The second entry in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series, The Mistake, follows the pattern set by its predecessor while focusing on a different couple. This time, the spotlight is on John Logan, a hockey player, and Grace Ivers, a freshman who initially seems like a rebound. The book has found a steady audience among new adult romance readers, though its strengths and weaknesses are fairly clear.
In real-world usage, this is a novel you pick up when you want a relatively low-stakes, emotionally charged story that doesn’t demand too much intellectual engagement. It’s often read during commutes, late nights, or as a break from heavier fiction. The pacing is brisk, with chapters alternating between Logan and Grace’s perspectives, which keeps the story moving even when the plot feels familiar.
Key functional features include the dual point-of-view narration, which allows readers to see both characters’ internal struggles. Logan’s arc revolves around guilt and self-sabotage after a past mistake, while Grace deals with insecurity and the pressure of being a younger student in a new environment. The romance develops through a mix of casual encounters and gradual emotional vulnerability, which is typical for the genre. The book also includes elements of found family, as the hockey team and their friends provide a supportive backdrop.
One limitation worth noting is the predictability of the conflict. The central misunderstanding—Logan’s failure to communicate about his past—feels somewhat contrived and is resolved a bit too neatly. Readers who prefer more nuanced relationship dynamics might find the resolution unsatisfying. Additionally, the portrayal of Grace as a virgin who is initially naive about sex can feel a bit dated, though Kennedy does attempt to give her agency as the story progresses.
Compared to other new adult romances, like those by Jamie McGuire or Colleen Hoover, The Mistake leans more heavily on the sports backdrop and the college setting. It lacks the raw intensity of Hoover’s emotional twists or the darker themes of McGuire’s work, but it compensates with a lighter tone and more consistent humor. If you’re looking for a romance that balances drama with wit, this fits that niche well. However, if you prefer stories with more complex character arcs or less reliance on tropes like the “playboy reformed by love,” you might find it lacking.
The book is suitable for readers who enjoy new adult romance with a sports angle, appreciate dual perspectives, and can tolerate some clichés in exchange for an engaging, feel-good story. It is less suitable for those who are tired of the “bad boy with a heart of gold” trope, prefer slow-burn romances without immediate physical attraction, or want a plot that subverts genre expectations. The writing is accessible, with dialogue that feels natural for college-aged characters, though some may find the internal monologues repetitive.
Ultimately, The Mistake delivers what it promises: a satisfying, if somewhat formulaic, romance. It doesn’t break new ground, but it executes its familiar elements competently. For fans of the first book or the series, it’s a solid continuation. For newcomers, it works as a standalone, though reading The Deal first provides context for the ensemble cast. Just don’t expect any major surprises.