The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy
The feeling when a good writer is maturing into a great one is just *chef’s kiss*
Gigi Graham is the daughter of two characters from another Elle Kennedy series, and you can see her style remains similar while her writing is fresh. The characters, the situations, everything felt elevated.
Gigi is a girl following in her father’s footsteps (or out of his shadow) and wants to qualify for the women’s national hockey team and win Olympic gold.
But despite being a good player, she falls short behind the net, and Luke Ryder, who plays for the men’s team at her university, Briar, is going to help her out, if she will help him out. Helping him out consists of talking him up to her father, who doesn’t have the best opinion on Ryder. But he wants a summer coaching spot and will work with Gigi to get there.
But their chemistry gets in the way—and the loathing—but mostly the chemistry. It is more of a when-will-they than a will-they-won’t-they, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
But it is not just the romance that makes this book good – it’s the comedy that gets it to five stars. There are funny lines that make laughter bubble up despite my efforts to remain neutral-faced while reading in public. And not to give too much away, but oh my god, there is a whole bit with one of their teammates that is so reminiscent of THE BEST (in my opinion, as someone who only managed to get to season seven of Friends), Joey/Monica/Chandler plotline. There is a PowerPoint. I swear you will be laughing too.
The other thing that stands out to me is the representation of women’s hockey. It felt correct to read it right now, with the women’s hockey league finally happening!
PS. Watch women’s hockey. As Ryder thinks in the book, “Without the roughness and the players getting bashed into the boards, the game itself stands out.” That’s totally true.
And as always, we love romance with consent kings.
The Taylor Swift Vibe
You took the time to memorize me
My fears, my hopes and dreams
I just like hanging out with you
