The Dixon Rule

Diana Dixon might be my favourite Elle Kennedy character to date. She knows what she wants, and she’s going to do what she can to get it. Except, her strong personality means that she can’t admit when things start to take a turn for the worst…

Shane is assumed to be the f***boy hockey player but this slow burn shows a softening in both characters! The character development, the romance, the spice 🤌🏼 well done Elle, well done

TW; domestic abuse, death and grief
Although it contains some heavy topics, they’re written and concluded sensitively and add another element to the story

And of course, we have some cameos from the off-campus original characters, even set so many years in the future, we’re still getting our Graham and Di Laurentis fix 😍

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC!

Review will be published to my Instagram - @thecallofthebookworms on May 1st!

Gah!! This is a shout from the rooftops kind of book! Loaded with banter and chemistry and heartfelt emotion, The Dixon Rule just knocked my freaking socks off. I swear I don't think I have loved a sports romance series like how I just adore Elle Kennedy’s hockey series. Each book is filled with amazing banter, camaraderie, bromances and sisterhood. The Dixon Rule had exactly that and more. Diana and Shane were sexy, addicting and just plain-old-fun!! I loved their banter and how hilarious some of the scenes were.

There is no denying that this is a sexy book, but at the same time, it was spending a lot of time being awfully adorable and in doing so it completely won me over. I loved the connection between Diana and Shane. I loved their spitfire banter, fiery attraction and how they realized they had more in common than they originally thought. They definitely were not expecting each other and I loved seeing them fall head over heels. And I loved and adored the underlying fairytale of it all. There was some unexpected angst that was almost as emotionally rewarding as the romance. There were some decidedly heart-tugging moments and littered with these romantic scenes that sometimes took my breath away, which added depth and emotion and rounded out the perfect package that was this book.

With this book, Elle Kennedy delivered all of my favorite things about romance. It was funny and adorable, but smoldering with heat in every exchange. It was perfectly balanced and I had so much fun reading it! Honestly, this series is the gift that keeps on giving and I will throw myself at every single new release as long as Elle keeps writing them.

I am pretty feral for the Briar hockey books, and the Campus Diaries series has not disappointed. I feel the same sense of excitement when a new book drops as I did at the start of a new year at uni - the anticipation of catching up with old friends and making new ones; the promise of hi-jinks and fun times. The Dixon Rule actually breaks the mould a little, in that the first part of the story takes place during the summer break. Shane is moving in to the unit next door to Diana (to her horror), Diana's got too many jobs and a dance competition to prep for, Will's got a summer job, Gigi and Ryder are busy with wedding preparations and Beck is off visiting family Down Under. This mixes things up in a great way: we get to see the gang interact outside the hockey/academia treadmill of term time - there's actually relatively little hockey and school in this particular story - and we also get to learn a lot more about characters like Will, who played a supporting role in TGE, but features much more in this. I found the switch-up refreshing and fun; the hilarity of the HOA at Meadow Hill, Shane and Diana's razor-sharp banter and growing attraction, their obsession with Fling or Forever, the exploration of Will's insecurities with regards to his sex life, and the cameos at the Hockey Kings game were all fantastic. For some reason, the dance competition plotline in combination with the two leads' respective family sagas reminded me of Strictly Ballroom, which is definitely a good thing since that's a fave film of mine.

While I did miss the Briar hockey team banter a little, we're rewarded with snippets of locker room talk and group messages scattered throughout. The idea that Shane's work over the summer had really paid off on the ice, to the extent that Jensen was taking his skill-level-up into account when reshuffling the lines after the loss of the previous year's seniors, was cool - we've been used to the team being the Ryder (and Colson) Show, so this was a neat way to give Shane more prominence and give us something a bit different without it feeling contrived. As usual, Coach Jensen is a total delight in every scene he's in, and I loved his growing respect for Shane and the support he showed when things got tough.

Diana is the best. I loved her feistyness and the fact she refused to apologise for being herself. Her storyline in this is shocking, and I really appreciated the exploration of how, sometimes, the hardest thing to recover after an assault is a sense of peace in one's own skin. Her fear of losing her identity as 'the strong one' was heartbreaking and relateable, and I loved that she and Shane complemented one another so well, in all their weirdness and small-town-loving, big-hearted, smart-mouthed, sexy glory.

