Name: AoG's review of The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Item: The Deal
Rating: 4
Author: AoG

Elle Kennedy

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.

Off-Campus, Book #1

The Deal

Christina Farkona

“But you know what my therapist used to tell me? The best way to forget a bad memory is to replace it with a good one.”

I agreed to help her not just because I’m her friend, but because I’m a 

. And when a woman asks you to have sex with her and give her an orgasm, you don’t think about it. You say 

Well, she got the orgasm. She did. And I know I’m going to get the sex. I will.

But right now, all I want is for this girl to smile at me again.

She goes quiet for a long moment, and then the most brilliant smile fills her face and lights up the room. It’s the first time Hannah has smiled at me like that, a smile that truly reaches her eyes, and it makes my heart clench in the strangest way.

“He’s actually a nice guy when he wants to be.”

When he wants to be? She says it like it’s the endorsement of the year, but the way I see it, people should be nice because they are, not because it’s a calculated move on their part.

There’s a reason I’m a history major, for chrissake—I deal in facts. Black and white. This happened at this time to this person and here’s the result.

I take a breath as I head down the aisle, clinging to that feeling of victory, however teeny it may be.

Alma 

I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight against me, and it's so familiar, so wonderfully perfect, that the love in my heart overflows and stings my eyes.

 Then he kisses me, and everything in my world is right again.

LMAOOOO this whole thing was for nothingngngnngngnggn

"Then you would have said you care about me more than you care about his stupid money." 

 "And you would have let him cut you off."

My stomach lurches. "He said you aren't eligible for financial aid, and that you wouldn't be able to get a bank loan."

"You would have had to clean out your savings account to pay for next term's tuition, and...and then what? We both know you can't afford rent and expenses and car payments when you're not working, so that means you would need to get a job and—"

“Im gonna stop you there, baby." The smile he gives me is infinitely tender.

 "So...let's back up. I let my father cut me off. Ask me what I would've said next."

 I bite the inside of my cheek. A little too hard, so I soothe the sting with my tongue. "What?" 

Garrett leans closer and sweeps his fingertips over my cheek. "I would've said, Don't worry, babe, I'm turning twenty-one in a few weeks, and my grandparents left ne a trust fund that I can access on January 2nd." 

We stay this way for a while, with her fingers in my hair and my head in her lap. Eventually she coaxes me into bed and I slide between the sheets fully clothed. We're spooning now, except she's the one holding me and I'm too fucking tired and ashamed to move.

 I fall asleep with her hand stroking my chest.

"You lost your temper," she agrees. "But that doesn't change the way I feel about you, or what I think about you. You said you'd never hurt me, and I still believe that." 

Her voice shakes. "God, Garrett, if you knew how badly I wanted to rip his eyes out tonight... "

 "Because I was in shock. I didn't expect to see him there." Her fingers slide over my scalp in a soft caress. "I don't want you to hate yourself for this,"

She bends down and brushes her lips over the top of my head. 

 I can't tear my eyes off Rob, who hasn't made it out the door yet. The group of friends he's with stop to talk to a few people, and he tosses a panicky glance over his shoulder, paling when he realizes I'm still staring at him. 

"Hannah. Jesus. You're white as a sheet. What's wrong?" I guess Im pale, too. I guess I look like Rob. I we’ve both just seen a ghost. 

 The next thing I know, my head is wrenched to the side as Garrett's hands clutch my chin to force eye contact. 

"Whar's going on? Who is that guy?" He's followed my gaze, and now he's watching Rob with visible mistrust.

I turn my back to the door, effectively eliminating any temptation to look Rob's way. Garrett pauses. Searches my face. Then he sucks in a breath.

"Oh fuck. Is it...” His horrified question hangs between us. 

"No,"I say quickly. "It's not. I promise."

My lungs burn from lack of oxygen, so I force myself to take a deep breath. "He's just a guy." 

Nausea circles my belly like a school of sharks. "Rob Delaney“

Garrett's gaze moves past my shoulder, which tells me that Rob is still here. Damn it, why can't he just leave already? 

