For What It's Worth


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Review: The Deal (Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy

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.

Goodreads | Source: Purchased

Review:

I'm always over the moon happy when I finish a book like this.

I bitch a lot about old, tired tropes - but the truth is I kinda love them. The problem is they begin to read like a broken record (especially if you're reading 100's of books per year like I do). At times, it can seem like if you've read one friends to lovers, damaged hero/virgin trope you've read them all. 

But maybe not. 

When it's done right and when an author delves deeper in to the characters you see why they are tried and true topes. Elle Kennedy did a beautiful job with one I dread the most (and probably wouldn't have even read had I known going in).



The Deal was surprisingly romantic and low angst - despite dealing with a serious issue - which is totally glossed over in the cover copy.  It's the kind of book that restores my faith that there are still romances out there for the readers who can handle some angst but want characters who strive to be better and want important topics handled with care. 

My advice is to ignore the standard (boring) cover and the summary because The Deal is about so much more than just a shy girl having a hook up with a hot bad boy.

The Deal is at times funny, sexy, heartbreakingly sweet and definitely romantic.

I would say it's a cross between Sophie jordan's Foreplay and Jennifer Armentrout's Wait for You - both of which I loved. 

19 comments:

  1. I wouldn't have looked at this twice because of the cover, I've seen too many similar ones already :( This does sound like a cute novel though, thanks for putting it under my radar now! Lovely review
    <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. It's such a bland cover O_o

      I wouldn't have taken a second look without my whole twitter feed talking it up.

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  2. Omg no, that trope! I hate that trope, but I am glad it worked

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    1. If I had known where it was going I would have never read it. So I guess it's good I didn't know lol

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  3. My god, everyone loves this book! And now you love it, too! I must must must read it, if the high marks from just about everyone I know aren't enough, it sounds super fun, too.


    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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    1. Wendy! It's goooood. Super cliche but GOOD. lol

      I think the summary is a tad misleading but it is fun - sweet too.

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  4. Glad to hear that she took that extra step in delving deep into the character to overcome the cliche and worn

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    1. Me too. I always hate when authors add something traumatic to a story and then treat it so lightly.

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  5. I'm still socked that, not only you READ this but loved it. I'm happy that you liked it and that mix sounds good...I haven't read Wait For You but whatever lol

    I definitely want to read it but *just* because you liked it, that cover and blurb and a no-no for me and are misleading IMO.

    P.S: I've seen all kinds of talk about this book and everyone says it's good so you must be right haha ;-)

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    1. I KNOW!! If I had known how far this story was headed in advance, I wouldn't' have read it.

      It is super cliche but the characters and story are so well written I didn't care.

      I felt all warm and smushy inside at the end lol

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  6. There is nothing wron with formula as long as they followed it to the letter. Like baking cake. Hehehe... I'm with you on familiar tropes and themes, when done right they can be comforting and satisfying.

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    1. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with tropes and cliches lol

      One book will make me bored to tears or angry but another will feel like the most comforting thing in the world and leave me super happy.

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  7. You're right, sometimes cliches and old tropes really can work. It just depends on how the author works it. Glad you liked this one so much.

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  8. I'm tempted to try this. Because I agree -- even the most tired trope can be redone

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  9. I love her books. I need to get my hands on this one for sure. And... ::snort:: I love the cover. It pops for me. So glad you enjoyed it!

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  10. You know, sometimes all I want is one of those (tried and true) tropes to take me away, Lol! You caught my attention with Sophie Jordan' & Jennifer Armentrout, both of which I've enjoyed. I'm very curious now and since its a books one I ned to check this one out more.
    Thanks for the great review, Karen :)

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  11. I know what you mean. It does seem like an over done trope but when done correctly... This is one I would have passed on and now it will join the wishlist with Jordan and Armentrout's contemporaries.

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  12. I love the Saint Pattys design!

    I think I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy certain tropes (especially NA). Misunderstood badboys is definitely a trope that I have to read sparingly (because there are so many in NA), and I can definitely see how this has similarities to Foreplay. This is probably wrong, but it sounds like it goes a lot deeper than just a tired trope, I'm thinking along the lines of Make it Count. I could be dead wrong, but that's just the feel I get.

    I'm rambling now. Excellent review Karen, unlike everyone else I knew absolutely nothing about this book! :)

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  13. A shame that none of what you said in your review came over in the synopsis. I've always had a bit of a problem when it comes down to this sort of cover anyway so wasn't expecting too much of the book looking at that.

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