliver what I was promised, I didn’t understand what was holding Harriet back from giving Gale a chance, and my lasting impression of this is frustration.

I didn't pick up on a lot of Jane Austen vibes, which I anticipated from the title, but I am a sucker for a hockey romance. The spice was good, though not my thing, and I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I enjoyed this romcom. It was a fast, easy read. The AI aspect of the story was new to me, and it was nice to read about something different. I didn’t get the Jane Austin aspect of the story though.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, fun romance with a unique twist, this book delivers just enough charm to leave you satisfied. The story centers around a quirky, nerdy scientist and a confident (but surprisingly sweet) hockey player brought together by an innovative computer program designed to help the athlete regain his competitive edge.

What makes the book stand out is its humor. The witty banter between the two leads is sharp, and the awkward yet endearing situations they find themselves in provide plenty of laughs. The author does a great job of highlighting the stark differences in their worlds—think science labs versus hockey arenas—while finding clever ways to intertwine them.

The heroine is delightfully awkward, and her passion for her work makes her relatable and inspiring. Meanwhile, the hockey player breaks the mold of the stereotypical jock, showing depth and vulnerability as he struggles with his slump and explores what his career means to him. Their chemistry is undeniable.

While the book is enjoyable, it’s not without its flaws. Some plot points felt a bit slow, and the ending tied everything up neatly. However, the humor and the charm of the main characters more than make up for these shortcomings.

Overall, this is a fine read—perfect for a weekend when you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and sweet. If you’re a fan of opposites-attract stories with a dash of techy intrigue, this one is worth checking out!

Harriet and AI tech, and Gale, a struggling NHL star, get together in this reverse age gap best friend's little brother story surrounded by an AI character, E.M.M.A. who kind of takes over as Harriet's mentor as it takes control of the situation. It was a fun read, if you don't dig too deeply, other than Gale's complicated family past, which was dealt with mostly good. Harriet's conflict with the Chad's was stilted and unrealistic because with her PhD, she should have been able to come up with a more creative solution, in my opinion, naturally. I thought they were heading for a third act break up, but nope. This was dealt with maturely where they separated and thought/talked things over and then went to talk it out together. I liked it and will read other books from this author.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This book had potential. A reverse age-gap, sports/tech romance with AI at the center? I was intrigued. Harriet, the FMC, works in tech developing an AI meant to enhance athlete performance and reduce injuries. Gale, the MMC, is a struggling NHL player with a complicated family legacy. They’re childhood friends, now adults navigating emotional wounds and shifting dynamics. Sounds good, right?

But reading it felt like I was constantly waiting for the real story to start. It’s fluffy, trope-heavy, and surface-level. And what frustrates me most is how much potential the core of this story had (if it had actually committed to emotional depth or meaningful accountability).

SPOILERS BELOW

Let me be blunt: Harriet is a poorly written character. Not just in the sense of “unlikable." She’s unoriginal, flat, and filled with every contrived trait that makes modern rom-com heroines feel manufactured. She’s insecure about her work, still hurt from a breakup, vaguely ambitious but not in a way that feels lived-in. She’s supposed to be this brilliant tech lead, but most of her actions are emotionally juvenile and narratively convenient. When she deliberately manipulates the AI’s logic to hide the fact that it matched her with Gale romantically, something that would compromise any real research project, it’s treated like a quirky mistake instead of the massive breach it is. And the ironic part is that she gets validated and supported by the same Tech bro boss that she has been lambasting the entire book. Well okay then.

She’s weak not because she has flaws (flawed women can be great characters), but because she’s written with no real weight. Everything she does, even when it’s objectively wrong, gets framed as brave or forgivable. She has no real arc. Her fears are shallow. Her growth is unearned. And the story bends over backward to protect her from meaningful consequence while still trying to crown her the emotional center of everything.

Meanwhile, Gale is actually written with care and nuance. He’s grieving his father, processing the trauma of being the son of a disgraced star athlete, and trying not to let his anxiety and legacy ruin his career. He has the emotional journey. He is the one dealing with real stakes. And yet, the story sidelines him repeatedly to keep the spotlight on Harriet, a character who doesn’t earn the reader’s trust, respect, or interest.

The ending just seals how shallow this story really is. Gale suddenly has a flawless game (which, good for him. He earned his professional happy ending with all grief he's experienced). Harriet gets an immediate yes from a glamorous French investor (who also happens to be the ex of her ex and now wants to mentor her in girlboss solidarity???), and even the AI itself gets a weird reflective summary chapter. The last chapter? A backyard wedding. Because... sure, why not?

Two more things that really didn’t work for me: First, the pov switching. The book uses first person for Harriet and third person for Gale, which is fine in theory, but the early chapters mark whose POV we're in... and then just stops. It becomes jarring, especially when the voices aren’t distinct enough to carry the change without clear labeling. As it is now, you have to actively read on until you see an "I" or "Gale" to know that this is Harriet's chapter or wait until you see "Harriet" (or something hockey related) to realize we're in Gale's chapter.

Second, this is marketed as a book “inspired by Jane Austen,” and that is just... not accurate. The only real link is the title Emma. The so-called “Duchess mode” of the AI, where it starts speaking in fake Regency language, isn’t clever or immersive. It’s extremely cringey. It reads like an American putting on a bad British accent and calling it Austen.

As I finished the book, I wasn’t even angry (yet), just filled with mild annoyance and disappointment. Harriet is written to be "flawed but perfect," never truly held accountable, and always conveniently uplifted. Brooke, her best friend, is reduced to a frazzled “new mom” stereotype who magically shows up when emotional support is needed. The women in this book are messy in a way that’s supposed to feel empowering, but really just feels self-congratulatory.

If this wasn’t an ARC, I probably would’ve DNF'd it and let it fade. Instead, I kept at it, hoping it would redeem itself. It didn’t. This is a 1-2 star read for me that at least, for now, is not driven by anger. Just a waste of potential.

Did you say hockey romance book? Sign me up! The premise of the book was very unique and interesting: she's a brainy PhD who has created an AI program to aid athletes in optimizing their performance and he's a hockey star with some emotional baggage. There's a little age gap (5 years) and he's her best friend's younger brother.

There really wasn't any banter, the relationship progressed very quickly, and the AI turned into more matchmaker than athletic trainer. There's a little spice but it felt a bit awkward. But based on vibes and creativity, I'd say a solid 3⭐️ read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book.

Two childhood friends with different backgrounds and jobs. One in the world of AI and one in sports. Gale and Harriet battled their feelings for each other as they teetered back and forth on how to navigate this new ground. This book was a quick easy read. It kept my attention throughout. I was not a fan of how the pov’s kept switch from first person to third person.

All in all, I enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me access to the arc.

I just finished this book after starting it today and I absolutely loved it.
All of the real life references to being a woman in a male dominated field rang super true.
It is so damn hard to be taken seriously as a woman. I love that the FMC’s team had her back.

The book had me absolutely cackling when it came to all of the new Mom talk! Haven’t we all forgotten to put our boob away after nursing???

This book references, Jane Austin‘s Emma.
The Emma, in this case being a AI computer hell-bent on finding the happily ever after for our FMC Harriet.
While in Jane Austin‘s book, you get a lot of conversations about society and social status; this book goes deeply into familial, trauma and generational trauma. So instead of how society perceives you, this book focuses on how you perceive yourself.

This book is definitely more subtle than other books that call themselves adaptations or get inspiration from Jane Austin. And I honestly think that that’s a strength. It stands on its own.

Once they were each able to look past their idea of who they ought to be, conquer their fears and focus on accepting themselves for who they are, they were able to realize the love that always should be been.