Spin-off Saturdays: On Saturdays, I will review a series that is a spin-off series. It is recommended that you read the original series first in order to get the most out of the spin-off series. Here is this week’s offering:
The Campus Diaries Series is a spin-off of the Off-Campus Series
Series: Campus Diaries
This is a spinoff of the Off-Campus Series and Briar U Series.
Author: Elle Kennedy
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: No
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, College, Sports, Hockey
Heat Rating: Hot (Kink: mild #3 only)
Point of View: First Person, Alternating (#1-2); Multiple (#3)
Publication Date: October 2023 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library—Audiobook
WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, this review may have spoilers!
My Expectations?
So I actually thought I had finished the Briar U Series before I started this but SURPRISE! I hadn’t. So I might have missed out on some of the connections and history but it really doesn’t matter in this setup as all the novels are standalones with the next generation (aka the kids of the couples in The Off-Campus Series).
How Does It Compare To The Original?
–Same Focus on Friends and Teammates–
One of the things I loved about the original series was the focus on friendships and being a part of a team. The bonds you form in college/university are so vital to the experience and that is highlighted beautifully again. I loved the interactions and roles the side characters play in the stories.
–Same Great Romantic Chemistry–
I love great banter between my leads and it is here in spades! I totally saw the draw all these couples had to each other. Plenty of heat and steam!
–But Updated College Experience–
The Deal came out 10 years ago and as someone who was in university at that time, it felt like it reflected the issues I was dealing with as a student. But fast forward 10 years later and I feel like Elle Kennedy did a great job updating the college experience for these characters to be current.
Anything I Didn’t Like?
–Some Dramatic Plot Choices–
I didn’t like some of the resolutions to some of the conflicts throughout the novel. They just seemed to defy logic simply for the sake of creating conflict that could have been fabricated in another way. It also made some things feel rushed in the latter half of the novel.
–Will They Last Forever?–
This is more a critique of book #3, The Charlie Method, but I wasn’t entirely convinced that this romance would go the distance. I didn’t think there was enough of a deeper connection to prove to me that this would stand the test of time.
My Audiobook Experience:
I read the original two series as books but I LOVED the audio productions! It really brought the characters to life for me. Especially in the 3rd book, The Charlie Method, where the audiobook was done in a duet style which made it read like a rom-com.
Series Rating: 4/5
The Graham Effect 4.5/5 | The Dixon Rule 4/5 | The Charlie Method 4/5
Fans of the original series will love to see the next generation fall in love at Briar!
Read if You Like: collage romance, sports novels
Avoid if You: dislike new adult romance
- Cross Stroke by Elizabeth Hartey (On The Edge Series #1)
- Boyfriend Bargain by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Synopsis for The Graham Effect (from Goodreads):
Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine–a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.
Ryder is six-foot five, built, opinionated, rude…and sexy as hell. But he’s still the enemy.
Briar’s new hockey co-captain has his reasons, though. The men’s team just merged with a rival program, leaving Ryder with an angry roster where everyone hates one another’s guts. To make matters worse, the summer coaching spot he’s angling for with the legendary Garrett Graham is out of reach after he makes the worst possible first impression on his hero. So, really, this compromise with Gigi is win-win. He helps her make the national team, she puts in a good word with her dad.
The only potential snag? This bone-deep, body-numbing, mind-spinning chemistry they’re trying to ignore. It’s a dangerous game they’re playing, but the risks just might be worth it.
