Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - The Deal

I read this book for my community Book Club. Poorly written College “romance” (aka raunch), with a completely predictable storyline and ending is really not my jam. I finished it because I want to meet more neighbors and be able to speak about it because I read it. If you want a very quick and easy, predictable read, with lots of sex and language, then this book is for you. 🤣 It definitely wasn’t for me. I gave the book 2 ⭐️ because I thought they handled a few difficult topics (rape and domestic violence) well.

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britwalsh16's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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? No

5.0

I have new obsession with hockey romance! How have I only recently discovered the joy of hockey romance?! I love hockey, I love romance, & ofcourse I love books, so why have I only recently started reading hockey romance books?
I loved this book!!! It brought together the joys and confusion of finding love, the fun of hockey, with the trauma of the past, & the healing journey to move on. The author wonderfully mixed all these aspects together, in such an incredible way!
And Hannah & Garret have such an amazing story; both healing from their own separate traumas, but coming together to support eachother in their journeys! They are #relationshipgoals 💜💜💜

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codicheyenne's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

I read these books entirely out of order and in hindsight, I wish I'd stuck to the order the author intended, but I originally skipped this one because of the fake dating trope. Somehow, Elle Kennedy can make me, not just read even my most hated trope, but enjoy it immensely. I can't decide if I like this one or The Goal better.

I really enjoyed Hannah as a FMC. Her journey is relatable and she's so easy to like and feel for. She's also pretty badass and so strong. I don't know that I would be as capable of being a good person as she is after what she went through. I appreciate that while she was "Not Like Other Girls", it wasn't written in a way that put other women down for being "Like Other Girls," it was only used as a means in which to describe how Hannah just didn't fall for Garrett's charms. I also liked how Hannah had a whole journey outside of Garrett & her past - the upcoming showcase, her parents' money struggles, etc.

I also love how Elle can write men and be so true to who they are in essence. None of these boys feel "too good to be true" because they're all written like... well... boys. They're hockey players. They're horny. They're cocky and full of themselves. There's locker room talk and suppressed emotions and tempers and messiness and too much testosterone at times. But they're still so lovable. As the reader, you can almost feel yourself falling for their dimpled grins in the same way the FMCs eventually do (despite the fights they put up.)

I'm excited to finish the series - I literally only have The Legacy left - and then revisit the world with the Briar U series and The Graham Effect

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moyarb's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective 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

4.5

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saraah07's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Okay. First book in the Off Campus Series. It took me longer than I would've liked for me to finish the book. And i almost didn't go back to it. But i'm glad did.
As the first book of the series it did not disappoint. I actually really enjoyed it. The wit and humour in it is just me. Like i relate to it so much.
But this book had a lot of layers. Loads of trauma and broken teenagers trying to find peace in each other. This is somewhat relatable in the sense where we've all been through something and we hope to be lucky enough to find someone who could help you through that. And i hope everyone finds that one day because I know I have.
This book follows Garrett a star hockey player and Hannah a music major through the journey of love. It's kind of ironic that they got together since she had a crush on another guy when they first started talking. But that changed really quick. Them getting together was unexpected for them since she was just supposed to be helping him with a paper. But i think that just makes it better.
But the way Garrett and Hannah support each other through their struggles is really inspiring. I do think this book is an amazing read.
Make sure to pay attention to the trigger warnings though. At some parts it can get quite heavy emotinally. But it is written so well and it builds the perfect foundation for the rest of the series.

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asmalloctopus's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Was this book well written? No. But were the characters likeable? Also no. BUT was the plot good? Also no. B U T did I read the whole thing? Yes, and that's the only reason it gets 2.5 stars instead of 1.5.

It's predictable, it's cliched, it's tropey, it's cringey. It was perfect for reading in bed when I wasn't tired enough to sleep but was too tired to actually process good or interesting writing.

Also, this is a minor nitpick, but I really desperately need Canadian authors writing stories set in the US to stop putting the word "washroom" in them. We don't really say that here.

Very ranty very spoilery below

I don't think I can even put into words how much the whole "I can't cum with a partner so I'm broken and no man will ever love me" thing PISSED ME OFF. What the hell is that? Is that an idea we want to be putting in young women's heads? And this was written BY A WOMAN? That's an overwhelmingly normal experience! Why would you make that a major "problem" for the storyline?!

AND THEN if that wasn't terrible enough, OH, it turns out she just needed a MAGICAL PENIS from some guy and now suddenly she can cum all the time with barely any effort! NO. THAT'S NOT HOW THAT WORKS. STOP GIVING WOMEN NEW INSECURITIES AND UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS!!!

It was also super creepy how there were multiple scenes where what's-his-face was expressing how traumatized he was by his father and her immediate reaction is "hey let me blow you so you can forget about it!" Like girl why not just give him a hug? A shoulder to cry on? Just be normal for 2 seconds?

Oh and that whole thing with him wanting her to go out and drink with him and his friends, despite her expressing her discomfort and her related trauma? And he pressures her into it and promises to "protect her" and this is supposed to be... sweet? Romantic? We're supposed to enjoy men pressuring us into things we've said we don't want to do? Maybe just let her be sober?? Why does she have to drink?? Idk I guess I just have this crazy idea that love should generally be free from peer pressure like that.

The ending was also so terrible and frustrating and then oh everything is magically fine and good. Idk if it counts as miscommunication since she lied on purpose, but bitch WHY would you not tell the man what his horrible abusive father is up to behind his back? She's a terrible girlfriend! She's not ready for a serious relationship! He shouldn't have forgiven her, idk how he could ever trust her after all that. But then again none of these characters are likeable so maybe they're perfect for each other after all.

I hate them and I hate everything they did and everything they'll ever do. And yet I still read the whole stupid book.

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jetty_books's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-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

5.0

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