Loved this book, perhaps even better than Jasmine Guillory's first. The characters are relatable, and I really enjoyed following their stories.

Full review to be published online in early September.

Jasmine Guillory’s THE PROPOSAL is a lovely follow up to her charming debut novel ‘The Wedding Date’. Taking the hilarity a step further, here we have a story in which Carlos and his sister goes to rescue a woman named Niki after her boyfriend leaves in a huff when she publicly dumps him. Carlos and Niki eventually become quite friendly and start dating. Of course, both keep telling themselves that the relationship will be casual. As time goes by and they become closer its clear that there is more going on. A wonderful follow up and actually an improvement on the previous book. Characters carry over from the first book; but the story can be read standalone.

I honestly didn't know it was possible to love a book more than Guillory's THE WEDDING DATE, but here I am. Totally and completely in love with this sexy, fresh feminist novel. Not a single one of the issues felt dramatic, or unnecessary. I also would like to be best friends with Nik and her group.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Roxane Gay blurbs a book about a love story, I know I have to read it. Nik (Nikole) Peterson is a freelance journalist dating a pretty guy with not a lot upstairs when their casual relationship goes sideways in a VERY public moment. Carlos Ibarra is the doctor who helps her save face and get out of the situation. Both are successful professionals in Los Angeles who have sworn off serious relationships for various reasons-- she's had too many bad boyfriends, he's too focused on his extended family-- and, if they are looking for anything, it's strictly a friends with benefits situation. Lucky for them, they found each other, and the chemistry is off the charts. But in between casual dinners and scorching hookups, something is happening. And the results aren't what anyone had planned.

Oh, I loved this. Guillory's writing is the perfect "weekend on the porch with a glass of wine" writing, not afraid to be both angsty and funny within the same page, and written about professional adults who aren't globe-trotting billionaires or weirdly virginal secretaries. Carlos's best friend is Drew from The Wedding Date, and like that book, I was excited to get this and now I'm excited to talk it up to people. Whomever at Berkley decided to print these as trade paperbacks and do non-romance-cliched covers should be given a raise, because these books are so much fun and the covers are accessible to a general audience.

In this follow up to Ms. Guillory debut novel The Wedding we reacquaint ourselves with Carlos(best friend of the hero in the wedding). Carlos and his sister Angie is at the Dodgers game when on the Jumbtron they see a woman being asked by her boyfriend to marry him and seeing her turn him down. So begins this charming and hilarious novel in which Carlos and his sister goes and rescue Niki after her boyfriend leaves in a huff after feeling humiliated. Carlos and Niki eventually becomes friendly and start dating each other both saying to themselves and to each other this relationship will be casual. As time goes by as the become closer its clear to the audience that this is more. A wonderful follow up entertaining novel by Ms. Guillory. Review will be on amazon and goodreads.

I didn't care enough to finish this, unfortunately. While I loved Guillory's The Wedding Date, this just wasn't hitting the right note for me- it's a little more slapsticky and the obstacles feel a little more forced. I can see a lot of people enjoying it, though.

I may have squealed a tiny bit when I found out this book was available, because I just loved The Wedding Date. This follow-up focuses on Carlos, best friend of the hero and all-around good guy from the previous book. Carlos steps in to help a stranger after she rejects a wedding proposal on the jumbotron at a Dodgers game, and ends up befriending her. A lot of the drama in the story comes from both protagonists avowing that they are only interested in a casual relationship, despite their obvious compatibility as friends and lovers. I look forward to seeing what happens next!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of this title.

I LOVED Jasmine Guillory's debut <i>The Wedding Date</i> (I also enjoy her TinyLetter and Twitter presence), and I was stoked when this book, a companion to her first, was announced. <i>The Proposal</i> follows Nik and Carlos (Drew's friend from the first book). They have the BEST meet cute when Nik's dumb boyfriend proposes on a baseball jumbotron, and Carlos hustles her out of the stadium after she says no. Seriously, this book has a GREAT set up, and I don't understand why Jasmine isn't writing romcoms. CALL HER, NETFLIX! Anyway, we get to see Nik and Carlos become friends, then more, while navigating family issues and personal baggage. It is so good.

I love both <i>The Proposal</i> and the <i>The Wedding Date</i> because they turn on full characters with believable issues and without over-the-top drama or communication issues. These books are so warm and lovely, with characters who have friends, families, and lives outside their romantic pairings. If you like contemporary romance, these are the highest quality and you should read them. NETFLIX, SERIOUSLY, GET ON MAKING THESE INTO MOVIES!