The book-to-screen adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s bestselling ‘Off Campus’ series has finally arrived, and it is exactly what fans hoped for: chaotic, charming, and completely addictive.
The five-episode series, now streaming on Prime Video, brings to life the world of Briar University’s hockey team – the players, their romances, and their messy, lovable friendships.
What is ‘Off Campus’ about?
For the uninitiated, ‘Off Campus’ follows four hockey players sharing a house off campus. Each episode focuses on one couple’s love story while advancing the larger ensemble narrative.
The first season adapts the first two books: ‘The Deal’ (Hannah and Garrett) and ‘The Mistake’ (Grace and Logan). The casting is pitch-perfect.
The chaotic charm
What makes the series work is its refusal to take itself too seriously. The dialogue is snappy, the hockey scenes are surprisingly well-shot, and the chemistry between the leads is electric.
Hannah (played by newcomer Mithila Palkar) is a music student who tutors Garrett (Rohit Saraf), the arrogant but secretly vulnerable hockey captain. Their banter feels natural, not scripted. Their transition from transactional tutoring to genuine affection is the emotional anchor of the first two episodes.
Logan (Aashim Gulati) and Grace (Sanjana Sanghi) get the second half. Their story deals with heavier themes – family pressure, grief, and self-worth – but the show balances it with enough humour and heart.
What works
The casting director deserves a raise. Rohit Saraf sheds his boy-next-door image to play Garrett with just the right amount of cockiness and hidden hurt. Mithila Palkar is a revelation as Hannah – funny, fierce, and vulnerable without being fragile.
The hockey sequences are a pleasant surprise. Choreographed by former national player Sandeep Singh, the on-ice action is fast, physical, and believable. Unlike many sports dramas, you actually feel the impact of the body checks.
The soundtrack is another highlight. Independent artists like When Chai Met Toast, Taba Chake, and The F16s feature prominently, giving the series a fresh, youthful energy.
What doesn’t
At five episodes of 40 minutes each, the series feels rushed. Fans of the books will notice that several subplots (Garrett’s family backstory, Hannah’s trauma) are glossed over. The show assumes you have read the novels or will fill in the gaps yourself.
Also, the pacing of the second half is uneven. Logan and Grace’s story deserved a full episode but gets squeezed into one and a half. Their emotional climax feels unearned compared to the slower build of Hannah and Garrett’s arc.
Comparisons to the books
Book loyalists are notoriously hard to please. ‘Off Campus’ will satisfy most but not all. The spirit of the characters is intact, but the depth is sometimes sacrificed for runtime.
The sex scenes, a hallmark of Kennedy’s writing, are tastefully done – more steam than explicit – which may disappoint some readers but suits the young adult streaming format.
The addictive factor
Here is the real review: Once you start episode one, you will not stop. The cliffhangers between episodes are expertly placed. The friendships among the four roommates – Garrett, Logan, Dean, and Tucker – are as compelling as the romances.
By the end, you will be emotionally invested in all four couples, even though two of them haven’t had their spotlight yet. That is the mark of good ensemble writing.
Final verdict
‘Off Campus’ is not high art. It is not trying to be. It is a warm, funny, occasionally tearful comfort watch – the television equivalent of a hot chocolate on a rainy day.
For fans of romance, hockey, or just good storytelling, this series is a goal.
