My The Deal Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
The Deal by Elle Kennedy is the opener to the Off-Campus series and a college romance with heart and heat. Hannah Wells, a whip-smart music major, has worked hard to protect herself after a traumatic past. She's focused on scholarships, studying, and occasionally crushing on campus football players—from a safe distance. Garrett Graham, hockey team captain and campus heartthrob, needs to pass Ethics or risk losing his spot on the team. When Garrett convinces Hannah to tutor him, he offers a trade: he'll help her land her crush in exchange for her academic help. Their “fake dating” scheme should be simple, but the sparks that fly between them are anything but pretend. As they help each other tackle insecurities, trauma, and ambitions, their friendship deepens, and lines blur into late-night confessions, banter, and eventually, way more than either expected. But trust and healing don’t come easy—especially when old wounds and outside pressures threaten everything they’re building.
Why I Love This Book
I love the way this book mixes banter, romance, and real emotion. Hannah and Garrett feel honest—their flaws, their chemistry, and their growth are all grounded and relatable. The “fake dating” setup could have been pure cliché, but the writing makes it feel new, fun, and a little messy in the best way. What stands out most to me is how the story handles tough topics: trauma, consent, and vulnerability are front and center, but the book never loses its humor or heart. The way Garrett supports Hannah and listens—without rushing her or making the story about saving her—won me over. Their dynamic is sweet, snarky, and sometimes explosive. The side characters brought real spirit, giving this world that “found family” feeling. Scenes had me laughing, swooning, and sometimes tearing up. I finished and immediately wanted to start the next book to see more of this friend group. For me, this is what a great New Adult college romance should be: swoony but real, sexy but caring, and so readable it's dangerously easy to stay up too late with.
Who Will Like This Book
If you want a college romance with real stakes, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and a “fake dating” trope done right, you’ll go for this one. Fans of slow-burn relationships with off-the-charts chemistry and strong, flawed leads will feel right at home. If you love sports romance, found-family friend groups, and stories that talk openly (but sensitively) about tough topics, you’ll find a lot here. The book has explicit open-door scenes, some frank talk about sex and past sexual assault (handled with respect), and covers issues like family dysfunction, trauma, and trust. It’s perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen, or ice hockey magic with a dash of sass.
⚠️ Trigger warning: Includes explicit sexual content, discussions of rape and trauma, violence, strong language, and emotionally abusive parents.
Tagged As
college romance, sports romance, hockey romance, fake dating, opposites attract, slow burn, found family, dual pov, trauma healing, strong heroine, charming hero, witty banter, open-door romance, new adult, emotional depth, redemption, friends to lovers, sweet romance, contemporary, series, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
The book is open-door with a few explicit scenes, but nothing gratuitous. The focus is on connection, communication, and emotional resonance. The steam is genuinely sexy but also serves the growth of the leads. If you want heat with real heart and consent always respected, this is a great pick.
