Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

1049 reviews

funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Really fun read. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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🌶️

“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.

Garett had to figure out how to keep his average grade and avoid being kicked out of the hockey team after learning that he had bombed his Philosophical Ethics class. He was pleased to run into Hannah, a student who did exceptionally well on the test. Because of his reputation, Hannah felt reluctant to support him. But Garett was persistent, and after striking a compromise, she finally agreed.
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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Only complaint to this whole book is they 3rd act breakup over miscommunication trope. Otherwise, loved it!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings