The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
Release Date - October 30, 2018
Publisher Website - Penguin Random House Canada

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  327 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The author of The Wedding Date serves up a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn't turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own...

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...

Whenever I turn to a romance novel it is usually because I am looking for something fun to read. I want something that is going to have a guaranteed happy ending and, hopefully, make me laugh. The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory was a delight to read from start to finish in a way that really good romance novels are, and had the added bonus of offering up some amazing characters as well.

It starts with an embarrassing proposal. The kind of proposal that would instantly become a viral sensation on the internet. This sets the tone for the entire book. It's a book with a lot of humour, a lot of awkwardness that the characters have to work through, but also a lot of heart.

Those who have read The Wedding Date will be happy to see Carlos, best friend of Drew, return. He was a stand out in that novel and, happily, only gets better the more we get to know him. Men in romance novels can sometimes aggravate me if they are too 'protective' of the women in their life. They can be suffocating and act like a woman cannot have her own agency. This is why I am not a huge fan of the alpha male character type. Carlos is the right balance between being caring and supportive. He's one of the sweetest love interests I've encountered in romance novels, and I love that his kindness extends to all those he cares about.

Nikole is a fun, confident character that leaves you a little in awe of her. She is allowed to have moments of vulnerability but the reader never doubts how capable she is. She has a wonderful group of friends that are such a vital part of the story. Her bonds with these women show you the type of character she is and I love that attention was paid to her friendships. Nikole values her independence and I see a lot of women relating to her in a lot of ways.

The romance in this is one of my favourites. It has been a long time since I have seen a romance in a novel develop the way this one did. It starts out from a place of mutual admirable that morphs into friendship. That friendship only grows as they both come to respect one another. Those feelings slowly change into love. It's a subtle shift that feels so natural. The reader gets to experience the easy way they fall in love. It is a shining example of relationships not always having to be hard. The previous relationships showcase the difference between a wrong relationship and one that is right (even when things hit a rough patch).Carlos and Nikole also balance each other. They bring out the best in each other which I think the author took great care to show rather than tell the reader. You can see the good they do for each other.

Those looking for a smart, sexy, enjoyable read would be encouraged to pick this one up (along with The Wedding Date). Jasmine Guillory's books will leave you a little bit happier than when you started reading it, and make you eagerly anticipate whatever she writes next. 

Fall Reading List

As summer slowly comes to its end I immediately think of all of the exciting books, movies, and television that await us in the fall season. Fall happens to be my favourite season. It is filled with some of my favourite things - pumpkin spice everything, cozy blankets, and an excuse to drink more tea than usual.

The fall season is, as previously mentioned, when a lot of really exciting books are released. I thought I would share my own personal reading list for this fall season. I am hoping to kickstart my reading as I have been in a serious slump this year despite reading some amazing reads.

Here is my own personal 'Must Read List' for fall 2018

1. The Reckoning of Noah Shaw

Release Date: November 13, 2018

This is the second book in the Noah Shaw Confessions series. This spin off of the Mara Dyer trilogy continues the story  from Noah's point of view and I am looking forward to jumping back into this world.

2. What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Release Date: October 9, 2018

I love books written by both of these authors so I was immediately intrigued by them teaming up to write what sounds like an adorable book. The only question is will it have more of the happy ending Becky is known for, or the rip your heart out endings that Adam is known for.

3. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Release Date: October 2nd, 2018

Fans of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue fell in love with Felicity, the sister of the main character, and begged for her to have a book all her own. Mackenzi Lee made that wish a reality and I am so excited to read Felicity's story.

4. Sadie by Courtney Summers

Release Date: September 4, 2018

The pitch of this book comparing it to Serial immediately caught my attention. The buzz for this one just keeps growing and is almost impossible to miss. This seems to be releasing at just the right time with the current bump in visibility that true crime related media is enjoying.

5. The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Release Date: October 30, 2018

I loved The Wedding Date so immediately knew I needed to read The Proposal. I have been adding in more romance novels into my reading pile and I anticipate this one will be just as amazing as The Wedding Date was.

Honorable Mention

The above list only included books I have not yet read so I wanted to just make a special mention of a fall release that I have already read.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

You can expect my review up in September one this one release (Sept 11th to be exact) but I loved every single minute I spent reading this one. I am excited for others to get to read it so it should be on your fall reading list.

What books are you looking forward to in the fall season? Let me know in the comments below!

Waiting On Wednesday ... The Proposal

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

The author of The Wedding Date serves up a novel about what happens when a public proposal doesn't turn into a happy ending, thanks to a woman who knows exactly how to make one on her own...

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...

I really enjoyed The Wedding Date and was excited to discover that Jasmine Guillory had another book coming out so soon. I was equally happy to discover that it sounds adorable!

 

If you're a fan of rom-com style reads I highly recommend picking up The Wedding Date and adding this one to your list of books to pick up in the Fall season. 

 

Expected release date - September 4, 2018

ALA Excitement!

After seeing all of the BEA posts from last week I am even more excited to be attending ALA. I am looking forward to seeing New Orleans, being surrounded by bookish people, and finding out what the publishers are excited about for the back half of 2018.

I have been looking forward to this particular ALA for YEARS now because I have always wanted to go to New Orleans. It's exciting that in just a few short weeks I'll be there.

I thought I would be fun to share some things that I am especially excited about for both the trip in general and ALA in particular!

Top Things I Want To Do In New Orleans

1- Eat Beignets

Anytime I mention that I am going to New Orleans I immediately am told to make sure I try some beignets while I am there. These delicious sounding pastries are  high on my list!

2- Take A Ghost Tour

This is my one MUST DO while in the city. I am currently browsing my options as there are many. If anyone has any recommendations please send them my way.

3- Find A Local Book Store

One of my favourite parts of going to Book Expo is stopping by The Strand book store in New York. I am hoping to find a used book shop or something similar to browse while in New Orleans.

Top Books I Hope Are At ALA

Of course there are some amazing sounding books that I hope are available at ALA! I am looking forward to not just getting a chance to read some of my most anticipated reads early, but interacting with the publishers and taking part in some of the panels. There is one true crime panel that sounds amazing and I really enjoyed the publisher presentations that I attended when I attended ALA previously.

Without further ado, here are the books I most hope to pick up while at ALA:

1 What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

I love Becky's books. I love Adam's books. It goes without saying that a book written by both of them would be high on my 'must read' list. 

2 The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle

I've loved Rebecca's previous novels and I am especially intrigued by the synopsis of her first adult book. I cannot wait to meet her version of Audrey Hepburn and to completely love Sabrina.

3 A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This one has been on my radar since I read the deal annoucement. I love a good retelling and this twist on Beauty and the Beast sounds particularly fun.

4 The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
 
This unique Frankenstein retelling is pretty much everything I want in a novel. I am really excited to read this one and see what twists Kiersten White has added to the classic story.

5 The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

I really enjoyed The Wedding Date and hope that Jasmine's next novel is just as cute and enjoyable. It sounds like a fun rom-com style read that will be perfect for the plane ride home (if it happens to be on offer and I am fortunate enough to snag a copy).

While I am clearly excited about a lot of things in New Orleans, I am always looking for more recommendations. Are you from New Orleans, or ever been there? Have any suggestions on what I must do, see, and eat while in town for ALA? Please leave any suggestions in the comments.