Book Review: The Charlie Method

I will read anything that Elle Kennedy writes, but most especially if it is any way related to the Off-Campus series which is one of my all-time favorite series. I’m not joking – it could be a book about the most random side character from the books and I would eat it up.

The Charlie Method came out a few weeks ago and is supposedly the last book in the Campus Diaries series, which was her sort of 2nd generation series. I’m hopeful there will be more books set in this world, with the other 2nd generation kids, just not part of this particular series because Elle Kennedy has said in the past that she has plans for other books for some of these characters.

But, anyway, I’m here to talk about The Charlie Method today.

The novel follows Charlotte Kingston, a senior studying biomedical engineering at Briar U. The adopted Korean American, Charlotte, or Charlie, is hard working, a perfectionist, and finance chair for her sorority. But, Charlotte has a secret side too. She likes letting loose with driving fast sports cars and using a hook up app. The novel also follows Will Larsen and Beckett Dunne – two characters we’ve met in the first two books in the series as hockey players for Briar U and friends with Ryder, Shane, Gigi, and Diana. They’re best friends and like to have threesomes. Charlotte is acquainted with both Will and Beckett from having classes with both of them, but when she starts talking to 2 guys who share a profile on her dating app (none of them share their faces on the app) and hits it off with them, they’re all surprised when they realize the truth.

This is an mfm book so while Will and Beckett are best friends and like sharing girls, the two don’t hook up with each other. The book follows the three of them as navigate their attraction to each other and growing feelings. What begins as harmless fun starts to become something deeper and more serious. Charlotte develops feelings for both guys, but she has spent her life not wanting to cause waves and wanting to be perfect for her family. Will is the son of a congressman, who is always beholden to whatever his dad wants him to do and be part of a photo op for. Beckett has been hurt a lot in the past from his high school girlfriend and has shied away from any sort of commitment in a relationship since then. It may have started as just for fun, but what happens when the the two guys fall in love with Charlie and she loves both of them?

I loved this book and Charlotte, Will, and Beckett. This was the perfect why choose. It was such a vibe and I couldn’t put it down. Parts of it were hilarious – like the reappearance of Mike Hollis as an assistant coach and him trying to get the guys to help him get invited to Dad Chat – a group chat that consists of Garrett, Dean, Tucker, Logan, Jake, Hunter, and Fitz. And parts of it were emotional like things Charlotte was going through with trying to find her biological family, Will’s rocky relationship with his dad, and Beckett’s past relationship. It wasn’t my favorite in the series – I think that is The Graham Effect and that’s largely due to the fact that it’s about Gigi, Garrett and Hannah’s daughter. But, I still loved this one and the characters in it.

I also loved that we got to see more of Blake in this book and in my B&N special edition there was a bonus Blake chapter so I’m hoping that means a book on her is coming soon!

Side Note: I took this photo before I finished reading the book and now looking back on it it’s funny that I took it with a bouquet of flowers because there’s a scene in the book where one of the side characters ask the 3 of them who buys Charlotte flowers or if the guys take turns.

I’m sad it’s over, but again I’m hopeful for more books in this world! Until then, I’ll do my hundredth reread of the Off-Campus series lol.

Read this if you want a spicy hockey why choose romcom.

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