The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy review: hot, funny, and way too easy to inhale

There is something deeply satisfying about a romance where two people start out mutually annoyed and then proceed to become each other’s biggest problem in the hottest way possible. The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy is exactly that kind of mess. Diana is already juggling way too much, Shane is all hockey player and bad timing, and the fake dating setup kicks this straight into catnip territory. This one is funny, sexy, and wildly easy to blow through in one sitting.

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy is totally addictive. ~ Under the Covers

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What is The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy about?

Diana Dixon is already having a summer from hell, between dance rehearsals, work, and an ex who seriously does not know how to take the hint. Then Shane Lindley shows up in her orbit and makes himself everyone’s problem, including hers. He’s hot, annoying, and suddenly in need of a fake girlfriend. She has ex drama of her own, so obviously these two decide to fake date, while living in the same building full of nosy neighbors.

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy Book Review

When I picked up The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy I knew the sparks were going to be flying. Shane and Diana have never been in the best of terms, but now that they live in the same building they have to tolerate each other. They both have a lot going on, Diana with ballroom dance competitions, two jobs and a horrible ex. Shane with hockey and also the heartbreak of his ex, who happens to come to town with her new boyfriend. Obviously he has to show her that he’s over her, so he throws Diana conveniently under the bus and pretends she’s his girlfriend.

The hijinks between these two were top notch. The bickering and banter was adorable, just as much as them discovering that actually they really like each other and are so compatible. I particularly loved that Shane ends up roped into a ballroom dance competition because if there’s anything that will make you laugh is seeing a hockey player trying to balance also learning to dance and twirl.

The chemistry between Diana and Shane is off the chart and the romance is pure fun. But we have to also talk about the found family and community. Not only with the friends, although yes that’s there. But my favorite was the nosy neighbors at the building. The whole thing felt so relatable, the group chat, the meeting, just everything about that gave such a fun change to the series because we are always so used to seeing these characters just around their group of friends. It was refreshing.

That being said there is also heaviness. Diana’s ex is more than just a nuisance and we do get to see past and present experiences that Diana has to go through that were difficult to read. And if that wasn’t enough of a gut punch, we also have another big twist at the end that dug the knife into my heart a little too. So go into this one also prepared for some emotional damage as well as looking for fun and steam.

But all that being said, The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy is totally addictive.

Trigger warning: on page and past domestic violence and the death of a parent

If the Dixon Rule sent you spiraling back into the Briar world, the complete Off Campus universe series guide has the full reading order, spicy chapters across every connected book.

Final Thoughts

Diana and Shane have that fun, combative spark from the start, but the book does not coast on banter alone. It gives them real stuff to deal with too. Basically, I flew through this and had a great time doing it.

Ready to continue the series? Check out my review of Love Song by Elle Kennedy, an interconnected standalone. Or go back to read The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy.

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