The headline could write itself:Matthew Hawkins, star defensive end, comes out of retirement to play for the Washington Wolves. Which is perfectly fine by Ava Baker—it makes her job as publicist for the team easier. There’s only two problems. This particular football player was her first crush. The bigger problem: Matthew Hawkins was once engaged to her older sister. It’s been ten years since Ava … sister.
It’s been ten years since Ava has seen Matthew. He’s bigger, better looking, and best of all—completely single. Despite his history with her sister, the attraction between Ava and Matthew isn’t so one-sided anymore.
It’s hot enough to burn down the entire city of Seattle.
But this headline is far more complicated to write. And not just for the press or what it means for her family— because once her heart is involved, there’s no predicting the ending.
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There are very few authors who, when I hear they have a new book coming out, I literally squeal and clap and grow heart eyes waiting for the release.
And Karla Sorensen is one of them.
Fortunately, I was able to read an early copy of this one (probably because I was OB-FREAKING-SESSED with The Bombshell Effect and not-so-subtly begging for more from the other characters in this world). And once again, Sorensen has completely blown me away.
The Ex Effect has everything I love in a romance. It’s steamy and hilarious, but it also tugs on my heart strings in just the right way. And with the “he used to date my sister” drama underlining the entire plot? Um… CAN WE JUST HOLD HANDS AND REJOICE IN THE ANGST, PLEASE?! God! By the time these two finally kissed, I was so squirmy I might as well have been a fish out of water on a hot boat deck. WHEW. And man, that first kiss was worth waiting for. LE SIGH.
“Oh, I knew Matthew Hawkins all right. My sister’s ex-fiancé, and the man I’d had a ridiculous crush on in high school. And now he was going to be one of the men in the locker room across the hall.”
JUICY!
Also seriously, I want Ava’s job. PR for a professional football team? YES, PLEASE. And if there’s one thing I love about Ava’s character, it’s that she is the TITS at her job. I mean seriously, BAD A*S BI***. There’s nothing I love more than a strong, fierce woman who can wrangle some men and make them respect her.
ANYWAY, back to the nature at hand.
So, one of my favorite things about reading any Karla Sorensen novel is that THIS. WOMAN. CAN. WRITE. Like… it absolutely blows my brains up. She is the ONLY author I can even think of who can tap into my attention from the very first paragraph and suck me into her world. There’s just something about the colloquial way in which she tells her stories, the witty and intelligent way she delivers her jokes, the absolute honesty with which she attacks life’s most sensitive and brutal subjects. It’s mesmerizing, and there’s nothing I love more than falling under Karla Sorensen’s spell each and every time I open one of her books.
And again… THE ANGST.
“There’s a line, and we’re about to cross it. That’s what I saw in his face. It wasn’t really a question. No should we? The inevitability of it may have been made easier with the sweet slide of alcohol in our veins.”
I loved the slow burn in the first part of this book — the little looks, the misunderstood words, the lingering eyes… SIGH. I live for that, y’all. LIVE. FOR. IT. And it was done so well in this story. I loved how the past family issues really played into who the characters are today and why they struggled with giving in to each other. I mean, here’s this poor girl who’s always been in her sister’s shadows, so you want to HATE her sister, right? But then it’s like… damn, THAT poor girl had all that pressure from her parents. Which is worse? And is anyone really to blame?
For Matthew, his trust is hard to earn and even harder to keep after the way things went down with his ex. Maybe that’s why I was biting my nails down to the nub as certain things were kept from him, even if they were done so without malicious intent. And that leads us to…
THE BLOW UP SCENE.
“That’s the thing no one tells you about being lied to, about the big things, the things that add up, that snowball, that grow and grow until that one white lie becomes a giant wall of ice. It should be cold. Feel cold. But the slicing open of your pride is hot and fiery, a slow burning trail of glowing orange magma that you can’t stop, and it leaves a trail of ash behind that you can taste in your mouth for far longer than you want to.”
Oh, dear LORD don’t even get me started on that. I was full on SOBBING when the whole “betrayal” moment went down. When an author can have you laughing your butt off on one page, clenching your thighs together on the next, and then full on ugly crying just a few chapters later? Well, that’s when you know you’re not just reading any book — you’re reading an extraordinary one.
I really don’t have the right words to sum up The Ex Effect and my ultimate love for Karla Sorensen as a writer. All I can say is that if you’ve slept on her up until this point? Now’s the time to dive into her work. And if you’ve become acquainted with her work but you aren’t sold yet? Let this book be the one to seal the deal. And, if you’re like me — an avid Karla Sorensen fan needing your fix — then never fear, my child. The Ex Effect will be the sweetest hit, and just like any other drug, it’ll leave you begging for more.
Football and angst lovers will rejoice at the fresh, heart-pounding story within these pages. This is romance at its finest, and writing at its best. Sign me up for a Washington Wolves jersey, only I don’t want Hawkins on the back — I want Sorensen. This is my official declaration of #1 Fan. Now… BRING ON THE NEXT GAME. #DibsOnLogan #GiveMeMyBroodyBoy
The Ex Effect was a perfect mix of romance, steaminess, drama, and suspense. I was really intrigued by the “he was my sister’s ex-fiance” drama and it was really well-played out. I was rooting for Ava and Matthew from the moment they met again. I loved Ava’s cool work persona that showed her strong-willed and unrattled self as well her vulnerable side when it comes to her relationships and family. And Matthew was swoon-worthy. I loved how confident he was in his feelings for Ava.
What they had together was very special and their sexual chemistry unfurled with a slow-burn intensity that had me squirming and blushing. I just could not get enough of these two. Even with all the family drama and occasional angst, Matthew and Ava fit into each other’s lives and heart so seamlessly it was impossible not to fall in love.
Oh hells yeah!!! Karla Sorensen brought her A game or should I say her Wolves…
I loved book one (The Bombshell Effect) of this series. It was dreamy and not so perfectly perfect. But this book, The Ex Effect, wow!!! It’s a whole new ballgame! (You can smirk at that, I won’t tell!)
It may be the same team (mostly) but this is a whole different play. A Hail Mary of epic proportions. The Ex Effect is filled with the stuff that makes us readers crazy:
– Terrible family dynamic that makes you both insane and want to drink copious amounts of alcohol even though they aren’t yours
– History. Seriously dramatic history. Hard to get past history.
-Feels. Damn it. You aren’t getting out of this book without an emotional connection.
-hope. Tons of motherfluffing hope. The stars in your eyes, googly eyed kind
And let’s not forget for men in tight pants who grunt and workout a lot flexing their insanely hot muscles… (What!?! It’s a legit point.) I won’t even have to point out that they are some of the sweetest, sexiest specimens in football. Nope. You know it. I know it. And if you’re caught up you can help me portion for a certain silent and bloody guy to get his story. Lord knows we can’t ask him. He’d never volunteer it.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Ava and Matthew were such a great surprise! Ava didn’t really make an impression on me in book one. She was there, did her job as a PR person for the team well, and that was about it. But then Matthew Hawkins joined the team, and, as it turns out, they had history. In the shape of her sister having been his ex fiancé who she had cheated on. So there’s lots of drama happening there with her family who hates him for the most part for some crazy reason since he hadn’t done anything wrong. Can’t say that Ava exactly helped them situation either. But it all ended well, so that was all that mattered, and I was there for it.
Loved the series
NO SPOILERS!
I absolutely LOVED Ava and Matthew’s sweet, sexy, funny, emotional, and swoon-worthy love story in The Ex Effect! Karla Sorensen has done an amazing job with the Washington Wolves series so far, and it just keeps getting better and better!
I loved the storyline. Karla Sorensen created such a unique and interesting plot that captured and held my attention from beginning to end. Ava and Matthew’s story was different than I expected, but even better than I imagined. It was sweet, sexy, funny, surprisingly emotional, and so swoon-worthy that I about burst with happiness and excitement. The ending was absolutely perfect, and made this reader one happy camper. 🙂
The characters, namely the main two, were phenomenal. I absolutely adored Ava and Matthew. They had super likable, lovable, and relatable personalities, and I loved the deep friendship and connection they shared. Ava and Matthew’s chemistry together was red-hot, and I loved how their relationship progressed throughout, even though it was sometimes an uphill battle. Ava and Matthew were perfect for each other, and I absolutely loved every minute of watching their romance unfold.
The Ex Effect was another MUST READ standalone sports romance from the incredibly talented, Karla Sorensen! I absolutely loved Ava and Matthew’s sweet, sexy, emotional, funny, and swoon-worthy romance, and I would highly recommend it! I can’t wait to see what Ms. Sorensen has up her sleeve for Logan and Paige’s story in The Marriage Effect!
Another touchdown! See what I did there? Karla Sorensen writes wonderfully, captivating stories that I just can’t help but get lost in. Ava and Matthew’s story had me hooked from early on. I needed to know how it was all going to play out. How the family dynamics were going to fit in and work. I felt for Ava and was glad with how that aspect of the story ended. Ava and Matthew are pure perfection, I loved that they were able to give in to how they felt pretty early on.
I loved the sports element of this story and the others in the series. Karla has a wonderful way of making you connect with the sport and feel the tension and excitement as if you were at the game yourself. I loved that each of the women has been a strong woman with her own career and how that’s fitted into the relationships. It’s been a pleasure to binge read/ listen to them.
Again, I wasn’t a huge fan of the audio casting. Although Teddy Hamilton was brilliant, I just felt he was much more suited to the character of Luke. I’m sure many people loved the audio and could get over some of the issues I had with it because it’s all subjective and how we hear things. I was able to enjoy the story regardless.
The Ex Effect is a contemporary sports romance by Karla Sorensen. I’m not usually a sports romance fan, but I must say, I totally loved this book. Ms. Sorensen has delivered a well-written book populated with an outstanding cast of characters. Ava is the public relations manager for the Washington Wolves. Matthew was engaged to Ava’s sister but it didn’t end well. Ava also harbored a secret crush on Matthew. When Matthew came out of retirement to join the Washington Wolves the fun begins. Matthew and Ava’s story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle, misunderstandings and all things awkward. I enjoyed reading this book, even though it’s written in first person, alternating point of view (my least favorite) format. I look forward to reading more from Karla Sorensen in the future. The Ex Effect is book 2 of the Washington Wolves Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Really loved this book and looking forward to reading the rest of the series. The characters and world of the story drew me in right away and I didn’t want to put the book down (indeed, I didn’t).
WHAT A DRAMA FILLED BOOK, that you didn’t realize you needed. Love, sex, and sisters ex-fiances always get in in the way. Until the ex-fiance happens to be the love you have now.
THIS BOOK.
THE FEELS.
THE CHARACTERS.
THE ROMANCE!!!!
I always find it hard to put my feelings into words. Especially when I love a book so much.
The Ex Effect had me feeling all the things. The romance in the story was literally everything!! Ava and Matthew could not have been any cuter.
I adored Ava and her love for chocolate. She was so cute and adorable and a very relatable character.
And MATTHEW FREAKING HAWKINS just his name alone gives me chills. Why can’t he be real? He is literally the epitome of the perfect guy. My love for him was inevitable.
The side characters were just as endearing and I can’t wait for Logan’s story. Just want to make it known that LOGAN WARD IS MINE.
Do yourself a favor and read this book. You can thank me later.
Ava Baker, publicist extraordinaire and successful career woman is about to experience the most awkward of times. Matthew Hawkins, her teenage crush comes back into your life. Yes, the crush that she hid because she was too young and more importantly, Matthew was engaged to her sister. Erm … yes. Imagine those family dinners!
I thoroughly enjoyed THE EX EFFECT. It is well plotted, the pacing is spot on and even with some incredibly uncomfortable scenes, none of the characters exhibit any too-stupid-to-live moments.
Ava is a great heroine. She is a capable adult that shines in her profession. She’s definitely got a sense of humour and she proves herself to be a good friend. Her family on the other hand… not so good. As upbeat as the book was there were times the book had me in tears. Ava realises her family’s treatment of her has impacted how she interacts with people she love, and it’s something she needs to address to get her happy ever after.
Ava and Matthew have excellent chemistry and their scenes together are a pleasure to read.
THE EX EFFECT was my first Karla Sorensen read but she will definitely be added to the rotation. Highly recommended.
This book was everything I wanted it to be.
The characters are so dang lovable. I couldn’t help but fall for them. The story grabbed ahold of my heart and didn’t let go.
Filled with humor, heart, and steam, I loved, loved, loved every second.
I cannot wait for Logan’s story!!!!!!!
Karla knows football and romance and the two together are just HOT. Book 2 of the Washington Wolves franchise does not disappoint. Ava and Matthew have a past, but not your typical past. When her sister’s ex-fiancée comes out retirement to play for the Wolves, Ava can’t believe it. Will he even remember her? Yes and the sparks between them fly from the start. Now if they can just get past her family and what happened in the past.
I couldn’t get enough reading this! It was so much more than expected to be honest. Filled with so much heartache and swoon-worthy moments, Matthew and Ava had me flipping through the pages with ease. The Ex Effect is my first story by Karla Sorensen—it won’t be my last!
“This was something I could trust, this instinct to lean more deeply into her, into what I felt when I was around her.”
Matthew Hawkins is larger than life; a sweet and gentle giant with a caring soul and addictive personality. He also has this certain charm and protectiveness that’s irresistible, you’ll want to wrap yourself up in it! Ava Baker is this hard-working and independent woman working within an industry flooded with testosterone, but she has her own brand of sassiness that keeps all the men around her focused and admiring her presence.
When Matthew and Ava are together, there’s nothing sweeter! It’s an explosion of cuteness that will have your heart soaring; flirtatious moments that ease an underlying tension; a certain tenderness that will hit your emotions deep. They’re the sweetest, most perfect couple despite past circumstances.
“I’d closed off big, important pieces of myself to a man who loved me because I’d never learned how to be loved in the right way.”
The Ex Effect is an interesting combination of various tropes—a forbidden, second chance romance between two old friends, bursting with so much heated chemistry and profound emotion, you’ll be invested in everything they do. I love that they lean into their relationship—though there’s angst that underlies it that will make your heart pound in anticipation of what will happen next.
Karla Sorensen writes contemporary romance right with heroes who are unforgettable, full of charm and are just perfect real characters. If you’ve loved her other story, The Bombshell Effect, you’ll obsess over this one, too!
This was such a fun book to read! I sucked it up like a sponge.
Here’s the thing, you want to feel sorry for Ava but at the same time you know she’s strong enough to handle herself. Since she was born, she was put on the back burner. Her sister was the one who got the most attention and love. Ava didn’t let that stop her from fulfilling her dream. Her and Matthew have a history which plays a huge part of the book. I don’t want to call it fear but it might be a little of it. She’s afraid of what her family is gonna think and that’s what holds her back with Matthew. Matthew is great! He’s had some ups and downs in his life but after Ava comes into his life, things are looking promising. I loved watching Ava stand up for herself and finally having respect from her family. These two have great chemistry and the author showed it perfectly. I laughed and swooned so much during this book. Such a great book!
My first standalone read from Karla Sorenson was absolutely FANTASTIC. I am obsessed with the story, the characters, the writing, the cover… ALL OF IT!
I have all the heart eyes and smiles after reading this one. I’m seriously considering a massive binge read…
I loved the way the characters complimented each other. There was lots of steam and a great amount of humor.
I honestly felt like I was watching a brilliant Rom Com unfold in front of me.
Excuse me while I go one click every single book that this author has written because HOLY CRAP can she WRITE!
Okay there is a reason I have every single one of Karla’s books, because they are fantastic! This book did not disappoint! I loved Matthew. He was so swooney! I loved Ava’s determination and work ethic! Ava has grew up feeling appreciated and felt she would never measure up to her sister in her parents eyes. Matthew was looking for something true just didn’t know it had been there. Great story. It involves football, need I say more!!!
4.5 stars
The Ex Effect was ridiculously satisfying.
It had everything I love about a sports romance. An incredibly swoon worthy hero, a feisty heroine, and chemistry through the roof.
The Ex Effect was only my second book by Karla Sorensen but it’s enough to know that I LOVE this author’s style. From her dialogues to plot and characters – there isn’t much I didn’t adore about this book. It’s up there with any Susan Elizabeth Philips (Chicago Stars #1) book. Reading this novel reminded me why I love sports romances so much. The tension, the scrutiny, the secrets – it all makes for a highly entertaining and captivating read.
I personally loved Ava. Not everyone can kick ass in such a testosterone filled environment. The way she handled the players was admirable. And I loved how easy and effortless it was for her and Matthew. It helped that they knew each other and had history, but that was nothing compared to how well their personalities matched.
Matthew was a darling. I loved that he acknowledged that he was a couple steps ahead of the game and just wanted Ava to catch up. That kind of admission was music to my ears. I loved him for being able to accept his feelings for what they were.
At this point I’m hooked. I can’t wait to read the next book. And I really hope that Logan as well as Paige will get their own book. I wouldn’t be too disappointed if those two would actually get together – lol.
I’ve just finished reading The Ex Effect and am currently bathed in a warm glow, sporting a silly smile on my face. This is my first book by this author and as soon as I started reading I knew I was going to love her writing style. The story flows beautifully and is one of those books that is so wonderfully romantic, you find yourself sighing dreamily.
Ava is funny and confident, such an interesting character, the type of woman I would like as a friend. She carries some emotional scars from her childhood which, naturally, have consequences when it comes to the way she feels and acts in certain circumstances. She does not, however, come across as someone who is broken and needs to be pitied. Far from it. She is strong willed, a good person, someone who is respected by friends and colleagues alike. I admired her very much.
Matthew is literally swoon worthy. The perfect combination of strong and masculine, kind and considerate, without being either a jerk or a wimp. He’s a man mountain. Far be it from me to objectify him for his physical appearance, (which was described in delicious detail), but when he picked Ava up as though she weighed nothing, quite frankly, I was a goner. These two have history from years ago and I loved the familiarity, the easy banter and their sweet shared memories.
There’s plenty of chemistry between them but this author doesn’t endlessly shove it in your face. There are definitely sexy times, but the focus is mainly on their relationship and not their time between the sheets. However, the absence of graphic descriptions doesn’t make it any less hot, believe me.
A gorgeous romance, charming and sexy, with humour, a little angst and a lovely epilogue, makes this a real winner for me.