To read Elle Kennedy books in the best order, you should follow her interconnected series chronologically, starting with her blockbuster hockey romance universe: the Off-Campus Series (beginning with The Deal), followed by its direct spin-off, the Briar U Series (starting with The Chase). For her coastal contemporary romances, read the Avalon Bay Series starting with Good Girl Complex, and for her romantic suspense, follow the Killer Instincts Series beginning with Midnight Action.
Elle Kennedy has cemented her status as a titan of modern romance. From the viral TikTok sensation of her hockey romances to her gritty romantic suspense and addictive young adult prep school dramas, she knows how to craft characters that leap off the page. Whether you are a newcomer looking to dive into Briar University or a seasoned romance reader checking off her backlist, this definitive guide provides the ultimate reading order for every Elle Kennedy book, complete with character crossovers, trope breakdowns, and expert reading pathways.
If you are an aspiring author inspired by Kennedy’s masterful pacing, witty banter, and emotional tension, partnering with professional Ghostwriting Services from an established agency like Collins Ghostwriting can help you bring your own romance universe to life with the same high-caliber storytelling and market appeal.
The Briar University Universe: Off-Campus & Briar U Series
The Briar University books are the crown jewels of Elle Kennedy’s bibliography. This interconnected sports romance universe defined the modern “hockey romance” subgenre on BookTok. While each book can technically be read as a standalone, reading them in chronological order prevents major spoilers regarding which couples end up together and how their lives progress post-graduation.
1. Off-Campus Series in Order
The Off-Campus series focuses on a tight-knit group of college hockey players at the fictional Briar University and the strong-willed women who capture their hearts. It is celebrated for its perfect balance of humor, high-steam romance, and deeply emotional subplots.
- The Deal (2015) – Garrett Graham & Hannah Wells (Tropes: Fake dating, tutoring, academic rivals, healing from past trauma).
- The Mistake (2015) – John Logan & Grace Ivers (Tropes: Second chance, playboy reformed, forced proximity).
- The Score (2016) – Dean Di Laurentis & Allie Hayes (Tropes: Friends with benefits to lovers, accidental pregnancy/scare, opposites attract).
- The Goal (2016) – John Tucker & Sabrina James (Tropes: Secret pregnancy, hardworking heroine, soft hero, long-distance).
- The Legacy (2021) – An anthology of four novellas catching up with all four couples as they navigate life, marriage, and adulthood after Briar.
2. Briar U Series in Order (The Spin-Off)
Once you finish the core Off-Campus books, you should immediately dive into the Briar U series. This spin-off features the younger teammates, siblings, and friends of the original cast, maintaining the same electric campus atmosphere.
- The Chase (2018) – Colin Fitzgerald & Summer Di Laurentis (Tropes: Roommates to lovers, brother’s best friend, opposites attract).
- The Risk (2019) – Brenna Jensen & Jake Connelly (Tropes: Rivals to lovers, forbidden romance, coach’s daughter, cross-town rivalry).
- The Play (2019) – Hunter Davenport & Demi Mathews (Tropes: Friends to lovers, celibacy challenge, forced proximity).
- The Dare (2020) – Conor Edwards & Taylor Marsh (Tropes: Dare/bet, fake dating, body positivity, popular boy/shy girl).
| Book Title | Series | Primary Couple | Key Tropes | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Deal | Off-Campus #1 | Garrett & Hannah | Fake Dating, Tutoring, Healing | 2015 |
| The Mistake | Off-Campus #2 | Logan & Grace | Reformed Playboy, Groveling | 2015 |
| The Score | Off-Campus #3 | Dean & Allie | Friends with Benefits, Opposites Attract | 2016 |
| The Goal | Off-Campus #4 | Tucker & Sabrina | Surprise Pregnancy, Driven Heroine | 2016 |
| The Legacy | Off-Campus #5 | All Couples | Life After College, Epilogue Anthology | 2021 |
| The Chase | Briar U #1 | Fitz & Summer | Roommates, Brother’s Best Friend | 2018 |
| The Risk | Briar U #2 | Jake & Brenna | Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance | 2019 |
| The Play | Briar U #3 | Hunter & Demi | Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn | 2019 |
| The Dare | Briar U #4 | Conor & Taylor | Fake Dating, Popular/Quiet Dynamic | 2020 |
The Avalon Bay Series: Small-Town Coastal Romance
Moving away from the ice rink and onto the sandy beaches of South Carolina, the Avalon Bay series delivers a delicious blend of townie-versus-rich-kid dynamics, coastal atmosphere, and intense emotional stakes. It is perfect for fans of contemporary romance who love a seaside aesthetic and high-friction chemistry.
- Good Girl Complex (2022) – Mac Mackenzie & Cooper Hartley (Tropes: Bad boy/good girl, revenge plot gone wrong, local townie vs. wealthy student).
- Bad Girl Reputation (2022) – Genevieve West & Evan Hartley (Tropes: Second chance romance, childhood sweethearts, small-town gossip).
- The Summer Girl (2023) – Cassie & Tate Bartlett (Tropes: Summer fling, friends to lovers, emotional healing).
The Sandover Prep / Prep Series: Darker YA/New Adult Drama
For readers who enjoy elite academy settings, high-society secrets, and angsty, slow-burn tension, Kennedy’s Prep Series (often referred to as Sandover Prep) is a must-read. This series leans into darker themes, high school hierarchies, and intense rivalries.
- Misfit (2022) – RJ Shaw & Sloane (Tropes: Stepbrother’s rival, new kid in school, boarding school secrets).
- Rogue (2023) – Casey & Fenn Bishop (Tropes: Bad boy, forbidden attraction, class differences).
- Rebel (2024) – Silas & Beck (Tropes: Enemies to lovers, high stakes, loyalty testing).
The Him & WAGS Series: Co-Written with Sarina Bowen
Elle Kennedy’s collaborations with fellow romance powerhouse Sarina Bowen have produced some of the most beloved MM (male/male) and sports romances in the industry. The Him series is highly regarded for its exceptional character development, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry.
- Him (2015) – Wes & Jamie (Tropes: Childhood best friends, teammates to lovers, MM romance, sexual awakening).
- Us (2016) – Wes & Jamie (Tropes: Established relationship, career pressures, secret romance in professional sports).
- Good Boy (2017) – Blake & Jess (Tropes: Spin-off, MF romance, sunny hero/grumpy heroine, wedding date).
- Stay (2017) – Matt & Hailey (Tropes: Spin-off, MF romance, online anonymity, second chance at life).
- Epic (2020) – A sweet, comforting follow-up novella centering on Wes and Jamie as they plan for their future.
The Killer Instincts Series: High-Octane Romantic Suspense
Before her sports romances took over the charts, Elle Kennedy was widely celebrated for her gritty, action-packed romantic suspense. The Killer Instincts series follows a group of elite, lethal mercenaries who handle off-the-books missions while navigating dangerous, high-stakes romances.
- Midnight Action (2014) – Jim Morgan & Bailey Jones
- Midnight Games (2014) – Abby Metcalfe & Hunter Sterling
- Midnight Pursuits (2014) – Ethan Garrett & Olivia Carew
- Midnight Target (2015) – Sullivan & Noelle
- Midnight Selves (2015) – (Novella)
- Midnight Rescue (2016) – Abby & Kane
- Midnight Alias (2016) – Luke & Charlotte
The Outlaws Series: Dystopian & Erotic Romance
Writing under a slightly darker, highly sensual lens, Kennedy’s Outlaws series blends futuristic, dystopian survivalist themes with high-heat romance. It is ideal for readers who love high-stakes action, alpha heroes, and post-apocalyptic settings.
- Claimed (2015) – Connor & Hudson
- Addicted (2015) – Lennox & Dylan
- Ruined (2016) – Silas & Hayley
Frequently Asked Questions About Elle Kennedy’s Books
Do you have to read the Off-Campus series in order?
While each book in the Off-Campus series focuses on a different couple and can technically be read as a standalone, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The characters are closely knit roommates and teammates; reading out of order will immediately spoil who ends up with whom, major life changes, and the overarching timeline of their college years.
Is Briar U connected to Off-Campus?
Yes, Briar U is a direct spin-off of the Off-Campus series. It features younger students at the same university, including Summer Di Laurentis (Dean’s sister from The Score) and Hunter Davenport (who first appears in The Goal). You should read Off-Campus before starting Briar U to fully appreciate the cameos and character growth.
What is Elle Kennedy’s most popular book?
Elle Kennedy’s most popular book is undisputed: The Deal. It popularized the modern collegiate hockey romance subgenre and remains a massive favorite across TikTok, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Does Elle Kennedy write under any other names?
Yes, Elle Kennedy has published under the pseudonym Erin Watt (co-written with Jen Frederick), under which she released the incredibly popular, high-drama YA series The Royals (beginning with Paper Princess).
Real-Time Reader Search Queries & Quick Answers
To help you navigate the fandom, we have compiled some of the most common real-time searches from romance communities:
- “Who does Hunter end up with in Briar U?” – Hunter Davenport ends up with Demi Mathews in The Play (Briar U #3).
- “Are there crossovers in Avalon Bay?” – While Avalon Bay is a completely separate universe from Briar University, it features the same addictive, trope-heavy romance writing style and tight-knit community feel.
- “Where should I start with Elle Kennedy?” – If you want sports romance, start with The Deal. If you want romantic suspense, start with Midnight Action. If you want small-town drama, start with Good Girl Complex.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Elle Kennedy Pathway
Elle Kennedy’s diverse catalog ensures there is a book for every type of romance reader. Whether you are sweeping across the ice with the Briar hockey team, walking the sandy beaches of Avalon Bay, or dodging bullets with the mercenaries of the Killer Instincts squad, her signature blend of humor, heart, and heat never disappoints.
If you are inspired by Elle Kennedy’s success and want to write your own romance novel, the journey begins with a great concept and professional execution. Partnering with a premier agency like Collins Ghostwriting can help you refine your manuscript, outline your series, and draft compelling stories that capture the hearts of romance readers worldwide.
