The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory | Review

Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: October 30, 2018 (out now!)
Source of my copy: publisher
Series: standalone/companion novel to The Wedding Date
My rating:

Synopsis
When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn't come as a surprise--or happen in front of 45,000 people.

When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn't the hard part--they've only been dating for five months, and he can't even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans...

At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik's rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He's even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik's social media blows up--in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can't be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes...

The cute cover, the humorous premise, and my sister's positive thoughts on The Wedding Date got me excited to read Jasmine Guillory's second novel, The Proposal. I found it to be a quick read with strong, multicultural characters and enough drama to keep me turning the pages.

The Proposal had a quick pace that kept me riveted with each page turn. Much of the plot was moved by action and dialogue, and I liked that I learned about the characters through what they did and said. Their development seemed real and true to their personality. For instance, I really loved the conversations between Nik and her two best friends, Courtney and Dana. Their convos ranged from silly banter to serious heart-to-hearts, all of which moved the plot of the novel and allowed the colorful personalities of each woman to shine through: Nik, the stubborn and caring one; Courtney, the quirky and sassy one; and Dana, the optimistic and over-achieving one. Their relationship reminded me of my relationships with my sisters and girlfriends, and I appreciated the level of significance their bond had throughout the novel. I read through it quickly and enjoyed every bit of it.

There was also a lot of representation in The Proposal with many of the characters, including the major characters, as people of color and part of the LGBTQ+ community. I like that their ethnicities and sexualities were mentioned subtly and without any preachiness. It's great to see how authors are bringing in more diversity to the genre of romance.

I really liked the pair that Nik and Carlos made. They balance each other, both witty and kind, but one—Nik—prickly and outspoken and the other—Carlos—cocky and protective. Ms. Guillory writes The Proposal from a third-person limited narration, alternating between the two main characters, so the story is given from both of their perspectives. I learned a lot about the kind of conflicts they had, and I liked seeing them confide in each other and help one another face their problems and insecurities. Even apart, they took to heart the other's advice, and they valued each other's opinions. My only complaint is that I wish there was a balance between the background information given and personal conflicts described. Nik's personal conflicts revolved around her love life and Carlos's were related to his family, and while the distinction made the story simpler and easier to follow, I wanted to learn about Nik's family and Carlos's love life too. There were few, brief mentions of these aspects in the novel, but nothing significant, and I felt bothered by the lack while reading. Nik and Carlos's relationship was nonetheless swoonworthy and enjoyable to read. I'm glad they got their HEA.

All in all, Ms. Guillory's The Proposal is a quick read with characters of different personalities, ethnicities, and sexualities, each lovable and relatable in every way. If you are in need of a pick-me-up or just in the mood for something quick and romantic to read, I definitely recommend The Proposal. For those who liked The Wedding Date, Alexa and Drew pop up in this second book by Ms. Guillory and, judging from the points my sister mentioned in her review, The Proposal won't disappoint. I want to read Ms. Guillory's debut myself. I can't wait to see what more she has for us.