The Maui Effect is a love story with sides of surf competitions and suspense and a strong sense of place to thrill Hawaii enthusiasts.
The Maui Effect by Sara Ackerman
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance, Surfing, Maui
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My Summary of The Maui Effect:
Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books Fall 2024 Blog Tour for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMauiEffect upon my request. All opinions are my own.‘
‘Iwa is a field biologist and is happiest in Maui’s rainforests surrounded by trees, birds, and waterfalls. Her quiet and happy life is interrupted by the news that a developer plans to build a resort in the middle of her beloved forest. As she gears up to fight the developer, she meets Dane, a handsome and irresistible big-wave surfer from California. She doesn’t want him to distract her, but he offers to help her fight the developers. Romance and complications ensue.
My Thoughts:
Big Waves and Rainforests
Fans of big wave surfing and rainforests will love these aspects of The Maui Effect. The author’s vivid descriptions create a picturesque and strong sense of place, and her love for Hawaii is evident on each page.
Ackerman Switches Genres
Ackerman’s previous work has focused on Peal Harbor during WWII, so contemporary romance is a switch in genres for her. I’m an Ackerman completist, so I’m glad I was aware of this genre switch going into this new release. It will be quite a surprise for her loyal fans who are not aware!
The Maui Effect can be categorized as contemporary romance with sides of suspense and competition. The surfing competitions and the plan to derail the development plan in the rain forest add depth and complexity to the story, but the heart of the story is a romance. It’s also more open door than we’ve come to expect from Ackerman.
I wonder how her fans will react to the genre switch after she built her reputation on women’s/historical fiction. Those who love romance will appreciate her new direction.
Content Consideration: some open-door romance, substance abuse, severe injury, depression
Recommending The Maui Effect
Sara Ackerman fans might enjoy this genre switch to contemporary romance. Surfers and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the attention given to themes of competition and preservation. Readers who love Hawaii will love the descriptions.
Related: My favorite Ackerman book is Radar Girls.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Meet the Author of The Maui Effect, Sara Ackerman
Sara Ackerman is the Hawaii-born, bestselling author of The Codebreaker’s Secret, Radar Girls, Red Sky Over Hawaii, The Lieutenant’s Nurse, and Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers.
Sara’s books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Find out more about Sara and her books at http://www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.
QOTD:
Is Ackerman’s new release on your TBR or have you read it?
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I gave this book the same rating. The one thing that Ackerman did brilliantly, in my opinion, was take me to the locals and pull me in the action sequences, especially the surfing.
Yes! Strong sense of place!
I’m definitely disappointed that she’s shifted gears, I don’t mind a side of romance but I don’t seek out romance books and I definitely am not interested in open door so it seems I won’t be reading this one😔
I love her histfic so this switch to contemporary romance is a big leap!
I’m very curious about this book — thanks for sharing your review! I still have a couple of Ackerman’s historical novels to catch up on, but I’ll bookmark this one for future reading as well.
The cover is attention grabbing!
I’m also a fan of her histfic and have read them all. I do enjoy romance, although will skim the open door romance scenes. I think she does a great job of pulling the readers into the action and setting, so I am looking forward to that. I’m glad you still enjoyed this one, even though it was a big change for you, Carol.
Yes, she’s a solid and dependable women’s fiction author!
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