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Coastal University #3
Ripple Effect
DAISY Grey is the embodiment of sunshine after a storm, a believer in silver linings, and the kind of girl who can find magic in the everyday. In the midst of heartbreak, she’s arrived at Coastal U to be one with the ocean, hoping to dive deep into her studies and rediscover the joy of riding the waves.
Until one fateful morning, she finds a sleeping stranger on the beach. A man who’s in serious need of a wake-up call.
ELIO Reynolds is something of an enigma. Alone by choice, he's found solace in the quiet of the coast and the companionship of his loyal dog. But there's more to him than meets the eye. With his only friend off at graduate school, he immerses himself in the online world of AfterDark, a place where he’s often forced into the limelight.
When confronted by a medical condition, Elio finds an unexpected ally in Daisy. Although he may be a virtual stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to lend a helping hand. Soon enough, their shared space becomes a sanctuary.
Two fractured hearts. One unlikely connection. When the waves of the past come crashing in, can they find a way to stay afloat?
Until one fateful morning, she finds a sleeping stranger on the beach. A man who’s in serious need of a wake-up call.
ELIO Reynolds is something of an enigma. Alone by choice, he's found solace in the quiet of the coast and the companionship of his loyal dog. But there's more to him than meets the eye. With his only friend off at graduate school, he immerses himself in the online world of AfterDark, a place where he’s often forced into the limelight.
When confronted by a medical condition, Elio finds an unexpected ally in Daisy. Although he may be a virtual stranger, she jumps at the opportunity to lend a helping hand. Soon enough, their shared space becomes a sanctuary.
Two fractured hearts. One unlikely connection. When the waves of the past come crashing in, can they find a way to stay afloat?
340 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2023
271 people are currently reading
10225 people want to read
About the author
Ki Stephens
12books1,302followersKi Stephens is a romance enthusiast who finds comfort in the happily-ever-after . . . with just a little bit of angst along the way. She has a special interest in works that include neurodivergent characters like herself. When she’s not daydreaming about books, Ki enjoys working with kids, creating art in her backyard studio, and spending loads of time with her baby girl, her husband, and their three pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 472 reviews
October 22, 2024
જ⁀� 4 �
� my thoughts
This book was like a sunny day after a huge snow storm, it was like being wrapped around your favorite blanket and drinking a cup of hot chocolate.
This was the cutest book, I can totally see it becoming one of my comfort reads🥹
I enjoyed it, it’s beautiful, without any unnecessary drama between both main characters, I think the author really portrayed both characters insecurities in a good way.
My only problem with it is that some key plot points felt rushed, leaving certain things feeling incomplete. There was a sense that something important was missing, as if the depth of these moments wasn’t fully explored, which left me longing for more.
� characters
˚� · »-♡→ Elio
In this book we could see him growing as a person, he’s been present since the first book in the series and he wasn’t in the best shape at those moments, he have a dark past and things that are weighing on him. On top of that he doesn’t think he’s worth of love, he’s afraid of becoming a burden to those around him. This fear drives him into solitude, with only his dog, Bentley, as his constant companion.☹️
Here we could learn more about him and see his true self. He is a sex worker (doesn’t have sex with anyone way before meeting the fmc) because of different situations in his life he deals with anxiety and heart problems. I’m so glad he got his happy ending, he just needed someone to help him find light in the darkness.
˚� · »-♡→ Daisy
Daisy is a surfer who transferred to coastal university, her ex cheated on her while they were together and because of that she’s feeling insecure and she thinks she’s not enough.
She’s so sweet and supportive of everyone, there’s no way someone can hate her.
˚� · »-♡→ Elio & Daisy
� right person x right timeᡣ�
They really needed each other and I’m happy that they met. The way their closeness developed at first felt a bit odd and suspicious, to be honest. After his heart condition was discovered, and the doctor recommended someone to supervise him, Daisy moves into his apartment to take care of him—even though they had only shared a handful of interactions before that.🫣 It was definitely a rushed leap. Yet, despite the strangeness of how their relationship began, there was an undeniable sense that they were meant to be together, which made it easier for me to overlook that.
ˬ⋆.˚ Elio & Daisy mini playlist�
� feels like � gracie abrams
� we fell in love in october � girl in red
� north � clairo
� this is how you fall in love � jeremy zucker
� she chose me � bruno mars
� invisible string � taylor swift
💌 tropes:
ꨄ︎ strangers to friends to lovers
ꨄ︎ temporary roommates
ꨄ︎ forced proximity
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ mental health rep
ꨄ︎ opposite attracts
ꨄ︎ inexperienced fmc
quotes
❥“Hey, Daze?� he murmurs, holding me tight.
Ԩ?�
“You should know ... that being with you? I think it’s the closest thing to heaven I’ll ever get�
❥“They say the sun represents hope and renewal. And that’s what you did for me. Renewed my faith in love, in family.�
❥“I’m really glad I met you.�
Her honesty reaches into me, leaving a knot of emotion in my throat that I struggle to swallow. “Me too�
❥“You know,� she says, her voice dropping just a notch lower, “These moments with you. They’re the first time in a while I’ve felt ... calm. Serene, actually�
❥“Because Daisy’s not just anyone. She’s my person.�
❥“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“I’m really glad you’re here. These past few days ... they’ve been better, lighter, because of you.�
❥“I’m serious, Daisy. Anyone would be lucky to have you, and that includes me.�
❥“You know, Daze, at the risk of sounding a little bit too sappy on a Tuesday morning—I just, I feel like you came into my life exactly when I needed you to.�
“I feel the same way about you.�
❥“She had this way of sliding seamlessly into the gaps of my life, gaps I didn’t even know existed until she filled them.�
❥“I’m learning you, Daisy. And it’s my new favorite subject.�
❥“This girl—my Daisy, my wildflower—she’s fucking everything to me.�
︵Ŀ︵‿୨ˡ୧‿︵‿︵
�.� pre-read: 𐭩୭�.
In need of something cute and light because college is stressing me out and I already have a soft spot for Elio🤭🫶🏻
⋆˚�“You’re a light in my life, Daze, I think I might have forgotten how to be happy until I met you�⋆˚�
� my thoughts
This book was like a sunny day after a huge snow storm, it was like being wrapped around your favorite blanket and drinking a cup of hot chocolate.
This was the cutest book, I can totally see it becoming one of my comfort reads🥹
I enjoyed it, it’s beautiful, without any unnecessary drama between both main characters, I think the author really portrayed both characters insecurities in a good way.
My only problem with it is that some key plot points felt rushed, leaving certain things feeling incomplete. There was a sense that something important was missing, as if the depth of these moments wasn’t fully explored, which left me longing for more.
� characters
˚� · »-♡→ Elio
�.� “Despite his attempts to deny it, there’s a certain loneliness that clings to his skin, a sense of something missing from his life�
In this book we could see him growing as a person, he’s been present since the first book in the series and he wasn’t in the best shape at those moments, he have a dark past and things that are weighing on him. On top of that he doesn’t think he’s worth of love, he’s afraid of becoming a burden to those around him. This fear drives him into solitude, with only his dog, Bentley, as his constant companion.☹️
Here we could learn more about him and see his true self. He is a sex worker (doesn’t have sex with anyone way before meeting the fmc) because of different situations in his life he deals with anxiety and heart problems. I’m so glad he got his happy ending, he just needed someone to help him find light in the darkness.
: ̗̀�“I’ve seen so many unexpected sides to Elio, all the lovely little secrets he keeps locked away. He’s funny, kind, and supportive. And he has the biggest heart, despite his arguments to the contrary.�
: ̗̀�”Behind the confident façade and the playful jabs, there’s a depth to him, a solitude that he wears like an uninvited guest�
˚� · »-♡→ Daisy
Daisy is a surfer who transferred to coastal university, her ex cheated on her while they were together and because of that she’s feeling insecure and she thinks she’s not enough.
She’s so sweet and supportive of everyone, there’s no way someone can hate her.
˚� · »-♡→ Elio & Daisy
� right person x right timeᡣ�
They really needed each other and I’m happy that they met. The way their closeness developed at first felt a bit odd and suspicious, to be honest. After his heart condition was discovered, and the doctor recommended someone to supervise him, Daisy moves into his apartment to take care of him—even though they had only shared a handful of interactions before that.🫣 It was definitely a rushed leap. Yet, despite the strangeness of how their relationship began, there was an undeniable sense that they were meant to be together, which made it easier for me to overlook that.
⋆˚�“It’s okay. You lean on me, I lean on you?�
“Yeah, Daisy girl,� he says softly. “That’s the deal.�⋆˚�
ˬ⋆.˚ Elio & Daisy mini playlist�
� feels like � gracie abrams
� we fell in love in october � girl in red
� north � clairo
� this is how you fall in love � jeremy zucker
� she chose me � bruno mars
� invisible string � taylor swift
💌 tropes:
ꨄ︎ strangers to friends to lovers
ꨄ︎ temporary roommates
ꨄ︎ forced proximity
ꨄ︎ slow burn
ꨄ︎ mental health rep
ꨄ︎ opposite attracts
ꨄ︎ inexperienced fmc
quotes
❥“Hey, Daze?� he murmurs, holding me tight.
Ԩ?�
“You should know ... that being with you? I think it’s the closest thing to heaven I’ll ever get�
❥“They say the sun represents hope and renewal. And that’s what you did for me. Renewed my faith in love, in family.�
❥“I’m really glad I met you.�
Her honesty reaches into me, leaving a knot of emotion in my throat that I struggle to swallow. “Me too�
❥“You know,� she says, her voice dropping just a notch lower, “These moments with you. They’re the first time in a while I’ve felt ... calm. Serene, actually�
❥“Because Daisy’s not just anyone. She’s my person.�
❥“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“I’m really glad you’re here. These past few days ... they’ve been better, lighter, because of you.�
❥“I’m serious, Daisy. Anyone would be lucky to have you, and that includes me.�
❥“You know, Daze, at the risk of sounding a little bit too sappy on a Tuesday morning—I just, I feel like you came into my life exactly when I needed you to.�
“I feel the same way about you.�
❥“She had this way of sliding seamlessly into the gaps of my life, gaps I didn’t even know existed until she filled them.�
❥“I’m learning you, Daisy. And it’s my new favorite subject.�
❥“This girl—my Daisy, my wildflower—she’s fucking everything to me.�
︵Ŀ︵‿୨ˡ୧‿︵‿︵
�.� pre-read: 𐭩୭�.
In need of something cute and light because college is stressing me out and I already have a soft spot for Elio🤭🫶🏻
April 27, 2025
your honor they are mine
October 1, 2023
my fave ki book, daisyelio deserve the world
November 23, 2023
this book is drinking a warm cup of tea while wearing your softest sweater stepping outside into a brisk, chilly autumn morning with the morning dew on the grass and your breath misting in the air.
“I just told him the truth.�
“Which is?�
“That you’re the best thing in my life right now. That he’s out of his fucking mind if he thinks any of that bullshit is true. That I would ... That I’d be lucky if you’d even so much as let me get on my knees in front of you.�
this really was elio's book for me. i like daisy (surfer girl studying marine biology? i swear this was written for me), but having already been acquainted with elio since book 1 where he was at rock bottom to come full circle to his renewal in this book was wonderful. these two needed to find someone to make home in and they found it.
i enjoy the slower, grounded feel of ki's writing. i would compare this series to lovelight farms in similar tone and vibes with very character-based writing and a quaint cozy element always present. i thought ki handled writing a sex worker character with appropriate sensitivity and understanding, with lots of sex positivity in the story (spoiler: ).
also, it's not explicitly stated, but i would consider elio to be bi/pan/queer and suspect daisy to be demisexual or something close to that as well?
i'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
“I just told him the truth.�
“Which is?�
“That you’re the best thing in my life right now. That he’s out of his fucking mind if he thinks any of that bullshit is true. That I would ... That I’d be lucky if you’d even so much as let me get on my knees in front of you.�
this really was elio's book for me. i like daisy (surfer girl studying marine biology? i swear this was written for me), but having already been acquainted with elio since book 1 where he was at rock bottom to come full circle to his renewal in this book was wonderful. these two needed to find someone to make home in and they found it.
i enjoy the slower, grounded feel of ki's writing. i would compare this series to lovelight farms in similar tone and vibes with very character-based writing and a quaint cozy element always present. i thought ki handled writing a sex worker character with appropriate sensitivity and understanding, with lots of sex positivity in the story (spoiler: ).
also, it's not explicitly stated, but i would consider elio to be bi/pan/queer and suspect daisy to be demisexual or something close to that as well?
i'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
January 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING CUTE!!! just a cute little college romance where they are both strangers and then become closer and closer UGH I LITERALLY CANNOT I LOVED IT SO MUCH<33 elio and daisy's relationship was so fun to read because THEY FREAKING COMMUNICATED and there wasn't a third act breakup (THANK YOU KI STEPHENS🙏🙏) this book was so refreshing to read like i literally finished this in one sitting like it was that good!!
idk though i feel like it wasn't quite five star and there were some aspects of the plot that felt like they weren't explained entirely or rushed like the jackson sapphire thing
I AM STILL GONNA READ MS STEPHENS NEXT BOOK💗🙈
OH MY GOD THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING CUTE!!! just a cute little college romance where they are both strangers and then become closer and closer UGH I LITERALLY CANNOT I LOVED IT SO MUCH<33 elio and daisy's relationship was so fun to read because THEY FREAKING COMMUNICATED and there wasn't a third act breakup (THANK YOU KI STEPHENS🙏🙏) this book was so refreshing to read like i literally finished this in one sitting like it was that good!!
idk though i feel like it wasn't quite five star and there were some aspects of the plot that felt like they weren't explained entirely or rushed like the jackson sapphire thing
I AM STILL GONNA READ MS STEPHENS NEXT BOOK💗🙈
November 22, 2023
thank you Ki for the arc in exchange for a review
If you are looking for a book that just encapsulates softness and comfort, this is that book.
Literally that book.
I’ve been reading Ki’s book since she published her debut Spring Tide, that was also the first book Ellio appeared in. I was immediately taken with him, he comes from a dark past but he’s trying to do better.
And this story starts where he’s trying but he cannot do it alone anymore. There is something incredibly vulnerable about this story and i loved every word of it.
It was so soft and sweet and no unnecessary drama between Ellio and Daisy. They communicated, they felt, they listened. It’s insane how mature and healthy they were together.
And it also discusses topics that are often not talked about! It’s very sex positive, so if you think that’s interesting for sure check this out!
read it if u like:
-dogggooo
-an insanely sweet boy who’s just hurt and needs love
-an insanely sweet girl who’s just hurt and needs love
-surfing
-representation on heart disease
-representation on being sex worker
-sex positivity
-a very sweet story without any om/ow or 3rd act breakup
this made me cry🫶🏼
rtc
If you are looking for a book that just encapsulates softness and comfort, this is that book.
Literally that book.
I’ve been reading Ki’s book since she published her debut Spring Tide, that was also the first book Ellio appeared in. I was immediately taken with him, he comes from a dark past but he’s trying to do better.
And this story starts where he’s trying but he cannot do it alone anymore. There is something incredibly vulnerable about this story and i loved every word of it.
It was so soft and sweet and no unnecessary drama between Ellio and Daisy. They communicated, they felt, they listened. It’s insane how mature and healthy they were together.
And it also discusses topics that are often not talked about! It’s very sex positive, so if you think that’s interesting for sure check this out!
read it if u like:
-dogggooo
-an insanely sweet boy who’s just hurt and needs love
-an insanely sweet girl who’s just hurt and needs love
-surfing
-representation on heart disease
-representation on being sex worker
-sex positivity
-a very sweet story without any om/ow or 3rd act breakup
this made me cry🫶🏼
rtc
November 4, 2023
"You lean on me, I lean on you?"
TROPES:
❀ opposites attract (extroverted girl x introverted boy)
❀ inexperienced fmc and sex worker mmc
❀ temporary roomates
RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2023.
If I see anyone calling Elio's development a "redemption arc" I'll put you behind bars. This is his side of the story, his beautiful patch, his love story, this is my boy's moment with his blonde surfer girlfriend.
I don't even know how to start this review because my heart is so warm after finishing this when I read the first book in the series I just knew Elio was a good guy who got lost at some point and reading Ripple Effect knowing he finally found his way back to light, is living peacefully and had his happy ending made me so emotional. He deserved to be happy. He is my favorite boy, I like the broken ones, the ones that you have to be a little more compassionate to understand.
As for Daisy, my extroverted sweet blonde girl, she's so easy-loving. Her character is adorable, she's the person Elio needs in his life for it to be complete. It was so good to read about her finding herself and exploring her sex life, I feel like girls' pleasure is often not a topic approached in books and I'm so here for it. Comparing her lack of confidence after being cheated on to how confident in bed she became was amazing.
I like the fact that this was kind of a slow burn, they became friends first, then roommates temporarily and they were so comfortable around each other before starting to develop romantic feelings. I love their dynamic.
My favorite thing about Ripple Effect is Luca and Elio's bond, during the first book Elio hurt Luca to choose the awful patch he was following, and now healed, doing better in life, they are close and Elio finally chooses his family over Jacks and would choose them over and over again. This is called "development", not redemption, Elio was hurting before and was an addict, it wasn't his fault, he couldn't have done better back then, there's no such thing as redemption honestly.
This is one of my comfort series and it's so heartwarming that kindly sent me an ARC. She became one of my favorite and instant-read authors since I read Spring Tide and fell for Harper and Luca, back then little did I know this series would mean this much to me. This is my found family.
TROPES:
❀ opposites attract (extroverted girl x introverted boy)
❀ inexperienced fmc and sex worker mmc
❀ temporary roomates
RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2023.
If I see anyone calling Elio's development a "redemption arc" I'll put you behind bars. This is his side of the story, his beautiful patch, his love story, this is my boy's moment with his blonde surfer girlfriend.
I don't even know how to start this review because my heart is so warm after finishing this when I read the first book in the series I just knew Elio was a good guy who got lost at some point and reading Ripple Effect knowing he finally found his way back to light, is living peacefully and had his happy ending made me so emotional. He deserved to be happy. He is my favorite boy, I like the broken ones, the ones that you have to be a little more compassionate to understand.
As for Daisy, my extroverted sweet blonde girl, she's so easy-loving. Her character is adorable, she's the person Elio needs in his life for it to be complete. It was so good to read about her finding herself and exploring her sex life, I feel like girls' pleasure is often not a topic approached in books and I'm so here for it. Comparing her lack of confidence after being cheated on to how confident in bed she became was amazing.
I like the fact that this was kind of a slow burn, they became friends first, then roommates temporarily and they were so comfortable around each other before starting to develop romantic feelings. I love their dynamic.
My favorite thing about Ripple Effect is Luca and Elio's bond, during the first book Elio hurt Luca to choose the awful patch he was following, and now healed, doing better in life, they are close and Elio finally chooses his family over Jacks and would choose them over and over again. This is called "development", not redemption, Elio was hurting before and was an addict, it wasn't his fault, he couldn't have done better back then, there's no such thing as redemption honestly.
This is one of my comfort series and it's so heartwarming that kindly sent me an ARC. She became one of my favorite and instant-read authors since I read Spring Tide and fell for Harper and Luca, back then little did I know this series would mean this much to me. This is my found family.
November 28, 2023
this is one of those books where the love is so pure & sweet that it actually makes me want to believe in true love again :,)
this is book #3 & definitely my favorite book of the coastal university series, as well as one of my favs of the whole year!
daisy is an ocean-loving surfer & sunshine girl who recently transferred to coastal and is always on the hunt for more friends. when she stumbles upon elio on the beach they become fast friends even with the chaos currently going on in both of their individual lives. despite only being friends for a couple of weeks, when elio faces a medical emergency that results in him not being able to live alone, daisy decides to step in as his temporary roommate 🥹🫶🏼
i also love the found family aspect we get to see for daisy & the continuation of the love and support from elio’s family & friends that we get to see in the first two books <3
this book was literally just perfection to me & i can’t wait to read more from ki 💛🌼
this is book #3 & definitely my favorite book of the coastal university series, as well as one of my favs of the whole year!
daisy is an ocean-loving surfer & sunshine girl who recently transferred to coastal and is always on the hunt for more friends. when she stumbles upon elio on the beach they become fast friends even with the chaos currently going on in both of their individual lives. despite only being friends for a couple of weeks, when elio faces a medical emergency that results in him not being able to live alone, daisy decides to step in as his temporary roommate 🥹🫶🏼
i also love the found family aspect we get to see for daisy & the continuation of the love and support from elio’s family & friends that we get to see in the first two books <3
this book was literally just perfection to me & i can’t wait to read more from ki 💛🌼
February 16, 2024
daisyelio supremacy. send tweet
March 12, 2024
MY FAV BY FAR, THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING 😭💕DAISY AND ELIO ARE SO FCKING CUTE😭💝
June 11, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
Нарешті у Еліо все стало краще. Він сонечко, яке закривають хмари, але з Дейзі його промінці пробили їх.
Все було добре, непогана серія книг)
Нарешті у Еліо все стало краще. Він сонечко, яке закривають хмари, але з Дейзі його промінці пробили їх.
Все було добре, непогана серія книг)
November 14, 2023
“You’re a light in my life, Daze,� I tell her. “I think I might have forgotten how to be happy until I met you.�
Daisy and Elio. He’s been going through a lot: feeling disconnected in life, dealing with health issues and his job as a sex worker has been draining him. She gets her heart broken and blames herself for not being sexually experienced enough. They unexpectedly meet at the beach and end up forming a very close bond.
This book is so beautiful, tender, soft, and heartfelt! Elio is the absolute sweetest—he’s patient, understanding, protective. Daisy is the definition of a sunshine. They both appeared in each other’s lives at the right moment :�) This is, by far, my favorite book in the whole series!!
🌼READ IF YOU LIKE🌼:
- dual POV
- grumpy x sunshine
- surfing
- he’s a sex worker, she’s inexperienced
- opposites attract
- forced proximity: temporary roommates
- only one bed!
- strangers to friends to lovers
- college romance
- small coastal town
- dog dad
- neurodivergent rep
- slow burn
- late night strolls on the beach
- strawberry muffins
- extroverted gf x introverted bf
cw: panic attack, cheating, health issues, mention of overdose, serious underlying health condition, estranged family, drug addiction
Thank you to @kistephs for the advanced copy! Ripple Effect is available on November 21, 2023!
Daisy and Elio. He’s been going through a lot: feeling disconnected in life, dealing with health issues and his job as a sex worker has been draining him. She gets her heart broken and blames herself for not being sexually experienced enough. They unexpectedly meet at the beach and end up forming a very close bond.
This book is so beautiful, tender, soft, and heartfelt! Elio is the absolute sweetest—he’s patient, understanding, protective. Daisy is the definition of a sunshine. They both appeared in each other’s lives at the right moment :�) This is, by far, my favorite book in the whole series!!
🌼READ IF YOU LIKE🌼:
- dual POV
- grumpy x sunshine
- surfing
- he’s a sex worker, she’s inexperienced
- opposites attract
- forced proximity: temporary roommates
- only one bed!
- strangers to friends to lovers
- college romance
- small coastal town
- dog dad
- neurodivergent rep
- slow burn
- late night strolls on the beach
- strawberry muffins
- extroverted gf x introverted bf
cw: panic attack, cheating, health issues, mention of overdose, serious underlying health condition, estranged family, drug addiction
Thank you to @kistephs for the advanced copy! Ripple Effect is available on November 21, 2023!
November 21, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ this took me by surprise. I didn’t expect to love daisy and elio this much but they now have a place in my heart 🥹 the sweetest couple and the sweetest story. their relationship progression from friends to something more felt so genuine and was so fun to read. they’re each others best friend and biggest supporter and I caught myself smiling more than once. I loved both of them so much 🫶🏼 definitely my favorite in the series!!
January 3, 2024
a man with tattoos, dark hair, and listens to noah kahan? weird way to propose, but yes.
June 25, 2024
For those looking for a light in the darkness.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS 😭🫶. It’s definitely my favorite in the series, it felt so perfect to have met Elio in the first book as Luca’s brother, then as Kaia’s best friend and to have finally gotten to his book was perfect. The evolution of their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers was so effortless and real. Elio and Daisy are PERFECT together. The way he protects, cherishes and adores her 🥹🫶, and how she brings life into his life and takes care of him, no problem is amazing. They fit into each others life so perfectly as if they were each others missing puzzle piece. And y’all the scream I scrumpt when they found out she was subscribed to his account 🤭.
tropes: strangers to friends to lovers, sunshine fmc, mmc sex worker, health issues, and she takes care of him
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Daisy, huh? It suits her. Bright and sweet, a wildflower in a field of mundane green.�
“You’re sweet, Elio. Really.�
“I’m not. But for you, right now, I sure can try.�
“You want us to be friends, Daisy girl? I think I could manage that.�
“And I find myself not missing the solitude so long as she’s the one filling it.�
“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“I’m really glad you’re here. These past few days . . . they’ve been better, lighter, because of you.�
“I’m really glad I’m here, too.�
“You lean on me, I lean on you?�
“That’s the spirit.�
“And how are my boys this morning?�
“Just grand.�
“And how’s our Daisy girl doing? That strawberry wine hitting you just right?�
“Yep, never been better.�
“Why are you doing this, Daisy?�
“What do you mean?�
“All of this. You’re going to such great lengths to help me, and I don’t understand why.�
“Because I like you, because you deserve to be cared for.�
“I just told him the truth.�
“Which is?�
“That you’re the best thing in my life right now. That he’s out of his fucking mind if he thinks any of that bullshit is true. That I would . . . That I’d be lucky if you’d even so much as let me get on my knees in front of you.�
“El . . .�
“I’m serious, Daisy. Anyone would be lucky to have you, and that includes me.�
“It’s just . . . you always look so handsome when you’ve just woken up. The mussy hair, that hint of stubble . . . it’s this perfect mix of rugged and soft.�
“Thank you for the ego boost. If I want to impress you, I’ll just make sure to roll around in my bed first.�
“You know, Daze, at the risk of sounding a little bit too sappy on a Tuesday morning—I just, I feel like you came into my life exactly when I needed you to.�
“I feel the same way about you.�
“Hope you didn’t get those tears all over my dog. He’s sensitive.�
“Don’t be so mean to me in my time of crisis.�
“Why not? It earned me my favorite smile.�
“If you kiss me now, there’s no changing your mind. There’s no going back. You can’t wake up tomorrow and tell me that we need more time. You’re either all in, or you’re out.�
“I’m all in on you. Now and always.�
“Just wondering . . . why do you put your hand there when we kiss?�
“I like to feel the way your heart beats for me.�
“For you, huh?�
“Yeah. It picks up speed when I do something you really like—when I brush the tip of your tongue, when I nip at your lower lip. I’m learning you, Daisy. And it’s my new favorite subject.�
“Every little perfect piece of her is meant just for me.�
“This girl—my Daisy, my wildflower—she’s fucking everything to me.�
“What the fuck did I ever do to deserve you?�
“You didn’t have to do anything. I’m here because I’m meant to be.�
“She’s mine, and I’m hers, and nothing in my life has ever felt so right.�
“You’re very good at this.�
“At what?�
“At this. At making me feel happy.�
“You make it easy.�
“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“You should know . . . that being with you? I think it’s the closest thing to heaven I’ll ever get.�
“And all the mistakes, the heartache, the pain of my past seems worthwhile now. After all, it’s what led me back to him.�
“You’re a light in my life, Daze. I think I might have forgotten how to be happy until I met you.�
“God, I’m so, so glad we met and beyond sorry for everything you’ve had to go through.�
“I’m not. Meeting Jacks? Falling down that path with him? Maybe it was the start of a ripple effect, a cascade of events that all led me back to you. Right where I belong.�
“Is this your way of saying that you love me?�
“No, but this is—I love you, Daisy. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop.�
“I love you, too. And I know I won’t stop.�
“You got a tattoo for me?�
“Nah, pretty sure it’s for me.�
“E.�
“I wanted you to be here, too. You’re part of my family now. My home. Bentley already has his spot.� I point to the little broken dog bone near my wrist. “It’s only right that you’re properly represented.�
“My Daisy. My wildflower. My home.�
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS 😭🫶. It’s definitely my favorite in the series, it felt so perfect to have met Elio in the first book as Luca’s brother, then as Kaia’s best friend and to have finally gotten to his book was perfect. The evolution of their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers was so effortless and real. Elio and Daisy are PERFECT together. The way he protects, cherishes and adores her 🥹🫶, and how she brings life into his life and takes care of him, no problem is amazing. They fit into each others life so perfectly as if they were each others missing puzzle piece. And y’all the scream I scrumpt when they found out she was subscribed to his account 🤭.
tropes: strangers to friends to lovers, sunshine fmc, mmc sex worker, health issues, and she takes care of him
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“Daisy, huh? It suits her. Bright and sweet, a wildflower in a field of mundane green.�
“You’re sweet, Elio. Really.�
“I’m not. But for you, right now, I sure can try.�
“You want us to be friends, Daisy girl? I think I could manage that.�
“And I find myself not missing the solitude so long as she’s the one filling it.�
“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“I’m really glad you’re here. These past few days . . . they’ve been better, lighter, because of you.�
“I’m really glad I’m here, too.�
“You lean on me, I lean on you?�
“That’s the spirit.�
“And how are my boys this morning?�
“Just grand.�
“And how’s our Daisy girl doing? That strawberry wine hitting you just right?�
“Yep, never been better.�
“Why are you doing this, Daisy?�
“What do you mean?�
“All of this. You’re going to such great lengths to help me, and I don’t understand why.�
“Because I like you, because you deserve to be cared for.�
“I just told him the truth.�
“Which is?�
“That you’re the best thing in my life right now. That he’s out of his fucking mind if he thinks any of that bullshit is true. That I would . . . That I’d be lucky if you’d even so much as let me get on my knees in front of you.�
“El . . .�
“I’m serious, Daisy. Anyone would be lucky to have you, and that includes me.�
“It’s just . . . you always look so handsome when you’ve just woken up. The mussy hair, that hint of stubble . . . it’s this perfect mix of rugged and soft.�
“Thank you for the ego boost. If I want to impress you, I’ll just make sure to roll around in my bed first.�
“You know, Daze, at the risk of sounding a little bit too sappy on a Tuesday morning—I just, I feel like you came into my life exactly when I needed you to.�
“I feel the same way about you.�
“Hope you didn’t get those tears all over my dog. He’s sensitive.�
“Don’t be so mean to me in my time of crisis.�
“Why not? It earned me my favorite smile.�
“If you kiss me now, there’s no changing your mind. There’s no going back. You can’t wake up tomorrow and tell me that we need more time. You’re either all in, or you’re out.�
“I’m all in on you. Now and always.�
“Just wondering . . . why do you put your hand there when we kiss?�
“I like to feel the way your heart beats for me.�
“For you, huh?�
“Yeah. It picks up speed when I do something you really like—when I brush the tip of your tongue, when I nip at your lower lip. I’m learning you, Daisy. And it’s my new favorite subject.�
“Every little perfect piece of her is meant just for me.�
“This girl—my Daisy, my wildflower—she’s fucking everything to me.�
“What the fuck did I ever do to deserve you?�
“You didn’t have to do anything. I’m here because I’m meant to be.�
“She’s mine, and I’m hers, and nothing in my life has ever felt so right.�
“You’re very good at this.�
“At what?�
“At this. At making me feel happy.�
“You make it easy.�
“Hey, Daze?�
Ԩ?�
“You should know . . . that being with you? I think it’s the closest thing to heaven I’ll ever get.�
“And all the mistakes, the heartache, the pain of my past seems worthwhile now. After all, it’s what led me back to him.�
“You’re a light in my life, Daze. I think I might have forgotten how to be happy until I met you.�
“God, I’m so, so glad we met and beyond sorry for everything you’ve had to go through.�
“I’m not. Meeting Jacks? Falling down that path with him? Maybe it was the start of a ripple effect, a cascade of events that all led me back to you. Right where I belong.�
“Is this your way of saying that you love me?�
“No, but this is—I love you, Daisy. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop.�
“I love you, too. And I know I won’t stop.�
“You got a tattoo for me?�
“Nah, pretty sure it’s for me.�
“E.�
“I wanted you to be here, too. You’re part of my family now. My home. Bentley already has his spot.� I point to the little broken dog bone near my wrist. “It’s only right that you’re properly represented.�
“My Daisy. My wildflower. My home.�
November 23, 2023
Tan dulce, sano y adorable que necesito VOMITAR.
Want to read
May 3, 2025wifey jae gave this 5 so ofc adding to tbr!!! also friends to lovers my faveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
November 5, 2023
[arc review]
daisy & elio have my heart. i love them so much!! ☀️🏖️🌊
it's been a long time coming for elio's story and i absolutely adored him and loved learning his backstory. i feel like i was really able to understand elio and am sure many others have/will feel the same when this releases. he's rough around the edges but he has such a soft spot for daisy and bentley and his family, in all honesty.
daisy is a literal ray of sunshine like can she be my best friend?! i know i've said that about every fmc that ki has created, but i just love them all so much. daisy is a surfer, or at least used to be competitively, now she does it for fun. unlike the reynolds family who has cutesy christmas get togethers and are seemingly close, daisy doesn't have that and i felt so sad for her for that because how can someone so sunshiney like that not have the support from her family? her ex bf and ex dayton friends were terrible too if i'm being honest. i called his bs from the begining!
anyways, if i havent already spoiled enough, daisy and elio met on the beach (hello the vibes were so nice) and she met bentley and i could just vividly picture the settings within this story for some reason and i loved it. i also loved that elio was able to let daisy in and trust her and how the two of them became good friends, close (proximity but also vulnerability) and loved the "soft angst" as ki's editor put it. but it's so true though, they wanted each other, you could tell, and you just root for them the whole time.
seeing the reoccurring characters from spring tide and fault line was also so nice because it wasn't overdone and unnatural (like in some interconnected standalones, sorry). the halloween scene and new years bonfire scene omgggg!!
elio was very mature in this book which i also really liked. he has grown from his past. he treats daisy right. and there's a spoiler i can't say yet, but he handled the situation well and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP that's all i gotta say.
actually, one last thing though, finding out the meaning of the title had me tearing up because why was that beautiful and so fitting?! i lovedddd it.
this is probably my favorite ki stephens book to date, i just absolutely adored these characters and the development of their relationship. also, i felt like i connected with elio and him dealing with anxiety and there was one scene i was like, wow too real but not necessarily in a bad way, i just felt seen. but yeah this book was so good, so cute and i can't wait for everyone to see past elio's kinda rough exterior and to meet daisy, the sunshine of elio's life <3
daisy & elio have my heart. i love them so much!! ☀️🏖️🌊
it's been a long time coming for elio's story and i absolutely adored him and loved learning his backstory. i feel like i was really able to understand elio and am sure many others have/will feel the same when this releases. he's rough around the edges but he has such a soft spot for daisy and bentley and his family, in all honesty.
daisy is a literal ray of sunshine like can she be my best friend?! i know i've said that about every fmc that ki has created, but i just love them all so much. daisy is a surfer, or at least used to be competitively, now she does it for fun. unlike the reynolds family who has cutesy christmas get togethers and are seemingly close, daisy doesn't have that and i felt so sad for her for that because how can someone so sunshiney like that not have the support from her family? her ex bf and ex dayton friends were terrible too if i'm being honest. i called his bs from the begining!
anyways, if i havent already spoiled enough, daisy and elio met on the beach (hello the vibes were so nice) and she met bentley and i could just vividly picture the settings within this story for some reason and i loved it. i also loved that elio was able to let daisy in and trust her and how the two of them became good friends, close (proximity but also vulnerability) and loved the "soft angst" as ki's editor put it. but it's so true though, they wanted each other, you could tell, and you just root for them the whole time.
seeing the reoccurring characters from spring tide and fault line was also so nice because it wasn't overdone and unnatural (like in some interconnected standalones, sorry). the halloween scene and new years bonfire scene omgggg!!
elio was very mature in this book which i also really liked. he has grown from his past. he treats daisy right. and there's a spoiler i can't say yet, but he handled the situation well and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP that's all i gotta say.
actually, one last thing though, finding out the meaning of the title had me tearing up because why was that beautiful and so fitting?! i lovedddd it.
this is probably my favorite ki stephens book to date, i just absolutely adored these characters and the development of their relationship. also, i felt like i connected with elio and him dealing with anxiety and there was one scene i was like, wow too real but not necessarily in a bad way, i just felt seen. but yeah this book was so good, so cute and i can't wait for everyone to see past elio's kinda rough exterior and to meet daisy, the sunshine of elio's life <3
November 21, 2023
♾️ stars!!!!
� thank you to ki stephens for the arc, i was waiting on elio’s story and this did not disappoint AT ALL.
daisy is a beautiful character. she’s strong, she’s kind, she’s funny, she’s vulnerable. her desire to want to get to know the people around her, make them feel included, to care for them is so admirable. she felt like a big warm hug, so comforting and genuine. i loved the way that ki wrote her family struggles, it felt realistic and it added even more depth to daisy’s character. i loved her so much, she is so special to me!!!!
elio is a character i have been so intrigued by since spring tide, and he did not disappoint. elio’s story is deep, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s beautiful. he is so strong, kind, honest, and sweet. i loved that his continued recovery from his addiction was not the focal point of his character or his story, it was simply just a part of him. i loved the focus on his sex work & the sides of it that we don’t get to see expanded upon in every day life. i loved his growth, his caring nature, his heart. he was everything to me!!! my quiet, sweet man!!!! i love him so much.
daisy & elio are so perfect for each other. their relationship was everything. two lonely people who found the right person at the right time. the amount of care, love, and passion these two have for each other is so beautiful. their bond was so special & so sweet. so GENUINE. getting to see them grow from unexpected friends to lovers throughout this book was so lovely. i loved how much they supported each other � elio with daisy’s surfing dreams & daisy embracing his sex work and not shaming him for it.
the spice was perfect. it was passionate, intimate & full of so much chemistry. seeing them embrace their desires and their attraction was soso great.
i love this book so much. i loved how ki handled their story, both individually and together. this is hands down my favorite ki book & i can’t wait to see the world fall in love with them too!!!
elio & daisy supremacy!!!!
� thank you to ki stephens for the arc, i was waiting on elio’s story and this did not disappoint AT ALL.
daisy is a beautiful character. she’s strong, she’s kind, she’s funny, she’s vulnerable. her desire to want to get to know the people around her, make them feel included, to care for them is so admirable. she felt like a big warm hug, so comforting and genuine. i loved the way that ki wrote her family struggles, it felt realistic and it added even more depth to daisy’s character. i loved her so much, she is so special to me!!!!
elio is a character i have been so intrigued by since spring tide, and he did not disappoint. elio’s story is deep, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s beautiful. he is so strong, kind, honest, and sweet. i loved that his continued recovery from his addiction was not the focal point of his character or his story, it was simply just a part of him. i loved the focus on his sex work & the sides of it that we don’t get to see expanded upon in every day life. i loved his growth, his caring nature, his heart. he was everything to me!!! my quiet, sweet man!!!! i love him so much.
daisy & elio are so perfect for each other. their relationship was everything. two lonely people who found the right person at the right time. the amount of care, love, and passion these two have for each other is so beautiful. their bond was so special & so sweet. so GENUINE. getting to see them grow from unexpected friends to lovers throughout this book was so lovely. i loved how much they supported each other � elio with daisy’s surfing dreams & daisy embracing his sex work and not shaming him for it.
the spice was perfect. it was passionate, intimate & full of so much chemistry. seeing them embrace their desires and their attraction was soso great.
i love this book so much. i loved how ki handled their story, both individually and together. this is hands down my favorite ki book & i can’t wait to see the world fall in love with them too!!!
elio & daisy supremacy!!!!
November 3, 2023
Where to begin??
I absolutely ate this book up.
I have no idea how to describe the way this book made me feel, I knew it would destroy me but goddamn!!
I feel like the pace of this book was really nice, you could literally witness them falling in love and heal throughout the whole book.
Both characters have been burned before and they were exactly what each other needed to move on.
Daisy is this really talkative, outgoing person and immediately tries to befriend Elio. She’s also extremely selfless and jumps on the opportunity to help Elio despite not knowing him that well yet.
Elio is on the softer, quieter side but not because he’s shy, he’s just really guarded and has a LOT going on.
He doesn’t want to become a burden to his friends and family so he bottles everything up.
Both of them were really relatable characters in my opinion, which made me like them even more.
I loved their dynamic, it was very sun gf and moon bf kinda vibes.
They’re both really supportive of each other, have great communication, and shut down potential miscommunication real soon, which i appreciated SO much.
They are literally the greenest flags ever.
I also loved we got cameos from both last books (crying over zaddy Luca as we speak)
Overall this really made me feel fuzzy inside, destroyed me and became a comfort read.
I WANNA HUG THEM AND PROTECT THEM
Thank you so much Ki for sending this arc to me 🥰
I absolutely ate this book up.
I have no idea how to describe the way this book made me feel, I knew it would destroy me but goddamn!!
I feel like the pace of this book was really nice, you could literally witness them falling in love and heal throughout the whole book.
Both characters have been burned before and they were exactly what each other needed to move on.
Daisy is this really talkative, outgoing person and immediately tries to befriend Elio. She’s also extremely selfless and jumps on the opportunity to help Elio despite not knowing him that well yet.
Elio is on the softer, quieter side but not because he’s shy, he’s just really guarded and has a LOT going on.
He doesn’t want to become a burden to his friends and family so he bottles everything up.
Both of them were really relatable characters in my opinion, which made me like them even more.
I loved their dynamic, it was very sun gf and moon bf kinda vibes.
They’re both really supportive of each other, have great communication, and shut down potential miscommunication real soon, which i appreciated SO much.
They are literally the greenest flags ever.
I also loved we got cameos from both last books (crying over zaddy Luca as we speak)
Overall this really made me feel fuzzy inside, destroyed me and became a comfort read.
I WANNA HUG THEM AND PROTECT THEM
Thank you so much Ki for sending this arc to me 🥰
April 10, 2024
4.5�
Do you ever feel the urge to hug fictional characters as you’re reading about them?? Bc same 🤧
After being introduced to Elio sporadically throughout the other books in the Coastal U series, I was eager to learn more about him. And I’m so glad we got his story because Daisy is his perfect match 🫶
Right from the beginning, I could not get over how obsessed I was with Daisy & Elio’s connection. Their progression from strangers to friends to lovers was done so wonderfully, and I loved watching them slowly fall for each other along the way. I’m not sure if I’ve ever wanted to hug two characters more � they’re just so precious and baby and deserve to be protected at all costs 😭They deserve the world, and I’m so happy they found each other bc they truly are their best selves when they’re together.
Daisy & Elio’s soft and tenderhearted love story will stick with me for a long time. I’m so sad the Coastal U series has come to an end, but it was closed out so lovingly and perfectly that I can’t even complain. Ki has easily become one of my favorite authors ever, and I love that I can count on a book of hers to bring me joy. I can’t wait for whatever else she writes next 💙
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
4.5! protect daisy & elio at all costs!! i adore this series so much <3
Do you ever feel the urge to hug fictional characters as you’re reading about them?? Bc same 🤧
After being introduced to Elio sporadically throughout the other books in the Coastal U series, I was eager to learn more about him. And I’m so glad we got his story because Daisy is his perfect match 🫶
Right from the beginning, I could not get over how obsessed I was with Daisy & Elio’s connection. Their progression from strangers to friends to lovers was done so wonderfully, and I loved watching them slowly fall for each other along the way. I’m not sure if I’ve ever wanted to hug two characters more � they’re just so precious and baby and deserve to be protected at all costs 😭They deserve the world, and I’m so happy they found each other bc they truly are their best selves when they’re together.
Daisy & Elio’s soft and tenderhearted love story will stick with me for a long time. I’m so sad the Coastal U series has come to an end, but it was closed out so lovingly and perfectly that I can’t even complain. Ki has easily become one of my favorite authors ever, and I love that I can count on a book of hers to bring me joy. I can’t wait for whatever else she writes next 💙
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
4.5! protect daisy & elio at all costs!! i adore this series so much <3
November 24, 2023
(3.5�)
“𝐓𝐡𝐢� 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥—𝐦� 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐲, 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫—𝐬𝐡𝐞’� 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.�
Ki Stephens' small coastal town romanceRipple Effect focuses around the relationship between surfer Daisy Grey and sex worker Elio Reynolds.
Because Ki always makes sure to change things up in her books while still capturing the genuine and wholesome love between her characters, I will always enjoywhatevershe writes.
I must say that, despite my dislike for Elio in Spring Tide—especially after what he had done to Luca—I adored his redemption arc. Even so, we saw a much better and softer side of him in this novel. I alsoreally adored his relationship with littleJuney; they were too cute.
Also, I adored Daisy, my girl, who was literally the best. She was the sweetest girlever, and she cared for everyone, including Elio.
That being said, this book wasn't really for me, even with its great characters and tropes. I just didn't connect with the characters the way I did with the Coastal University characters from earlier in the series.
All in all, because Elio and Daisy were so cute, this was the kind of novel that would make you feel warm fuzzy feelings!
*Thank you to the author, Ki Stephens, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
“𝐓𝐡𝐢� 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥—𝐦� 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐲, 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫—𝐬𝐡𝐞’� 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞.�
Ki Stephens' small coastal town romanceRipple Effect focuses around the relationship between surfer Daisy Grey and sex worker Elio Reynolds.
Because Ki always makes sure to change things up in her books while still capturing the genuine and wholesome love between her characters, I will always enjoywhatevershe writes.
I must say that, despite my dislike for Elio in Spring Tide—especially after what he had done to Luca—I adored his redemption arc. Even so, we saw a much better and softer side of him in this novel. I alsoreally adored his relationship with littleJuney; they were too cute.
Also, I adored Daisy, my girl, who was literally the best. She was the sweetest girlever, and she cared for everyone, including Elio.
That being said, this book wasn't really for me, even with its great characters and tropes. I just didn't connect with the characters the way I did with the Coastal University characters from earlier in the series.
All in all, because Elio and Daisy were so cute, this was the kind of novel that would make you feel warm fuzzy feelings!
*Thank you to the author, Ki Stephens, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*
November 24, 2023
5⭐️
ARC Review
Ki Stephens's books give me comfort and a lot of positive emotions. She creates deep characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Ripple Effects is no exception. I am in love with the story, the characters and the atmosphere of the book.
Daisy fulfilled her dream and transferred to Coastal U to be closer to the ocean. One day she spends surfing on the beach when she meets a sleeping young guy with a dog. This is how the story of Daisy and Elio begins.
Daisy and Elio are two lonely people who found each other at the right moment: Daisy found out about her boyfriend's betrayal and is experiencing a broken heart, and Elio learned about his illness. So they became the closest people to each other, support and support in difficult times. They were able to build a healthy relationship built on trust, loyalty and strong love.
This book is very tender and sincere, the interaction of the main characters gives you butterflies in your stomach. It was so nice to watch them go from friends to lovers throughout the book.
It's such a pleasure to follow Ki Stephens from the very first release. Thank you so much for the arc. I'm looking forward to new books.
ARC Review
Ki Stephens's books give me comfort and a lot of positive emotions. She creates deep characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Ripple Effects is no exception. I am in love with the story, the characters and the atmosphere of the book.
Daisy fulfilled her dream and transferred to Coastal U to be closer to the ocean. One day she spends surfing on the beach when she meets a sleeping young guy with a dog. This is how the story of Daisy and Elio begins.
Daisy and Elio are two lonely people who found each other at the right moment: Daisy found out about her boyfriend's betrayal and is experiencing a broken heart, and Elio learned about his illness. So they became the closest people to each other, support and support in difficult times. They were able to build a healthy relationship built on trust, loyalty and strong love.
This book is very tender and sincere, the interaction of the main characters gives you butterflies in your stomach. It was so nice to watch them go from friends to lovers throughout the book.
It's such a pleasure to follow Ki Stephens from the very first release. Thank you so much for the arc. I'm looking forward to new books.
November 3, 2023
*arc*
my favorite ki book by far!! full review to come but here’s some of my thoughts 🥹
this book was absolutely amazing. i’m convinced ki can do no wrong, i love her characters and the way she writes her stories. this one was so unexpectedly soft, tender, and beautiful. i have been WAITING for elio and oh my, did he deliver.
i love elio and daisy, these characters, this world, and these storylines so much. this one truly solidified its spot as my favorite in the series because the relationship felt so real and raw. i absolutely love how she handled elio’s character and what he has been through🥹!!
tropes/what to expect:
- college romance
- surfer fmc
- sunshine fmc
- one bed
- forced proximity/temporary roommates
- sex worker mmc
- sex positive!!
- he has a dog!!
- slowburn
- spice!!
my favorite ki book by far!! full review to come but here’s some of my thoughts 🥹
this book was absolutely amazing. i’m convinced ki can do no wrong, i love her characters and the way she writes her stories. this one was so unexpectedly soft, tender, and beautiful. i have been WAITING for elio and oh my, did he deliver.
i love elio and daisy, these characters, this world, and these storylines so much. this one truly solidified its spot as my favorite in the series because the relationship felt so real and raw. i absolutely love how she handled elio’s character and what he has been through🥹!!
tropes/what to expect:
- college romance
- surfer fmc
- sunshine fmc
- one bed
- forced proximity/temporary roommates
- sex worker mmc
- sex positive!!
- he has a dog!!
- slowburn
- spice!!
January 25, 2024
I think this might be my first 4 star year read of the year it was just so lovely and beautifully written and this is coming from a certified "friends to lovers" hater
The beachy summer vibes were so refreshing and made me so nostalgic that i felt like crying, and again i don't even like summer
First book in AGESSS where i adored both characters.
The beachy summer vibes were so refreshing and made me so nostalgic that i felt like crying, and again i don't even like summer
First book in AGESSS where i adored both characters.
January 14, 2024
5 🌟 Elio and Daisy filled up my cup and now it’s overflowing!!
December 1, 2023
4.5 stars, elio and daisy are so tender and pure and I just love their love. this is probably my favorite book after spring tide.
January 13, 2024
i loved the previous books, this just wasn’t really it. loved the idea, but could have just been written better
March 13, 2025
3.5/5
This was cute! Golden retriever girl meets black cat boy with dark history - it’s a classic.
The writing was nothing to sing home about it. It was simple and effective, told the story that it needed to without overcomplicating itself or trying to be too complex. The characters were sweet and, even without reading the books that came before it, there were enough here to help me understand the characters and their personalities.
I think there were too many plot lines crammed into this simple story. The cardiac health, the sex worker job and stalker, the crazy ex-boyfriend. It just became a bit difficult to follow where everything was at and what was the priority. It also meant that none of these plot lines held any emotional depth to them. All of them just fell flat and ultimately felt unfinished by the end of the story.
Daisy moving in with Elio also felt weird over some cardiac health - the girl barely knew the guy and she dropped everything to move to his house? I dunno but it was a bit insta-lovey. Everything just felt unconvincing. I also wish Elio’s past was delved into more, his stint in rehab and everything that came with it.
It’s surface level, to put it best.
This was cute! Golden retriever girl meets black cat boy with dark history - it’s a classic.
The writing was nothing to sing home about it. It was simple and effective, told the story that it needed to without overcomplicating itself or trying to be too complex. The characters were sweet and, even without reading the books that came before it, there were enough here to help me understand the characters and their personalities.
I think there were too many plot lines crammed into this simple story. The cardiac health, the sex worker job and stalker, the crazy ex-boyfriend. It just became a bit difficult to follow where everything was at and what was the priority. It also meant that none of these plot lines held any emotional depth to them. All of them just fell flat and ultimately felt unfinished by the end of the story.
Daisy moving in with Elio also felt weird over some cardiac health - the girl barely knew the guy and she dropped everything to move to his house? I dunno but it was a bit insta-lovey. Everything just felt unconvincing. I also wish Elio’s past was delved into more, his stint in rehab and everything that came with it.
It’s surface level, to put it best.
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