Elle Kennedy

The next spicy read in the Campus Diaries series by New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy. -- Keywords: fake dating, opposites attract, hockey romance, hockey player hero, cheerleader, off campus spinoff

The Dixon Rule

Kaila Nesbitt

“I love you. I'm not giving you up. Ever.”

this installation in the series was quite hefty with plot, as both shane and diana go through external arcs that challenge their identities. their relationship itself is relatively easy, tho (thankfully — mercifully — and it works well this way!), despite a rocky beginning. once diana realizes she was operating off of misconceptions about shane, she’s much more amenable to him, and their fighting becomes more along the lines of teasing. (especially loved the hoa group chat!)

i liked this one more than the graham effect, which i did not finish DESPITE hannah and garrett’s book being my fav from the off campus series, just bc i did not feel like gigi and ryder actually had any interesting chemistry 😭 i mean ryder barely talks LMAO. here, diana and shane had me actually laughing where gigi and ryder did not. diana and shane are fun, and i thought the external conflicts + how the pair navigated those gave me lots of tropes i love in romance novels. i WILL say, [SPOILER] i was slightly concerned we were gonna go down dean’s plot line near the end, [/SPOILER] + i didn’t think diana and shane had to face SUCH severe hardships, but alas, i still had a good time regardless!!

i listened to this on audiobook and reaaaaaaaally loved the narrators for both diana and shane, tho i thought the narrator for diana was especially good w lots of character!!

lucia

this installation in the series was quite hefty with plot, as both shane and diana go through external arcs that challenge their identities. their relationship itself is relatively easy, tho (thankfully — mercifully — and it works well this way!), despite a rocky beginning. once diana realizes she was operating off of misconceptions about shane, she’s much more amenable to him, and their fighting becomes more along the lines of teasing. (especially loved the hoa group chat!)

i liked this one more than the graham effect, which i did not finish DESPITE hannah and garrett’s book being my fav from the off campus series, just bc i did not feel like gigi and ryder actually had any interesting chemistry 😭 i mean ryder barely talks LMAO. here, diana and shane had me actually laughing where gigi and ryder did not. diana and shane are fun, and i thought the external conflicts + how the pair navigated those gave me lots of tropes i love in romance novels. i WILL say, [SPOILER] i was slightly concerned we were gonna go down dean’s plot line near the end, [/SPOILER] + i didn’t think diana and shane had to face SUCH severe hardships, but alas, i still had a good time regardless!!

i listened to this on audiobook and reaaaaaaaally loved the narrators for both diana and shane, tho i thought the narrator for diana was especially good w lots of character!!

I loved so much the characters, their drive, their personality, both of their individual and couple arc. That's why I didn't drop the rating to 4 because as much as Elle Kennedy nails a great character I believed this got a bit too much in the sense that the culmination of a lot of plot points happened towards the end of this story, which in the scheme of plot and planning and pace of the problems  presented was understandable but for me as a reader it became too much. Again, I'll say i understand why everything happened towards the end because if it happened too soon in the story the pacing would be off and honestly taking out any of the plot points would result in affecting the arcs of Shane or Diana so I get it.

I do believe the book should come with a trigger warning about domestic violence somewhere because I think they way it develops it really should have and probably it would have been a nice touch to have resources too after the acknowledgements (at least in the digital format it didn't contain anything regards towards this topic which i believe it should be included)

4.5 actually

I loved so much the characters, their drive, their personality, both of their individual and couple arc. That's why I didn't drop the rating to 4 because as much as Elle Kennedy nails a great character I believed this got a bit too much in the sense that the culmination of a lot of plot points happened towards the end of this story, which in the scheme of plot and planning and pace of the problems  presented was understandable but for me as a reader it became too much. Again, I'll say i understand why everything happened towards the end because if it happened too soon in the story the pacing would be off and honestly taking out any of the plot points would result in affecting the arcs of Shane or Diana so I get it.

I do believe the book should come with a trigger warning about domestic violence somewhere because I think they way it develops it really should have and probably it would have been a nice touch to have resources too after the acknowledgements (at least in the digital format it didn't contain anything regards towards this topic which i believe it should be included)

O my god, this was so much fun. Made me laugh, made me cry. I loved it so much. Shane and Diana caught me from the beginning and wouldn't let me go. Read it in one sitting and haven't slept all night.

Joan 

Elle Kennedy’s books just never disappoint. This being in the same world as the Off-Campus series has been amazing, but Elle has done a really good job of trying to make them different in the layout and style the books/series have been written. That’s why I will never be disappointed when reading any of her books. I will say I didn’t love the audio of this book, specifically the FMC narrator. I just didn’t like the portrayal of Diana’s character. But I know how this is written after physically reading The Graham Effect and I know if I would have just read it I would have probably lived it even more. But I did love the characters and everything they went through. I think they captured two very different but very real situations and I really like how they weren’t used to impact their relationship. I just overall think this was a fun book and will be interested after the little teasers in this book about the second generation series and if it could be coming. 

Priscilla Stanfield

4.5/5⭐️ • 3/5🌶️

Elle Kennedy’s books just never disappoint. This being in the same world as the Off-Campus series has been amazing, but Elle has done a really good job of trying to make them different in the layout and style the books/series have been written. That’s why I will never be disappointed when reading any of her books. I will say I didn’t love the audio of this book, specifically the FMC narrator. I just didn’t like the portrayal of Diana’s character. But I know how this is written after physically reading The Graham Effect and I know if I would have just read it I would have probably lived it even more. But I did love the characters and everything they went through. I think they captured two very different but very real situations and I really like how they weren’t used to impact their relationship. I just overall think this was a fun book and will be interested after the little teasers in this book about the second generation series and if it could be coming. 

Make sure you check the trigger warnings on this one! 

Brittany Peterson

4.5 stars from me!! 

Make sure you check the trigger warnings on this one! 

Fun story but it felt like it was already finished and then they added a couple chapters just for drama, which did not develop the relationship between Diana and Shane any further.

Gemma 

I think this is my favourite of all the Elle Kennedy hockey romances. The spice was PHENOMENAL, and the story and characters were witty and hilarious. The story also become very well-rounded and heartwarming but also heartbreaking near the end. 100% recommend!

Alyssa deRaad

✨If someone wants to be in a relationship with you, they will. They won’t string you along. They won’t hit you up in the middle of the night for sex. They won’t feed you endless excuses about how they’re “not cut out for relationships” or how “you deserve so much better.” They would be with you, plain and simple.

✨BECKETT: Never. Ryder, you down? RYDER: Me personally? Fuck no. But lemme ask the wife. If she wants to go, I’ll go. 

BECKETT: That woman owns you now. You realize that, right, mate? 

✨“But there’s nothing I respect more than a man who values his woman.”

✨“Anyway, that’s what I’ve learned after two decades of marriage. Value your woman. Respect her. Show interest in her interests. And hopefully she does the same for you.”

✨my dads voice trembles with emotion. “I want you to remember that no matter where I am, I’ll always be with you. Watching out for you.”

✨“Never saw it coming, Dixon. But you’re everything to me. I don’t know when it happened, but it’s true. You’re the heartbeat of my days. You’re the reason I look forward to tomorrow. I honestly never thought I’d find someone who understands me so completely.”

✨“I would make those sacrifices for you. Because you’re everything to me too.”

✨Christ, I love this woman with all my heart. Being with Diana is like discovering a piece of myself that I never knew was missing.

Mariaaa

         Diana Dixon🤝Shane Lindley

✨If someone wants to be in a relationship with you, they will. They won’t string you along. They won’t hit you up in the middle of the night for sex. They won’t feed you endless excuses about how they’re “not cut out for relationships” or how “you deserve so much better.” They would be with you, plain and simple.

✨BECKETT: Never. Ryder, you down? RYDER: Me personally? Fuck no. But lemme ask the wife. If she wants to go, I’ll go. 

BECKETT: Wow.

RYDER: Wow what? 

BECKETT: That woman owns you now. You realize that, right, mate? 

RYDER: Yes and?

✨“But there’s nothing I respect more than a man who values his woman.”

✨“Anyway, that’s what I’ve learned after two decades of marriage. Value your woman. Respect her. Show interest in her interests. And hopefully she does the same for you.”

✨my dads voice trembles with emotion. “I want you to remember that no matter where I am, I’ll always be with you. Watching out for you.”

✨“Never saw it coming, Dixon. But you’re everything to me. I don’t know when it happened, but it’s true. You’re the heartbeat of my days. You’re the reason I look forward to tomorrow. I honestly never thought I’d find someone who understands me so completely.”

✨“I would make those sacrifices for you. Because you’re everything to me too.”

✨Christ, I love this woman with all my heart. Being with Diana is like discovering a piece of myself that I never knew was missing.



Jaclyn

This was cute, sexy and made me cry which gets bonus points for that. Elle Kennedy doesn’t miss.

Kass

Moonchild

Thank you to Netgalley the Publisher, of Dreamscape Select, and the author Elle Kennedy for providing and allowing me to review this book. Which, I'm giving my honest and sincere review.

As a devoted fan of Elle Kennedy's steamy, slow-burn romances, I eagerly dove into "The Dixon Rule," the second installment in the Campus Diaries series. Set in the familiar world of Off Campus and Briar U, this book did not disappoint. Kennedy has a knack for blending humor, heat, and heartfelt moments, and "The Dixon Rule" is a prime example of her skill.
**Summary of the Book:**
"The Dixon Rule" centers around Diana Dixon, a determined and busy young woman with a summer filled to the brim. Between preparing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and trying to shake off an ex-boyfriend who doesn't get that it's over, Diana has her hands full. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Shane Lindley, a tall, handsome hockey player with a reputation for bedding cheerleaders, moves into her apartment building.
Despite Shane's initial attempt to sleep his way through Diana's cheerleading squad, he's actually weary of meaningless hookups. After a painful breakup with his long-term girlfriend, Shane yearns for a real relationship. When his ex reappears, Shane impulsively tells her he has a new girlfriend – and names Diana as his faux partner.
Initially, Diana is wary and sets strict boundaries: no parties, no hitting on her teammates, and most importantly, no messing with her. However, as they navigate their fake relationship to deal with their respective exes, Diana and Shane can't ignore the sizzling chemistry between them. What starts as a strategic move to fend off their exes gradually turns into something hot, real, and undeniable.
**My Experience:**
Reading "The Dixon Rule" was a delight. Kennedy's writing style is as engaging and witty as ever, and the banter between Diana and Shane kept me grinning from ear to ear. The slow burn of their relationship felt authentic and deeply satisfying. Kennedy masterfully balances humor and steamy romance, making the progression from fake to real relationship believable and incredibly entertaining.
Diana is a strong, relatable heroine with a lot on her plate, and her no-nonsense attitude towards Shane is both refreshing and amusing. Shane, on the other hand, is more than just a pretty face. His desire for a genuine connection and his respect for Diana's boundaries make him a compelling and lovable character.
The ballroom dance subplot added an interesting and fun element to the story, showcasing Diana's dedication and passion. It also provided a unique backdrop for the unfolding romance, making the story stand out in the crowded field of contemporary romances.
Kennedy also does a fantastic job of developing the secondary characters, adding depth to the story and setting up potential future books in the series. The chemistry among the group of friends and teammates felt authentic and added to the overall charm of the book.
**Conclusion:**
"The Dixon Rule" is a must-read for fans of Elle Kennedy and anyone who loves a well-crafted romance with plenty of heat, humor, and heart. It's a delightful blend of steamy romance, witty banter, and genuine emotional connection. Kennedy continues to prove why she's a favorite in the romance genre. If you enjoyed the Off Campus and Briar U series, "The Dixon Rule" is a perfect addition to your reading list.

The Dixon Rule

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