The Deal Summary by Chapter | Elle Kennedy

Hannah feels crushing guilt — her parents are treated as “pariahs” in their small town of Ransom, Indiana, because of what happened to her. She offers her savings, but her mother insists she focus on college and her possible scholarship.

Allie invites Hannah to spend Thanksgiving in New York, but the cost is too high. Hannah reflects on her failed relationship with Devon, who dumped her because she could not reach orgasm with him.

She worries privately that she is sexually broken, convinced her trauma has permanently scarred her ability to have a normal romantic life.

Chapter 11

Hannah shows up for tutoring bundled in a heavy parka and mittens, looking like she “flew in from Alaska.” She is horrified by the massive purple bruise on Garrett’s ribs, a visceral reminder of hockey’s physical brutality.

Garrett admits his father pushed him into the sport at a young age, but he stayed because he genuinely loves it. They spend the afternoon studying, then binge-watch Breaking Bad together over pizza.

Hannah declines a beer, citing a general dislike for drinking at parties, which Garrett files away as curious. They discuss future plans — Garrett has no “Plan B” besides hockey, while Hannah considers songwriting or teaching.

Garrett teases that they should “rehearse” the flirting and kissing expected at Maxwell’s party. After much goading, Hannah snaps and agrees to a “warm up.”

Chapter 12

The challenge leads to an intensely passionate kiss that leaves both of them breathless and reeling. Garrett realizes he wants far more, but the moment is shattered when Dean bursts into the room.

Hannah, panicking, tries to play it off as “make-out skills” practice. Dean finds this hilarious, and in a bizarre impulse, Hannah kisses him to get a “second opinion.”

Garrett watches with a face “darker than a thundercloud,” furious and fascinated in equal measure. Hannah flees the house, leaving him to wrestle with his rage and a growing, undeniable attraction.

Chapter 13

As the party at Beau Maxwell’s approaches, Hannah feels tangled in nerves and confusion about her feelings for Garrett. She lies to Allie, claiming she is only attending because she “lost a bet.”

Garrett arrives and immediately critiques her outfit, insisting she swap her top for a form-fitting red sweater that shows off her figure. Allie surprisingly agrees, and Hannah reluctantly complies, her heart doing a “stupid little flip” when she sees him.

At the packed party, Garrett keeps a protective arm around her and personally ensures her drinks remain safe. Hannah finally explains her “no drinking” rule — a friend was drugged at a party and suffered a terrible experience.

Garrett promises he would never let that happen to her, and the sincerity in his voice touches her deeply.

Chapter 14

Beau Maxwell recognizes Hannah from her spring showcase performance and praises her talent. Justin Kohl enters the party and looks visibly displeased to see Garrett and Hannah together.

Garrett’s plan works as Justin intercepts them, but watching him flirt with Hannah right in front of him frustrates Garrett more than expected. His former hookup Kendall then confronts him, making a scene about him being on a date.

Hannah rescues Garrett by dragging him away and correctly guessing his favorite color is black. Garrett realizes he is genuinely jealous of Justin and wants to sleep with Hannah himself.

He also recognizes that Hannah is the only female friend he has ever had, and he has no idea how to navigate these unfamiliar feelings.

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Chapter 15

At the Coffee Hut, Hannah’s artsy friends tease her about “dating” Garrett Graham. Justin Kohl finds her there and asks why she always leaves parties with Garrett, then formally invites her on a dinner date for Sunday.

Hannah agrees but feels apprehension instead of the excitement she expected. Garrett calls repeatedly while she is with Justin, eventually inviting her to Dean’s birthday bash on Monday.

Garrett passes his makeup exam with an A-minus and celebratory hugs Hannah, nearly kissing her in the hallway. He asks her to trust him with one drink at the bar, promising to be her “bodyguard and bartender.”

At the bar, Garrett meticulously watches the bartender prepare her piña colada to ensure nothing is tampered with. Hannah ends up doing drunk karaoke, and the entire bar — including Garrett — is mesmerized.

Chapter 16

Hannah has a blast at the bar, debating technology with Garrett’s teammates and dancing with him to “Tuesday’s Gone.” The song holds deep sentimental weight for Garrett — it was played at his mother’s funeral — and he becomes visibly upset.

While Garrett is in the bathroom, Hannah runs into her ex-boyfriend Devon and his new girlfriend. Devon makes a cutting remark about Hannah “working better alone,” triggering her deepest insecurities about her inability to reach orgasm.

Garrett finds her crying in the hallway. She confesses she feels “broken,” and they return to his house where she gets drunk and starts twerking with Dean. Garrett forcefully intervenes and takes her upstairs.

Hannah passes out in his bed after admitting she “might be broken but can still have fun.” Later, she wakes and tries to seduce him while still intoxicated, but Garrett plays the gentleman and stops her, prioritizing her trust over his desire.

Part 3

Chapter 17

The next morning, a sober Hannah asks Garrett to have sex with her as a “test run” to see if she can overcome her sexual dysfunction. She finally reveals the full truth: she was the one drugged and raped at fifteen — not a friend.

She explains the trauma “broke something” inside her, leaving her unable to reach orgasm with any partner. Garrett is filled with “white-hot rage” toward her rapist but channels it into a promise to help her heal.

He researches how to be intimate with trauma survivors and seeks advice from his wise teammate Birdie about making a woman feel safe and comfortable. They agree to an “exercise in trust” — masturbating in front of each other.

Hannah reaches orgasm in Garrett’s presence, and both feel an overwhelming sense of relief and connection. Garrett insists they continue taking “baby steps” before full intercourse.

Chapter 18

Hannah tells Allie she and Garrett are “fooling around,” prompting an ecstatic happy dance from her roommate. But she feels a sharp pang of guilt — her date with Justin is still on the calendar, and her feelings have shifted entirely to Garrett.

At rehearsal, MJ reveals she is dating Cass, which explains her persistent bias. Garrett shows up afterward and engages in a “macho posturing” match with Cass, repeatedly calling him “Chazz” to belittle him.

Hannah and Garrett go back to his place and have sex for the first time. She discovers she is “addicted” to him and his “dirty mouth,” and for the first time, she reaches orgasm with a partner.

Afterward, Hannah cooks a massive three-cheese lasagna for Garrett and his roommates, who demolish it. Garrett realizes that having a girlfriend “fucking rocks” and begins reconsidering his stance on relationships.

Chapter 19

The couple spends Thanksgiving at Phil Graham’s brownstone in Beacon Hill, an evening thick with tension and cold silences. Garrett notices Phil’s new girlfriend Cindy flinches whenever he touches her, confirming the abuse continues.

Phil pulls Garrett into his study and mocks his hockey performance, blaming Hannah for his “distraction.” Garrett nearly strikes his father but stops himself, realizing Phil “isn’t worth it.”

Before leaving, Garrett tells Cindy he knows what is happening and offers his phone number and help. On the drive home, Hannah comforts him, assuring him he is nothing like his father.

They pull over and have sex in the backseat of the Jeep, where they finally confess “I love you” for the first time.

Chapter 20

For two weeks, life is “scarily good” until Hannah is abruptly dumped from the duet by Cass and MJ. Her advisor Fiona allows her to perform an original solo instead, softening the blow.

At a hockey game, Hannah spots Rob Delaney, one of the friends of her rapist who lied under oath during the hearings. She turns into an “ice statue,” paralyzed with horror.

Garrett notices her reaction, demands to know who the man is, and immediately stalks over to attack him. He beats Rob to a pulp in the arena, earning a one-game suspension and a stern lecture from Coach Jensen.

Garrett feels like a monster afterward, but Hannah assures him she does not hate him, though she wishes he had not confronted Rob. He breaks down in tears, admitting he was “lonely” and “broken” before meeting her.

Chapter 21

The morning after the fight, Phil Graham visits Hannah at the diner and delivers a cold ultimatum. He calls Garrett a “liability” and threatens to cut off all financial support — rent, car, and tuition — unless she ends the relationship immediately.

Hannah realizes Garrett would have to work full-time and likely quit hockey to survive. Believing she is protecting his future, she heart-wrenchingly breaks up with him, claiming things are “moving too fast” and she wants to see other people.

Garrett is devastated and calls her a “fucking coward.” Hannah spends the next week as a “misery zombie,” missing him desperately but convinced she made the right choice.

At the winter showcase, she delivers a breathtaking solo performance dedicated to Garrett and wins the $5,000 scholarship. Garrett is in the audience and confronts her afterward, telling her he does not believe her breakup lies.

Chapter 22

During Christmas break in Philadelphia, Hannah finally tells her mother the truth about the breakup and Phil’s blackmail. On New Year’s Eve — also Garrett’s birthday — she calls him, and they share a strained but meaningful conversation.

Back at school, Hannah discovers every guy on campus is avoiding her. She learns from Sean, Allie’s boyfriend, that Garrett has invoked a “campus-wide hands-off law,” threatening to beat up any man who touches her.

Furious, Hannah storms into the hockey locker room — accidentally seeing “penises everywhere” — and confronts Garrett. He grins like “the town idiot,” thrilled his plan worked to bring her back.

Hannah finally confesses that his father blackmailed her. Garrett laughs, revealing he has a trust fund from his grandparents that he accessed on his 21st birthday. He already sent Phil a check for everything he ever owed, rendering the threats powerless. They reconcile and reunite.

Chapter 23

Garrett is at the gym, consumed by a red-hot fury after learning the full details of Hannah’s rape at fifteen. He imagines finding the perpetrator and committing murder, though he does not even know the man’s name.

During a workout with Logan, he is so distracted he nearly drops a barbell. Logan calls him out on his sudden intense interest in “Wellsy,” and Garrett admits his feelings have changed — he is genuinely invested.

Despite his desire, Garrett feels immense pressure to perform well and not let Hannah down in their impending sexual encounter. He recognizes she is not “broken” but simply needs someone she can trust.

Garrett seeks advice from Birdie, using the term “virgin” as a safe proxy, and is told to go slow, prioritize her comfort, and focus heavily on foreplay. He leaves the gym slightly more prepared but still deeply stressed.

Chapter 24

Hannah arrives at Garrett’s house so nauseous from nerves she nearly throws up in her borrowed car. She finds him alone — he has cleared the house of roommates to give them privacy.

She nervously asks if she should strip immediately, but Garrett laughs and hands her a T-shirt, suggesting they watch an episode of Breaking Bad first to help her relax. As they watch, he begins touching her gently, bridging the gap between friendship and intimacy.

Their kissing turns passionate, and Hannah feels a surge of arousal she has not experienced in years. However, when she touches his erection, she is momentarily intimidated, calling him a “man monster,” which breaks the tension with laughter.

The intimacy stalls when Hannah feels Garrett watching her, triggering a flashback to her assault. Realizing she does not fully trust him yet, Garrett proposes an “exercise in trust” where they masturbate in front of each other.

Chapter 25

Garrett admits to himself he has never masturbated in front of a woman before and feels a strange mix of nerves and intense arousal. He finds Hannah’s naked body absolute perfection and can barely contain himself.

He encourages her to show him how she touches herself when alone, creating a safe space for her to explore her own pleasure in his presence. They match each other’s slow, deliberate pace, talking through their desires.

Hannah admits she is thinking about Garrett’s fingers and how sexy he is. The tension is electric, and Garrett feels profound satisfaction knowing his presence alone turns her on.

Hannah reaches a powerful orgasm calling out his name, and he finishes moments later, feeling an incredible connection. Afterward, he insists on continuing “baby steps” despite her eagerness for full intercourse, realizing her smile is becoming more important than the sex itself.

Chapter 26

Allie catches Hannah sneaking back into their dorm and demands to know what is happening with Garrett. Hannah admits they are “fooling around,” sending Allie into a jubilant happy dance.

During the conversation, Hannah feels a sharp pang of guilt remembering her upcoming date with Justin Kohl — her feelings have shifted entirely to Garrett. At rehearsal, she finds a cellist named Jae has been added to her duet without her knowledge.

Too exhausted to argue with Cass or MJ, she lets them do whatever they want. Garrett surprises her afterward with coffee and proceeds to alpha-male Cass by calling him “Chazz” and making subtle threats about how he treats Hannah.

Cass is visibly intimidated by Garrett’s size and hockey-star status and retreats quickly with MJ. Hannah is both embarrassed and amused by the protective display and realizes she wants to go back to his place immediately.

