In the romance reader world, tropes rise and fall in popularity faster than readers can pick up the books. However, in the past year, one trope has stayed constant: hockey players. Whether it’s the appeal of sexy alpha men, socially accepted violence, or teammates that act like brothers, something draws romance readers to ice hockey.

Of the many romance books centered around hockey players, Elle Kennedy’s “Off Campus” series is among the most popular.

The five-book series is a collection of interconnected contemporary romance novels that combine humor, romance, and relatable characters within a college setting. The books intricately weave the romantic journeys of four college hockey teammates as they develop relationships with four different girls.

Through interwoven woven storylines, readers witness the development of these relationships, the challenges faced by the characters, and the friendships between the group of teammates living in the same house. The books provide an intimate and compelling look into the lives of these young adults as they navigate the emotions and experiences of their college years.

The books capture the essence of college life, emphasizing the family dynamics among the hockey players and the women who become central parts of their lives. Each book presents a different central couple while still following the growth and evolution of the characters in the other novels.

The series begins with “The Deal” in which Garrett Graham, the hockey team captain, strikes a deal with Hannah Wells, a music major with a traumatic past; their initially transactional relationship blossoms into a heartfelt romance. “The Mistake” shifts focus to Garret’s best friend, John Logan, as he falls for Grace Ivers, a shy freshman. In “The Score,” Dean Di Laurentis, a handsome playboy, and Allie Hayes, Hannah’s best friend, dive into the complexities of relationships, personal growth, and the balancing act between desires and responsibilities.

“The Goal” delves into mature themes as John Tucker and Sabrina James face unexpected parenthood, emphasizing responsibility, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams in the midst of responsibilities. Lastly, “The Legacy” ties the series together with a collection of short stories set three years after graduation, showing the challenges faced by each couple in post-graduate life, including a wedding, a proposal, an elopement, and a surprise pregnancy.

One of the defining elements of the series is the found family trope—a close-knit bond among the hockey players, their friends, and the women they love. The camaraderie, support, and loyalty displayed add depth to the story, showcasing the importance of friendship and genuine connections in navigating college.

Kennedy’s immersive writing style draws readers into her world of realistic characters, genuine emotions, and deep relationships. With straightforward sentences and writing that isn’t too drawn out, the novels are quick and easy to read.

Kennedy skillfully weaves humor into the characters’ interactions, infusing the books with witty banter, lighthearted moments, and playful exchanges. From clever one-liners to comedic situations, the books showcase various forms of humor, adding depth to the characters and creating a relatable feel to the plot. The well-timed humor serves as a respite to the heavier themes, making the reading experience more fluid and realistic.

Some of the more serious themes explored include anxiety, PTSD, financial issues, alcohol abuse, pregnancy, and post-grad stress. Since the series spans five books and eight main characters, every reader can find something relatable about the story.

As an interconnected series, the books offer a consistent reading experience, allowing readers to witness the growth of the characters, the evolution of relationships, and the bonds between the group. Each book can be read individually while contributing to a larger narrative that keeps readers invested throughout the entire collection.

While the stories in the books are playfully gaudy, the covers cross the line. The original covers feature blown-up images of shredded, shirtless guys, with abs on full display. Fans did not feel these covers represented the book, so Kennedy released a second set of covers showing women in scandalous positions, something that she thought was fitting with the tone of the story. 

“The girl covers,” as Kennedy calls them, have been the main covers for years now. However, these covers are equally as awful as “the boy covers.” The embarrassing look of the book can turn readers away from the intricate plots within. Again, fans felt these covers did not represent the charming, heartfelt storylines of the book, and there have been many movements on social media of fans begging Kennedy to design new covers. Kennedy listened to the fans and is set to release a third set of covers designed in the graphic style popular of modern romance books.

Although the “Off-Campus” series ended with the publication of “The Legacy,” Kennedy continues to tell stories within the world she created.

“Briar U,” the four-book spin-off series, continues the story by focusing on the lives of the next group of hockey players to move into the house. These books nod to the originals by following characters previously mentioned in the “Off-Campus” series, such as Dean’s sister, John’s best friend, and the coach’s daughter.

The newest installment in Kennedy’s college world is “The Graham Effect,” which tells the story of Hannah and Garret’s daughter as she falls in love with a hockey player at the school her parents attended.

One might ask how ten hockey romance books in the same universe can possibly be different enough to capture readers’ attention? The short answer: they aren’t.

While the series excels in character development, the plot follows closely to familiar romance tropes, making certain plot points and character arcs predictable. For readers who have read books with similar tropes, the stories can seem unsurprising and lackluster.

Additionally, for readers attempting to read all ten novels, the books start to blend together at around book six. The plot points are repeated and overused. If it weren’t for the well-developed characters and relationships, the books would all be the same.

Despite this, the “Off-Campus” series remains a staple in the new adult romance genre. Each book offers unique and memorable characters while contributing to a larger narrative arc that keeps readers engaged through all the books.

With its captivating blend of humor, depth, and romance, it’s no wonder readers are willing to read all of Kennedy’s massive ten-book saga about hockey hunks.