Chapter summaries The Mistake (Off-Campus Book 2) Elle Kennedy

The Mistake Chapter 37: Epilogue – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Two years after the main events, Grace and Hannah watch a Boston Bruins game from an executive suite at TD Garden. Logan is now playing his first season with the Bruins after a year in the AHL, while Garrett had a standout rookie season the prior year. Grace and Hannah whisper about feeling out of place among the other wives. They are joined by Logan’s mother, Jean, who teases Grace for still preferring football over hockey. Jean is now married to David, a bland but kind man. Logan’s biological father, Ward, has been sober for nearly two years, and Jean refuses to be in contact with him, so Logan’s parents alternate game visits. Grace reflects on the changes in all their lives. The chapter closes with Hannah noting that some dreams really do come true, and Grace agrees as she watches Logan on the ice.

Key Events

  • Grace and Hannah attend a Bruins game two years later.
  • Logan is in his first season with Boston; Garrett had a stellar rookie season.
  • The women in the executive suite feel like novices but gradually adjust.
  • Jean, Logan’s mother, joins them; David is also present.
  • Jean still avoids Ward, Logan’s father, who is now sober.
  • Logan’s parents alternate visits to games and to Grace and Logan’s apartment.
  • Grace admits she would rather watch football, to Jean’s mock dismay.
  • Hannah observes that Garrett and Logan always dreamed of playing for the Bruins.
  • Grace watches Logan on the ice and silently agrees that dreams come true.

Character Development

  • Grace Ivers – She has fully integrated into Logan’s world, attending games and getting to know his family. She has learned to appreciate hockey but remains honest about her preference for football. Her relationship with Logan’s mother shows her growth in navigating complex family dynamics.
  • Logan – Though mostly off-page, his progression from college hockey to the NHL is complete. His commitment to his family’s healing (father’s sobriety, parents’ separation) shows maturity.
  • Jean (Logan’s mother) – She has moved on from Ward, remarrying the supportive David. She maintains a boundary with Ward while supporting Logan. Her playful teasing of Grace shows she has embraced Grace as family.
  • Ward (Logan’s father) – Sobriety for nearly two years suggests significant personal growth, though he is still not fully reconciled with Jean. His presence is a sign of ongoing family change.
  • Hannah – Now comfortable as an NHL wife, she has grown from the nervous girl to someone who can joke about their inexperience. Her bond with Grace remains strong.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Dreams Coming True – The central motif of the epilogue. Both Logan and Garrett have reached the NHL, fulfilling the goal they discussed since freshman year. Hannah and Grace witness the realization of those dreams.
  • Family Reconstruction – The epilogue shows a reshaped family: Jean with David, Ward sober but separate, Grace included. Logan’s parents alternate visits, demonstrating a functional arrangement after past dysfunction.
  • Belonging and Imposter Syndrome – Grace and Hannah feel out of place in the luxury suite, representing the challenge of entering a new social sphere. Their self-deprecating jokes show they are working through it.
  • Hockey as Shared Identity – The sport becomes a bridge connecting the characters. Even Grace, a football fan, participates in the ritual of watching the game.

Why This Chapter Matters

The epilogue provides closure for the main couple’s arc. It shows that Grace and Logan’s relationship has thrived beyond college, integrating with his professional career and his complex family. It also rewards long-time readers by showing the fulfillment of Garrett and Logan’s shared dream. The chapter reaffirms the series’ emphasis on partnership, growth, and the possibility of healing family wounds. Additionally, it sets up future stories (Garrett and Hannah’s married life, hints at Dean’s book) and offers a satisfying emotional payoff.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does the epilogue show that Grace has grown since the start of the novel?
    Grace has matured from a nervous, unsure freshman into a confident woman who navigates high-society NHL events and builds genuine relationships with Logan’s mother and family. She also maintains her own identity, admitting she still prefers football, which shows she hasn’t lost herself.

  2. What does the arrangement between Jean and Ward reveal about the family’s emotional state?
    Jean’s refusal to have contact with Ward, even though he is now sober, shows that healing does not automatically mean full reconciliation. The family has found a way to function without forcing everyone to be together, prioritizing individual boundaries.

  3. Why might the author choose to end the novel with Grace and Hannah watching the game?
    Ending with the two women—who are not professional athletes—emphasizes that dreams come true not only for the players but also for the people who support them. Grace and Hannah share in the achievement because their relationships are central to the story. It also bookends the novel, as the early chapters focused on Grace’s introduction to the hockey world.

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