The Graham Effect: A Slow Burn Enemies to Lovers College Hockey Romance (Campus Diaries, 1)

The family dynamic is everything i didn’t know i wanted from this book but i got it. The overprotective dad and big brother aspect was really cute and sweet and Garrett and gigis heart to heart in the end and showing how even as an adult and parent they still make mistakes. It was really nice. The relationship didn’t seem forced it flowed nicely and the hints at the next books weren’t to obvious but if you knew what they’re about they’re nice little details to start the next stories. I loved the dynamic between the two teams and how they worked things out it was really heart warming. I’m glad Gigi is learning to accept her feelings even the non-happy ones, and i love ryders overcoming of his doom and gloom lol for her and only her. I loved Garrett finally coming around to him and helping him and i loved the press conference moment where Ryder finally stood up for himself. All around it was a really good story. I laughed out loud multiple times especially with Shane’s cover stories and was sad at other time like learning the fate of the team mascot that poor pig. I loved seeing old characters GAH dean and Logan i wish we saw Tucker or Allie and Grace but Logan and Dean were amazing. The cafe scene had me laughing out loud. I loved this book all around great read!

4.5 ★I've heard about Elle Kennedy for a long and have some of her books on my Kindle. The author has been on my to-read list for a while, and I finally got around to reading one of her books. Even though it indicates it may be read as a standalone, once I read <b>The Graham Effect </b>. I felt that I should read the Off Campus series first. However, I am more excited to read the Off Campus series, especially Garett and Hannah's story and how it all began. There was so much I enjoyed about this book, and even though I finished it last night, I couldn't get Gigi and Ryder's story out of my mind. There are so many emotions running through my mind right now. I feel I'll compare the two of them to the other couples in the series.I adored Gigi and Ryder; there was something about the two of them that had me wanting more of them. I was rooting for the two of them all the way through. It didn't take long for me to see that what the two of them had was more than just physical attraction, even if they were too stubborn to accept it. Some of the conversations between the two brought me so many feelings, and I enjoyed reading their interaction. I liked how realistic their relationship was; it took time to develop their feelings, and they didn't fall for each other right away. Of course, I enjoyed the fact that they both played hockey.I adored Gigi initially, and you couldn't help but love her. You could tell she loved hockey and was motivated to achieve her goals by working hard and without taking advantage of her father's status as a famous hockey player.I'd read a few sports romance stories before, but I enjoy watching hockey, and this was one of my favorites. I can't wait to read Shane and Diana's story next, but I'm also hoping to see Gigi and Ryder again. I'm eager to check out the other of Elle Kennedy's books.

5/5⭐️3.75/5🌶️soooo this was so good that i actually ordered it and the rest of the series on amazon 🤷🏻‍♀️i honestly didn’t expect to love this book as much as i did. when it first came out, i questioned how a rom com could be nearly 500 pages 🫠 but reading this book felt like coming home. i ADORED the briar u and off campus crumbs that were dropped throughout the story and the hannah&garrett graham content we got. i am loosely obsessed with this story.the story revolves around gigi graham and luke ryder who strike a pact to mutually benefit each other. gigi needs some help on the ice, ryder wants someone to put in a good word with garrett graham. there is forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, forbiddenish-love and just so much depth to this characters. i adored gigi. she was a tough, girlie, hockey player with her own dreams and goals, a witty sense of humor, and the knowledge of exactly what she wants and what she deserves. i loved that she had a hard exterior, but a complete girlie side underneath.LUKE mf RYDER🥵🥰🤭 whew. he is absolutely joining my list of book boyfriends because this man is amazing. he is the definition of grumpy, but gigi was so good at bringing out his smiles and laughs and it just made me beam when i read about it. i absolutely adored their banter, the teasing, and the bickering between him and gigi. he was so accommodating for gigi and i loved that he always took into account her wants and needs. he was a true gentleman at all the right times, but also had such a mouth on him too 🥵truly perfectthe pacing of this book was perfect. it wasn’t necessarily a slow burn but also wasn’t insta love and everything just felt like it happened at just the right time. i loved that ryder slowly opened up to gigi and their relationship evolved so well throughout the course of the book. i loved the found family aspect, as always, and all of the secondary characters we met (and im sure we will see in books to come!)THANK YOU ELLE FOR NO THIRD ACR BREAKUP🙏🏻“that’s my wife out there”