The Mistake
by Elle Kennedy · 2016
A hockey captain and a freshman agree their one hookup was a mistake -- then spend the rest of the book proving they can't actually stay away from each other.
Worth reading? The Mistake trades the fake-dating setup of The Deal for a secret-hookup, can't-stay-away dynamic, and it's a slightly slower burn as a result -- Logan's more guarded than Garrett, which makes Grace's persistence do more of the work. It's not as tightly plotted as the first book, but if you're reading the series in order for the shared campus and recurring characters, it holds its place fine.
| Full Title | The Mistake (Off-Campus, Book 2) |
|---|---|
| Author | Elle Kennedy |
| Published | 2016 |
| Category | Fiction |
The Verdict
Kennedy keeps the series’ throughline intact here – the hockey team as a recurring social ecosystem – which is part of why these books work better read together than as standalones. Logan’s arc is more about guardedness than Garrett’s was about ego, and that shift in dynamic is the main thing distinguishing this entry from the first.
you already liked The Deal and want the next Off-Campus couple -- Logan and Grace's slow-burn, one-night-stand-turned-relationship arc, same steamy New Adult tone
you're looking for a fresh trope -- this leans on age-gap-adjacent freshman/senior tension and secret hookup dynamics that will feel familiar if you just finished book one
Top 6 Lessons from The Mistake
- A secret-hookup dynamic builds tension differently than fake dating -- through guardedness and denial instead of a shared performance.
- A guarded character shifts more narrative weight onto the more persistent partner to drive the relationship forward.
- A series entry doesn't need to be as tightly plotted as its predecessor to still earn its place in the reading order.
- A recurring social world (the same hockey team, the same campus) makes standalone entries feel connected without requiring a shared plot.
- Slower-burn tension asks more patience of the reader than an immediate hook, and that's a fair trade if the payoff lands.
- Familiar tropes read as comfortable rather than tired when a series has already built trust with its reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Mistake worth reading?
Yes, if you're continuing the Off-Campus series -- it's a solid second entry, though slightly less tightly plotted than The Deal.
What is The Mistake about?
Hockey captain Logan Halloway and college freshman Grace Ivers hook up once, agree it was a mistake, and then can't stay away from each other despite trying to keep things casual and secret.
Do I need to read The Deal before The Mistake?
Not strictly, since it follows a different couple, but reading in order gives you the recurring cast and campus context that make the series feel connected.
Is The Mistake as steamy as The Deal?
Yes -- it's the same explicit New Adult romance tone, aimed at adult readers, not a toned-down sequel.
Ready to read it?
Get The Mistake on Amazon
