THE DEAL is a fabulous, page-turning, super enjoyable New Adult romance. I couldn’t stop reading, and this is one long book! Needless to say, I was bleary-eyed by the time I lift my head from my kindle, but I don’t regret every minute I spent with Garrett and Hannah.
Garrett Graham needed to pass his Ethics midterms or else he would be benched and there goes his shot at bringing his team to another championship. So, when he learns that Hannah Wells had aced the exam, he asked her to tutor him for the make-up exam in exchange for helping her to bag Justin Kohl, the guy she’s been crushing on. However, after an explosive kiss leads to the most satisfying sex of their lives, Garrett has to figure out how to make her see that the guy she wanted all along is right in front of her…
I enjoyed a lot of things about THE DEAL. First off, I enjoyed that Garrett and Hannah started off as friends. There’s an attraction, sure, but because Garrett needs Hannah as a tutor, and Hannah is so obviously unimpressed with Garrett (unlike the other girls who are obsessed with him and would give their eye-teeth for him to notice them), their reluctant acquaintance slowly evolved into a friendship of sorts. Their dialogue is realistic and fun to read about, and I like that Ms. Kennedy really took her time building their relationship. And with every interaction, Hannah discovers more about the real Garrett, and she learns he’s not what she thought he is. Their progression from friends to lovers is done so naturally and seamlessly that it seemed to be the natural progression for them. And that scene where Hannah opens up to Garrett about the ordeal she went through five years ago is so gut-wrenching that like Garrett, I just want to hug her tight as she cried.
Second, Hannah and Garrett are great characters, characters that are sympathetic and relatable, people you want to root for. I don’t know if the alternate first person point of view is what did the trick, but whatever it is, these characters worm their way into your heart. Garrett is a hunk and one of the most sought after guy on campus, but he’s truly a nice guy, ad he’s smart! His concern and tenderness for Hannah, especially when she’s all confused and messed up, and how into her he is will definitely win readers over.
“I never expected her. Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”
Hannah is a wonderful heroine; she’s smart and down-to-earth and I love how she calls Garrett out every time he’s acting like a jerk. Their chemistry is seriously hot and entertaining to read.
Third, hockey! I’m not a big sports fan, I admit, and I usually pass on sports romances, but I find hockey and I get along. There’s those tall, strapping hockey players, for one. LOL Seriously, I just might go catch a hockey game after reading this series! I think part of the reason for this is the author doesn’t try to cram the sport down your throat. She gives you enough to make you interested and intrigued. Then, because the heroines are not big hockey fans either, we get to learn about hockey along with them.
Overall, I love this book and I want more of Garrett and Hannah! I was sorry to see it end, but hopefully, we’ll see more of them in the next books! A highly recommended must read!
Rating: 5 stars
Summary:
New York Times bestseller Elle Kennedy brings you a sexy new Off-Campus novel that can be read as a standalone…
She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.
…and it’s going to be oh so good
All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.
Romancing the Books and More 