When The Deal first landed on my radar, it was already making waves in the romance community, and its recent adaptation as an series has only widened its audience. As the first book in Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series, it follows Hannah Wells, a college student with a crush on her hockey teammate, and Garrett Graham, the cocky but charming hockey star who needs her help to pass a music class. What starts as a transactional tutoring arrangement predictably evolves into something more.
Reading this book feels like watching a well-produced but familiar TV drama. It’s the kind of story you pick up for a lazy weekend or a long commute—easy to digest, with a steady rhythm of banter and tension. The real-world usage here is pure escapism: you’re not looking for literary complexity, but for a reliable emotional payoff. The pages turn quickly, which is both a strength and a sign of its formulaic nature.
Key functional features include the dual first-person point of view, alternating between Hannah and Garrett. This allows readers to see both sides of the developing relationship, which adds depth to the otherwise predictable plot. The dialogue is snappy and often humorous, especially in the early tutoring scenes. The college setting is vividly sketched—dorms, parties, hockey games—creating a backdrop that feels authentic without being overly detailed. The pacing is tight; the book doesn’t linger too long on any one conflict, moving efficiently from setup to resolution.
However, there are clear limitations. The characters, while likeable, lean heavily on tropes: the grumpy athlete with a hidden soft side, the determined heroine with a past trauma. Hannah’s backstory involving a sexual assault is handled with some sensitivity, but it can feel like a plot device to explain her emotional guardedness rather than a fully integrated character trait. The romance itself follows a blueprint so closely that readers familiar with the genre will predict every beat—the misunderstanding, the grand gesture, the third-act breakup. The hockey element is present but rarely central; it’s more of a costume than a core part of the story.
Comparing The Deal to other new adult romances, it sits comfortably alongside works like Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster or Colleen Hoover’s early novels. All share a focus on intense emotional connection, college settings, and a balance of steamy scenes with relationship drama. Where The Deal differs is in its lighter tone and more pronounced humor. It’s less angsty than some alternatives, which may appeal to readers who want a less heavy experience. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a romance with more realistic friction or deeper character development, books like Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell or Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston might offer more nuanced takes on similar dynamics.
This book is suitable for readers who enjoy fast-paced, trope-driven romance with a college backdrop and don’t mind predictable storylines. It’s a good pick for fans of series like After or The Deal itself, especially if they want to see the adaptation afterward. It is not suitable for readers seeking literary fiction, complex plotting, or stories where the romance is secondary to other themes. Those sensitive to depictions of sexual assault or who dislike the ‘bad boy redeemed by love’ trope should approach with caution.
Ultimately, The Deal delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, steamy, and emotionally safe romance. It won’t challenge you or surprise you, but if you’re in the mood for comfort reading, it fits the bill. The series brings a visual dimension but doesn’t elevate the material beyond its origins. For a neutral recommendation, I’d say it’s a solid entry in the genre, but not a standout.