Is 'The Deal' okay for a 14-year-old who likes romance?

Probably not. While every kid is different, this book contains very graphic, descriptive sexual scenes that go far beyond what you'd find in a typical YA novel. It also deals with the aftermath of sexual assault in a way that requires a high level of maturity.

What does 'New Adult' mean for this book?

It means the characters are in their early 20s (college age) and the content is intended for adults. It’s basically adult romance that focuses on that specific life stage of leaving home and finding independence.

Are there any other trigger warnings?

Beyond the central theme of sexual assault recovery, there are also themes of parental emotional abuse and high-pressure expectations from parents.

Why is this book so popular suddenly?

It went viral on BookTok (the book community on TikTok) because it hits several popular tropes: fake dating, forced proximity (tutoring), and the 'golden retriever' boyfriend. It's widely considered one of the best-written examples of the college sports romance genre.

The Deal – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Deal

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2015

45%

WISE Score

A sharp, steamy college romance that handles heavy trauma with surprising grace—just keep it far away from the 'Young Adult' section.

The Deal

book

2015

45%

WISE Score

A sharp, steamy college romance that handles heavy trauma with surprising grace—just keep it far away from the 'Young Adult' section.

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Screenwise Verdict

If you're looking for a fun, witty, and very steamy romance for yourself, The Deal is a top-tier choice. It’s the book that essentially launched the modern 'hockey romance' obsession on social media, and for good reason: Elle Kennedy writes characters you actually like.

However, from a parenting perspective, this is a 'check the backpack' book. It’s frequently hyped on TikTok (BookTok) alongside titles that are appropriate for teens, which leads to a lot of 13-year-olds accidentally reading some very graphic stuff. It's a great read, just make sure it's reaching the right audience.

Age Fit

This is 100% an adult book. While it's set in college, the graphic sexual content and heavy themes make it inappropriate for the middle school or early high school crowd. It's best reserved for readers 17 or 18 and up who are ready for 'spicy' romance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it handles themes of healing and consent well, the 'wholesome' meter is low due to the high volume of explicit sexual content and heavy trauma, which isn't the vibe for a family-friendly shelf.

Imaginative

It's a classic 'fake dating' trope executed with sharp dialogue and better-than-average character development for the genre, though it stays firmly within contemporary romance boundaries.

Safe

This is an adult 'New Adult' romance. It contains explicit sexual scenes and detailed discussions of past sexual assault. It is safe for its intended adult audience but not for children or young teens.

Enriching

Surprisingly thoughtful about processing trauma, the importance of academic effort, and establishing healthy boundaries in a relationship.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuine chemistry between the leads that feels earned rather than just forced by the plot.
Nuanced handling of trauma; the protagonist is a survivor of sexual assault, and the book treats her recovery with respect.
Subverts the 'jock' stereotype by giving the male lead actual depth, wit, and a drive for academic success.
Fast-paced and funny dialogue that makes it a very quick, engaging read for fans of the genre.

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What to Watch For

The book is explicitly sexual. We aren't talking 'faded to black' here; it's detailed and frequent.
The backstory involves rape and sexual assault, which could be highly triggering for some readers.
It's often categorized as 'New Adult,' which is code for 18-22 year olds, but it frequently ends up in the hands of younger teens due to its Goodreads popularity.

Conversation Starters

"How did Garrett’s perception of Hannah change once he actually spent time with her instead of just seeing her as a means to an end?"
"The book deals with some very heavy past events—how do you think the author handled the balance between humor and trauma?"
"What does this story say about the difference between a 'transactional' relationship and a real one?"
"Why is consent such a major theme throughout their physical relationship?"

Deep Dive

The 'BookTok' Effect

The Deal is a fascinating case study in how modern book marketing works. Originally published in 2015, it saw a massive resurgence years later thanks to TikTok. It’s the gold standard for the 'Off-Campus' series and the 'sports romance' subgenre.

What makes it stand out from the sea of generic romance novels is the voice. Hannah isn't a wallflower; she’s a survivor who is actively taking her life back. Garrett isn't just a meathead; he's a guy who values Hannah's intelligence and respects her boundaries.

Why the Age Rating Matters

In the publishing world, 'New Adult' (NA) was created to bridge the gap between Young Adult (YA) and Adult fiction. In practice, NA almost always means 'Adult romance with college-aged characters.' Parents often see the college setting and assume it's safe for their high schoolers.

With The Deal, the safety concern isn't just the 'spice'—it's the weight of the subject matter. The book opens with the reality of sexual assault. While it’s handled with a lot of empathy, it’s heavy. If a teen is going to read this, they need to be at a maturity level where they can process both the graphic nature of the romance and the seriousness of the trauma involved.

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