*4.25 stars*

Elle Kennedy knows how to write a college/sports romance & this one did not disappoint!

If you have read The Graham Effect, The Dixon Rule follows Gigi's BFF Diana Dixon (cheerleader) and Ryder's BFF Shane (hockey player).

And they hate each other. Or rather Dixon thinks Shane is a f*ckboy and Shane loves to annoy her.

They somehow become neighbours and start a fake relationship - both for different reasons. Throughout this process they become FWB (the spice was H-O-T!), compete in an amatuer dance competion and fall in love with a reality TV show (as an imported Brit, I loved the love island references!). And unsurprisingly these two realise that maybe they are not just FWB.

What I loved about this book, is that although it was a college sports romance, it didnt follow the usual cookie cutter story. Dixon was was a badass with weaknesses and Shane was a a bit of a rich kid and not the perfect guy at the outset, but they both come into their own at the end of the book.

There are some more serious topics covered such as domestic abuse and loss of a parent so take that into consideration.

Read this if you love:
* Enemies (mild) to lovers [more loathe to love in my opinion]
* Fake dating
* Sports romance
* Forced proximity
* Friends with benefits

I said in my review of The Graham Effect that Elle Kennedy's teasing of Will and Beck was everything... well you get more in this book and a definite hint of what is to come. Plus a pretty hot Dixon x Shane x Will scene....

Can't wait for the next book in the series. *fingers crossed* it is Will & Beck!

Big thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s the best way to avoid a clingy ex? Get a new partner. However Diana is so busy and not at all ready to jump into a new relationship. She’s working two jobs this summer while also prepping for a dance competition. Somehow she still manages to make time to screw her new neighbor off. Shane is working his way through thru the cheer squad and is now messing with her turf. That apartment complex is her safe heaven and he’s in for a rude awakening. What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane is ready to settle down and tired of his old way.

This is your typical new adult college sports romance. The head of the cheerleading squad meets the popular hockey player and magically he’s ready to settle down. They’re off to a rocky start, miscalculating each other and fighting because of it. When Shane’s ex enters the picture he tells her about his new “girlfriend” and they end up fake dating. Playing the part of girlfriend and boyfriend turns up the heat and soon enough they’re friends with benefits and by then end they’re clearly in love. We’ve seen this all before.

There are some side stories that stand out. Then prepping for the dance competition is so sweet and I love how invested Shane got. Rooting for his girl and truly caring about her success and interest. The rest of the people living in the apartment building are hilarious, their meetings are so funny! Then onto something potentially very triggering for some, Diana’s stalker ex that ends up being abusive towards her. He’s disgusting and it’s heartbreaking seeing such a sweet and lovable character like Diana dealing with him.

It is fairly spicy, the amount of it is a bit excessive but I’m certain lots of people will enjoy it especially those who love Kennedys other books.

4/4.25⭐️
Oh Elle Kennedyyy!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
I’ve enjoyed all of the books I’ve read by her so far and this was no exception. Although it wasn’t one of my absolute faves from her, I adored it and I feel like it was on a whole another level from her other books. In many ways!
It did take me a little while to get into but when I did I loved it. The banter between Shane and Diana was everything and I loved the forced proximity. Fake dating isn’t a top trope of mine but I found the way the fake dating trope turned into actual dating was done so well. I enjoyed it in this.
The other subplots although they’re quite deep (check the trigger warnings) just really added to the storyline and character development.
I really liked the other characters ( except Percival😡) and of course the character appearances from her other series. It just felt so homely how they’re all connected in some way!
The spiceee!!! Yess… I didn’t expect it but I was all here for it. It’s got to be some of my favourite she has written😆
I’ve said it before Elle Kennedy is my comfort author! I know I can read any of her books and have a good time, laugh out loud and enjoy them.
I’d always recommend her books to anyone and I will be this book too.
I cannot wait to see what the next one in the series is… I’m rooting for a Beckett or Will one 👀👀

Thank you Netgalley and Elle Kennedy for giving me the chance to ARC read this! I’m so grateful. Although it is an ARC, all of my opinions are my honest ones🤍

I think I probably preferred Shane & Diana’s book to Gigi & Ryder’s but I’m just obsessed with the whole Campus Diaries/Briar world. I liked how this one was quite light on the hockey. I know it’s a hockey romance but I enjoyed that there was more to this book than just hockey.

I adored the banter between Diana & Shane and the spice was insane! I would recommend checking the trigger warnings if needed as the last 25% of the book left me sobbing.

As usual Elle Kennedy has written an amazing instalment to the Campus Diaries series and I can’t wait to see whose book is next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC of The Dixon Rule
I loved this book! I thought the Graham Effect was good but personally this one was better.
I loved the fake dating and Diana and Shane are so cute together. This book does also explore some sensitive topics but I felt like they really added to the story.
I will say there was less hockey in this book than The Graham Effect and Elle Kennedy's other hockey romances but I really really liked this book.

Diana and Shane had me kicking my legs in the air ahhh! I was so excited to read their story after their side character appearances in The Graham Effect and I must say I enjoyed this a bit more than Gigi and Ryder’s story! They cannot stand being around each other but somehow keep on being thrown into situations where avoiding the other is impossible, and the banter that comes from this is sublime.

It was the perfect depiction of a fake-dating trope where both of them struggle with coming to terms with their feelings while simultaneously trying to fight off the narratives built for them. Diana struggles with her toxic ex and Shane is working towards moving on from his player image.

Do not be fooled because even though this was a very funny and spicy read, it will give you all the feels! Have tissues ready I’m warning you.

Thank you so much to Elle Kennedy and to Little Brown Book Group UK & Piatkus for the chance to read this as an ARC.

4/5 stars
Elle Kennedy can do no wrong. The Dixon rules was the perfect follow up to the Graham effect, following Gigi’s bestie Diana Dixon and the hilarious Shane, it encompassed enemy’s to lovers in the best way. I loved the dynamics of them as neighbours and the natural progression in their relationship. Diana was strong, assertive and was just as humerous as Shane. The book deals with some pretty heavy stuff especially halfway into the story and onwards so please do search up trigger warnings before diving in, but I feel that the topics were done justice and flowed well in the story. If you loved the Graham effect and are considering the next book, I definitely recommend reading on - you’ll fall in love with them just as much as Gigi and Ryder.

A return to the world of Briar featuring elements of humour mixed with serious topics like [spoiler] Intimate Partner Violence and parental loss. Kennedy is strongest when writing comedy and this really shone through with the residents’ meetings and the banter between the protagonists.
I would say there is some dubiousness to one or two of the sex scenes in terms of consent which impacted my immersion in the story, however overall I felt reasonably invested in Shane and Diana’s relationship. I think the book would have worked better without the plot surrounding Shane’s family as this felt less fully developed.
Whilst the plot could have been better and more thoughtfully paced, I still enjoyed reading ‘The Dixon Rule’. I read it immediately after ‘The Graham Effect’, which I would recommend to really immerse yourself in the world of Briar University.

I devoured this!! Love love love Shane and Diana. Such a fun book. Lots of spice. Hockey player x cheerleader/dancer. Highly recommend if you love the off campus/ Briar U series. I love Elle Kennedy’s writing, so easy to devour her books!!

Elle Kennedy dues it again. I love her stures of quick witty characters the right level of spice and a good story line that keeps you hooked. This a good feel novel about two lost people finding each other and falling in love. What more could you want.

Happy release day to Elle Kennedy!

‘The Dixon Rule’ was a great follow-up to ‘The Graham Effect’ which was another book I really enjoyed. This book follows headstrong Diana and lovable Shane and while they attempt to stay out of each others way, perfect circumstances keep on bringing them back together and the intense chemistry is something they can’t deny.

A fun book which you can turn your brain off to and get totally lost in! Looking forward to the next release.

I was lucky enough to be approved for an arc for this book and I was so excited to read it! I am a HUGE off campus fan and adored The Graham Effect last year!

Elle once again has delivered a funny, entertaining, HOT 🥵 and at times emotional read!

I absolutely LOVE Diana. She’s so so funny! I relate to her level of petty in the BEST way 😂 I also really resonated with the pressure she put on herself. She goes through a lot in this book which I really wasn’t expecting and she’s one tough cookie!

Shane is just sunshine and I adored him! Although he’s got a lot of sweet moments.. don’t be fooled. He’s definitely got a spicy side too! The banter between him and Diana was so so good!

I adore these series, the way Elle has made this the next generation is such great way to still feel connected to our fave characters but bring new fresh characters to fall in love with 😍

This book also dealt with some issues that may be triggering for people so please if you can look these up before reading. One of which had me sobbing at 1am!

If you love a fake dating sports romance book then you will love this!

Elle Kennedy follows up 'The Graham Effect' with 'The Dixon Rule', featuring Gigi and Ryder's respective best friends Shane and Diana.

Shane and Diana (aka Lindley and Dixon) are not quite friends, especially because Shane has left a trail of broken hearts among Diana's cheerleading teammates. Thanks to their respective best friends marrying but are often forced together, especially when, to Diana's horror, Shane moves into Diana's apartment building (I cackled at Diana's repeated moves to remove Shane from the building online forum).

This book was a lot of fun, but deeply moving as we slowly explore their individual journeys - Shane fighting the 'player' label he's been given after a bad break-up and Diana dealing with her toxic ex-boyfriend. I liked that Elle Kennedy didn't shy away from some tough scenes, but oh boy did my heart break for both Shane and Diana.

We also see Gigi and Ryder's wedding, plus guest appearances by Dean, Tucker, Logan and Garrett (Off Campus and Briar U series) which was a welcome comic relief. This was such a lovely follow-up and I can't wait to see the next book in the series.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Piatkus and NetGalley for the ARC.

After enjoying the Graham Effect I couldn’t wait for this one and I think I actually enjoyed Shane and Diana’s story a little more than Gigi and Ryders 🫶🏼
This gave me all the feels, it had all the best makings of a cute romcom but it also had some much deeper topics like past toxic relationships and family dynamics although they were done really well and added to the character depth. It made me smile, laugh, get angry and tear up which took me by surprise!
The spice was turned up a notch with this one and the banter was brilliant! With the side character neighbours in the apartment complex, the dance competition, reality TV show Diana is a little firecracker and I loved her independence but how she also showed a vulnerable side and Shane, whilst a perceived player, deep down he is a one woman relationship kind of guy and his relationship with his little sister was also adorable!

I also loved the cameos from some of our fave characters 🫶🏼 and the family element to this was something I really enjoyed and seeing how close both Shane and Diana were with their families and we get to see a lot of that in this book.

Tropes to expect;
💜 Frenemies with benefits
💜 Forced proximity (neighbours)
💜 Hockey Player x Cheerleader
💜 Fake Dating
💜 Dom/Sub (soft play)
💜 Dual POV

Thank you net galley and Elle for my eARC

Elle the queen of banter did it again. I really enjoyed this second book in the campus diaries series!

The intial set up in this has all the good stuff you expect fake dating to bring. Banter, snarky comments, all the benefits and honestly I found myself just haha-hehe ing along enjoying the ride until in hit that 90% mark and just got hit right in the feels! I wasn’t expecting to wipe away a tear or two but honestly it just made me enjoy it more right to the end. I had my doubts about Shane and Diana, especially with the 9” 🍆 tag line 💀 but honestly the banter was bantering, the spice? Was spicing! The kink was 👌🏻 and I’m left absolutely gasping for Will or Beckett (or both) their book because 😮‍💨

We're back at Briar University for the second installment of Campus Diaries.

New neighbours Diana and Shane, feel the need to 'fake' a relationship to ward off each of their ex's.

What starts off as disgruntled banter between our two main characters soon turns to friendship and it doesn't stop there.

I believe in the stories that Elle Kennedy produces. They always put a smile on my face and even produce the odd guffaw.

Don't lose your tissues though because The Dixon Rule will give you all the feels and you could very well need them.

All in all another lovely addition to Elle Kennedy's catalogue.

If you’re looking for your next cute summer romance read - look no further than The Dixon Rule 🌸!

The story follows Diana the fierce cheerleader and dancer who takes no bullshit from anyone and makes Shane work for it. Shane the superstar hockey player who is loving the single lifestyle until he signs a FWB contract

Favourite quotes:

Never saw it coming, Dixon. But you’re everything to me. I didn’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 don’t want a sweet wife. I want a sassy bitch.

Diana and Shane story took me on emotional rollercoaster. I wasn’t emotionally ready to cry (especially after The Score) but I still loved their story. The banter and humour was unmatched, their electric chemistry and let’s not forget their steamy moments.

Thank you NetGalley and Elle for the eARC 🫶🏾

I loved this. Whilst I'm not the biggest fan of ex tropes, and how some bits played out, for the most part, I loved the characters, this story, and how it was written!

I am pretty feral for the Briar hockey books, and the next-gen 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!

A classic Elle Kennedy title, cocky hockey players, and a campus full of drama. Fun and exciting, The ballroom dancing was an exciting twist, and the characters kept you laughing the whole time.