Off Campus
I. Freaking. Loved. This.
I knew going into the show I’d enjoy it as I’ve been really liking the books so far, but I didn’t expect to love it quite so much. I binged the entire season in one day and then just a few days later started a rewatch.
A lot of attention was put into this adaptation and I applaud them for it. The changes they made, such as the hands off law not being put in place by Garrett himself, were great. This would have ruined the grounded, emotionally aware Garrett they’ve shown in the adaptation. Plus it was really toxic, which yes, everyone probably loved in 2015, but in 2026 that wouldn’t slide.
The show has also made me fall completely in love with Logan. Firstly, have you seen him?! Secondly, they haven’t made him out to be a top player who sleeps his way around the campus, which is an interesting choice as it’s a huge part of his character. Especially when it comes to how badly he wants to win over Grace. He’s always been a yearner, but the show has multiplied that tenfold.
They also made Justin a little more likeable. One of the reasons why Hannah goes off him in the books is because of how rude he was to a waitress, in the show he’s just a little pathetic from the get-go. I like Josh Heuston, I have done since Heartbreak High so it will be a little sad to not have him in season two, but the amount of songs they made him sing was a little annoying.
While we’re on the topic of singing, Ella Bright is incredible. The scene when she sings Elton John made me go “OK let’s go, she’s insanely talented”. The fact that she didn’t know she could sing like that before this show amazes me. We needed more of her performing in the show than Justin. Don’t get me started on “Yellow Haze”.
I can’t end this section without mentioning Allie and Dean. Firstly, stunning couple and insane chemistry. Secondly, I haven’t read their book yet but I’m running to do so now. Having left reading them so late, I already know a fair amount of their story, but I’m so excited to read their book. Also, they’re season two’s main couple, with what I assume will be the first part of Logan’s book sprinkled in as they’ve cast Grace already, so that’s exciting. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for it.
Synopsis: Synopsis: A college-set romantic drama chronicling the unexpected love story between a music student and the university’s star hockey player, exploring themes of love and the complexities of adulthood through deep friendships and enduring bonds.
Not So Berry Sims 4 challenge – Clare Siobhan (YouTube)
This was a completely random choice for a YouTube series rewatch. I was an avid viewer of Clare Siobhan’s videos for years and I recently got the urge to watch her again. She hasn’t posted in over three years so I’m really missing her videos. Am I too old to be watching Sims playthroughs on YouTube? Probably. But will that stop me? Absolutely not.
The Not So Berry challenge was the first playthrough of Clare’s that I watched as it was being uploaded from start to finish. I joined her original series fairly late as it was my series of choice during lockdown in 2020. I discovered her channel through my boyfriend wanting to show me the dog she got with her partner (AliA – you’ve probably heard of him) years before.
The nostalgia I feel for this series already is actually insane. It’s not even that old, but certain moments bring back so many memories for me. I can’t imagine how nostalgic I’d feel if I watched the original series again.
I decided to watch this again as I took some time off due to injuring my knee last week and potentially having slight heatstroke after spending an incredibly hot weekend at an outdoor flyball competition. It’s such easy, fun viewing – great for having on in the background while you feel sorry for yourself stuck on your sofa.
I’m currently at the beginning of generation three (yellow) and honestly, after this generation I hardly remember the rest of the series so it will be fun to relive it again and possibly bring back memories of the first time watching it. Watching the first two generations already has me itching to play the Sims again – something I absolutely do not have time for at the moment. We all know how it goes with the Sims, you play it non-stop for a week straight and then you don’t look at it again for months if not years. I haven’t played it in over two years now.
Synopsis: Do you like the rainbow? Do you like the idea of playing with berry Sims but hate berry Sims? Do you want to mess around with aspects of the game you’ve never used before? Boy, do I have the challenge for you!
Welcome to the Not So Berry Legacy Challenge, a ten generation legacy with a focus on bright colors and new experiences.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
I spoke about this in my most recent upcoming adaptations post and I said I wasn’t sure if I would re-watch season one before the new one came out. Well I watched it, but not before the new season, so technically I was telling the truth. I decided on Friday evening to binge watch season one again and while I do like the show, it doesn’t bring the same sense of mystery and wonder that the book does.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pretty good adaptation, but I will always prefer and recommend the book. Maybe season two will change my mind as book two was definitely my favourite. I loved the sense of urgency and how you see Pippa slowly change into the darker version of herself, that let’s be honest, if you’ve read book three, she desperately needed.
I definitely found Emma Myers’ British accent less jarring the second time round. It still felt a little too forced at times but I always find it hard to watch things when I know it’s not the actor’s real accent – other than Heated Rivalry as Connor Storrie’s Russian accent is insanely good.
The pacing of the first season still feels a little off, and there’s obviously a fair amount they didn’t include as it was only six episodes, but it is still enjoyable. I’d love to know what people who didn’t read the book think of it as just a stand alone thriller/mystery show.
Synopsis: Synopsis: Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town. But she can’t shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day.
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