The Deal by Elle Kennedy Review: 5 Reasons Why This Brilliant Romance Will Steal Your Heart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
“Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don’t know how you ever lived without them.”
— Elle Kennedy, The Deal
If you’re into slow burn college romance books with witty banter, emotional depth, and characters who feel like real people — then buckle up, because my The Deal by Elle Kennedy Review is about to prove why this Off-Campus series starter is a non-negotiable must-read. This book isn’t just fluff; it’s a heart-hitting, binge-worthy new adult romance novel that BookTok has been screaming about for years.
The Setup – Briar University Vibes 🎓
Set in the fictional Briar University, The Deal introduces us to Hannah Wells — a sharp, sarcastic music major who’s academically confident but secretly scarred by past trauma. Enter Garrett Graham, Briar’s cocky (and ridiculously hot) hockey captain who needs tutoring to stay on the team.
The “deal” is simple: she tutors him, he helps her catch the eye of her crush. But you know how fake deals go in romance books — feelings crash the party, and soon this fake relationship romance starts looking very, very real.
Hannah Wells – The Smart, Scarred, & Strong FMC 👩🎓
Hannah is one of those college romance heroines you actually root for. She’s witty, refreshingly self-aware, and while her scars run deep, she never lets them define her. Watching her growth — choosing trust, love, and vulnerability again — makes her one of the most relatable female leads in new adult romance.
Garrett Graham – Hockey Captain, Book Boyfriend Material 🏒
At first, Garrett is every cliché “arrogant jock” rolled into one. But Elle Kennedy takes him apart piece by piece, showing us a man who is loyal, caring, and fighting to escape his father’s abusive shadow. He’s not just the “hot hockey player” — he’s the ideal book boyfriend who’ll bring you soup when you’re sick, listen when you’re messy, and cheer for your dreams louder than anyone.
Why The Deal is a Must-Read 💡
✨ The Chemistry → Hannah and Garrett’s banter is chef’s kiss — sarcastic, hilarious, and perfectly balanced with swoon-worthy tension. (Think enemies-to-lovers energy sprinkled with friends-to-lovers warmth.)
✨ The Emotional Realism → Kennedy tackles trauma, family dysfunction, and consent in a way that feels genuine, not heavy-handed.
✨ The Side Characters → Briar’s hockey boys are ICONS. If you fall for Garrett, wait till you meet Logan, Dean, and Tucker in the rest of the Off-Campus series books.
✨ The Writing Style → Quick-paced, funny, and loaded with heart — exactly the kind of writing that makes a book bingeable in one sitting.
Final Verdict – Dope or Nope? 🎯
This is a solid DOPE. Whether you’re new to Elle Kennedy books or already deep into college romance novels, The Deal is the kind of story that’ll leave you laughing, swooning, and maybe even tearing up a little. It’s not just a guilty pleasure — it’s the kind of emotional romance read that stays with you long after you’ve closed the last page.
If you’re looking for the best new adult romance book to start 2025 with, trust me — The Deal is it.
Where to Buy The Deal by Elle Kennedy 📖
(Pro tip: The Kindle edition is perfect if you want to binge at 2 a.m. without waiting for delivery, but trust me — the paperback looks gorgeous on a bookshelf.)
💡 Related Reads on DopeOrNopeHub:
If you loved this The Deal by Elle Kennedy Review, you’ll also vibe with my Haunting Adeline Review — another dark, addictive romance that flips the genre on its head.
