Ripple Effect

By: J. Bengtsson

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Stella Hunter

A Seismic Attraction Enemies to lovers tale with an earth-shaking twist.

International pop star RJ Contreras finds himself at a crossroads when his mega famous boy band, AnyDayNow, breaks up. After his solo career fails to take off, RJ retreats to a no-frills apartment where he can hide out from the world and lick his festering wounds. But when Dani, the girl next door, starts slipping 'good neighbor' contracts under his door and complaining about his behavior through strategically placed Post-it-Notes, RJ snaps out of his self-absorbed melancholy to wage war. In the middle of one of their epic battles, Mother Nature takes her swing and plunges both RJ and Dani into the rubble of a 7.1 earthquake. With their lives hanging in the balance, these former enemies must join forces to survive inside an apartment building only standing on its last few legs. But nothing is certain in an upside-down world where the sacrifices are gut-wrenching and where even the power of first love might not be enough to save them.

“Dani was the only thing in my life that made my pulse racethe way it had when I was on stage. I needed her anger like I needed my life back.”– RJ Contreras

©2021 J. Bengtsson (P)2021 J. Bengtsson

Ripple Effect was Awesone

I loved this book, the Narrators were great and the story was so well done. I couldn’t put it down.

Pop Star in Hiding

Bengtsson has done it again! She has a unique ability to make you fall in love with her feisty and flawed characters. The “boys” in the band One New Day make another appearance as disaster strikes RJ. You’ll love it.

Very good

Really enjoyed book. The characters were fun and sweet. I would listen to this story again

Loved it!

I typically don’t write reviews, but this book was so good that I had to. The storyline was great, and the narration was amazing. Once I started listening I couldn’t stop. I listen to 4 to 5 books a week, and this one is in my top five favorites of 2021.

J. Bengtsson never disappoints. Perfection, again

One of the reasons I love Jill's writing is because I don't roll my eyes at stupid things the characters do, say or think. The characters are layered, witty and realistic. There isn't useless inner dialogue, ridiculous reactions to assumptions or weak women in any of her books. I have listened to the Cake series and Like the Wind repeatedly because I like the emotional roller coaster (Ferris wheel for Emma). I'm almost 50 and my teenage daughter would make fun of me for saying this, but her books have "all the feels". When I finish a J. Bengtsson book I'm sad that it is over but in awe of another beautiful story. I realize this is more of a review of this amazing author so to get back to Ripple Effect. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone of any age.

Great story but rushed ending

This story kept my attention through out. I just wish more time was given to the ending as the rest of the story got. I felt incomplete at the end. From a proposal to kids that can read with no so "many years later" in between. Felt lost and rushed. otherwise, great book. Narration was perfect! no complaints here

J Bengtsson never disappoints

This book is wonderful. I love these characters. This is a heartwarming up and down whirlwind. I couldn’t stop listening my heart so invested in their outcome.

You'll laugh and cry...so good.

J Bengtsson just never let's you down. Her stories have dramatic depth with humor threaded throughout. you just can't go wrong with her books!

What a ride!

RJ Contreras is not having a great time. When his ultra/mega/super successful boy band broke up, he thought he was going to skyrocket into a successful solo career. When his plans tank, he assumes his alter-ego (Chad Woodcock)'s persona and goes live in a dingy apartment to be away from everyone and lick his wounds and heal his ego in peace. 

When Dani, the neighbor next door, starts complaining non-stop via post it notes, he gets out of his funk and the game is on! They can't stand each other and there is nothing under the sun that will make these two get along. Well, the Universe has its own plans and when a major earthquake hits and they are both caught together, with RJ trapped under the rubble, unable to move, they need to have a truce. His survival depends on Dani's stubborn I-will-not let-you-die attitude and she will do anything to keep him alive. Being trapped together can make people see things in different way. Surviving something of this magnitude takes a toll... can they find a way to a new chance of life now together?

I went into this book blind. OH BOY was I in for a wild ride! I know J.Bengtsson takes you on emotional rides but wow, this one is some ride! I literally didn't stop until I was done listening to this story. Like I said, I went in blind and I will not deprive you of the twists and turns. Their journey made me laugh, made me gasp, made me cry. There are moments of true beauty, of two people baring their souls... It all ties beautifully together in the end and you will love that you went through it all with RJ and Dani. 

I keep thinking that she can't get as good as she got with the Cake series, and I love how she proves me wrong with every new book. Kudos to Ms. Bengtsson once more! 

MILD SPOILERS BELOW IN THE TRIGGER WARNINGS

Possible triggers: toxic family relationships, feelings of abandonment by family members. As most of the story is set during a massive earthquake and the main characters are trying to survive, be aware that are descriptions of situations in which people are severely hurt or killed.

Narration: 1000 points for Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter.   

Wow!

This author has once again taken my breath away. After reading Like The Wind, I was kind of expecting something dramatic to happen RJ and Dani but I was completely shocked by the direction this book went but I loved it. Their story is not a simple love story but it is an incredibly moving romance.