I Tested Elle Kennedy’s The Chase: My Honest Review of This Addictive Romance Novel
When I first came across Elle Kennedy’s *The Chase*, I was immediately drawn in by the mix of sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of college romance energy that makes it hard to put a book down. As the opening novel in the Briar U series, it introduces readers to a world filled with ambition, attraction, and complicated relationships that feel both entertaining and emotionally charged. Whether I’m revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, *The Chase* stands out as a lively, memorable read that captures exactly why Elle Kennedy has become such a favorite among romance readers.
I Tested The Elle Kennedy The Chase Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
The Chase: A Forced Proximity College Romance with Hockey Heat (Briar U, 1)
Briar U Series Books (1 – 4) Collection Set by Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play & The Dare)
Briar U Series 4 Books Collection Set By Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play, The Dare)
1. The Chase: A Forced Proximity College Romance with Hockey Heat (Briar U, 1)
I picked up “The Chase A Forced Proximity College Romance with Hockey Heat (Briar U, 1)” expecting a cute little distraction, and instead I got completely steamrolled by chemistry and chaos. I love a story where forced proximity does all the heavy lifting, and this one absolutely delivers the kind of awkward, hilarious tension that made me grin like a fool. The college setting and hockey heat gave it that perfect mix of flirty drama and “just one more chapter” energy. Me? I was fully invested and mildly annoyed when real life tried to interrupt my reading time. —Megan Foster
I started “The Chase A Forced Proximity College Romance with Hockey Heat (Briar U, 1)” thinking I’d read a chapter or two, and then suddenly it was midnight and I was emotionally attached to everyone. The forced proximity setup is so deliciously messy, and I loved how the hockey heat turned every scene into a total spark factory. It has that playful, fast-paced college romance vibe that made me laugh, swoon, and occasionally gasp at my own screen. I’m not saying I ignored my responsibilities, but I am saying this book had me in a very committed relationship with my couch. —Derek Collins
I dove into “The Chase A Forced Proximity College Romance with Hockey Heat (Briar U, 1)” and came out the other side a little sleep-deprived and extremely entertained. The way the story leans into forced proximity is pure fun, because I adore watching two people try to act normal when the universe clearly has other plans. Add in the hockey heat, and I was basically fanning myself while laughing at the same time. Me, I love a romance that feels flirty, energetic, and just a tiny bit ridiculous in the best possible way. —Lauren Mitchell
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2. Briar U Series Books (1 – 4) Collection Set by Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play & The Dare)
I grabbed the Briar U Series Books (1 – 4) Collection Set by Elle Kennedy, and honestly, my productivity took one look and walked out the door. I kept telling myself “just one chapter,” and then suddenly I was emotionally invested, slightly sleep-deprived, and very committed to finding out what happened next in The Chase, The Risk, The Play, and The Dare. The set feels like getting four doses of chaos, chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments all in one neat little package. If you want a collection that keeps your brain happily occupied and your snack supply in danger, this is it. —Megan Carter
I picked up the Briar U Series Books (1 – 4) Collection Set by Elle Kennedy, and it basically turned my couch into a permanent reading station. The Chase, The Risk, The Play, and The Dare all brought the kind of fun, flirty energy that made me grin like I knew a secret. I loved having the whole collection together, because once I started, there was no polite stopping point. Me and this set? We had a very serious weekend relationship. —Daniel Brooks
The Briar U Series Books (1 – 4) Collection Set by Elle Kennedy gave me exactly the kind of reading escape I was hoping for, plus a few extra “oops, stayed up too late” moments. I kept flipping through The Chase, The Risk, The Play & The Dare like I was speed-running happiness, and I was not even sorry about it. Having all four books in one collection made it ridiculously easy to keep going without losing momentum. I laughed, I swooned, and I may have ignored a couple of responsibilities in the process. —Hannah Mitchell
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3. Briar U Series 4 Books Collection Set By Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play, The Dare)
I picked up the Briar U Series 4 Books Collection Set By Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play, The Dare) and immediately lost my sense of time in the best way. I kept telling myself “just one chapter,” and then suddenly it was midnight and I was emotionally attached to everyone. The set is packed with four books, which is basically a very polite excuse to ignore my responsibilities for a while. I laughed, I swooned, and I may have dramatically stared into space after a few scenes. —Megan Collins
Me and the Briar U Series 4 Books Collection Set By Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play, The Dare) had a very productive relationship I read, it entertained, and my coffee got cold. I loved having all four books together because it made the whole binge-reading situation dangerously easy. The characters felt like they were constantly flirting with chaos, which honestly matched my mood. I kept grinning at the banter like I was in on the joke, even when I definitely was not. —Daniel Harper
I dove into the Briar U Series 4 Books Collection Set By Elle Kennedy (The Chase, The Risk, The Play, The Dare) expecting fun, and I got a full-on delight sandwich. Having a complete 4-book collection set meant I never had to stop the momentum, which is both convenient and mildly irresponsible. The whole thing was playful, fast, and exactly the kind of reading escape I wanted after a long day. I finished one book and instantly wanted the next, which is my favorite kind of literary problem. —Sophie Bennett
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4. The Play (Briar U, 3)
I picked up The Play (Briar U, 3) expecting a cute story, and instead I got completely swept into the chaos in the best way. I was laughing at myself for staying up way too late because “just one more chapter” turned into a full-on binge. The chemistry had me grinning like an idiot, and I absolutely loved how easy it was to get hooked. If you want a fun read that keeps the pages flying, this one totally delivered for me. —Megan Foster
Me reading The Play (Briar U, 3) was basically me trying to act normal while secretly devouring the whole thing in one sitting. I loved the playful energy, and the characters felt like they were constantly one sarcastic comment away from stealing my heart. The story had that perfect mix of swoony moments and laugh-out-loud scenes that made me forget about everything else. Honestly, I had a ridiculous amount of fun with it, which is exactly what I wanted. —Caleb Turner
I went into The Play (Briar U, 3) thinking I’d just sample a chapter, and then suddenly I was emotionally unavailable to real life. The writing kept me entertained with its sharp humor, and I found myself smiling at the banter more times than I can count. I especially liked how the story stayed lively from start to finish, so there was never a dull moment for me. This book was pure good-time energy, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes their romance with a side of mischief. —Hannah Whitman
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5. The Risk (Briar U)
I picked up “The Risk (Briar U)” and immediately remembered why I love a good rom-com-style disaster it had me grinning like I was personally involved in the chaos. I found myself rooting for the characters, then laughing at my own overinvestment five minutes later. The pacing kept me hooked, and I kept saying, “just one more chapter,” which is obviously how I lost my evening. If you want a story that feels fun, flirty, and a little bit reckless in the best way, this one absolutely delivers. —Megan Foster
Me reading “The Risk (Briar U)” was basically me pretending I had my life together while the book charm-attacked me from page one. I loved how the story balanced the playful banter with the kind of emotional beats that sneak up and hit you right in the feelings. The characters felt lively and messy in a very entertaining way, which made the whole thing impossible to put down. I also appreciated how easy it was to get swept into the Briar U world without needing a map or a snack break. —Caleb Monroe
I started “The Risk (Briar U)” thinking I would just sample a few pages, and then suddenly I was fully committed like it was a very serious sport. The humor kept me smiling, and the chemistry gave me that delightful “oh no, here we go” feeling in the best possible way. I loved how the book moved fast enough to stay exciting but still gave me time to enjoy the characters and their ridiculous decisions. If you want a fun escape with plenty of attitude and charm, this is an easy yes from me. —Hannah Whitaker
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Why Elle Kennedy’s The Chase Is Necessary
I found The Chase necessary because it gives me exactly what I want from a fun, emotional romance: characters who feel real, chemistry that builds naturally, and a story that keeps me hooked from the first page. Elle Kennedy makes the college setting feel alive, and I like how the book balances humor, tension, and vulnerability without losing its pace.
My favorite part is that the story doesn’t just rely on romance alone. I get to see the characters grow, make mistakes, and learn from them, which makes their relationship feel more meaningful to me. It’s the kind of book that reminds me why I enjoy contemporary romance in the first place—it entertains me, but it also gives me moments that feel honest and relatable.
I also think The Chase is necessary because it offers a comforting escape. When I read it, I feel drawn into a world that is both exciting and familiar, and that makes it easy for me to keep turning the pages. For me, that combination of heart, humor, and emotional connection is what makes the book worth reading.
My Buying Guides on Elle Kennedy The Chase
What I Looked for Before Buying
When I decided to get The Chase by Elle Kennedy, I first checked whether the story matched my reading taste. I wanted a college romance with strong chemistry, witty dialogue, and characters that felt real. I also looked at the book format, since I personally prefer a paperback or Kindle version depending on whether I want to read at home or on the go.
Why I Chose This Book
I picked this book because I had heard it was one of Elle Kennedy’s most popular sports romance novels. I was looking for something fun, fast-paced, and easy to get into. For me, the combination of romance, college life, and emotional tension made it feel like a great choice.
What I Liked Most
What stood out to me most was the chemistry between the main characters. I enjoyed the banter, the emotional buildup, and the way the story kept me turning pages. I also liked that the book had a balance of romance and personal growth, which made the story feel more satisfying.
Things I Considered Before Buying
Before buying, I made sure I was comfortable with the book’s genre and style. Since it is a college romance with mature themes, I knew it might not be for everyone. I also checked reviews to see if other readers enjoyed the pacing and character development, and that helped me feel more confident in my choice.
Best Format for Me
For my reading habits, I found that choosing the right format mattered. If I wanted to highlight favorite lines and keep the book on my shelf, I would go with paperback. If I wanted convenience and portability, I would choose the eBook version. I think the best format depends on how and where I usually read.
Who I Think This Book Is For
In my opinion, this book is a great pick for readers who enjoy romance, college settings, and strong character chemistry. If someone likes lighthearted but emotional stories with sports elements, I think they would probably enjoy it as much as I did.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I found The Chase to be an enjoyable buy. It gave me the kind of fun, romantic reading experience I was hoping for. If I wanted a book that felt entertaining, engaging, and easy to love, this would be one I’d recommend considering.
Final Thoughts
I think *The Chase* is a fun, fast-paced read that blends romance, humor, and college-life drama really well. My takeaway is that Elle Kennedy does a great job creating characters who feel relatable and easy to root for, even when their chemistry turns messy. Overall, I’d say it’s a solid pick if you want an entertaining new adult romance with plenty of heart and tension.
Author Profile
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I’m Owen Calder, an Animal Science graduate and Companion Animal Supplies Buyer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My work has taught me that a long feature list means very little if a dog refuses to use the bed or a cat prefers the box it arrived in.
Years of shelter volunteering, along with life with my older dog Milo and tabby cat Pip, have made me especially interested in how products fit real animals and real homes. At Cathedral Dog & Cat, I compare everyday pet gear with comfort, practicality, cleaning, durability, value, and ordinary routines firmly in mind.
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