A Lazy Reader's Review of "The Goal" by Elle Kennedy

Synopsis

    She's good at achieving her goals . . .

    College senior Sabrina James has her whole future planned out: graduate from college, kick butt in law school, and land a high-paying job at a cutthroat firm. Her path to escaping her shameful past certainly doesn't include a gorgeous hockey player who believes in love at first sight. One night of sizzling heat and surprising tenderness is all she's willing to give John Tucker, but sometimes, one night is all it takes for your entire life to change.

    But the game just got a whole lot more complicated . . .

    Tucker believes being a team player is as important as being the star. On the ice, he's fine staying out of the spotlight, but when it comes to becoming daddy at the age of twenty-two, he refuses to be a bench warmer. It doesn't hurt that the soon-to-be mother of his child is beautiful, whip-smart, and keeps him on his toes. The problem is, Sabrina's heart is locked up tight, and the fiery brunette is too stubborn to accept his help. If he wants a life with the woman of his dreams, he'll have to convince her that some goals can only be made with an assist.

Review

    Elle Kennedy concludes her Off-Campus series with The Goal, shifting the focus to John Tucker, the quiet, responsible Southern gentleman of the hockey crew, and Sabrina James, an ambitious, no-nonsense pre-law student determined to escape her difficult home life. Unlike the previous books, which lean more on the playful, drama-filled side of college romance, The Goal takes a more mature and emotional approach, largely due to the unexpected pregnancy plotline that reshapes the story, which I really appreciated.

    One of the book’s strongest aspects is Tucker himself. Unlike the cocky, playboy personalities that dominate the series, Tucker stands out for his patience, maturity, and unwavering support. He’s refreshingly self-assured without arrogance, and his ability to handle every curveball thrown his way makes him a rare kind of romance hero—one who doesn’t need to be tamed or reformed but is simply a great guy from start to finish. His devotion to Sabrina, even when she keeps him at arm’s length, is heartwarming and makes for a relationship dynamic different from the other couples in the series.

    Sabrina, on the other hand, is more polarizing. She’s ambitious to a fault, determined to reach her goals at all costs, and often emotionally guarded to the point of frustration. While her backstory—growing up in a toxic household and struggling to break free—adds layers to her character, it sometimes feels like the book tells us more about her hardships than truly showing how they’ve shaped her. Her resistance to Tucker’s kindness and her reluctance to accept love can be understandable but occasionally drag on too long, making parts of the book feel repetitive.

    The pregnancy storyline is a major turning point, and while Kennedy handles it with more realism than most romance novels featuring this trope, it does slow the pacing. The first half of the book is filled with their push-and-pull dynamic, steamy encounters, and Sabrina’s reluctance to let Tucker in, while the second half leans more into the challenges of impending parenthood. While it’s refreshing to see a romance novel where a pregnancy isn’t just a quick-fix happy ending, some aspects—like how smoothly everything falls into place for Sabrina despite her initial fears—feel a little too convenient.

    As a conclusion to the Off-Campus series, The Goal delivers a different kind of love story, one that feels more grounded in reality compared to its predecessors. While it lacks the playful energy and banter-heavy charm of The Deal, it compensates with emotional depth and a relationship that feels earned. Tucker and Sabrina’s journey isn’t as immediately swoon-worthy as some of the earlier couples, but it’s satisfying in its own right, offering a romance built on patience, understanding, and the challenges of real-life responsibilities.

    Overall, The Goal is a solid read that balances heartwarming moments with emotional struggles. While the pacing and Sabrina’s characterization might not work for everyone, Tucker’s charm and the genuine depth of their relationship make it a worthwhile conclusion to the series.

Feb. 13, 2025 – Feb. 15, 2025

★★★⭑⭑☆☆