The Goal: Now an Original Series on Amazon Prime (Off-Campus, 4)

I LOVE sports romances and last year I came across the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. I devoured The Deal, the first book in the series, and eagerly got my paws on the next books in the series as soon as I could! These books are typically classified in the New Adult and College or sports romance genres because most of the main characters are college students and several of them are usually athletes. I love Elle Kennedy's writing style in these books because she makes most of her characters likable and funny, not to mention relatable. That being said, when I saw that The Goal was being released this fall, I pre-ordered it way back in the summer and couldn't wait to dive back into the world of the Briar University athletes and their girls! "'So money doesn't matter once you get down to it. It doesn't matter how thin or thick anyone's wallet is. We all hurt. We all love. We're the same. And your past, who you live with, where you came from, it doesn't have to matter. You're creating your own future, and I want to see where the road forward takes you.'" Sabrina James is pre-law at Briar University who works two jobs to make ends meet and is planning on applying to Harvard Law School. She's had a bit of a crazy life, with both of her parents leaving her at a young age so she was raised by her grandmother. As a result, she has a hard time loving people and keeps her guard up with most people she meets. She has a couple of close friends but never makes time for a boyfriend, both because of her dreams of becoming a lawyer and she doesn't want to be disappointed if someone doesn't love her back. "'You might want to get a sandwich. I'm gonna keep you in bed for a long time.'" Sabrina is at a bar with her friends one night when she meets John Tucker, a hockey player at Briar. He's from Texas and after graduation, he plans to move back to the Lone Star State to be close to his mom and invest in a business down there. Since he was born and raised in the South, he's got the southern drawl that makes all of the girls go crazy (every time he said "darlin,'" I think my heart skipped a few beats!). He and Sabrina are attracted to each other but they agree to get together for just one night and that's it. However, Sabrina's intelligence and beauty keep Tucker wanting more while, as much as she won't admit it, Sabrina is attracted to the way Tucker genuinely cares for her and wants to be around her. "My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn't realize that success wasn't grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life." When I started reading The Goal, it felt a lot like the other books in the Off-Campus series. They take place at Briar University, full of good-hearted hockey players and their girlfriends, and are written in a fast-paced manner because of the hilarious dialogue between the characters. About halfway into the book, there is a dramatic turn of events which cause (I believe) a shift in the typical feel of these books. No longer was the book about college athletes and their comical antics, it was about college students who have to make real-life choices that greatly affect themselves and others. I think The Goal starts out as a typical NA book but finishes with more of a mature feel to it, given the circumstances Sabrina and Tucker now have, though there are still elements of the NA genre in the second half of the book. There were times when I wanted to shout at Sabrina and tell her to stop being so stubborn but that's just her character and in the end, she realizes what she really wants. "Because love is the ultimate goal. It's not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so d**n lucky, to achieve it." In summary, I loved The Goal and it made my heart happy to see how the development of the characters unfolds and what they choose to do in their lives. Those familiar with the other Off-Campus books and who are looking to read The Goal may just want a bit of advanced warning that this book isn't exactly written in the same style. The first half is similar to the other books but the second half is a bit more serious and mature as the characters deal with some serious life events. Personally, I loved it but I also love books about love and family so The Goal satisfied my desires to read about college life, sports, as well as family. This book can be read as a standalone but I feel you will get more out of it if you read the other books first. I was also bummed to see that this is the last book in the series BUT there will be a spinoff for anyone, like me, who is eager for more! I loved The Goal and recommend reading it, especially if you have read and enjoyed the other books; just know that the second half has a different feel, even though I think it ends on a good note and the series is wrapped up nicely.

