The Graham Effect is the first installment in Elle Kennedy’s new adult romance series, Campus Diaries. Set in the same universe as her bestselling Off-Campus Series, the novel delves into the intricate romantic journey of Luke Ryder and Gigi Graham, the daughter of Garrett and Hannah Graham from Kennedy’s earlier novel, The Deal. Known for her portrayal of resilient female protagonists and sports-centric themes, Kennedy weaves a tale where hockey players Gigi Graham and Luke Ryder transition from adversaries to something deeper, all while grappling with the complexities of love, family dynamics, and legacy.

This guide references the 2023 Bloom Books e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material features depictions of murder, child abuse, foster care, child neglect, and sexual harassment.

Plot Summary

The novel alternates between Gigi Graham’s and Luke Ryder’s first-person narration. Gigi Graham, daughter of hockey legend Garrett Graham, first encounters Luke Ryder at her father’s Hockey Kings summer camp. Initially, Ryder mistakenly assumes Gigi to be a figure skater, sparking an immediate and mutual dislike between them.

Six years later, at Briar University, Gigi and Ryder are 21-year-old juniors after Briar acquires the failing Eastwood College. This merger necessitates integrating two prestigious Division 1 hockey programs, resulting in a clash between Briar U and former Eastwood players. Coach Chad Jensen appoints two co-captains, one from each team, to foster unity. Gigi’s ex-boyfriend, Case Colson, represents Briar, while Ryder, notorious for breaking a teammate’s jaw, becomes the co-captain from Eastwood. Concerns arise regarding Ryder’s temperament and leadership capabilities, given his troubled history.

Gigi finds it challenging to sustain a friendship with Case, who seeks to reignite their romance despite betraying her trust through infidelity. Meanwhile, a sequence of mishaps causes Ryder to arrive late for practice, a situation witnessed by Garrett Graham, who subsequently admonishes him. Compounding Ryder’s distress, Garrett is present to select a coach for his prestigious Hockey Kings summer camp, a coveted position Ryder aspires to secure. To improve his chances, Ryder’s friends suggest leveraging Gigi’s influence to endorse him for the coaching role.

Ryder attends Gigi’s game, where Brad Fairlee, the new Team USA coach, is also present. Despite Gigi’s apprehension due to past conflicts with Fairlee’s daughter, Emma, Fairlee expresses more concern about Gigi’s performance behind the net. Ryder identifies the same weakness before asking for Gigi’s assistance. After deliberation, Gigi agrees to help Ryder if he reciprocates by helping her improve her skills in that area.

Meanwhile, the men’s team struggles to cooperate, culminating in a brawl that results in one player’s four-week placement on injured reserve. The incident goes viral online, prompting boosters to threaten funding withdrawal. In response, the PR team mandates damage control, necessitating joint efforts from the men’s and women’s teams. Ryder and Gigi must attend a gala together, during which they begin to feel a mutual attraction, almost sharing a kiss.

As Gigi and Ryder’s attraction grows, tensions between the Briar and former Eastwood teams escalate. Ryder’s friend, Beckett, shows interest in Gigi and invites her to a party at their shared house. However, the atmosphere sours when Case unexpectedly appears, demanding Gigi leave with him.

Concerned for Gigi’s well-being, Ryder warns her about Beckett’s reputation for promiscuity. Gigi admits to considering using Beckett for sex, prompting Ryder to suggest they enter a friends-with-benefits arrangement instead.

Following a disappointing game, Coach Jensen leaves Case and Ryder stranded on the roadside, compelling them to collaborate. Forced to work together, they reconcile and focus on uniting the team.

As Ryder and Gigi’s relationship deepens, they begin dating secretly, but Gigi becomes apprehensive about her growing feelings for him. When a lawyer contacts Ryder regarding his father’s parole hearing, Ryder’s mood darkens, leading to a heated argument with Gigi. She kicks him out, refusing to speak to him for days.

Seeking guidance, Ryder eventually opens up to Gigi about his traumatic past—witnessing his father murder his mother when he was just six years old. Gigi is moved by his vulnerability, and they agree to be more honest.

During a fundraiser, Gigi learns the extent of Case’s infidelity, prompting her to announce her relationship with Ryder publicly.

Gigi brings Ryder home for Christmas. He faces hostility from Garrett and Gigi’s brother, Wyatt, but her mother, Hannah, warmly embraces Ryder, recognizing his genuine love for Gigi.

On New Year’s Eve, Gigi and Ryder attend a party where Gigi meets Owen McKay, Ryder’s half-brother, for the first time. Initially frustrated by Ryder’s omission of their relationship, Gigi learns about their history, and Ryder confesses his love for her, which she reciprocates.

After Gigi learns she did not make the Olympic team, Ryder comforts her, and they travel to Vegas for the women’s finals. During the game, Gigi sustains an injury, prompting Ryder to reveal that he and Gigi have secretly gotten married. Garrett expresses disappointment in Gigi for the secret marriage.

Gigi’s refusal to speak with Garrett prompts him to seek out Ryder for assistance. Through this interaction, Garrett realizes the depth of Ryder’s love for his daughter. As reporters swarm around Ryder, Garrett intervenes, ushering him away from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Michael Klein, the former teammate whom Ryder attacked, has been highlighting the violence within Ryder’s family. In a press conference, Ryder addresses the issue, revealing that he broke Klein’s jaw after Klein suggested that Ryder’s mother deserved to die and that Ryder’s father should have killed him as well.

At Garrett’s Hall of Fame induction, he introduces Ryder as his son-in-law and announces Ryder’s coaching role at the Hockey Kings camp. As school ends, Ryder and Gigi plan to attend Ryder’s father’s parole hearing in Arizona before heading to Italy for their honeymoon.