The Deal – Elle Kennedy

Okay, so it’s been a while since I read this book for the first time, but somehow my brain decided to completely forget to upload this review. After rereading The Deal, I truly can say that you guys NEED to read this review. I mean I wouldn’t be rereading it if I didn’t love it… Regardless, I’m going to give you guys my review (from the first time I read the book). 

So after years and years of this book being recommended to me, I finally picked it up, and let me tell you – THE HYPE IS REAL. My god I am obsessed with this story, and this is coming from a girl who’s never read a sports romance before. Also a girl who isn’t even into hockey, so you know this was a good book. 

The story

I genuinely didn’t expect to love this story and the plot so freaking much. I thought that this would be a romance that would kind of bore me, especially since it’s a hockey romance and I’m not even particularly interested in hockey. But, I have to say, the plot kept me interested the entire time. 

I have to admit, it was a teeny tiny bit predictable. I mean come on, his dad was obviously going to cut him off and obviously they’d get through it because of the trust that Garrett just had to keep mentioning, but regardless of this, it only added to the tension and complete lust I had for Garrett Graham.

“Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”

The tension…it was sizzling.

Hannah and Garrett had me BLUSHING. These two are like the most unlikely duo, but the tension between them had me on my knees. I genuinely didn’t expect to love them so freaking much, but here I am, and they are yet another couple I will be obsessing over forever. 

Their first kiss had me stumbling over my words. I mean seriously, can it get any hotter than that? It had been leading up to that for soo long and when it finally happened I was in complete shock. It was perfect and gave me a tease of them and what they have store. 

The music major

Hannah is one of those characters that I think tons of people can relate to. Yeah, she’s a music major, but she’s so much more than that too. She’s interesting and funny, and smart and so freaking beautiful it’s not even funny. I feel like she’s one of those characters that everyone wants to be friends with. 

I can’t lie, at times she did give me major second hand embarrassment, but it only made me love her that much more. I feel like I could really put myself in Hannah’s shoes, and it was almost refreshing to have a main character that’s so well rounded and real. 

The Hockey Player

Garrett Graham, my god, I think I’ve found the one. If Garrett has one fan, it’s me, if Garrett has zero fans, I’m dead. This man stole my heart from the beginning of the book with his persistence and stubbornness and need to do right by those that he loves. He made me feel unique and beautiful despite the flaws that I think Hannah and I both share. He made me feel seen, and heard and it was amazing to see that a character that’s so popular can fall for the nobody. 

“Baby, I could watch you watching paint dry, and I still wouldn’t be bored.” Garrett Graham, my own personal sweet-talker.”

Garrett was one of those characters that came out of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, I’d heard tons of people praising the god that is Garrett Graham, but I didn’t get it until now. He really is some sort of god. He’s such a genuinely good hearted and kind person. 

The Deal

If you know me, you know I love a fake dating, tension filled, slow burn romance, and this book DELIVERED. I was shaking with anticipation, I was on the edge of my seat, I was begging for more. I loved this story and I loved the characters, and I love Elle Kennedy for giving me this world that I will now cherish with my entire being for more Garrett and Hannah content. 

Rating: 5/5⭐️