4 STARS!!!
Summary
With her thirtieth birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She’s running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there’s always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.
Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he’s determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma’s predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma’s child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.
Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can’t seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?
Denise’s Review
This book is about Emma Harrison, a young woman who feels her biological clock ticking. I was taken aback at first to read Emma was 30 feeling this level of urgency to be a Mom but the author did a wonderful job making this feel believable. Ms. Ashley created a strong backstory that makes Emma’s feelings feel true to her character.
Enter Aidan Fitzpatrick, a womanizing confirmed bachelor who through a cute set of circumstances agrees to father’s Emma’s baby.
As this plan unfolds, both are surprised by the feelings they are developing. It becomes clear to the reader that Emma really wants the full package, a husband and father to her baby. Emma treads very lightly with each step as Aidan slowly opens his world up to Emma.
Ms. Ashley does a wonderful job using both characters families to develop the story and evolve the characters. Emma’s interactions with Aidan’s nephews were truly a smile on your face read. Aidan’s banter with his father is also really well done.
Emma slowly starts to see the loving man underneath the walls Aidan has constructed but for reasons I hope that author will reveal in book 2, The Proposal, Aidan fights his feelings for Emma. He can’t seem to push away the feelings but he tries hard to deny them at every turn. Aidan will aggravate you but you will find yourself wanting them together. Emma sees good in Aidan and make him feel things about her and himself he seems on the surface willing to dismiss.
This book had me laughing at scenes, heartbroken for others, and hot and excited for others. Yes, the steamy scenes were well written, they relayed emotion and sexuality all while intertwined with a developing story.
Ms. Ashley does a wonderful job relaying why Emma’s does what she does but Aidan’s actions need backstory, in the end even his sisters question why he behaves how he does.
Given the title is the book is “The Proposition” is Emma’s proposition I guess this book is really her story.
The Proposition is a well-crafted story, a 4 stars read for me. A book I truly enjoyed, one that left me thinking about the characters and wanting to know more about them.
I could not give it 5 stars because it felt like half a story, Aidan’s character needs his development and growth, I did not understand the why behind many of his actions. Given the strength of the writing in this book I truly hope Aidan’s development will come in the next book.
Ms. Ashley created compelling characters with an engaging story, that it did not need a cliffhanger to get readers to purchase book 2. So yes as a warning if you don’t like cliffhangers, wait a few weeks and then read The Proposition and The Proposal back to back.
I am very much looking forward to reading book 2, The Proposal in January. And to other stories Ms. Ashley may write.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author
Katie Ashley is the New York Times Best-Selling author of The Proposition. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her two very spoiled dogs and one outnumbered cat. She has a slight obsession with Pinterest, The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, Designing Women, and Scooby-Doo. By day, she educates the Youth of America by teaching high school English in the burbs.
The Proposal, the sequel to The Proposition, will be released January 5, 2013.
Twitter katieashleyluv