Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

10 reviews

thisteachreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Read. This. Book. Seriously - read it!

You know I love me some Elle Kennedy, but I’m almost disappointed I read The Dixon Rule first. 

Gigi and Ryder are just perfect. Dare I even say they are *better* than Garrett and Hannah. (Slander, I know).

Their love story is just so sweet and wholesome and the fact that they don’t fight it or complicate it or waiver, even once, when they get together makes me believe in true love.

If you loved GG and The Deal, you will die when you see Daddy Graham in action here. 

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juliesleseecke's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3,75 Sterne. War es gut geschrieben? Nein. (Wirklich, manches war so primitiv, dass es schon wieder lustig war) War der Plot vorhersehbar? Ja und wie. Hat es trotzdem Spaß gemacht? Irgendwie schon.
Absolutes guilty pleasure. Es war so cringe, dass es echt schon wieder lustig war. Wer ein Buch wie Icebreaker sucht ist hier genau richtig. Ehrlich gesagt besteht der Großteil des Buches einfach nur aus Sex bzw Gedanken rund um dieses Thema (fand ich auch irgendwann einfach nur noch nervig und sehr unrealistisch, selbst in wilden Collegejahren denkt doch kein Mensch so). Aber irgendwie hatte es trotzdem seinen Charme, war locker leicht und die Hauptcharaktere hatten tatsächlich mal Charakter. Zum Ende hin wurde es auch nochmal spannend und das hat das ganze für mich zu einem besseren Icebreaker gemacht. (Auch wenn es etwas abrupt geendet hat, ein zwei Sachen hätten ruhig noch passieren können)
Und wie alt bin ich bitte: habe vor 8 oder mehr Jahren The Deal gelesen und bin erstmal komplett ausgerastet, weil die Protagonistin aus The Graham Effect einfach die Tochter von den Protagonisten aus The Deal ist. Komme nicht klar 😭
Falls ihr also was locker leichtes mit viel Spice und ein klein wenig Handlung sucht, seid ihr hier genau richtig. 

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smartcookiesca's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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abidavisf's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Oh, I just love The Graham Effect. It is truly Elle Kennedy’s best work. The first time I read it, I hadn’t read any other Elle Kennedy book so coming back for a re-read now that I know Hannah and Garrett was truly delightful.

Gigi is a ray of sunlight on a gloomy day. She is kind, hard-working and knows herself so well. She is everything I hope my future daughter will be.

I would love to wrap Ryder in cotton wool. Witnessing his journey from closed off recluse to a committed and loving partner was so beautiful. His heart is so full of love and it’s wonderful to see him share it, not just with Gigi, but with his teammates. 

My heart yearns for more intel on the rest of Hannah and Garrett’s friends and their families, but the glimpses I did get were gorgeous.

Now to The Dixon Rule!

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britwalsh16's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I didn’t think it could get better the The Dare. & then I read this book!!! While, The Dare hit home for me. I just fucking enjoyed this book like crazy!!! Seeing Hannah & Garrett as parents is priceless! & then all the little breadcrumbs about all the other characters & their kids were the BEST PART!!! 
Fucking Dean giving Gigi a huge box of condoms was hilarious!! And such a Dean thing to do!!

I love all they are all so close & Gigi grew up with them all as Aunts & Uncles & their kids as cousins! This has gotta be one of the best found family series I’ve ever read!!
But also, I just fucking loved Gigi & Ryder!!! They way they were there for eachother & supported one another! 🥰 
Also how they first got together… Use Me… Fuck Yes!! Haha 😂

This book gives you all the laughs, but then also gives you heart & the struggles of life. I really could not get enough!!! 💜💜💜

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vickie0326's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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natshu's review against another edition

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lighthearted

3.5


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paoitz's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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babblingsofabibliophile's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0


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abidavisf's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Yes. This is everything I want in a book: lovable characters who are actually kind even if/when they’re grumpy, tension, communication, and romance!

The Graham Effect is a love story but it’s also a tale of trauma and found family, forgiveness and when to choose not to forgive for the benefit of your own sanity, honesty and kindness. I am rooting for Gigi and Ryder all the way.

There was also the perfect amount of hockey in here. Having just finished another book marketed as a hockey romance that barely touched on it, I was ENGROSSED by the amount of hockey drama and detail in The Graham Effect. My only critique is that I wish we had more of Gigi and Ryder training together as their relationship progressed. Did they go from training to hooking up instead or did we just not see it? Surely they can do both!

A great read. Definitely recommend. 

P.S. When do I get to hear more about Diana? I’m worried. 

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