In the bustling, competitive world of New Adult (NA) romance fiction, few books have achieved the cult-like status of Elle Kennedy’s The Deal. As the explosive opener to the Off-Campus series, this novel didn’t just land on bestseller lists—it stayed there, turning a story about a college hockey star and a music major into a modern classic of the genre.
📚 Just finished The Deal by Elle Kennedy, and I’m officially obsessed. vk the deal elle kennedy
Hannah Wells: A smart, independent, and resilient music major. She is a survivor of past trauma, which has left her cautious and guarded regarding intimacy and trust. The Deal by Elle Kennedy: The New Adult
| Character | Role | Key Traits | |-----------|------|-------------| | Hannah Wells | FMC | Smart, resilient, sarcastic, secretly insecure, passionate about music. | | Garrett Graham | MMC | Loud, loyal, emotionally guarded, cinnamon roll beneath the jock exterior. | | Justin | Ex-love interest (not villain) | Nice guy, just not right for Hannah. | | Logan | Garrett’s best friend | Future MMC of The Mistake; funny, supportive, womanizer with depth. | | The Assault | Backstory trigger | Handled carefully; not gratuitous. | Hannah Wells: A smart, independent, and resilient music
What sets The Deal apart from standard college romances is the depth of its protagonists. Elle Kennedy refuses to write two-dimensional stereotypes.
On the other side of the ice rink is Garrett Graham. He is the cocky, foul-mouthed, star forward of the Briar University hockey team. After a disastrous season, Garrett is in danger of losing his scholarship. To save it, he needs to ace a philosophy class. The only problem? He has the brain of a golden retriever when it comes to Kant and Hegel.