The Deal

I'm going to quickly start with this cover since its what attracted me to grab this book in the first place. Truthfully NA-SPORTS themes aren't really my jam but come on now, this is 🔥🔥🔥 and so was this story!Not sure what I had gotten myself in for because I hate to admit but this was my first Elle Kennedy read... hey, you have to start somewhere though right? Totally up my alley, great writing, plot, characters, plus it tactfully covered some serious topics, giving awareness without being over-the-top in your face. So well done to Kennedy for not going off on some tangent i have had to endure many times (by other authors)👊Garrett - captain of Briar's Ice Hockey team, player extraordinaire, flunking his grades...Hannah - A-grade student, has a crush on the football star, made a deal with the hockey star...They met by chance or perhaps things happen for a reason? Either way Hannah was the one who could help him pass his ethics test because if he didn't, his failing grade was going to have him cut from the team and that just wasn't an option... now he just had to find a way to get her to agree? Driving Hannah insane with his persistence to tutor him, she was starting to hate him more and more by the minute. Hannah's main focus was rehearsing and winning the upcoming winter singing contest, and the five thousand dollar prize that would pay for next semesters board and meal fees.Then Garrett found something Hannah couldn't refuse? THE DEAL was done and so the start of their story begins...Garrett and Hannah couldn't be more different but throughout their tutoring sessions an unlikely friendship forms without them even realising it. As much as Garett's cocky attitude and playboy ways irk the hell out of her, she finds herself wanting to spend time with him, plus, he is her way in to the "cool kids" crowd and finally getting her crush to notice her.Garrett does PUCK BUNNIES not relationships, yet he finds himself wanting to be with Hannah, even if it is just hanging out and bonding over Breaking Bad. He made a deal with her in exchange to help him pass his test, yet why all of a sudden does he regret it?Hannah left her hometown after she was raped. Although her few years of counselling has helped her get through it and in no way is she a victim, there are still some things she struggles with... e.g. drinking at parties, actually, drinking anything she didn't get herself is an issue and do is orgasming unless done solo. Garrett has his own internal struggles. His father is/was a famous Hockey star and expects nothing less when it comes to his son and family, no matter what means he resorts to?Garrett and Hannah's friendship goes from strength to strength until Garrett offers to help Hannah with her "issue" and hey, it's not for his own selfish reasons either! We watch Hannah grow in her confidence but still remain true to her kind nature. Garrett although he will always be his cocky self, does start to show a more mature and softer side. Although totally opposite they live up to the saying "opposites attract" in true form.The story continues revolving around hockey, singing, personal issues, friends, jealous puck-bunnies (Love that!) crushes and even enemies. We see two of the main issues at hand get some main focus for a minute - and this is where I applaud Kennedy - she was able to highlight such issues but in such a way it was woven into the story naturally but still making a point. Great work!I really, really enjoyed this story. I also liked Hannah and Garrett's characters and together they still had that younger persons fun and innocence, great banter...but still had that good ole hot chemistry, attraction and sex that I demand from my reads!All the supporting characters were just as likable and I see some go on to get their own story. I would really like to know more about what was going on in Logan's head re Hannah and hope this is highlighted in his book?Overall, as a reader who doesn't really do sports themes, I may have just been swayed slightly? I will go on to read the next installment from this series and as a new reader to Elle Kennedy, I can say her writing style and competencies are just what makes a reader a fan! The ONLY negative (and some may call me crazy, I can't believe I'm saying this myself) is the length, a little too long.Highly recommend 😍

