Side Effects

Ripple Effects #4

by L.J. Greene

Who can you trust?

Ally Michels is fresh out of her MBA program at Cal and has landed her dream job at hot, up-and-coming video game developer, Jet Stream Studios, all thanks to her uncle, Jet’s largest venture capital investor. She’s feeling pretty good about her future until an inadvertent blurt in a company meeting brings down upon her the dangerous attention of Jet’s co-founder and chief developer, Marcus Abby.

Beautiful, brilliant, and vicious, Marcus is every bit the arrogant, deceitful founder her uncle warned her about. But in the power-fueled world of venture capital investing, things aren’t always what they seem. When Ally finds herself caught up in a play for corporate control, she must work with Marcus to save the company and an ideal she believes in, while navigating perilous family loyalties and fighting to hold onto her own integrity.

For Ally, there’s just one rule: never, ever trust Marcus Abby. Because the one man she needs to stop a high-stakes plot is the one man who has every reason to want her gone.

Side Effects is an adult contemporary, twisty, underhanded, certainly unscrupulous . . . romance.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

347 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2021

About the author

LJ Greene is a self-professed obsessive multi-tasker who writes boring stuff by day and lets her inner romantic fly by night. This California native is married to the most amazing man and has two incredible children who feed her soul every day. She’s an avid reader of all genres with an embarrassingly large ebook collection, and a weird penchant for reading the acknowledgements at the end of a novel. She’s also a music lover with no apparent musical talent, a travel enthusiast, and a cheese connoisseur.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Side Effects is Book 4 in her Ripple Effects series and if you look at the other covers, you'll see straightaway that it's all about contemporary romance. I absolutely adored this 'fantasy/sci-fi/ techno nerds can be heroes' cover- absolutely stunning and very appropriate once you start reading the book and realise what kind of company Ally and Marcus,the protagonists of Side Effects, work for.
The book is based around my favourite enemies-to-lovers trope and has all the essential elements you can't imagine contemporary romance without: a protagonist you can relate to, secrets and intrigue, great pace and chemistry between the main characters!
The book is written from a single POV- Ally's- and I thought that it gave the book this additional touch of realism and tension as in real life we rely on our instinct, observations, feelings to try to get a read on what the person we're attracted to is thinking.
Highly recommended to anyone who loves slow-burn, workplace romance with a bit of suspense.
I'm off to get my hands on LJ Greene's previous books!

Thank you to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours, the author and the publisher for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Jessica (Read book. Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review and all my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Goddess Fish Promotions.

When Ally, an up and coming super star fresh out of her MBA program, lands her dream job at a promising video game developer thanks to her Uncle, she couldn't be happier. When an unfortunate mishap during a meeting puts her on the radar of one of the company's founders - Marcus Abby - things start to take a turn for the worse. Marcus is a storm cloud personified. He's rude, abrasive, vicious, and brilliant - just like her Uncle warned her. However, when corporate issues start to threaten the very company Ally has come to love, she has no choice but to work side by side with Marcus in order to save it. She only has one rule: Don't trust Marcus Abby; because even though she's the only one who can help him with this, he also holds her future, or lack of one, in his hands.

Sometimes you just need a contemporary romance to cleanse the palate. A story that you know how it's going to end and can generally pick most of the twists that will come up. A lot of people condemn predictability, but sometimes that's exactly what you need. I was taken in by the cover of this story when I first came across it, and the synopsis piqued my interest as well because the back drop of it falls inside a video game company, and I am an avid gamer. Even though it wasn't so much the forefront of the story, I still loved that this was based where it was and I feel like it added a little bit of a difference to a story that could have sounded like so many others.

This story is a definite sunshine personality clashing with the raging storm cloud, and I actually really loved it. I haven't read many books with this at the heart of a relationship and I really enjoyed how different Ally and Marcus were to each other. Ally is this bright, fresh, happy and bubbly personality, while Marcus is this alternative, grouchy, strange genius. At least, that's how I read them to be. So having these two personalities falling for each other was just super cute and I absolutely loved it! I really enjoyed how the characters were written. They all had their own distinct personalities and individual voices which is great. I found Ally to be such a likeable main character and she's someone I could really get behind, I also found I wanted to protect her because she's this marshmallow who likes to see the good in everyone. I absolutely LOVED Marcus' character, I think I saw a lot of myself and my peers in him. He just wanted to do what he had always dreamed about, what he was passionate about, and people who cared only for money were trying to take that away from him, so even though he comes across quite abrasive in the beginning, I couldn't help but really root for him when it came down to it.

