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A review by im_just_vidu
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It's been about 8 hours since I finished reading. I just wanted some time to digest it. In my mind I was like "I'm gonna give this 2.5 or 3 stars" until half of the book. Oh god how can I do that when it is so perfect like this? I can't. I liked both Hannah and Garrett since the beginning. Their characters were portrait so well that it's impossible for you to not fall in love with them.
And it's not also not JUST a romance book. It's also facing problems, trauma, dark past, PTSD, trying to get better, slowly healing and many more. It feels more realistic because of that. This is a sport romance by the definition of it. Not just "I play sports" kinda one. It's "I gave my blood and sweat for this and sports are my life" kinda one.
First of all I like Hannah's characters. She's not "I'm the top student, I study 24/7" type student. She's a good singer, get scholarships by her own hard work and be there for her friends. She helps her friends to get better with their grades too. She's an idol student since the beginning. It's true that she got traumatic past but she's trying her best to not let that prevent her from living her life.
Garrett is also ideal sports student who does best in sports and yet get his academic done. He's a good player and also a leader. For him, sports is his life. Anything else isn't gonna change his life. He's a closed open book. You see everything about him but sometimes you don't know anything about him. Being a son of the top hockey player, he have this huge responsibility of proving his value to the world. Sometimes it's unfair that you get judged by your parent's reputation, but it's inevitable.
Justin is Hannah's love interest, who is a football player. Glimpse of Justin can make Hannah pass-out from happiness. In Hannah's eyes, there's no other one who's perfect like Justin.
The story starts with Garrett wanting to get good grades and asking Hannah for help with that. It's so cute to see how Garrett basically begging to Hannah and how they tease each other. Hannah on the other hand is only interested in Justin, so it's not easy for Garrett to make her tutor him.
I swear those few chapters in the beginning were the cutest. Those push and pull friendship they have is so wholesome.
I listened to the audiobook for most of the parts of the book and sometimes read while listening to the audiobook. I listened to the audiobook while I'm in the bus and boy it was the stupidest idea ever. Things got steamy sometimes and I blushed like a tomato. Good thing that I was wearing a mask cuz I was melting and getting red. Reading smut in the public transportation is something I've mastered, but listening to an audiobook? Moreover when things get spicy. Oh boy. Audible audiobook was narrated well so they do a perfect job with narrating all small sound effects. If you're a person who blush like crazy, I would recommend you to avoid public places while listening to audiobook.
So overall I loved this book. I surely am gonna continue reading this series cuz Elle Kennedy's writing is so good. If you're an adult who's looking for a cute romance, I would like to recommend this to you. (If you're a minor, I think you should wait until you grow up. Not recommend for minors at all) I can see myself reread this book in the future. It's so good.
And it's not also not JUST a romance book. It's also facing problems, trauma, dark past, PTSD, trying to get better, slowly healing and many more. It feels more realistic because of that. This is a sport romance by the definition of it. Not just "I play sports" kinda one. It's "I gave my blood and sweat for this and sports are my life" kinda one.
First of all I like Hannah's characters. She's not "I'm the top student, I study 24/7" type student. She's a good singer, get scholarships by her own hard work and be there for her friends. She helps her friends to get better with their grades too. She's an idol student since the beginning. It's true that she got traumatic past but she's trying her best to not let that prevent her from living her life.
Garrett is also ideal sports student who does best in sports and yet get his academic done. He's a good player and also a leader. For him, sports is his life. Anything else isn't gonna change his life. He's a closed open book. You see everything about him but sometimes you don't know anything about him. Being a son of the top hockey player, he have this huge responsibility of proving his value to the world. Sometimes it's unfair that you get judged by your parent's reputation, but it's inevitable.
Justin is Hannah's love interest, who is a football player. Glimpse of Justin can make Hannah pass-out from happiness. In Hannah's eyes, there's no other one who's perfect like Justin.
The story starts with Garrett wanting to get good grades and asking Hannah for help with that. It's so cute to see how Garrett basically begging to Hannah and how they tease each other. Hannah on the other hand is only interested in Justin, so it's not easy for Garrett to make her tutor him.
I swear those few chapters in the beginning were the cutest. Those push and pull friendship they have is so wholesome.
I listened to the audiobook for most of the parts of the book and sometimes read while listening to the audiobook. I listened to the audiobook while I'm in the bus and boy it was the stupidest idea ever. Things got steamy sometimes and I blushed like a tomato. Good thing that I was wearing a mask cuz I was melting and getting red. Reading smut in the public transportation is something I've mastered, but listening to an audiobook? Moreover when things get spicy. Oh boy. Audible audiobook was narrated well so they do a perfect job with narrating all small sound effects. If you're a person who blush like crazy, I would recommend you to avoid public places while listening to audiobook.
So overall I loved this book. I surely am gonna continue reading this series cuz Elle Kennedy's writing is so good. If you're an adult who's looking for a cute romance, I would like to recommend this to you. (If you're a minor, I think you should wait until you grow up. Not recommend for minors at all) I can see myself reread this book in the future. It's so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Cancer