This was a very cute premise! A city gal has to make a career shift - from writing westerns to writing romances. She needs some inspiration and a change of pace, so she moves to a beach house. Enter the grumpy but handsome neighbor! She sets up a little library on the beach and quickly discovers a book with a secret. A little mystery develops!

Unfortunately, this one fell pretty flat too me. I wanted there to be more - more character development, going a bit deeper across the board. The conflict felt very boring and overdone to me. And there was just too much dialogue.

What a cute, refreshing romance set at the beach! A good, wholesome read for any age!

Sadie is not only an art teacher in NYC, but she is a novelist; a novelist who has just been told that her western series is a flop. What she needs to do in order to stay afloat is write a romance novel, but that genre is one she has no experience with whatsoever, in fiction or in real life. Off she goes to a beach house in South Carolina for the summer to let her creative juices flow..

While there, Sadie meets her broody neighbor, Sam, who is having romance issues of his own. To top it off, Sadie discovers an engagement ring hidden inside a book that is left in the Little Library she sets up. What else should she write about but what happens in real life. Finally, her story takes off!

Denise Hunter has done it again. She writes romance beautifully and makes it as real life as possible without outlandish circumstances and very believable and likeable characters. This story will make your heart soar!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson - Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Novelist Sadie Goodwin that having not been in love will pose a difficulty for her when she faces the prospect of having to write romance novels. This is a tremendous hurdle given that she has only written westerns. Throwing herself into the job, she accepts an invitation to stay at her friend’s ocean-front home. Soon she has herself set up perfectly and even finds enjoyment by aggravating her grumpy neighbour, Sam Ford. When Sadie discovers an engagement hidden in secret compartment, she is determined to discover the owner and save its owner from certain doom. Fearing that this person will not be able to propose without the ring, she draws Sam into the mystery. Soon they find themselves working together to find the rightful owner.
Novel Proposal was a sweet read with two characters who were reasonable likeable. They did have to grow on me as Sam was grumpy and Sadie annoying, which is given away by the blurb, so I did know what to expect. I also quite liked the references that were made to other stories, as it made this feel a bit more tangible.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Readers who enjoy cute romantic contemporary romance stories should pick up this story.

This romance story was different. The main female character is trying her hand at a romance novel, so each chapter started out with a quote from romance writing 101 to indicate how a romance story should develop.

Then the reader gets to see the same development between the two main characters. I enjoyed this, because even though you sort of know what development will happen, you didn’t know what it would be.

I also enjoyed seeing the growth both characters went through and the insecurities and hurt which kept them back.

I am not usually a fan of romance, but this was a favourite.

It's another fun novel by Denise Hunter. The writing is easy to read, the characters are lovable, the plot and premise are delightful, and faith lessons are applicable. It has a bit more rom-com feel to the book than I am used to from the author but it worked really well. Each chapter has a "how to write a romance novel" topic leading into Sam and Sadie's story, which was clever.

Sam is a wonderful and slightly grumpy hero who is loyal, thoughtful, and tender. His love for his family is heart-warming as is his soul and faith journey that allows him to forgive and love fully. Sadie is an adorable heroine, full of energy, creativity, light and bubbly goodness. She also has need for healing from her past and Sam helps her overcome her fears. Throw into this enchanting friends-to-more love story a misplaced engagement ring, a Little Free Library, and a gorgeous island setting, and you have the perfect beach read.

I received the book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

It was Just not my cup of tea. I have read book from this author before, and loved them. What I dis like was the sweet romance, . But I could not see past the female character, to thoroughly enjoy the book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

This book is so good! It's a sweet clean romance that was an absolute joy to read. I loved everything about this book; the characters, the setting and the emotions. This is the perfect beach read.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A beautifully written romance that will have your heart do a happy dance. The setting sounds so relaxing, the MCs Sadie and Sam are wonderful, Both characters have issues to overcome. Sam, getting over a heartbreak and learning to trust again. Sadie to realize that her dreams may not be really hers and to trust her heart.
Love the journey Sadie and Sam story takes to find their HEA. A definite feel good romance. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #ANovelProposal

Sadie Goodwin has written western books and her publisher has decided to cancel her contract. She is going to owe them big money back since she is still writing book 4. Her agent suggest she write a romance. Sadie has never been love and doesn't know how to write the book. She moves to the North Carolina shore for the summer to write the new book.
Sam Ford is living in the other side of the duplex and just wants to be left alone. Sam is hiding out from his family after a heartbreaking breakup.
Sadie is a talker and gets to know everyone that passes by her side of the duplex on the way to the beach. She sets up a little free library and finds a book with a ring hidden inside and enlist Sam help on returning the ring.
As they spend time together can Sam open his heart and can Sadie let go enough to open her heart.
This is a great book will written.

Sadie Goodwin’s publisher has given her one last chance to rescue her writing career: ditch the Westerns she loves to write and pen a romance novel instead. The problem? How can a girl who’s never been in love write a love story?

Escaping the noise of New York, Sadie hopes to find inspiration for her novel in the idyllic setting of her best friend’s beachside duplex. Instead, she finds distractions aplenty, including a Little Library, a mysterious ring, and a curmudgeonly (but handsome) neighbor. Could it be that Sadie has found the plot for her story after all?

Hunter has perfectly captured the sweet awkwardness and angst of stumbling into a new relationship. Light-hearted and oh-so-fun to read, A Novel Proposal is perfect for a summer beach—or any curl-up-and-read afternoon.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Denise Hunter brings us another sweet but sizzling romance with A Novel Proposal. I love bookish books, so I was thrilled to see that this novel features an author!

Sadie Goodwin has been following in her grandfather's footsteps as a western novelist, but unfortunately, her books just aren't selling as well as she (and her publisher) had hoped. In a last-ditch effort to save her career, her publisher gives her an ultimatum: switch to writing romance novels or find a different publisher/dream. The only problem? Sadie has never been in love. How exactly do you write a romance novel when you've never experienced love? Sadie decides to head to her friend's mom's island duplex for the summer in hopes that inspiration will strike and she will write an epic love story, but she never could have imagined the way her summer would really go. When she finds an engagement ring inside a book left in her new Little Free Library, Sadie enlists the help of her stand-offish, yet incredibly handsome neighbour, Sam Ford, in finding the owner of the ring.

This story was full of so many twists and turns, and I was shocked at what happened with the ring! I really loved both main characters, although I could relate to more to Sam as an introvert who initially struggled with spending so much time with an extrovert. Sam was a fantastic hero, and Sadie seemed like such a fun bubbly person. I appreciated seeing the characters grow, especially Sam's efforts to forgive and to grow closer to his family again after such a big betrayal. The friendships with the side characters were also really enjoyable to read, and Sam's sister Hayley was one of my favourite people. The faith aspect was strong, and the mystery surrounding the ring was a fun addition to the story.

If you enjoy a good clean romance, I think you'll love A Novel Proposal!

*I received a complimentary copy of A Novel Proposal through the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

A charming and delightful romance. I certainly can see it as a Hallmark movie. Fun mystery thrown in to engage the couple with terrific results. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

What a fun book! I enjoyed the storyline and the character development in the book - the pacing was a bit uneven but not enough to impact the overall story. The main character, Sadie, was outgoing, bubbly and would be a fun person to be around although her dog interactions were a bit much. I really enjoyed the "mystery" of the lost object and the incorporation of the little library. I appreciate the advance copy of this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

Denise Hunter’s next release A Novel Proposal is certainly unique, and it corners the market on fun! Sam and Sadie make the perfect people for setting up this scenario.

That’s because they complement each other so well! I love how Sadie’s enthusiasm takes over when obstacles loom. Her life is far from perfect, but she constantly looks on the bright side and tries to keep moving forward. Sam, on the other hand, has retreated to lick his wounds. Finding out how to heal and trust will be a challenge for them both.

Hunter does a fantastic job of writing these real-life lessons into the story without weighing it down. The balance between faith, flirting, and fun is perfect!

And the fun quotient is really high. Sadie is determined to find the owner of a ring she’s found, and she drags Sam along for the ride. This plot moves the story along and adds a healthy dose of whipped cream to the top of this sundae-like story.

