Elle Kennedy Books in Order: The Complete College Romance & Hockey Guide

Hey romance fans! If you have spent even a few minutes on BookTok, romance threads, or contemporary book forums, you know that Elle Kennedy is undisputed royalty when it comes to college romance, witty bantering, swoon-worthy hockey players, and fake-dating tropes that turn into real love.

Whether you are here to catch up on the legendary Off-Campus series before the Prime Video TV adaptation or want to explore her romantic suspense and small-town contemporary hits, here is your complete, updated reading guide.

1. The Briar University Universe (Off-Campus, Briar U & Campus Diaries)

This connected universe takes place around the fictional Briar University hockey team. The characters, friends, and family members continuously overlap across three distinct sub-series, making chronological reading the most satisfying experience.

A. The Off-Campus Series

The original series that launched the hockey romance craze, following four Briar hockey players and the women who change their lives.

1. The Deal (2015)
   Main Couple: Hannah Wells & Garrett Graham
   Music major Hannah makes a deal with arrogant star hockey captain Garrett: she will tutor him to keep his grades up so he can stay on the ice, and he will fake-date her to make another guy jealous.
2. The Mistake (2015)
   Main Couple: Logan Nason & Grace Ivers
   Junior hockey player Logan makes a massive mistake with sweet freshman Grace, spending the rest of the school year pulling out all the stops to win back her trust and heart.
3. The Score (2016)
   Main Couple: Dean Di Laurentis & Allie Hayes
   Serial heartbreaker Dean and newly single Allie end up together for a passionate one-night stand that accidentally turns into a emotional, life-changing romance neither saw coming.
4. The Goal (2016)
   Main Couple: John Tucker & Sabrina James
   Quiet, reliable Tucker falls for whip-smart law student Sabrina, but a surprising unplanned pregnancy tests their resilience, maturity, and future plans.
5. The Legacy (2021)
   Main Characters: All Four OG Off-Campus Couples
   A collection of four novellas following Garrett, Hannah, Logan, Grace, Dean, Allie, Tucker, and Sabrina three years after graduation as they handle marriage, careers, and big life shifts.

B. The Briar U Series

A direct spinoff series focusing on a new roster of Briar hockey players, roomies, and their close circle.

1. The Chase (2018)
   Main Couple: Summer Heyward-Di Laurentis & Colin “Fitz” Fitzgerald
   Fashion-obsessed Summer is forced to move in with her brother’s former teammates, including gamer-geek hockey player Fitz, with whom she shares an irresistible, secret attraction.
2. The Risk (2019)
   Main Couple: Brenna James & Jake Connelly
   Brenna needs an internship with a rival hockey team, forcing her to fake-date Jake Connelly—the star player and captain of Briar’s biggest rival university.
3. The Play (2019)
   Main Couple: Hunter Davenport & Demi Davis
   After taking a vow of celibacy to focus on his final hockey season, new team captain Hunter gets paired up for a class project with witty, recently single Demi.
4. The Dare (2020)
   Main Couple: Conor Edwards & Taylor Marsh
   When a dare forces popular hockey player Conor to pretend to date self-conscious sorority girl Taylor, a genuine, fiery connection forms that neither anticipated.

C. The Campus Diaries Series

The next-generation spinoff following the offspring and younger peers of the original Off-Campus characters attending Briar University.

1. The Graham Effect (2023)
   Main Couple: Gigi Graham & Ryder Vance
   Gigi Graham (daughter of Garrett and Hannah from The Deal) is a fierce college hockey player striving for the Olympic team who makes a bargain with rival player Ryder Vance.
2. The Dixon Rule (2024)
   Main Couple: Shane Dixon & Diana Zander
   When bad-boy hockey player Shane crosses paths with Diana, an unexpected arrangement forces them to navigate campus gossip, deep-seated secrets, and mutual longing.
3. The Charlie Method (2025)
   Main Couple: Charlie & Her Love Interest
   A fresh, high-stakes story following the chaos, emotional growth, and romance of the next Briar University class.
4. Love Song (2026)
   The latest installment exploring music, athletics, and heartbreak on the Briar campus.

2. Him & WAGs Series (Co-Authored with Sarina Bowen)

A beloved MM (male/male) and sports romance universe set between college and the professional hockey leagues.

1. Him (2015)
   Main Couple: Jamie Canning & Ryan Wesley
   Former childhood best friends and hockey camp teammates reunite at a summer tournament, forcing them to address the blurred line between friendship and attraction.
2. Us (2016)
   Main Couple: Jamie Canning & Ryan Wesley
   Picking up where Him left off, Jamie and Ryan navigate Ryan’s rookie NHL season, secret relationships, intrusive media, and building a shared future.
3. Good Boy (WAGs #1, 2017)
   Main Couple: Blake Riley & Jess Canning
   Pro hockey player Blake falls for his best friend’s sister, Jess, during a chaotic wedding weekend and sets out to prove he is more than just a funny jock.
4. Stay (WAGs #2, 2017)
   Main Couple: Matt Erickson & Hailey Taylor
   A grieving NHL veteran and a tech business owner connect anonymously online before discovering their real-world lives are closely entwined.
5. Epic (Him #2.5 / Novella, 2020)
   Main Couple: Jamie Canning & Ryan Wesley
   A short, sweet look at Jamie and Ryan as they plan a cozy getaway that gets interrupted by family drama, teammates, and wedding planning.

3. The Avalon Bay Series

Set in a coastal town, this contemporary romance trilogy tackles class differences, coastal secrets, and second chances.

1. Good Girl Complex (2022) — Good-girl Mackenzie moves to a beach town for college and falls for local bad boy Cooper, who initially targeted her for revenge.
2. Bad Girl Reputation (2022) — Former wild child Genevieve returns home to Avalon Bay to start fresh, only to run right into her magnetic ex, Evan.
3. The Summer Girl (2023) — Summer visitor Cassie intends to have a fun, no-strings vacation fling with local boy Tate, but emotional bonds complicate their arrangement.

4. The Prep Series

A dark, high-school romance duet centered on secrets and elite prep-school drama.

1. Misfit (2022) — RJ finds himself forced into an elite private prep academy run by his estranged headmaster father, navigating wealthy bullies and forbidden romance.
2. Rogue (2023) — Picks up the emotional fallout at Sandbury Prep as secrets, rivalries, and dangerous choices come to a head.

5. Romantic Suspense Series

Before her college romance boom, Elle Kennedy authored fast-paced, action-heavy romantic thrillers.

Killer Instincts Series

• Midnight Rescue (2012)
• Midnight Alias (2013)
• Midnight Games (2013)
• Midnight Pursuits (2014)
• Midnight Action (2014)
• Midnight Captive (2015)
• Midnight Revenge (2016)
• Midnight Target (2017)

Out of Uniform Series (Military Romance)

• Heat of the Moment (2008)
• Heat of Passion (2009)
• Heat of the Storm (2009)
• Heat It Up (2010)
• Heat of the Night (2010)
• The Heat is On (2011)
• Feeling Hot (2012)
• Getting Hotter (2012)

6. Standalone Novels & Adaptations

• Top Secret (2019) (with Sarina Bowen) — A rival-to-lovers MM college romance involving fraternity brothers and an anonymous dating app.
• Girl Abroad (2024) — A standalone YA/New Adult story about a college girl studying abroad in London, navigating flatmates, romance, and self-discovery.

Navigating the Universe: How to Choose Your Starting Line

Because Elle Kennedy has written across sports, romantic suspense, and coastal romance, here are three distinct pathways to help you jump into her catalog based on your preferred reading mood:

Option A: The Complete Briar University Legacy

• Starting Point: The Deal (Off-Campus #1)
• Why Choose This: This is the flagship experience. Reading Off-Campus -> Briar U -> Campus Diaries allows you to experience the overarching universe in order. You will see legacy couples age, get married, have children, and eventually watch their own kids walk the halls of Briar University.

Option B: The High-Heat MM Sports Track

• Starting Point: Him (Co-authored with Sarina Bowen)
• Why Choose This: If you love deeply emotional, swoon-worthy sports romances focused on best-friends-to-lovers dynamics and pro-hockey careers, the Him/Us/WAGs series is widely considered a gold standard in modern MM romance.

Option C: The Coastal Vacation Escape

• Starting Point: Good Girl Complex (Avalon Bay #1)
• Why Choose This: If you want a break from college hockey arenas and prefer small-town beach vibes, rich-girl/local-guy dynamics, and summer drama, starting with the Avalon Bay trilogy provides a standalone experience.

About the Author

Elle Kennedy is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling Canadian author. Best known for her contemporary romance novels, she pioneered the modern “college hockey romance” explosion with her breakout 2015 hit, The Deal.

Beyond her famous college campus books, Kennedy is an extraordinarily versatile writer who has published romantic suspense (Killer Instincts series), military romance (Out of Uniform), young adult fiction, and highly acclaimed co-authored series with author Sarina Bowen (Him / WAGs).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read Off-Campus before Briar U or Campus Diaries?

It is strongly recommended! While each novel centers on a standalone couple with a guaranteed Happy Ever After, the supporting characters, friendships, and running jokes carry over directly. Furthermore, reading Campus Diaries without reading Off-Campus spoils major life outcomes for the original couples.

Is the Off-Campus series getting adapted into a TV show?

Yes! Prime Video officially ordered an ensemble drama TV series based on the Off-Campus books, bringing Garrett, Hannah, and the rest of the Briar crew to the screen.

Can “Girl Abroad” be read as a standalone?

Yes. Girl Abroad is a standalone novel completely separate from the Briar University hockey world. It focuses on a young woman studying abroad in London, living in a flat with three guy roommates.

Final Verdict

Elle Kennedy remains a cornerstone author for anyone who loves high-energy banter, protective hero tropes, genuine humor, and emotional depth in romance fiction.

If you are a complete newcomer, start your journey at Briar University with The Deal. If you want a charming coastal romance, pick up Good Girl Complex. Grab your favorite drink, cozy up, and enjoy some of the most addictive romance reads available today!

Written by

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon. I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you. When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.