Off Campus has quickly become one of Prime Video’s most discussed new releases, with critics praising the chemistry between its cast while debating whether the hockey romance series brings enough originality to the crowded young adult drama genre.

Based on the bestselling novels by Elle Kennedy, the series follows Briar University hockey captain Garrett Graham and music student Hannah Wells as their fake-dating arrangement develops into romance.

The show premiered on May 13 and has already generated strong reactions across entertainment publications and social media.

Reviewing the series for Variety, critic Aramide Tinubu described the show as “a perfectly predictable delight”. The publication praised the performances of Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli, highlighting their “lovely chemistry” and commending the series for addressing themes of sexual assault and consent alongside its romantic storylines.

However, Tinubu also criticised parts of the dialogue as “choppy” and argued the overall narrative was predictable despite the emotional depth given to the characters.

At The Guardian, reviewer Lucy Mangan called the series “hot fun for fans of bums, boobs, hockey and Heated Rivalry”, comparing it heavily to the HBO Max romance drama Heated Rivalry.

While noting similarities between the two projects, Mangan described Off Campus as “slick, soapy, spicy” and “incredibly moreish”.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter offered a more mixed assessment. Critic Angie Han wrote that the series was “winningly sweet, tonally shaky”, arguing that its blend of light romance and heavier trauma-based storylines occasionally created uneven pacing.

BuzzFeed Australia reviewers Angeline Barion and Bernice Corral were more enthusiastic, calling the series “fresh and bingeable” while praising the emotional complexity of the ensemble cast and the balance between romance, humour and drama.

Despite divided opinions over originality, most reviews agreed the series succeeds largely because of its cast chemistry, emotional themes and familiar romance tropes.