Hit or Miss

Junior Year Abroad #1

by Elle Kelk, Lindsey Kelk

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?

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sports, College Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2026

About the author

Elle 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.

Reviews

[Iqra · Rating 2 out of 5]

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! ♥︎

[millena ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is basically temu off campus but british and without the hockey

[Luke Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?!

[Katie’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Marija Knygosdiena · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[nihaarika · Rating 2 out of 5]

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**

[Cheyenne · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 🥲

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sharley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristi Bessell · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 💕

[Rene Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Laura Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hit or Miss by Elle Kelk

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hit or Miss was such a fun, addictive romance that completely pulled me in from the start. It has all the charm, humour, and emotional depth I’ve come to expect from Lindsey Kelk, and I loved seeing her bring that magic into a new adult romance under the name Elle Kelk.

The story follows Mia Meyers, a bookish introvert heading to England for her junior year abroad, determined to finally step outside her comfort zone and create a new version of herself. The last thing she wants is Ethan Taylor, the star soccer player from her American college, showing up and disrupting her plans. Ethan was such a great romance hero—confident, charming, and seemingly able to win over everyone around him, but there’s so much more going on beneath the surface. Watching their relationship develop from irritation and tension into something much deeper had me completely invested.

What I loved most was how much this book balanced the romance with the characters’ personal journeys. Mia’s growth throughout the story felt realistic and relatable, and I loved seeing her navigate new friendships, a new country, and all the uncertainty that comes with being far from home. The dual POV worked so well because it gave so much insight into both Mia and Ethan, and Ethan falling first will never not be one of my favourite things.

If you love college romances, study abroad settings, sports romance, forced proximity, and heroes who are completely gone for the girl before she even realises it, I’d definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Maria Kring · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5

Thank you to Rachel Quinn, HQ, and NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of Hit or Miss in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet, easy-to-devour college sports romance that completely scratched the itch for a fun, low-stakes read.

Set against the backdrop of a study abroad programme in England, Hit or Miss combines all the things I enjoy in a romance: dual POV, forced proximity, an academic setting, and most importantly, a hero who falls first. Ethan and Mia had great chemistry from the beginning, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop away from the lives and expectations they'd left behind in America.

Ethan was definitely the highlight for me. Underneath the confident soccer-star exterior was a genuinely sweet guy dealing with grief and trying to find his footing in a completely new environment. His feelings for Mia were obvious from the start, and I'm always a sucker for a hero who is down bad long before the heroine realises it.

Mia was easy to root for as well. Her desire to reinvent herself during her year abroad felt relatable, and I liked seeing her slowly gain confidence and step outside of her comfort zone. The university setting and the fish-out-of-water experience of both characters added a lot of charm to the story.

That said, I wasn't fully sold on every aspect of the romance. The love triangle element didn't always work for me, and there were moments where the pacing dragged slightly in the middle. While I enjoyed the journey, I never quite reached the point of being completely obsessed with the story or characters.

Overall, though, this was a fun and engaging sports romance with plenty of heart, a lovable hero, and a setting that made it stand out from the crowd. If you're looking for a college romance with study abroad vibes, soccer, and a hero who falls first, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Abby May · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

3.5 ⭐️

Mia and Ethan are both on an exchange program to a university in England, both running away from something back home. Try as they might, their lives in England become intertwined.

I didn’t really vibe with the overall story and the romance, but as a British person I found the setting really fun and a little nostalgic. As much as one of the love interests is the absolute worst, his depiction is SPOT ON for so many uni boys 😂

I did enjoy how Mia learned about herself and how to cope with her demons, it brought some much needed depth to an otherwise very fluffy story (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

This was a decent palate cleanser read, as other reviewers have said it did feel a little young but I think anyone college aged would love this.

Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for inviting me to review this eARC. all opinions are my own.

[Carys Oldall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded right up my street. An American football star and a bookish wallflower finding themselves at a British university? Sign me up!!!

There were definitely things I enjoyed. I liked the culture clash elements, there were some genuinely funny moments and Ethan was by far my favourite character. His storyline had a lot of heart and I found myself much more invested whenever he was on the page. Unfortunately, I never quite connected with Mia. I understood what the story was trying to do with her character, but I found her a bit frustrating at times, which made it harder for me to fully buy into the romance.

Overall, this was a solid read with some fun moments and a lovely MMC, but it didn’t quite have the spark I was hoping for.

[Vénitia | Vee’s Bookish Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Spice : 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
POV : Dual
Tropes : football player X Swiftie bookworm • uni romance • he falls first • flatmates • dislike to love
Taylor Swift song : You Belong With Me (but from his POV)

At first glance, Mia and Ethan are such opposites but... they have way more in common than you'd think and are so perfect for each other! I really loved their banter and their friendship. And I don't know what it is about a man who falls first, but it's the sweetest thing in the world 🥹

I'm so happy I never saw that plot twist coming, and I really enjoyed the wholesome friendships between all the characters (girls and boys!). I would say this book is great for people who enjoyed the Off Campus TV show, it was giving me the same type of vibe but with football (soccer for Americans).

[Thank you NetGalley and HQ for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review]

[Meg Thake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just so eloquently written. The message and the characters did the story such justice. I really loved this one

The authors note got me the most:
I’m glad I found my way on my own, or rather for many hours of therapy and a Wellbutrin prescription. If you need help, ask for help. I know it isn’t easy but there are no prizes for struggling unnecessarily. Life is sure and I don’t want you to spend another single day, but even you are less than. You are enough ✨🥹🪩💅🏼⚡️🥰☀️🩷🤏🏼

[Amelia Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this being set in England and the nod to Percy’s was amazing. I really enjoyed the dual pov and how they were both trying to escape something to be new versions of themselves. The slow burn dislike to lovers tension was great. However I did find the writing more ya than adult and that did take me out of the story at times

[Lucy Kenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had so much potential but found it lacking something to reel me in and it was so painfully slow… had to start skim reading the last few chapters 😭 I think Americans would enjoy it more as there’s a lot of over-explaining British things, yet also it’s majorly embellished. I’ve never heard anyone refer to someone else as a ‘knobber’ 🤣

[shanelle maree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this did miss for me. 😭 I was looking forward to it, because the blurb and tropes seemed right up my alley, and the cover is really cute.

But ultimately, I couldn’t get into the writing. It felt kind of juvenile. I tried to push through to see if maybe it was just the introductory part of the book, but I just couldn’t get interested, and ultimately DNF’d.

Big thank you to netgalley and avon and harper voyager for taking a chance on me with this the arc.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. This was such a fun, sweet sports romance. I loved the characters, the setting, and how both characters worked through their trauma. I really could relate to Mia in a lot of ways. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves a sports romance.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, witty, spicy enemies-to-lovers!

Soccer star Ethan & quiet bookish Mia end up studying abroad in Britain—annoyed by each other… until sparks fly.

Perfect mix of banter, slow-burn tension, heart, and British charm. Smart, swoony, and totally addictive

Perfect for sports & college romance fans!

[crownedaimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

review to come

[Raquel Bonelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2,75

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked it enough that I’ll probably read the next one