Memorial Day Weekend Double Feature: The Graham Effect and The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

This Memorial Day Weekend, I bring you a double feature: the first two novels in Elle Kennedy’s latest series, “Campus Diaries.” The Graham Effect (following the story of Gigi Graham and Luke Ryder) and The Dixon Rule (Diana Dixon and Shane Lindley’s). Both are quick reads and perfect for a long weekend. When you tear through those and are looking for something to fill the rom-com void, Elle Kennedy has a huge catalog to explore. 

Summaries (abridged from the author’s website): 

The Graham Effect 

Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.

The summer coaching spot [Luke] is angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.

The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.

The Dixon Rule

Diana Dixon has a lot going on this summer. She’s rehearsing for a ballroom dance competition, juggling two jobs, and dealing with an ex-boyfriend who can’t take the hint it’s over. Yet despite all that, she still has plenty of time and energy to tell Shane Lindley to screw off.

Shane just moved into her apartment building and seems dedicated to sleeping his way through her entire cheerleading squad. Sure, he’s a tall, gorgeous hockey player, but he’s messing with her turf. This calls for some ground rules: no parties in her apartment, leave her teammates alone, and—most importantly—leave her alone.

What Diana doesn’t realize is that Shane’s sick of hookups and tired of being on the rebound after his long-term girlfriend called it quits. He wants a relationship. And when his ex comes back into the picture, he pretends he has one to make her jealous…and who better to play the girlfriend role than his sassy new neighbor?

Despite Diana’s reluctance to break her rule, a fake relationship is the perfect solution for her own ex issues, and soon she can’t deny something is sizzling between her and Shane. Something hot and completely unexpected.

And it might just be getting a little too real.

Reviews: 

Both books were sweet, funny, and spicy. The characters were fairly well developed with very distinct personalities, values, and interests. In true rom-com fashion, you must have a willing suspension of disbelief that some undergrad kids are homeowners, their general lack of homework, and the seemingly unlimited number of hours in a day to have full social lives, be college athletes, and nail their Ivy-League educations. 

What struck me about these two books was the depth that Kennedy brings to her genre. She hits all the fun tropes (fake dating, forced proximity, hockey, college antics) and her novels keep a good pace. I didn’t expect the heavier themes that were woven into the characters’ past, or the care with which the author approaches them. The Graham Effect includes elements of domestic violence, sexual assault, and the complicated healing associated with those events. The Dixon Rule includes plot points of domestic abuse and [redacted due to spoilers]. If you are someone who is sensitive to certain tropes, I recommend doing a quick google search for trigger warnings! (At first I was concerned by the consistency of the domestic violence in both stories, but I think it’s admirable that Kennedy brings high level issues to a traditionally fluffy genre.) I was brought to tears toward the end of The Dixon Rule, so be prepared for some serious feelings! 

I think they’re the perfect easy reads for a holiday weekend. Both are included in Kindle Unlimited, and have audiobook companions through Audible. I would definitely suggest pairing both books with a pool, ice cold beverage, and plenty of sunscreen.  

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Summary: Evie Porter has it all. She’s moving in with her gorgeous boyfriend, has upgraded from a clerk job to a snazzy event planning gig, and is settling into coupled life in her sleepy Louisiana town. Unfortunately, Evie Porter doesn’t exist, and the life she’s so carefully curated is all under the instruction of her illusion boss, Mr. Smith. Evie is his best operative, but she can’t help but feel like something about this job is different. Will she be able to extricate herself from the danger before falling for the false life she’s created?  

Review: I have to credit my friend Catherine for bringing this as my book club’s May pick! Ashley Elston has had several successful YA novels (10 Blind Dates, The Lying Woods, etc) and this is her Adult Fiction debut. I listened to the audiobook via Spotify and the voice actress (Saskia Maarleveld) was captivating. Fabulous delivery, differentiation of character, and her “man” voice wasn’t cringey. 