I really enjoyed A Novel Proposal. It’s fun without being fluffy and has real lessons to learn, too. With warm weather on the way, it’s the perfect spring break read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A romance set in the present time in South Carolina. Sadie Goodwin is an art teacher and writer of Lonesome Ridge western stories. Sadie’s publisher has decided not to publish any more of Sadie’s western stories and wants Sadie to switch genres. They want her to write a romance novel to be completed in a few months.
Sadie has a problem. She has never read a romance novel and she has never been in love.
Sadie’s best friend’s mother lets Sadie stay in her beachside cottage over summer in South Carolina so Sadie can develop her story and write a romance that her publisher will love.
Sadie gets distracted by her neighbour and the people she meets on the beach and has trouble getting started with her writing.
A fun romance with a bit of mystery. This was about friendships and family relationships.

A Novel Proposal, by Denise Hunter, is a wonderfully written, heart warming, stand alone Christian Romance story. Sadie’s publisher has cancelled her western series and is asking for a romance story to avoid repaying her advance, which she no longer has. She spends the summer in a friends duplex, next to a less than pleasant man. Sam is renting the other half of the duplex to get away. His girlfriend left him for his cousin and their wedding is fast approaching.

This is a nice story that is not only a romance but is also a mystery. Sadie builds a free library and a book shows up that contains a diamond ring. Not knowing the area, she convinces neighbor, Sam, to help her. I enjoyed reading this story and following the different leads they have for the ring and especially enjoyed how the results affected them. I especially enjoyed the conversation Sam had with his mother regarding his feeling about Sadie’s story and how it changed the course of their relationship. I admire the strength Sam had is stepping in last minute to help his cousin out at the wedding and how that helped him put the past behind him.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

It was a good book, but I found it dragged in some places. I liked that whilst the characters were religious, it wasn't shoved in your face at every opportunity.

Sadie Goodwin is writer of western books. They are beautifully written but they are not selling. Her agent has been a straight shooter. Books that are selling are romance and her publisher wants her to write one. The problem is she only has the Summer to write it, as she is also a school teacher. New York and all it's noise is not conducive to writing this book. So off to South Carolina where she will have a townhouse to herself. Sadie is a klutzy happy go lucky person and this is the perfect place for her. She also has no idea how to write a romance book as she has never been in love, nor has she had an example set by her parents. Sam Ford, her next door neighbor is grumpy but good looking. Each there for reasons. It's a little free library that has them on a quest. A beautiful ring was in a book and they wanted to get it back to its rightful owner. In the process they fall in love without ever saying so. A betrayal of trust sends her back to New York and the pain to finish the book. It takes her best friend Caroline to set her straight. Home is where your heart is.

If I could only have one bookish pet peeve, it would be when a summary fails to explicitly tell the potential readers that the book is religious/has religious overtones. I always feel mislead when I start reading a book and it becomes abundantly clear that the book is informed and shaped by religion, especially if the summary leads the reader to believe the book will be a romance. That's what happened with this book and I also didn't care for the fat shaming. Hope you have better luck.

A Novel Proposal comes out next week on March 21, 2023, and you can purchase HERE.

Sadie Goodwin's literary dreams came to a shuddering halt in the middle of her favorite SoHo coffee shop. She blocked out the honking traffic and the ay sun streaming through the plate-glass window. Blocked out the lively chatter and cheerful tinkling of a spoon inside a coffee mug and leaned toward her agent.

I am a HUGE Denise Hunter fan, and have read scads of her books!

This one, though..."wasn't really my favorite" (as my nephew likes to say, lol!). I found Sadie rather obnoxious--admittedly because I am a total introvert. She and I are wildly different, and I frankly had a tough time relating to her for a lot of the book. Sam, on the other hand...hummina! :D LOL! He was pretty dreamy, not least of which personality wise and in his reactions to the MC, hahah.

The "Romance Writing 101" one-liners beginning each chapter started out amusing, then started to summarize what was about to happen in the forthcoming text. A mixed blessing. ;)

That being said, I really enjoyed the beach setting and the incorporation of Little Free Libraries. I could easily name off six LFLs within a mile radius of me, and hit at least four of them on most of my daily walks! :D I'm a big fan for sure, and hope this increases awareness + perhaps inspires folks to make their own.

So--this was enjoyable, but I'd admittedly lean toward other books/series by Hunter before re-reading this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.