The Goal is an unpredictable, messy romance that follows a determined, headstrong, stoic law student and a sweet, laidback southern hockey player as they find their plans on thin ice, their goals suddenly beyond their reach. Sabrina and Tucker are two very different personalities headed in two very different directions. Sabrina has one goal... escape. The shame and the frustration of her broken, twisted home life has made her ruthless in her drive toward that escape, her academic goals providing her with the only way out. But that drive, that shame, that proud determination makes for a character that is so closed off, so hardened. She's the polar opposite of John Tucker, the sweet, loveable Texan who might be unsure of his immediate plans, but he knows where he ultimately wants to end up. Sabrina and Tucker thought they knew where they were headed, they each had their own plans for their respective futures, but when their lives tangle, the unexpected threatens everything. It's a dicey move to take an unlikable character from a previous book and turn her into your next heroine. It's hard to sell that to readers who've been trained to hate that character by the very same author now looking to endear them to her. Full disclosure, I'm a reader that didn't like Sabrina before either. We weren't meant to. So, of course, I was skeptical that I'd come to want a guy like John Tucker with a girl like her. But while she's definitely a tough nut to crack, I very much appreciated what this author chose to do with this character in The Goal. Sabrina isn't like other girls. She's as unapologetically sexual as the horny hockey players in this series. She's as impenetrable and difficult and frustrating as NA male characters typically are. She's complex and fierce and she has priorities that don't involve long term relationships. She doesn't exude a lot of vulnerability or emotion. She can come across as selfish, but it's not in a malicious way. She's just a girl that has always had to look out for herself and put herself first because no one else ever has. And given all of that, I'd say Elle Kennedy has successfully turned a villain into a heroine, and she's done so without compromising the integrity of her character. I can't get on board with an author taking a character she once vilified and completely altering her personality to fit the new goal of the author, to make her the sweetheart heroine you wish your readers will suddenly fall in love with. I have much more respect and appreciation for Elle Kennedy's choice to ensure Sabrina is still Sabrina. And getting to know her in all of her flaws and rough edges and her maddening stubbornness, I can NOW allow myself to want good things for her despite being so frustrated with her, without feeling like I read a story about a completely different character than the one presented to me previously. This author gets an A for character consistency. A big fat A. I really enjoyed this installment. It hasn't topped The Score for me as a series favorite, but it's a really beautiful, angsty story about finding new dreams, discovering all the things you want in life even if they were never part of your original plan. It's about deciding what's most important. It's about making the choice to roll with whatever life throws at you as long as the right person is there to hold your hand through it all. Sabrina is a hard heroine to root for. And Tucker is so freakishly nice, he's the polar opposite of the bad boys I typically fall for. But there was something so right about this couple. Even when everything was stacked against them, even when Sabrina fought so hard against the good in her life, even when Tucker should have probably run the other way, I wanted good things for this couple. I wanted their happily ever after. And Elle Kennedy delivers a really solid storyline that took me and these characters exactly where I'd hoped we'd go by way of the road less traveled. The Goal made me feel all the things. As Kennedy's sports romances tend to do, The Goal is chock full of colorful characters whose banter had me laughing and sighing, swooning and smiling. This story is peppered with amusing moments, times of heartbreak, seriously steamy, sexy scenes and the most frustratingly maddening storyline of the series. And I really loved it. I love a story that makes me want to scream from the inside out. There's a lot of ways a writer can drive a reader to the brink and this story tested my patience and my tolerance in ways no other book has before. Sabrina takes stubborn to a whole other place and Tucker's patience with her was far more virtuous than mine. But as stressful and angst ridden and damn infuriating as I found their story, it's a deliciously satisfying, honest one and I really, really enjoyed it.

3.5 stars In the fourth, but hopefully not final, book in Elle Kennedy’s enjoyable Off Campus contemporary new adult romance series, another university student hockey player and lovely young woman find a future in each other as they move inexorably towards adult lives. Sabrina James has been surviving on ambition, overwork, and very little sleep as she drives herself through her final undergrad year. Determined to make a better life for herself and gain distance from her grinding family life, she is going to go to law school if it kills her. Her upbringing in an unpleasant, complicated family has made her self-reliant to the point of leeriness and incredibly driven. It’s been a long time since I wanted to see a heroine to escape as much as I wanted a better life for Sabrina. Show me a capable woman fighting dream crushers telling her who she is and you have my full attention. Letting off steam one evening, Sabrina meets John “Tuck” Tucker. He’s a charming member of the men’s hockey team at her university. While she likes athletes, she has sworn off hockey players after a bad experience with one. Tuck’s a temptingly engaging and unassuming guy though, so she makes an exception for him just for one night. Laid-back Tuck finds himself smitten with tough, but sweet Sabrina and he pursues her until – WONDER OF WONDERS AND MIRACLE OF MIRACLES – she tells him she’s not interested and he backs off. (Let’s pause to thank Elle Kennedy for a hero taking no for answer.) When Sabrina realises she’s pregnant, she finds herself seeking Tuck out and things move forward from there. Tuck is all in. It’s been three years since I asked this question, but I still don’t have the answer. Should a hero be a perfect guy or the perfect guy for the heroine? Is there a difference? Tuck is pretty amazing. He’s grounded, patient, an enthusiastic and attentive paramour, hard-working, calm, rational, responsible, patient again plus synonyms for it, mature, kind, sensible, fun, good-looking, protective in a non-overbearing way, bearded (to start off with and, admittedly, that may only make him perfect to me), supportive, and financially secure. Tuck gives Sabrina time and space, he participates as much or as little as she wants him to with her pregnancy and its ramifications, and bides his time while she comes around to the same conclusion he did the night they met. Tuck and Sabrina face almost insurmountable odds in succeeding with the stresses of their relationship, school, baby, and getting established in adult lives and all, I thought, with virtually no sacrifices. I guess that’s where the wish-fulfillment part of these books comes in. Young people having an instant family plot is not my favourite, but Kennedy did a good job with the story and she continues to be very good at writing friendships in addition to the love story. I will be buying all of the other books in the Off Campus series as they are published.

