The Ex Effect: A completely addictive lesbian romance (Meet Cute in Minnesota)

After steaming things up in Seattle, romance author extraordinaire Dana Hawkins is back with the first book of a new series. THE EX EFFECT is sweet and spicy sapphic romance sent in small-town Minnesota. Fans of Hawkins’ previous books will be glad to know she brings the same rich, descriptive scene-setting and immersive character-building that she employed so well in her previous books. Readers feel like they are right beside the characters as they navigate their second chance romance. The main characters both are likeable and well-defined. Morgan is a Type A, hair-and-makeup-just right wedding planner living in her beloved hometown of Spring Harbor, Minn. However, business has been slow as of late. She has one big wedding on her calendar, and her work on that project could make or break the business she’s worked so hard to build. But trouble rolls into town in the form of Frankie, Morgan’s blue jeans and boots-wearing, motorcycle riding ex-girlfriend. Frankie left Spring Harbor right after high school, and broke Morgan’s heart. Now, she’s a photographer, and the two end up working together on the wedding preparations, which are off to a rough start. Will they be able to collaborate long enough to save the wedding? And could sparks be rekindled between Frankie and Morgan? (I think we know the answers. I mean, it is a feel-good romance, after all. But getting there is a lot of fun!) I ended up loving both main characters. Sure, Morgan seems pushy. But it’s because she…

The Ex Effect by Dana Hawkins Rating: 4.5 stars I went into The Ex Effect expecting a standard second-chance romance, but Dana Hawkins delivered something with much more emotional weight and tension than I anticipated. The chemistry between the leads is electric from the very first chapter. Hawkins excels at the "forced proximity" trope, making the shared history between the characters feel lived-in and messy rather than just a plot device. What I appreciated most was how the story handled the growth of the protagonists; they aren't the same people they were years ago, and navigating those changes while dealing with their past mistakes felt incredibly grounded. The pacing is excellent—it’s a quick read, but the emotional beats are given enough room to breathe. There were moments of genuine vulnerability that caught me off guard, balancing out the sharper, more playful banter. My only minor critique is that I wanted just a little more closure on one of the secondary plot points, but it didn't take away from the overall experience. If you’re a fan of high-stakes romance with deep history and plenty of "will-they-won't-they" tension, this is a must-add to your TBR.

This was a great story…I connected with Frankie and Morgan so much. I loved the way the author handled ADHD, and would honestly have loved it even more if they discussed Morgan’s anxiety even more. It was so refreshing, and authentic. Can’t wait to finish this series!