Hard as I try, I can no longer pretend that my whole world hasn't been knocked off kilter.

My face collapses and I whisper, "It's Aaron's best friend. He's one of the guys who testified against me after the—“

When the mind-shattering pleasure finally abates, I register what song is playing in the car. 

My eyes fly open. "Did you re-download One Direction?"

"Uh-huh. So why is 'Story of My Life' playing?" I demand. 

She pauses, then lets out a big sigh. "Because I like One Direction. There. I said it." 

“You're lucky I love you," I warn her. "Because I wouldnt stand for it otherwise." 

Hannah grins. "Youre lucky I love you. Because you're a totalasshole and there aren't a lot of girls whod put up with it."

She's probably right about the asshole thing. 

She's definitely right about the lucky part.

That reminds me of icebreaker, I think. I’m getting a bit confused and mixing up all the hockey books😂

“…Because you're not like him. No matter how angry someone made you, you wouldn't hit them."

“That's not true. I've gotten into a brawl or two on the ice." 

I admit. "And one time I punched a guy at Malone's, but that's cause he said some nasty shit about Logan's mom and I couldn't not throw down for my friend."

Which just goes to show that Hannah Wells is...amazing. She’s so fucking attuned to me, my moods, my pain. I've never been with anyone who can read me so well. 

"And forget the choir. You don't necd it. Hell, I don't think you need Cass." He shakes his head in amazement. "Your voice is...fuck Wellsy, it's beautiful." 

 His impassioned expression tells me he's dead serious. 

I'm startled by the intensity in his voice, the emotion now glittering in his gray eyes. 

Wow. Okay. My entire life people have been telling me lm talented, but other than my parents, nobody has ever pleaded with me to sing to them.

it’s like that pond I skated on when I was a kid-from a distance, the ice looked so shiny and smooth, until you got close enough to it, and suddenly all the uneven edges and crisscrossed skate marks became visible. 

Covered with skate marks that ob ody ever seems to notice. 

And jeez, clearly I'm feeling way too philosophical tonight.

Alyssa Weaver

"Sorry to interrupt, boys and girls," Logan calls out, "but it's time to put your p's and v's away. 

"I know, right? We're in Garrett Graham's car. Part of me is tempted to go Carrie Underwood on it and carve my name into his leather seats."

 "Tell me about your grandmother again." "Now?" 

"She called to tell me that they might not be able to Ransom for Christmas either." "Ransom?" 

l hate October thirty-first with every fiber of my being, I just shrug and say, "It's a pointless holiday with silly traditions." 

Please excuse me while I go hang myself, I mutter. "Because Im so mortified right now." 

 i can say that this book is just another good one. (i already believe that i'm about to say it in every review of mine), but i just think that they're written in the best way possible.

you can read about lovely characters, a good plot, amazing chemistry and the perfect amount of spice scenes, as well as serious life struggles that make the characters all the more interesting. you can expect humor, sweet and cute couples that grow with each other, and great friendships.

i think there's no point in getting into great detail. it's just a very nice book that i highly recommend.

coming from The Graham Effect i can say that this book is just another good one. (i already believe that i'm about to say it in every review of mine), but i just think that they're written in the best way possible.

you can read about lovely characters, a good plot, amazing chemistry and the perfect amount of spice scenes, as well as serious life struggles that make the characters all the more interesting. you can expect humor, sweet and cute couples that grow with each other, and great friendships.

i think there's no point in getting into great detail. it's just a very nice book that i highly recommend.

i’m sorry but r4pe shouldn’t be a plotpoint for the romance….

rhea ⸆⸉

i’m sorry but r4pe shouldn’t be a plotpoint for the romance….



it was cute. kind of predictable. decent plot but i felt the skimmed over the important parts and was all about the sex.

jules hill

honya

this book was a solid 2.5 stars for me.. the beginning was AMAZING. the ending was AMAZING. but everything in between was kinda boring ngl😭 this book WAS SO FUNNY THO I COULDN’T STOP LAUGING! also i literally love everyyy singleee character except for fucking phil. even justin had me giggling at the end ngl

aubree

Leighanne Chalkright 

Omg. I was a total hater towards this series and this book, with no absolute reason.

I don’t even have anything else to add, I just really am in love with the characters and can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

Omg. I was a total hater towards this series and this book, with no absolute reason.

I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!

I don’t even have anything else to add, I just really am in love with the characters and can’t wait to read the rest of this series.



Kate Woodson

3,75 - I had so much fun reading this book. It made me feel that happy little rush that we love when reading a romance book. Also i liked how there were some serious themes other than the cute romance and friendship part.

Lili V Guba

Sara Uribe

I’m feeling extremely lazy and don’t feel like writing a full review but finally and shame on me that this was my first ever Elle Kennedy book. I’m in love *swoon*. What an absolutely fantastic read this was. I’m honestly surprised how much I loved this book. Hannah and Garrett had me from the start. This book is funny, sexy, steamy, and all around heartwarming. I can’t believe that I waited so long to finally read this book, it was GREAT! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The first book in an all new series featuring college hockey stars and the women they fall for, by New York Times bestseller Elle Kennedy.

Lauren Grey

I really thought this book was going to be over-hyped, but I was SO WRONG! I devoured this book in 24 hours and could not stop reading. 

Besides some cringey dialogue, I adored the banter and dynamic between the main characters. They were fun and flirty and I loved them. Garrett was a perfect hot, cocky, college jock, but he grows on you and by the end of the book you can’t help but adore him. He was so sweet and sincere when it came to Hannah. Hannah was a strong female lead with spunk and a bit of attitude and I liked seeing her grow and trust.

I found the rape storyline was handled with care and done very realistically. Her behavior I felt was on-point and I liked her sexual hesitation as well as her very believable trust issues and how those things evolved.

The mild friends-to-lovers in the middle was so so good! It might actually be one of my favorite parts of the book. It was genuine and fun and something I think a lot of us can relate to (just maybe not with the captain of the hockey team LOL). 

And I love when a sports romance actually showcases the sport and has the character ACTUALLY playing. It was obvious Elle knows about hockey and I was pleased to see a decent amount of the sport in the book.

Loverbooks

From 1 Ice Hockey romance read to another and after hearing a lot of people talking about this one recently, I knew that I need to pick this one up and I’m glad I did. This was an enjoyable read. This is my First Elle Kennedy book and I’m excited to Pick up another of her book’s (Maybe there is another one coming next!) She creates Characters with depth and both Hannah and Garrett had a personality and a story outside of each other other.

Told through both Points of View, We Meet Campuses bad boy and hockey player Garrett desperately needs to get his grade up in his philosophy class so he can continue to play. When he sees that Hannah aced a test everyone failed, he strongly pursues her to tutor him. Hannah refuses at first, but when Garrett realizes she's crushing on a football player he proposes to fake date her to catch the guy's attention.

 From Tutoring things start to grow form a friendship of sorts, and after a steamy kiss that friendship turns into more. There are some funny moments, some hot sexy times, some past baggage they must deal with, some family drama, and some sweet moments. This book had a lot, and it was nice to just get lost in a Cute Romance Book while watching the Sun set over the last 3 days!

I loved how throughout this book Garrett and Hannah react to each other and how they interact with each other Garrett is used to getting everything he wants while Hannah's had to work for most things but luckily, she's a strong person and doesn't always give into Garrett. On the other Hand Hannah, has had an event in her past that has done some serious damage, she’s managed to make a lot of strides except in one area. Since Garrett doesn't date girls, just has sex, Hannah thinks he is the perfect person to help her. Garrett doesn't mind helping but he wants more, much more.

Throughout the course of the book, I really enjoyed both getting to know each other They both have some little quirks that make them much more interesting. I’m not normally one for the Dual Point of Views but these ones worked well and added something to the story. 

I’m looking forward to Diving into the 2nd book in this Series Next!!

Ian Brakspear

From 1 Ice Hockey romance read to another and after hearing a lot of people talking about this one recently, I knew that I need to pick this one up and I’m glad I did. This was an enjoyable read. This is my First Elle Kennedy book and I’m excited to Pick up another of her book’s (Maybe there is another one coming next!) She creates Characters with depth and both Hannah and Garrett had a personality and a story outside of each other other.

Told through both Points of View, We Meet Campuses bad boy and hockey player Garrett desperately needs to get his grade up in his philosophy class so he can continue to play. When he sees that Hannah aced a test everyone failed, he strongly pursues her to tutor him. Hannah refuses at first, but when Garrett realizes she's crushing on a football player he proposes to fake date her to catch the guy's attention.

 From Tutoring things start to grow form a friendship of sorts, and after a steamy kiss that friendship turns into more. There are some funny moments, some hot sexy times, some past baggage they must deal with, some family drama, and some sweet moments. This book had a lot, and it was nice to just get lost in a Cute Romance Book while watching the Sun set over the last 3 days!

I loved how throughout this book Garrett and Hannah react to each other and how they interact with each other Garrett is used to getting everything he wants while Hannah's had to work for most things but luckily, she's a strong person and doesn't always give into Garrett. On the other Hand Hannah, has had an event in her past that has done some serious damage, she’s managed to make a lot of strides except in one area. Since Garrett doesn't date girls, just has sex, Hannah thinks he is the perfect person to help her. Garrett doesn't mind helping but he wants more, much more.

Throughout the course of the book, I really enjoyed both getting to know each other They both have some little quirks that make them much more interesting. I’m not normally one for the Dual Point of Views but these ones worked well and added something to the story. 

I’m looking forward to Diving into the 2nd book in this Series Next!!

Cassidy Webb

love a good romanoce, accidentally into hockey boys now

Keesha

Erin Cawthorn

I was looking for a fun and fast paced romance and that's what I got. It definitely wasn't a huge novel with great side character building but it was still fun and enjoyable to read. Some of the scenes were childish however I guess that's what you get with a college romance.

I want their banter!!! Was really good at getting me out of my reading slump

Jenna Thornton

Another booktok made me do it read and I am not even disappointed. 

Cass Paul

jordan

Julie Palacio

wattpad story with punctuation and correct grammar but kind of fire

Emmm :p

AMAZING. literally such a cute book and, even though it has kinda predictable romantic tropes, some of it isn’t predictable and all the characters are so well developed it’s like entering a whole different universe when you read it. i literally loved it

Julia

If you like toxic men with a soft side who will coerce you into dating them against your will, this book is for you.

Geraldine Alatriste López

Maybe it's the rush of just finishing it, because along the book I was like this is so a 4 star read, but fucking Garrett Graham won my heart over and now you have me writing a five star review. 
So beware that there are a few sexist comments coming from both of them but specially from hannah, but as we advance through the book they stop, a point for character development. 
Now, let's talk about the star of the book, Logan, im just kidding, Garrett mother fucking Graham, everyone talks about the holy trinity of the A's (Atlas, Aaron and adam) well this dude deserves his own fucking praise, he's amazing, and so sweet, and like just amazing in every sense possible. 
Someone told me that the cover looks incredibly smutty, which it kind of is, but you would be surprised how much emotion is charged in this book, definitely search TW. This book just made me realise how much I love books that talk about ice sports (hockey and ice skating), i will be reading the rest of the series, but, it'll be very hard to top this one, definitely one of my all time favourites.

Victoria Yu

The first hockey romance I have read and can honestly say that I am hooked! BRB going to buy hockey tickets!

It was a sweet story that wasn't drawn out too long. I really liked both main characters and enjoyed reading their dialogues, which were pure and made my laugh a lot. 
Even though some statements were very exaggerated in the beginning, it improved a lot during the book.
It was cute and simple, but not boring at all and I couldn't put it down!

AoG &
The Deal by Elle Kennedy

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AoG &
The Deal by Elle Kennedy