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This was a great second chance love story. I loved to see how Morgan and Frankie try to find their way back to each other after an extremely bad break-up when they graduated high school.

Morgan is a struggling wedding planner and needs a photographer, New York resident Frankie (formerly Katey) temporarily visiting her old hometown is showing up. Meeting again is such a shock, they were each other’s first love, and their break-up was such a disaster. Both felt betrayed, Morgan thought Frankie should have stayed and gone with her to college, Frankie thought Morgan should have left with her to New York. They both were crushed, heart-broken and felt betrayed for years after their break-up.

It turns out that their break-up may have been good for them though, they have both matured and been able to grow as persons. Morgan is so close to her brother and his kids, a total 180 vs. how she was in the past. Frankie has finally gotten her ADHD diagnosis and medication so a totally different person, now takes responsibility in a way never possible in the past, now Frankie and not Katey.

Fortunately, they are trapped together with the whole wedding planning, and they get to know each other again and start to understand actions in the past. Will they find their way back to each other or will Frankie leave again?

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Morgan reminds me of myself so much. I am severely OCD and everything needs a label, a specific place, and my closet is color coordinated. I loved that Morgan has full control over everything in her life....until she doesn't. This second chance romance is filled with excellent banter, sexual tension, bridezillas, and a budding relationship round 2. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters. I didn't find the plot to be cheesy which seems to happen a lot in second chance romance books. This was a great read....will look for more by this author.

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A really enjoyable read with a cute storyline. I was kept guessing right until the end as to how it would end.

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Morgan’s wedding planning business is on the verge of collapse, with only one couple booked for the entire summer. When a near-impossible wedding request comes her way, she agrees, forcing her to team up with her ex, Frankie, who happens to be the wedding photographer. Ten years ago, Frankie broke Morgan’s heart by leaving for New York City, and Morgan still hasn't forgiven her. As they work together for the first time in a decade, old sparks reignite, and both women must decide if they are willing to risk a second chance at love.

Dana Hawkins' The Ex Effect is the first book in her Meet Cute in Minnesota series and offers a fun blend of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, and second-chance romance. Those familiar with Minnesota will appreciate the authentic small-town imagery, while those new to the state will be effortlessly transported to its enchanting northwoods.

I enjoyed the portrayal of Frankie’s ADHD, it felt very relatable and her growth in the book was very real. The tension built up between Morgan and Frankie kept me engaged as the some parts of the book dragged on a bit. For me, Morgan's prickly personality was initially off-putting, making her difficult to like or root for. However, her character did improve somewhat as the book progressed.

I’d recommend this book to those who are looking for a quick read with an engaging premise. I liked the high stakes of planning the wedding in under 90 days to create tension and the teamwork that eventually happens. The queer representation in the book was great and felt very real without feeling forced.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Dana Hawkins, and Storm Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by Dana Hawkins, and it won't be my last. I enjoyed this fast-paced summer lesbian romance. There were great discussions about anxiety and ADHD. Morgan is an organized and incredible wedding planner who likes everything to have a timeline. I related heavily to the things she did in the book. So I understood her frustrations with Frankie. Frankie is a talented photographer who has more energy than most. She has a hard time getting people to understand her regarding her ADHD. I loved how things turned out. They slowly talked through a lot of their problems from their past relationship. They listened to each other and adapted their behavior to support the other person. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

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Let’s be real: I’m a sucker for a well-done second-chance romance, especially when it involves a wedding planner, a broody hot ex, and enough sexual tension to power a small town.

Dana Hawkins’ The Ex Effect delivers all that and more with humour, heat, and just the right amount of heartbreak.

Morgan Rose has her life mapped out with the kind of precision NASA would envy. Her wedding planning business is thriving, she’s got color coded spreadsheets for everything, and her ex? Firmly tucked in a mental drawer labeled “DO NOT OPEN.” Until said ex walks straight into her client’s venue... as the official wedding photographer.

Enter Frankie Lee: still sharp, still beautiful, still deeply annoying in that "ugh why do I still love you" kind of way. And suddenly, Morgan’s most high-stakes wedding turns into emotional (and sexual) chaos in 87 days or less.


There’s something so emotionally satisfying about two people with history—messy, complicated, unresolved—being forced to work together. Dana Hawkins nails the tension and growth, peeling back their shared wounds layer by layer. You feel their past, and you root for their future.


The pining. The banter. The lingering glances across a perfectly set reception table. It’s sapphic tension at its finest. Frankie and Morgan are electric together and not just when things heat up. The emotional intimacy is just as powerful as the physical spark, and that’s what makes this book shine.

Wedding planning is the perfect backdrop for a romance between two control freaks with unfinished business. It adds stakes, stress, and just enough bridezilla moments to spice things up. Plus, it gave me major The Wedding Planner (if J.Lo and the bride were the actual love story) vibes in the best way.


The Ex Effect is a warm, witty, and deeply satisfying second-chance sapphic romance with just the right amount of angst. It’s about learning to forgive, to love again, and to finally say the things you left unsaid the first time around.

I smiled, I sighed, I maybe clutched my chest once or twice. Highly recommend.

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dnf at 30%

i really tried to push through but i don’t like either of the mc’s so far and the plot has yet to pick up that i can’t continue reading which is so disappointed because i was highly anticipating this!!

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“The Ex Effect” by Dana Hawkins is the first book in her Meet Cute in Minnesota series. This slow-burn romance combines the enemies-to-lovers trope with a forced proximity narrative.

Dana Hawkins’s writing has a cozy, light-hearted, and feel-good vibe. Her books feature strong LGBTQIA+ representation, and this one pays special attention to issues related to anxiety and ADHD.

When the main characters are forced to work together on a crucial project, tensions flare as their conflicting personalities clash. Their shared past complicates their present day interactions.

I enjoyed this cozy read. While I felt that the pacing could be improved, overall, if you’re looking for a fun beach read, this might be just what you need! Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm for the ARC.

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Book 1 of Dana Hawkins' Meet Cute in Minnesota series was a pleasant surprise. Sometimes a second chance romance can be repetitive in its dialogue, but Hawkins was able to craft a real relationship between the characters. Although how many wedding/event planners exist in the world. I quite enjoyed this read.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

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A huge thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and author Dana Hawkins for providing me with the eARC of “The Ex Effect”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 19th, 2025
Reviewed on Goodreads: July 7th, 2025

This was a great read!
Romantic, suspenseful and fast-paced. This really held my attention, and I was excited every time I got to pick up the book.

This story is perfect if you are interested in:
- Sapphic romance
- Second chance romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Opposites attract

Morgan is a struggling wedding planner, who is one failure away from having to shut down her business.
Frankie is a photographer, who has recently returned to her hometown after the devastating loss of her grandmother.
The problem? They have met before. Over ten years ago, Frankie broke Morgan’s heart, and Morgan still hasn’t forgiven her.
The last thing Morgan want is to be spending time with her ex-girlfriend, but when things don’t go to plan- she is forced to work with Frankie to make this dream wedding happen, and to hopefully save her career.
They rekindle their old romance, but soon realize sacrifices must be made to keep life from pulling them apart again.

There are a lot of things about this story I found really enjoyable.
I like the discussion of Frankie’s ADHD.
In the story, Frankie is known to be disorganized, forgetful, and non-punctual. All of these traits drive Morgan crazy and are some of the things she hates the most about her.
However, this is because Frankie had undiagnosed ADHD in high school- making her and Morgan’s ways of doing things quite different.
After her diagnosis, she makes an active effort to stay on track and improve her focus on tasks.
I think this is a great addition to the story. It added a lot of depth to Frankie’s character and made her very realistic. I also felt like it brought some awareness to the struggles of ADHD, instead of making into quirky and unique character traits.

I also liked Frankie’s story about finding herself after she moved to New York.
Changing her name and cutting her hair, to separate herself from the girl she was in high school. She had to learn how to be her own person, and not just “Morgan’s girlfriend”. I personally just really love reading things like this, and this was no exception.

The romance here was really cute as well. Mostly sweet, a little steamy, and humorous. I love how well these two women go together, despite how different they are.

Overall, I thought this was great and I am happy I got the chance to review it!
I am really looking forward to reading more of Dana Hawkins sapphic romances in the future.

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