The story line itself was intriguing and I found that while I could predict what big things were going to happen, the little plot drivers I couldn't. The need to know what was going to happen to certain characters kept me reading, and the story was engaging yet easy to read. I feel like this gave us a bit of a look into what can happen in a corporate world, and I believe that Greene wrote some of this from experience (If I read correctly in the end notes) so I thought that was pretty cool and really lent a feeling of believability to what was happening.

I loved the tension as we could see Ally and Marcus begin to notice each other more, and their interactions before the fireworks were uber cute and had me smiling to no end. Something about that sunshine personality falling for the dark, gloomy genius just does it for me I guess! I loved that Ally could read Marcus' body language and actually see things that others couldn't, it was a refreshing change from a lot of contemporary romances where the female seems to be utterly clueless as to how the love interest feels about her. Don't get me wrong, I get it, we all don't want to get our hopes up incase they're dashed against the rocks below and we're left bleeding and hurting, but sometimes, it's obvious.

All in all, this was a great contemporary romance, I haven't read the others in the series but I would be inclined to go back and check them out as we meet some of those characters in this one. I also feel like the extra scene at the end didn't have the desired effect on me because I didn't know the history of the characters Marcus was interacting with so the gravity of the situation was lost on me. It was still a nice little addition and I'm sure long time fans of the series would have really enjoyed it.

[Basia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

**Ill put my rating in the beginning, so you can skip my rambling if wanted. Overall I definitely recommend this book. When it comes out in paperback, I will definitely be getting it. This book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the other books in the series. It does have spice, only two small scenes, so just a heads up. This book is good for people who like enemies to lovers and the office lovers trope. I give it 4 stars because there are some very repetitive words and lengthy parts of the book, but overall still great. I read this book without knowing what to expect from this author, and I cant say I'm disappointed.
First, I love Marcus's and Ally's relationship. It's enemies to lovers trope, my favorite. Ally is an employee at Jet, and Marcus is the Cofounder. Both MC's are likeable. I enjoy how Ally has a nerdy personality, but is not portrayed as the cliche quite, quirky, "being a nerd is my whole personity" type. In the beginning, Ally's view of Marcus is negativly tainted by other people's words (mainly her uncle's words). While Marcus believes Ally is the enemy because of her involvement eith her uncle, Dave. . Later, they team up to save the company from Dave. She helps Marcus go up against her own uncle, knowing she's betraying the one person in her family who really gets her career choice. Along the way, they start to form a bond of friendship and loyalty. Things happen (dont want to spoil), and boom they start seeing each other unofficially. Their cute private moments are everything! Marcus is such a softy behind his mean facade, and Ally is a total girl boss.
Second, I love the cover. Cartoon covers are so much better than real people on covers, in my opinion. I didnt really understand it at first, but as the book got to a specific scene I became very clear.
Third, the story in the beginning was a very slow burn. It was hard to read at times, but I got hooked after the first few chapters. I also liked the inclusion of chapters in Marcus's POV. I wish I had more of his POV.

[TimetoFangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Clearly, the wasp could relax as he wished; the picnickers could not."

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating = 3.25

I was not expecting to like this nearly as much as I did. When I saw it pop up on my NetGalley and happened to be in the mood for a romance I though, "screw it," and hit "Request" with pretty low expectations. I mean, look at that cover... it's terrible. I don't know who thought that image was the right one for this story -"Side Effects" deserves better.

Before jumping in, let me say that I've never read anything by L.J. Greene before and didn't realize that our main man Marcus was a character she'd introduced previously. Not having this context meant I didn't get a ton out of the Epilogue or the bonus chapter, though the authors long time fans likely will.

Both of the MCs were likable, though my personality aligns way more closely with Marcus than Ally. The enemies-to-lovers was believably done and I enjoyed how Ally was a nerd without being a stock "quirky girl" character. I also really like how much time the author invested into the challenges of developing a growing business, create a masterpiece game, and dealing with investors. A lot of workplace romances I've read use the setting as just a backdrop for office sex, as opposed to actually developing a plot line around it.

Now don't get me wrong, this novel does have its problems. There are info dumps early on, the lack of regular dialogue tags made it hard to know who was talking sometimes, the word "lover" is used FAR too much, and the "romantic moments" could be a little cheesy for my taste. I also wish there was more from Marcus' POV, but that's just because he's a salty little genius and the best part of this book.

Still, definitely worth a read if you're looking for some well done enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance.

[Daisy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

All reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

This is my first book by the author but although it’s part of a series, it does just fine as a standalone. I didn’t feel like I was missing any information needed for this story. Ally is immediately likeable, a very real character. She makes an honest comment in a big meeting, drawing the ire of a company founder and he reacts so strongly, she expects to lose her job at any moment. Things get even worse when he requires her help with a special project and they’re forced to work together closely.

Their story is a slow burn and there’s so much tension in the office already, the sexual tension is almost too much by the time it’s in full swing. But it’s actually just the right amount because Marcus and Ally’s story is fantastic. There’s suspense on multiple fronts due to the complex situation with the company and also because of their professional relationship. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in less than a day because it’s that good, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

I really enjoyed these characters and the way they complement one another so well. This was suspenseful but still fun, with plenty of sweet and steamy moments. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ally Michels has got a job at a start-up video game developer called Jet Stream Studios which is set to shake-up the industry when its new game is launched. The company was founded by two young entrepreneurs who are as different as night and day. Julian Dannen is blonde and charming, the CEO and frontman, Marcus Abby is more like a wasp at a picnic, although his is the creative mind behind the game. Ally got the job through her uncle Dave, a Venture Capitalist who owns a stake in the business. Eager to prove her worth, Ally pipes up in a huge meeting and earns Marcus' wrath. Unbeknownst to Ally she has acted as a catalyst for a coup for control of the company, her uncle introducing her to the man who will be parachuted in over Marcus' head.

Ally might not know everything that's going on, why is Marcus pretending the game is far less advanced that she knows it is? But she knows that the game is 100% Marcus' baby and no-one works harder than him and his team.

But does Ally really know Marcus, or is he using her just as much as her uncle is?

I really enjoyed this, I had no idea it was part of a series until the bonus chapter which refers to unfinished business between Marcus and Dan so it can definitely be read as a standalone, but I have already bought the first book in the series (featuring Dan).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

“Side Effects” by L.J. Greene is Book 4 in the ‘Ripple Effects’ series and centers on Ally Michaels, who’s in an impossible position when she’s caught between her attractive but arrogant boss, Marcus Abby, and the machinations of the uncle who’s gotten her the position in the company.

This contemporary romance is part of a series, but can be appreciated just fine as a stand-alone story. The main characters are deftly portrayed, and I was drawn into the story and and tension immediately. I love that Ally is such a strong and principled character and I was invested in her struggle to do the right thing. Marcus was like an onion, and as his layers were peeled away to show his motivations and character, he became more and more attractive beyond his surface allure, hostility, and prickliness. The glimpse of the challenges of developing a new video game and the conflict between idealism and financial considerations provided wonderful facets for the story.

I wished for a little more depth to some of the secondary characters, and I wanted a certain jerk to get his comeuppance, but I understand that some sacrifices had to be made to keep the action flowing. I was very entertained by this story and now want to look for the previous books in the series, and I will be on the lookout for more works by this author.


A copy of this book was provided for review

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Side Effects is the fourth book in the Ripple Effects series. For the most part, it can be read as a stand alone. I think had I read the first few books, I would have understood some of the backstory of Marcus a bit more. This is a slow burn enemies to lovers. I liked that it was a slow burn because it made their reversal of dislike more believable. I liked that Ally and Marcus became friends first. Their first kiss scene was adorable and so sweet. I really liked the romance part of the book. I'm not a business person, so I was a bit lost on the corporate takeover portion of the story. But the romance more than made up for it. My biggest issue with the book is the cover. It really doesn't fit the book. But, that is just a personal preference thing. The epilogue intrigued me enough to eventually go back and read the first three books. I do recommend this one.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nepotism meant only one thing to most people. Privilege. Not skill.”

Ally, a finance clerk, was shunned right off the bat at the up-and-coming gaming company she worked for, especially by the chief developer. His cold animosity toward her made it hard for her to show up at work, thinking any minute she would be fired.

The writing was smart and witty with a charming narrative. It takes a while for the story to get going. Mostly you hear Ally’s depressing whine about how she’s being treated. Then we shift direction and get the POV of her boss. It can be rather long and slow. The ultimate point was: she can either give up or prove to everyone that she belonged there.

The story immerses the reader in the cruel and calculating spectrum of the gaming industry. It’s a relatively easy read, rich in detail, and full of drama, tension…and side effects.

A fairly nice read.

[JeanneK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Side Effects by L. J. Greene is the first book I’ve read by this author and is Book 4 in the Ripple Effects series. I found it to be an intense, dark, novel involving characters who go from enemies to lovers. When I saw the cover, I was expecting it to be a sci-fi or fantasy novel and to my surprise, it wasn’t. For me, it was a little hard to read at times. Without writing a synopsis and giving away any spoilers, the author did a good job in creating and crafting the characters. Some were likable, others not so much, but they were well developed and fit perfectly with the storyline. I received an ecopy of this book from the author through Goodreads and these opinions are my own. I rated it a four.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new one for me - an enemies to lovers office romance, but with a twist. This was more about the interactions, the office politics, and a little steamy romance thrown in. At first, I felt so bad for Ally - she's having a rough day when we meet her, and I couldn't stand Marcus. He's the typical arrogant, aloof boss, and Ally just wants to prove she deserves the job she has, and wasn't just handed it because of who her uncle is. I enjoyed the twists along the way through the book, and I don't think I'll be forgetting Ally anytime soon. She's an amazing heroine, strong, smart, and not afraid to do what's right. Although it was interesting getting to know Marcus, I'm not sure if I'd want to see more of him.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a series, but it can definitely stand on its own. I’ve not read anything else by the author, but I had no trouble at all following this book.

The characters are strong and well-drawn. I have to admit, in the beginning of the book I really did not like Marcus at all. But, once I hit the chapters in his POV, my attitude really changed. There as a lot more to Marcus than meets the eye. And, while it is a romance, there is so much more to it. There is suspense. There is intrigue.

I really enjoyed the way the author put the story together and the way she clearly showed the characters’ emotion. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Ms. Greene.

[Sandra Berryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any other books by this author so I didn't know what to expect. Overall the story was interesting and the characters likeable. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes contemporary romance. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg !

This book brings you through so many twists and turns! The dynamic between the two main characters is amazing. I loved the ending and how each main character seemed to find exactly what they need. Getting a little insight on Marcus’s POV was amazing!

[Michelle Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I love enemies to lovers romance and it did not disappoint. I also loved that it was an office romance. I loved reading how their relationship grew throughout the book. She has a really good writing style. I am happy to have won this book through Goodreads giveaways.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

went into this, not realising that I have actually read an earlier book in the series. In all honesty, it didn't matter if you have or haven't read the other books. There are characters that are mentioned and our hero, Marcus, has appeared in a previous book, but you don't lose any understanding or enjoyment by not having read them.
Side Effects is an enemies to lovers romance, something that I'm a bit of a fan of. Ally is trying to prove herself in her new job, she has got the job through her Uncle, who is a big investor in the firm, but she knows that she has the skills in her own right. Unfortunately, one of the owners, Marcus, can't stand her. He's not the easiest man to get along with, but he really doesn't seem to like Ally. As they work together though, he begins to appreciate her skills. The more time that they spend together, the more that they like one another and understand where they are coming from.
In many ways, the romance in this book is almost secondary. I say almost because this is certainly a romance and the story of Ally and Marcus's romance. For much of the book though, we are learning about the company that they work for and how they are handling what is happening. The romance evolves out of this and I think that it is this that makes it such a good read.
This was a great romance and one that I really enjoyed.

[anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

received from Xpresso Book Tours


I adore this book. <3

Ally just finished her MBA and got a job at Jet Stream Studios. Her uncle who was the biggest supporter in her college got her the job. She doesn't feel like it is nepotism, cause she is very good at what she does, but still wants to prove herself. Her uncle warns her about Marcus.

Marcus is one of two bosses, the one that doesn't particularly like anyone, that is not directly on his team, especially her. He appears antisocial and doesn't back down from anything. He goes for what he wants and thinks Ally is set there as the spy.

He is proven right, when her uncle asks her to report if she sees something, however when things don't add up to Ally she goes to Marcus instead of her uncle. And the more time they spend together going over numbers, she sees different sides to him and starts to like him. :)

I love them both: how open Ally is and how her openness slowly crumbles Marcus's defenses and how true to himself he is, he stands for his values and his company no matter what.

It's a slow build, enemies, to loves romance, and it's soooo good. :)