 This book was very character-driven, and the core characters (Evie, Ryan, Devon) were well developed. Including highly specific character quirks (see: Devon’s penchant for puzzles) gave depth to a man who could have easily been the “Wade” to Evie’s “Kim Possible.” I also liked that the hijinks were low on the tech. It was more fun to read about characters who were successful agents due to their attention to detail and savvy than having the latest safe-cracking gadget. 

I loved that the plot kept me guessing! I’m pretty good at predicting twists, but First Lie Wins made me gasp a couple of times. That was wildly satisfying! The plot is so cleverly crafted and circumvents any cliches that may have arisen. 

It’s a “must read” for me! Consider me onboard for Elston’s next work. I may even dig back and read some of her YA (especially after loving Thalia Hibbert’s “High Suspicious and Unfairly Cute). Pick it up, give it a read, and let me know what you think about Ashley Elston’s “First Lie Wins”! 

xo Bookstore Heroine 

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Summary: Daphne has uprooted her life to move to Waning Bay, Michigan to begin a picture perfect life with fiancé Peter. When Peter calls off their engagement after realizing he’s in love with his childhood best friend, Petra, Daphne finds herself with no home and no friends. Just a job she loves as a children’s librarian but that barely pays the bills. Practicality leads her to move in with Miles, Petra’s ex. To save face on social media, Miles and Daphne post a picture that implies that they’re more than roommates. After all, a harmless white lie couldn’t lead to anything deeper, right?

Review: LOVE. I’ve read Emily Henry’s whole catalogue and often feel like she’s writing the stories just for me. Before I read Funny Story, I staunchly defended Happy Place as her best novel. This one, though, had me laughing, crying, and contemplating my existence as a single 30-something. Henry’s characterization of her FMCs rarely misses and Daphne is no exception. Her interests, pet peeves, and rich inner life create a character I half expect to come waltzing past the booth where I’m currently sitting at my local library.

I crave stories like Funny Story. Yes, there’s a romance at the plot’s core but it’s so much more than a “romance novel.” It’s about the dismantling and careful restructuring of the life Daphne wants to create for herself. When I finished the book and placed it back on the shelf, I knew the story wouldn’t stay there. For the last week I have thought of a quote, moment of growth, or funny moment from Funny Story every day. It’s safe to say I’ll read this one again.

xo Bookstore Heroine

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Synopsis: This is the third novel in Ashley Herring Blake’s Bright Falls series (following Delilah Green Doesn’t Care and Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail). In this story the creative, outgoing, and strong-willed Iris Kelly finds herself surrounded by her disgustingly happy friends who have all found their perfect partners. She has several failed relationships, a shuttered paper goods store, and an overbearing family. In an attempt to get out of her comfort zone Iris signs on to a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing and is swept into a fake-dating scheme with her sapphic Benedick. The two must decide what’s real, what’s for show, and what they mean to each other.

Review: Of the three books in the series, I think this was my least favorite. This surprised me because Iris is my favorite of the original group. The story is told in dual perspectives-alternating between Iris and her would-be love interest Stevie. I felt like they were a bit uneven. Iris felt like a fleshed out person (which makes sense as readers have known her for two other books). Stevie, alternatively, falls flat. A big part of her story is finding autonomy while living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Blake has a knack for creating a cast of characters that provide beautiful representation for minority groups and they usually “pop.” Stevie’s anxiety is juxtaposed with a queer crew of big personalities. Several of these end up falling into trope-like patterns that grew a bit weary. I found myself preferring Iris’ POV chapters. That being said, it was fun being back in Bright Falls with Iris, Claire, Astrid, and Delilah. The last chapters were particularly heartwarming and put a big, cuddly bow on the original group’s stories. If you’re read the first 2, go ahead and read this one too. I wouldn’t grab this as a standalone, though.

xo Bookstore Heroine

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels was an absolute delight. It was my book club’s April read and we had a lovely time chatting about our favorite bits over pub fare at a British-style pub in RVA (Penny Lane Pub). I absolutely adored the zany adventure, the quick pace, and the ostentatious characters. Holton’s prose is wildly quotable. (Moving forward I will only be referring to legal adults as “those of assassin-able age.”) The complex web of relationships and the double (triple? quadruple?) identities kept me on my toes the entire read. I had planned on pulling a thriller from my TBR list for my next read but after reading this I ran to Libby and downloaded the sequel. This would make a perfect summer read, preferably paired with a strong cup of Earl Grey.

xo Bookstore Heroine

Independent Bookstore Day 2024

April 27th, 2024 was Independent Bookstore Day! I visited three local bookstores. Check out the links below to find out more about Resist Books, The Book Exchange, and The Little Bookshop.

Resist Booksellers (books purchased: Sisters with a Side of Greens by Michelle Stimpson and Saturday by Oge Mora)

The Book Exchange (book purchased: The Coworker by Freida McFadden)

The Little Bookshop (book purchased: Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan)

xo Bookstore Heroine

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Summary: A professionally disgraced therapist works with a wealthy Washingtonian couple to heal a rift in their marriage. It's hard to tell who is hiding more secrets, though...the couple, their therapist, or the myriad of characters in their tangled web. Is it just their marriage at stake, or something more dire?

Review: This book was suggested by a thriller-loving friend. Although I wouldn't classify this as a "thriller," it maintained the aspects of psychological thrillers that I love: consistent pacing, morally grey characters, and surprising twists. I can generally spot a twist ending, and I loved that this one had multiple turns and surprises instead of one Shamalan-esque reveal.

xo Bookstore Heroine

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Summary: Constance and Mary Katherine Blackwood have always lived in the big, beautiful house on the hill. Not even the tragic poisoning of their family in the grand dining room could make them leave. When questionable cousin Charles comes to visit, an irrevocable change seems to be looming at the well-secured gates.

Review: This is my first foray into Shirley Jackson’s world of unsettling literature. I’m usually a quick reader but this had me slowing down and savoring the text. The hundred-some-odd pages are packed with nuanced accounts of the sisters’ stunted lives. I picked up on one of the twists pretty early on, but it was just as satisfying to be correct as it would have been to be surprised. In terms of plot, I was left unsettled. The story doesn’t follow a traditional plot structure. Instead, it felt like a chapters-long exposition, a climax that held the promise of excitement, and a quick descent back into the style of the first part of the story. I’m sure this was a choice by Jackson-maybe it reflects the lack of growth of the girls, and therefore traditional character growth and resolution wouldn’t fit the Blackwood style. Although it left me feeling unfinished, I’m glad I spent some time with Constance, Merricat, and Uncle Julian.

xo Bookstore Heroine

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

Summary: Ghost Writer Florence Day was raised in an eclectic, funeral-home-owning family. Her dreams of being a romance novelist are dashed in the wake (lol. Get it? Death puns.) of a disastrous breakup. When a family tragedy brings her back to her roots, she’ll have to deal with her ghosts (literal and figurative) once and for all.

Review: Read it. It’s delightful. Honest without being sappy, funny without trying too hard. The characters are enigmatic and each adds depth to the small-town life created by Poston. I particularly like Dana and John and The Mayor. I had a particular color of page tabs for a character so infuriating I would sometimes need to take a breather and remember that he isn’t real and therefore not punchable, and DEAR LORD THE PUNS. This book is pun heaven. If you love love or love ghost stories, give this a read.

XO Bookstore Heroine

Prologue.

Welcome to a concept many years in the making. I’ve always considered myself a happy consumer of art, but never a maker. In my adult life I’ve been a performer, a teacher, a student, and a cog in the wheel of corporate America. Through all of those titles, I’ve maintained the status of active reader.

My love of the written word became strong enough that I couldn’t quite find the right outlet in my life for it. I love my bookish friends, but it would seem my affection for books is a bit more…intense. If you, reader, are in a similar situation then I invite you to come revel in this virtual space of literary obsession.