Short Summary: The Deal by Elle Kennedy is the first book in the Off-Campus series, a New Adult romance that follows the blossoming relationship between Hannah Wells, a shy and academically focused college student, and Garrett Graham, a charming and popular hockey player. After an embarrassing encounter with her crush, Hannah is determined to gain his attention by making Garrett an offer: help her pass a difficult class, and in return, she will pretend to be his girlfriend to help him win back his ex. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement gradually evolves into a genuine emotional connection, and both characters learn about themselves, love, and the complexities of trust, trauma, and personal growth. The book explores themes of overcoming personal struggles, healing from emotional wounds, and the power of authentic connection.
Book Information:
Title: The Deal
Author: Elle Kennedy
ISBN: 978-0994041229
Genres: New Adult Fiction, Romance, Sports Romance
Published Year: 2015
Detailed Summary:
Hannah Wells and Her Struggles:
Hannah Wells is a smart, introverted college student at Briar University who has largely kept to herself after a traumatic event in her past. She’s bright and focused, excelling in her studies, but has a deep-seated insecurity when it comes to relationships and romance. She is still haunted by the aftermath of a past sexual assault, which has led her to develop a self-protective barrier against intimacy and affection. Her confidence is in academics, where she excels, but she finds herself lacking in social skills, especially when it comes to men.
While trying to work up the courage to confess her feelings to her crush, Justin, Hannah is humiliated when she overhears a conversation where Justin reveals that he has no interest in her. He is far more attracted to Garrett Graham's ex-girlfriend, Grace, leaving Hannah feeling embarrassed and rejected. To make matters worse, she’s also struggling in one of her classes, Psychology, where she’s failing due to an inability to connect with the course material. Her academic future depends on improving her grade, but Hannah feels stuck.
Garrett Graham: The Popular Hockey Player:
Garrett Graham, on the other hand, is everything Hannah isn’t. A popular hockey player with a charismatic and confident demeanor, he seems to have everything going for him — fame, athletic ability, and an easy-going, albeit cocky, nature. Garrett is known for his good looks, his partying lifestyle, and his ability to charm everyone around him. However, beneath the surface, Garrett harbors a secret emotional pain stemming from his past. His father’s emotional distance and the pressure to live up to expectations as a top athlete have shaped Garrett’s perception of himself and his relationships.
Garrett’s life seems to revolve around his hockey career and keeping up his popularity at school. However, he is struggling with relationship issues involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace. When Grace breaks up with him, Garrett is left heartbroken and determined to win her back, but he has no idea how to go about it. His frustration with his situation is palpable, especially as he realizes he’s no longer in control of the narrative of his life.
The Deal: A Proposition Between Two Opposites:
After Hannah’s embarrassing encounter with Justin, she realizes that she needs to do something drastic to make her crush jealous and gain his attention. She comes up with a plan: she will help Garrett pass his Psychology class, where he is struggling, if he agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend. This way, she will have a way to deflect the attention off her embarrassing crush and shift the focus to her new, fabricated relationship with Garrett.
At first, Garrett is reluctant, but he agrees to the deal, recognizing that his academic struggles are jeopardizing his future as a hockey player. Initially, the arrangement is strictly business. They have no real emotional connection or desire for anything beyond helping each other achieve their individual goals. However, as they spend more time together studying, attending social events, and sharing personal moments, both Garrett and Hannah begin to feel an undeniable attraction for each other.
Emotional Growth and Transformation:
As their fake relationship develops, Garrett and Hannah both start opening up to each other in ways they never have with anyone else. For Garrett, the relationship forces him to confront the emotional baggage he’s been avoiding for years. His father’s distant attitude and his own insecurities about love and commitment are tested by his growing feelings for Hannah. Through their time together, Garrett realizes that his initial feelings for Grace were more about ego and pride than genuine love.
For Hannah, the relationship with Garrett begins to break down her walls of emotional protection. She starts to feel truly seen by him, not just as a subject to be studied or a girl who has been rejected, but as someone who is worthy of love and affection. Garrett’s attentiveness and growing emotional intimacy show her that not all men are like her past experiences, and she begins to trust him more deeply.
Their shared moments—whether it’s Garrett listening to her recount her painful past or the time they spend getting to know each other outside of their fake relationship—create a bond that neither of them anticipated. Their connection moves beyond the initial physical attraction, becoming something more real and meaningful as they support each other through their personal struggles. Garrett helps Hannah with her emotional baggage while she helps him with his academic and relationship issues.
Challenges and Conflict:
Despite their deepening feelings for each other, the relationship is not without its challenges. Hannah’s past trauma continues to weigh heavily on her, and she struggles to let go of the fear that she might be vulnerable again. Garrett, on the other hand, still holds onto his own issues with trust and vulnerability. The couple faces external pressures, especially from Garrett’s hockey career, his team dynamics, and the looming specter of Grace, who re-enters Garrett’s life.
Additionally, there’s tension between the expectations placed on Garrett and the reality of his own emotional needs. He must decide whether to prioritize his public persona or open himself up to a real connection with Hannah. The path to true love is fraught with self-discovery, facing insecurities, and letting go of past fears.
Climax and Resolution:
The climactic moments of the book come when both Garrett and Hannah are forced to confront their true feelings for each other. Garrett realizes that he doesn’t want to go through life pretending or avoiding real emotional connections anymore. He needs to confront his own vulnerabilities and decide whether he is willing to risk everything for a chance at love.
Similarly, Hannah must face her past trauma head-on and acknowledge her emotional growth. With Garrett’s support, she learns to trust again, embracing the possibility of true love despite her fears. In a moment of heartfelt honesty, Garrett confesses his feelings for Hannah, solidifying their bond. The resolution of the book reveals their growth as individuals and as a couple, leading them to a place of mutual respect, love, and understanding.
Themes:
Healing from Trauma and Trust:
One of the core themes of The Deal is healing from past trauma. Both main characters, Hannah and Garrett, have their emotional scars. For Hannah, her past trauma affects her ability to trust men and fully embrace intimacy. For Garrett, his emotional wounds come from a strained relationship with his father and the disappointment of his past romantic relationships. Throughout the novel, they learn to heal and open up to each other, showing that trust is essential for any relationship to thrive.Love and Self-Discovery:
The novel emphasizes the theme of self-discovery through love. As Garrett and Hannah grow closer, they come to terms with their personal struggles and insecurities. They each undergo emotional growth, realizing that they are capable of much more than they initially believed. Their romance is a catalyst for self-empowerment and the journey of learning how to love themselves as well as each other.The Power of Genuine Connection:
At its heart, The Deal is about the power of genuine human connection. What begins as a fake relationship turns into something deep and meaningful. The bond between Garrett and Hannah demonstrates that real relationships are built on mutual respect, emotional vulnerability, and authentic connection.
Conclusion:
The Deal by Elle Kennedy is a captivating blend of romance, humor, and personal growth. It explores the complexities of love, trust, and healing through the evolving relationship between two characters with emotional baggage. Hannah’s journey from a shy, guarded girl to someone capable of experiencing real love is inspiring, as is Garrett’s evolution from a popular, somewhat superficial athlete to a man who understands the importance of emotional depth and vulnerability. Through their fake relationship, they both discover self-love and mutual respect, ultimately forging a powerful and enduring bond. The Deal is a heartwarming tale of love overcoming fear, and the importance of being open to both healing and growth.