The book-to-screen adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s bestselling ‘Off Campus’ series has finally arrived, and it delivers exactly what fans hoped for: chaos, charm, and complete addictiveness.
The five-episode series, streaming on Prime Video, brings to life Briar University’s hockey team – their romances, their friendships, and their messy, lovable lives.
What is ‘Off Campus’ about?
For those unfamiliar, ‘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.
Season one adapts the first two books: ‘The Deal’ (Hannah and Garrett) and ‘The Mistake’ (Grace and Logan). The casting proves pitch-perfect throughout.
The chaotic charm
The series refuses to take itself too seriously – and that is its greatest strength. The dialogue snaps with wit, the hockey scenes pack surprising authenticity, and the chemistry between leads crackles.
Hannah (Mithila Palkar) is a music student who tutors Garrett (Rohit Saraf), the arrogant yet secretly vulnerable hockey captain. Their banter feels natural, unscripted. Their transition from transactional tutoring to genuine affection anchors the first two episodes emotionally.
Logan (Aashim Gulati) and Grace (Sanjana Sanghi) take the second half. Their story tackles heavier themes – family pressure, grief, self-worth – but the show balances weight with humour and heart.
What works brilliantly
The casting director deserves a raise. Rohit Saraf sheds his boy-next-door image to play Garrett with cockiness and hidden hurt in equal measure. Mithila Palkar is a revelation – funny, fierce, and vulnerable without fragility.
The hockey sequences surprise most. Choreographed by former national player Sandeep Singh, the on-ice action feels fast, physical, and believable. Unlike many sports dramas, you genuinely feel the body checks.
The soundtrack stands out. Independent artists like When Chai Met Toast, Taba Chake, and The F16s feature prominently, lending the series a fresh, youthful energy.
What doesn’t quite work
At five 40-minute episodes, the series feels rushed. Book fans will notice several subplots – Garrett’s family backstory, Hannah’s trauma – are glossed over. The show assumes you have read the novels or will fill gaps yourself.
The second half pacing suffers. Logan and Grace’s story deserved a full episode but gets squeezed into one and a half. Their emotional climax feels unearned compared to Hannah and Garrett’s slower build.
Book vs. screen comparisons
Book loyalists are notoriously hard to please. ‘Off Campus’ will satisfy most but not all. The characters’ spirits remain intact, but depth sometimes sacrifices for runtime.
The sex scenes, a Kennedy hallmark, are tastefully done – more steam than explicit – which may disappoint some readers but suits the young adult streaming format.
The addictive factor
The real review: start episode one, you will not stop. Cliffhangers between episodes are expertly placed. The friendships among the four roommates – Garrett, Logan, Dean, and Tucker – prove as compelling as the romances.
By the end, you will feel emotionally invested in all four couples, even though two haven’t had their spotlight yet. That marks excellent ensemble writing.
The technical craft
Director Ashish Shukla (‘Undekhi’, ‘Criminal Justice’) brings a visual energy that keeps the series moving. The cinematography uses warm, golden tones for romantic scenes and cooler, harsher light for hockey matches – a nice touch.
The production design convincingly creates an American university setting within Indian budgets, though sharp eyes will spot the telltale Indian electrical switches.
Final verdict
‘Off Campus’ is not high art. It does not try to be. It is a warm, funny, occasionally tearful comfort watch – the television equivalent of hot chocolate on a rainy day.
