The Proposal

Freelance writer Nikole Paterson faces an unexpected crisis when her actor boyfriend proposes to her on the jumbotron at Dodger Stadium. After she turns him down, doctor Carlos Ibarra and his sister Angela help her escape the crowd and cameras. Nikole and Carlos develop a friendship that gradually shifts into romance. As they spend time together in Los Angeles, they must navigate their individual fears around commitment and vulnerability, shaped by their past relationships and family dynamics. The novel examines contemporary dating, career ambitions, and the intersection of personal and public life in the age of social media. Through its exploration of modern relationships, The Proposal considers how people balance independence with emotional connection.

Readers describe this as a fun, light romance that works well as a standalone story despite being part of a series. Likes: - Natural, engaging dialogue between characters - Exploration of family dynamics and cultural identity - Positive portrayal of female friendships - Discussion of serious topics while maintaining an upbeat tone - Realistic depiction of modern dating Dislikes: - Plot feels predictable and follows standard romance formulas - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - Several reviewers wanted more character development for side characters - Some scenes felt repetitive, particularly food and cooking descriptions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (115,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (2,000+ ratings) BookPage: 4/5 Reader quote: "The chemistry between Carlos and Nik feels authentic rather than forced. Their relationship develops at a believable pace through genuine connection rather than manufactured drama." - Goodreads reviewer

The Dating Plan by Desai, Sara A fake engagement between a software engineer and her childhood crush leads to real feelings while solving family pressures and career challenges.

The Love Con by Seressia Glass A cosplayer ropes her best friend into pretending to be her boyfriend for a reality TV competition, forcing them to confront their unexplored feelings.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory Two professionals stuck in an elevator agree to be each other's wedding dates, launching a long-distance relationship between their demanding careers.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang A mathematically-minded woman with autism hires a male escort to teach her about relationships and discovers unexpected romance.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon Two public radio colleagues who dislike each other must co-host a show about dating, pretending to be exes while their real relationship evolves.

🎯 Though The Proposal is the second book in Guillory's Wedding Date series, it can be read as a standalone novel. 💝 The book tackles serious topics like toxic relationships and consent while maintaining its identity as a romantic comedy. 📚 The main character Nik's experience with a public proposal gone wrong was inspired by real-life viral videos of similar situations. 🍪 The author incorporates detailed food descriptions throughout the novel, particularly focusing on cupcakes and tacos, which become significant bonding elements for the characters. ✍️ Jasmine Guillory wrote The Proposal while working full-time as a lawyer, often writing during her lunch breaks and early mornings before work.