Today, we’re looking at a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while now and have been patiently waiting to read come spring or summer. Last year, I read The Wedding Date by the same author after seeing a lot of hype surrounding the novel in Spivey’s Club, and I really enjoyed it. When a second book by Jasmine Guillory was released, I knew I had to get my hands on it.
The following discussion does not include spoilers.
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
| 2019 Book #2 | Length: 327 pages |
| Season: Spring | Genre: Romance |
| Read via: Scribd audiobook | Recommended by: Spivey’s Club |
Please be aware that this book contains sexual content and some strong language.
The Proposal opens when our protagonist Nikole begrudgingly agrees to accompany her boyfriend of five months to a Dodgers game. With no interest in baseball and her boyfriend, Fisher, paying more attention to his “bros” who unexpectedly tagged along to see the game, too, Nikole decides to pull out her phone to try to get some work done. What’s the harm? Fisher is distracted by his equally airheaded friends, and he’s more of a fling anyway; why would he notice (or care)?
As soon as she finds her groove and really starts getting somewhere with her work, Fisher interrupts Nikole to point to the Jumbotron enthusiastically. There on the big screen is a proposal written to a “Nicole.” Our Nikole, confused at the distraction and thinking it’s a coincidence that perhaps there’s a woman with a similar name being proposed to at this very second, turns to Fisher to find him down on one knee.
The beginning of this story is probably my worst nightmare on paper. Being proposed to in a public place by a man you’re not interested in long-term and who has never mentioned marriage or even the words “I love you” is stressful enough. Add in an enraged exit on the part of your now ex-boyfriend and his posse and an eager camera crew rushing your way in hopes of a good story, and you may need a divine intervention.
Enter Carlos (of The Wedding Date fame) and his sister to save the day. They swoop in, pretending to be old friends, and usher Nikole away before the unwelcome media attention can reach her.
As you can probably guess, Nikole and Carlos begin a fast friendship that even more quickly develops into even stronger feelings and leads to some literally and figuratively spicy scenes.
This story was delightful. Jasmine Guillory is excellent when it comes to developing strong, independent, intelligent characters who are simultaneously soft and caring with emotional depth. Nikole and Carlos are both smart, engaging people who are not afraid to be vulnerable with each other, and that’s particularly refreshing to see, especially in the romance genre. The two are also quick-witted, and their banter will absolutely make you smile — I promise!
Guillory also notably is an author who makes a point to include characters of varying economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and skin colors without making being overbearing or interrupting the narrative to make a social or political comment.
Have you read this this novel? Tell me what you thought in the comments below!
These Parted Pages 