The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was so excited to see where our Off-Campus couples were a few years into the future, and don't get me wrong we got that, but I was left pretty disappointed with the overall delivery of their stories in this one. For starters, I was under the impression that we were going to see the characters interact more with each other throughout the entire story (in one timeline) but this was more so a novella collection with minimal impactful interaction between our main characters. That being said, let's get into the individual storylines:
We open the collection up with Logan and Grace, which happen to be my favorite couple of the original series. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with their section, it just felt kind of blah/a little too slice-of-life for my liking. They were dealing with real life issues which I appreciated (the strain of a long distance relationship, wanting to find the "happy medium" in terms of both partners getting to chase their dreams and accomplish their individual goals, etc.) but I was definitely looking for some escapism that I just didn't get.
The next couple was Dean and Allie. I had an extremely unpopular opinion about the two of them by the end of their bookI really wish they didn't end up together and I felt that their short story justified my feelings. Man did this story boil my blood. I just truly don't think they are a good couple outside of the bedroom (and yes, their scenes were just as spicy as they were in The Score!)
Third on the list was Sabrina and Tucker. I think that Elle Kennedy had a great opportunity to give us all the fluff and cheesiness with their short story and instead we got so much unnecessary drama, and at a point in their lives that should've been amazing! It was neat seeing them as parents though.
Last but not least we had the couple that started it all: Hannah and Garrett. I feel like these characters had zero growth in the fictional four years since the original series. I was even surprised thatthey showed no signs of progressing in their relationship until their unplanned pregnancy. Their story, much like their original book, was the heaviest and I REALLY wish that it didn't end on a cliffhanger.
My main complaint(s) are that it did feel as though most of our characters (especially the guys) acted out of character in regards to their respective stories in the past, and I also didn't like how I felt as though all of the women in the story were the only ones that were compromising in order to make things in their respective relationships work. I also thought that the synopsis spoiled the entire thing, as you kind of know right off the bat which couple has each storyline.
Ultimately if you're looking for a spicy, quick read I'd definitely pick this up but I would say that it's skippable (especially if you were someone who enjoyed the original series).
We open the collection up with Logan and Grace, which happen to be my favorite couple of the original series. There wasn't anything inherently wrong with their section, it just felt kind of blah/a little too slice-of-life for my liking. They were dealing with real life issues which I appreciated (the strain of a long distance relationship, wanting to find the "happy medium" in terms of both partners getting to chase their dreams and accomplish their individual goals, etc.) but I was definitely looking for some escapism that I just didn't get.
The next couple was Dean and Allie. I had an extremely unpopular opinion about the two of them by the end of their book
Third on the list was Sabrina and Tucker. I think that Elle Kennedy had a great opportunity to give us all the fluff and cheesiness with their short story and instead we got so much unnecessary drama, and at a point in their lives that should've been amazing! It was neat seeing them as parents though.
Last but not least we had the couple that started it all: Hannah and Garrett. I feel like these characters had zero growth in the fictional four years since the original series. I was even surprised that
My main complaint(s) are that it did feel as though most of our characters (especially the guys) acted out of character in regards to their respective stories in the past, and I also didn't like how I felt as though all of the women in the story were the only ones that were compromising in order to make things in their respective relationships work. I also thought that the synopsis spoiled the entire thing, as you kind of know right off the bat which couple has each storyline.
Ultimately if you're looking for a spicy, quick read I'd definitely pick this up but I would say that it's skippable (especially if you were someone who enjoyed the original series).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
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