The Deal

Hannah Wells is a dedicated music student at Briar University with her sights set on a career in classical music, but when she bombs an important midterm, she needs help fast—and that help comes from the most unlikely source. Garrett Graham is the hockey team's star captain, a confident player both on and off the ice, who needs a favor of his own: he wants Hannah to help him win over another girl by pretending to be his girlfriend. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement soon becomes far more complicated than either of them anticipated. This college romance delivers all the swoon-worthy banter and chemistry readers crave, with two strong-willed characters who challenge each other at every turn. Kennedy crafts a relationship that evolves naturally from reluctant allies to friends to something deeper, all while balancing humor with genuine emotional depth. The hockey setting adds an appealing backdrop of team camaraderie and competitive spirit, while the fake dating premise provides plenty of opportunities for tension and sparks. Fans of New Adult romance will appreciate the perfect blend of steamy moments, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and characters who feel authentic in their struggles with ambition, family expectations, and opening their hearts to love.