The Deal Book Review
The Deal by Elle Kennedy, released in February 2015, was one of those books everyone seemed to be talking about when I picked up reading again in 2020. By the time I caved and downloaded TikTok during the pandemic, it was all over my “For You” page whenever I searched for book recommendations. Still, at the time, I was mostly diving into fantasy, so I ignored it for a few months… until May 2021, when I finally bought a copy. And yet — here we are, four years later, with the book still sitting on my TBR.
So why now? The upcoming TV series adaptation currently in production. I’m the kind of reader who has to read the book first — because if I watch the adaptation first, chances are I’ll never pick up the book at all. Sometimes, a movie or TV series is the push I need to finally take something off my TBR and give it the attention it deserves.
Nearly a decade after its release, The Deal has maintained excellent ratings on Amazon and Goodreads, and its popularity is still going strong. It’s no surprise, then, that this turned out to be a five-star read for me as well. The story hooks you instantly with its effortless blend of humor and romance.
The relationship between Hannah and Garrett begins as a simple, mutually beneficial arrangement, but soon deepens into a connection built on friendship, trust, and witty banter. Beneath their teasing, they challenge and support each other in ways no one else has, breaking down walls and learning to be vulnerable. As their chemistry grows, the line between “pretend” and “real” begins to blur, and what started as a deal transforms into something genuine and deeply felt.
Elle Kennedy delivers a romance that is as fun as it is heartfelt, balancing sharp humor with moments of real emotional weight. The Deal isn’t just about attraction — it’s about healing, trust, and letting someone in, even when it feels safer to keep your guard up.
The Deal is the first of five books in the series, followed by The Mistake, The Score, The Goal, and The Legacy. Its TV adaptation is currently in the works at Amazon MGM Studios, with Louisa Levy serving as showrunner and Gina Fattore as co-showrunner. Ella Bright (The Crown) will bring Hannah to life, while Belmont Cameli (Saved by the Bell reboot) will portray Garrett. The series is slated to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in 2026.
Whether you’re picking it up for the first time or revisiting it before the TV series drops, The Deal is the kind of romance that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even stay up way too late turning pages. If it’s been sitting on your TBR, consider this your sign to finally dive in.
Get your copy of The Deal here
Thanks for stopping by and reading my review! Happy Reading and may your next book be just as unputdownable.
Until the next book travel, M.
Other titles in the Off-Campus Series by Elle Kennedy:
Don't forget to follow: