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Junior Year Abroad #1
Hit or Miss
PRE-ORDER the first novel in the BRAND-NEW spicy, new-adult college romance series. Perfect for fans of Bal Khabra, Ana Huang and Rachel Reid!***
'Irresistibly sexy and sweet…will leave you swooning' CHRISTINA LAUREN***
He's a player. And she's the goal…Ethan Taylor is unbeatable on and off the field. Being the star of the Marshall College soccer team – and hot as hell – has its perks. But when tragedy strikes, Ethan flies straight out of South Carolina and to the intimidating halls of Hemden University, where even his Southern charm can’t melt the stiff British upper lips…
Mia Meyers has never had much luck with people. Having always been a bookish wallflower, junior year abroad could be her one chance to step into the spotlight. So, when Mia realises that she’s not the only student from Marshall across the pond this year, she is determined that no one will get in the way of her new life – not even Ethan Taylor.
But why is it that Ethan’s infuriatingly sexy green eyes can’t stop staring at her, and why doesn’t she want him to look away? They may be far from friends at home, but under the spires of Hemden, could this striker score her heart?
🪞Dual POV
⚽Soccer romance
💘He falls first
🎓College romance
👩❤️👨Forced proximity
🔺Love triangle
'Irresistibly sexy and sweet…will leave you swooning' CHRISTINA LAUREN***
He's a player. And she's the goal…Ethan Taylor is unbeatable on and off the field. Being the star of the Marshall College soccer team – and hot as hell – has its perks. But when tragedy strikes, Ethan flies straight out of South Carolina and to the intimidating halls of Hemden University, where even his Southern charm can’t melt the stiff British upper lips…
Mia Meyers has never had much luck with people. Having always been a bookish wallflower, junior year abroad could be her one chance to step into the spotlight. So, when Mia realises that she’s not the only student from Marshall across the pond this year, she is determined that no one will get in the way of her new life – not even Ethan Taylor.
But why is it that Ethan’s infuriatingly sexy green eyes can’t stop staring at her, and why doesn’t she want him to look away? They may be far from friends at home, but under the spires of Hemden, could this striker score her heart?
🪞Dual POV
⚽Soccer romance
💘He falls first
🎓College romance
👩❤️👨Forced proximity
🔺Love triangle
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2026
About the author
Elle Kelk
2 books48 followersElle Kelk is the pseudonym for Sunday Times bestselling author, podcaster and internet oversharer Lindsey Kelk. Born and brought up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, she worked in London as a children’s editor before writing her first book, I Heart New York, and moving to Brooklyn. Lindsey’s novels include the I Heart series, The Christmas Wish, and Love Story, as well as her YA fantasy debut, The Bell Witches. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
February 28, 2026
The writing felt way too immature for my taste. If you’re a reader coming straight off wattpad then you’d eat this up but that phase is over for me lol. The starting took way too long to Introduce the MCs to keep me hooked and then when I did eventually get my interest piqued it lost me within the next 10%.
So unfortunate because I was expecting this to be a new fav.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the ARC! ♥︎
So unfortunate because I was expecting this to be a new fav.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the ARC! ♥︎
June 9, 2026
this is basically temu off campus but british and without the hockey
June 5, 2026
I trust Kelk with my romances.
Do I care about football? Not in the slightest.
What I do care about is a tall, dark, and handsome football player who an actual sweetheart and can’t keep his mind off of our FMC 😩
What Lindsey/Elle does do well is the references and that makes it feel all the more real for me, I love her humorous writing in every book I’ve picked up so far.
Our FMC has come to the UK to attend uni away from her family, who are overbearing and just not very supportive.
She’s actually such a fun character, juggling uni courses, working at an incredibly busy student bar while also deciding whether she wants the hot musician or the football player that she couldn’t care less about at the beginning.
Also really like the therapy inclusion, it’s rare we get to witness a full session on the page.
Our MMC appears to be an arsehole, typical jock. This isn’t the case, he’s lovely! He walks her home, he bakes for her, he goes to town on her 🤷🏻♂️
He also has a secret 🤫
All in all, very happy Kelk’s decided to dip into college romance, this very much scratched that “Off Campus” itch.
My only issue is, when’s the next one?!
Do I care about football? Not in the slightest.
What I do care about is a tall, dark, and handsome football player who an actual sweetheart and can’t keep his mind off of our FMC 😩
What Lindsey/Elle does do well is the references and that makes it feel all the more real for me, I love her humorous writing in every book I’ve picked up so far.
Our FMC has come to the UK to attend uni away from her family, who are overbearing and just not very supportive.
She’s actually such a fun character, juggling uni courses, working at an incredibly busy student bar while also deciding whether she wants the hot musician or the football player that she couldn’t care less about at the beginning.
Also really like the therapy inclusion, it’s rare we get to witness a full session on the page.
Our MMC appears to be an arsehole, typical jock. This isn’t the case, he’s lovely! He walks her home, he bakes for her, he goes to town on her 🤷🏻♂️
He also has a secret 🤫
All in all, very happy Kelk’s decided to dip into college romance, this very much scratched that “Off Campus” itch.
My only issue is, when’s the next one?!
August 17, 2026
Elle Kelk, the pseudonym of Lindsey Kelk, delivers “Hit or Miss,” the first in the "Junior Year Abroad" series, a new adult sports romance about two American college students who leave their familiar small-town lives behind and travel overseas for a fresh start.
Nineteen-year-old Mia Meyers skipped a grade, graduated high school at seventeen, and spent her first two years at Marshall University in South Carolina living with her parents. Ready for a change, Mia travels to the UK to attend Hemden University, where she quickly meets a group of friends, including Oliver, a guitarist and English major. With the help of her new friends, Mia begins working at a local bar while spending much of her free time with Oliver, and gradually finds herself spiraling out of control.
Twenty-year-old Ethan was sent away after an accident left his brother hospitalized and in a wheelchair. Following the end of his relationship with Breanna Kershaw, Ethan is also starting over at Hemden, where he continues playing the same sport he knows as soccer, only to find that it is called football in the UK. When Ethan spots a familiar face on campus, he is elated. Mia, however, isn't willing to give him a second chance, particularly because Ethan only knows her by the nickname his ex-girlfriend gave her, “The Librarian,” rather than her real name.
Despite their differences, Mia and Ethan live in the same co-ed dorm, and as they continue to orbit one another, Mia begins to realize that some of her assumptions about Ethan may be wrong. The problem is that Ethan doesn't fit the mold of the type of guy she wants to date, while Oliver seemingly does. Mia must ultimately decide who she wants to pursue, and who genuinely likes her for who she is.
Kelk's novel operates on the premise that a person's past mistakes should be disclosed to potential partners, and the story attempts to justify this reasoning through its characters. However, there are circumstances in which someone's past mistakes simply aren't anyone else's business, particularly when those mistakes do not involve the person they are dating. The idea that someone would end a relationship over an accident they had no involvement in, and then hold the person responsible for something that happened before they even met, felt preposterous to me. Yet Mia repeatedly judges Ethan for the accident, despite having no role in his past or the circumstances surrounding it.
The novel also feels sporadic, frequently jumping from one major scene to another without fully developing either the scenes or the characters within them. For example, Mia slices her hand open and goes to the medical unit on campus, but the story provides little insight into what happens at the clinic or how the experience affects her interactions with Ethan. This should be a pivotal moment, an opportunity for the characters to see one another differently, but the scene is barely explored from a literary or emotional perspective. The same issue occurs after a kissing scene, when the story moves on without adequately addressing the aftermath or emotional consequences. These omissions make several otherwise significant moments feel abrupt and jarring.
There are also several spelling and grammatical errors throughout the novel. While this is an ARC and some errors may be corrected before publication, there were instances where American characters used British spellings or terminology in ways that felt inconsistent with their backgrounds. Given that these characters are American, their dialogue and narration should generally reflect American usage unless there is a clear reason for the British terminology.
I received an ARC through NetGalley through Avon and HarperCollins as well as an ALC through HarperAudio Adult in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 2.5/5 not rounded
Audio 3/5
Nineteen-year-old Mia Meyers skipped a grade, graduated high school at seventeen, and spent her first two years at Marshall University in South Carolina living with her parents. Ready for a change, Mia travels to the UK to attend Hemden University, where she quickly meets a group of friends, including Oliver, a guitarist and English major. With the help of her new friends, Mia begins working at a local bar while spending much of her free time with Oliver, and gradually finds herself spiraling out of control.
Twenty-year-old Ethan was sent away after an accident left his brother hospitalized and in a wheelchair. Following the end of his relationship with Breanna Kershaw, Ethan is also starting over at Hemden, where he continues playing the same sport he knows as soccer, only to find that it is called football in the UK. When Ethan spots a familiar face on campus, he is elated. Mia, however, isn't willing to give him a second chance, particularly because Ethan only knows her by the nickname his ex-girlfriend gave her, “The Librarian,” rather than her real name.
Despite their differences, Mia and Ethan live in the same co-ed dorm, and as they continue to orbit one another, Mia begins to realize that some of her assumptions about Ethan may be wrong. The problem is that Ethan doesn't fit the mold of the type of guy she wants to date, while Oliver seemingly does. Mia must ultimately decide who she wants to pursue, and who genuinely likes her for who she is.
Kelk's novel operates on the premise that a person's past mistakes should be disclosed to potential partners, and the story attempts to justify this reasoning through its characters. However, there are circumstances in which someone's past mistakes simply aren't anyone else's business, particularly when those mistakes do not involve the person they are dating. The idea that someone would end a relationship over an accident they had no involvement in, and then hold the person responsible for something that happened before they even met, felt preposterous to me. Yet Mia repeatedly judges Ethan for the accident, despite having no role in his past or the circumstances surrounding it.
The novel also feels sporadic, frequently jumping from one major scene to another without fully developing either the scenes or the characters within them. For example, Mia slices her hand open and goes to the medical unit on campus, but the story provides little insight into what happens at the clinic or how the experience affects her interactions with Ethan. This should be a pivotal moment, an opportunity for the characters to see one another differently, but the scene is barely explored from a literary or emotional perspective. The same issue occurs after a kissing scene, when the story moves on without adequately addressing the aftermath or emotional consequences. These omissions make several otherwise significant moments feel abrupt and jarring.
There are also several spelling and grammatical errors throughout the novel. While this is an ARC and some errors may be corrected before publication, there were instances where American characters used British spellings or terminology in ways that felt inconsistent with their backgrounds. Given that these characters are American, their dialogue and narration should generally reflect American usage unless there is a clear reason for the British terminology.
I received an ARC through NetGalley through Avon and HarperCollins as well as an ALC through HarperAudio Adult in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 2.5/5 not rounded
Audio 3/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3⭐️
This was cute but that's pretty much all I can say. The characters are in university- our main character Mia transfers from South Carolina to a university in the UK- but seem younger? Not in an immature way, I think it's just the writing seems more YA than adult. Which is fine! Just not what I was expecting
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was cute but that's pretty much all I can say. The characters are in university- our main character Mia transfers from South Carolina to a university in the UK- but seem younger? Not in an immature way, I think it's just the writing seems more YA than adult. Which is fine! Just not what I was expecting
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2026
DNF @ 34%
Petty reason why I DNF’d: the main guy didn’t like cup noodles ?! And was really dramatic about how disgusting they are ?!?!
