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ksnizzle13's review against another edition
2.0
Ok so the first book I ever read from this author was The Graham Effect where it focuses on Garrett Graham’s daughter. I chose to read this book next bc I was interested in her parents’ love origin story and I just wanna know - was I the only person confused by the timeline? Her parents are in college and referencing Justin Bieber and One Direction. One Direction was formed 14 years ago..so how the heck are they in college listening to this band but then also end up having a daughter/book about her college love story? 😂 It’s not at all vital to the storied but this is just how my brain works and what it thinks about as I’m reading 😂😂 That aside, eh it was an ok story, lacks depth and just touches the surface of the characters. Easy read though, just be mindful of the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Rape
nmfcarney's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
siobhankeira's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent
liveyourlife297's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There were some heavy topics I don’t think were really handled well. But in the end, I absolutely loved their love story! Garrett is swoon worthy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape
rokook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ENG/ESP BELOW
I know that it’s expressed a million times that this story takes place in college with 21-year-olds but I feel like it’s written from a very high-school pov, with things that teenagers do/say, and it lacks the maturity of college, both in speech and in actions. It’s entertaining tho and it touches really deep things, but I feel like it’s not original and the writing just adds to the weird mix. I recommend it if you’re just reading for the funsies and to pass the time, but if you want a proper story with more mature characters this isn’t your book.
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Sé que durante el libro se dice miles de veces que la historia sucede en una universidad con personajes de 21 años aprox pero sentí que está escrito desde una perspectiva muy de secundaria, con cosas que harían/dirían adolescentes, y que no tiene esa madurez que te da la edad y la universidad, tanto en diálogos como en acciones. Lo encontré entretenido y toca algunos temas fuertes, pero sentí que la historia no es muy original, sumándole lo de la perspectiva en la que está escrito. Lo recomiendo si estás leyendo para pasar el rato o por aburrimiento, pero si queres una mejor historia con personajes que transmiten la edad en la que la autora los describe, este no es tu libro.
I know that it’s expressed a million times that this story takes place in college with 21-year-olds but I feel like it’s written from a very high-school pov, with things that teenagers do/say, and it lacks the maturity of college, both in speech and in actions. It’s entertaining tho and it touches really deep things, but I feel like it’s not original and the writing just adds to the weird mix. I recommend it if you’re just reading for the funsies and to pass the time, but if you want a proper story with more mature characters this isn’t your book.
-
Sé que durante el libro se dice miles de veces que la historia sucede en una universidad con personajes de 21 años aprox pero sentí que está escrito desde una perspectiva muy de secundaria, con cosas que harían/dirían adolescentes, y que no tiene esa madurez que te da la edad y la universidad, tanto en diálogos como en acciones. Lo encontré entretenido y toca algunos temas fuertes, pero sentí que la historia no es muy original, sumándole lo de la perspectiva en la que está escrito. Lo recomiendo si estás leyendo para pasar el rato o por aburrimiento, pero si queres una mejor historia con personajes que transmiten la edad en la que la autora los describe, este no es tu libro.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
kelseyholler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
starla_anne's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
kimmag92's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
**Super massive trigger warning for rape and domestic violence as I never see anyone mention this in relation to The Deal**
Like many other TikTok/BookTube famous books that I read I mainly wanted to see what all the hype was about and once again I don't understand the hype. I had a fine time reading The Deal and once I saw that it was originally published in 2015 I understood why it felt kind of familiar to me as it has that brand of pre #MeToo early 2010s misogyny that I watched and experienced in university during that time.
I went to a Canadian university that wasn't sports focused so I didn't get why everyone was so obsessed with social status and the sports players at the school but maybe this is a common experience at Division 1 sports focused schools in the USA. I really hated that the plot mainly revolved around Hannah thinking she was "broken" after being raped and needed an organism from a man to "fix" her but this is so 2010s it almost makes sense. I did really like Garrett and felt incredibly bad for him.
Overall, I think The Deal is just OK, it wasn't bad but neither was it good. I'll probably read the next book in the series though I do think there has been better university sports focused romance books published in the last 9 nine years.
Like many other TikTok/BookTube famous books that I read I mainly wanted to see what all the hype was about and once again I don't understand the hype. I had a fine time reading The Deal and once I saw that it was originally published in 2015 I understood why it felt kind of familiar to me as it has that brand of pre #MeToo early 2010s misogyny that I watched and experienced in university during that time.
I went to a Canadian university that wasn't sports focused so I didn't get why everyone was so obsessed with social status and the sports players at the school but maybe this is a common experience at Division 1 sports focused schools in the USA. I really hated that the plot mainly revolved around Hannah thinking she was "broken" after being raped and needed an organism from a man to "fix" her but this is so 2010s it almost makes sense. I did really like Garrett and felt incredibly bad for him.
Overall, I think The Deal is just OK, it wasn't bad but neither was it good. I'll probably read the next book in the series though I do think there has been better university sports focused romance books published in the last 9 nine years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
kat221's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
shaesensual's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I want to say first that I’m reading this series after having read Briar U and I just know this series is all going to feel like a fun flashback to the characters I have already seen in glimpses! I loved loved loved Garrett and Hannah and seeing this story be the foundation of their future in Briar U is sooooo fun. For a romance book with some of the darkest themes I have read to date, it might have also been the most fun! Garrett is such a lovable character all the way throughout, by respecting Hannah’s intelligence, gaining her trust, and being appropriately persistent (stubborn!). This might also be the most authentic development of sparks between characters I have ever seen…their first sleepover night is SO realistic for realizing you are truly comfortable with somebody’s company. The moment where this gets referenced again later in the book seriously brought me to tears because of how true their ease is with each other. I cannot compliment this book enough! So serious, but so fun.
Let’s not forget the spice because…wowow. Hannah’s sexual trauma is such a well handled topic and Garrett’s efforts are so sincere…and HOT. Their chemistry is intense and seeing their sexual tension develop in baby steps was so fun and flirty!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail