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bookishlyndsey's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Cancer, Stalking, and Death of parent
casleigh's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
brookereneet's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Stalking
Minor: Blood and Racism
the_cover_contessa's review
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To say I was excited to read this is an understatement. I really have loved Kennedy's works in the past and I'm a huge fan of the Off Campus series. I also enjoyed the first book in this series. And the blurb for this one had me really excited: fake dating, enemies to lovers, close proximity. All tropes I enjoy!
Diana and Shane are enemies. Now they live next door to each other and the tension is rising. When Shane needs Diana to pose as his fake girlfriend, she's not thrilled but does it anyway. As the fake relationship progresses from friends to friends with benefits, Diana and Shane find themselves slowly catching feelings. But can she give her heart over to the guy who has blown through her cheer squad? And can he show her he's not the man whore he's been made out to be?
I'm going to start with what I liked about this book and move on to the things I had issues with.
First, Diana Dixon. I really like her. She's spunky and no non-sense. Brash and not willing to compromise. Yet, she has a soft side and also some insecurities that come to surface when she experiences some trauma. She also has a love/hate relationship with her mother while she's super close with her dad. I remember her character from The Graham Effect and remembered liking her in that book, as well. I loved that we got her story here.
Shane, yep, man whore from the first book. But who knew the real reason. We know from book 1 he had a long term relationship that ended at which point he started sleeping around. But the emotional reasons were not clear. In this book, we see a deeper side of Shane. He's not at all the boy toy he's made out to be. There is a deep longing for connection and love within him. His character had the most growth in this book.
I totally enjoyed how Kennedy wove the older Off Campus and Briar U characters into this book, as well. We get glimpses of them in several situations and it's just fun watching these younger characters be in awe of the older ones.
And the banter. That was great. Diana and Shane really knew how to go at each other with is. I laughed out loud many times during the book.
Let's talk a bit about the supporting cast. For the most part, we see familiar faces from past books. Like Ryder and Gigi, who were the main characters in the first book. They are important because Gigi is Diana's best friend and Ryder is Shane's teammate and ex-roommate. Beyond that, we were introduced to so many new side characters, mostly from the apartment complex, and I'm not sure what the point of all of them were. Sure, we got to see some different personalities but it didn't lend much to the story. And I thought for sure we would see a development with Diana and Shane's neighbors in their own building, but we really did not.
On to plot. Well, there were several. And I think it made the book unnecessarily long, to be honest.
I will address the domestic abuse plot line because I think that was super important to the development of Diana's character. This particular plot point showed her vulnerability, which she tries so hard throughout the book to bury deep. But it's there. I also though Kennedy did a good job with showing how the victim often times will feel the need to sweep the abuse under the rug in lieu of being thought of as weak. So often those being abused will keep it hidden and suffer so much. I was happy Diana was able to come to terms with the need to bring the abuse out in the open and then deal with it.
However, when one plot line resolved, we were introduced to another. It slowed the pacing of the book for me and I honestly had to push through to the end to see what happens. I have not really had this happen with Kennedy books in the past (though Girl Abroad didn't leave a great taste in my mouth). I feel like this book does not do the world Kennedy has created justice. There were just too many plot points to keep track of: domestic abuse, friends with benefits, kinks, terminal diagnosis. Unnecessary drama, which resolves but seemed like filler. And then sadness that was totally unexpected and I'm not sure what the point of it was to the plot line, at least where developing and moving the characters along in their arcs were concerned. It was like the author wanted to keep building the relationship but could not continue with the plot points full to the end because they had nowhere to go. It was frustrating. And because there were so many plot lines, it made the book feel like there really was not plot at all above the friends with benefits fake dating situation going on.
And then the book seemingly just ended. All the action took place in the last quarter of the book but then, poof, that was it. No true resolution to things. The domestic abuse is thrown to the side. That definitely needed finality. The death issue was resolved more easily than I would have thought possible, as well. And the epilogue really did nothing for the plot. A few cute text messages? Meh, what was the point?
Overall, I liked it enough but I am disappointed in this one compared to the other books I have read by this author. Maybe I'm outgrowing this genre or maybe the author needs to branch out and create newer more interesting story lines that will keep me entertained. Will I read other books by this author, absolutely. But will I be cautious going into them and not getting ahead of myself with loving it, I sure will!
Diana and Shane are enemies. Now they live next door to each other and the tension is rising. When Shane needs Diana to pose as his fake girlfriend, she's not thrilled but does it anyway. As the fake relationship progresses from friends to friends with benefits, Diana and Shane find themselves slowly catching feelings. But can she give her heart over to the guy who has blown through her cheer squad? And can he show her he's not the man whore he's been made out to be?
I'm going to start with what I liked about this book and move on to the things I had issues with.
First, Diana Dixon. I really like her. She's spunky and no non-sense. Brash and not willing to compromise. Yet, she has a soft side and also some insecurities that come to surface when she experiences some trauma. She also has a love/hate relationship with her mother while she's super close with her dad. I remember her character from The Graham Effect and remembered liking her in that book, as well. I loved that we got her story here.
Shane, yep, man whore from the first book. But who knew the real reason. We know from book 1 he had a long term relationship that ended at which point he started sleeping around. But the emotional reasons were not clear. In this book, we see a deeper side of Shane. He's not at all the boy toy he's made out to be. There is a deep longing for connection and love within him. His character had the most growth in this book.
I totally enjoyed how Kennedy wove the older Off Campus and Briar U characters into this book, as well. We get glimpses of them in several situations and it's just fun watching these younger characters be in awe of the older ones.
And the banter. That was great. Diana and Shane really knew how to go at each other with is. I laughed out loud many times during the book.
Let's talk a bit about the supporting cast. For the most part, we see familiar faces from past books. Like Ryder and Gigi, who were the main characters in the first book. They are important because Gigi is Diana's best friend and Ryder is Shane's teammate and ex-roommate. Beyond that, we were introduced to so many new side characters, mostly from the apartment complex, and I'm not sure what the point of all of them were. Sure, we got to see some different personalities but it didn't lend much to the story. And I thought for sure we would see a development with Diana and Shane's neighbors in their own building, but we really did not.
On to plot. Well, there were several. And I think it made the book unnecessarily long, to be honest.
I will address the domestic abuse plot line because I think that was super important to the development of Diana's character. This particular plot point showed her vulnerability, which she tries so hard throughout the book to bury deep. But it's there. I also though Kennedy did a good job with showing how the victim often times will feel the need to sweep the abuse under the rug in lieu of being thought of as weak. So often those being abused will keep it hidden and suffer so much. I was happy Diana was able to come to terms with the need to bring the abuse out in the open and then deal with it.
However, when one plot line resolved, we were introduced to another. It slowed the pacing of the book for me and I honestly had to push through to the end to see what happens. I have not really had this happen with Kennedy books in the past (though Girl Abroad didn't leave a great taste in my mouth). I feel like this book does not do the world Kennedy has created justice. There were just too many plot points to keep track of: domestic abuse, friends with benefits, kinks, terminal diagnosis. Unnecessary drama, which resolves but seemed like filler. And then sadness that was totally unexpected and I'm not sure what the point of it was to the plot line, at least where developing and moving the characters along in their arcs were concerned. It was like the author wanted to keep building the relationship but could not continue with the plot points full to the end because they had nowhere to go. It was frustrating. And because there were so many plot lines, it made the book feel like there really was not plot at all above the friends with benefits fake dating situation going on.
And then the book seemingly just ended. All the action took place in the last quarter of the book but then, poof, that was it. No true resolution to things. The domestic abuse is thrown to the side. That definitely needed finality. The death issue was resolved more easily than I would have thought possible, as well. And the epilogue really did nothing for the plot. A few cute text messages? Meh, what was the point?
Overall, I liked it enough but I am disappointed in this one compared to the other books I have read by this author. Maybe I'm outgrowing this genre or maybe the author needs to branch out and create newer more interesting story lines that will keep me entertained. Will I read other books by this author, absolutely. But will I be cautious going into them and not getting ahead of myself with loving it, I sure will!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Stalking
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
readingonthefly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cancer, Violence, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Stalking, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
shadowmaster13's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Cancer
azllyz's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
another solid delivery by elle kennedy! diana and shane had great chemistry and i loved the banter between them. the concept involving the HOA and their little neighbourhood was really fun and unique. i marked down b/c wow am really beginning to see the over exaggeration of height differences and 🍆 length and um… lol……. also— while there was no third act break up there definitely was a third act something and it felt like it just came outta no where and kinda hit you like a truck. though i can kind of understand the reasoning behind why it was included, it at least felt unnecessary. i’m still forever rooting for a beckett and will book they have had an amazing dynamic since the graham effect and i’m dying to read more of them
** NOTE content warnings contain spoilers read at your own risk
** NOTE content warnings contain spoilers read at your own risk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Toxic relationship and Stalking
crownedaimee's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Dixon Rule is the second book in the Campus Diaries series and follow Diana and Shane. The two have never really gotten along after Shane has worked his through some of her cheer squad, leaving their hearts broken despite him making his feelings known towards them that he was not looking for a relationship as he was still hung up over his ex. So when Shane moves into the apartment across hers, Diana is quick to establish some rules. But when Shane's ex shows up at his house and Diana starts getting harassed. by her ex boyfriend, they rely on each other's and agree to a fake date thinking it would solve their problems.
I literally devoured this book, I mean what's not to love? You have the enemies to lovers and the fake dating, two of my favourite tropes, I honestly couldn't get enough. Diana and Shane's relationship was so well developed, their chemistry off the charts. It's also a bonus that I loved both of the characters separately as well. I was laughing so much when Diana kept removing Shane from the chats. Don't mind me as I send Shane a FWB application (IYKYK).
All the side characters provided some great comedic moments and see how they interacted with Shane and Diana is so funny. I also love how Elle Kennedy keeps having her characters from the Off Campus and Briar U series appear throughout the Campus Diaries series, reading more about them makes me happy.
The only things that didn't make me rate The Dixon Rule a five stars was it did feel slow in places here and there, as well as I felt like the whole situation with Percy was wrapped up a little too quickly for my likely.
I can't wait to read to see what's in store for the characters in the rest of the series, hoping that we get a Will & Beckett book soon, because you just know that book will be spicy as hell and I'm here for it, and them. While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading book one, The Graham Effect, to avoid any spoilers that you might across in this book. And be sure to check out any potential trigger warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking
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