More valid reason why I DNF’d: the writing on this unfortunately just didn’t feel very good? It had a lot of elements I did enjoy like college abroad, a broody mysterious guy, a girl with a lot of anxiety finally escaping the nest and figuring out who she is, college friendship groups. However everything just kind of fell flat and didn’t feel very well executed? The characters were starting to really piss me off which is why I ended up stopping. I was 34% in and they barely spoke to each other and when they did the main girl was so rude and the main guy was just kinda weird?! Also individually both characters were really annoying and there seemed to be no signs of character development or self awareness that it no longer felt like a plot device to show their growth but just felt like who they were (annoying)💀.
Also the main guy made a really weird comment about bras that gave me the instant ick
Sorry to this book, I really wanted to like it 🥲
Petty reason why I DNF’d: the main guy didn’t like cup noodles ?! And was really dramatic about how disgusting they are ?!?!
More valid reason why I DNF’d: the writing on this unfortunately just didn’t feel very good? It had a lot of elements I did enjoy like college abroad, a broody mysterious guy, a girl with a lot of anxiety finally escaping the nest and figuring out who she is, college friendship groups. However everything just kind of fell flat and didn’t feel very well executed? The characters were starting to really piss me off which is why I ended up stopping. I was 34% in and they barely spoke to each other and when they did the main girl was so rude and the main guy was just kinda weird?! Also individually both characters were really annoying and there seemed to be no signs of character development or self awareness that it no longer felt like a plot device to show their growth but just felt like who they were (annoying)💀.
Also the main guy made a really weird comment about bras that gave me the instant ick
Sorry to this book, I really wanted to like it 🥲
June 27, 2026
Pirmasis įspūdis buvo, kas čia per pigesnė Off Campus versija. Vos per pirmuosius skyrius susidūriau su visais įmanomais panašių istorijų šablonais, bet nepasidaviau, nes viena knygų klubo fėja įkalbėjo šią knygą nusipirkt, o kita gynė ją klubo chat.
Romantiška ir nuspėjama, bet tai būtent tai ko norėjosi užbaigus TOG. Neįpareigojančio romano su geru humoro jausmu. Ar humoras buvo? Tikrai taip, buvo labai gerų frazių. Iki Hazelwood humoro man pritrūko, bet buvo tikrai neblogai.
Erzinimas tarp komandos draugų, cituojant geriausius britų rašytojus buvo tikrai žavu. Patiko "he falls first" tema. Buvo truputis Tomeno vaikinų serijos užuominų. Jei palygintume knygą su patiekalu, sakyčiau gražiai papuoštas desertas. Maistinės vertės nerasta, bet tinkamas variantas vasaros iškyloms.
Romantiška ir nuspėjama, bet tai būtent tai ko norėjosi užbaigus TOG. Neįpareigojančio romano su geru humoro jausmu. Ar humoras buvo? Tikrai taip, buvo labai gerų frazių. Iki Hazelwood humoro man pritrūko, bet buvo tikrai neblogai.
Erzinimas tarp komandos draugų, cituojant geriausius britų rašytojus buvo tikrai žavu. Patiko "he falls first" tema. Buvo truputis Tomeno vaikinų serijos užuominų. Jei palygintume knygą su patiekalu, sakyčiau gražiai papuoštas desertas. Maistinės vertės nerasta, bet tinkamas variantas vasaros iškyloms.
June 10, 2026
It's like going back to 19 year old old me. It's funny, love the Britishness being explained to an American, great friendships and a world being opened up. It's very open talking about anxiety. Loved it.
September 15, 2026
cute!! but that's really all i have to say. was definitely more ya-leaning than i expected, with the dialogue and the way the characters sometimes acted, so i didn't love that. but it's a fun lil palette cleanser!
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an arc!! all opinions are my own <3
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an arc!! all opinions are my own <3
June 30, 2026
Hit or Miss was such an enjoyable read that completely swept me up in Mia and Ethan's story. Mia was such a relatable protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her from the very first page. I also loved Ethan, and watching the two of them navigate university life 4,000 miles from home made their journey feel even more significant. Moving so far away from everything familiar must have been such a pivotal experience for both of them, and it added an extra emotional depth to their relationship as they found themselves together in a completely new environment.
The romance tropes were riding strong in this one, and without giving away any spoilers, they were executed brilliantly. The chemistry between Mia and Ethan was undeniable, with the sexual tension building beautifully throughout the story. The supporting cast was fantastic too. Oliver was the perfect villain that you simply love to hate, while Alice was an absolute standout as the ultimate best friend, giving me Jenny Lopez-calibre loyalty and support. I also loved spotting the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the book for Lindsey Kelk fans-they were a lovely touch that made the story even more fun.
The romance scenes definitely delivered on the spice, and Elle Kelk knows exactly how to write sizzling chemistry. My only complaint is that I wanted more! The sexual tension was so high that I would happily have read a few extra bedroom scenes because the payoff was just that good. Overall, Hit or Miss is a funny, heartfelt, and incredibly romantic read with memorable characters, brilliant banter, and just the right amount of steam. If you're looking for a university romance packed with emotion, humour, and irresistible chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up.
The romance tropes were riding strong in this one, and without giving away any spoilers, they were executed brilliantly. The chemistry between Mia and Ethan was undeniable, with the sexual tension building beautifully throughout the story. The supporting cast was fantastic too. Oliver was the perfect villain that you simply love to hate, while Alice was an absolute standout as the ultimate best friend, giving me Jenny Lopez-calibre loyalty and support. I also loved spotting the little Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the book for Lindsey Kelk fans-they were a lovely touch that made the story even more fun.
The romance scenes definitely delivered on the spice, and Elle Kelk knows exactly how to write sizzling chemistry. My only complaint is that I wanted more! The sexual tension was so high that I would happily have read a few extra bedroom scenes because the payoff was just that good. Overall, Hit or Miss is a funny, heartfelt, and incredibly romantic read with memorable characters, brilliant banter, and just the right amount of steam. If you're looking for a university romance packed with emotion, humour, and irresistible chemistry, this is definitely one to pick up.
June 27, 2026
hit or miss was unfortunately just meh 😑 i thought i would have liked it, but the start of the book was so slow and literally felt like nothing happened. the middle felt waaay too repetitive. it also took waaay too long for the two main characters to get together officially (and they broke up in like a chapter anyways so 🤷🏻♀️) for the relationship to be believable. the only thing that i liked about this was the writing style, it was fun and light hearted and made me push through and hope things would improve plot wise, but nope.
it does feel like things were being set up for more books which i do want to try, but this one wasn’t for me.
**disclaimer - i work at a bookstore and got a physical arc through my workplace**
it does feel like things were being set up for more books which i do want to try, but this one wasn’t for me.
**disclaimer - i work at a bookstore and got a physical arc through my workplace**
June 10, 2026
DNF at 10%
This book was simply not for me. The language that is used is very immature and also very millennial coded while also trying to seem hip in using current lingo. The characters are both uninteresting and annoying. It feels like a wattpad book and unfortunately I'm too old for all of that.
This book was simply not for me. The language that is used is very immature and also very millennial coded while also trying to seem hip in using current lingo. The characters are both uninteresting and annoying. It feels like a wattpad book and unfortunately I'm too old for all of that.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.75 out of 5
▹Format: 🎧 Audiobook (Dual narration by Christopher Doucette and Ariel Goodman for HarperAudio Adult; rating: 5/5)
I received an advance audio copy from HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Mia Meyers. A bookish wallflower who transfers from South Carolina to the UK for a semester abroad during her junior year of college.
– MMC: Ethan Taylor. Soccer star who recently has gone through a tragedy and now transfers from South Carolina to the UK for a semester abroad. (see a theme here?)
– Location: the UK
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: Several open-door spicy scenes
– Tropes: college setting (study abroad US students in the UK), sports romance (UK football/US soccer), love triangle, dislike to lovers, forced proximity, golden retriever MMC, he falls first (like instantly), found family, mental health (anxiety)
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
What I loved most about Hit or Miss was how authentic the characters and their growth felt. Mia and Ethan are both trying to figure out who they want to be while spending a year abroad, and I really enjoyed watching them navigate identity, friendship, family expectations, and that feeling of being in your twenties and somehow expected to have your entire future figured out.
The mental health representation was easily my favorite part. It felt thoughtful and was handled with a lot of care. I also loved the found-family aspect and the academic setting—it gave the story such a cozy atmosphere.
The romance was sweet, although I struggled a bit with Ethan’s instalove, and a few of the plot devices didn’t completely work for me. I also wish some of the side characters and family members had been given more nuance rather than simply serving as sources of conflict.
As an Advanced Listener Copy, I also want to mention the narration. Christopher Doucette and Ariel Goodman did a fantastic job bringing Ethan and Mia to life, and I especially enjoyed the English accents for the supporting characters. The audio production was clear and well-balanced, making this an enjoyable listen overall.
Would I Recommend?: Yes, especially if you’re a newer adult or love college-aged characters. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——————✧—————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy—————✧——————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
▹Format: 🎧 Audiobook (Dual narration by Christopher Doucette and Ariel Goodman for HarperAudio Adult; rating: 5/5)
I received an advance audio copy from HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Mia Meyers. A bookish wallflower who transfers from South Carolina to the UK for a semester abroad during her junior year of college.
– MMC: Ethan Taylor. Soccer star who recently has gone through a tragedy and now transfers from South Carolina to the UK for a semester abroad. (see a theme here?)
– Location: the UK
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: Several open-door spicy scenes
– Tropes: college setting (study abroad US students in the UK), sports romance (UK football/US soccer), love triangle, dislike to lovers, forced proximity, golden retriever MMC, he falls first (like instantly), found family, mental health (anxiety)
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
What I loved most about Hit or Miss was how authentic the characters and their growth felt. Mia and Ethan are both trying to figure out who they want to be while spending a year abroad, and I really enjoyed watching them navigate identity, friendship, family expectations, and that feeling of being in your twenties and somehow expected to have your entire future figured out.
The mental health representation was easily my favorite part. It felt thoughtful and was handled with a lot of care. I also loved the found-family aspect and the academic setting—it gave the story such a cozy atmosphere.
The romance was sweet, although I struggled a bit with Ethan’s instalove, and a few of the plot devices didn’t completely work for me. I also wish some of the side characters and family members had been given more nuance rather than simply serving as sources of conflict.
As an Advanced Listener Copy, I also want to mention the narration. Christopher Doucette and Ariel Goodman did a fantastic job bringing Ethan and Mia to life, and I especially enjoyed the English accents for the supporting characters. The audio production was clear and well-balanced, making this an enjoyable listen overall.
Would I Recommend?: Yes, especially if you’re a newer adult or love college-aged characters. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven———✧————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——————✧—————Slow Burn
Sweet——————✧—————Spicy
Light/Fluffy—————✧——————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
August 24, 2026
3.5⭐️
A romance in the UK? Yeah, I was obviously going to read this as a seasoned Directioner and former British-obsessed American teen.
