The Mistake

The series that inspired Amazon Prime's Off-Campus – Now Streaming!

Get ready for another binge-worthy romance from international bestselling author and TikTok sensation Elle Kennedy.

He's a player in more ways than one…

College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he'll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he's worth a second chance.

Now he's going to need to up his game…

After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She's not a charity case, and she's not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He'll have to work for it. This time around, she'll be the one in the driver's seat…and she plans on driving him wild.

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle is the author of more than fifty contemporary fiction and romance novels, published by a variety of major houses. Her work includes the Off-Campus series, the global phenomenon which has captivated millions of readers around the world.

"Prepare to slide into a book hangover after you finish this book! I loved it SO MUCH I had to immediately begin it again. Elle Kennedy can't write fast enough for me..." --Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author

"Heart-melting, funny, fresh and exquisitely romantic, The Mistake left me breathless and absolutely in love!" --Katy Evans, New York Times bestselling author

"More hockey hotness from Elle Kennedy? Yes, please! The Mistake is a smart, feel-good, swoon-worthy page-turner that will have fans tossing their hearts onto the rink." --Sarina Bowen, author of the Ivy Years series

"Excellent writing, a heroine I could totally relate too, just enough angst to keep giving me mini stomach aches, and it was SO funny." --Maryse's Book Blog

"The Mistake has everything; friendships, love, loyalty, humour and passion." --Totally Booked Blog

"Ms Kennedy has given us two characters who steal our hearts from the get-go--a popular jock, reformed womaniser whose loyalty and selflessness make him impossible not to adore, and a strong, independent, kind-hearted heroine who loves fiercely, but respects herself the same way." --Natasha is a Book Junkie

"Kennedy captivated me with her fun, sexy, and playful romance that reminds me why I enjoy her stories so much." --Smexybooks

"It had everything I crave in a romance; humor, depth, love and an over abundance of grand gestures. Highly recommend." --Book Binge

"For a refreshingly angst-free take on the New Adult genre, you can't go wrong with Kennedy's Off-Campus offerings." --RT Book Reviews

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy is the second novel in the Off-Campus series, and it tells the romantic story of John Logan and Grace Ivers. The book is a college romance filled with humor, emotional growth, friendship, attraction, and second chances. Like the first book in the series, it is set at Briar University and follows the lives of hockey players who seem confident and carefree on the outside but are dealing with their own personal struggles beneath the surface. At the heart of the story is the idea that people can make bad choices, hurt others without meaning to, and still learn, grow, and fight to become better.

John Logan is one of Briar’s star hockey players. He is charming, popular, handsome, and used to getting attention from women. To many people, he looks like someone who has everything: great friends, athletic talent, and a bright future. But inside, Logan is struggling. He feels trapped by family responsibilities and is afraid that his life after college will not be his own. His older brother gave up many opportunities to support their family, and Logan feels guilty about leaving him behind. Because of this, he believes he must return home after graduation to help run the family business, even if that means giving up his dreams. This pressure makes him restless and unhappy, even though he hides it behind jokes, parties, and casual relationships.

Grace Ivers is very different from the girls Logan usually dates. She is a freshman, smart, sincere, a little shy, and still trying to find her place at college. She is not experienced in love or relationships, but she is honest, kind, and quietly strong. When Logan unexpectedly ends up at her dorm room one night, their meeting begins awkwardly, but there is instant chemistry between them. Grace is nervous around him at first because Logan is older, popular, and confident, but she also sees a softer side of him. Logan, in turn, is surprised by how much he enjoys spending time with her. She is not trying to impress him or use him for his status. She is simply herself, and that makes her refreshing to him.

Their connection grows quickly. Logan likes Grace’s intelligence, humor, and innocence, while Grace is drawn to Logan’s charm and hidden vulnerability. For a while, things between them feel exciting and genuine. However, Logan makes a serious mistake. Because he is confused about his feelings and still caught up in his own emotional mess, he hurts Grace deeply. He handles the situation badly, making her feel embarrassed and rejected. For Grace, who had begun to trust him and open herself up to him, this is painful. She realizes that even though she likes Logan, she cannot allow herself to be treated carelessly.

After the mistake, Grace tries to move on. She spends the summer away and begins to gain confidence. She changes not because she wants to become someone else, but because she starts to understand her own worth. When she returns to Briar, she is no longer the same uncertain freshman Logan first met. She is stronger, more self-assured, and unwilling to accept a weak apology. Logan, meanwhile, realizes that he truly cares about Grace and that he ruined something special. He regrets his behavior and wants a second chance, but Grace does not make it easy for him.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the novel is Logan’s effort to win Grace back. Instead of instantly forgiving him, Grace gives him a list of tasks he must complete to prove that he is serious. These tasks are funny, embarrassing, and sometimes sweet, and they allow the story to balance emotional tension with comedy. Logan’s willingness to do them shows that he is not just chasing Grace because of pride or attraction. He is trying to show her that he respects her and understands that he has to earn her trust again. Through this process, their relationship becomes stronger than it was before because it is built on honesty, effort, and accountability.

The romance between Logan and Grace is also a story of personal growth. Logan must face the fact that he has been avoiding his future and using distractions to escape his fears. His feelings for Grace push him to think more seriously about what kind of man he wants to become. He learns that loving someone means being honest, responsible, and brave enough to make hard choices. He also has to deal with his family situation and the guilt he carries about his brother. The book shows that Logan’s biggest battle is not on the hockey rink, but within himself.

Grace also grows throughout the novel. She begins as someone unsure of her own power, but she gradually learns to speak up for herself. She does not let Logan’s popularity or charm erase the hurt he caused. Her growth is important because it shows that forgiveness should not mean forgetting your own value. Grace can love Logan while still demanding respect. Her confidence makes their relationship healthier and more equal.

The friendships in the book add warmth and humor. Logan’s teammates, especially Garrett and the rest of the hockey group, bring energy to the story. Their teasing, loyalty, and brotherly support make the college setting feel lively. Elle Kennedy uses these friendships to show that the characters are part of a larger world, not just a romance in isolation. The team becomes a kind of chosen family, helping each other through personal struggles while also creating many funny moments.

“The Mistake” is about second chances, but it makes clear that second chances have to be earned. Logan’s mistake hurts Grace, but it also becomes the turning point that forces both of them to grow. Grace learns to value herself, and Logan learns to stop running from responsibility and emotion. Their love story is playful, passionate, and emotional, but it is also about maturity. The novel reminds readers that people are imperfect, but real love requires effort, honesty, and the courage to become better.