Chapter 27

Hannah and Garrett return to his bedroom, and she is so overwhelmed by desire she tries to undo his belt before they even finish kissing. He playfully teases her eagerness but confirms they no longer need to go slow if she is ready.

They undress each other, and Hannah is awestruck by his physique and the black flames tattooed on his arm. Garrett is far more attentive and focused than her ex-boyfriend Devon ever was, treating her as a partner rather than something fragile.

He performs oral sex on her, and Hannah experiences a mind-blowing orgasm that leaves her in tears of joy. Garrett jokes about being a “sex god,” lightening the mood after her emotional release.

She returns the favor, discovering how much she enjoys making him lose control. They finally have full intercourse, with Hannah taking the lead and riding him, which allows her to maintain a sense of control. Afterward, while Garrett is at practice, she cooks a massive three-cheese lasagna for him and his roommates as a thank-you.

Chapter 28

Garrett returns home with Logan to the smell of home-cooked Italian food and is stunned to find Hannah in his kitchen. No woman besides his mother has ever cooked for him, and the gesture genuinely touches him.

His roommates descend on the meal like hungry wolves, equally impressed. During dinner, the group discusses Halloween, and Garrett’s roommates reveal he hates the holiday — Garrett keeps the true reason, his father’s past abuse, to himself for now.

Logan’s obvious longing for Hannah makes Garrett feel intensely possessive and protective. After dinner, Tucker forces the guys to do the dishes while Garrett drives Hannah home, as per “mom’s” rules.

In the hallway, Garrett kisses Hannah deeply and realizes he is genuinely reconsidering his entire “no-girlfriend” policy. Hannah has become an essential part of his life in a remarkably short time.

Chapter 29

Garrett spends Halloween night alone, avoiding the parties he hates due to traumatic memories of his father beating him on that night when he was twelve. Hannah ditches her dorm’s Halloween event to keep him company, sensing he is struggling.

They settle on the couch, and the conversation turns serious as Hannah reveals the full details of her rape case — how the justice system failed her because her rapist’s family held power, and how her own parents were financially and socially ruined.

Garrett is consumed by a “blind rage” on her behalf. In response to her vulnerability, he finally confesses his own secret: his father, the legendary Phil Graham, is a violent monster who abused him and his mother for years.

He admits he felt relief when his mother died because her suffering finally ended. Hannah comforts him, and they use physical intimacy to replace his bad memories with good ones, cementing a bond of trust that goes far beyond a casual fling.

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Chapter 30

Hannah takes her friends Dexter, Stella, and Allie to Garrett’s hockey game against Harvard in his Jeep. Dexter provides comedic relief with his fascination for the game’s “dirty” sounding terminology.

Hannah is mesmerized by Garrett’s performance on the ice, seeing him as a powerful and skilled athlete. After Briar wins, he finds her outside and begins introducing her to his world.

The happy moment is interrupted by Phil Graham, who demands Garrett come home for Thanksgiving, using his financial control over Garrett’s tuition as leverage. Garrett is left shaken and enraged but hides the severity from Hannah.

On the bus ride home, Logan tells Garrett that Justin Kohl is bragging about having a date with Hannah that coming weekend. The news hits Garrett like a “machete to the gut,” making him question everything they have built.

Chapter 31

Garrett shows up at Hannah’s dorm late at night, visibly upset and demanding to know if she is going out with Justin. Caught off guard, Hannah admits Justin asked her out before she and Garrett became intimate, but she has not decided what to do.

Garrett is furious and hurt, accusing her of using him as a “fluffer” to get ready for another man. He tells her he was ready to make their relationship official, but her indecision proves they are just “wasting time.”

Hannah tries to explain, but Garrett will not listen and slams his way out of the dorm. She realizes she does know what they have — and is terrified she has just lost him.

Chapter 32

Garrett trudges through the freezing cold toward his Jeep, feeling the familiar sting of rejection and the “girlfriend drama” he always tried to avoid. Hannah chases him into the parking lot in her pajamas, shivering but determined.

She calls him out for being unfair and not giving her a single second to process his sudden demand for a relationship. She reveals she already canceled the date with Justin because she is “only hot for Garrett.”

