From Booktok to social media edits, the series Off Campus is everywhere. What started out as a popular romance book series has made its way on to Prime Video, bringing the story of the Briar U students to a new audience. But with all the newfound publicity one question lingers: Is Off Campus ACTUALLY worth the watch?
Based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling book series, the show and books feature college students as they navigate friendships, relationships, sports, and everyday life at Briar U University. The book series has formed a dedicated fanbase, but the show has introduced the story of Off Campus to viewers who have never even heard of the series.
The first season focuses on the story of Garrett Graham and Hannah Wells played by Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright. Hannah is a reserved music major student while Garrett is one of Briar University’s star hockey players. While on paper their personalities seem completely different, the two end up in a fake relationship that gradually turns into something more complicated.
Their relationship is one of the biggest reasons the show is so easy to become invested in. Garrett and Hannah are not just two characters put together for the sake of a romance story. Their goals, personality, and internal conflicts help shape their relationship. As the season progresses, viewers are able to watch these characters become comfortable with each other while dealing with their personal conflicts.
However, Hannah and Garrett are not the only characters that get viewers hooked on this series. The series also features the people in Hannah and Garrett’s lives like John Logan, John Tucker, Dean DeLaurentis, and Allie Hayes. All these different characters with big personalities give more to the story, also creating storylines for seasons to come.
This is what separates the Off Campus series from all other romance series. Each book focuses on a couple or storyline within the same group of characters, creating a sense of love toward these characters. The Prime Video series has begun to create a bigger storyline around these other characters rather than only focusing on Hannah and Garrett. In fact, Kennedy has already shared her interest in seeing other storylines, and couples get their own season in the near future.
Another major piece of what makes this series such a success is the connection the television series has to the books. The original book series has had a dedicated fanbase years prior to the show. With the Prime Video adaptation, these fans are given the opportunity to see their beloved book characters on screen.
This has become both an advantage and a challenge.
These loyal fans have shaped an idea as to how Hannah, Garrett, and all these other characters should look and act. Seeing these actors portray these beloved characters may match these expectations or completely change them. With the show making slight changes from the books, the creator has made sure to keep Kennedy involved with the project.
However, with someone who has not read these books these differences don’t matter as much, allowing the show to be judged completely based on the fact of: Are these characters interesting? Is the storyline entertaining? Does this show get viewers interested in what happens next? These answers are dependent on what you are looking for.
If you are interested in character-oriented drama, romance, and found family trope then Off Campus is worth a watch.
Overall, Off Campus is definitely worth watching for fans of romance, college drama, and character-oriented stories. While it may not be for everyone, the series’ engaging characters, emotional storylines, and combination of romance and friendship make it an entertaining adaptation for both new and old fans. The shows’ popularity has proved that the story has found an audience beyond the book series. With a second season already on its way, Hannah and Garrett’s story might only be the beginning.
