Love Song by Elle Kennedy

 

Released March 17th 2026 

Read May 19th-22nd 2026 

Book Review: Love Song by Elle Kennedy

With the Off-Campus series enjoying a major resurgence—thanks to Amazon’s limited TV adaptation that premiered on May 13 and quickly shot to Number One—it felt like the perfect time to dive deeper into Elle Kennedy’s hockey romance universe.

I was already familiar with hockey romance when Off-Campus first hit the screen, but somehow this particular series had slipped past me. After giving the Amazon adaptation a try, I was immediately hooked. And when the show ended, I wasn’t ready to leave that world behind just yet.

A quick Kindle search led me to Love Song, a standalone novel that exists firmly within the Off-Campus universe. And just like that, the party continued.

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Characters – 8/10

Love Song centers on Wyatt Graham and Blake Logan, two characters who are already tethered to the Off-Campus legacy.

Wyatt is the tortured musician and the son of Garrett and Hannah Graham, while Blake is a steady, grounded college senior—and the daughter of Grace and John Logan. That familial connection provides a seamless bridge to the original series without overwhelming new readers.

Wyatt initially presents himself as someone who’s “here for a good time, not a long time.” He’s the resident heartbreaker, openly self-described as a “fuck boy,” and emotionally guarded to a fault. Blake, on the other hand, is entering her senior year at Briar University and has designated this as her summer—a time to finally figure out what she wants from life after college.

Of course, it becomes the summer of Blake… just not in the way she expected.

What makes these characters work so well is their humanity. Their flaws aren’t off-putting; they’re relatable and understandable. Even within the framework of a “summer fling,” the character development feels intentional and earned. Wyatt undergoes the most dramatic growth, confronting long-standing personal demons, while Blake’s journey toward becoming the confident, independent woman she’s meant to be is equally satisfying.

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Atmosphere – 8/10

The bulk of the story takes place at the family compound on Lake Tahoe, creating a beautifully contained and intimate setting. While the characters do venture into town occasionally, the heart of the novel remains firmly rooted at the compound.

Elle Kennedy’s descriptions are immersive without being excessive—you genuinely feel transported to the lake, the house, and the easy rhythm of family life. The family dynamics are especially well done; the interactions feel natural, warm, and often fun, making it easy to feel like you’re part of the group rather than just observing from the outside.

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Writing Style – 8/10

Love Song flows smoothly from start to finish. While romance readers know turmoil is inevitable, none of the conflict feels forced, clunky, or unnecessarily dramatic. The pacing is solid, and the emotional beats land where they should.

The adult scenes are well written and purposeful. They enhance character development and advance the story rather than existing solely for shock value or excess. While reading, I never felt like an outsider peeking in—I felt fully present within the story, which is always a key factor in keeping pages turning.

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Plot – 6/10

Let’s be honest: the structure here follows a familiar romance formula. Initial antagonism, growing attraction, emotional fallout, and a final reconnection—it’s all present and accounted for.

That said, this book isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about the characters. And in that regard, the story succeeds, even if the plot itself is fairly standard.

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Intrigue – 8/10

Once I realized this story was firmly connected to the Off-Campus world, I was all in. Even with its boilerplate plotting, my investment in Wyatt and Blake kept me engaged. I genuinely wanted to see how things would turn out for them—and that emotional investment carried the story.

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Logic – 8/10

Nothing in the story veers into wildly unbelievable territory. The conflict that leads to the breakup is grounded in issues real couples face every day, which makes it feel authentic rather than contrived. The resolution is sweet, satisfying, and well earned.

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Enjoyment – 8/10

This book was immensely enjoyable. I found myself repeatedly saying, “Just one more chapter,” only to realize it was well past my bedtime. It’s the kind of story that makes a Kindle hard to put down.

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Final Verdict – 7.7/10 (★★★★☆)

Love Song stands out as one of the better-written hockey romance novels I’ve read. It strikes a solid balance between emotional depth and romantic escapism—and, notably, I didn’t feel like I needed a shower after the adult scenes, which isn’t something I can say about every book in the genre.

It’s easy to see why Elle Kennedy’s books consistently top bestseller lists. This novel is engaging, well paced, and emotionally satisfying—a strong recommendation for fans of hockey romance and the Off-Campus universe alike.

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

 

Published January 6th 2026

Read January 19th-23rd 2026

🌩️ The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

Characters — 8/10
This story is packed with well-drawn characters who feel like people you might actually know—or at least gossip about over sweet tea. At the heart of the novel are Lo Bailey and Geneva Corliss, with Ellen Chambers and Frieda Mason rounding out a compelling supporting cast. We follow Lo, Ellen, and Frieda through their formative teenage years, watching friendships deepen, fractures form, and secrets quietly take root—until everything collides on one fateful August night in 1984.

Fast forward forty years, and we meet Geneva, now the owner of the Rosalie Inn, having stepped into the role as her mother Ellen slowly relinquishes control. One of the book’s strengths is how clearly Hawkins shows us how the past echoes into the present. Every decision, every regret, and every secret has shaped the women these characters have become.

Atmosphere — 8/10
Hawkins absolutely nails the setting. The Southern beach town feels authentic and lived-in—I could practically hear the waves crashing and smell the salt in the air. When the storm hits, it hits. The author pulls you right into the chaos, making you feel as though you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the characters as the wind howls and emotions unravel.

Writing — 7/10
The writing style is clean, modern, and accessible, making the story easy to slip into. Hawkins uses contemporary language that feels natural while still weaving in just enough 1980s detail to ground the past timeline without overdoing it. The balance between then and now works well and keeps the narrative from feeling dated or overly nostalgic.

Plot — 8/10
This is a fast, engaging read that rarely slows down. Hawkins keeps the momentum moving, guiding the reader smoothly from scene to scene. There’s one brief stretch where the pacing dips slightly, but it’s clearly intentional—laying the groundwork for a reveal that pays off almost immediately. The plot is tight, cohesive, and refreshingly free of glaring holes or “wait, that makes no sense” moments.

Intrigue — 7/10
While this wasn’t a book I felt compelled to pick up the moment I opened my eyes, it was one I consistently returned to whenever I had a quiet moment. The mystery hums steadily in the background, keeping you curious and invested without demanding total obsession.

Logic — 8/10
Everything in this story fits together neatly. The motivations are believable, the choices make sense, and the ending feels earned. In fact, the conclusion is almost poetic—true to the story Hawkins set out to tell and respectful of the groundwork laid from the very beginning.

Enjoyment — 7/10
This isn’t a heavy or overly serious novel, but it doesn’t try to be. Hawkins delivers an entertaining, well-paced story that keeps you guessing and rewards your attention. It’s the kind of book that makes for a satisfying, enjoyable ride with a solid and sensible ending.

⭐ Final Verdict: 7.57/10 — 4 Stars

Rachel Hawkins spins a tale as old as time: love, jealousy, betrayal, and murder. In The Storm, we meet Lo, Ellen, Frieda, and Geneva—along with a not-so-subtle guest appearance August. Three young women have their lives forever altered by one stormy night on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, and its consequences continue to ripple outward forty years later.

This is a quick, engaging read with relatable, deeply human characters and just enough mystery to keep you guessing. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and can confidently say I’m quickly becoming a Rachel Hawkins fan. 🌊

Goose Creek SC

 

History of the Goose Creek Police Department

The Goose Creek Police Department (GCPD) was established in 1961, the same year the City of Goose Creek was incorporated. As the community transitioned from a rural area into a growing municipality, the department was created to provide organized law enforcement and public safety services to local residents.

In its early years, the department was small, focusing primarily on basic patrol duties and community order. As Goose Creek expanded—particularly with growth tied to nearby military installations and suburban development—the police department grew in size, staffing, and professional standards.

Over the decades, GCPD has evolved into a full-service municipal police department, adding specialized units such as investigations, traffic enforcement, community policing, and school resource officers. Emphasis has increasingly been placed on community engagement, crime prevention, and professional training.

Today, the Goose Creek Police Department serves a diverse and growing population, continuing its mission to protect life and property while maintaining strong relationships with the community it serves.

We moved to the Goose Creek area of South Carolina in August of 2021, and at that point my patch collection was still just getting off the ground—I proudly owned a grand total of six patches.

One afternoon in September, on a bit of a whim, I drove past the local police station and decided to stop in to see if they might have a patch. I fully expected a polite “no,” or maybe even a confused look. Instead, I got a wonderful surprise.

I walked up to the counter and asked the woman behind the glass. Without hesitation, she opened a drawer right beside her and handed me a patch. Just like that.

It was the very first time I’d ever walked into a police station and asked for a patch—and I rode that excitement for a solid week. That single, simple interaction flipped a switch and sent my patch-hunting hobby into full overdrive.