If you’ve devoured ‘Heated Rivalry’ and are looking for the next big thing to drown your sports romance hangover in, this upcoming Amazon Prime Video series might just be the perfect fix!
We’re talking bad boy-good girl tropes, college setting, fake dating, slow burn, and Briar’s Ice Kings on a constant ‘I’ll let the world burn’ energy for their ladies. It’s everything you’ll need to stay hooked in the electric energy of Ilya and Shane’s world. Not to miss the heat and angst that’s packed into the romance that this upcoming series is all about.
Elle Kennedy’s ‘Off Campus’ Delivers Major Hockey Romance Energy
Part of the reason ‘Heated Rivalry‘ became so popular is that it didn’t just show hockey games. It explored the players’ lives, friendships, relationships, and the drama that happens off the ice. And, surprisingly, ‘Off Campus‘ follows a very similar path. The story revolves around college hockey players whose lives get complicated by romance, rivalry, and personal struggles.
At the same time, the series is based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling ‘Off Campus‘ novels, which already have a strong fan base. Each book highlights a different couple; however, the same group of friends continues appearing throughout the story. Because of that structure, the world feels interconnected even as different romances take center stage. In fact, many readers compare this style to Julia Quinn’s ‘Bridgerton‘ books, where characters remain part of the narrative long after their own love stories conclude.
The series will reportedly follow the order of the books. So, the first season will most likely be based on book one, ‘The Deal’. And, it will feature the romance between the main protagonists, Hannah and Garett, in the TV series adaptation.
The colder the ice, the hotter the action. #OffCampus is coming to Prime Video on May 13. pic.twitter.com/bOV9Hp5JI8
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) March 19, 2026
‘The Deal’ starts with Hannah Wells and Garett Grahams, who are tied together in a mutually beneficial deal. For him, it’s a means of getting past failing a class she is brilliant in. For her, it’s a way to catch her crush’s interest, and he’s the means to getting there. However, like every swoon-worthy fake-dating plotline, this one is met with blurred lines and what-ifs. It will be interesting to see how slowly it draws the two conflicting personalities together.
Also, you get quality banter; our girl Hannah Wells nails it when it comes to bringing the team captain out of his golden-boy persona.
Stephen Kalyn Explains Why The Show Feels So Character-Driven
Stephen Kalyn, who plays Dean Di Laurentis, a character fans of the books already know, becomes the lead in the third installment, ‘The Score‘. Mika Abdalla appears as Allie, who eventually becomes Dean’s love interest. Even though their full storyline develops later in the series, their presence already adds depth to the larger group dynamic.
In case you missed it: 7 Young Adult Sports Romances That Deserve TV Adaptations After ‘Heated Rivalry’
While speaking to Collider, Kalyn explained that the emotional connection between characters is one of the biggest reasons the series works. According to him, the story doesn’t rely only on hockey action. Instead, it focuses on the characters’ personal journeys and the relationships that develop between them.
Kalyn described the show as “a coming-of-age story… hockey players, romance, fun, spicy, comedy kind of show.” It highlights how much the narrative revolves around people rather than just the sport. In other words, the hockey setting brings the characters together. But the real heart of the series lies in their friendships and romances.
He also shared that the cast worked hard to build genuine chemistry while filming. The actors talked early in the process about keeping their interactions natural and enjoyable on screen. Kalyn explained that if the cast looked like they were having fun together, the audience would likely feel that same energy. That early connection helped the group feel believable as a tight-knit team.
For booktok and sports romance fans, this one’s gonna hit you in all the right spots! The show releases on May 13 on Amazon Prime Video.
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