The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy in quick, rapid-fire thoughts.

-my first why choose romance
-the fact that romance is a duet narration! It simply HAD to be! (Okay, but is there another word for this as there are, in fact, three narrators?)
-this one was all "step aside previous two books in the series. Let me show you how steam is done"... and it did it SO well!
-phenomenal character arcs and stories for all three
-this ending shocked and surprised me in the best way

-Will, Charlie and Beckett
-MFM romance
-audiobook narrated by Teddy Hamilton, Sean Masters and Persephone Lee (stellar performances by all)

In short - this book ruined me, five stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Hambright PR, Dreamscape Select and Elle Kennedy Inc. for the complimentary audio copy to read and review.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love Elle Kennedy something fierce and getting another book In the Briar U was a delight. I have wanted Will and Beckett’s story since the first time we met them in Graham Effect, so I was so happy for them to get their HEA together.

Second, this book had so much going on and so many storylines and it felt like a whirlwind, a very interesting whirlwind but a whirlwind all the same.

I did really love Charli and how she interacted with the boys both separately and together and how she had to come to terms with letting both parts of her personality go after the things she really wanted.

Also those boys. I don’t think I could choose a favorite between them and so I’m not going to. They are the definition of teamwork makes the dream work 🫠🫠🫠

Overall, I loved being backing. This world, seeing our faves again and getting more of Elle’s unique blend of humor and spice and found family storytelling!

✨ hockey romance
✨ MFM romance
✨ Golden Retriever Boyfriends
✨ Secret Relationship
✨ Stem focused FMC

5 stars!!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC!

I absolutely loved this! I'm in love with the Campus Diaries series as a whole so far

I've been IMPATIENTLY waiting for Will & Beckett's story, and this did NOT disappoint!!

Charlie was a complex character in this book; dealing with adoption, found family, trying to meet everyone else's expectations, deadlines, relationship scrutiny etc. It's a lot for any one person to deal with, so I totally get how she has been feeling pent up and has anxiety attacks. I love how she races to let off some steam, I just wish we would have seen more of Dante. I'd say he was more of a convenient transactional acquaintance, not a friend. Charlie exponentially came out of her shell and it was really awesome seeing such a dynamic character grow.

Will, he is in a way the glue that takes care of and protects everyone. He's kind, strong, playful and wiilling to go to bat for those he loves. His dad though,,, a fuckwit.

Oh sweet, sweet Beckett, I just want to give that man a hug and put him in my pocket.

I loved the ending and how there was a time difference, that way it did not give off "and they lived happily ever after" vibes and we had an actual conflict to deal with. More realistic and added more depth to the story.

Is there an extended epilogue anywhere, because we still didn't get that 3 way scene that we were hinting at.

Elle Kennedy writing a why choose hockey romance.. sign me uppp.

This was so freaking fun. I loved the hockey romance tied in with the STEM aspects as well. I truly loved that each person had their own story and we were able to connect with hem on an individual level. Beckett, Will, and Charlie were so great together. I loved how they overcame some of the problems that they found themselves in but also figured it out together. This was such a good time. I loved the drama and the different cameos that came into play. The spice was spicing in this one too, I loved it so much!

Adorei!!

É muito diferente de qualquer livro que tinha lido da Elle Kennedy, mas ao mesmo tempo é tão familiar.

Este livro conta-nos a história da Charlotte, do Will e do Beckett. E sim, neste livro temos um trisal, MFM.
Confesso que quando soube fiquei mega intrigada e curiosa em saber como a história se ia desenrolar e este livro não me deixou aquém das expectativas.

Temos a Charlotte/ Charlie: uma aluna excelente, a filha perfeita (que tem medo de falhar aos pais adotivos) E uma jovem tão inteligente. Adorei conhece-la.

Depois temos o Will. A tentar parar de viver na sombra do pai, que tão afincadamente quer ditar como Will deve ou não viver a sua vida.

E por fim, o Beckett. Um australiano que é um bolo fofo a recuperar do fim de uma relação.

Beckett e Will gostam de partilhar, e já fazem arranjinhos a 3 há algum tempo, o que eles não sabiam é que a Charlie ia mudar completamente as suas vidas. E que pela primeira vez, não se iriam importar de desenvolver sentimentos.

Gostei muito do romance, foi saudável, foi uma lufada de ar fresco, sem ciúmes, sem inveja, apenas 3 pessoas que se amam muito.

Confesso que estava preocupada e curiosa em como funcionaria a logística de uma relação a 3, e acho que a autora acabou por explicar bem como tudo acontecia ao longo do livro.

Fiquei intrigada. Gostei. Chorei. E ri muitooooooo

Ps.: tivemos aparições dos daddies OG de Off Campus e kinda que tivemos previews do que podem vir a ser os romances dos próximos livros.

Pss.: a cena do jantar em que todos spillam os segredos mais obscuros com a família foi 🤌🏼 *chefs kiss*

Elle Kennedy delivers another addictive romance in "The Campus Diaries" series. Charlotte juggles her double life, perfect sorority girl by day, thrill-seeker by night, until she realizes she’s been flirting with two Briar U hockey players, Will and Beckett. Their connection is sizzling, but secrets threaten to break them apart. The audiobook narration is quite good. Persephone Lee fully embodies Charlotte’s internal struggle, while Teddy Hamilton’s warm, steady delivery makes Will irresistible. Sean Masters brings Beckett’s charm and vulnerability to life beautifully. Their performances elevate the emotions, making this "why choose" romance even more compelling. This audiobook is an engaging, binge-worthy listen with humor, spice, and heartfelt moments.

gonna start off with saying this. to all the people who think Elle Kennedy peaked with Off-Campus and Briar U…PLEASE THINK AGAIN. this series was incredible. and i get the hesitation, i didn’t wanna read this series because i was scared i was gonna miss the OGs of Off-Campus with them being older and focusing on their kid(s) but you WONT. this series is amazing. Elle has found her calling and it IS this little amazing universe that she created within Briar University.

this book was 5 stars through and through. and let me tell you i have never EVER read a book with more than 2 people involved in the couple. this is my first Poly/MFM relationship romance book that i’ve read so i was very nervous and was only expecting to enjoy a spicy fun book. but it was EMOTIONAL, and the plot was amazing! Charlie’s adoption story and finding her biological family member. Will and his dad. Beckett and his parents and just HIS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!!! AHH

the ending was a rollercoaster and i cried which rarely happens for me in books but it was over 500 pages so i got super attached to these characters who are so complex and seeing them graduate had me so sad..amongst other things that made me sad but im not spoiling!

keep it up Elle. you are one of my favorites and sometimes you just speak to me girl! this was truly a masterpiece and thanks for opening me up to a different type of relationship (one that isn’t for me but was very … eye opening 😉) wouldn’t mind a beckett & a will if you get what i’m sayinnnnnn

I always love an Elle Kennedy book, and add her and sports romance and it is just a major win for me. This was fantastic and I hope it makes a huge splash. The characters were super enjoyable and I loved both of them individually as well as together. I can't wait for more from Elle. The narrators were just a major enjoyment to listen to from start to finish.

I loveeee Sean masters and Teddy Hamilton!! I think I wouldn't have loved this book as much as I did if I didn't listen to the audiobook. I think i set my hopes to high for this book! The off campus series is one of my favorite series ever and i was excited for a spin off!! I haven't read the first book in the series so maybe I'll go back now and read it.

I wanted to love this why choose/reverse harem. The narrators for the audiobook were great (Teddy Hamilton; Sean Masters; Persephone Lee).

The story just didn’t pull me in the way other Elle Kennedy works have. I loved book 1 of the Campus Diaries. Book 2 was good and this was kinda just meh for me.

There wasn’t the level of character growth or maturity for their throuple, and we do not really see the characters from the previous books in the series, making it feel independent and not interconnected.

2.5 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC.

tw: I cried a lot during this book so bare with me

there are a lot of things in books that are under represented in my opinion. and international adoption is one of them. it’s a very sensitive topic and should be handed with care. & I can say that charlotte was. although I am not a Korean adoptee like her, I am a Chinese adoptee. it was like you took a peak into my own thought and feelings. there were so many internal thoughts and fears I’ve had myself that you verbalized through her story. there are few books that I have read that in my own option have done it in a realistic way— and you did just that. I completely saw myself in charlotte and it truly let me see that those fears of self worth and worry are okay. they are normal. and although they can be terrifying to have— the people that really care for and love us do not have those same thoughts. they love us and care for us for who we are. those fears so so valid— but it was so healing to see how gentle and accepting you wrote the responses of her family. I think every adoptee has or has had those fears. and seeing the way you wrote charlotte’s parents were exactly what I needed them to be. the vulnerability and authenticity you had in this story was so raw and real. I cannot thank you enough for making me feel SO seen in that way. & I praise you in the highest regular are taking the time to have sensitivity readers. I myself have sensitivity read for adoption in books and it makes the difference— & I can tell with this one. I have loved this series hard— and this one really seals the deal for me. I know I had a lot to say about Charlotte and my shared lived experience with her— but I also loved the character growth you gave not only with her, but Will and Beckett. I loved their dynamic and I was completely drawn in the entire time. their story made me smile, laugh, cry, and blush a lot. I loved this book to the core & this will forever have a special place in my own heart. 🩵😭

read if you like:
- adoption representation (FMC)
- FMC STEM major
- MFM
- college romance
- hockey
- found family

I LOVED reading The Charlie Method ebook and am thrilled to let you know that the audiobook was just as amazing!

🎧 I loved that the author decided to have 3 narrators (one to voice each main character).
🎧 Having duet narration, where each character voices their own dialogue, made this audiobook an immersive experience.

My original thoughts/review still stand! Check them out below. 👇

I truly will never get enough of the Briar U world! Charlie, Beck, and Will’s love story was just as amazing as I’d hoped!

THOUGHTS 💭
🧬 Charlotte (Charlie) leads a double life; she’s the perfect STEM student sorority woman by day and a sexy, love-em-and-leave-em, risk-taking woman by night.
🧬 I smirked, laughed, smiled, and guffawed throughout this whole book - it was funny and sweet and sad and made me feel all the things.
🧬 I loved seeing the cameos of past Briar U characters! Coach Jensen, a surprise new assistant coach, and the Dad Chat group were absolute 🔥.
🧬 I loved the peek into Charlotte’s life as an adoptee; we watched her struggle with looking for blood-related family, talking to her adopted family about learning where she comes from, etc. and I truly felt for her.
🧬 These characters have so many layers - each chapter uncovers some new piece and makes you fall in love with them even more. There were unexpected parts of these characters that make your heart break for them.

Thank you so much to Elle Kennedy and Get Red PR for the ARC and ALC of this amazing book!

this book was amazing! and the audio was top notch.

wow. this book was everything i wanted and more. i stayed up late just to finish it because i couldn’t put it down. i love the briar world that Elle Kennedy has made!

from the previous books i knew Will and Beckett were going to be end game but adding charlie into the mix made it even better. with her i felt kind of a connection. trying to fit into a box where everyone is happy except yourself. and the boys showed her that it’s okay to want what you want without the expectations of others.

to me this one was more of a finding yourself with a little hockey thrown in there and i wasn’t mad about it. because each other them had things to deal with and their story unfolded beautifully.

The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy
⭐️⭐️✨


We really like the Campus Diaries but we did NOT enjoy the latest, The Charlie Method. We gave this 2.5⭐️ review for two main reasons:

1. it is much too long
2. has too many storylines happening at once

The Charlie Method attempts to balance a hockey romance, a race car romance, a STEM romance, and most prominently a Why Choose romance. We also had multiple family issues going on with every single character that felt cumbersome and half-baked. Oh and there was Dad Chat (this was our favorite storyline) and Lordes’s fan fic (hilarious at first but quickly became completely unnecessary). All this to say, this was an extremely long audiobook. We wish Charlie? Charlotte? Could have found a way to be herself much sooner.

I believed the Graham Effect was Kennedy's best work; I was mistaken. She completely nailed this book! I wrapped this bad boy up in 24 hours. A top-tier hockey romance with plenty of hot, sweet, and heartbreaking moments. I can openly admit that I am obsessed with this book. The flirting and banter got intense and so hot. I adored the main characters and how wonderfully they played off each other. I wasn't mentally prepared for the all-encompassing sadness I felt either. My heart was actually aching. The major thing that stands out about this author is her ability to write a fun, romantic book while also covering serious subjects. Absolutely fantastic book. The best hockey romance I've ever read!

Hockey player x cheerleader📣
Sports romance🏒
Enemies to lovers🥵
Slow burn🔥
Fake dating🫶🏻

5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love this series!
Charlie may be my favorite FMC yet. I really enjoyed how complex her character was and I love nothing more than a perfectionist people pleaser getting to unwind and have fun.
MFM as a trope intimidates me, but I was surprised with this one. I was kind of afraid this would be too much spice wise and I’m happy to report that it wasn’t. Will and Beckett, in my opinion, were written especially well for this situation.
The audio was very well done and I thought all three narrators were excellent picks (especially Teddy Hamilton!)

Personally I don’t think this story was for me. Overall, it’s a really good book objectively. I didn’t like that it was MFM instead of MMF. I thought it was really pushing it and didn’t feel natural.

Thanks to @dreamscape_media for the #gifted ALC.

Charlotte “Charlie” Kingston is a college senior who is basically living a double life. Most of the time, she’s living the life of a proper sorority girl, studious STEM major, and all around perfectionist. That’s the side she shows her friends and family. But deep down, there’s a bit of a daredevil in Charlie, a side who likes to go to the track and drive race cars and who sends spicy DMs to men on an anonymous sexy chat app. When Charlie meets two guys on the app who are interested in a threesome, Charlie decides to go for it and is shocked when she eventually realizes that the guys she has been talking to are actually two of her classmates, Briar U hockey players, Will and Beckett!

This was actually my first time reading a MFM romance so I wasn’t sure it would be for me, but Elle Kennedy is one of my go-to authors for spicy romance so I trusted her to give me the best possible experience with it and she did not disappoint! It was of course very spicy, but also still quite emotional, with amazing chemistry, clear communication, and just so much love between all three of these characters.

Spicy romance aside, there were plenty of other elements of the story to love and one of my favorite parts was actually Charlie’s personal journey when it came to her adoptive vs biological family.

I did my preferred immersive read with the e-arc and man, that audiobook was such a fun listen. Sean Masters is a new-to-me narrator and I loved him as Beckett. Teddy Hamilton is always a treat, and I also loved Persephone Lee. I thought all the voices fit the characters perfectly and just really captured the flirty, sexy moments and the emotional ones so well.

Elle has managed to put another spell on me as she continues the Campus Diaries series. It’s no secret that I am absolutely obsessed with the Off Campus and Briar U series, and this series continues to feel like you’re getting a hug from your very best friend. This book will hold a very special place in my heart.
 
While this book had its signature EK spice and laugh out loud moments, encompassing relatable things like college life and relationships, it also tackled heavy themes of identity. Charlie, Will and Beckett all went through their own form of growth and discovery, learning how to navigate family relationships, image, trust and identity. I really connected to Charlie a lot throughout this book. Her inner battle of the life she wanted vs the life she thinks she is expected to live were so related and pulled out emotions that I wasn’t expecting. It shouldn’t be a surprise that Elle has a gift for making us fall in love with every character that she writes, and this book was absolutely no exception.

Elle Kennedy does it again!

Genuinely surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. When I found out this book’s dynamic I was worried the romance aspect would get lost to the spicy scenes. So many why choose books leave me wanting more romance or passion that leads them to the spicy scenes and this book did a great job balancing it all. I have always really loved Elle Kennedy’s series that revolve around Briar U and this was right up my alley. There were great cameos from some of our favorite characters from previous series and new characters that I enjoyed as well.

I loved the family dynamic and self discovery along with the romance developing along the way. The spicy scenes definitely gave what they needed to give (duh - Elle never disappoints on that front) but the balance of deeper connections forming and self reflection was fantastic. I really enjoyed this book and feel so thankful I got to read it. There were so many moments that made this book sentiment and sweet which balances out the spicy passionate scenes. It balanced the line of erotica and romance really well.

I recommend this book to anyone who is open minded and a fan of Elle's previous books. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story!