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The Deal

Book 1 in the series:Off-Campus

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"The Deal" by Elle Kennedy is a new adult romance novel that follows the story of Hannah, a music major with a traumatic past, and Garrett, the captain of the hockey team. When Garrett needs help with his grades, he strikes a deal with Hannah to tutor him in exchange for his assistance in attracting her crush. As they spend time together, their chemistry grows, leading to a complex and heartwarming romance. The plotline may seem familiar, but the well-written banter and character development make this book a captivating and enjoyable read.

The writing style of Elle Kennedy in "The Deal" is praised for its ability to address dark themes such as abuse and trauma with care and finesse. The characters, Hannah and Garrett, are portrayed as flawed yet relatable individuals who find solace and growth in each other. The book explores themes of friendship, trust, and overcoming past struggles, all while delivering a fun and engaging college romance story.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Garrett being a charming hockey player and Hannah a strong music student, both navigating their past traumas while growing together.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a contemporary style that blends humor with serious themes, making it relatable and engaging despite occasional clichés.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around Hannah and Garrett, whose initially transactional relationship evolves into a deep emotional bond, set against the backdrop of college life and personal struggles.

Setting:

Set in a contemporary college environment, the story explores the dynamics of campus life and sports culture.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, with a balance of humor and emotional moments that keeps the reader engaged throughout the story.
For the millionth time in forty-five minutes, I sneak a peek in Justin Kohl’s direction, and he’s so beautiful it makes my throat close up. Though I should probably come up with another adjective—my m...

Notes:

The Deal is the first book in Elle Kennedy's Off Campus series.
It portrays a college romance between a hockey player, Garrett Graham, and a music major, Hannah Wells.
Hannah is a strong female character who has dealt with trauma from a past assault.
Garrett and Hannah enter into a fake dating arrangement that leads to real feelings.
The chemistry between the main characters is described as sizzling hot.
Garrett is portrayed as a charming and funny character, breaking the typical jock stereotype.
The book blends humor with serious issues, making it both lighthearted and impactful.
Many readers appreciate the witty banter and dynamic between the characters.
The story tackles themes of past trauma, healing, and the importance of communication in relationships.
The Deal has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok, leading many to recommend it.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of sexual assault, trauma, and past abuse, which are integral to the main character's journey and development.

Has Romance?

The romance element in The Deal is a central focus and is characterized by significant development and chemistry between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

New York Times bestseller Elle Kennedy brings you a sexy new Off-Campus novel that can be read as a standalone...

She's about to make a deal with the college bad boy...

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she's carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush's attention, she'll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice...even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

...and it's going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he's worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he's all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn't take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn't going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Ratings (301)

Incredible (50)
Loved It (143)
Liked It (65)
It Was OK (31)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (5)

Reader Stats (476):

Read It (323)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (102)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (46)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
4 weeks

I loved this - it was sweet and the characters were just wonderful. I went into it looking for something mellow and fun, mostly as a palate-cleanser - this isn't a genre I generally read. Not college romances, and this is the first sports romance that I can recall.

It's NA but the characters are mature and thoughtful, both dealing with a difficult past, but neither allowing that past to make them self-absorbed or bitter.

I'll read this one again and again. 5 happy stars.

 
Loved It
3 months

3.75⭐️

 
Loved It
9 months

Technically, I shouldn't like this book, so I'm really surprised that I had so much fun with it.


I have been avoiding new adult for a long time, because teenage dramas irritate me a lot, and I am even more irritated by the over-dramatized voices of young people, for whom each event is a personal tragedy, deserving long chapters filled with despair. But here, for the most part, the author managed to avoid it.


Hannah is a sensible and interesting main character. Fortunately, she does not whine or dramatize, and what is rare about girls in this genre, she knows her worth and has clearly defined priorities. The author also skillfully convinced me that Garrett is not just a muscle man with an ego-overgrowth, but a really cool and valuable guy who truly has a more sensitive and caring side. It made me actually believe in their relationship and trust that they can create something good together.


I really like the theme of fake dating, but I don't always like the reasons why two people choose to do so. In this case, the reason was not particularly good, but in general I had no problem with it. I believe Garrett and Hannah had ample time to develop their feelings, even though relatively little time passes in the book, if I remember correctly just a month.


I don't know why it all sounded so well for me this time. Maybe it's just a well-written book. I also liked the other guys, so I will probably read about them too.

 
 
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