The Deal(Off-Campus #1)
by Elle Kennedy
🌶️ Quick Spice Verdict
Heat Level
Steamy
Spicy Scenes
~3 scenes
POV Style
Dual POV
About The Deal
Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she carries 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. Enter Garrett Graham, captain of the hockey team and a total heartthrob. But Garrett has his own problems — he's failing a class and needs a tutor. Hannah is smart enough to help, and Garrett is charming enough to coach her in the art of seduction. The deal is simple: she'll tutor him, he'll help her land her crush. But as their arrangement unfolds, the line between fake and real starts to blur.
Reading Vibes
🌶️ Spice Level Breakdown
Moderate spice with well-built tension. The intimate scenes develop naturally from the characters' growing connection and are steamy without being overly explicit. The slow burn makes the payoff satisfying.
Tropes in The Deal
Characters who start as adversaries and gradually fall in love
A pretend relationship that becomes real
One brooding character paired with an optimistic one
Romance set in the world of athletics
Content Warnings
⚠️ Content Warnings
- Explicit sexual content
- References to past trauma
- Alcohol use
Should You Read The Deal?
✅ Perfect For You If...
- •Fans of college sports romance
- •Readers who love witty banter and slow burn
- •Anyone looking for a fun fake-dating story
⛔ Skip This If...
- •You prefer high fantasy settings
- •You want very explicit spice (this is moderate)
Our Take
The Deal is the gold standard for college sports romance. Elle Kennedy nails the fake-dating-to-real-feelings arc with sharp banter, genuine chemistry, and characters you actually root for. Garrett Graham is the hockey hero of your dreams — cocky but kind, and completely smitten once he falls.
📚 Series Information
The Deal is book #1 of 5 in the Off-Campus series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Deal spicy?
Yes, The Deal has a spice level of 3/5 on our scale, which we rate as "Spicy (Moderate Scenes)." Explicit intimate scenes, moderately described. Moderate spice with well-built tension. The intimate scenes develop naturally from the characters' growing connection and are steamy without being overly explicit. The slow burn makes the payoff satisfying.
What is the spice level of The Deal?
The Deal by Elle Kennedy is rated 3 out of 5 on the SpicyBooks spice scale. This means it's "Spicy (Moderate Scenes)" — explicit intimate scenes, moderately described. The steam level is: Steamy.
How many spicy scenes are in The Deal?
The Deal contains approximately 3 intimate/spicy scenes. Moderate spice with well-built tension. The intimate scenes develop naturally from the characters' growing connection and are steamy without being overly explicit. The slow burn makes the payoff satisfying.
What tropes are in The Deal?
The Deal features the following romance tropes: ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers, 💍 Fake Dating, 🌤️ Grumpy / Sunshine, 🏈 Sports Romance. These tropes are central to the story and shape the romantic dynamic between the characters.
Does The Deal have content warnings?
Yes, readers should be aware of the following content warnings for The Deal: Explicit sexual content, References to past trauma, Alcohol use. We always recommend checking content warnings before reading if you have specific sensitivities.
Is The Deal part of a series? Do I need to read it in order?
Yes, The Deal is book 1 of 5 in the Off-Campus series. As the first book, this is the perfect starting point.
Who would enjoy The Deal?
The Deal is perfect for: Fans of college sports romance; Readers who love witty banter and slow burn; Anyone looking for a fun fake-dating story. The reading vibes are: Funny, Steamy, Feel-good, Romantic.
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Ready to Read The Deal?
Now that you know the spice level, tropes, and content warnings — grab your copy!