The Deal
By: Elle Kennedy
Series: Off-Campus
Book #: 1
Format: Kindle eBook
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Genre: New Adult/College Romance
Trope: Opposites attract, Hockey Romance, Friends to Lovers
Publisher: Elle Kennedy Inc.
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Blurb:
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.
This series has been on my tbr for, what feels like, forever…. But… I realized halfway through, I may or may not have read The Deal already. I remember bits and pieces playing out in my head before they happened. Which leads me to believe, I read this one before I started blogging and reviewing books. With that being said, Elle Kennedy definitely knows her way around writing a steamy new adult/college sports novel. By this first book, it should come as no surprise, I’m intrigued to read the rest of the series!
In My Own Words:
The Deal is the first book in the Elle Kennedy Off-Campus series. This series is based on Garrett and Hannah’s telling of their relationship.
Garrett Graham’s one and only dream is to make it to the big leagues. His dream is to play hockey on a professional level. But as for right now, he is at the top of his game in college, and he plans on staying that way. That is until he gets a grade on his midterm that sends his gpa plummeting. If he doesn’t pass the makeup test, he can kiss his hockey career goodbye.
That’s where Hannah comes into play.
Hannah Wells is one of the few in the class who passed the midterm with flying colors. And now she has Garrett Graham, Briar University’s most elite man, knocking on her door, showing up at her place of work, and nearly stalking her every move. He needs her to pass this class and he’ll do whatever it takes.
My Thoughts:
I’m not well versed on Elle Kennedy’s style of writing. In my reading, I think I only read a couple of books by her. But after the last two months, I’m finding myself stepping more on the EK train! I really want to binge this author. I’m dying to get my hands on everything and anything she has ever written! I’m becoming slightly obsessed with the way she tells a story.
Now onto what I loved about this novel.
I loved the fact that Hannah was such a hard ass when it came to Garrett and his ‘irresisitible’ ways. He honestly thought it was going to be easy getting this woman to agree to tutor him, all because he is Garrett Graham. But he was quick to learn, Hannah isn’t like any woman he’s ever known. She made him work for her time and I freaking loved that. She’s a strong female lead.
Garrett and Hannah’s relationship kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entirety of this novel. I loved the fact that they slowly went from acquaintances, to friends, to best friends, and then to lovers. It showed a raw map of feelings growing throughout the time spent together. They were slow to open up, but once that trust started to form, they found themselves baring their souls to one another. And that made for another point I adored in this novel. I loved the fact that these two took the time to establish that trust, it wasn’t just given, they both had to work for it.
Once they started baring their souls to one another, my heart was ripped away and handed to Elle Kennedy. I may have even shed a tiny tear for them and all they’ve been through on a personal level. Hannah and Garrett both went through hell and back. They both fought their own demons when they were younger, and instead of using those demons and their past as a crutch, they grew and evolved from their tragedies, in ways.
Don’t even get me started on the sexy times…. Oh my heavens to betsy… I was not expecting Garrett to be such a god beneath the sheets. One minute he’s swoony and sweet, the very next he’s a freaking beast…. I couldn’t get enough of him! I also loved the fact that this was a start to an experiment, meaning after all Hannah had gone through in her past, she finally found the courage to put her trust into a man. That man obviously being Garrett… I loved the fact that Garrett didn’t rush her, he took baby steps and basically gave up his control and put it in her hands. These two were clearly made for each other and it shows in these key moments.
Now onto what I needed a bit more of….
I would have loved to see more hockey incorporated into this novel. I wanted in Garretts mind when he was on the ice, instead of it being just from Hannah’s point of view as she watched him. I’m a sucker for those sports scenes and I needed a bit more of them for me to really fall head over heels in love with this story.
I also wanted to see Hannah’s parents issues in their small hometown get resolved. I would have liked to see a redemption period for them, after all, it wasn’t just Hannah who had to face the repercussions of the tragedy that occurred during that night. Her parents still have to live in a town where nearly everyone turned their back on Hannah and her family. I just wanted that little bit of redemption.
Aside from those very tiny issues, I found myself loving the hell out of this novel.
Do I recommend this novel?
There is no doubt in my mind. I think everyone who loves and reads romance will love this novel. I do have to say though, The Deal does come with a few trigger warnings such as rape (in conversation), Child Abuse (in conversation), and Spousal Abuse (in conversation). Now I added in conversation at the end of each because, as far as my memory serves, there are no actual scenes detailing the situation. The trigger(s) comes in a form of a conversation between Hannah and Garrett. Which the mere mention of rape or abuse can also be triggering to some. I’m here to prepare you all for those moments.
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/32kuB2o
Amazon World: http://viewbook.at/TheDealEK
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Peace Love and Happy Reading,
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