Elle Kennedy Books in Order (Updated 2026-02-02)

Elle Kennedy writes contemporary romance with a strong focus on college life, sports teams, and tight friend groups. Unlike authors who write only standalones, Elle Kennedy builds connected story worlds where couples change from book to book, but friendships and references continue.

Because of that, order matters inside each group. Between groups, you’re free to jump.

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How to read Elle Kennedy without confusion

• Each group below has its own cast and setting
• Read straight through once you start one
• Switching between groups is safe
• Later books often mention who ended up with whom earlier

If you want the most natural entry point, start with Off-Campus.

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Off-Campus Series (read in order)

This is the foundation of Elle Kennedy’s popularity. It introduces the hockey world many later books grow out of.

1. The Deal: A smart, guarded student tutors a hockey star, and their bargain turns into something real.
2. The Mistake: A confident player tries to recover from a first impression that went very wrong.
3. The Score: A commitment-shy flirt is forced to rethink everything when responsibility shows up early.
4. The Goal: A driven couple balances ambition, parenthood, and the reality of long-term love.

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Briar U Series (read in order)

Set in the same college world as Off-Campus, this series follows a new generation of students. Reading Off-Campus first is strongly recommended.

1. The Chase: A bubbly woman and a grumpy hockey captain clash until mutual respect becomes attraction.
2. The Risk: A politically outspoken heroine and a reserved athlete test how much compromise love allows.
3. The Play: A former playboy tries to earn trust when feelings stop being casual.
4. The Dare: A prank sets off a romance that neither person planned to take seriously.

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Campus Diaries (read in order)

This series continues the college-sports world with a slightly more mature tone and new leads.

1. The Graham Effect: A legacy hockey name meets a woman determined to define herself outside expectations.
2. The Dixon Rule: A bad-boy reputation collides with someone who refuses to judge by rumor alone.
3. The Charlie Method: A relationship experiment turns sincere once emotional walls come down.

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Avalon Bay Series (read in order)

A coastal small-town setting with surfing, college transfers, and strong found-family energy. This group is separate from the hockey universe.

1. Good Girl Complex: A rule-following student falls for the town’s most frustrating temptation.
2. Bad Girl Reputation: A woman returning home faces the one person who remembers her worst decisions.
3. The Summer Girl: A fresh arrival disrupts a settled dynamic with consequences for everyone involved.
4. The Wrong Match: A relationship built on convenience starts demanding honesty.

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Standalone Novels (read anytime)

These books do not require any series knowledge.

• The Royals: A high-society romance where power, privilege, and vulnerability collide.
• Girl Abroad: A study-abroad escape turns into personal reinvention and unexpected love.
• Midnight Pursuits: Romantic suspense with danger driving attraction and trust.
• Killer Instincts: A survival-driven romance set under extreme pressure.

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Where most readers should start

• Best overall starting point: The Deal
• If you want newer books first: The Graham Effect
• If you prefer small-town romance: Good Girl Complex
• If you want zero commitment: Girl Abroad

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A clean, spoiler-safe reading plan

1. Off-Campus (books 1–4)
2. Briar U (books 1–4)
3. Campus Diaries
4. Avalon Bay
5. Standalones whenever you want a reset

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FAQs

Do Elle Kennedy books have to be read in order?
Only within each group. Between groups, you can jump freely.

Will I spoil earlier books if I skip ahead?
Yes, inside a group. Couples from earlier books are often referenced later.

Are the newer books connected to the old ones?
Yes, but lightly. The strongest connection runs from Off-Campus → Briar U → Campus Diaries.

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Bottom line

If you want the smoothest experience, start with The Deal and follow the college-hockey path forward. If you prefer something separate, Avalon Bay offers the same emotional payoff without crossover. Once you understand the boundaries, Elle Kennedy’s catalog is easy to navigate, and very rewarding.