The Score by Elle Kennedy Summary

The Score is a contemporary New Adult romance novel about Allie Hayes, a relationship-oriented college senior nursing a broken heart, and Dean Di-Laurentis, a charismatic hockey star known for his casual hookups. After a night of wild rebound sex, Dean finds himself wanting more than just one night, but Allie refuses to become another notch on his bedpost. The story follows Dean's pursuit of Allie and his journey from self-proclaimed "manwhore" to someone ready for real love.

Elle Kennedy is a Canadian New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author born in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a B.A. in English from York University and discovered her passion for storytelling at a young age. Kennedy is particularly acclaimed for her Off-Campus and Briar U series, which have become fan favorites in contemporary romance. Her writing style features engaging storytelling, witty dialogue, well-developed characters, and steamy relationships that create emotional connections with readers.

The Score is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with sports elements, witty banter, and character-driven storylines. Fans of enemies-to-lovers or opposites-attract tropes will appreciate the dynamic between commitment-phobic Dean and relationship-oriented Allie. This book appeals to New Adult readers who love college settings, hockey romances, dual POV narratives, and stories featuring manwhore heroes who undergo genuine transformation. It's also ideal for those seeking humorous, steamy romance with emotional depth.

The Score is absolutely worth reading, earning its status as a New York Times bestseller and TikTok sensation. Readers praise the sizzling chemistry, hilarious verbal sparring, and the perfect balance of humor and emotional depth. The dual POV narrative provides compelling insight into both Allie and Dean's perspectives, making their relationship development feel authentic. The book delivers satisfying character growth, particularly Dean's transformation from manwhore to committed partner, along with steamy romance and genuine emotional connection.

The central conflict revolves around Allie's commitment to being a "relationship girl" clashing with Dean's reputation as the "king of one-night stands". After their initial hookup, Allie resists pursuing anything further because she knows Dean's casual approach to relationships, while Dean unexpectedly finds himself wanting more than his usual one-night stands. Additional conflict arises when Dean's high school ex-girlfriend's father becomes his new hockey coach, forcing Dean to confront his past mistakes and prove he's capable of real change.

Dean Di-Laurentis stands out as an unapologetic, self-proclaimed "manwhore" who initially embraces his casual lifestyle without shame. Unlike typical reformed playboys, Dean undergoes genuine character development, reconciling with his ex-girlfriend to apologize for past behavior and ultimately deciding to pursue a career as a high school hockey coach rather than professional sports. His tenacious pursuit of Allie showcases his ability to turn on the "Di-Laurentis charm," yet his vulnerability and willingness to change make him relatable. Dean's transformation feels earned rather than convenient.

• "I want to fuck you again" captures the raw physical intensity between Dean and Allie, becoming a recurring expression of Dean's desire throughout their relationship.
• "You're giving me a lot of responsibility here, baby doll. I don't like responsibility" reveals Dean's initial fear of commitment and his struggle with serious relationships.
• "I want to be with you because it feels right" represents Allie's emotional breakthrough, showing her willingness to embrace a new kind of relationship despite her previous reservations.

These quotes highlight the novel's balance of steamy romance and emotional development.

The Score is the third installment in Elle Kennedy's wildly popular Off-Campus series, following The Deal and The Mistake. While maintaining the series' signature blend of hockey romance, humor, and steam, The Score focuses on Dean, the resident manwhore who appeared in previous books. The novel continues the interconnected world of Briar University, featuring Hannah and Garrett from earlier books, which adds depth for series fans. Like its predecessors, The Score delivers witty dialogue, dual POV storytelling, and a satisfying happily-ever-after with the right amount of angst.

Elle Kennedy employs a dual POV narrative structure, alternating between Allie and Dean's perspectives to provide deep insight into both characters' thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Her writing is dialogue-driven, using conversations to reveal personality traits, advance the plot, and build emotional connections. The novel features a humorous and witty tone that balances the emotional depth, making it an engaging and entertaining read. Kennedy's signature style includes strong character development, steamy romance scenes, and contemporary college culture references that feel authentic and relatable.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend Sean, Allie stays at Garrett's house to avoid him, where she encounters Dean and his two female companions. They get drunk and hook up, leading Dean to realize he doesn't want anyone else. Despite Allie's initial resistance, they begin texting and eventually start a relationship. When Dean's ex-girlfriend's father becomes his hockey coach, he confronts his past by apologizing to his ex and deciding to become a high school hockey coach. After working through their issues, Dean and Allie reconcile and commit to each other.

The Score is set at Briar University, a fictional college campus that provides a backdrop of academic pressures, social dynamics, and athletic rivalries. The story reflects contemporary college culture, including social media, parties, and the challenges of navigating modern relationships. The Hockey Arena and demanding athletic schedule play significant roles, influencing Dean's life choices and his relationship with Allie. The college setting during senior year adds urgency to the characters' decisions, as graduation looms and they must determine their post-college futures.

The Score became a TikTok sensation due to BookTok's love for sports romance, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and reformed playboy tropes. The dual POV format provides quotable moments and emotional depth that resonate with social media audiences who enjoy discussing character development and relationships. Dean's transformation from manwhore to committed partner offers compelling content for character analysis videos, while the steamy romance and witty banter create shareable moments. The Off-Campus series' interconnected storylines encourage binge-reading and series discussions, making it perfect for BookTok's community-driven recommendations and trend-driven book discoveries.