When reading a spin-off series (especially one spinning from a well received series), you have higher expectations. You know the ability of the writer, have a solid feel of the strengths and weaknesses, and believe in your heart of hearts that it can only get better. What I am finding, more often than not – is that the spin-off series just can’t live up to the bar set by the original. The Briar U series is an example of that. I suggest the Off Campus Series to anyone who will listen. Kennedy is in exquisite form through every single book. When I started The Chase, I went in thinking I was going to experience the same captivating writing that I had in The Deal (or in The Score which is where we meet Summer for the first time as she is Dean’s little sister). Sadly, it just didn’t come close to it.

Summer and Colin’s story had a little bit of a jump start in The Score when Summer first lays eyes on Fitz and knows she wants him. While Fitz feels the same way, for him - Summer is out of the question. They are just too different and he can’t see past the “fluff” that she presents to the world.

There were a few things that bugged me about this book, which may be why I don’t intend to continue the series. First, for being presented as a carefree, accepting, lovable guy, Fitz is extremely judgmental. The second thing that irked me was how much Summer played with another character's feelings (sentence changed to remove spoiler). The back and forth between Fitz and Summer also felt a little drawn out.

Other than those to things, the rest of the book was ok at best. Once they worked things out, Fitz and Summer were pretty cute together and I loved how protective they were of each other.

Would I recommend the Off Campus series? Without a doubt! Would I recommend the Briar U series, as of right now no but I would tell anyone to read at least the first two books before making a final judgement call. I may take my own advice at some point. Only time will tell. ( )

The characters were all too perfect and the conflict seemed forced. ( )

re-read: still just okay ( )

Lekker in zijn soort ( )

Elle Kennedy is one of the best at taking expectations and tropes and turning them into surprising, complex deliciousness. On the surface this looks like the typical nerd-falls-for-princess story, but both main characters are so much more than their labels. As usual, this super slow burn romance gave me all sorts of butterflies, and I loved watching both characters grow and progress both personally and as a couple. I also love how Kennedy brings attention to and calls out social issues and unabashedly promotes feminism. With the added bonus of revisiting familiar characters from the Off-Campus series, this was such a pleasure to read. ( )