I feel like the spice level in this book stepped up a notch from TGE, and I am 100% here for it! But, as always with Elle Kennedy's books, the main part of the enjoyment - at least for me - is the killer banter. Seriously, I struggle think of another author - particularly of college-set romantic comedies - who so consistently nails the tone and content of uni-age students. The dialogue is always fresh and sparky and also just the right side of whimsical/weird, and perfectly adds to the characterisation. It makes everything more immersive, and I think is a big factor in how these characters totally feel like friends I could hang with.

In fact, that's what I just did, and I enjoyed every moment. The next installment can't come quickly enough!

(links to reviews on other sites to be added when 2-week embargo lifts)

The Dixon Rule

4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️

I was surprised that the book was about Dianna Dixon as I thought it was the next generation (kids of the OG)
But I enjoyed the book immensely. I enjoyed the ‘enemies to lovers’ banter with the then added fake relationship.
I enjoyed Diana personality, strong with a hint of vulnerability. Shane was deeper than what was first shown. The spice *chefs kiss*.
I really enjoyed the story around the MC too which progressed the story.

Thank you for sending me this copy of The Dixon Rule. Shane and Diana's story was so good, I could not stop reading. I love Elle's stories at Briar U and can't wait for more.

My third Elle Kennedy book, and another standout hit. I love this authors style, the way she creates characters that you quickly forget are just fictional characters as you get sucked into the story.. GREAT banter and spice between Diana and Shane (not a fan of either name though for some reason, I think they just felt a bit old fashioned to me, but that’s a very minor personal quibble!) Another brilliant read from Elle as far as I’m concerned. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

I didn't realise this was book 2 in a series, but it doesn't matter, it can be read as a stand alone no problem.
I honestly can't rave about this, its just another book in the hockey romance genre. Typical enemies to lovers, fake dating tropes but the author did manage to flesh out a decent plot around the spice, with some mild humour & drama.
Entertaining, easy read but maybe I've just read too many of the same type of book - I think they all start to blend into the same homogenous characters & stories.

🌟 5/5
🌶️ 4/5
Genre: new adult romance
POV: dual

Tropes:
✨ frenemies to lovers
✨ neighbours/forced proximity
✨ fake dating
✨ summer fling
✨ hockey player x cheerleader
✨ dom x sub (soft play)
✨ chapter titles

Check the trigger warnings before reading.

Diana Dixon, cheer captain, has a new neighbour, Shane Lindley, hockey player and her arch nemesis (he’s a fuck boy who messes with her cheerleaders).

They hash out a deal to fake date to make his ex jealous and keep her persistent ex at bay. But as they spend time together, watching fling or forever (a reality dating show) and practicing for a dance competition he offers to help her with, the lines blur.

The bickering and tension in this was *chefs kiss* 🤌🏼 some super spicy scenes too.

Their communication evolving as their relationship and friendship developed was great to read. It was so refreshing to read a mmc who knows how to handle his own emotions in order to support his woman.

The last 25% of this book absolutely ripped me to shreds, I wasn’t expecting such drastic things and it had me sobbing. Literal sobs.

Elle Kennedy delivered (again) with this one. I know most people were wanting another second gen book, but you get glimpses of first and second gen characters. Elle is definitely setting some things up in these books 🤭

You’d be a fool to miss out on Shane and Diana’s story. It’s hot and steamy, emotional and heart wrenching all rolled into one beautiful love story.

Elle Kennedy, the reigning queen of hockey romance, has returned with a bang in "The Dixon Rule"!

I had the pleasure of diving into this book as an ARC courtesy of NetGalley, and let me tell you, it completely swept me off my feet. Even in the midst of Sarah J. Maas's captivating "Heir of Fire," only Elle Kennedy could tempt me to stray! Typically a one-book kind of woman, I found myself utterly engrossed in Kennedy's latest world.

While some readers may have hoped for more focus on the second generation of characters, "The Dixon Rule" stays true to Kennedy's signature style, delivering a story that hits all the right spots. The glimpses we get of the original boys from the previous series only added to my enjoyment.

It's hard to articulate just how much this book affected me. I laughed uncontrollably through many parts and found myself in tears during others—Kennedy has a rare talent for evoking such intense emotions.

I'm already eagerly anticipating the next books in the series. There are so many characters I'm itching to see get their own stories that I honestly won't mind who comes next!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I was a bit dubious about this one as not 2nd gen as I was expecting but still totally enjoyed it. Diana and Shane was a story I didn’t know I needed! Their relationship was absolute fire and soooo spicy! Definitely a thumbs up from me. 4stars

Thank you for the ARC of this book. I absolutely loved it!
I have been reading Elle Kennedy for many years and I have always enjoyed them. We are now, with these books onto the children of the original characters and it is amazing to see how they have grown.
Diana Dixon is a fabulous character, she is strong, determined and knows what she wants. Then she meets Shane and her ex boyfriend turns weird and her whole world turns on her head.
This is my favourite book since Dean's. Definitely recommend.

Kennedy’ books are a forever favourite. The chemistry and connection between Diana and Shane is electric and, as usual with Elle Kennedy, the romance lit up the whole novel and I was so invested in their story from the get go. It was undoubtedly a full 10/10 read.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this arc I cannot believe I am writing this review.

It’s a secret to no one that I adore my fellow Elle, Elle Kennedy. This book was just everything I could’ve wanted. I think as we sway away slightly from the characters we’ve invested all our time in at briar rooting for new characters like Diana and Shane was FRESH. This felt like a new era for Elle. The communication that evolved within their relationship alongside the progression of the plot was CHEFS KISS. As someone who’s read most of Elles work this just displays her development as a writer. This is up there with Jake and Brennas book. I said what I said coxo

Thank you for this masterpiece!!

Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, this one fell short for me. I found myself skimming through many parts, which hindered my engagement. Nevertheless, I believe many readers would relish this book simply for the opportunity to revisit the world crafted by Elle Kennedy.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What a great read this was! pure serotonin booster. I loved it so much. In true Elle fashion she delivers on banter and spice but I loved the serious side of the book too. Great read! Shane and Diana were great together!Can't wait for more !!

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

There are some sensitive and potentially triggering topics covered in this book so please check trigger warnings if you are a sensitive reader.

Oh my days! Elle Kennedy is back and here to freaking stay. This book was my favourite Kennedy book yet!!

I loved both characters intensely. I loved their dynamic and frenemy banter with each other. The fake dating element was well written and I could not get enough of these two.

Honestly I was ready to give this book a solid 4 stars but then blow me down that last 15% literally floored me. I sobbed and laughed and felt all the emotions in between.

Don’t sleep on this one!

*ARC review thanks to Netgalley and the publisher*

Diana is less than thrilled when Shane, cocky hockey player for her university, moves into the apartment next to hers. She knows him well - they have friends in common, but most importantly he is a player who’s broken a few hearts in her cheerleading team. She dislikes him, and he likes nothing more than to rile her up. Bur quickly, they start fake-dating to keep face versus his ex that he is still hung up on, and keep hers at bay because he can’t seem to leave her alone. And as they spend more time together, Diana realises Shane isn’t the fuckboy she thought he was.

This was a good book, with many things I enjoyed. The characters are funny and the shit-talking between them is hilarious, and the development of their relationship takes time and is pretty realistic. What did bother me a little bit is that the structure of the story was extremely similar to the first book - the personal circumstances of the characters were different but it had the same evolution from strong dislike based on wrong first impressions to a friend with benefit arrangement to a real relationship. It was still fun, but slightly less than The Graham Effect. I would rate the book 3.5 stars, but rounding up to 4 because I did enjoy it and had a nice time reading.

Thank you Little brown book group for the eARC of The Dixon Rule Via netgalley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Elle Kennedy really knows how to write a great hockey romance! I don't know why but I struggled getting into the first few chapters but I'm so glad I stuck around because I haven't laughed or cried that much reading a book in a long time.

Diana and Shane were just made to be together even though she really didn't like him and he just loved to annoy her but their banter and chemistry was wholesome 💕 I really couldn't get enough of this book.

The book definitely covers some hard topics so check Trigger Warnings

(My Instagram & Tiktok review will be post a week before the book is released)

Let me just start by saying that I adore Elle Kennedy and her hockey books. She knows how to nail it EVERY SINGLE TIME!

This book follow Diana and Shane after Shane moved into the apartment next door to Diana. It’s a fake dating novel and I have to admit that this was so good. It was emotional and I loved the inclusion of real, raw, heavy topics that were handled with such grace. I love books that are able to handle heavier topics in such a relatable way but also make it fun without taking you out of the world you’re in.

This was such a good read. Highly recommend and a huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I’m obsessed with Elle Kennedy and will forever want to grab her books as soon as I can!

No one writes hockey romances the way Elle Kennedy does!

This was not as good as the first one in my opinion but I really did enjoy it. Even balled my eyes out at one point.

The smut is always on point with this author and the progression of their relationship was effortless.

I did find it odd that these two characters are in no way related to the Off-campus parents but it did not bug me too much.

Search for trigger warnings as there are some dark topics such as domestic assault and death.