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***The Deal by Elle KennedyBook One of the Off-Campus seriesPublication Date: February 24, 2015Rating: 4 starsSource: Kindle copy bought from Amazon***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***Summary (from Goodreads):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.What I Liked:I love Elle Kennedy's romance novels - her series published by Entangled Brazen is so good! As much I love Elle Kennedy, I'm not a New Adult contemporary romance person. I've struggled with the genre, after reading so many back in 2013, when it first exploded. But I'm very happy that this book was only $0.99 (on sale), because I could not miss the sale. And I'm glad I didn't because I LOVED this book!Hannah has been attracted to a grand total of two boys - one being her ex boyfriend, the second being a hunky football player who doesn't know she exists. When Garrett Graham, captain of the hockey team and all-around player and ladies' man, offers to take her on a date to get Justin's attention, in exchange for tutoring, Hannah puts common sense aside and agrees. Garrett can't fail this class, because doing poorly would mean getting benched and missing games - which isn't going to happy. What also shouldn't happen is the simmering chemistry between him and his smart tutor. But will Garrett win Hannah over?I'm not into New Adult contemporary romance (hits waaaaay too close to home for me, as well as the books are usually very repetitive ripoffs of a select few big hits), but this book was very different, and for a lot of reasons. One of the biggest differences is that while there IS a Big and Terrible Thing of Hannah's Past, it is NOT the focus and end-all-be-all of this book. It's not a dark weight hanging over the book. And while Garrett also has kind of a Not So Good Past, it's again NOT a black cloud over the story. Nothing about the "tough issues" in this book is overwhelming, all-encompassing, and totally cliche. Which was refreshing!What this book WAS made of was lots of humor and slightly awkward situations, sarcasm and adorable banter. Garrett and Hannah have never spoken two words before, but everyone knows who Garrett is. Garrett is floored by the fact that Hannah isn't jumping at the chance to tutor him. Or let him take her on a date, to catch another boy's eye and get her on his radar (trust me, this actually makes a lot of sense, especially from a college student's point-of-view). Garrett really has to work to get Hannah to agree to tutor him, and this beginning really amused me. Watching Hannah shoot him down every time was hilarious!I connected so well with Hannah! Smart, dedicated, hard-working, living in the library... I get her. I'm also an idiot who tutored an athlete for long hours of a semester (my story wasn't a cute as hers though). I also really identify with her some of her personal and financial struggles, and how she is so different from Garrett as a person. Hannah is such a great protagonist! I wasn't swamped in sympathy for her - it's clear that she didn't need a man to help her get past issues (which is usually what is typical in New Adult contemporary romance novels).GARRETT! He is so great as well. Swoony and sexy and shameless and sweet and silly and adorable and stubborn (ALL the "S" adjectives), this boy had me from the start. I have a soft spot for athletes - particularly soccer and hockey players. Especially particularly the captains. Garrett may seem like an arrogant prick from a distance, and he may really have earned his player reputation among the ladies, but he's also a good guy. And so much more than his good looks and yummy bod.I love the romance! About two fifths of this book features a purely platonic relationship between Garrett and Hannah. I love how this is set up, because it's kind of a friends-first-lust-second relationship, of which I am a huge fan. Garrett and Hannah can be in the same wrong and discuss classes and shows and personal things, like FRIENDS. Things changed when they kissed, and I do like how much chemistry develops. Their physical relationship is very slow ad exploratory, in a slow-burn way. They learn to trust each other as much as they learn what the other likes.The climax of this book (which, in typical New Adult contemporary romance novels, usually features a ton of drama) wasn't as bad as I was expecting, from a New Adult novel. Sure, it's kind of typical in a blanketed sense, but it's also way less on the drama and more focused on the tender, sweet ending. I loved the ending!Overall, I really liked this book. I'm glad it was on sale, because I have been intrigued but on the fence with this book since it appeared on my radar about a year ago. I regret not reading this sooner!What I Did Not Like:There is one thing that bothered me about this book, but I see it is something that is addressed in the next book, featuring Logan and whoever he falls for. So I won't say anything specific, but... it bothered me. Still is. I might not read The Mistake.Would I Recommend It:I highly recommend this book! This could be one of my favorite New Adult contemporary romance novels - which you never hear me saying. Yaaassss to a hot hockey player! Even bigger yaaaaaassssss to a smart, tough girl who doesn't take the hockey player's crap! Low on the drama, high on the swoon and giggles: good balance!Rating:4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars (you will also never see me rate a New Adult contemporary romance novel higher than 4 stars, so this book is quite exceptional). I don't know if I'll convince myself to read The Mistake, and I see I've missed its $1.99 sale. But I want to continue with this series, especially for Tuck's book!

Absolutely adored this book!!!!!! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!I loved how well developed all the characters were, and even the growth, the two main POV’s had over the course of the book. I felt the author did an incredible job, representing many mental health themes, and topics. This book made me laugh, made me feel like my heart was about to rip out of my chest, and also was a happy place over the past couple days!it is a bit (a lot) smutty, but I highly recommend it!!

I love college romances, this was my first read from Elle Kennedy and it did not disappoint. I loved Garret, he gave such a golden retriever vibe he was amazing. Hannah is so smart, but not the virgin I don’t know anything except school type, she is fun smart. She knows her stuff even though she doesn’t trust guys or party’s after what she went through. I loved the tutor tutee relationship of the two of them and I love Garret in general he is amazing!

This book is a perfect teenage read i read it in 4 days and i loved every second of it 🥰

GAAAARREEEEETTTTTR GRAHAM THE LOML OMG.I loved this book so much it was so cute and funny and good omg omg love this series !!!

It was a book which left me with so many questions and main one was "why i even tried to read this book?"i totally get that it's not my cup of tea. We have this college romance, but i think that FMC was quite rude and toxic (especially in her thoughts) about other girls and sportsmen. It's just not pleasant to read all this judgement and rudeness. I kinda liked MMC, but i have no idea why he clicked with our FMC. So even though i finished this book, i think it'd be better if i dnf-ed it. some side characters were fine, but still so many questions. and 0 interest to read rest of the series, i'm afraid. (however, my girlfriends loved this series so much).Note, i haven't seen any TW in this book, so... if you don't want to read about past SA and dark moments, please skip this book, or at least know that me got first mentioning of it on THE FIRST page, right between thoughts about our love interest. Joy....