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.