Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Title: The Deal
Author: Elle Kennedy
Published: February 24th 2015
Source: Purchased
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

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.

My Thoughts:

When I first heard about this book, I immediately freaked out and knew I had to get my hands on this. First of all, it's Elle Kennedy, and you know I love her. And second, it's new adult by Elle Kennedy. I had (and I mean HAD) to read this. From the minute I picked it up, I couldn't... stop... reading...

Hannah is one of my favorite heroines now. She's a sweet girl who isn't about to just fall for Garrett's brand of flirting, not for lack of trying. When he discovers she can be the ticket to him passing a class he's failing, he tries to find a way to convince her to help him. He sees her pining after a guy and offers his help there. He'll take her to a party as his date to get the attention of said guy. Hannah's reluctant to pretend anything of the sort with Garrett, but she agrees to it anyway.

The two of them spend time together as she tutors him, which extends into hanging out and marathoning TV shows. Pretty soon they're practically friends. Then one night after much bantering and teasing, they kiss... and that kiss completely catches them both off guard. It throws them both for a loop, leading them into something more than friendship. The two of them open up about their past, and it opens the door for something even deeper than either of them ever expected.

The Deal was the most captivating new adult novel I've ever, ever, ever read. I've been rereading alllllll of my favorite scenes over and over again. Everything about this--the romance, the friendship, the realistic college experience, the humor--was perfection. It all developed at the perfect pace. My heart was full when it came to what both Hannah and Garrett had to face, but seeing them do so together made my heart melt. Garrett is a book boyfriend to swoon for; Hannah is a heroine to cheer for; and both of them are a couple to root for and hug forever. Definitely in my top ten books of all time.

My Rating: