The Deal
About The Deal
The international bestseller! A standalone novel* from New York Times and international bestselling author 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 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.
What readers say
Often named the best of the series, The Deal wins readers with Hannah and Garrett's banter and a fake-dating, friends-to-lovers arc that feels natural and earned. It also handles serious themes in Hannah's past with care. Critics point to some cringey moments in Garrett's chapters, less heat than later books and a forced third-act conflict with Garrett's father.
Best for: Readers new to sports romance and anyone who loves banter-heavy fake dating.
Summary of public reader reviews, updated October 2026.
