Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

21 reviews

kaykaysbookshelf's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

After learning that this author is harmful when it comes to wlw (women loving women) I do not feel comfortable rating this book.  If you are unsure of what I am referencing, the TLDR version is that Elle Kennedy fetishizes wlw but says that she has no interest in writing a wlw story (keep in mind that she has written MM).

I was told that this book is popular among younger people on TikTok, which is fucking baffling to me. This book is NOT a good example of how women should be treated, and I hope that anyone reading this realizes that. You deserve better and if you think your partner is anything like Garrett or his friends, please just take a moment to really look at that relationship and make sure you are being treated fairly and respectfully. 

The blatant misogyny throughout this book was so painful, that at times I thought this was a book written by a man. Women were treated as nothing but objects, only there to have sex with these hockey players. Even Hannah looked down on the women that they talked about, and acted like she was better then them. She was even rude to MJ when she got asked out because she just wasn't that pretty. What the fuck? On top of that, Garrett also refused to take no for an answer, forcing Hannah to tutor him and drink, which is not cool. 

CW: Sexual Assault 

My biggest problem with this book is how sexual assault and rape were portrayed. First off, Garrett compares having sex with a virgin to having sex with a rape survivor (he says victim which is not also not okay - you can google victim vs survivor mentality on that one), but anyways, he says the approach to sleeping with both are the same thing. After that quote, I was just fuming the rest of the book, it upset me so much because that is not even true and it belittles what she went through. She also constantly says that she needs to be fixed, which is not true. There's nothing wrong with her, and it was a perfect opportunity to open up a dialogue to that in the book, which didn't happen. 

This book left such a sour taste in my mouth and ruined my entire day, and honestly, probably my whole week. There is no way I will be continuing this series, or reading anything else by her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Misogyny, Bullying, and Child abuse

malisac16's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Domestic abuse

Minor: Bullying

kendrakeuler's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book is so good. Garret is one of the best men he makes Hannah feel safe and never forced her to do anything he also fell first. Hannah and garrets relationship is gold. There isn't to much sports stuff that's it's  just a sports book. The boys also have such a good friendship that's so supportive.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Alcoholism, and Death

Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Cursing, Grief, Mental illness, Stalking, and Bullying

culzean's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Cancer, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Violence

proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hannah Wells has finally found a guy who gives her butterflies, but previous experiences have given her self-assurance issues. How will she make Justin notice her?

Garrett Graham lives for hockey. When his GPA threatens to get him kicked off the team he has to find a solution quick. Maybe he and Hannah can make a deal? If she helps him pass the ethics course he will take her on a pretend date to make Justin jelaous. 

I've been waiting for this library book since January, but it was worth the wait! The basic story is predictable, but that's what you want here. It's the path towards the happy ending you need, and it's so much fun following Hannah and Garrett going from having preconceived notions of each other, to being friends, and then a step further. I love Hannah's sarcasm and Garrett's thoughtfulness, and their banter is so much fun! I definitely have a new book boyfriend in Garrett!

I like that Kennedy doesn't shy away from heavy and difficult subjects. Rape and domestic abuse are the biggest ones, but check triggerwarnings before reading. I think she does a great job including those subjects without it being cosmetic in any way. I'm looking forward to reading more by Elle Kennedy!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexism

kenzie_simone789's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying and Rape

alainareading's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Please carefully read through the TWs in this review. 

This was honestly such an uncomfortable read that I have to write down my thoughts. I couldn’t believe the casual misogyny, slut-shaming, and degradation throughout the book from both MCs. Like, Hannah labels the women that Garrett has hooked up with as “floozies” and puts herself way above every single woman since she’s just sooo different — her “panties” don’t “melt away” every time she looks at him. And Garrett isn’t any better! He says the grossest things about women, like how Hannah will be seen as “higher status” if she sleeps with him or if people think she’s sleeping with him, and therefore more desirable to men.

Also I couldn’t get over how no one talks like these characters, let alone college juniors. Who says “douchecanoe” and “tough cookie” and thinks those terms are hilarious?! I’d also like to share this excerpt that I cringed at while reading:

“I happen to be a fantastic kisser. Sadly, you will never get to find out.”
“Never say never,” he answers in a singsong voice.
“Thanks for that, Justin Bieber.”

Like, in what world would any twenty year old say that??

I genuinely thought this book was written in the 2000s or early 2010s but then the MC mentions the show Ted Lasso.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Bullying, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Body shaming, Classism, and Cursing

crystallis's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

storytimewithlily's review against another edition

4.0

I loved the relationship between Hannah and Garrett. I thought that last little hickup was a bit too much and too hamfisted and resolved a bit too quickly for it to have any real impact on the story. However the rest of the book was really good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse

alaynatabor's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault