Who knew hockey could be so fun. One of BookTok’s obsessions, the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy has grown in popularity thanks to hot guys, witty bants and feisty girls who keep their men in-line. With five books in the original series and a spin-off called Briar U, Elle Kennedy has penned what is easily one of our fave sports romance series.
I first started reading this series back in 2016 way before BookTok was even a thing and let me tell you, I mean it when I say RUN, don’t walk to pick these up. With college antics, top tier spice and cute AF moments that’ll have you smiling, the Off-Campus series is sure to delight even if you’re new to sport romances. While the books are standalones, I do recommend reading them in order as there are reoccurring characters you’ll learn to love.
Check out mini reviews of each of the first four books below.
The Deal: Garrett + Hannah, ★★★★
- Spice rating: 3/5
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice… even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.
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Mini review
“Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”
Where it all started.
Garrett is an absolute MVP and watching his relationship with Hannah transition from strangers to friends, to officially dating was sweet, heartbreaking, and hilarious. Hannah has trauma she is still trying to overcome, and I loved how patient and uplifting Garrett was as she navigated this.
The best part of the book is that their chemistry feels entirely organic. There wasn’t a second where I thought they had been thrown together for the sake of the book. A great intro to the series, its style and hockey romances.
The Mistake: Logan + Grace, ★★★★
- Spice rating: 3/5
College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hookups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.
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Mini review
“And just in case my reaction to your idiocy didn’t make it clear where I stand with us, then let me spell it out for you.” I whirl around to scowl at him. “I love you, you stupid jackass.”
I’ll be honest, Grace is bratty and annoying AF, but I’m still giving this 4-stars because Logan is a delight.
Elle Kennedy spends time fleshing out these characters as individuals before she brings them together as a couple which I think is why it works so well. The sex scenes are pushed into the second half of the story and serve a clear purpose rather than being scattered throughout to cover for an obvious lack of plot.
The Score: Dean + Ali, ★★★★
- Spice rating: 3/5
Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she’s going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.
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Mini review
“Seriously, just find yourself a rebound.” Dean whips up his arm. “I volunteer as tribute.”
Dean, Dean, Dean – he is the cocky book boyfriend of your dreams. This book is hands down my fave in the series.
Dean and Allie are the perfect match and their witty insults, palpable chemistry, and genuine affection for one another made me consume this book in record time. I also loved that they kept their relationship secret for a while as it gave them space to fall in love slowly + it lead to so many steamy moments.
As a side note, the scene where Dean bursts into Allie’s apartment after her ex gets aggressive lives rent-free in my head.
The Goal: Tucker + Sabrina , ★★★★ – 3.5 stars
- Spice rating: 3/5
College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn’t include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she’s willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.
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Mini review
“You’re the only one for me. My sun rises and sets on your smile. My heart beats because yours does.”
While I didn’t enjoy this as much as the other books, it was still a fun read with so many great moments. This one had a slightly different tone to it than the others which fit both Tucker and Sabrina perfectly.
From their witty banter and constant button pushing to their more tender moments, Tucker and Sabrina fall beautifully in love with the help of some personal drama and a life-changing event. I loved getting to watch these two grow together and it was nice to see these two opposite personalities blend almost flawlessly. In the end they were able to bring out the best in one another and I don’t think you can ask for anymore out of a romance.
If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted read where the guy falls first, there’s lots of spice and top tier chemistry between the characters, you can’t go past the Off-Campus series. Who knows, maybe sports romances might become your new thing.
Happy reading x
Written by Monique Renee
Usually barefoot and deep in wanderlust mode, Mon loves binging Netflix, cuddling babies and stalking through IG looking for boho decor inspo and new books to read. You’ll usually find her on holiday, planning a holiday or thinking about holidays.
Favourite Instagram to follow: @the_female_lead
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