His anger vanishes instantly, replaced by pure joy. They officially agree to be an exclusive couple, and Garrett experiences the “sweetest words” when she calls him her boyfriend.

Part 4

Chapter 33

Two weeks into their official relationship, things are going “scarily good” until Cass and MJ successfully lobby to remove Hannah from the duet. They claim the song “suffers” as a duet, but the betrayal stings deeply.

Hannah’s advisor Fiona allows her to perform an original solo instead and gives her the pick of any accompanist. Hannah chooses Jae the cellist and begins working on a new arrangement.

Meanwhile, Garrett and Logan meet Hannah and her friends at the diner, and the two social groups start bonding surprisingly well. Hannah asserts her “nutritionist” authority by refusing to let the hockey players drink soda before their game against Michigan.

Chapter 34

Late at night, a stressed Hannah works on her solo song when Garrett calls. He is in physical pain after a brutal game and asks her to sing to him as a distraction.

She sings the “sad song” she once played for him, and Garrett tells her that her voice gives him chills. In a vulnerable moment, he asks her to come home with him for Thanksgiving because he “can’t go back there alone.”

Hannah is apprehensive but agrees immediately because she loves him and wants to be his emotional shield during the holidays.

Chapter 35

Hannah and Garrett arrive at the formal, oppressive Graham brownstone in Beacon Hill. Garrett is visibly tense, dressed in a suit, barely speaking to his father or Phil’s new girlfriend, Cindy.

Hannah meets Cindy and immediately notices her “old eyes” and the bruising on her wrists. Dinner is a nightmare of silence and Phil’s passive-aggressive comments about Garrett’s hockey performance and Hannah being a “distraction.”

Phil makes it clear he views Hannah as a “liability” to Garrett’s professional future. Hannah feels a deep kinship with Cindy, recognizing the unmistakable signs of an abusive relationship.

Chapter 36

During dinner, Garrett watches Cindy flinch whenever Phil moves, confirming his suspicions that his father remains a monster. Phil pulls Garrett into his study to berate him for his suspension and blame Hannah for his “lack of focus.”

Garrett finally stands up to his father, accusing Phil of using Cindy as a “punching bag.” He realizes he is no longer afraid — he is a better man because he can control his temper.

Before leaving, Garrett pulls Cindy aside and tells her he knows what Phil is doing, offering his help whenever she is ready to leave. On the drive back, Hannah assures him he is “nothing like” his father.

They pull over on the side of the road and have emotional sex in the backseat of the Jeep, during which they both finally say “I love you.”

Chapter 37

Life continues to be good as the showcase approaches and Garrett’s team keeps winning. Hannah rehearses her solo with Jae and feels genuinely excited about her music again.

She attends one of Garrett’s games, sitting with Natalie, Birdie’s girlfriend, and the two become fast friends. Briar wins a close game, but as Hannah waits for Garrett afterward, she spots Rob Delaney in the crowd.

Rob is one of the men who lied during her rape hearing. The sight of him turns her into an “ice statue,” and Garrett notices her reaction immediately, demanding to know who the man is. When she reveals Rob’s identity, Garrett loses all control.

Chapter 38

Garrett goes on “autopilot,” seeing the world through a red mist as he pursues Rob Delaney. He confronts him, calling him a “piece of shit without a conscience” for what he did to Hannah.

When Delaney insults Hannah, calling her a “slut,” Garrett snaps and brutally attacks him. Logan has to slam Garrett into a wall to stop the assault, and Garrett accidentally hits his friend in his blind rage.

Garrett is suspended for one game and must tell the whole story to Coach Jensen to explain the fight. Bloody and ashamed, he goes to Hannah’s dorm, feeling he has proven he is just like his father.

Hannah comforts him, assuring him he is a good person who lost his temper for the right reasons. They fall asleep together, her steadfast support steadying him through his guilt.

Chapter 39

The morning after the fight, Phil Graham visits Hannah at the diner and delivers a cold, calculated ultimatum. He blames her for Garrett’s suspension and demands she end the relationship immediately.

Phil threatens to cut off all financial support — tuition, rent, car payments — knowing Garrett has no credit or savings of his own. He explains that Garrett would have to work full-time and give up hockey just to survive.

