The Ripple Effect by Maggie North: Book Review

The Ripple Effect is the latest release from Canadian author Maggie North. It is anticipated to be released on June 17, 2025. The story takes readers to an adult whitewater canoe summer camp. Stellar is a doctor who struggles to connect with people outside of the doctor-patient relationship. Lyle is a therapist who loves connecting with people and connecting them to each other. He needs a doctor who can also provide instruction in whitewater. She needs a steady job. What could go wrong?

I want to thank St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Ripple Effect. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Burned-out former ER doc Stellar J Byrd can solve any crisis except her own life. But with her financial prospects dwindling, she’d do anything to stay in her beloved, pricey wilderness town—even take a job as a camp physician at The Love Boat, an unspeakably touchy-feely whitewater canoeing/ relationship therapy startup. If there are sing-alongs, she’s calling in sick.

What’s worse? The founder is Lyle “McHuge” McHugh, the sunshiny psychologist she’s masterfully avoided since their disastrous hookup last year. Hardheaded relationship bean-counter Stellar plans to dodge his pathological generosity from now until September, but after a scathing article puts McHuge’s credibility into question, the two are forced into a fake engagement to salvage the camp’s crumbling public image. It’s strictly business . . . but the more closely they work together, the more Stellar realizes her feelings for Lyle are anything but professional.

This summer is nothing like Stellar expected, but could it be exactly what she needed? With a colorful cast of camp-goers, including a journalist intent on bringing The Love Boat down and an estranged celebrity sibling, plus a dash of corporate espionage, Maggie North’s signature heart and heat shine in The Ripple Effect.

My Opinions

The Ripple Effect is a fun, quick, and easy read. There is a small cast of interesting characters. It’s so much more than a romance. Stellar is on a journey of personal discovery. She’s spent much of her life being left behind and feeling unsupported. She thought that if you do this for me, I have to do that for you. She likes having a balanced sheet. The only exception to this was when she was working in the hospital. For Stellar, it’s easier to keep her feelings to herself, to push people away.

As for McHuge, he’s a giant teddy bear. He’s afraid to allow himself to feel angry because of his size. He’s been big for his age all his life, and as an adult, he easily towers over people. As such, he has worked on being one with compassion and compromise. So, it is easy to say that he has his own character growth throughout the book.

The descriptions of the setting will make you want to join the cast of The Love Boat. Cool mountain water. Beautiful mountains all around you. What more could a person want? Okay, I’ll be honest. I wouldn’t want to sleep in a tent, but the rest of the setting sounds like perfection to me!

As for the romance, there’s plenty of push-and-pull between Stellar and McHuge. They have a history, which plays into the tension. The intimate moments are there, and they tend to fade to gray. Yes, we know they’re about to have some intimate times, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed. Occasionally, there may be mention of past times, but again, nothing graphic or overly detailed.Who should read The Ripple Effect? Everyone, of course! Seriously, though, if you enjoy reading small-town romances with fake dating and grumpy sunshine elements, you will enjoy this book.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.