*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review! All thoughts are my own*

An Unlikely Proposition is a companion to Eves’ first historical romance, An Improbable Season. I really enjoyed the first book, but I loved the second! This book is a beautifully written Regency drama that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen or Julia Quinn.

For this one, there were dual points of view between Eleanor and Thalia. Eleanor is a widow and has been in mourning for the past year. She doesn’t plan on remarrying and just wants to have fun. She hires Thalia as a companion.

Thalia wants a fresh start after an elopement attempt last season. She doesn’t plan on any romantic attachments; she just wants to work on her writing as a poet.

I adored Eleanor and Thalia and their friendship that develops over the course of the story. The book was about more than romance, it was about sisterhood as well.

I highly recommend!

I enjoyed this Regency romance. I have only read this author’s fantasy stories before so it was nice to read a different genre. I enjoyed how the story followed two couples and their love story. I liked how it seemed impossible for them to end up with the right person but everything worked out in the end. I will definitely read the first book in this series and any other books this author writes.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Yall….. like wow!! I didn’t think I could like a second YA regency this much like ever! Recently I have been in a historical romance slump, and WOW!!! This book pulled me out and made it so all I wanna read is Regency!!

Favorite Things:
Themes of Loneliness
High functioning Autism Representation
Real Life Regency Personified
Twisting Turning Plot
Class Crossing Love
Two Friends Dual POV (not M/F)
Continuation of 1st Book
Slowburn/Kissing/Love is EPIC
Genius Interweaving of Stories

Synopsis: Thalia after a heartbreaking first season decides to return to London as a companion to the young and widowed Eleanor. Little did she know that Eleanor is the best friend of her savior from her previous season, Henry Salisbury. But with a twist of fate, Eleanor becomes “fake” engaged to none other than Mr. Salisbury and the ruse/plot evolves beyond control.

READ THIS BOOK!! And the first one…… honestly you could read this without the first, but goodness why would you want to. They are both so good!!!

Content: Widow, Loneliness, and Fighting of Men
Romance: Clean PERFECTION!

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for my advanced reading copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: An Unlikely Proposition
By: Rosalyn Eves

Genre:
Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Regency

Red Flags:
Loss, Brief mention of sexual assault

Summary/Review:
Eleanor is newly widowed and her husband has left her enough money to meet her needs for years to come. Unfortunately, Eleanor will lose her fortune if she marries. As complications begin to arise, she takes drastic measures to ensure her own safety and well being. Eleanor hires Thalia to be her companion, and in return Thalia is able to freely write and meet the current writers.

Rosalyn Eves created deep and relatable characters, a sweet yet unpredictable timeline. Little Women meets Bridgerton with all the Regency feels for the time period. This is my first read by this author, and she did not disappoint. If you are looking for a light, clean, romantic young adult story, this is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosalyn Eves, Macmillan USA, and Austenprose for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#Rosalyneves #MacmillanUSA
#netgalley #netgalleyreads
#Anunlikelyproposition
#advancedreadercopies

This is a romance that I would recommend for any age, and I don’t often do that! Technically it is a YA book but it didn’t feel specifically YA to me, simply that it was a clean romance. (Meaning there are no graphic scenes.) The characters are younger but I was still attached to them immediately, and I couldn’t help but root for each of them. And it features some fantastic banter, which is something I always look for in any romance. (What is life without banter?) It is wonderfully lighthearted- which is what we all need in 2024- and I could not put it down.

What I loved most about An Unlikely Proposition was the feeling of mystery and movement from both Eleanor and Thalia. Yes, they both have romantic interests but they are also trying to figure out their paths in life outside of romance. Without labelling each character, they very much give me Eloise and Penelope vibes from Bridgerton in the best way. They each may be taking unconventional paths but that makes them all the more interesting. (Like Eloise and Penelope from the show, it may not be the most period accurate but I think that it perfectly blends the period with our twenty-first century expectations.)

I also loved that Eves has clearly done her research on literary history of the period. Not only does she name particular authors and works, she acknowledges in her author’s notes when she has altered something. This is the perfect way to approach history in fiction, as it shows that the author has done their research but has taken creative liberties.

