The Dixon Rule

The Dixon Rule (2024) is the second installment in Elle Kennedy’s adult sports romance series Campus Diaries. The novel follows Briar University cheer captain, Diana Dixon, who agrees to fake-date hockey player Shane Lindley to rid herself of her possessive ex-boyfriend and simultaneously make Shane’s ex-girlfriend jealous. Over time, Diana and Shane realize that they might be falling in love. The novel explores such themes as Overcoming Shame After Abuse, Finding Empowerment in Relationships, and Embracing Life to the Fullest.

This guide is based on the 2024 Bloom Books e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide feature depictions of physical abuse and sexual content.

Plot Summary

Alternating between the first-person perspectives of Diana Dixon and Shane Lindley, the novel traces the development of their relationship from contentious neighbors into romantic partners. Diana, a 21-year-old Briar University cheer captain, lives in a Meadow Hill apartment inherited from her late aunt. Balancing cheerleading, dance, two part-time jobs, and a social media account, Diana is ambitious but constantly feels the weight of her mother’s disapproval. Diana is also constantly harassed by her toxic and controlling ex-boyfriend, Percy, who refuses to accept their breakup.

Shane Lindley, a senior hockey player at Briar University, is known as a playboy. With dreams of playing in the NHL and strong ties to his family in Vermont, Shane leads a life largely free of responsibility outside of hockey. However, he has unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Lynsey, whom he dated for four years.

When Shane moves into the apartment next door to Diana, she immediately establishes strict rules for Shane: no parties, no fraternizing, and no involvement with her cheerleading teammates. Though she and Shane have a rule not to associate with each other, Shane eventually invites himself over to her apartment to watch Fling or Forever, a reality dating show. They soon make a habit of watching new episodes together.

Not long after Shane moves in, Diana’s dance partner for an upcoming dance competition—the National Upper Amateur Ballroom Championships (NUABC)—bails on her. She becomes desperate to find a replacement but is reluctant to ask Shane. Meanwhile, Lynsey comes to town for a Briar University tour and asks to stay with Shane. He excitedly accepts, thinking it will rekindle their relationship.

When Lynsey brings her new boyfriend, Tyreek, Shane hides his embarrassment by claiming he has a girlfriend of his own. He begs Diana to pretend to be his girlfriend for the night. In their cover story, Shane claims he agreed to participate in the NUABC competition with Diana. Lynsey, who competes in the competition as well, is shocked and annoyed at this revelation, as Shane always refused to be her competition partner.

Percy continues to visit Diana’s apartment, constantly texts her, and becomes aggressive in his efforts to get her attention. One day, he visits her at work. Diana insists she doesn’t want to date him again. Frustrated, she eventually lies and says she’s dating Shane. In a fit of jealousy, Percy grabs Diana by the arm to shout at her. When she attempts to dislodge his grip, he punches her in the face.

In the days following, Diana keeps her encounter with Percy a secret. She lies to everyone, claiming her bruised face was caused by an accident. Privately, she documents all the evidence with photos and screenshots of her text conversation with Percy after the fact—in which he admits to what he did but blames her for the incident—and puts them in a folder on her phone. She feels ashamed, which further convinces her not to reveal the truth to her friends or family.

Lynsey calls Shane a week after her visit to talk. While she is jealous that he’s competing in NUABC with Diana, she admits that she’s proud of his growth, as it seems he will finally put someone else first. While Shane thinks this is unfair, he feels giddy at potentially impressing Lynsey. Convinced that going through with the dance competition will continue to stoke Lynsey’s interest in him, Shane agrees to be Diana’s dance partner and they begin rehearsing.

Diana and Shane become closer through dance rehearsals and their hangouts during Fling or Forever release nights. Diana is soon horrified to learn that Percy has intentionally moved into an apartment at her complex while he waits for his new townhouse’s lease to start. Shane agrees to fake-date Diana for the entirety of Percy’s stay at Meadow Hill after she admits to lying to Percy about Shane being her boyfriend. As their fake-dating arrangement continues, Diana and Shane eventually cannot resist the chemistry between them. They agree on an exclusive friends-with-benefits arrangement but resist any actual feelings beyond sexual attraction to each other.

Their fake-dating façade eventually spreads to their friends and family, prompting Diana and Shane to meet each other’s loved ones. Diana witnesses Shane’s closeness with his family and earns the approval of his parents, who think her a much better match for him than Lynsey. Eventually, both begin to have real feelings for each other, but they hesitate to voice these out loud or act upon them.

When Shane accidentally discovers the photos in Diana’s phone documenting Percy’s abuse, he is angered on her behalf. With Shane’s encouragement and support, Diana takes her evidence to the police and files a report as well as a restraining order against Percy. When her father finds out, he is devastated Diana didn’t tell him, but she explains it’s because she didn’t want the news to change his view of her as a strong woman. Meanwhile, when Diana’s distant mother finds out, she doesn’t reach out. Seeking comfort, Diana invites Shane to spend the night for the first time—their first moment of deeper intimacy.

Diana and Shane eventually compete in the NUABC, placing 5th overall. Shane rushes to a hockey game immediately afterward, which his team wins. Lynsey intercepts him outside the locker room afterwards and asks to talk. Though he initially rejects her, he eventually gives in. Diana asks him not to after admitting her feelings for him and her desire to date for real. However, Shane insists on speaking with Lynsey, which Diana takes as proof he still has feelings for her.

Diana rides back home with her friend Gigi. When they discover Percy’s car outside her apartment complex, they call the police. Meanwhile, Lynsey tells Shane she would like to reconcile, but Shane notices she’s still the same self-involved girl she always was. He finally accepts their relationship was one-sided and unfulfilling for him. After telling Lynsey he’s happily dating Diana, he goes home. Shane rushes to Diana’s apartment after seeing police vehicles outside. When he learns Diana is safe, he’s relieved. Shane admits his feelings for Diana, and they agree to date for real.

Diana and Shane spend the holidays with their families. After Shane’s first post-Thanksgiving game, he learns his father has been hospitalized. Shane rushes home. His parents reveal that his father has terminal cancer, which they’ve kept secret for the past six months so their children could live their lives as normal. Three days later, Shane’s father dies and the family grieves. Intent on fulfilling the promise he made to his father to look out for his mom and sister, Shane takes a temporary leave from hockey to help them settle the estate and move houses.

While Shane is out of town helping his family, Diana moves forward with her case against Percy, determined to get justice. Percy becomes enraged at losing his fellowship due to the legal troubles. He breaks into Diana’s apartment and beats her badly, accusing her of ruining his life. Diana’s nosy neighbor, Niall, saves her life by calling the police immediately. After receiving a call about the situation, Shane rushes to the hospital to be with Diana. He tells Diana that a conversation with his mom has convinced Shane to move back to Meadow Hill, finish school, and continue with hockey. Diana attends counseling to recover from her trauma, and reaches out to her mother to mend their relationship, Shane returns to hockey to honor his father, and they continue happily dating.