The Goal is the fourth book in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series, focusing on Tucker, the steady and reliable hockey player, and Sabrina, an ambitious, no-nonsense woman determined to make something of herself. Their story is different from the previous books, featuring an unexpected pregnancy and deeper emotional stakes, making it one of the most mature and heartfelt installments in the series. John Tucker – Unlike his teammates, Tucker is calm, responsible, and has a quiet charm. He’s incredibly supportive, patient, and deeply caring, making him a refreshing contrast to the more cocky, outspoken heroes in the series. His Southern charm and maturity set him apart, making him one of the most lovable love interests in Off-Campus. Sabrina James – Sabrina is ambitious, driven, and determined to escape her tough upbringing by becoming a lawyer. She comes off as cold and stand-offish at first, but as the story unfolds, her struggles and vulnerabilities make her a complex and compelling heroine. Her journey toward letting people in while still holding onto her dreams is inspiring. While hockey is still present, this book focuses more on Sabrina’s law school ambitions and the real-world struggles of making something of oneself against the odds. The academic and career-driven aspect adds a fresh layer to the series. Sabrina’s home life is filled with struggles, from an unsupportive and toxic family environment to financial hardship. This setting contrasts sharply with Tucker’s more stable, supportive background, highlighting their differences. While Kennedy’s signature humor and banter are present, this book leans more into deeper themes of responsibility, ambition, and personal sacrifice. Both Tucker and Sabrina’s perspectives allow readers to fully understand their motivations, struggles, and emotions, making their relationship feel more authentic. Compared to the previous books, The Goal has a more mature tone, dealing with unexpected life changes, personal aspirations, and difficult choices. The romance builds gradually, as Tucker and Sabrina navigate their changing lives and expectations. The emotional weight of the story makes their love feel well-earned. Strengths ✔ A Different Kind of Hero – Tucker’s patient, supportive nature makes him stand out from other romance leads. ✔ Strong, Independent Heroine – Sabrina’s ambition and resilience make her an empowering character. ✔ Realistic & Mature Themes – The novel explores pregnancy, family struggles, and personal growth in a relatable way. ✔ Emotional & Rewarding Romance – The love story feels organic, with both characters complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The Goal is a heartfelt, mature, and deeply emotional conclusion to the Off-Campus series. Tucker and Sabrina’s story brings a refreshing change in tone, focusing on responsibility, ambition, and the realities of adult life. Fans of The Deal, The Mistake, and The Score will appreciate this installment, especially if they enjoy slow-burn romances with depth.

4 stars — I was actually most looking forward to Tucker’s story, and while I loved it, it didn’t end up being my favourite. Weird how that works right? Now as I fully anticipated, I LOVED Tucker. Like LOVE LOVED him. He was everything I was hoping for and more. I adored how he was this delicious blend of sweet, caring, genuinely good guy mixed with a delightfully dirty mind. I think that was the part that surprised me, though I’m not sure why. But damn, that boy had it going on!! And yet he was still so gentlemanly…god, I love that mix. And he was so freaking patient! Like, I couldn’t even believe it sometimes. He was almost too patient on occasion, b/c he wouldn’t push Sabrina at all, and maybe she needed a little push. But I loved how he could see through Sabrina’s bullcrap to the heart of her. And I loved how he didn’t let the curveballs throw him off his path, he stayed true to himself and wouldn’t make choices that he couldn’t be happy with when it came to his life. While I wasn’t surprised that I loved Tucker, I will admit that I was surprised I loved Sabrina too. I loved how driven she was, and how she put on that persona of being a witch with a b to keep people away, but underneath she was extremely vulnerable. I also thought that Ms. Kennedy did a great job of showcasing the challenges of poverty through her situation. She desperately wanted a better life, and she thought she knew exactly what that better life would look like. While both Sabrina and Tucker aggravated me with their stubbornness and wrong assumptions (it’s not my favourite trope), she took a bit longer than I wanted to figure stuff out. It’s not that I didn’t get that her family life and childhood damaged her, but she was being an idiot and I was sad that none of her friends woke her up. Another thing that bugged me was that, in my opinion, she was seriously emotionally abused, and I kind of wished that that had been addressed at some point. Her Nana was, quite frankly, awful to her, and her love felt very conditional. And the way Sabrina would excuse Ray’s behavior…well, I just wish that someone had told her that that’s not normal, and gotten her some guidance. Tucker and Sabrina were interesting together. Obviously they had amazing chemistry, and there were so many sweet moments that I just loved. But their relationship was a bit dysfunctional, and I felt like I needed a bit more near the end when things changed. I just would have appreciated learning a bit more about their motivations, or seeing more frank discussions between the two of them…it just felt like I didn’t understand why this time it was different, you know? The plot in this one flowed a bit differently for me, especially the second half. It just didn’t feel like the usual narrative structure I’m used to, with the build up to a conflict and climax. As I said, I kept waiting for the turnaround, but it just kind of snuck in there with a lot of little ups and downs. And can I also say that I hated the way Tucker’s Mom behaved? She was truly awful, and I’m not sure I ever fully understood her motivations, or what she was like, or how Tucker became who he was with that kind of mother. On the completely other side of it, I loved seeing the group interact again. I really love all those boys and the girls they fell in love with. I also really appreciated that Dean and Sabrina worked things out, but weren’t all buddy buddy. And as for other secondary characters, I loved Sabrina’s friends and seeing a bit more of some of the other hockey boys. I’m so excited to know we’ll be getting a bit more of some of them. So yeah, so much goodness in this one, just a few little niggles that made it not the hit out of the park I was expecting. But a seriously great end to a fantastic sports romance series.

Tucker has been an enigma since the beginning of this series, which happens to be one of my all-time favorites. I was THRILLED upon hearing The Goal would be about him and while I'm sad to see the Off-Campus series come to an end, I'm glad to see it go out on a strong note. My opinion of Sabrina James leaned to the negative side of the scale based on what was divulged of her character in the previous books. She came across as a bitter young woman who continuously ate sour grapes while constantly lording other people's mistakes and indiscretions over their heads. But once the details of her bleak childhood and current living situation were shared, I understood that what I'd assumed was an attitude problem was actually a form of self-preservation. Sabrina's tough-as-nails exterior acts as a mask that conceals the stress she constantly endures from working two jobs and carrying a full course load, as well as her fears of not achieving her professional goals of attending law school at Harvard and landing a position at a prominent law firm. John Tucker has his own set of goals, which include moving back to Texas after graduation to be closer to his mother and buying a business with the inheritance his father left him. While out at a campus bar with some hockey teammates, Sabrina catches his eye. Something about her beckons to him. Although she initially shrugs him off, she finds his confidence and southern charm alluring and decides to hook up with him to blow off some steam. After an explosive tryst in his truck, Tucker realizes one time with Sabrina isn't enough for him. He sets about doing everything he can to see her again, putting himself in her path whenever possible. It's only a matter of time before his persistence pays off, in the form of a double date with her and two of their friends. The walls Sabrina built around herself slowly crumble as she realizes Tucker isn't the type of man she's used to dealing with. He isn't a player, and his protectiveness and genuine concern for her make her feel safe and happy. When an unexpected event throws multiple wrenches in both of their carefully laid plans, they must decide whether the goals they originally strived toward can still be reached or if new ones should be constructed. I couldn't turn pages fast enough to find out how this story would end, which is a compliment to Ms. Kennedy's ability to construct a compelling story. Although I initially disliked Sabrina, I did a slow 180 as each chapter unfolded. By the time I got to the last page, I had a newfound respect for her and found myself cheering her on. Tucker... *sigh* What a guy. He fits the definition of a gentleman to a T. We should all be so lucky to have such a caring, supportive, strong man in our lives who loves not only his girlfriend, but his mother. And I *loved* the sharp contrast between his polite public persona and alpha-male bedroom one. The appearance of characters from the other novels in the series were well-placed and made me giddy. It felt like my old friends dropped in to say hello. I hope the ones whose stories were never told will have their turn one day (Fitzy *cough cough*). Regardless, THIS is the right way to end a series!

I really enjoyed this book!!! The romance between John Tucker and Sabrina is very interesting and sweet. I recommend it.

This is a sweet story and I really like Sabrina and Tucker as a couple. As a book, however? The pacing is…odd. The plot beats are honestly baffling. The ending fell 100%, completely flat. ***spoilers*** The pregnancy doesn’t come in until way later in the book than I thought it would. There are jumps in time that I just couldn’t follow. One minutes she’s got awful morning sickness, the next she’s 5 months and fine. Suddenly they’ve graduated but the only reason I knew that was because Tucker had to move. If you enjoy the pregnancy part of the pregnancy trope, this will not fulfill that. Baby names? Brought up once, then they name her possibly the stupidest name in the world on a whim. And I’m not kidding — they name her James Tucker. What’s her last name? Idk, I really don’t think they ever resolved that disagreement. Is the baby’s name James Tucker James-Tucker? Possibly!! At BEST it’s James Tucker James. Or maybe James is the first name and Tucker is the last and they just didn’t give her a middle name? I have no idea! Honestly I was skimming a bit but I really don’t think this was clarified. Lastly, what the HECK was wrong with Tucker’s mother? Sabrina’s Nana was inconsistently written and clearly meant to be “the bad family” but tuckers mom? YIKES. The things she said to Sabrina! And never apologized for! And Tucker never seemed to really confront her about! The more I write the less I liked this book so actually I’m dropping it to 3 stars.

The Goal by Elle Kennedy ✨ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sabrina and Tucker absolutely won my heart. Hands down, this is my favourite book in the entire series. Sabrina is a powerhouse. She busted her arse chasing her dreams, and I admired her resilience so much. Her family though? Absolute trash. I despised them. Her grandma should have known better, and her stepfather is a straight up disgusting prick. I truly don’t understand why he was tolerated at all especially when her mum isn’t even in the picture. Sabrina deserved so much more. And then there’s Tucker 🫶🏼 Officially added to my book boyfie list. He has this nurturing, steady presence that just melts you. He was always there when Sabrina needed him, never wavering, never pushing just always showing up. The way he loved and supported her? Arghhhhh, my heart couldn’t handle it. The surprise pregnancy trope isn’t usually at the top of my list, but this one was done perfectly. It realistically portrayed the struggles, the fear, the emotional weight and the successes. Nothing felt rushed or sugar coated. This series wrapped up well and finished with a bang! I loved the friendships, the found family, and the sense of closure. I’m so glad I stuck with the series, and now I’m crossing all my fingers that the upcoming TV series does it justice 🤞🏼

This book completes perfectly the Off-Campus series, and it is just as good as the other 3 books before this one. I loved knowing Tucker and Sabrina's history, their emotions, their struggles, and they love. It is just awesome! A definitely must read!!!

i love an accidental pregnancy and him being there no matter what 🩷 might be my fav of the series

, Perfect condition + ♡♡♡

It's official: this book is my FAVOURITE of the Off-Campus series. I could not put it down, and I'm actually surprised that I loved it as much as I did! Logan needs to move aside now, and I'm not sorry to say that, because John Tucker has definitely taken that #1 spot as my favourite Briar boy. From start to finish I was hooked to this funny, romantic novel. Tucker, bless his heart, is a romantic. He believes in love at first sight, and he believes that the first time he and Sabrina locked eyes across the crowded bar that she was "the one", but Sabrina only saw him through lust filled goggles. Where Sabrina only wants one night, Tucker wants more, and he's dead set on getting just that... But I don't think the "more" he was expecting to get was a baby. I loved everything that happened in this book. There were no moments where I found a scene to drag or just be dull; it was all perfect to me. I loved Tucker. I loved Sabrina. I loved their chemistry and banter, and I loved watching their relationship grow. I most especially loved the banter between Tucker, Garrett, Logan, and Dean - many scenes between those four had me crying with laughter! Seeing Sabrina and Tucker as parents, and watching as Garrett and Logan fight for the title of Godfather... I could just list everything that I loved that happened in this book, but then I'd be listing EVERYTHING that happened. It all really was perfect, and it sucks that I didn't start this series sooner. I'm sad to see it have to end, but I've heard rumours that there'll be a spin-off series coming featuring the rest of the hockey team at Briar University? I hope it's true, and if it is, I cannot wait to read it!