This is a companion book to An Improbable Season but you can absolutely read An Unlikely Proposition as a stand-alone. I read Unlikely first, and I did not feel like I was lost at all. If you are a fan of Bridgerton, the Regency period, or historical romance in general, I would say that An Unlikely Proposition is a must-read book of 2024!

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is about a 17 yr old that is now a widow. Her late husband has left a will for her but there are some restrictions in it and his nephew is getting greedy about the money that he sees as his more than hers. He has been trying to get her to marry him so that they both will be set up for life, but Eleanor cannot stand him and will do whatever she has to make sure that she will have control of her life and the money that was left to her, even if that means entering a fake engagement.

This was a cute YA regency romance book; I thought the author wrote the book very well. It flowed from page to page, the pace of the book was set just right, and I loved all the drama and romance in this book. The way that the author writes will have you understanding/if not feeling the emotions that the characters both faced. You have Eleanor who is a young woman who would like to live her life as she sees fit until she is ready to marry again but being in London and in the upper class, she is feeling the pressure to be a proper woman. Eleanor and a close friend Henry come up with a plan that will work best for her, they will be fake engaged for a while and then they will end their relationship down the road.

Everything starts out great until Thalia, Eleanor companion, starts to have feelings towards Henry and is she reading into things, or does he seem like he is starting to have feelings as well? Thalia is not your typical lady, she doesn’t want to be distracted by romance, but to have life as a poet. Women writers are not a common thing in this time, so she takes up a job being Eleanor's newfound companion and works on her writing when she has free time.

I enjoyed the romance in this book, both the suitors were sweet and charming in their own ways, and I loved that even though Henry and Owen didn’t understand Eleanors or Thalia's reasons for things, they let them do it and supported them. I loved the traditional terms used in this book, the setting and everything. This book is perfect for a YA young reader; great characters, great storyline, and kissing only in the book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan for the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed this book slightly more than the first. And my least favorite character from book one became one of my favorites in this book!

Eleanor and Thalia were both great main characters and Eleanor especially had some really good growth throughout the the book.

If you enjoy historical romance, I would definitely give this series a read. It is delightful to get lost in for a brief moment.

Im obsessed with Bridgerton so I LOVED this one!
It had very similar vibes but softer.
Can’t wait to read more from this author!

I have a soft spot for historical romance, but this one left me feeling lukewarm. While not terrible, it lacked the zest I crave in a book.

The dual romances seemed to dilute the depth I yearn for in character connections. Instead of diving deep with one couple, we're pulled in different directions, leaving me longing for a more intimate exploration of their love stories. Although it was refreshing to hear from two strong female leads, I felt a bit disconnected from their love interests.

Despite these qualms, I can see how this book could be a delightful escape for a younger audience. It's light and easy, perfect for a lazy afternoon read. While it didn't quite capture my heart, I'm certain many others will find it enchanting.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for granting me an early peek at this tale.

Out of mild frustration and a desire for absolute independence, widowed Eleanor hires a young and malleable companion to lend propriety to her household. Thalia joins Eleanor in London with dreams of sharing conversation and inspiration from other more widely known poets. Neither wants nor needs a man. But love finds its way to disrupt both of their plans.
Thalia’s character and experiences are what I was hoping for after the first novel. I enjoyed her page time quite thoroughly. Eleanor was a little hard to love but she got there in the end. Rosalyn’s voice is easily bingeable and her books are perfect for any teen or adult looking for a sweet and occasionally sassy historical romance. I'd love to see a third book!
This absolutely can be read as a standalone (it introduces some new characters and is well rounded for those featured from An Improbable Season).
Thank you @austenprose, @fsgyoungreaders and @rosalyn.eves for the #gifted copy. All thoughts are my own

Something about YA historical romance just doesn't sit right with me (I did not know this was YA when I requested it). I've seen it done well before, but this one kind of missed the mark. It's weird and uncomfortable to think about marriage as a 17 year old, so I just didn't jive with this one.

An Unlikely Proposition is an enchanting romance that captivated me with its relatable characters, genuine struggles, and remarkable talents. This swoon-worthy novel presents a compelling narrative that is engaging. The story delves into the lives of characters facing genuine challenges. These relatable individuals grapple with real-world problems, allowing readers to empathize with their experiences. The characters possess authentic talents that add depth and intrigue to the plot, making the story all the more captivating. With its relatable characters, genuine struggles, and remarkable talents, this book offers a delightful escape.