Hit or Miss was a fun, easy-to-read book with a lovable MMC (he falls first 🫦) and relatable FMC (anxiety twins 👯♀️)!
Thank you Mia Meyers for representing me with this quote: “One thing about me, if I can blame myself for something going wrong, even if that thing is indisputably someone else’s fault, you can bet your ass I’ll find a way.”
But let’s talk about Alice. I would like to formally submit my application to be her best friend. She had two of the biggest bangers in this book. “You’re crying more than I did when One Direction split up.” Anyone dropping a One Direction reference in 2026 has my respect 🫡 But this had me actually cackling: “I assume they’re all eye fucking each other in the shower. But then I read a lot of smut.” On a real note, we love a friend who encourages her friends to go to therapy.
The main things keeping this from 4 stars for me were that the writing felt a bit undeveloped at points, the story didn’t necessarily have a “standout moment,” and I’m just tired of third act “breakups”.
BUT sometimes you don’t need a book to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you just want a cute romance, lovable characters, and a good time, and Hit or Miss definitely delivered that.
Btw I could picture the perfectly described old, gothic architecture and about drooled on myself.
Thank you Elle Kelk and NetGalley for the eARC!
A romance in the UK? Yeah, I was obviously going to read this as a seasoned Directioner and former British-obsessed American teen.
Hit or Miss was a fun, easy-to-read book with a lovable MMC (he falls first 🫦) and relatable FMC (anxiety twins 👯♀️)!
Thank you Mia Meyers for representing me with this quote: “One thing about me, if I can blame myself for something going wrong, even if that thing is indisputably someone else’s fault, you can bet your ass I’ll find a way.”
But let’s talk about Alice. I would like to formally submit my application to be her best friend. She had two of the biggest bangers in this book. “You’re crying more than I did when One Direction split up.” Anyone dropping a One Direction reference in 2026 has my respect 🫡 But this had me actually cackling: “I assume they’re all eye fucking each other in the shower. But then I read a lot of smut.” On a real note, we love a friend who encourages her friends to go to therapy.
The main things keeping this from 4 stars for me were that the writing felt a bit undeveloped at points, the story didn’t necessarily have a “standout moment,” and I’m just tired of third act “breakups”.
BUT sometimes you don’t need a book to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you just want a cute romance, lovable characters, and a good time, and Hit or Miss definitely delivered that.
Btw I could picture the perfectly described old, gothic architecture and about drooled on myself.
Thank you Elle Kelk and NetGalley for the eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
Hit or Miss by Elle Kelk gave me every ounce of nostalgia for my own college years. Following Ethan and Mia, two Americans navigating a junior year abroad at Hemden, this book fully delivered on every gothic UK campus fantasy I've ever had, and I did the immersive read, ebook and audio together, which made the whole experience even richer.
This completely fits the new adult space in terms of college-aged romance and the spice that goes with it.
What stood out most was how the relationship between Ethan and Mia evolved, both of them slowly uncovering who the other actually was beneath first impressions. The spice matched the tension perfectly. Oliver, Mia's other love interest, had me wanting to reach into the page and shake him, in the best possible way for this kind of story.
The found family surrounding them gave the book real heart, and the reveal of how and why both leads ended up at Hemden tied everything together so well. Mia's anxiety representation also felt genuinely well handled throughout.
The dual narration was done well and I loved the tone of the narrators’ voices. I thought they captured the spirit of the main character well and managing the alternating accents so well was a feat in itself!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thank you to Avon for the gifted book and LibroFM for the audiobook.
This completely fits the new adult space in terms of college-aged romance and the spice that goes with it.
What stood out most was how the relationship between Ethan and Mia evolved, both of them slowly uncovering who the other actually was beneath first impressions. The spice matched the tension perfectly. Oliver, Mia's other love interest, had me wanting to reach into the page and shake him, in the best possible way for this kind of story.
The found family surrounding them gave the book real heart, and the reveal of how and why both leads ended up at Hemden tied everything together so well. Mia's anxiety representation also felt genuinely well handled throughout.
The dual narration was done well and I loved the tone of the narrators’ voices. I thought they captured the spirit of the main character well and managing the alternating accents so well was a feat in itself!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Thank you to Avon for the gifted book and LibroFM for the audiobook.
September 14, 2026
Hit or Miss by Elle Kelk
This was a fun book to pick up after a reading slump! I’ve read books by this author under her other pen name, so I was excited to give this one a try.
It gave me major British Off Campus vibes, but instead of hockey, we’ve got soccer/football ⚽️. The story started off really strong and had a lot of the elements I was looking for, but unfortunately, by the time I reached the end, I was left feeling a little… ehhhh. 😂 It just didn’t quite live up to the strong start for me.
Still, it was a fun, easy read that helped pull me out of my reading slump!
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ✨
This was a fun book to pick up after a reading slump! I’ve read books by this author under her other pen name, so I was excited to give this one a try.
It gave me major British Off Campus vibes, but instead of hockey, we’ve got soccer/football ⚽️. The story started off really strong and had a lot of the elements I was looking for, but unfortunately, by the time I reached the end, I was left feeling a little… ehhhh. 😂 It just didn’t quite live up to the strong start for me.
Still, it was a fun, easy read that helped pull me out of my reading slump!
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. ✨
September 17, 2026
Sorry, but this was BAD. bad bad bad. 🤣 The writing was bad, the characters were bad, and honestly, both of them were just idiots.
It reminded me of The Deal from Off-Campus sometimes, but it definitely didn’t pull it off.
And that third-act breakup? Lol. What a stupid plot point
It reminded me of The Deal from Off-Campus sometimes, but it definitely didn’t pull it off.
And that third-act breakup? Lol. What a stupid plot point
June 6, 2026
I inhaled this book, so much that I was up until 2am finishing it.
I’ve loved Kelk’s books all the way back to the I Heart series, and although this is a bit of a change in that it is a college romance series, it delivers through its emotional heart, depth, delightful characters and is also such a fun book.
Hit or Miss tells the story of Ethan and Mia, who have both recently started at Hemden (a fictional university based on Oxbridge). They have both travelled to the UK to escape something back home and expect to arrive with a fresh slate where they know no one. So both Mia and Ethan are surprised when they very quickly run into each other (quite literally) having both been at the same school back in the states, Marshall College.
I adored both of these characters, and was willing for Mia to see past Ethan’s jock persona. I mean anyone who learns to bake for you is a keeper, right? 😍
I also loved how Mia’s anxiety was dealt with throughout the book - how she was trying to do so much for everyone to keep the status quo which was often to her own detriment, and the discussions with Alice and her counsellor, I thought, were beautifully done.
This is the start of a new series, and so we met a colourful and engaging array of characters, who I can’t wait to see more of.
I’ve loved Kelk’s books all the way back to the I Heart series, and although this is a bit of a change in that it is a college romance series, it delivers through its emotional heart, depth, delightful characters and is also such a fun book.
Hit or Miss tells the story of Ethan and Mia, who have both recently started at Hemden (a fictional university based on Oxbridge). They have both travelled to the UK to escape something back home and expect to arrive with a fresh slate where they know no one. So both Mia and Ethan are surprised when they very quickly run into each other (quite literally) having both been at the same school back in the states, Marshall College.
I adored both of these characters, and was willing for Mia to see past Ethan’s jock persona. I mean anyone who learns to bake for you is a keeper, right? 😍
I also loved how Mia’s anxiety was dealt with throughout the book - how she was trying to do so much for everyone to keep the status quo which was often to her own detriment, and the discussions with Alice and her counsellor, I thought, were beautifully done.
This is the start of a new series, and so we met a colourful and engaging array of characters, who I can’t wait to see more of.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2026
I’ve always enjoyed Lindsey Kelk’s work, and it was fun to see them turn their hand to college romance.
The English college setting felt fresh, as we saw it through Ethan and Mia’s eyes. Their slow burn beautifully simmers with just the right balance of sweet and passionate. I enjoyed the way each character stood on their own, with their own baggage and growth. The supporting cast of characters were superbly entertaining, and I particularly enjoyed Alice and Jenna. I’m hoping we’ll see more of their stories in the next books in the series.
While the book felt a little on the long side, overall it was well paced, and Ethan and Mia’s story kept me glued to the page. Kelk captured all the enjoyable pieces of college sport romance, but brought their own take to it, adding a depth that felt refreshing. I enjoyed the authors note at the end which also gave the story extra context.
I’d recommend for anyone looking for an entertaining college romance, particularly for those looking for their next read after finishing the off campus series.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
The English college setting felt fresh, as we saw it through Ethan and Mia’s eyes. Their slow burn beautifully simmers with just the right balance of sweet and passionate. I enjoyed the way each character stood on their own, with their own baggage and growth. The supporting cast of characters were superbly entertaining, and I particularly enjoyed Alice and Jenna. I’m hoping we’ll see more of their stories in the next books in the series.
While the book felt a little on the long side, overall it was well paced, and Ethan and Mia’s story kept me glued to the page. Kelk captured all the enjoyable pieces of college sport romance, but brought their own take to it, adding a depth that felt refreshing. I enjoyed the authors note at the end which also gave the story extra context.
I’d recommend for anyone looking for an entertaining college romance, particularly for those looking for their next read after finishing the off campus series.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 25, 2026
Format: 🎧
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series: 1 of ??
If you read any of my updates, you’ll see that I was surprised when I started it that Hit or Miss was “aggressively New Adult” (meaning very young MCs, less mature dialogue and ridiculous “boy crazy” ideals for crushes, etc) and that is totally my fault for not checking that out prior to requesting this ALC. THAT BEING SAID…I actually really enjoyed the story and Oliver is the most cringe-tastic stereotypical teenage girl crush that every girl has in her past. Literal visceral cringing while listening to this audio lol (complimentary).
I liked the characters once my brain realigned to a New Adult story versus the very Adult contemporary I had just finished prior. And I suspect Michael will be the next MMC in book 2 if these are in fact interconnected standalones like I suspect.
The audio — dual narration, Christopher Doucette & Ariel Goodman; both actors did a great job - the pacing was consistent, Ariel did great differentiation between the female characters. Christopher did a great job at helping me hate Oliver (complimentary).
I received this ALC from HarperAudio Adult as an opportunity to listen and give my honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series: 1 of ??
If you read any of my updates, you’ll see that I was surprised when I started it that Hit or Miss was “aggressively New Adult” (meaning very young MCs, less mature dialogue and ridiculous “boy crazy” ideals for crushes, etc) and that is totally my fault for not checking that out prior to requesting this ALC. THAT BEING SAID…I actually really enjoyed the story and Oliver is the most cringe-tastic stereotypical teenage girl crush that every girl has in her past. Literal visceral cringing while listening to this audio lol (complimentary).
I liked the characters once my brain realigned to a New Adult story versus the very Adult contemporary I had just finished prior. And I suspect Michael will be the next MMC in book 2 if these are in fact interconnected standalones like I suspect.
The audio — dual narration, Christopher Doucette & Ariel Goodman; both actors did a great job - the pacing was consistent, Ariel did great differentiation between the female characters. Christopher did a great job at helping me hate Oliver (complimentary).
I received this ALC from HarperAudio Adult as an opportunity to listen and give my honest review.
