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codicheyenne's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I read these books entirely out of order and in hindsight, I wish I'd stuck to the order the author intended, but I originally skipped this one because of the fake dating trope. Somehow, Elle Kennedy can make me, not just read even my most hated trope, but enjoy it immensely. I can't decide if I like this one or The Goal better.
I really enjoyed Hannah as a FMC. Her journey is relatable and she's so easy to like and feel for. She's also pretty badass and so strong. I don't know that I would be as capable of being a good person as she is after what she went through. I appreciate that while she was "Not Like Other Girls", it wasn't written in a way that put other women down for being "Like Other Girls," it was only used as a means in which to describe how Hannah just didn't fall for Garrett's charms. I also liked how Hannah had a whole journey outside of Garrett & her past - the upcoming showcase, her parents' money struggles, etc.
I also love how Elle can write men and be so true to who they are in essence. None of these boys feel "too good to be true" because they're all written like... well... boys. They're hockey players. They're horny. They're cocky and full of themselves. There's locker room talk and suppressed emotions and tempers and messiness and too much testosterone at times. But they're still so lovable. As the reader, you can almost feel yourself falling for their dimpled grins in the same way the FMCs eventually do (despite the fights they put up.)
I'm excited to finish the series - I literally only have The Legacy left - and then revisit the world with the Briar U series and The Graham Effect
I really enjoyed Hannah as a FMC. Her journey is relatable and she's so easy to like and feel for. She's also pretty badass and so strong. I don't know that I would be as capable of being a good person as she is after what she went through. I appreciate that while she was "Not Like Other Girls", it wasn't written in a way that put other women down for being "Like Other Girls," it was only used as a means in which to describe how Hannah just didn't fall for Garrett's charms. I also liked how Hannah had a whole journey outside of Garrett & her past - the upcoming showcase, her parents' money struggles, etc.
I also love how Elle can write men and be so true to who they are in essence. None of these boys feel "too good to be true" because they're all written like... well... boys. They're hockey players. They're horny. They're cocky and full of themselves. There's locker room talk and suppressed emotions and tempers and messiness and too much testosterone at times. But they're still so lovable. As the reader, you can almost feel yourself falling for their dimpled grins in the same way the FMCs eventually do (despite the fights they put up.)
I'm excited to finish the series - I literally only have The Legacy left - and then revisit the world with the Briar U series and The Graham Effect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Child abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders
moyarb's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
saraah07's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Okay. First book in the Off Campus Series. It took me longer than I would've liked for me to finish the book. And i almost didn't go back to it. But i'm glad did.
As the first book of the series it did not disappoint. I actually really enjoyed it. The wit and humour in it is just me. Like i relate to it so much.
But this book had a lot of layers. Loads of trauma and broken teenagers trying to find peace in each other. This is somewhat relatable in the sense where we've all been through something and we hope to be lucky enough to find someone who could help you through that. And i hope everyone finds that one day because I know I have.
This book follows Garrett a star hockey player and Hannah a music major through the journey of love. It's kind of ironic that they got together since she had a crush on another guy when they first started talking. But that changed really quick. Them getting together was unexpected for them since she was just supposed to be helping him with a paper. But i think that just makes it better.
But the way Garrett and Hannah support each other through their struggles is really inspiring. I do think this book is an amazing read.
Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings though. At some parts it can get quite heavy emotinally. But it is written so well and it builds the perfect foundation for the rest of the series.
As the first book of the series it did not disappoint. I actually really enjoyed it. The wit and humour in it is just me. Like i relate to it so much.
But this book had a lot of layers. Loads of trauma and broken teenagers trying to find peace in each other. This is somewhat relatable in the sense where we've all been through something and we hope to be lucky enough to find someone who could help you through that. And i hope everyone finds that one day because I know I have.
This book follows Garrett a star hockey player and Hannah a music major through the journey of love. It's kind of ironic that they got together since she had a crush on another guy when they first started talking. But that changed really quick. Them getting together was unexpected for them since she was just supposed to be helping him with a paper. But i think that just makes it better.
But the way Garrett and Hannah support each other through their struggles is really inspiring. I do think this book is an amazing read.
Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings though. At some parts it can get quite heavy emotinally. But it is written so well and it builds the perfect foundation for the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
asmalloctopus's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Was this book well written? No. But were the characters likeable? Also no. BUT was the plot good? Also no. B U T did I read the whole thing? Yes, and that's the only reason it gets 2.5 stars instead of 1.5.
It's predictable, it's cliched, it's tropey, it's cringey. It was perfect for reading in bed when I wasn't tired enough to sleep but was too tired to actually process good or interesting writing.
Also, this is a minor nitpick, but I really desperately need Canadian authors writing stories set in the US to stop putting the word "washroom" in them. We don't really say that here.
Very ranty very spoilery below
I hate them and I hate everything they did and everything they'll ever do. And yet I still read the whole stupid book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
jetty_books's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Rape, and Cursing
edietz22's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
bookboyfriend4life's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse
saraavowlerr's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
macwiththemic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
*spoilers!*
I did not enjoy the majority of this book. Giving it two stars because I liked the two main characters and found their backstories interesting, but how was this book published in 2023 and didnt come with a list of trigger warnings? I honestly thought a lot of the detail they went into regarding her history with SA, and his history with domestic violence could have been more nuanced, or again a trigger warning could have been issued at the beginning of this book. Look up the trigger warnings before reading this book. They don’t just mention these things, they go into a fair amount of detail.
ALSO: maybe this is just a result of her trauma, but Hannah slut shames so much in this book. Little to NO personal growth other than “oh yay he’s helped me enjoy sex again” happens to make her realize that maybe she shouldn’t call people who enjoy casual sex sluts???? Like Jesus Hannah.
On a less serious note, did this author or NONE of the editors ever play music? No wonder they didn’t really dive deep into Hannah’s studies or performances or rehearsals. Some of the things they say regarding the music she is rehearsing are just incorrect. Not that this is a super serious issue where you’d need to be an EXPERT on music to write about it or enjoy her story, but like come on. I mean I’m not an expert on hockey but let me tell you I don’t read this book for the hockey if you know what I mean.
2 stars because I appreciate the depth given to these characters even if I think the lack of trigger warning is ridiculous given the subject matter and detail in some of these chapters. I did read this on my kindle so maybe in other versions there are trigger warnings?
Idk if I’ll read another book in this series. Who am I kidding I probably will. Thank god these are on kindle unlimited.
I did not enjoy the majority of this book. Giving it two stars because I liked the two main characters and found their backstories interesting, but how was this book published in 2023 and didnt come with a list of trigger warnings? I honestly thought a lot of the detail they went into regarding her history with SA, and his history with domestic violence could have been more nuanced, or again a trigger warning could have been issued at the beginning of this book. Look up the trigger warnings before reading this book. They don’t just mention these things, they go into a fair amount of detail.
ALSO: maybe this is just a result of her trauma, but Hannah slut shames so much in this book. Little to NO personal growth other than “oh yay he’s helped me enjoy sex again” happens to make her realize that maybe she shouldn’t call people who enjoy casual sex sluts???? Like Jesus Hannah.
On a less serious note, did this author or NONE of the editors ever play music? No wonder they didn’t really dive deep into Hannah’s studies or performances or rehearsals. Some of the things they say regarding the music she is rehearsing are just incorrect. Not that this is a super serious issue where you’d need to be an EXPERT on music to write about it or enjoy her story, but like come on. I mean I’m not an expert on hockey but let me tell you I don’t read this book for the hockey if you know what I mean.
2 stars because I appreciate the depth given to these characters even if I think the lack of trigger warning is ridiculous given the subject matter and detail in some of these chapters. I did read this on my kindle so maybe in other versions there are trigger warnings?
Idk if I’ll read another book in this series. Who am I kidding I probably will. Thank god these are on kindle unlimited.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
lafe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol