I read and listen to a lot of regency romance, and I was excited for a different plot line than the typical. Unfortunately, <i> The Proposition </i> didn't seem to live up to the description and plot line I had imagined. I had a hard time relating to the FMC, I had a hard time reconciling her with other girls over the regency time period. The historical details didn't seem to be as well researched or consistent as I wanted or expected them to be. The romance between the FMC and MMC didn't have chemistry. Did the love each other just for revenge? Was their more to their relationship than that? I couldn't really tell. It took a long time for me to get through this one, I kept stepping away, and finally I made my way back. But it just wasn't my favorite read unfortunately.

The Proposition by Madeleine Roux. Pub Date: August 2, 2022. Rating: 2 stars. I love regency era historical fiction novels, but honestly this book was a dud. The writing was long and drawn out, minimal courtship between the main characters and the reader has to wait until the very end to see how it will all play out. And even at the end, the ending felt rushed and forced. I am actually surprised this book was not edited more. It has an intriguing storyline, but execution was not there. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion. I like the main character Clemency think marriage is outdated and archaic. Until, again like Clemency, I met someone who makes me change my mind. And again, said guy proves that I was right all along. This book is amazing.

Oh no, she's engaged to a cold and probably cruel man. Clemency's hearing warning bells and alarms as the date draws near. Audric steps up to rescue her since his sister also suffered at this jerk's hand. Great story line and enjoyed getting to know these 2.

At a young age, Miss Clemency Fry found a pamphlet, "On Marriage", written by Miss Bethany Taylor, a treatise against marriage. She hid it, treasured it and vowed to never wed, but after being wooed by Lord Turner Boyle, she is convinced that she is in love. But it turns out that he is a bounder and that is when Mr Audric Ferrand enters her life and offers her a chance to get revenge. Who can she trust? Their scheme almost fails, except for the intervention of the most unlikely person. I found the characters interesting and the plot engaging, but parts did get a bit tedious.

I read an ARC offered on NetGally.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

I absolutely could not get into this book. It feels like nothing really happens and the plot is all over the place.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It flowed well and was interesting. I would recommend this book to others.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a Regency era open door romance.

Clemency find herself in an unhappy relationship engaged to a man who appears to have lost his affection for her. When a stranger (Audric) approaches her with a scheme to trick her fiancée, she decides to go along with it. While The two work to untangle the lies surrounding her fiancée and make him pay for what he has done, Audric and Clemency begin to fall in love

The novel felt a bit too predictable and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I hoped. But I’m sure it will appeal to Regency romance lovers

Thanks NetGalley who sent me a copy so I could review and provide my opinion.

Did women of sense want silly husbands?

A unique and tense story of claiming happiness.

This is an enjoyable read but for some reason it never seemed to get off the ground for me. I especially didn’t connect with the heroine. The plot kept me guessing and there were some intriguing side characters, but it wasn’t stellar. I did love all the literary nods.

Star Rating: 2.5/5
CW: Abuse, toxic relationship

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I was expecting. I thought it was a regency romance novel, but it was more about revenge and self identity. Clemency is a very well put together character and really kept me reading the book. There were many unanswered questions at the end, like does Clemency ever marry? Wish the author would have tied up some of the loose ends at the end of the story.

This is a good story of plotting and revenge but it really isn't a romance and there were many questions left hanging.
Miss Clemency Fry had been duped into marriage even given her staunch views on it which she learned from reading some discarded pages from a book of an author she worships. So how did the Baron trick her into marriage? And why did she go through with it?
The baron, Lord Boyle, wants to marry for financial gain, so he sets his sights on Clemency and woos her, however once engaged, he shuns her. So he was engaged before to Audric Ferrand's sister Delphine. Why didn't he marry her?
Audric Ferrand is out for revenge against the baron because he ruined his sister. He meets Clemency and proposes revenge for them all. Clemency goes along with his plan only to find herself falling in love with Audric and him with her.

So the entire book is about them plotting their revenge and yes, it is good for the most part even though there is lots of filler or in my opinion, unneeded scenes. The author does write well and engages the reader in the story. But this is really not a romance as there isn't a hint of them showing affection toward one another until the very end. And that end is rushed through. Good cast of characters with development.
I gave this 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars mainly as there is an engaging and well-done story there, but the synopsis and label of this should not be under romance or should be listed as clean romance.
I received an advanced copy and my review is completely voluntary.

In an effort to save her family, Clemency is engaged to Lord Boyle. Lord Boyle swept Clemency off her feet, but once they were engaged, his affection cooled and Clemency is confused. Audric Ferrand comes to town to prove that Boyle is a fraud. It turns out that Audric's sister was misused and abandoned by Boyle and now Audric wants to ruin the man. He convinces Clemency to help him. Every conversation between Clemency and Audric are about plotting revenge on Lord Boyle, but somehow, the two still find time to fall in love. The romance aspect is completely off page, and comes about rather abruptly, but once we're told this, the story picks up from there. The book is interesting but the writing is a little stilted. The story is engrossing even if the romance is a bit lacking.

Clemency Fry was engaged to Lord Turner Boyle who is a Baron. She was soon to meet Mr. Audric Ferrand who would tell her that Turner Boyle was not who he said he was. Ms. Roux has written a good book which drags a little easy to pick up and put down and still know what's going on. I'm glad I read it but I wouldn't reread it.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Proposition by Madeleine Roux is a new Regency Romance with a revenge trope, strong protagonists, and intriguing chemistry.

Miss Clemency Fry has been biased against marriage since age 11, when she found a copy of a treatise against it moldering in the woodshed, a treaty that pointed out all the disadvantages of marriage for women. However, she was wooed and won by Lord Turner Boyle. They’re now engaged but she’s having second thoughts because, once she accepted his proposal, he grew cold and cruel. She wants out.

Mr. Audric Ferrand is a new arrival to Clemency’s town. He is on a secret mission to hunt down and destroy Turner Boyle, who is not who he claims to be. Boyle may be a charmer but he’s also a scoundrel who ruins women for fun and profit. Audric’s main task in life has been punishing such scoundrels. He’s been on Boyle’s trail for a while and has a personal vendetta against the man.

Audric makes Clemency a proposition. They’ll ruin Boyle together.

It takes a while for Clemency to trust Audric and to believe the wild accusations he throws at Boyle. But once she does, she’s completely on board.

The plot focuses on their schemes as well as the developing romance between the two. While some elements are rather farfetched and the ending comes about almost in spite of them instead of because of them, I was drawn into both the revenge plot and the romance. It’s fine entertainment for “revenge story” fans.

This book is set in Sussex in 1816 and is nothing like any other Regency era book I’ve read before. I was pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed the story very much. I did stumble some, had to re read some lines, I don’t know what it was but I found myself confused of what happened and had to go back sometimes.

Main characters are Clemency and Audric. Clemency is entering a loveless marriage to help save her family (must marry a wealthy Lord) and Audric is there to get revenge for a young woman tarnished by what this “Lord” has done. Audric needs Clemency’s help and in the process both of these characters who’ve sworn off marriage manage to see a different prospective. This book is full of the unexpected and even the initial reveal isn’t enough for this author. There are plenty more secrets to uncover.

Without giving away the ending, I thought it was tied up a bit too tidy but satisfactory all the same. The last chapter was a bit much, I could have skipped the “wedding night” - very steamy for those of you who enjoy those scenes. I give this book 4.5 stars but have to put it down as 4 because that’s how it works. I went to read more today and was sad to remember I’d finished reading. I would like to read a sequel if there is one.

A charming escape read.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was intrigued after the first few chapters, but that soon waned as it felt the story dragged on a bit. By the end, it felt like the story was rushed for the perfect HEA between Clemency and Audric. Overall, this story was enjoyable with likable characters in a slow-burn romance.

Thank you Random House for the ARC to read and review.

Roux doesn't disappoint with her latest novel. I have a proposition that 5 stars isn't enough to rate it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clemency Fry has framed her opinion of marriage based on Jane Austin and other writers, seeing it not in the best light. She never saw herself as one to fall in love and get married, but when a Baron asks for her hand, she tentatively accepts in order to help support her family. Her sister, a widow, tries to help Clemency see that marriage is a joy, not a prison sentence. Enter Audric Ferrand, a very wealthy new neighbor who brings warnings of Clemecy's fiance not being who they say they are. Hatching a scheme to ruin the Baron before he can ruin Clemency, can Ferrand truly be trusted? And what will happen when matters of the heart get in the way?

Roux is one of my favorite authors. I fell absolutely head over heels for her writing style while reading her House of Furies series(which I HEAVILY recommend for supernatural fantasy lovers!!!!). This was my first novel by Roux that did not have supernatural elements to it, but she lived up to and surpassed my expectations. I'm not a huge romance reader....I like a little romance with my plot, but if the whole story revolves around it I lose interest quickly. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed The Proposition so much, there were many cogs working in the machine, not just romance that moved it forward. I really loved that Clemency was open to marriage to assist her family and wasn't bitter about it as so many heroines tend to be. Ferrand was witty and his scheming is second to none.

Five stars and glowing reviews for The Proposition. Recommended for readers looking for a light and fun novel that has surprising reveals and a small bit of fluff. Recommended for readers 15+ as there is light smut, but nothing too graphic.

Review to appear on Smexy Books:

The Proposition by Madeline Roux is set in the early 19th century in Sussex countryside, as well as London. It has a dastardly villain in Lord Boyle, who you will detest throughout the novel, especially for his ability to fool almost everyone. Clemency is the FMC and she is strong-headed, but a bit naive having grown up in the countryside. In the beginning of the novel, she is engaged to be married to Turner Boyle, despite having grown up under the influence of a treatise describing the cruelty and inequity of marriage. Not only did she save the treatise from the coals of a fire, but she turned to it throughout her youth as a source of both wisdom and comfort.

It is only through the arrival of Audric Ferrand to a local ball, and then serendipitously to the property next to her own, that she learns of Boyle’s duplicitousness and schemes. Like any good heroine, she does not trust Audric right away, but he is a dark, striking character who convinces her not only with his passion for remedying wrongs against women, but also by being absolutely right. Having a charming sister doesn’t hurt: a sister who has experienced the worst degradation at the hands of a man.

The way that Clemency and Audric both resist each other and are drawn to one another is everything I wanted. Their respective sisters also aid in that build-up through conversations and letters. But a lot of the interstitial writing really gummed up the flow of the plot. In fact, at one moment I was reading a description and wondered “is this level of detail necessary or is it artificially trying to delay the plot?” The fact that I pulled my head out of the narrative to ask that might be it’s own answer. I still enjoyed this novel, but I wish it had been tighter in places.

There were two aspects of the novel that that might require a suspension of disbelief. One is that Clemency fell for Turner Boyle at all, being so set against marriage. I think this can be explained away by both her families financial straits and also that her convictions against marriage were youthful and not really tested at all by experience with charming men. The other is Audric’s personal conviction that Clemency must be accepting of multiple sexualities. Interestingly, and without giving spoilers, there are gay, bisexual, and lesbian characters. Luckily for the trajectory of the novel, Audric realizes a country bumpkin like Clemency is mainly ignorant and not malicious, and seeks to educate her in a very unusual manner before he writes her off.

Grade: B-

This one was just ok for me. I thought the characters were interesting and their story had promise but it seemed like their feelings developed out of nowhere since all of their interactions revolved around making Lord Boyle pay for his misdeeds. And don't get me wrong, he completely deserves everything they plan but I wanted more development of the core relationship between Clemency and Audric.

I'm interested in checking out more of this genre from Madeleine Roux as I've read other books by her and she always has an interesting storyline. This one just didn't win me over fully.