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funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Rape, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25 Stars✨
3 Spices🌶️
3 Spices🌶️
“Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.” - Garrett Graham
The Deal is the debut novel in Elle Kennedy's Off-Campus International Sensation series. The narrative delves into the subjects of university life, camaraderie, and the effects of prior abuse and trauma.
Garett Graham, a handsome and popular captain of a hockey team, and Hannah Wells, an excellent student and Garett's classmate and tutor, are the main characters of the book.
Their desire for one another intensifies as they study together more frequently. Garett finds that one passionate kiss is not enough, and he becomes enamoured with Hannah, even tearing down her barriers and winning her trust. Their relationship and newfound love appear to be going well, but how long will it endure, given that Garett's cunning father has already planned his son's future?
“And the most important lesson I learned is that I’m not a victim—I’m a survivor.” - Hannah Wells
CHARACTER
Garrett and Hannah are both incredibly sarcastic characters, and they have some pretty hilarious conversations throughout the story.
They do learn a few things from each other, and it was great to see the build-up of their relationship evolve gracefully from enemies to reluctant allies, to friends, and then to lovers.
Hannah and Garett, on the other hand, suffer from trauma, abuse, and vulnerabilities. Garett's resilience in conquering and getting away from his father's totalitarian control over his life, as well as Hannah's remarkable fortitude in facing her past and her will to go on, are all remarkable, motivational, and thrilling to witness. A well-written character development, in my opinion.
CHEMISTRY
It was fascinating to see how their relationship developed, moving from adversaries to reluctant allies, friends, and then lovers.
In addition to their passionate and spicily charged moments, I found Garrett and Hannah's chemistry to be particularly captivating because of their mounting physical attraction and emotional bond throughout the narrative. Additionally, it was more intriguing as they attempted to heal each other from their vulnerabilities and troubled pasts because of their support and protectiveness of one another.
PLOT
The Deal seems to have a traditional fake dating plot at first look. It may seem inevitable with its cliched setup: a rich, man-whoring, sexy athlete would fall for the witty, sardonic, intelligent girl no one would have imagined a jock would ever respect. However, the contrary occurs.
The fake dating cliché is expertly carried out, providing a story that seems plausible and credible. Seeing a romance that didn't feel forced and gave the characters time to nurture their bond was wonderful.
One aspect of the novel that I found disappointing was the miscommunication that occurred near the end. However, that was tolerable because it didn't drag too much, and the pair handled it better than I had anticipated.
With its heartfelt storytelling, emotional depth, and witty humour, The Deal is a poignant, relatable, and masterfully done exploration of growing up, introspection, resiliency and accepting the love they never anticipated. Making it an ideal starting point for the Off-Campus Series.
Garrett and Hannah are both incredibly sarcastic characters, and they have some pretty hilarious conversations throughout the story.
They do learn a few things from each other, and it was great to see the build-up of their relationship evolve gracefully from enemies to reluctant allies, to friends, and then to lovers.
Hannah and Garett, on the other hand, suffer from trauma, abuse, and vulnerabilities. Garett's resilience in conquering and getting away from his father's totalitarian control over his life, as well as Hannah's remarkable fortitude in facing her past and her will to go on, are all remarkable, motivational, and thrilling to witness. A well-written character development, in my opinion.
CHEMISTRY
It was fascinating to see how their relationship developed, moving from adversaries to reluctant allies, friends, and then lovers.
In addition to their passionate and spicily charged moments, I found Garrett and Hannah's chemistry to be particularly captivating because of their mounting physical attraction and emotional bond throughout the narrative. Additionally, it was more intriguing as they attempted to heal each other from their vulnerabilities and troubled pasts because of their support and protectiveness of one another.
PLOT
The Deal seems to have a traditional fake dating plot at first look. It may seem inevitable with its cliched setup: a rich, man-whoring, sexy athlete would fall for the witty, sardonic, intelligent girl no one would have imagined a jock would ever respect. However, the contrary occurs.
The fake dating cliché is expertly carried out, providing a story that seems plausible and credible. Seeing a romance that didn't feel forced and gave the characters time to nurture their bond was wonderful.
One aspect of the novel that I found disappointing was the miscommunication that occurred near the end. However, that was tolerable because it didn't drag too much, and the pair handled it better than I had anticipated.
With its heartfelt storytelling, emotional depth, and witty humour, The Deal is a poignant, relatable, and masterfully done exploration of growing up, introspection, resiliency and accepting the love they never anticipated. Making it an ideal starting point for the Off-Campus Series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape
emotional
funny
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hannah is a college girl trying to work out her sexual traumas and get her crush to notice her
Garrett is a aspiring childish hockey player whose failing in the major academic classes
with hannahs tutoring and garretts promise to help make her crush jelous, all is fun and games til the two start falling
this felt like a high school romance set in college
i had major isssues with hannahs prissy character nature
i liked garretts character and his minor growth
3-4/5 spicy peppers for the experienced reader
Garrett is a aspiring childish hockey player whose failing in the major academic classes
with hannahs tutoring and garretts promise to help make her crush jelous, all is fun and games til the two start falling
this felt like a high school romance set in college
i had major isssues with hannahs prissy character nature
i liked garretts character and his minor growth
3-4/5 spicy peppers for the experienced reader
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was okay, cute interactions with the main characters but couldn’t get passed the themes. In need of trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
tense
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
I had a blast and it’s been a great distraction from all the stress in my life at the moment. I will say I didn’t love the misogyny but it did get a little better as the book went on, and it wasn’t sooo horrible that I couldn’t overlook it. 100% feels like ICEBREAKER copied it but also they’re different enough to not be a total rip off, and I was equally as obsessed. For someone who has never watched a hockey game in her life nor can name a single player, I do love hockey romance books! The chase and falling for each other was absolutely my favorite part; everything after that was good but not as fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny, Blood, Grief
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The epitome of 2015. Reminded me of my college days because I was in university the year this book came out. It’s very obvious in not only the dialogue but also in how the characters treat each other. Particularly how the MMCS treat FMCs in books now compared to a decade ago. The MMC did not mistreat her in this book whatsoever. Just societal changes are more obvious I guess? The internalized misogyny. I’d probably rate this lower if this book was published now in 2025 but I do believe I would have enjoyed it if I read it when it came out in 2015.
TW: talks about past (g)rape A LOT. I wish I knew about this trigger warning. There’s no description of it on page.
2 🌶️
TW: talks about past (g)rape A LOT. I wish I knew about this trigger warning. There’s no description of it on page.
2 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Gaslighting