Off Campus Season 1 Review: Prime Video Just Turned BookTok Into a Full-Blown Crisis

Wake up BookTok, Off Campus Season 1 has officially dropped on Prime and it is everything and more. Based on the bestselling romance series by Elle Kennedy, Season 1 follows The Deal, centering on shy music major Hannah Wells and Briar U star hockey captain Garrett Graham. Set at Briar U, an Ivy League college in Hastings, Massachusetts, we get a glimpse into the lives of D1 hockey players and the women who steal their hearts. What starts as a fake relationship with mutual benefits quickly turns into a love story neither Hannah nor Garrett saw coming. 

This article contains spoilers.

As an avid lover of the books, I have been following this adaptation closely since it was first announced. When Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright were cast as Garrett and Hannah alongside the rest of the core characters, I immediately knew they would be perfect for the roles. While Cameli has worked in the romance genre before in Netflix’s Along for the Ride, this marks Bright’s first major romance role following Mallory Towers. In recent interviews, both actors talked about how close they became off-screen, and that chemistry translated naturally throughout the season. From their awkward first meeting in the locker room, Hannah and Garrett’s chemistry felt effortless and believable. 

One of the most surprising parts of the season was just how well the show handled changes from the books. Book-to-screen adaptations are always difficult because audiences become attached to iconic scenes, moments, and character dynamics. When early changes were announced, like Justin being a musician, Tucker being aged down, and Hannah working for the hockey team, fans definitely had mixed reactions. While some readers eventually came around, many remained skeptical going into the season. 

After bingeing the show, though, it became clear that most of these changes actually strengthened the story and added more depth to the characters. Justin (Josh Heuston) being a musician made far more sense for Hannah’s world than him being a football player ever did. A fellow music major with a popular band and an Australian accent? I was completely sold. Another standout change involved the iconic practice scene. Instead of Hannah kissing Dean, the show has her kiss Logan, which worked so much better in my opinion because it helped build the foundation for Logan’s feelings moving forward. 

Speaking of Logan, Antonio Cipriano gave one of the strongest performances of the season. I loved getting to see a more emotional side of his character this time around, and Cipriano really made you feel sympathetic toward Logan throughout the season. A small but impactful change reveals that Logan’s mother struggles with addiction rather than his father, adding another layer to his home life. The introduction of Jules (Julia Sarah Stone), Logan’s youngest sibling, was also one of my favorite additions to the series. Jules brought humor and chaos while also giving viewers a better understanding of the pressure Logan carries outside of hockey. 

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the biggest change of them all: Allie and Dean. Played by Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn, the fan-favorite couple had chemistry that was absolutely off the charts. Even from the trailer alone, the internet immediately became obsessed with them. This was probably the change I was most hesitant about because, while I love Allie and Dean as much as the next Off Campus fan, there were moments where it felt like they slightly overshadowed Garrett and Hannah’s relationship. Looking back at Episode 6, Garrett and Hannah finally confessing their feelings felt somewhat rushed in favor of building the relationship between Allie and Dean. Still, I cannot deny how entertaining their scenes were, especially with some iconic references and cameos sprinkled throughout the season. 

One of my favorite moments from the entire season was the Drunk Shakespeare sequence. It perfectly showcased the chemistry of the cast as a whole and captured the chaotic college energy that makes the series so fun. Miles Gutierrez-Riley’s Dex completely stole the show as the narrator/emcee of the event, and between the costumes, humor, and Garrett’s strip tease, it was impossible not to fall in love with the cast dynamic. 

Another standout moment was Hannah’s performance of Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back.” A soundtrack really sets the tone for a romance series, and this scene felt pivotal for both characters. For Hannah, it was a huge confidence moment after seeing someone from her past. For Garrett, it was one of the first times he truly saw how special Hannah was. The scene allowed both characters to let their guards down and simply enjoy each other’s presence. Plus, how could you not be obsessed with the way Garrett looked at her during that performance? 

Finally, Episode 4 as a whole was probably my favorite of the season, especially that steamy scene between Hannah and Garrett. What made the moment work so well was how earned it felt emotionally. The vulnerability between them, paired with the level of trust that had already been established, really highlighted the importance of consent and communication in their relationship. It also gave us a softer, more vulnerable side of Garrett that made their relationship even stronger. 

So what can we expect from Season 2? While the show was renewed months ago, creator Louisa Levy and Prime Video still have not confirmed which couple will take center stage next. Chronologically, the books would point toward Logan and Grace’s story in The Mistake, but after watching Season 1, all signs seem to point toward Allie and Dean having a much larger role moving forward. The reveal that Allie’s mysterious hookup Carter St. James was actually Hunter Davenport completely changed the dynamic heading into next season, especially after Hunter and Dean’s explosive fight at Malone’s.

That being said, Grace Ivers has officially been cast, so it seems likely that Logan and Grace will still play a major role in Season 2. If this first season proved anything, it’s that Off Campus understands exactly what fans loved about the books while still taking creative risks. Whether Season 2 focuses on Logan and Grace or dives deeper into Dean and Allie, one thing is clear: Briar U has officially become BookTok’s newest obsession.

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