The Goal (Off-Campus, 4)

From Lala’s Book ReviewsTW/CW: accidental pregnancy and thoughts about terminating the pregnancyI have finally made it to Tucker and Sabrina’s book! I think I had seen a tiktok after I read Logan and Grace’s book (The Mistake) where it was a pretty serious game of musical chairs between these two guys and it was like “Garrett and Logan fighting over who will be the godparent of Tucker’s baby”, and I couldn’t wait from that moment on to read this book. Why? Well honestly because of the video’s mention of Garrett which is honestly kind of crazy (but I love Garrett), and I’m always intrigued about books where someone has a baby even though it’s one of those tropes that has to be written really, really well for it to work.The first half of The Goal takes place as the same time as the majority of The Score taking place, and it was cool to be able to see certain events from the third book from Tucker’s perspective, but at the same time it was also difficult to read about Beau’s death since it was such a huge turning point in Dean and Allie’s relationship and had affected a lot of the other MCs because Beau did hang out with and crossed paths with so many of the other characters.Had I been introduced to Tucker’s book before I read about Garrett Graham, Tucker would be my number one of book boyfriends from the Off-Campus series, but Garrett came first and can’t be unthroned from the spot, but I can safely say that Tucker is in the number two spot.To my knowledge, the majority of what we know about Sabrina before reading this book is that she is a pre-law student like Dean, works really had and is “competitive” about her grades, and that she’s a you-know-what and is rather cold hearted. But again, that’s what Dean told everyone because Sabrina didn’t really mix with any of his friends.Sabrina is a completely different person than what Dean has described to us over the other books because Sabrina has one goal on her mind and that’s to better her life and to get an education in a career where she can support herself and get away from her home life. Her life is far from perfect, she lives an hour away from the Briar U campus in a rather run down house in Boston with her grandma who basically raised her and her stepdad who’s mostly always drunk and makes crude comments. Sabrina’s mom ran away from the family when Sabrina was like seven I want to say and hasn’t had much (if any) contact since.Sabrina has her life pretty much planned out as she gets an undergraduate degree from Briar U and works two jobs to help pay the bills at home and save money for when she gets into Harvard Law. She only has two real friends, but at times it can be difficult to connect with them because they come from money, but she still loves them because they’re there for her. Sabrina honestly over-works herself from studying and going to class to picking up any extra shifts that she can to grow her savings, so needless to say that she doesn’t have time for anything other than a one night fling if that.But, man does Tucker lay on the southern charm that night in the bar where she decides to go, and one thing leads to another and they’re in the back of his truck (let’s keep in mind that Sabrina wants the less amount of strings possible and is just looking for a release). And, Tucker being the gentleman that he is, makes her text him when she makes it back home safely since she wouldn’t spend the night with him and wants to drive back home despite the icy rain and dropping temperatures.Well, Tucker follows her home anyway because he honestly didn’t think she’d text him, and he was worried about the worsening conditions.Something happened that night because Tucker is smittened with Sabrina and they shared something those moments in his truck because he wants nothing more than to get to know her, but Sabrina doesn’t have any form of relationship built into her plan in the foreseeable future while she gets her degree in law.After many, many moments, Tucker finally is able to break down enough of Sabrina’s walls to get a better look of her life, and despite not wanting anything to do with Tucker or a relationship, Sabrina finds herself wanting to be able to spend time with him and talk to him and just be near him, but her fears makes the doubt stay in arms reach.As they try to work out their whatever you want to call it, Sabrina is starting to feel the effect of pregnancy, and she starts to worry big time because how can she handle this when she has so much to do to get out of her current home life situation and she doesn’t even know if Tucker would want to be in her or the baby’s life if she keeps it.This book is such a quick read. I wouldn’t say that there’s a whole lot of drama in this book, but there are plenty of deep moments especially when it come to the part of the book with the pregnancy. And it was always great to have our few moments with Garrett (heart eyes).I can see why people were so excited for The Legacy to come out to finish up the stories and have a look into their lives after Briar U, but I think that this book was a pretty good ending to the original part of the series.

I enjoyed this more than expected for a long running series and all the spoilers from reading them out of sequence. This book resonated with more realism than most romances, a strong theme and distinct characters.Four stars for an above average romance series.

I LOVE sports romances and last year I came across the Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. I devoured The Deal, the first book in the series, and eagerly got my paws on the next books in the series as soon as I could! These books are typically classified in the New Adult and College or sports romance genres because most of the main characters are college students and several of them are usually athletes. I love Elle Kennedy's writing style in these books because she makes most of her characters likable and funny, not to mention relatable. That being said, when I saw that The Goal was being released this fall, I pre-ordered it way back in the summer and couldn't wait to dive back into the world of the Briar University athletes and their girls!"'So money doesn't matter once you get down to it. It doesn't matter how thin or thick anyone's wallet is. We all hurt. We all love. We're the same. And your past, who you live with, where you came from, it doesn't have to matter. You're creating your own future, and I want to see where the road forward takes you.'"Sabrina James is pre-law at Briar University who works two jobs to make ends meet and is planning on applying to Harvard Law School. She's had a bit of a crazy life, with both of her parents leaving her at a young age so she was raised by her grandmother. As a result, she has a hard time loving people and keeps her guard up with most people she meets. She has a couple of close friends but never makes time for a boyfriend, both because of her dreams of becoming a lawyer and she doesn't want to be disappointed if someone doesn't love her back."'You might want to get a sandwich. I'm gonna keep you in bed for a long time.'"Sabrina is at a bar with her friends one night when she meets John Tucker, a hockey player at Briar. He's from Texas and after graduation, he plans to move back to the Lone Star State to be close to his mom and invest in a business down there. Since he was born and raised in the South, he's got the southern drawl that makes all of the girls go crazy (every time he said "darlin,'" I think my heart skipped a few beats!). He and Sabrina are attracted to each other but they agree to get together for just one night and that's it. However, Sabrina's intelligence and beauty keep Tucker wanting more while, as much as she won't admit it, Sabrina is attracted to the way Tucker genuinely cares for her and wants to be around her."My goal, once upon a time, was to succeed. I didn't realize that success wasn't grades or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life."When I started reading The Goal, it felt a lot like the other books in the Off-Campus series. They take place at Briar University, full of good-hearted hockey players and their girlfriends, and are written in a fast-paced manner because of the hilarious dialogue between the characters. About halfway into the book, there is a dramatic turn of events which cause (I believe) a shift in the typical feel of these books. No longer was the book about college athletes and their comical antics, it was about college students who have to make real-life choices that greatly affect themselves and others. I think The Goal starts out as a typical NA book but finishes with more of a mature feel to it, given the circumstances Sabrina and Tucker now have, though there are still elements of the NA genre in the second half of the book. There were times when I wanted to shout at Sabrina and tell her to stop being so stubborn but that's just her character and in the end, she realizes what she really wants."Because love is the ultimate goal. It's not the one I had strived for, but I was lucky enough, so d**n lucky, to achieve it."In summary, I loved The Goal and it made my heart happy to see how the development of the characters unfolds and what they choose to do in their lives. Those familiar with the other Off-Campus books and who are looking to read The Goal may just want a bit of advanced warning that this book isn't exactly written in the same style. The first half is similar to the other books but the second half is a bit more serious and mature as the characters deal with some serious life events. Personally, I loved it but I also love books about love and family so The Goal satisfied my desires to read about college life, sports, as well as family. This book can be read as a standalone but I feel you will get more out of it if you read the other books first. I was also bummed to see that this is the last book in the series BUT there will be a spinoff for anyone, like me, who is eager for more! I loved The Goal and recommend reading it, especially if you have read and enjoyed the other books; just know that the second half has a different feel, even though I think it ends on a good note and the series is wrapped up nicely.

Ew, my least favorite female in the seriesPoor tucker, i have no idea why Elle Kennedy did this to you, but i am sorry.never thought a one-night stand could change the rest of your life...Tucker and SabrinaTucker: Labrador vibes, sweet, positive, happy, always willing to help, HOCKEYSabrina: determined, focused, bitchy, awful, selfish, guarded.Sabrina was a not a relationship girl, focused and determined, to get through school into law school and escape her grandmother and terrible step father. Sabrina only had hook ups to ease her mind and always swore she would never hook up with hockey players, but Tucker got under her skin, and she gave in. One fun lovely night changed the rest of her life. Swooned by the sweet HOTTER THAN HELL Tucker with his sweet words and truth behind everything he said, she could not win. She gave him the night in his car and without fun nights, things are often forgotten, and BABIES ARE MADE.Sabrina, being the bitchy self-right woman she is, doesn't want tucker a part of this AND TELLS HIM THIS, and is going to work, go to school, and be a single mom. She will figure it out on her own just like she has everything else in her life. Leave him before he can leave her.Tucker has to try and prove his commitment not only to being a dad but being there for Sabrina. Even when she just him through test after test, not matter how STELLAR he is.

This is the third book I’ve read in this universe and they just get better and better. I loved how this one showed reality and how things can change in the blink of an eye, I also enjoyed how things progressed and how it was less fairytale and more realistic. I can’t wait to read The Legacy.

Lo amo intensamente. Es la segunda vez que lo leo y la verdad no recordaba que estuviera tan bueno.Amo demasiado esta serie

This was great, once again dealing with a serious matter in a splendid way. Learning about these 4 friends and their lives has been great!!!

von allen Off Campus Jungs ist Tucker die Nummer 1 für mich. Ich hätte nie erwartet, dass er so ist, wie er in diesem Buch ist, auch wenn er davor auch schon mein Favorit war. Und Sabrina ist auch so unglaublich, ich liebe sie ❤️ Ich liebe die beiden oder eher die drei zusammen, eine wunderschöne Familie 😉Und ich mochte auch die Szenen mit ihren Freunden sehr ☺️Ein wunderschönes Buch, einfach herzallerliebst ❤️

Blev lite ledsen när boken hade lite skråmor, men annars brukar Amazons böcker vara i jätte bra skick😍 Priset bra och boken bra:)