Believing she is saving Garrett’s future and his dream of going pro, Hannah heart-wrenchingly agrees to the breakup. She feels sick and defeated, realizing Phil Graham is a true monster who will stop at nothing.

Chapter 40

Hannah avoids Garrett for days before he finally corners her at her dorm. She delivers a scripted breakup speech, claiming they are “moving too fast” and she needs to “see other people.”

Garrett is devastated, asking if she is scared of his temper, but she denies it and sticks to her lies. He calls her a “fucking coward” and storms out, his heart completely shattered.

He goes home and gets “seriously fucking trashed” with Logan, trying to numb the pain. Garrett is left in a dark place, unable to comprehend how the woman he loves could simply walk away.

Part 5

Chapter 41

A week has passed, and Hannah is a “misery zombie,” missing Garrett every second of every day. She prepares for the winter showcase with zero enthusiasm, her heart crushed by the breakup and Phil’s interference.

Backstage, she runs into Cass, who remains as arrogant as ever, but she realizes she is better off without him. MJ tries to apologize — Cass dumped her as soon as he got the solo — but Hannah is too wounded to forgive.

During her performance, Hannah pours all her grief and love for Garrett into her song, earning a standing ovation. Afterward, she tries to flee and cry in private but smacks right into Garrett, who tells her she was brilliant and pointedly asks how many guys she has dated that week.

Chapter 42

Hannah goes home to Philadelphia for Christmas break feeling like a complete mess. She finally tells her mother the truth about Phil Graham’s blackmail, prompting her mom to launch “Operation Holiday Cheer.”

On New Year’s Eve — also Garrett’s birthday — Hannah’s father encourages her to call him. They have a short, strained conversation where Garrett continues to mock her fake dating life.

He tells her he will see her in a few days and expects to hear all about her “explorations.” Hannah realizes she is still deeply in love with him and the lie is becoming impossible to maintain.

Chapter 43

Back at school, Hannah discovers every guy on campus is avoiding her as if she carries an infectious disease. She runs into Justin Kohl, who is friendly but confirms her feelings for him are officially dead.

She calls Sean, Allie’s boyfriend, who reveals Garrett has invoked a “campus-wide hands-off law” — he has told everyone he will kick the ass of any man who touches her.

Furious, Hannah marches to the hockey arena and bursts into the locker room to confront him. She accidentally sees “penises everywhere” as the team showers but does not stop until she finds Garrett.

Chapter 44

Garrett is “grinning like the town idiot” when he sees Hannah in the showers, thrilled his plan worked to bring her back. She yells at him about his “hands-off law,” but he is unrepentant — he did it to save her from making a mistake.

Coach Jensen catches them and, after some witty banter from Garrett, leaves them to talk. Garrett corners Hannah and demands the real reason for the breakup, refusing to accept her previous lies.

Hannah finally breaks down and confesses his father blackmailed her. Garrett starts laughing, which offends her, until he explains his trust fund from his grandparents that he accessed on his 21st birthday. He has already sent Phil a check for everything, becoming financially independent, and reveals Cindy dumped Phil, making his father’s threats completely powerless. They reconcile fully.

Chapter 45

It is now March, and life is better than ever. Justin Kohl is dating Hannah’s friend Stella, and all their social circles have merged into one large, happy group.

Hannah prepares for a new duet with Dexter for the spring showcase, while Garrett’s team heads to the Frozen Four championships. Garrett remains protective and romantic, making Hannah feel like the “most important prize of all.”

At a party, they engage in playful banter about their physical attraction, showing they are as happy and passionate as ever. The couple reflects on their journey and looks forward to the championship game in Philadelphia.

Epilogue

Briar wins the national championship in a shutout game in Philadelphia, and Garrett is overjoyed by the victory. Hannah celebrates with him, and the two are more in love than ever.

Phil Graham stands in the parking lot afterward, but Garrett, Hannah, and all the teammates completely ignore him. Garrett had previously told his team the truth about his father, and their silent rejection of the “legend” proves their fierce loyalty.

Garrett leaves the arena on the team bus, choosing to only look forward — to his future with Hannah and his professional career, finally free from his father’s shadow.

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Conclusion

Now explore our: full The Deal summary for a comprehensive breakdown of themes, characters, and similar book recommendations that capture the same magic.