What’s the deal with the Off Campus series?
First, there was Heated Rivalry (we LOVED THIS), now The Off Campus series and many more on the way (like Fourth Wing and talk of ACOTAR - which we are predicting will be bombs). If you are anything like us, you are very skeptical about book adaptations because they usually suck. So, should you or shouldn’t you with this one?
Note: Before you read any further, this is a college romance series with some darker themes like abuse, death and rape (not caused by any of the main characters). However, the majority is sweet with some spice. Lots of discovery. If this isn’t your cup of tea (we will have other suggestions for you), feel free to skip this post and continue on to our other pages.
Off Campus, Season 1 TV Series on Amazon Prime
Based on Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series, “The Deal” book 1 & “The Score” book 3.
First, we’ve read ALL of Off Campus, Briar U, Campus Diaries and the standalone, Love Song.
A little background if you haven’t heard of these books. Off Campus is a series of books around 4 all-star hockey players and the women they fall for while in college. Briar U continues with additonal stories about friends, siblings and fellow athletes of the Off Campus MMCs and FMCs. The Campus Diary series and Love Song follows the children of the original characters from Off Campus. So as you can see, if this series does take off, there is a ton of content for following series and spin offs.
Now for our thoughts on the TV show vs. the book…
Like most, we assumed the adaptation would take the standard route of season 1 = book 1, season 2 = book 2 etc. This is where we were wrong and for once we are glad we are wrong. Instead of drawing this book out across an entire season and likely boring us to death with talking college students, they choose to combine elements from two books into one season. Season one combined Garrett + Hannah’s story and some of Dean + Allie’s story. While this packs more fun into the season, it’s was a little hard for us as Dean & Allie’s story was the favorite and it was cut short. We hope to see more of them in the coming seasons. We are glad they kept the pink vibrator scene in the TV series. No spoilers, just something for you to look forward to. The majority of the TV show followed the books with some changes here and there which is bound to happen.
And like all adaptations, we had some issues.
MAJORITY OF THESE DAMN ACTORS ARE ALMOST IN THEIR 30s!!!!!!!!!! No way in hell do college students look and act like this. And before you say, “what did you expect, Penelope?”, I know, I know. I just had to say it. All in all, very attractive cast - although, we think there was an opportunity for more diversity and they didn’t take it. Bummer.
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the show. Do we think it was on the same level as Heated Rivalry? No, not quite. Was it a fun watch? Yes, it kept us entertained. Will we watch other seasons? Probably.
Lastly, READ THE BOOKS FIRST!!! ALWAYS.
If you like the sound of some of these tropes, you will LOVE this book & TV show:
Touch Her & Die Vibes ✨ Witty Banter ✨ Smart, Sassy FMC ✨ Opposites Attract ✨ College Romance ✨ Broody MMC ✨ Hockey Stars ✨ Strong/Tall MMC ✨ HEA ✨ FMC & MMC healing from Trauma✨ FMC is a songwriter ✨ Crazy Friend Group ✨ Nerdy FMC ✨ FMC & MMC Make A Deal ✨ MMC is Wealthy ✨ MMC is a Dating Coach ✨ FMC Tutors MMC ✨ Found Family ✨ Down on Her Luck FMC ✨ Shunned FMC ✨ Love Triangle ✨ MMC has Anger Issues ✨ MMC is Afraid of Commitment ✨ Socially Awkward FMC ✨ Popular MMC ✨ MMC Battles Inner Demons ✨ Fake Relationship ✨ MMC Falls First ✨ Nerd x Jock ✨ Friends to Lovers ✨ MMC with Sexual Confidence