Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - The Deal

Read this book for book club. Man this threw nearly every trope at me that I hate. Check trigger warning folks.

Premise: A music student and a hockey player team up to ensure he passes a tough class and she can land a date with her crush.

Issues: Holy lack of respect Batman! Look I get the whole plot is to get these two characters together but how many times did Hannah say no to tutoring Garrett?? And how many times did he not leave her alone? YUCK. Instant ick for me. I didn’t like him from that point on. Also for saying things like “well I’m a guy” multiple times. Yuck.

The abuse on both sides for the characters was intense. There’s a lot of physical abuse described and alluded to here. Be warned.

I’ve read a lot of hockey romances recently but this one gave me the ick the most.

Content Warnings

hannahez's review against another edition

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lighthearted 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

Is it deep? No. Is it life changing? No. Did I have fun reading it? Absolutely

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liv_smiithh's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

3.0

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dahliareadsalot's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

4.0

I started reading the Briar U and Off-Campus books out of order, so I saw Garrett and Hannah in the beginning of The Chase, quickly realized I'd started with the wrong series and came back to this one.

But I definitely love this one way more than I loved The Chase. Not because there is anything wrong with the characters or couple in that book, but because Garrett Graham is probably one of my favorite romance male leads at this moment.

There is nothing sexier than a man who understands consent. Couple that with his unwavering confidence, attentiveness, and how he doesn't hesitate to defend the honor of the woman he loves -- let's just say, he's a favorite for a reason.

And Hannah is snarky and fun, and so strong. I wanted to be friends with her IRL. How someone can be so selfless and kind after what she's gone through made me sympathize with her so much.

Garrett and Hannah make such a cute couple and I was kicking my feet the whole time.

But you know what I didn't like? The constant reminder that Logan, Garrett's BEST FRIEND, is madly infatuated with Hannah. Even after they're together!

I know college kids make a lot of stupid decisions.

However. Continually crushing on your friend's partner is just super stupid and feels so wrong. And the fact that Garrett and Hannah know just eeks me out. Like Logan isn't trying to be discreet at all! It's going to be super difficult to sympathize with the guy.

Also -- I know this series focuses on hockey players who are revered as college gods, and they have a plethora of female attention. But good on Hannah from going from walking in on Garrett having sex with someone to dating him a week later. Because, honestly, I know casual hookups are blah and whatever, especially in your early twenties, but I feel like my brain would subconsciously seer that image into my brain and it would take more than a week for me to just... forget that? Idk. ESPECIALLY if I kinda had a crush on the guy. I'd need more than a week. I'd need like... two and a half weeks at least.

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