August 16, 2026
Hit or Miss is a forced proximity, enemies to lovers, college abroad, sports romance. First time hearing both narrators for this book, Christopher Doucette and Ariel Goodman and they did a decent job but I couldn't connect with either one of them. I believe they are both newer to narrating (not sure, but it felt that way however it could have just been because of the writing).
I really wanted to enjoy this book as I love books set overseas and away from home and comfort, it makes the characters more vunerable. But I just could not mesh with any of them. I found myself liking the side characters more than the main characters. There was no yearning, no pull, no drawing our MC's together. It felt a bit forced or expected that they end up together, not organic. Hearing the inner dialogue from both MC's, I still couldn't figure out why they were going to end up with one another. The ideas were there, but the execution was not. It needed more build up between them to really feel the desire and yearning build.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC to listen to and review.
I really wanted to enjoy this book as I love books set overseas and away from home and comfort, it makes the characters more vunerable. But I just could not mesh with any of them. I found myself liking the side characters more than the main characters. There was no yearning, no pull, no drawing our MC's together. It felt a bit forced or expected that they end up together, not organic. Hearing the inner dialogue from both MC's, I still couldn't figure out why they were going to end up with one another. The ideas were there, but the execution was not. It needed more build up between them to really feel the desire and yearning build.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC to listen to and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF @ 23%
Unfortunately this book was not for me. I can just tell I won’t enjoy this story, and I don’t think that would change by finishing it. The FMC and MMC both seem pretty insufferable (especially the man)
I know they have trauma/ experiences in the past to lead them to where they are, but I don’t want to force myself through it to learn enough.
Normally I can get past that if the character starts to feel familiar, but I can’t stand the dumb guy who isn’t kind or smart enough to remember anyone’s name. And I LOVE a bookworm, but I can only hear that someone is shy so many times before it’s irritating…
I was excited about this because I love academic settings, but everything felt forced and applied too heavy handed.
I received an audiobook through NetGalley. And I think the narrators were pretty bland, and while it matched the characters… it made it even harder to listen to
Unfortunately this book was not for me. I can just tell I won’t enjoy this story, and I don’t think that would change by finishing it. The FMC and MMC both seem pretty insufferable (especially the man)
I know they have trauma/ experiences in the past to lead them to where they are, but I don’t want to force myself through it to learn enough.
Normally I can get past that if the character starts to feel familiar, but I can’t stand the dumb guy who isn’t kind or smart enough to remember anyone’s name. And I LOVE a bookworm, but I can only hear that someone is shy so many times before it’s irritating…
I was excited about this because I love academic settings, but everything felt forced and applied too heavy handed.
I received an audiobook through NetGalley. And I think the narrators were pretty bland, and while it matched the characters… it made it even harder to listen to
September 10, 2026
DNF @ 20%
I really tried with this one. I was excited that it was a soccer romance and took place during a study abroad program. It seemed like it would be something a little different in the new adult romance landscape. But nothing about this worked for me. The characters didn't feel like fully formed people, just a bunch of tropes shaken up and spit out on the page. The exposition took way too long for a new adult sports romance and I lost interest. And the narration on the audiobook didn't work for me.
Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to finish this.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the complimentary ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really tried with this one. I was excited that it was a soccer romance and took place during a study abroad program. It seemed like it would be something a little different in the new adult romance landscape. But nothing about this worked for me. The characters didn't feel like fully formed people, just a bunch of tropes shaken up and spit out on the page. The exposition took way too long for a new adult sports romance and I lost interest. And the narration on the audiobook didn't work for me.
Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to finish this.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the complimentary ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 29, 2026
Hit or miss is a definite hit for me!!
Dual POV with engaging main characters and a great cast of supporting characters- whom I am sure will appear in the next book… I hope!
I really appreciated the balance of Mia being someone trying to be a new improved version of herself whilst struggling with suppressing who she really is. Her choices reflected accurately someone struggling with anxiety for me and the author truly managed to reflect that struggle whilst not making the book all about anxiety. It was subtle but clear, it was interwoven in the very fibre of who Mia was.
The university life, friendships were all there and really fun (bringing back plenty of memories)!
Ethan was the only character that I felt like I didn’t really get enough of. He seemed like a character that needed a bit more storytelling which probably seems unfair as his story was told certainly I just didn’t feel it as much as Mia’s.maybe I just needed more from his POV.
I received this book as an ARC and provide an honest opinion.
Dual POV with engaging main characters and a great cast of supporting characters- whom I am sure will appear in the next book… I hope!
I really appreciated the balance of Mia being someone trying to be a new improved version of herself whilst struggling with suppressing who she really is. Her choices reflected accurately someone struggling with anxiety for me and the author truly managed to reflect that struggle whilst not making the book all about anxiety. It was subtle but clear, it was interwoven in the very fibre of who Mia was.
The university life, friendships were all there and really fun (bringing back plenty of memories)!
Ethan was the only character that I felt like I didn’t really get enough of. He seemed like a character that needed a bit more storytelling which probably seems unfair as his story was told certainly I just didn’t feel it as much as Mia’s.maybe I just needed more from his POV.
I received this book as an ARC and provide an honest opinion.
September 9, 2026
This one HURTS me because I was so excited about this novel! The premise was something I was super excited about, we had a college setting, a soccer player, a bookworm, forced proximity etc. But it unfortunately fell VERY flat for me. The characters were extremely childish, the communication within the characters felt more high school than college. The miscommunications were just SO bad. I also just didn’t buy into the romance, there was no connection. None of the side characters felt fleshed out enough. It was just not a book for me personally.
I give many thanks to Avon for the ALC and eArc! The audiobook was dual narration, and done extremely well.
Out now! All opinions expressed are my own.
I give many thanks to Avon for the ALC and eArc! The audiobook was dual narration, and done extremely well.
Out now! All opinions expressed are my own.
May 29, 2026
Such a fun and addictive college sports romance ⚽✨
I loved the university setting and the “he falls first” dynamic between Ethan and Mia. Ethan’s cocky charm mixed with Mia’s quieter, bookish personality worked so well, and their chemistry kept me hooked the whole way through.
Perfect for fans of football romance, forced proximity, and dual POV 💕
I loved the university setting and the “he falls first” dynamic between Ethan and Mia. Ethan’s cocky charm mixed with Mia’s quieter, bookish personality worked so well, and their chemistry kept me hooked the whole way through.
Perfect for fans of football romance, forced proximity, and dual POV 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2026
A classic college, sports romance! This one is sweet and spicy! Plus it has a study abroad element. I was an exchange student so I loved that aspect.
🪞Dual POV
⚽Soccer romance
💘He falls first
🎓College romance
👩❤️👨Forced proximity
🔺Love triangle
🪞Dual POV
⚽Soccer romance
💘He falls first
🎓College romance
👩❤️👨Forced proximity
🔺Love triangle
August 12, 2026
I generally love Lindsey Kelk. I love her writing style, her humor, and that cheekiness she brings to her books. This one had all of that, but it didn’t quite hit that sweet spot for me. That said, I still found it quite enjoyable. It also felt like Kelk had something to say here, with issues she wanted to address, which I think will make this a book many readers really connect with.
My bigger challenge was the audiobook. I was thankful to receive it from Avon via NetGalley, but while the book was released in June, the audiobook won’t be available until September 8th. In hindsight, I think this was one where the physical book would have suited me better.
Why? While I loved female narrator Ariel Goodman, who did a fantastic job with her Vicks acting and handling the multiple accents, I wasn’t nearly as impressed with her partner, Christopher Doucette. Both narrators had a wonderfully swift pace, which I usually love, but they were moving so quickly that I couldn’t go above 1.5x without it impacting the experience.
Unfortunately, Doucette’s performance was much flatter. He brought very little distinction to the characters, and his accent work was particularly challenging. He struggled to maintain the accents and, in some cases, simply couldn’t pull them off. Thankfully, the majority of his narration was the American MMC, but the other characters were much harder to follow, especially since the book takes place in England.
And lastly, I have never heard a spice scene sound so boring. 😂
It was a shame because Goodman did such a great job, only for the overall experience to be dragged down by her partner.
So, I do recommend the book. But if you have the choice, use your eyeballs. 👀
My bigger challenge was the audiobook. I was thankful to receive it from Avon via NetGalley, but while the book was released in June, the audiobook won’t be available until September 8th. In hindsight, I think this was one where the physical book would have suited me better.
Why? While I loved female narrator Ariel Goodman, who did a fantastic job with her Vicks acting and handling the multiple accents, I wasn’t nearly as impressed with her partner, Christopher Doucette. Both narrators had a wonderfully swift pace, which I usually love, but they were moving so quickly that I couldn’t go above 1.5x without it impacting the experience.
Unfortunately, Doucette’s performance was much flatter. He brought very little distinction to the characters, and his accent work was particularly challenging. He struggled to maintain the accents and, in some cases, simply couldn’t pull them off. Thankfully, the majority of his narration was the American MMC, but the other characters were much harder to follow, especially since the book takes place in England.
And lastly, I have never heard a spice scene sound so boring. 😂
It was a shame because Goodman did such a great job, only for the overall experience to be dragged down by her partner.
So, I do recommend the book. But if you have the choice, use your eyeballs. 👀
August 20, 2026
this was a very fun story to listen!
Mia and Ethan are that opposites attract you love to see in a college setting. However, this really felt like a Maxton Hall/Off Campus (The Deal) mash up.
She's the nerdy insecure/anxious type trying to reinvent herself, finding new friends and maybe be a cooler version of herself. ANDDD she falls for a guy who literally sounds like Justin from Off Campus series, extremely pretentious and snobby about music.
He's the broody mysterious athlete, he comes from money and made this huge "mistake" that made his parents send him to a school in another country, he also seems to have a complicated relationship with his family.
One thing that didn't work for me is how long it took for her to stop her romantic relationship with Oliver, this guy was really annoying and I hated him.
BUUUUT, I enjoyed Ethan's character development, and his relationship with his family turned out.
so... yeah, if you can look past that, this is fun to read/listen to.
The audio was great, we have both female and male narrator which is great for a dual POV and they really gave life to the rollercoaster of emotions these two go through.
thank you so much Harper Audio and Netgalley for this one!
Mia and Ethan are that opposites attract you love to see in a college setting. However, this really felt like a Maxton Hall/Off Campus (The Deal) mash up.
She's the nerdy insecure/anxious type trying to reinvent herself, finding new friends and maybe be a cooler version of herself. ANDDD she falls for a guy who literally sounds like Justin from Off Campus series, extremely pretentious and snobby about music.
He's the broody mysterious athlete, he comes from money and made this huge "mistake" that made his parents send him to a school in another country, he also seems to have a complicated relationship with his family.
One thing that didn't work for me is how long it took for her to stop her romantic relationship with Oliver, this guy was really annoying and I hated him.
BUUUUT, I enjoyed Ethan's character development, and his relationship with his family turned out.
so... yeah, if you can look past that, this is fun to read/listen to.
The audio was great, we have both female and male narrator which is great for a dual POV and they really gave life to the rollercoaster of emotions these two go through.
thank you so much Harper Audio and Netgalley for this one!
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