Back-to-School September ends on the ice with Elle Kennedy’s The Deal and Him (co-written with Sarina Bowen).

Nikki and Meg dig into why these two 2015 hockey romances are still topping charts nearly a decade later, comparing fake dating vs. best-friends-to-lovers, college vs. new adult vibes, and what made both books blueprint-level sports romances.

Listen in for:

* Garrett Graham: the original “he falls first, he falls hardest” hero?

* Why hockey housing should come with a hazmat rating

* The book that made everyone fake-date a little harder

* Nikki’s ringette camp horror story: pine needles, lake baths, and trauma bonding

Books/Media Mentioned:

* The Deal by Elle Kennedy, part of the Off-Campus series: https://amzn.to/4nH7Ahb

* Him by Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen: https://amzn.to/3ItT0L9

* Us by Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen: https://amzn.to/3ItT0L9

* Boyfriend Material & Husband Material by Alexis Hall: https://amzn.to/47VOCPl

* Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews: https://amzn.to/47PLCUF

* Heated Rivalry & The Long Game by Rachel Reid: https://amzn.to/3KAAgtS

* Puckboy series by Eden Finley & Saxon James: https://amzn.to/3VwR5s7

* Savannah universe books by Aimee Nicole Walker: https://amzn.to/3Kgbr6u

* In the Game by Sloane St James, book 3 in the Lakes Hockey series: https://amzn.to/4gBHRoe

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