The Maui Effect: A Novel

by Sara Ackerman

Taylor Jenkins Reid meets 100 Foot Wave in this dazzling new romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Sara Ackerman. 

'Iwa Young’s life is high in the Maui rainforest. As a field biologist, she’s happiest in company with trees and birds and waterfalls. When a developer arrives with plans for a so-called "eco resort" in the middle of a forest full of endangered species, 'Iwa puts all her energy into the fight to protect it. But a chance encounter threatens to distract her. His name is Dane Parsons, and he’s a big-wave surfer from California. 'Iwa has a few unbreakable rules, and at the top of her never date a surfer. 

Dane Parsons is part of an underground group of big-wave riders, and his connection to the ocean runs deep. When he meets 'Iwa, he can’t get her out of his mind. But 'Iwa wants nothing to do with Dane until he offers to help protect her beloved forest and waterfall. Always on the hunt for the ultimate ride, Dane suddenly glimpses something even greater, but just out of reach. 

In this thunderous love story, we travel deep into the Maui rainforest and hop across the globe from Hawai'i to California to Portugal, chasing waves the size of nine-story buildings—where the unthinkable is always just one breath away. 

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Sports, Summer, Adult

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

Sara Ackerman is the Hawaii born, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and historical novels set in the Islands.

Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.

Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and follow her on Instagram @saraackermanbooks and on FB @ackermanbooks.

Reviews

[Lisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I will say what a beautiful cover5 stars 🌟 for that, but I WANT TO GO TO MAUI!!!🏖️


I wa Young’s life is high in the rainforest as she is a field biologist her happy place is with the birds, trees & waterfalls.


Dane Parsons is a big wave surfer from California good looking a body to die for & Iwa is instantly attracted to him, but keeps him at bay until she can’t hide her feelings for Dane anymore.
Iwa decides to take him on a trek through the rainforest show him her lifestyle he accepts the offer but the sexual tension is there for all to see.

What happens from here on in is two people who get their wires crossed time & time again jealousy raises its ugly head.


I enjoyed my first delve into a romance ❤️‍🔥 novel I liked that Ms Ackerman wrote an old style of romance not like the modern authors who have their main characters jump in & out of bed that is not appealing to me liked her writing style & the picturesque Maui it’s sounds divine all in all it was an enjoyable read highly recommended for those into romance.

[Desiree Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERVIEW:
Beautiful, magical, addictive. ‘Iwa and Dane falling in love was just so special and sweet - a genuine feel-good beginning to the tale that kept the pages turning.

Alas, all characters must face stumbling blocks and crises or, of course, there is no story. You feel everything so deeply (almost painfully) along with ‘Iwa and Dane, as they make mistakes and then double-down on them. And that makes for an excellent novel.

Easily the best Sara Ackerman novel I’ve read. She really hit her stride with this one. Her lush descriptions of Hawaii are aways absorbing, in that the settings become an additional character. Yet the feel-good tone of her writing fits so much better with this “women’s fiction” romance. The surfing descriptions are so strong as well - you certainly “feel it” as extremely genuine and compelling.


OF NOTE:
- Roughly 5 or 6 f-bombs (not Mom approved ).
- A few sex scenes, most tame, but the one on page 189 gets a bit more graphic 😬.
- “Diversity” insert on page 212 where it mentions “Garrett and his partner, Andrew”.
- While the cover art is beautiful, this book title is just so uninspiring. So many better options. Even something simple like, “From Maui, with Love” would do.
-The part about the developer bothered me - wouldn’t it have been Hawaiians who sold him the land?
- Having an ‘Iwa and an Isla was confusing, as the names are too similar.

CONCLUSION:
Highly recommended. Let the sea and the surf and the mountain breezes (and waterfalls!) sweep you away on a tropical, romantic carpet ride.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Ackerman shows her talent as she switches genres to contemporary women's romantic adventure and still wows readers!

I loved exploring the rainforests of Maui with Iwa looking for waterfalls and rare birds as much as I loved chasing the waves with Dane.

⭐ In fairness to other potential readers, I'll post my review at the beginning of November. ⭐

I can't wait for her Waikiki murder mystery next summer!

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stunning story from the beloved Hawaiian author, who brings readers deep from the Maui rainforest, to California, and to Portugal, where MMC surfer Dane Parsons chases the world's largest waves, while MFC field biologist Iwa Young tries to protect the forest from an "eco developer." Will their budding romance blossom and can they work together to fend off the anything-but-eco developer? Loved it, and so will romance readers with a heart for the environment.

[Arielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, the nature, the setting, the characters. Beauty is surrounding these two people far and wide but they’ve only got eyes for each other. It was definitely a good pair of main characters with Iwa being a great eco activist and Dane being a surfer, it reminded me of how much we really can overlook our outdoor surroundings by spending so much time inside. Lovely read!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I really, really enjoyed Sara Ackerman's new contemporary romance set in the big surfing world of Maui and features an eco activist and award winning surfer falling in instant love but never quite finding a way to make a relationship work for them. Full of tender moments, appreciation for the land and a painful experience with drug addiction/pain meds after a terrible accident, this book really takes readers on an emotional roller coaster but the end is worth all the highs and lows! Great on audio narrated by Jennifer Robideau and perfect for any surfing lovers out there! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the cover more than the book.

[Cara Elizabeth | justanotherbookishgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️🫶🏼

This book reads like a love letter to Hawaii and I loved that so much. As always, Ackerman’s writing transports me to the setting with the most vivid descriptions and makes me feel like I was on the beach in Maui with ‘Iwa and Dane. I did enjoy their story, however I felt like something was missing with the two of them, or the connection just wasn’t as strong I was hoping for. I could have also used a little more character depth with the two of them. Still a wonderful romance not just between their characters but the love for their careers. I appreciated how much passion shone through the pages when it came to what these characters loved. All the talk about surfing was so fun. I am not a surfer but damn it made me want to be. I also could relate to ‘Iwa and her grief of losing her mother. I honestly wish that had been a little more forefront to the story. All around a great read and will recommend!

[Malia Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Hawaiian ocean was more blue than he remembered, and it smelled faintly of salt and sea foam."

An evocative first sentence to an evocative novel! I have been a fan of Ackerman's work for a few years and as a Hawai'i local myself, I have loved most of all her descriptions of my home. The Maui Effect was both a love story between Iwa, a Hawaiian field biologist saving a local waterfall, and Dane, a big wave surfer from California, AND a love story about Hawai'i forests and the ocean. When Iwa brought Dane to Waikula and chanted E Ho Mai, I almost cried. Having an actual 'olelo Hawai'i chant in a traditionally published story?! My hearttttt! We also got to travel to Mexico and Portugal for Dane's surfing adventures, which were both thrilling AND terrifying! I've watched a few big wave surf competitions and it astounds me as to the bravery and moxy those surfers have to go up against giant powerful walls of water. You will not look at the ocean the same after those kinds of experiences.

Iwa and Dane. Both wildly passionate about their passions and stubborn as heck! Their journey was a ROLLER COASTER... I also loved the side characters, Uncle Tutu and Dane's surfing friend group, especially Yeti and Kama. And there are 2 dogs in the story!!

CW: a few descriptive intimate scenes (more descriptive than her past books, but not lengthy), substance abuse

*Mahalo to Netgalley and Mira Publisher for an advanced reader's e-book copy. All opinions are my own.

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was such a sweet romance book!! i loved that it was set in hawaii. sarah ackerman really transports you to the rainforests and the beaches of hawaii with vivid descriptions that made me feel like i was there. when a surfer from california falls in love with Iwa, a native to hawaii. can they make their relationship work?

thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this ARC!

[Jim Welke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Sara Ackerman's 7th book, set in Hawaii, this one on Maui. A beautiful, young Hawaiian singer meets a handsome surfer from California and the sparks fly. While she's trying to protect a precious part of the Hawaiian forest with its endangered birds (she never mentioned the nene goose) and waterfalls, he's interested in traveling the world to surf. A lot of surprises happen in this fun-filled book, set in three places...it will keep your attention throughout the entire book.

[Heather Fountain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. The stunning cover and the promise of opposites-attract romance had me ready for a perfect beach read, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver.

While the Hawaiian setting is absolutely beautiful and the descriptions of the island were a highlight, the story itself felt a bit flat. The characters, while likable enough, didn’t have much depth, and their chemistry was more lukewarm than sizzling. I kept waiting for those big emotional moments, but they just didn’t land for me.

The pacing was another struggle—there were stretches where not much happened, and by the time the plot picked up, I wasn’t as invested. Honestly, this was almost a DNF for me, but I pushed through hoping it would redeem itself. Sadly, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Ackerman is back with a brand new novel, but it’s a little different from her previous ones. The author is known for historical fiction and Hawaiian settings, but this time around, she’s trying her hand at romance! A field biologist and a professional surfer embark on a tumultuous love affair with many ups and downs, tons of passion, intense chemistry, and exciting adventures. But it’s not all fun and games. Both characters take their careers very seriously which creates multiple challenges and distractions that get in the way of their budding romance. This all provides an exciting cat-and-mouse, will they/won’t they game for the reader to get caught up in. Ackerman truly excels at describing the scenery and overall vibe of Maui. My family and I visited last February, and it felt like my toes were still buried in the sand. Take me back! The surfing lingo was plentiful throughout and went way over my head at times. It was a lot, and probably my only complaint about the novel.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Gorgeous Hawaiian setting
- Surfing culture
- The ocean, rainforests, and waterfalls
- Nature, hiking, and the mountains
- Environmental activism
- Bird watching
- Sports romance
- Reflections on loss and grief

QUICK SYNOPSIS:
“𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮, 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙪𝙞 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙃𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙞’𝙞 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙡, 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨—𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮.”

THE MAUI EFFECT is available now! 4/5 stars!

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars--I may move it up to 5.
Sara Ackerman turns away from her historical fiction world to pen this multi-faceted romance.

Maui in 2012 is the locale for this love letter to the island, its people, the world of surfing, and the beauty of Maui's remote mountain valleys.
Our heroine is 'Iwa Young, a field biologist who is working with a local nature conservancy group to stop the building of a resort in a pristine mountain forest. While she's at home in the ocean, her soul is in the upland valleys--the farther away from people, the better. The proposed resort would sit right in the middle of her late mother's favorite retreat, a place she often took 'Iwa. Thus the fight to save the forest is personal for her.
Our hero is Dane Parsons, big wave surfer from California, who lives the vagabond life of following the big waves around the world. His mom taught him to surf when he was quite young but then she became an absentee parent. His best friend's family became his 'real' family. Dane often came to Maui with them when they came to visit relatives. So he's no stranger to the island.
Dane and 'Iwa first meeting is not a 'meet cute'; Dane already has a black mark against him--he's a surfer and she doesn't date surfers. But he's smitten and doesn't give up easily. And thus begins their rocky romance.
I loved this book! The characters, the surfing, the very real conservation fights, the locals' love/hate relationship with tourists; everything rang so true for me. This one's a keeper.

[Marrissa Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a unique and interesting story! I love that it was set in amazingly beautiful places, mainly Maui and CA, but also Portugal. The way she describes the setting in Hawaii makes you feel like you’re there, it’s so easy to picture. The author’s note explains the author’s connection to the land, and why she chose to set the book in 2012-2013.
MMC Dane is CA based and has a passion for surfing, and travels for competitions and the biggest swells he can find. Iwa lives in Maui, where she is a field biologist, and is on a mission to save the land and native animals from a sketchy developer. She isn’t a trusting person, but Dane sets his sights on her and eventually she lets him in. Their relationship goes through tumultuous ups and downs, and all the while I loved Iwa so much. I definitely recommend this one to romance readers, especially ones who want to escape to a gorgeous place, and love the environment.

🎧 I paired my reading with the audiobook (I listened on @everand.us), and I loved listening to Jennifer Robideau tell this story and bring the characters to life!

Thank you so much to HTP Books, The Hive Sara Ackerman and NetGalley for the eARC

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Maui Effect
By: Sara Ackerman
Pub date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: MIRA


I have loved all of Ackerman’s novels. She takes me away to her beloved Hawaii.
This novel is about Iwa Young and her love for the Maui rainforest. She is a field biologist and when a developer tries to build in the forest, rich with endangered species she must fight to stop his development.
Iwa meet a surfer Dane Parsons who gets her distracted, but their chemistry is OFF the CHARTS and she is trying to fight it. Her history with surfers has not been the best.
I enjoyed how this relationship played out with all the distractions, distance and their love of the rainforest and keeping this part of Hawaii preserved.

[Mathilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 2.75

First of all, not the biggest fan of instalove. Give me DRAMA, give me SLOWBURN! So wasn’t a fan of the romance between those two and didn’t feel any connection except maybeee a love for nature.

The surf lingo was so boring? I have no idea about the sport, not that I don’t care but please care to explain what all of this means?

The storyline about the ecoresort was okay I guess but the resolution was wayyyyy too easy (miracle! A hard-ass judge is actually super nice and a big fan of waterfalls and birds!)

I almost dnfed but everyone knows I never do.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something magical about nature, and this story truly captivated me.
I haven’t been to Hawaii, but it’s on my bucket list and with beautiful writing and vivid descriptions this book took me there.
A beautiful story about life, nature, the power of community and love you don’t want to miss.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘂𝗶 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 released November 19, 2024.

[Glennis Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful read. Both main characters showed so much growth and struggle throughout the book for different reasons. It was also such a picturesque read, I felt like I was there experiencing it too.

[Laura McDonell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked The Codebreaker’s Secret, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of The Maui Effect! Set in the recent past, this book gave me such a vivid look at Maui, surfing, and the passion it takes to fight for what you love. Sara Ackerman’s writing is easy to devour, and I really enjoyed Dane and Iwa’s imperfect, heartfelt journey. 3.5 stars!

[Rebecca Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sweet, low-stakes romance, about a surfer and a scientist trying to save the rainforest (as advertised), this is not it.

I found the MCs to be kind of pretentious and emotionally immature. The whole relationship is essentially a long-distance fling, until the second half of the book, when the MMC hits rock bottom, cheats, and they stop talking all together. As readers, we then have to live through each of their separate, miserable POVs, until an awkward and unplanned reunion, where all is forgiven.

Overall, I felt like there was hardly any legit relationship-building in this book, which made it hard for me to root for the couple. The story focused more on each of the MCs, their friends/family, and them sorting through their own issues/problems. The MCs hardly had any time alone together. Nearly every scene involved a bunch of their friends and/or family. Dude couldn’t even pick her up from the airport without all of his bros in tow! The characters felt more like high schoolers or early college vs. two adults pushing 30.

I did enjoy the author’s writing style and the imagery related to surfing. You can tell that the author is passionate about surfing and Hawaiian culture. Unfortunately, this story just didn’t do it for me.

Trigger Warnings:

- spinal cord injury
- medical trauma
- heroine/cocaine addiction
- opioid addiction
- death of parent(s)
- grief
- cancer
- cheating

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ✨perfect✨ start to 2025! I couldn't get enough of this book. I was hooked from the start. I loved both storylines in this book, and I loved how each chapter left you on a little cliffhanger. This is the perfect summer read!

[Allison Giovanetti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oooooo it’s gonna be a no for me unfortunately. The Maui Effect could have been really cute, but the characters were just sooooo bad. Dane could apparently do no wrong and Iwa was this “moral compass” but sacrificed everything she stood for…FOR A LITERAL MAN? I don’t think so.

[Treasure Box Of Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF pg 186 but I feel like I've read enough to give this a star rating.

If you want to read a book with the descriptive beauty of Maui, read this book. Or if you want to read a book that goes into DETAIL about surfing including using surf jargon and all then read this book. I don't read a fiction romance novel to get a whole actual lesson on a topic. I don't want to learn anything lol; I'd read a historical fiction if that's what I was after.  Just give me a good story and good romance! 

If you want a story with depth that actually moves along with a relationship, and things happen, and some angst, don't read this book. 

I skimmed so much of this when it would go off for pages and pages of how awesome and pretty the islands are and the blah blah blah about the how-to's of surfing and the types of waves and yadda yadda. The first few times it was great for imagery. Then it just turned into the whole premise of the book, almost forgetting about the storyline. 

The plot dragged in the entire middle of the book where NOTHING is happening except the 2 main characters hanging out with friends...for chapters and chapters. Snore. 

The romance is boring and doesn't progress at all. Maybe it does some time towards the end of the book, but I've lost interest enough to not even care to find out. 

Pretty cover though. lol

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Iwa is a field biologist doing what she can to preserve the natural beauty of Hawaii, even if she has to go toe to toe with developers. She doesn't anticipate the distraction of big-wave surfer, Dane, who goes against all her carefully laid out rules. Will they be able to accomplish all their individual goals and find common ground?

Thoughts 💭
As much as this was a love story between Iwa and Dana, this was also a love story to Hawaii. The descriptions and understanding of the land could only come from someone who lived there. I was impressed with the detail not only of Hawaii but of surfing as well. A lot of time and attention were given to these details. In fact, the love story at times took a back seat to the descriptions, which is my only big complaint. Things dragged for me a little in the middle, and it didn't seem like the plot was developing much at all. Also, be warned that this isn't a light-hearted story. There was a severe injury, cheating, and substance abuse. I enjoyed this story overall and would recommend checking it out, especially if you love Hawaii and surfing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dorothy Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started The Maui Effect without reading anything about it including the blurb on the back. I wanted to be surprised by the story. Sara Ackerman has written a dual story told by ‘Iwa and Dane. We start with ‘Iwa who is a field biologist; she loves the outdoors on Maui. ‘Iwa wants only to preserve the landscape and keep it safe from undesirable development. Dane is an accomplished surfer, handsome enough to be in magazine ads.

When ‘Iwa and Dane meet, ‘Iwa is immediately wary of him. Over time, they form an unlikely friendship and become romantically involved although they face challenges in their relationship. ‘Iwa’s focus remains on saving the forest and finding endangered species there.

Readers will learn about surfing (a topic completely unknown to me!) and about saving pristine areas of Hawai’i. Although the story is not a mystery, The Maui Effect will keep readers turning pages. They will be interested in whether ‘Iwa can save the forest and the beautiful waterfall and whether ‘Iwa and Dane’s relationship can flourish.

For book clubs, members will find much to discuss, especially for those of us in landlocked states who know little to nothing about surfing and know Hawai’i from the tourist spots.

[Madisyn Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3
this had the potential to be a new favorite for me!! i have a deep love for hawaii and so i was excited to read a book set there. the setting was so beautiful and the description of the landscape & the waterfall & the waves was so well done!
i unfortunately didn’t really like either of the main characters :/ i found ‘iwa pretty annoying and she said (or thought) some things that were kinda questionable to me. i loooved dane at the beginning and then he disappointed me :(
there’s a trope in here that i really hate but i can’t tell you because it will spoil it!
i really liked the first 100 pages or so and i actually tabbed a bunch of quotes from the book but i think this one was just a miss for me.
i loved the surfing plot and i wish the romance aspect was better because i wanted to fall in love with a surfer boy hahaha
there was no slow burn whatsoever.. in fact they slept together on their second (maybe it was third) time ever seeing each other.
🔥SPICE🔥 a couple short open door scenes on pages 112-113, 158, and 189. some foreplay and heavy make outs as well. pretty easy to skip the spice though!
🤐LANGUAGE🤐 about 20 uses of the f word. occasional use of minor swear words

[Lisa Goodmurphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Maui Effect is the first contemporary romance by bestselling author Sara Ackerman who is best known for her historical fiction novels set on the Hawaiian islands. 'Iwa is a young biologist who is happy to spend most of her time in the Maui rainforest among the trees, birds and waterfalls while also helping out her dad at his restaurant. When a developer announces plans to build an "eco-resort" in the middle of a forest that is habitat to many of the island's endangered species, she and her co-worker, Winston, are determined to halt the development and protect the forest. A chance encounter with Dane, a surfer from California, however, leads to a globe hopping romance chasing the big waves from Maui to California to Portugal that isn't easy to balance with 'Iwa's environmental work.

I have enjoyed several of the author's historical novels so was looking forward to this release but didn't enjoy the romance quite as much as I had hoped. I did, however, love the setting particularly the lush descriptions of the rainforest on Maui as well as the environmental message about the importance of saving the rainforest and endangered species.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow-paced book for me, but I did still really enjoy it. Having been to Maui, I loved reading about the places that 'Iwa and Dane visited and lived. I also enjoyed how the story also took them to California and Portugal. Surfing was very prominent throughout the story and also a strong focus of the characters, and that was fun to learn more about. It is described in great detail so that the reader can learn about and feel involved in the action. The plot and the romance were strong and well developed, but the book also centers around conservation and healing from trauma.


***Spoilers for Once Upon a Book Club Box***

**Warning-- Do NOT read these spoilers if you want to be surprised about the gifts if you purchased this subscription book. This list also contains some book spoilers as well.**

I received this book as part of my subscription to Once Upon a Book Club (September 2024 box), which includes gifts to be opened as you come upon certain spots throughout the book. For this book, the gifts were as follows:

p. 88 - A tube of custom OUABC coconut and lime lip balm, representing Dane's coconut and lime lip balm"
p. 98 - A 20 oz double-lined, squeeze design water bottle with a Hawaiian/tropical blue sky and palm trees print, representing the water bottle Dane uses to share water with 'Iwa.
p. 177 - A pair of green/taupe mini binoculars (mainly seem to be decorative/costume style, not really functional), representing the binoculars that Manuel hands to 'Iwa in the ocean to watch Dane surfing Killers.
p. 213 - A QR code that opens an Olympics YouTube video about Nazare
p. 313 - A blue umbrella with a sleeve/case that says "Water is Life, Ola i ka wai"

Bonuses:
1. Matching printed Bookmark and Quote Card: "Sometimes you have to walk through the fear to get to the other side.” (white with cartoon waves and colorful surfboards, with an author letter on the back of the quote card).
2. A full-color brochure with a Q&A with the author, discussion questions, and a "recipe" for a honey banana sandwich (I really wish they'd figured out a recipe for the lilikoi' bread intead!!) and a QR code to a beginner's guide to making homemade sourdough.
3. An autographed bookplate from the author, decorated with waves.
4. A hexagon sticker with blue waves and an orange sky, with the book name/title and the author.