The first teaser for Prime Video’s upcoming series Off Campus dropped on March 18, 2026, and while it promises plenty of steam and hockey drama, a wave of worry is spreading through the loyal fanbase of author Elle Kennedy’s bestselling book series. The trailer, which gives viewers their first real look at the adaptation of the popular novel The Deal, has left many devoted readers feeling uneasy, with some saying the show “looks nothing like the books” they fell in love with.
Based on Kennedy’s five-book series, the show follows the elite ice hockey team at the fictional Briar University. The first season focuses on the “opposites attract” romance between quiet music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) and the team’s cocky captain, Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli). Set to release all episodes on May 13, 2026, the show has already been renewed for a second season, but the early response to the teaser suggests the path to the premiere might be bumpy.
Fans Compare Show to ‘Heated Rivalry’ and Find It Lacking
Part of the intense scrutiny comes from the massive success of the Canadian hockey romance show Heated Rivalry, which became an international phenomenon in late 2025. That series, which chronicled the secret love affair between professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), set streaming records and created a hungry audience for more hockey-centered love stories.
Many had hoped Off Campus would capture a similar raw, authentic energy. However, after watching the teaser, some fans are worried the Prime Video adaptation feels too polished and different from the source material. The trailer features a classic meet-cute where Hannah accidentally walks in on Garrett in the locker room showers, a scene that has generated buzz but also raised questions about the show’s overall tone.
“Please don’t change,” one comment read, capturing the sentiment of readers who want a faithful adaptation. The worry is not new. When the casting was first announced in May 2025, reactions were mixed, with fans pointing out that characters like Tucker didn’t have the red hair from the books and Allie wasn’t a blonde. At the time, critics argued fans were judging too quickly based only on headshots.
Changes to Characters and Storylines Worry Devoted Readers
The new trailer has reignited these concerns, with fans meticulously analyzing every frame to see what has been altered. One notable change is Josh Heuston’s character, Justin, who in the books is a football player. In the show, he has been reimagined as a fellow musician. For many readers, such changes signal a larger shift away from the book’s original details.
Stephen Kalyn, who plays Dean Di Laurentis, recently spoke about the show’s character-driven nature, explaining that the emotional connection between the cast was a top priority. While this focus on chemistry is a positive sign for the romance, it does little to ease the fears of fans who are attached to specific plot points and character traits.
“We really want to honor the book and where these characters are coming from, but we only have eight episodes to do it as opposed to a full novel,” showrunner Louisa Levy told Entertainment Weekly. “There are some moments that I’m sure the fans will be very excited to see that we are not able to dramatize… But we really are going to honor the book.”
Levy has also hinted that while key moments will be included, some might “show up in a way you don’t expect”. This promise of surprises has created a divide in the fan community, with some willing to trust the process and others bracing for disappointment.
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Author Elle Kennedy’s Involvement Offers Some Reassurance
Despite the concerns, there is one major factor working in the show’s favor: Elle Kennedy herself is involved as a producer. The author, whose works have sold over 10 million copies worldwide, is reading scripts and giving feedback, a detail that has helped calm some nerves.
“She gave us her blessing to play with these characters,” Levy said, confirming Kennedy’s active role in the adaptation process.
This level of author involvement is significant. It means that while changes are being made to fit the eight-episode format, the heart of the story and the core of the characters have the original creator’s approval. For many fans, that is the ultimate green light.
The show is taking a Bridgerton-style approach to storytelling, with each season focusing on a different couple from the book series. Season one is based on The Deal (Hannah and Garrett). Season two will shift to another couple, though details on which book will be adapted have not been released. This structure allows the show to build a rich, interconnected world, but it also means fans of the later books are anxiously waiting to see how their favorite characters are handled.
What to Expect from ‘Off Campus’ Season 1
The first season will follow Hannah Wells, a confident woman who struggles when it comes to romance, and Garrett Graham, a hockey star whose grades are threatening his future. Their “deal” involves Hannah tutoring Garrett in exchange for a fake date meant to make Hannah’s crush jealous, a setup that naturally leads to real feelings.
The teaser suggests the show is leaning heavily into its mature, “sex-positive” themes. The locker room scene and other quick cuts in the trailer promise a show that is not afraid of steam. This has excited some viewers who are looking for a show with adult romance at its core.
For now, the Off Campus fanbase remains divided. The May 13, 2026 release date on Prime Video is now circled on calendars, with both hope and anxiety hanging in the air. Will the show capture the magic of the books, or will it become another adaptation that strayed too far? The only way to know is to watch when all eight episodes drop in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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Check back to VvipTimes for more updates on the cast interviews and early reactions leading up to the premiere of Prime Video’s ‘Off Campus’.
