Title: The Deal
Series: Off-Campus Book 1
Author: Elle Kennedy
Published: February 24, 2015
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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 goodAll 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.
I can't believe it took me a year to read this book. This is my first book from Elle Kennedy and it won't be the last.
Hannah is a junior Music major at Briar University. Like any other college students, she goes to school then work. A year after her last relationship, this is the first time that she found someone she is interested with. The problem, the guy doesn't even know she existed. She has been crushing him for months.
Garrett is the Captain of the Briar University hockey team. Though the athletes of Briar represents the school, their professor just doesn't throw A's to them. They have to work for it to maintain their GPA in order to play. So when he received his exam grade C- and needs to retake the exam, he needs to get an A to stay with the team and for him to play and not get benched.
Garrett and Hannah are even in the same class but don't know each other. So when Hannah dropped her books and Garrett was there to help her and he saw her exam grade that is A-, he wants her to help him study. But unfortunately, Hannah doesn't have time to tutor him with her work and music practice.
But Garrett doesn't understand the word "NO". He is relentless and stubborn. He got her number, visit her work place and offer to help her out of her comfort zone in order this guy she is crushing for to notice her. And that gets her attention. For her crush to finally notice her. Just even to start a conversation with her.
Everything works perfectly according to their plan, but Hannah has some baggage that makes her doubtful if it is right to start or open up a new relationship when she has these insecurities. So she asked Garrett to help her. Finally, she shared her secret and insecurities and asked his help. It just started to a simple kiss that turns out to more.
They hang-out, sleep together in Garrett's bedroom without any s**, watch movie and just be there to each other and since the time they started to get intimate everything changes. Their connection got deeper, not just physical connection but also emotionally. But Hannah doesn't know where they stand. Aside from crushing this guy which that feeling sailed already, and Garrett not really looking for a relationship. But when Garrett heard that this guy is asking Hannah out, he lost his mind and made it clear to her what he felt for her.
It has been awhile since I have read a college book and I love The Deal. I love Garrett and Hannah's relationship. The banter, the sarcasm and of course Garrett's ego. His stubbornness every time Hannah rejects him. And I also love Hannah that she is no push-over. She can stand for herself and doesn't make this gaga everytime Garrett approach her.
Though they have this relationship figured out, there is always something or someone to hindrance their happiness. Hannah loves Garrett so much that she is willing to let him go in order for him to have his dreams especially playing hockey. But Garrett knew her so much and didn't buy her reason why she broke up with him. And of course finally, they got their HEA.
Though both of them have this baggage, they don't just focus on them let that baggage to define them. I really googled and listen the song "Tuesday's Gone" and I cried reading that part of the story.
This book is a funny, sweet and sexy read with just enough angst. Totally recommend this series.
ELLE KENNEDY
A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle writes romantic suspense and erotic contemporary romance from various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