After loving An Improbable Season, I can say that this follow up was a disappointment. An Unlikely Proposition, unfortunately, lacked the charm from its predecessor.

I liked Thalia’s story, but I did not connect with Eleanor. I often found myself skimming her chapters. I think this sequel would have been better suited as a novella focused solely on Thalia.

However, I still enjoyed getting to see Thalia’s happy ending with a familiar friend.

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Regency Era double romance, a fake engagement, dual POV, and so much more in charming and sweet YA novel, what's not to love. The story follows Eleanor, a 17-year-old widow who is out of mourning and looking for a new companion. Enter Thalia, a highly inexperienced companion and you have a story bound to offer drama.

Following the end of her mourning period Eleanor is being pushed to marry even though due to terms laid out in her late husbands will, a marriage will force her to lose her considerable wealth. Navigating a fake betrothal while developing very real feelings, Eleanor puts herself in the middle of a messy situation with what seems like no end in sight. Thalia dreams of becoming a poet even though it is unheard of for a female to do so in her time. A stolen poetry book, a secret crush, and and bumpy relationship with Eleanor cause for an interesting story from start to finish.

Title: An Unlikely Proposition
Author: Rosalyn Eves
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5

Eleanor did not come to London to be proper and boring. After the death of her husband and a year of mourning, the seventeen year old wants nothing more than her independence and to have a little fun. She’s hardly looking to remarry, despite pressures from her late husband’s nephew, who is keen on obtaining her inheritance. Eleanor quickly devises a plan that includes a fake engagement. What’s not a part of the plan? Falling for a dashing, quiet man outside of her social circle – a man who is not her betrothed. Can she survive the Season with her heart and her fortune intact?

Thalia is determined to begin afresh after a disastrous first Season in London. No romantic distractions, but only her work as a poet and newfound companion to Eleanor. Determined to get her poems published, she struggles to be taken seriously as a female writer. As the spring progresses, Thalia does not expect to take interest in a man from her past (a man who is engaged to her employer, no less!), but some feelings demand to be felt even if the timing isn’t quite right.

This was just an okay read for me. The characters felt more like caricatures or paper dolls than fully fleshed-out people, and I kind of felt like I was watching a telenovela, with the dramatics and over-the-top emotional decisions. I liked the secondary characters better than the primary ones, and would have enjoyed seeing more of them.

Rosalyn Eves lives in Utah. An Unlikely Proposition is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Macmillan’s in exchange for an honest review.)

It has been a while since I read book one of the Unexpected Seasons series and it took some time to remember all that occurred. Book two got off to a very slow start for me (which was in part on me trying to remember book one), but it did pick up in pace about a third of the way through. An Unlikely Proposition picks up with Thalia's story. She has come back to London as a companion for a rich, young widow and runs into Henry Salisbury (her sister's former fiancée). Will she see him in a different light?
If you are looking for a clean, YA regency romance this is the book for you. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

This is a sweet and clean regency romance book meant for YA readers. I did not realize it was part of a series when I requested it but it worked as a standalone novel The novel follows two female main characters, Thalia and Eleanor. Eleanor, having married a much older man, is now a widow at the age of 17. She needs a companion and Thalia responds to the advertisement. Thalia had a horrible first season in London but is determined to return since she is convinced it will help with her writing. The ladies run in the same social circles since they are a similar age but the employer/employee relationship makes a true friendship challenging.

This was a really cute book, when I requested it I don’t realize it was a YA. Which isn’t a problem as I love all levels of romance and it was fun to see some wholesomeness.

Absolutely captivating read! From start to finish, this book held me spellbound. The characters were so vividly portrayed, and the storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down!

In this companion novel to An Improbable Season, Thalia Aubrey returns to become one of the main characters along with a newcomer to the series, Eleanor Lockwood. Eleanor is a widow at the young age of 17, and hires Thalia to be her companion, as Thalia desires to return to London to inspire her writing. As they are close in age, they move in the same circles among the London elite, attending balls and performances, but as Thalia’s employer, Eleanor does not befriend Thalia. The chapters alternate between being told by Eleanor and by Thalia, both characters going through different issues independently that ultimately coincide to be resolved together. This was a delightful read, and while the results ultimately were predictable, the path getting there was not. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a sweet historical British romance.