Series: Off Campus #3
Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: January 11th 2016
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He knows how to score, on and off the ice
Allie Hayes is in crisis mode. With graduation looming, she still doesn’t have the first clue about what she's going to do after college. To make matters worse, she’s nursing a broken heart thanks to the end of her longtime relationship. Wild rebound sex is definitely not the solution to her problems, but gorgeous hockey star Dean Di-Laurentis is impossible to resist. Just once, though, because even if her future is uncertain, it sure as heck won’t include the king of one-night stands.
It’ll take more than flashy moves to win her over
Dean always gets what he wants. Girls, grades, girls, recognition, girls…he’s a ladies man, all right, and he’s yet to meet a woman who’s immune to his charms. Until Allie. For one night, the feisty blonde rocked his entire world—and now she wants to be friends? Nope. It’s not over until he says it’s over. Dean is in full-on pursuit, but when life-rocking changes strike, he starts to wonder if maybe it’s time to stop focusing on scoring…and shoot for love.
I was a little uncertain how I was going to feel about The Score. I was a crazy big fan of The Deal. So much a fan that I tell everyone to read it that is looking for a good New Adult book. The Mistake, I liked it. I didn’t love it like book one but I really liked it. So really The Score was in a tough place. It could have gone one of two ways…and it went the way of The Deal. Actually it surpassed The Deal and it is all because of one character…Dean Heyward Di-Laurentis.
The Score was far from lacking action. And I’m not just talking about all the sexy times. There was a real story in it. Dean who was scared of commitment in a sense and Allie who was kind of in love with being committed. These two polar opposites learned from each other and learned about themselves. Add in Allie’s acting and Dean’s hockey playing and rich life style there was definitely plenty to build off of.
Back to good ole Briar University. I honestly never thought I would love a fake college as much as I love this one (okay, I love Cora Cormack’s Rusk University on the same level). There is something so quaint and charming about this school. It is like it is a character in the story. Classes are attended but rarely is the reader brought into one and I love that. I love hearing about Allie going here and Dean going there. I love that they have a local bar they go to because colleges usually do have that one local bar. Honestly I felt like I was in college with them.
Seriously I was in love with Garret in The Deal and didn’t think any boy would come close. And then playboy Dean showed up. He was crass and rude and blunt. He had no shame and didn’t care about anyone knowing anything about his life. He had all the qualities I should hate in a guy and get there was something about him that I just had to love. Honestly the best thing about Dean was his truthfulness. He never hid once from who he was and I respected that and so did Allie when all is said and done.
Oh Allie. Allie was so good for Dean. She didn’t take any of his crap and wasn’t not charmed by his usual lines…well mostly. A girl can only be so strong. What she did though was go after what she wanted even when she questioned how she would be perceived by people. She let go enough just to let a player in a tiny bit and it did a world of good for both of them. Dean could be a jerk but Allie called him on it when she had to and he had to deal with the consequences. Basically they were like the best couple once they worked out their junk.
In the end I surprised myself by loving The Score even more than I loved The Deal. I can’t pin point what it was but there was something there and I’m so happy it was. Everything about it worked for me, even the expected break-up that we all know is coming in a romance/NA. I miss Dean and Allie already. Oh and I’m so ready for Tuck’s book (and Hunter’s too). BRING IT!
You definitely told me that I need to read The Score. I have the ebook so hopefully I get to it soon. I’m so glad that you really loved this, especially when you weren’t thrilled with The Mistake. And I seriously cannot wait to mean Dean.
this was actually the only one I’ve read in this series …I really need to go back and pick up The Deal!
Great Review!
xo
jaime
I still have yet to read an Elle Kennedy book, though I do own the first one! I’ll definitely keep you posted once I read it. And I’m very glad that you’ve enjoyed all the books you’ve read in the series so far – that makes me eager to check them out for myself.
I didn’t LOVE The Mistake like I loved The Deal, so I was a little worried about this one! Nope. I’m right with you. I LOVED all things Dean and Allie. I love how realistic this series feels too. I actually feel like I’m right there with them at school! I miss true college NAs, so Kennedy nailed these. After that cliffhanger I am also ready for Tuck’s book!