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Campus Diaries #2
Dixon-reglen
Diana Dixon har mange bolde i luften. Ved siden af sin dansetræning jonglerer hun to jobs og en ekskæreste, som ikke fatter, at det er slut mellem dem. Oven i det har hun fået en ny nabo, ishockeyspilleren Shane Lindley, som virker fast besluttet på at pisse hende af og charmere sig igennem hendes cheerleaderhold.
Hvad Diana ikke ved er, at Shane er træt af singleliv og onenightstands. Og da ekskæresten, der knuste hans hjerte, pludselig dukker op igen, får han en idé. Et fake forhold er den perfekte måde at gøre hende jaloux på, og hvem vil kunne spille rollen bedre end hans rapkæftede nabo?
Shanes forslag virker som en oplagt løsning på Dianas egne ekskæreste-problemer, og det går snart op for hende, at deres fyrige skænderier måske er ved at udvikle sig til noget helt andet …
Hvad Diana ikke ved er, at Shane er træt af singleliv og onenightstands. Og da ekskæresten, der knuste hans hjerte, pludselig dukker op igen, får han en idé. Et fake forhold er den perfekte måde at gøre hende jaloux på, og hvem vil kunne spille rollen bedre end hans rapkæftede nabo?
Shanes forslag virker som en oplagt løsning på Dianas egne ekskæreste-problemer, og det går snart op for hende, at deres fyrige skænderier måske er ved at udvikle sig til noget helt andet …
471 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2024
7416 people are currently reading
107226 people want to read
About the author
Elle Kennedy
179 books89.9k followersA New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,240 reviews
June 21, 2024
oh we are so back <3
i take back everything i said about not wanting Shane and Diana next. i am shitting tears over them, your honour.
i take back everything i said about not wanting Shane and Diana next. i am shitting tears over them, your honour.
June 5, 2024
4.75!
"You have no idea how much I love you. It's almost pathetic. 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.”
Elle strikes back. She has not disappointed me once and you'd think after reading eight ice hockey romances, you would be bored, right?? Yeah no! that is definitely not happening if you are reading a book written by Elle Kennedy because the way she writes it is so easy to read, the flow with which the story moves forward, the banter which always hits, the banter is easily the best part because it makes the book so DAMN good and the characters, the way she writes them makes it so easy for you to fall in love with them. If that wasn't enough she writes scenes in rom-coms that make you cry?!? Like??? Elle pls there was no need to do that to me. All in all, Elle Kennedy is the Queen of Sports romance.
"Admitting that you're weak sometimes doesn't mean you're not strong. It means you're human .”
Diana Dixon was one of those characters who deserve so much better and I understood and related to her so much because yk when your family expects so much from you and you have to portray yourself as this person that meets those expectations and you know you can do all those stuff but if things go south or something bad happens you feel reluctant to tell them, afraid of what they will think despite them supporting you? Yeah that was the case with Diana, she was fun, strong, hot, sassy and stood up for herself and her list of rules and every time she would kick Shane out of the apartment GC had me creasing. Diana also had to cope up with an abusive relationship and the way she handled it was so sad because I knew what she was thinking and man, I wish I could just go in there and help her through it.
“But that's what you do when you love people. Support their interests.”
Shane Lindley, the man on this mouth, the things that he did?? OH MY, if you thought Ryder was hot you have no idea what Shane has in store for you. If that wasn't enough the way he talks about Diana, the way he touches her and listens to her, makes her laugh during her worst moments was just so beautifully written and his interactions with his teammates specifically 'Will', 'Beckett' and 'Ryder' were so fun 😭😭 I love how they teased him and I also love the dirty jokes because how Elle came through with them, amazing.
“Garrett Graham battling tears when he handed his daughter over to Ryder was probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
The Plot, its basically Shane just comes off a very messy long term relationship and buys the apartment next to Diana's (Diana hates him because all her cheerleaders would go for a one night stand with him and would fall in love with him and he would break and it would affect their performance) so Shane's ex girlfriend is moving to his college and wants to live with Shane until she finds her place but show up with her new boyfriend (what a bitch) who sends an email to Diana to be FWB and Diana who herself is trying to get rid of a very clingy ex-boyfriend accepts it. This was easily some of the best Friends with Benefits book I have ever read.
“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?”
The Romance, was some of the hottest romance books that I have ever read especially the spice like that scene with Will, Diana and Shane?? 🥵🥵 besides that I loved how protective Shane was of Diana and that scene in the pool where the make Diana's ex jealous?? *Chefs kiss* nothing beats . I just love how they fit and him literally learning how to dance just so he can be her partner?? I love romance books where the FMC isn't bitchy and actually understands the MMC and the MMC is all protective of them and do everything that they can for them, yeah that was Shane and Diana. Everything about them was just so perfect. They were literally one of my favorite couples in the Briarverse.
Overall, I loved it and I can not wait to read about Will and Beckett + Charlie!
Some of the Tropes:
•Hockey player x Cheerleader (love this)
•Summer Romance
• 9 Inches 😭😭 (how?? and why??)
•Dom/sub (👀)
•Frenemies with benefits
•Fling or forever
•Enemies to Lovers
•Slow burn
•Hockey Romance
•Fake dating
•Rom-com
•Steamy
"You have no idea how much I love you. It's almost pathetic. 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.”
Elle strikes back. She has not disappointed me once and you'd think after reading eight ice hockey romances, you would be bored, right?? Yeah no! that is definitely not happening if you are reading a book written by Elle Kennedy because the way she writes it is so easy to read, the flow with which the story moves forward, the banter which always hits, the banter is easily the best part because it makes the book so DAMN good and the characters, the way she writes them makes it so easy for you to fall in love with them. If that wasn't enough she writes scenes in rom-coms that make you cry?!? Like??? Elle pls there was no need to do that to me. All in all, Elle Kennedy is the Queen of Sports romance.
"Admitting that you're weak sometimes doesn't mean you're not strong. It means you're human .”
Diana Dixon was one of those characters who deserve so much better and I understood and related to her so much because yk when your family expects so much from you and you have to portray yourself as this person that meets those expectations and you know you can do all those stuff but if things go south or something bad happens you feel reluctant to tell them, afraid of what they will think despite them supporting you? Yeah that was the case with Diana, she was fun, strong, hot, sassy and stood up for herself and her list of rules and every time she would kick Shane out of the apartment GC had me creasing. Diana also had to cope up with an abusive relationship and the way she handled it was so sad because I knew what she was thinking and man, I wish I could just go in there and help her through it.
“But that's what you do when you love people. Support their interests.”
Shane Lindley, the man on this mouth, the things that he did?? OH MY, if you thought Ryder was hot you have no idea what Shane has in store for you. If that wasn't enough the way he talks about Diana, the way he touches her and listens to her, makes her laugh during her worst moments was just so beautifully written and his interactions with his teammates specifically 'Will', 'Beckett' and 'Ryder' were so fun 😭😭 I love how they teased him and I also love the dirty jokes because how Elle came through with them, amazing.
“Garrett Graham battling tears when he handed his daughter over to Ryder was probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
The Plot, its basically Shane just comes off a very messy long term relationship and buys the apartment next to Diana's (Diana hates him because all her cheerleaders would go for a one night stand with him and would fall in love with him and he would break and it would affect their performance) so Shane's ex girlfriend is moving to his college and wants to live with Shane until she finds her place but show up with her new boyfriend (what a bitch) who sends an email to Diana to be FWB and Diana who herself is trying to get rid of a very clingy ex-boyfriend accepts it. This was easily some of the best Friends with Benefits book I have ever read.
“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?”
The Romance, was some of the hottest romance books that I have ever read especially the spice like that scene with Will, Diana and Shane?? 🥵🥵 besides that I loved how protective Shane was of Diana and that scene in the pool where the make Diana's ex jealous?? *Chefs kiss* nothing beats . I just love how they fit and him literally learning how to dance just so he can be her partner?? I love romance books where the FMC isn't bitchy and actually understands the MMC and the MMC is all protective of them and do everything that they can for them, yeah that was Shane and Diana. Everything about them was just so perfect. They were literally one of my favorite couples in the Briarverse.
Overall, I loved it and I can not wait to read about Will and Beckett + Charlie!
Some of the Tropes:
•Hockey player x Cheerleader (love this)
•Summer Romance
• 9 Inches 😭😭 (how?? and why??)
•Dom/sub (👀)
•Frenemies with benefits
•Fling or forever
•Enemies to Lovers
•Slow burn
•Hockey Romance
•Fake dating
•Rom-com
•Steamy
May 16, 2024
I've never said a single bad thing about Elle Kennedy 🙏 she is back back. Shane and Diana were everything and their banter was so good 🤌
***
review pre-release
After how the first book is about Garrett Graham's daughter and how Elle Kennedy gave us the names of all the Off Campus and Briar U couples' kids, just for us to find out that the second book is about Shane and Diana, neither of them are second generation kids. EK is such a troll 🤣
"No man is allowed to touch you but me, Dixon." His voice is low. Thick with desire. "And if one tries, I'll rip his fucking hands off."
***
review pre-release
After how the first book is about Garrett Graham's daughter and how Elle Kennedy gave us the names of all the Off Campus and Briar U couples' kids, just for us to find out that the second book is about Shane and Diana, neither of them are second generation kids. EK is such a troll 🤣
May 15, 2024
I loved Shane and Diana, and I think their book will be great but I thought this was a next generation series.
Want to read
April 12, 2024Lmao can we talk about 9 inches being announced as one of her tropes 💀 is the fmc gonna be ok
May 20, 2024
"You could always find youself a sweet little wife who will be fine doing it all herself."
"I don't want a sweet little wife." He kisses my shoulder. "I want a sassy bitch."
I snicker. "Did you just call me a bitch?"
"Mmm-hmmm."
Asking for a friend, here.
How many centimeters is 9 inches, exactly...?
***
💃🏼𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗫𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘 - 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗𝗬💃🏼
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅽🅰
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙲𝙰𝙼𝙿𝚄𝚂 𝙳𝙸𝙰𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 #𝟸
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙼𝙿𝙾𝚁𝙰𝚁𝚈 - 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙲𝙺-𝙻𝙸𝚃 - 𝚂𝙿𝙾𝚁𝚃𝚂 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙳𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙵𝚆𝙱 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂 - 𝙵𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 - 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙼𝙸𝚃𝚈 - 𝙽𝙴𝙸𝙶𝙷𝙱𝙾𝚁𝚂 - 𝙷𝙾𝙲𝙺𝙴𝚈 𝙿𝙻𝙰𝚈𝙴𝚁/𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙴𝙰𝙳𝙴𝚁 - 𝙼𝚄𝚃𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝚂𝙸𝚉𝚉𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚂𝙴𝚇𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙸𝙾𝙽 - 𝙾𝙾𝙿𝚂 𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙲𝙰𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙵𝙴𝙴𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂 - 𝙹𝙴𝙰𝙻𝙾𝚄𝚂𝚈 - 𝙵𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙽𝙳𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿
★𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘:
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥👥👥👥/𝟱
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼½/𝟱 (𝙵𝚄𝙽𝙽𝙸𝙴𝚂𝚃 𝙱𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁)
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜📜📜/𝟱
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: 💀💀💀💀/𝟱 (𝙳𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙷 𝙾𝙵 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈 𝙼𝙴𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁𝚂/𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝙳 𝙾𝙽𝙴𝚂 - 𝙳𝚈𝚂𝙵𝚄𝙽𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙳𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙿𝙷𝚈𝚂𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙰𝙱𝚄𝚂𝙴 - 𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚁 - 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙶𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙵 - 𝙰𝙽𝚇𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈 - 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚄𝙼𝙰-𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝙶𝚄𝙸𝙻𝚃)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌻🌻🌻½/𝟱
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌹🌹🌹🌹½/𝟱
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌ (𝙱𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙵 𝙾𝚆 𝙳𝚁𝙰𝙼𝙰 (𝙽𝙾 𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙷𝙾) - 𝙼𝙼𝙲 𝙸𝚂 𝚂𝚃𝙸𝙻𝙻 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙰 𝙷𝚄𝙽𝙶 𝚄𝙿 𝙾𝙽 𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙴𝚇 𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙴𝙶𝙸𝙽𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈 - 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝙽 𝙰 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙿𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷 𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙳𝚄𝙼𝙱𝙰𝚂𝚂 𝙴𝚇)
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🔥🔥🔥½/𝟱 (𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙹𝙾𝙱𝚂 - 𝙿𝙸𝚅 𝚂𝙴𝚇 - 𝙾𝚁𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙴𝚇)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🚒🚒🚒🚒/𝟱 (𝚅𝙰𝙶𝚄𝙴 𝙳𝙾𝙼 𝚅𝙸𝙱𝙴𝚂 - 𝚂𝙴𝙼𝙸 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙴𝚇 -✨𝙻𝙰 𝟿-𝙸𝙽𝙲𝙷 𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙶 𝙱𝙰𝙶𝚄𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴✨ - 𝙴𝚇𝙷𝙸𝙱𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙸𝚂𝙼)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 💣💣💣½/𝟱
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐🤐½/𝟱 (𝙼𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴 - 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙸𝚃 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙴𝚇𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙸𝚃𝚄𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂/𝙿𝙷𝚈𝚂𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝚅𝙸𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴)
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: 💔💔½/𝟱
★𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚:
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘:
★𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚: 🎶𝚂𝙲𝙰𝚁𝚈 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 - 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙽𝙴𝙸𝙶𝙷𝙱𝙾𝚄𝚁𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙳🎶
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
***I always try to be as objective as I can with my ratings for DARK THEMES & TRIGGER WARNINGS, SMUT TECHNICAL CONTENT/INTENSITY, SMUT QUANTITY, ROMANCE QUANTITY, ANGST LEVEL, ENEMIES-TO-LOVERSNESS; the ratings for CHARACTERS, WRITING, PLOT, WORLD BUILDING, SETTING, SMUT QUALITY, ROMANCE QUALITY, are instead tied to my own subjective reading experience and final opinion of the book.
THIS WAS THE BEST KIND OF TREAT I COULD CONSUME ON THIS VERY RAINY AND MOODY DAY.
omg I never thought I'd see the day where I'd give a rom-com almost 5 stars, but I had so much fun with this book I'm not even going to pretend I'm being generous.
Sexy, funny, emotional (why did you have to break my heart like that Elle Kennedy WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY). It has it all.
I have literally nothing bad to say about this book and I can't wait to write my full review so I can, instead, talk about all the things I loved about it!
{FULL RTC}
November 18, 2024
“You have no idea how much I love you. It's almost pathetic. 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.”
4.5 stars 🌟
The tropes:
🏒 Fake dating
🏒 Enemies to lovers
🏒 Friends with benefits
🏒 Sports romance (hockey)
╰⪼ The plot:
Diana is a ballroom teacher, working multiple jobs to provide for herself, while juggling college. Shane is a cocky, self-assured hockey player who moves into the same apartment complex. They instantly clash as Shane's womaniser tendencies start to interfere with Diana's cheer squad. Diana's ex boyfriend can't take the hint that she's not into him anymore so they end up making a plan to start a fake relationship.
╰⪼ Thoughts
I loved this one so much, I ate it up in less than 24 hours despite it being over 500 pages! This has slightly overtaken my love for the first book which is so exciting to see this series only get better.
It's been great to observe Kennedy's writing continue to evolve and modernise from her Off-campus series. While I did like those books, I can't help but feel this series is far more superior and some of her best work.
Diana and Shane's chemistry was off the charts. I LOVED the angst. Their two different personalities came together in the best way. Deep down, who knew Shane was such a softy?!! He said so many sweet things to Diana, their relationship was easily my fave. She is such a strong and fierce FMC and i was emotionally invested in her experiences. IYKYK about that couch scene - one of the hottest spicy scenes for a contemporary romance 🤪 (I need more of Will).
The romance and spice is well balanced with engaging plot and emotional depth. This book touches on some heavier subjects which are listed on the trigger warnings. This delivered in all aspects for me and the no third act breakup really sealed the deal.
“Garrett Graham battling tears when he handed his daughter over to Ryder was probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
The found family of this series is so wholesome, not just the scenes with the OG's but the new generation friend group as well. I will never stop gushing over seeing Garrett be a girl dad 🥹 I absolutely loved this book, the banter between them all had me laughing out loud several times.
I can't wait to learn more about Charlie in the next book but I really hope Alex gets a book 🤞🏻
🏒 Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 stars 🌟
The tropes:
🏒 Fake dating
🏒 Enemies to lovers
🏒 Friends with benefits
🏒 Sports romance (hockey)
╰⪼ The plot:
Diana is a ballroom teacher, working multiple jobs to provide for herself, while juggling college. Shane is a cocky, self-assured hockey player who moves into the same apartment complex. They instantly clash as Shane's womaniser tendencies start to interfere with Diana's cheer squad. Diana's ex boyfriend can't take the hint that she's not into him anymore so they end up making a plan to start a fake relationship.
╰⪼ Thoughts
I loved this one so much, I ate it up in less than 24 hours despite it being over 500 pages! This has slightly overtaken my love for the first book which is so exciting to see this series only get better.
It's been great to observe Kennedy's writing continue to evolve and modernise from her Off-campus series. While I did like those books, I can't help but feel this series is far more superior and some of her best work.
Diana and Shane's chemistry was off the charts. I LOVED the angst. Their two different personalities came together in the best way. Deep down, who knew Shane was such a softy?!! He said so many sweet things to Diana, their relationship was easily my fave. She is such a strong and fierce FMC and i was emotionally invested in her experiences. IYKYK about that couch scene - one of the hottest spicy scenes for a contemporary romance 🤪 (I need more of Will).
The romance and spice is well balanced with engaging plot and emotional depth. This book touches on some heavier subjects which are listed on the trigger warnings. This delivered in all aspects for me and the no third act breakup really sealed the deal.
“Garrett Graham battling tears when he handed his daughter over to Ryder was probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
The found family of this series is so wholesome, not just the scenes with the OG's but the new generation friend group as well. I will never stop gushing over seeing Garrett be a girl dad 🥹 I absolutely loved this book, the banter between them all had me laughing out loud several times.
I can't wait to learn more about Charlie in the next book but I really hope Alex gets a book 🤞🏻
🏒 Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
May 19, 2024
4.5 🌟!!! This book was unexpected and so much better than the Graham Effect.
Shane and Diana were a dynamic duo with their banter and chemistry, therefore making them my favorite characters😭♥️. The cameos from the Off-Campus series were a pleasant surprise, bringing back memories of the OG characters.The reality TV show plotline and the HOA meetings was really entertaining😂.Towards 70% of the book,I was on the edge of my seat due to things going crazy😃🥲.This book had me screaming,blushing,crying and laughing out loud!!!
Shane and Diana were a dynamic duo with their banter and chemistry, therefore making them my favorite characters😭♥️. The cameos from the Off-Campus series were a pleasant surprise, bringing back memories of the OG characters.The reality TV show plotline and the HOA meetings was really entertaining😂.Towards 70% of the book,I was on the edge of my seat due to things going crazy😃🥲.This book had me screaming,blushing,crying and laughing out loud!!!
May 12, 2024
One word: OBSESSED
I read this book in one day and it felt like coming home to the found family and elite banter I have loved from Elle Kennedy for years. I have been a fan of Elle since her early Off Campus days, and The Dixon Rule gave me those feels and more. Diana and Shane had ELITE banter and I loved how they really pushed each other to think about themselves and how they were living their lives. Even though Diana claimed to hate Shane, THE CHEMISTRY was off the charts and the spice was SO SPICY. I loved the vulnerability that Diana had during the spicy scenes and SHANE TOOK CHARGE. I also loved the depth of their family dynamics and how much that was explored in this book too. Diana is such a strong character, and I loved watching her meet Shane head on, but also watch her realize she didn't always have to be strong for everyone and could rely on other people if she needed to.
No one writes friends, romance, and sports the way Elle Kennedy does and I just ate this book up. Even though this book is long, it flew by and I loved every character and moment. I am already dying for the next book in this series and can't wait to see who it's about!!!
TW for abusive relationships and death of a loved one
I read this book in one day and it felt like coming home to the found family and elite banter I have loved from Elle Kennedy for years. I have been a fan of Elle since her early Off Campus days, and The Dixon Rule gave me those feels and more. Diana and Shane had ELITE banter and I loved how they really pushed each other to think about themselves and how they were living their lives. Even though Diana claimed to hate Shane, THE CHEMISTRY was off the charts and the spice was SO SPICY. I loved the vulnerability that Diana had during the spicy scenes and SHANE TOOK CHARGE. I also loved the depth of their family dynamics and how much that was explored in this book too. Diana is such a strong character, and I loved watching her meet Shane head on, but also watch her realize she didn't always have to be strong for everyone and could rely on other people if she needed to.
No one writes friends, romance, and sports the way Elle Kennedy does and I just ate this book up. Even though this book is long, it flew by and I loved every character and moment. I am already dying for the next book in this series and can't wait to see who it's about!!!
TW for abusive relationships and death of a loved one
May 11, 2024
4.25 ⭐️ i haven’t read a book in one day in a really long time but this one.. i could not stop.
so much banter, chemistry and humor. i loved the side characters. not only the briar crew but also all of the dynamics of the neighbors. the dance competition. the text threads!!!!!!!
a couple of things i didn’t enjoy (without spoiling anything) the unnecessary ex drama + the influx of sadness that felt like it came out of nowhere for no reason at all.
regardless i loved it. what’s next? because it better be will and beckett w their girl. or BLAKEEEE AND FOOTBALL GUY??? ugh im excited.
so much banter, chemistry and humor. i loved the side characters. not only the briar crew but also all of the dynamics of the neighbors. the dance competition. the text threads!!!!!!!
a couple of things i didn’t enjoy (without spoiling anything) the unnecessary ex drama + the influx of sadness that felt like it came out of nowhere for no reason at all.
regardless i loved it. what’s next? because it better be will and beckett w their girl. or BLAKEEEE AND FOOTBALL GUY??? ugh im excited.
May 18, 2024
➳ 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ✩
⤿ a spoiler free arc review
₊˚⊹ ᰔ “I told them I had a girlfriend.'
I start to laugh. 'This is the greatest day of my life.'
'Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.'
this was my first hockey book from elle kennedy but my second overall, and i am honestly so glad that i didn’t give up on this author after “girl abroad”. i’m actually so surprised that i enjoyed this as much as i did because spice isn’t really my thing but i had heard such amazing things about her works that i knew i had to try another book of hers at least once.
💌 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽:
⤿ dual pov
⤿ summer romcom
⤿ cheerleader x hockey player
⤿ fake dating
⤿ forced proximity (neighbours)
⤿ enemies to frenemies with benefits
⤿ (reversed) grumpy x sunshine
⤿ no third act breakup
⤿ mental health/anxiety rep
⤿ slow burn
⤿ he falls first
⤿ 9 inches (yes this is a trope, yes i double checked, and yes she is okay)
⤿ lots of references to the og series
౨ৎ • 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽: diana dixon is already juggling two jobs, rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition and dealing with an idiot of an ex-boyfriend when f-boy shane lindley moves into the apartment next door, who just so happens to have slept with half her cheer squad. but after his ex comes back into the picture and he pretends to have a girlfriend to make her jealous, diana steps into the role of the (very fake) new girlfriend, to solve her own ex issues too. but after the lines between fake and real begin to blur and their fake-dating situation becomes very friends-with-benefits-esque, will the two begin a new (very real) relationship?
it definitely wasn’t the best romance i had ever read but it was really enjoyable. it also wasn’t the best written - i found myself feeling very bored in the first few chapters but it got so much better. i also didn’t love how the last few chapters felt very rushed with some of the plot elements, but the relationship between shane and diana was amazing so i can’t complain too much.
౨ৎ • 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: a great book to get you out of a slump <3
౨ৎ • 𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: (some minor spoilers) domestic abuse, cancer, anxiety, assault, stalking, death of a parent, mention of cancer, gaslighting, stalking, physical abuse from ex-boyfriend and parental death
🎧 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽:
⤿ dress - taylor swift
⤿ all of the girls you loved before - taylor swift
⤿ gorgeous - taylor swift
⤿ so it goes - taylor swift
⤿ motion sickness - phoebe bridgers
⤿ i wanna be yours - arctic monkeys
⤿ you get me so high - the neighbourhood
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!
_
☾.°✧౨ৎ ‧ pre-review:
i- i enjoyed this? huh. did not expect that.
3.5 stars rtc
_
☾.°✧౨ৎ ‧ tbr-review:
my feedback ratio is literally crying in the corner😭😭the only book i've read of kennedy's was girl abroad (do not recommend) so idk what i'm expecting..
⤿ a spoiler free arc review
₊˚⊹ ᰔ “I told them I had a girlfriend.'
I start to laugh. 'This is the greatest day of my life.'
'Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.'
this was my first hockey book from elle kennedy but my second overall, and i am honestly so glad that i didn’t give up on this author after “girl abroad”. i’m actually so surprised that i enjoyed this as much as i did because spice isn’t really my thing but i had heard such amazing things about her works that i knew i had to try another book of hers at least once.
💌 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽:
⤿ dual pov
⤿ summer romcom
⤿ cheerleader x hockey player
⤿ fake dating
⤿ forced proximity (neighbours)
⤿ enemies to frenemies with benefits
⤿ (reversed) grumpy x sunshine
⤿ no third act breakup
⤿ mental health/anxiety rep
⤿ slow burn
⤿ he falls first
⤿ 9 inches (yes this is a trope, yes i double checked, and yes she is okay)
⤿ lots of references to the og series
౨ৎ • 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽: diana dixon is already juggling two jobs, rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition and dealing with an idiot of an ex-boyfriend when f-boy shane lindley moves into the apartment next door, who just so happens to have slept with half her cheer squad. but after his ex comes back into the picture and he pretends to have a girlfriend to make her jealous, diana steps into the role of the (very fake) new girlfriend, to solve her own ex issues too. but after the lines between fake and real begin to blur and their fake-dating situation becomes very friends-with-benefits-esque, will the two begin a new (very real) relationship?
it definitely wasn’t the best romance i had ever read but it was really enjoyable. it also wasn’t the best written - i found myself feeling very bored in the first few chapters but it got so much better. i also didn’t love how the last few chapters felt very rushed with some of the plot elements, but the relationship between shane and diana was amazing so i can’t complain too much.
౨ৎ • 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: a great book to get you out of a slump <3
౨ৎ • 𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼: (some minor spoilers) domestic abuse, cancer, anxiety, assault, stalking, death of a parent, mention of cancer, gaslighting, stalking, physical abuse from ex-boyfriend and parental death
🎧 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽:
⤿ dress - taylor swift
⤿ all of the girls you loved before - taylor swift
⤿ gorgeous - taylor swift
⤿ so it goes - taylor swift
⤿ motion sickness - phoebe bridgers
⤿ i wanna be yours - arctic monkeys
⤿ you get me so high - the neighbourhood
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!
_
☾.°✧౨ৎ ‧ pre-review:
i- i enjoyed this? huh. did not expect that.
3.5 stars rtc
_
☾.°✧౨ৎ ‧ tbr-review:
my feedback ratio is literally crying in the corner😭😭the only book i've read of kennedy's was girl abroad (do not recommend) so idk what i'm expecting..
May 19, 2024
4.5 stars
I had the day off, I woke up deciding to be productive and get things done. I was going to read few pages to get me motivated, but I ended up ignoring all of my responsibilities and studies and finishing the whole book. Once I started this I just couldn’t stop or put it down. It’s been a while since I’ve finished a book in one day. I loved it so much.
Seriously, the banter was too good. The chemistry was so freakin explosive. The bickering was highly entertaining. There was no boring moment with these two. They were so perfect. They made me laugh so hard, blush too much, giggle like a fool, and they got me feeling so emotional with the hard stuff they had to deal with.
I loved the ballroom dancing story line and their training. Also Shane dedication to the whole thing. I loved the HOA meetings and those entertaining neighbors. The reality TV show watching. The set of characters; old and new. I can’t wait to read more about them. The fake dating was just so enjoyable. I loved both of their characters so much!! I could write detailed essays about their characters. I really loved them.
“I only kissed you because I got caught up in my girlfriend role.”
“You don’t have to explain it. I’m on the same page.”
“So you were playing a part too?”
“No, I wanted to kiss you.”
I had the day off, I woke up deciding to be productive and get things done. I was going to read few pages to get me motivated, but I ended up ignoring all of my responsibilities and studies and finishing the whole book. Once I started this I just couldn’t stop or put it down. It’s been a while since I’ve finished a book in one day. I loved it so much.
Seriously, the banter was too good. The chemistry was so freakin explosive. The bickering was highly entertaining. There was no boring moment with these two. They were so perfect. They made me laugh so hard, blush too much, giggle like a fool, and they got me feeling so emotional with the hard stuff they had to deal with.
I loved the ballroom dancing story line and their training. Also Shane dedication to the whole thing. I loved the HOA meetings and those entertaining neighbors. The reality TV show watching. The set of characters; old and new. I can’t wait to read more about them. The fake dating was just so enjoyable. I loved both of their characters so much!! I could write detailed essays about their characters. I really loved them.
February 25, 2024
THE SPICE WAS SPICING 🥵🥵🥵
Honestly. Elle’s HOTTEST book to date.
This is gonna be THE summer romance cause Shane & Diana are priceless and hilarious.
Obvi i can’t say much more but PEOPLE. THE SPICE. THE KINK. THE EVERYTHING. UGH. A+++++
No context: #fof #dicksand
*I’ll write more when I’m allowed*
Honestly. Elle’s HOTTEST book to date.
This is gonna be THE summer romance cause Shane & Diana are priceless and hilarious.
Obvi i can’t say much more but PEOPLE. THE SPICE. THE KINK. THE EVERYTHING. UGH. A+++++
No context: #fof #dicksand
*I’ll write more when I’m allowed*
June 22, 2024
I'd be sorely disappointed if Elle keeps writing bout teammates/friends instead of the 2nd gen kids.😭😭
Edit: IsaacBlake plsssssssssssssss
Edit: IsaacBlake plsssssssssssssss
May 19, 2024
“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.”
My exams are ending on the 24th of may and I have one more on 21st and I got this book so like every sane person I was conflicted on what to give more priority too and like every sane person I gave more priority to this book and somehow devoured this in 3 days and that is coming from someone who takes so long to read books.
I think it is mainly because how fantastic and and realistic the banter was between everyone, mainly Shane and Diana and I loved how natural it felt. One more thing that I liked was the missing hole that I feel reading many romance novel was filled in this one by giving both the characters a really good character arc. I loved how they shared their vulnerabilities with each other.
The romance was truly fantastic delivered on everything, the sweet moments, the fun moments, the laugh-out-loud moments and the hot moments and believe the moments were VERY HOT! I think this was probably my favourite EK book after the deal and the graham effect.
---> 5 stars
Being with Diana is like discovering a piece of myself that I never knew was missing. She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.”
My exams are ending on the 24th of may and I have one more on 21st and I got this book so like every sane person I was conflicted on what to give more priority too and like every sane person I gave more priority to this book and somehow devoured this in 3 days and that is coming from someone who takes so long to read books.
I think it is mainly because how fantastic and and realistic the banter was between everyone, mainly Shane and Diana and I loved how natural it felt. One more thing that I liked was the missing hole that I feel reading many romance novel was filled in this one by giving both the characters a really good character arc. I loved how they shared their vulnerabilities with each other.
The romance was truly fantastic delivered on everything, the sweet moments, the fun moments, the laugh-out-loud moments and the hot moments and believe the moments were VERY HOT! I think this was probably my favourite EK book after the deal and the graham effect.
---> 5 stars
Being with Diana is like discovering a piece of myself that I never knew was missing. She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.”
May 22, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
July 20, 2024
✩ 4.25 stars ✩
“I told them I had a girlfriend.” I start to laugh. “This is the greatest day of my life.” “Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.”
What to Expect:
➼ Fake Dating
➼ Enemies-to-lovers
➼ Friends with Benefits
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Hockey Player & Cheerleader
➼ Couples Dance Competition
➼ Make His Ex Jealous
➼ Domestic Violence/Stalking
➼ College Romance
➼ They Live on the Same Floor
➼ Grief & Loss
➼ Dual POV
I was extremely underwhelmed by The Graham Effect, but this was surprisingly good! I loved Shane & Diana’s dynamic so much! Enemies-to-lovers is a hard trope to do well and EK nailed it. Diana had some valid reasons to be wary of Shane, but mostly it just felt like they both liked to rile each other up. I was impressed by how well they both communicated when there were misunderstandings and that when Diana realized she had misjudged him, she owned up to it. I love the tension the enemies-to-lovers trope can create, but when authors drag it out, it ends up just making their MC’s seem immature and petty. Thankfully EK got the balance right.
I also really appreciated the way the author incorporated domestic violence into the plot. Sadly the way Diana handled it felt very relatable. She was embarrassed and placed some of the blame on herself even though rationally she knew it wasn’t her fault. If the same thing had happened to a friend, she would have insisted that they get help and go to the police, but she struggled to make that same call for herself. As a woman, it can be difficult to ask for help when you need it - or even to admit that you need help in the first place. Unfortunately these situations are all too real. I hope this book gives at least one girl out there the courage to get the help that they need. 🫶🏻
I was really not expecting this one to make me cry, but the ending had me sobbing. 😭For a college romance the plot had a lot of substance and the author did a great job of incorporating it all seamlessly into the story. I sometimes get the ick when men cry in books, but both scenes where Shane cried were so moving and only made me love him more. EK really found her mojo with this one - Beautiful characters and a beautiful story! This is definitely worth the read! 🖤
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Okay, I’m at 30% and I’m actually loving this, but someone really needs to tell EK that no one says “lit” anymore. 😅🫣
Pre-read: Hoping for plot with a side of smut, but knowing Elle Kennedy, I’ll probably get the reverse. 🙃
“I told them I had a girlfriend.” I start to laugh. “This is the greatest day of my life.” “Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.”
What to Expect:
➼ Fake Dating
➼ Enemies-to-lovers
➼ Friends with Benefits
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Hockey Player & Cheerleader
➼ Couples Dance Competition
➼ Make His Ex Jealous
➼ Domestic Violence/Stalking
➼ College Romance
➼ They Live on the Same Floor
➼ Grief & Loss
➼ Dual POV
I was extremely underwhelmed by The Graham Effect, but this was surprisingly good! I loved Shane & Diana’s dynamic so much! Enemies-to-lovers is a hard trope to do well and EK nailed it. Diana had some valid reasons to be wary of Shane, but mostly it just felt like they both liked to rile each other up. I was impressed by how well they both communicated when there were misunderstandings and that when Diana realized she had misjudged him, she owned up to it. I love the tension the enemies-to-lovers trope can create, but when authors drag it out, it ends up just making their MC’s seem immature and petty. Thankfully EK got the balance right.
I also really appreciated the way the author incorporated domestic violence into the plot. Sadly the way Diana handled it felt very relatable. She was embarrassed and placed some of the blame on herself even though rationally she knew it wasn’t her fault. If the same thing had happened to a friend, she would have insisted that they get help and go to the police, but she struggled to make that same call for herself. As a woman, it can be difficult to ask for help when you need it - or even to admit that you need help in the first place. Unfortunately these situations are all too real. I hope this book gives at least one girl out there the courage to get the help that they need. 🫶🏻
I was really not expecting this one to make me cry, but the ending had me sobbing. 😭For a college romance the plot had a lot of substance and the author did a great job of incorporating it all seamlessly into the story. I sometimes get the ick when men cry in books, but both scenes where Shane cried were so moving and only made me love him more. EK really found her mojo with this one - Beautiful characters and a beautiful story! This is definitely worth the read! 🖤
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Okay, I’m at 30% and I’m actually loving this, but someone really needs to tell EK that no one says “lit” anymore. 😅🫣
Pre-read: Hoping for plot with a side of smut, but knowing Elle Kennedy, I’ll probably get the reverse. 🙃
December 5, 2024
Elle Kennedy books are the most fun and heartbreaking at the same time! This one got so emotional, aka get your tissues! But I absolutely adored Diana and Shane together! They were everything!! And that kitchen scene?! Had my jaw in the floor! I just know the next book is going to be so good!
November 20, 2024
₊⊹⁀➴ 3.3/5 ⭐️
smut scenes are in this book
can i give this a 5/5 soley on the fact that the core four (garret, dean, logan, and tucker) have a scene together?
[ ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪] OVERVIEW: I am the biggest sucker for the fake dating trope. if a book has fake dating, you bet i’m reading it. I was skeptical about this book. i didn’t know if i would be able to recover from Gigi and Ryders book, since they put through an emotional wreck. but turns out this book made me absolutely lose it. i literally thought i was reading a cutesy sports romance book, but then I get SMACKED by trauma. this series is turning me into a wreck.
────୨ৎ────
SHANE: “I told them I had a girlfriend.”
DIANA: I start to laugh. “This is the greatest day of my life.”
SHANE: “Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.”
[ ☆ ] SHANE: now stay with me guys, i wasn’t the biggest fan of shane in the graham effect mainly because he was in his fuckboy phase, and i just felt icky about it. but he really stepped it up in his book, dare I say, boyfriend material? I mean come on he has a little sister he adores, and treats diana like royalty. he literally held her when she was full blown breaking down. i’m seeing green flags.
“What do you have to lose?”
“My patience. My dignity. My purity.”
[ ◡̈ ] DIANA: I loved Diana even though she brought up her height about 60 times throughout the book. but besides that, sure people say she’s blunt and ignorant but there’s so much more in her character than that. I love how her character differentiates between confidence, and flaws. she’s not afraid to tackle a new project, but she understands that she has flaws.
────୨ৎ────
[ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡] OTHER THOUGHTS: so ryder and gigi make multiple cameos in this book, and I eat every single cameo of them up. ryder is head over HEELS in love with gigi and it just makes me so happy for them. (i miss them so much you guys don’t even understand)
“She’s his entire life and he would die for her. It’s telegraphed in his eyes the moment you say her name.”
and the fact that JOHN LOGAN IS MENTIONED AGAIN?!?!?
“John Logan skates over to join the trio. He’s refereeing today’s game too. Another Stanley Cup winner. Another legend.”
[ ° ] I am percy’s biggest hater, my girl diana didn’t deserve that, and when i catch him. trust he will not see the light of DAY. (he’s a fictional character maelyn, what’re you even saying)
────୨ৎ────
[ 𝜗𝜚 ] QUOTES:
“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?
RYDER: Yes and?” — me when the love of my life (ryder) speaks: blah blah blah property, place name, backstory stuff
“You’re not tired of Gisele yet?”
“Never.” His face softens anytime Gigi is mentioned. And whenever that raw, unconcealed love floods his face, it almost feels like you’re intruding.”
“Dude, Diana can do so much better than you.”
“Ha. Like Gigi earned herself a prince.”
“You’re probably right about that. They’re both way out of our leagues.”
“Coach mutters. “Any man who raises his hand to a woman doesn’t deserve to see daylight.”
“Brenna Connelly is terrifying. I’ve seen her cut down men twice her size on her TSBN sports show. She knows her hockey better than all the analysts at the network combined.” — brenna finally mentioned
“I am the most loyal fake girlfriend you will ever have. I fake love you, Shane. I want to fake marry you and have your fake babies. Okay?”
I glare at her. “Uncalled for. I can’t believe you brought our fake children into this.”
“ I like control, but I’m not a control freak—I can easily give up the reins if needed. I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t break down if something isn’t perfect”
“you know a man truly loves a woman when he’s willing to humiliate himself in front of her family.”
“ She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.” — the graham effect parallel
“I don’t want you to change. I want you for you.”
“I’ve shielded you your entire life. That’s what I do. I’m your dad. I try to make sure the bad stuff doesn’t reach you.”
“I want you to remember that no matter where I am, I’ll always be with you. Watching out for you.”
“Dixon has been my rock since the nightmare began. She’s the only light in this pitch-black, claustrophobic tunnel I can’t seem to find my way out of.” — logan and grace parallel
smut scenes are in this book
can i give this a 5/5 soley on the fact that the core four (garret, dean, logan, and tucker) have a scene together?
[ ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪] OVERVIEW: I am the biggest sucker for the fake dating trope. if a book has fake dating, you bet i’m reading it. I was skeptical about this book. i didn’t know if i would be able to recover from Gigi and Ryders book, since they put through an emotional wreck. but turns out this book made me absolutely lose it. i literally thought i was reading a cutesy sports romance book, but then I get SMACKED by trauma. this series is turning me into a wreck.
────୨ৎ────
SHANE: “I told them I had a girlfriend.”
DIANA: I start to laugh. “This is the greatest day of my life.”
SHANE: “Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.”
[ ☆ ] SHANE: now stay with me guys, i wasn’t the biggest fan of shane in the graham effect mainly because he was in his fuckboy phase, and i just felt icky about it. but he really stepped it up in his book, dare I say, boyfriend material? I mean come on he has a little sister he adores, and treats diana like royalty. he literally held her when she was full blown breaking down. i’m seeing green flags.
“What do you have to lose?”
“My patience. My dignity. My purity.”
[ ◡̈ ] DIANA: I loved Diana even though she brought up her height about 60 times throughout the book. but besides that, sure people say she’s blunt and ignorant but there’s so much more in her character than that. I love how her character differentiates between confidence, and flaws. she’s not afraid to tackle a new project, but she understands that she has flaws.
────୨ৎ────
[ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡] OTHER THOUGHTS: so ryder and gigi make multiple cameos in this book, and I eat every single cameo of them up. ryder is head over HEELS in love with gigi and it just makes me so happy for them. (i miss them so much you guys don’t even understand)
“She’s his entire life and he would die for her. It’s telegraphed in his eyes the moment you say her name.”
and the fact that JOHN LOGAN IS MENTIONED AGAIN?!?!?
“John Logan skates over to join the trio. He’s refereeing today’s game too. Another Stanley Cup winner. Another legend.”
[ ° ] I am percy’s biggest hater, my girl diana didn’t deserve that, and when i catch him. trust he will not see the light of DAY. (he’s a fictional character maelyn, what’re you even saying)
────୨ৎ────
[ 𝜗𝜚 ] QUOTES:
“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?
RYDER: Yes and?” — me when the love of my life (ryder) speaks: blah blah blah property, place name, backstory stuff
“You’re not tired of Gisele yet?”
“Never.” His face softens anytime Gigi is mentioned. And whenever that raw, unconcealed love floods his face, it almost feels like you’re intruding.”
“Dude, Diana can do so much better than you.”
“Ha. Like Gigi earned herself a prince.”
“You’re probably right about that. They’re both way out of our leagues.”
“Coach mutters. “Any man who raises his hand to a woman doesn’t deserve to see daylight.”
“Brenna Connelly is terrifying. I’ve seen her cut down men twice her size on her TSBN sports show. She knows her hockey better than all the analysts at the network combined.” — brenna finally mentioned
“I am the most loyal fake girlfriend you will ever have. I fake love you, Shane. I want to fake marry you and have your fake babies. Okay?”
I glare at her. “Uncalled for. I can’t believe you brought our fake children into this.”
“ I like control, but I’m not a control freak—I can easily give up the reins if needed. I’m a perfectionist, but I don’t break down if something isn’t perfect”
“you know a man truly loves a woman when he’s willing to humiliate himself in front of her family.”
“ She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.” — the graham effect parallel
“I don’t want you to change. I want you for you.”
“I’ve shielded you your entire life. That’s what I do. I’m your dad. I try to make sure the bad stuff doesn’t reach you.”
“I want you to remember that no matter where I am, I’ll always be with you. Watching out for you.”
“Dixon has been my rock since the nightmare began. She’s the only light in this pitch-black, claustrophobic tunnel I can’t seem to find my way out of.” — logan and grace parallel
May 24, 2024
I do enjoy an Elle Kennedy book every now and then, but why do these men often give ‘uunga uunga uunga’ caveman vibes? They see nipples poking through a t-shirt and act like they’ve just discovered fire.
June 1, 2024
Tbh I loved but also like so so sad. I was down bad crying in the gym reading the last 10%
Want to read
May 23, 2024HOLY SHIT!!! THIS FANART! 🧎♀️🥵
May 22, 2024
So good and bingeable.
May 22, 2024
4.25🌟
🎶I like the way you kiss me 🎶
I’m going to try to keep this review on the shorter side since I’m behind on reviews. I absolutely adored this book so much. I think I favor the Graham Effect slightly more but this was still amazing. Shane and Diana’s banter was so funny. Shane is such a hopeless romantic which I definitely wasn’t expecting. He cares, and loves so deeply. Shane is so protective of his family and Diana, uhh my heart. Diana was such a firecracker I love her, she was self-assured of herself but I got glimpses of insecurities that made her feel so real.
“I told them I had a girlfriend.'
I start to laugh. 'This is the greatest day of my life.'
'Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.'
The book follows Diana and Shane over the summer. Diana has never been fond of Shane so when she finds out he’s moving in the apartment next door things get complicated. Shane is a hockey player for Briar University, he’s tired of meaningless hookups and wants to settle down with a woman he loves. Diana is working two jobs, all while attending cheer practice, and practicing for a ballroom dancing competition. When Shane’s ex-girlfriend is back in town he panics saying he has a girlfriend that happens to be Diana. After Diana’s dance partner drops out, Shane steps up to be her partner in exchange for being his fake girlfriend. She agrees not only because she’s in need of a partner, but also because her ex-boyfriend doesn’t know how to take no for an answer…
“It’s official. True love doesn’t exist.” I lie down beside her and bring her hand to my lips, brushing a kiss on her knuckles. “You’re wrong,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “It does.”
What to Expect:
🏒dual pov
🏒 summer romcom
🏒cheerleader x hockey player
🏒fake dating
🏒 forced proximity
🏒 enemies to frenemies with benefits
🏒 (reversed) grumpy x sunshine
🏒 no third act breakup
🏒 mental health/anxiety rep
🏒slow burn
🏒 he falls first
🏒 9 inches → yes it’s an official trope, yes I checked she’s fine
“Admitting that you're weak sometimes doesn't mean you're not strong. It means you're human .”
I really enjoyed this, 100% recommend. I hope anyone who ends up reading it enjoys it as much as me. Thank you for reading !
Trigger warnings:
Domestic abuse, gaslighting, cancer, assault, & death of parent.
Bonus Quotes:
“If you love someone, you should always tell them. Life is too short, and you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
“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. She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.”
“You have no idea how much I love you. It's almost pathetic. 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 love you. I'm not giving you up. Ever.”
“Ever, huh?”
“Well, as long as you'll have me.”
----
4.25 RTC!
I saw something about 9 inches👀 Listen I have to make sure my girl Diana is okay. Hopefully I like this one as much as the first one 🤭💘
🎶I like the way you kiss me 🎶
I’m going to try to keep this review on the shorter side since I’m behind on reviews. I absolutely adored this book so much. I think I favor the Graham Effect slightly more but this was still amazing. Shane and Diana’s banter was so funny. Shane is such a hopeless romantic which I definitely wasn’t expecting. He cares, and loves so deeply. Shane is so protective of his family and Diana, uhh my heart. Diana was such a firecracker I love her, she was self-assured of herself but I got glimpses of insecurities that made her feel so real.
“I told them I had a girlfriend.'
I start to laugh. 'This is the greatest day of my life.'
'Oh, it gets better, Dixon. I told them it was you.'
The book follows Diana and Shane over the summer. Diana has never been fond of Shane so when she finds out he’s moving in the apartment next door things get complicated. Shane is a hockey player for Briar University, he’s tired of meaningless hookups and wants to settle down with a woman he loves. Diana is working two jobs, all while attending cheer practice, and practicing for a ballroom dancing competition. When Shane’s ex-girlfriend is back in town he panics saying he has a girlfriend that happens to be Diana. After Diana’s dance partner drops out, Shane steps up to be her partner in exchange for being his fake girlfriend. She agrees not only because she’s in need of a partner, but also because her ex-boyfriend doesn’t know how to take no for an answer…
“It’s official. True love doesn’t exist.” I lie down beside her and bring her hand to my lips, brushing a kiss on her knuckles. “You’re wrong,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “It does.”
What to Expect:
🏒dual pov
🏒 summer romcom
🏒cheerleader x hockey player
🏒fake dating
🏒 forced proximity
🏒 enemies to frenemies with benefits
🏒 (reversed) grumpy x sunshine
🏒 no third act breakup
🏒 mental health/anxiety rep
🏒slow burn
🏒 he falls first
🏒 9 inches → yes it’s an official trope, yes I checked she’s fine
“Admitting that you're weak sometimes doesn't mean you're not strong. It means you're human .”
I really enjoyed this, 100% recommend. I hope anyone who ends up reading it enjoys it as much as me. Thank you for reading !
Trigger warnings:
Domestic abuse, gaslighting, cancer, assault, & death of parent.
Bonus Quotes:
“If you love someone, you should always tell them. Life is too short, and you never know what tomorrow will bring.”
“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. She makes me want to be the best version of myself, not because I feel like I have to impress her but because she inspires me to be better.”
“You have no idea how much I love you. It's almost pathetic. 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 love you. I'm not giving you up. Ever.”
“Ever, huh?”
“Well, as long as you'll have me.”
----
4.25 RTC!
I saw something about 9 inches👀 Listen I have to make sure my girl Diana is okay. Hopefully I like this one as much as the first one 🤭💘
May 29, 2024
4 stars
After reading ‘The Graham Effect’ I was excited to read more from Elle Kennedy’s ‘Campus Diaries’ series. I hoped this would be another next-generation book, but it’s not. The characters were friends of the hero and heroine of book one, though, and it was still fun to be back there.
Diana Dixon does not like Shane Lindley. And now, he’s her neighbor. Shane plays hockey and Diana is the head cheerleader. This starts enemies to lovers but the enemy part is very one-sided. Shane likes Diana just fine. As Diana gets to know Shane better she gradually becomes friends with him. Then enters the fake dating aspect of the book.
I love a fake dating storyline. I had so much fun with that part of the story. With the fake dating became a lovely friendship. The story did get much heavier as the book went on . There were a few hard-to-read parts. As a whole, I enjoyed the book a lot. Elle Kennedy does college sports romances so well!
After reading ‘The Graham Effect’ I was excited to read more from Elle Kennedy’s ‘Campus Diaries’ series. I hoped this would be another next-generation book, but it’s not. The characters were friends of the hero and heroine of book one, though, and it was still fun to be back there.
Diana Dixon does not like Shane Lindley. And now, he’s her neighbor. Shane plays hockey and Diana is the head cheerleader. This starts enemies to lovers but the enemy part is very one-sided. Shane likes Diana just fine. As Diana gets to know Shane better she gradually becomes friends with him. Then enters the fake dating aspect of the book.
I love a fake dating storyline. I had so much fun with that part of the story. With the fake dating became a lovely friendship. The story did get much heavier as the book went on . There were a few hard-to-read parts. As a whole, I enjoyed the book a lot. Elle Kennedy does college sports romances so well!
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Corvin King & Erin Mallon
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: NA Romance
Length: 13h 17m
January 2, 2026
Elle Kennedy’s writing is so addictive I just can’t help this re read 🩷
May 20, 2024
- I’m really not understanding her animosity…
- she’s always the one antagonizing and I don’t find it attractive. I don’t even understand if wtf
- I really don’t want to read books where the guy talk about his boners for other girls. DEFINITELY don’t want to read about the MMC jerking off multiple times to hearing his best friends girlfriend come
- hate hate hate hate when they’re not over their ex omgggg
- really shitty of lynsey not to mention she’s being her boyfriend
- I like Shane. For the most part. Diana I’m having a hard time with
- I feel like his dad is dying
- your heart flipping over your ex when we’re 65% into the book. That’s a NO from me
- omg no. Please no. Please don’t have will watch them have sex. Please no no
- she might not feel gross about this BUT I DO. YOURE ALL IN THE SAME FRIEND GROUP
- oh also btw there’s too much hockey details that happens for me.
- I can’t frickin believe he went to talk with his ex even after Diana said not to. That he didn’t even RESPOND to her confession. Although tbh this is low on my list of grievances compared to other things. I wouldn’t expect any better from men written by this author
- I CANT BELIEVE HIS DAD HIS DEAD WHYYYYYYYYY. SERIOUSLY WHYYYY?????
- oh great the issue with her ex wasn’t resolved omggggg
Was it necessary for this book to be so long? I actually loved their banter and relationship. It was everything else that bothers me makes me give it a lower rating
- she’s always the one antagonizing and I don’t find it attractive. I don’t even understand if wtf
- I really don’t want to read books where the guy talk about his boners for other girls. DEFINITELY don’t want to read about the MMC jerking off multiple times to hearing his best friends girlfriend come
- hate hate hate hate when they’re not over their ex omgggg
- really shitty of lynsey not to mention she’s being her boyfriend
- I like Shane. For the most part. Diana I’m having a hard time with
- I feel like his dad is dying
- your heart flipping over your ex when we’re 65% into the book. That’s a NO from me
- omg no. Please no. Please don’t have will watch them have sex. Please no no
- she might not feel gross about this BUT I DO. YOURE ALL IN THE SAME FRIEND GROUP
- oh also btw there’s too much hockey details that happens for me.
- I can’t frickin believe he went to talk with his ex even after Diana said not to. That he didn’t even RESPOND to her confession. Although tbh this is low on my list of grievances compared to other things. I wouldn’t expect any better from men written by this author
- I CANT BELIEVE HIS DAD HIS DEAD WHYYYYYYYYY. SERIOUSLY WHYYYY?????
- oh great the issue with her ex wasn’t resolved omggggg
Was it necessary for this book to be so long? I actually loved their banter and relationship. It was everything else that bothers me makes me give it a lower rating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
If Elle Kennedy has no fans, then I'm dead. I LOVED this one so much.
May 19, 2024
*googles how to unread a book* my eyeballs are bleeding.
Want to read
November 9, 2023allie and garret being hannah and garretts friends🤝🏻shane and diana being ryder and gigi’s.
may 2024 here we go😌
may 2024 here we go😌
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