Hannah Wells is a music major who needs help getting the attention of her crush. Garrett Graham is the captain of the college hockey team and needs a tutor to pass his ethics class and maintain his athletic eligibility. The two strike a deal: Hannah will tutor Garrett if he helps her make her crush jealous by fake-dating him. As they spend time together, they navigate personal trauma, including Hannah’s past experience with sexual assault and Garrett’s strained relationship with his father, eventually shifting their arrangement into a real romance.
Readers who enjoy the sports romance genre and the fake-dating trope will appreciate this story. It is written for those looking for a balance between humorous banter and serious emotional subjects. The audience walks away with a narrative about reclaiming autonomy after trauma and the development of a partnership built on mutual academic and emotional support. They see how clear communication and shared vulnerability can transition a transactional agreement into a lasting commitment.
Practical, inward-looking, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
Insights from The Deal
“I’m not a hero. I’m just a guy who knows how to fake it.”
Garrett shows how some guys hide behind humor. It keeps people from seeing the cracks in his perfect life.
“I don't need a knight in shining armor. I need a sword.”
Hannah doesn't want pity for what happened to her. She just wants to feel like she owns her body again.
Tutoring starts as a transaction but turns into safety. They find a rhythm in the quiet moments between the jokes.
“You’re the only person who hasn’t asked me for something.”
Small gestures matter more than grand ones. Garrett bringing her coffee exactly how she likes it feels bigger than any party.
- Published
- 2015
- Publisher
- Elle Kennedy Inc.
- ISBN
- 9780994054401
- Language
- EN
