Cover Image: The Book Proposal

The Book Proposal

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I didn't find the narrator of this book enjoyable. I DNF very early in. This could be a factor of not the right time, but I couldn't connect to the characters.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

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It's definitely a romance. I just don't know who it's for. I wanted to say New Adult because how young the characters act but they're in their 30s. I think more things would make sense if they were barely out of college. There were other parts that was just a bit cringey and could do without. Somethings are just ugh.
It also just ends.

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This was a sore disappointment. The author has dumped some unique ideas into this book but seemingly forgot to arrange them. Micciche's writing felt monotonous and sloppy, with the POVs that made no sense. The backstories were creative but presented in random and completely irrelevant places. About the characters, there is nothing remotely interesting about them, with their personalities so dull that I couldn't wait to finish reading.

Final thoughts- The book is a sleeping pill, so don't buy this for entertainment. If you're looking for some out-of-the-box sub-plots, this could help. (I haven't come across any of these ideas before, and that was the one thing that kept me going)

PS: I hate being so harsh with my thoughts, but I found this read quite frustrating and can't think of a better way to convey my emotions.

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Gracie Landing is having a rough go of it. Her ex-fiance is marrying their former wedding planner, she needs money, and she is suffering from writer's block. So after one too many drinks, she messages her old high school crush, Colin, whom she hasn't spoken to in 15 years. He responds, and after some friendly back-and-forth banter and tales of Colin's romance issues, Gracie begins to write Colin's story. But will they fall in love in the process?

Unfortunately, the premise was cute, but the execution was a hot mess.

If the author didn't tell you, you would never know these characters are in their 30s. All the characters in this book are some of the most immature characters I have ever read. The sheer amount of fart/poop jokes is astonishing. The female lead sharts herself at the beginning of the book. If that wasn't enough, there were several jokes regarding STDs. None of it is funny. The dialogue also feels very young. None of it worked for me.

Further, the characters have zero chemistry. The entire plot takes place over the course of 2 weeks. You have no time to fall in love with them as a couple. Further, both of them are terrible, and I didn't care what happened to them.

Colin and his terrible friend have some very problematic views of women. The way they spoke about women was gross and cringey.

The fact that I read this entire book should win me an award.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Book Proposal by finds romance author Gracie in the aftermath of a drunk hate email that she sent her high school crush, Colin, because he inadvertently gave her an unfortunate nickname. He is so offended by her insults that he feels the need to respond and defend himself. From there, an ongoing correspondence begins and a friendship blossoms.

This book is so incredibly funny. I absolutely loved the email banter between Gracie and Colin. They bounced so well off of each other and it help really build the tension between them before things turned romantic.

I cannot say enough about how hilarious this book is and how hungry it made me. I'm such a sucker for any book with food involved, and now I desperately want to hop on the train to NYC to taste all of the things! I'll even forgive the author for her Boston bagel slander, because let's face it, she's right.

I highly recommend this one for anyone who likes books about writers, hot lawyers, softball, and romances that leave you grinning your butt off!

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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The Book Proposal is laugh-out-loud funny. I highlighted so many passages in the first 50% of the book that I should have just highlighted every page to save myself some time.

Gracie is wildly, refreshingly three-dimensional. Most of the funniest portions of this novel are seen through Gracie's internal monologue. Her thought process and musings completely reminded me of conversations I've had with my best friends and wouldn't even bat an eye.

Colin was a pleasant surprise. If someone drunk emailed me to tell me I was less-than-stellar, I can't say I would have handled it with as much... dare I say... Grace. Colin handles it beautifully, though, and their correspondence afterward feels masterfully done.

I loved this novel and I hope that everyone who picks it up and reads it loves it too. I can't wait for more books by KJ Micciche. Thank you!

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Gracie Landing has had a heck of a year. Her fiancee was boinking the wedding planner and knocked her up, she is broke, and she is suffering from writer’s block. So when her best friends took her out to cheer her up, she got blitzed. Instead of drunk texting her ex, Gracie drunk emails her high school crush, Colin Yarmouth. Colin, who is going through some issues, is shocked when Gracie emails him. He is also intrigued. His reply to her email snowballs to them emailing and texting daily. When Colin shares his unhappily ever after with Gracie, she uses it as the base for a novel (with his permission). Gracie doesn’t know that Colin’s story is about to wreak havoc on all areas of her life. Will Gracie come out the other side of the fallout unscathed? Will she be able to continue having a relationship with Colin? Or is everything over before it had a chance to begin?

I have been reading many books that either feature authors or publishers or are in some way about books. Four of the last six books I have read have been what I stated above. Don’t get me wrong; I am not complaining. I like it when a book centers around a book. That is one of the main reasons I decided to read The Book Proposal.

The Book Proposal is a fast-paced book in Brooklyn and Queens. The pacing was right for this book. With the quick dialogue (Gracie had some epic snapback comebacks), the book would have lost some of its “oomph” for me if it had gone slower. Also, the pace matched the almost frantic pace of the characters’ lives and the city where they lived.

The Book Proposal’s main storyline concerns Gracie, her writer’s block, and her email to Colin. I loved that Gracie was a romance writer that wrote smut. Some of the best lines were when she tried to develop the dialogue between the two characters in her newest book. I was dying laughing while reading. It also made me want to read that book (even if it was fictional). Oh, and let’s not forget the steamy secret admirer letters she wrote to Colin in high school. Again, they were epic.

I wouldn’t say Gracie was a hot mess. At the book’s beginning, she is immature and doesn’t know what she wants. But her character growth (helped by a very steady Colin) was good for a romance. I liked that she became self-aware that she caused her messes. I also liked that she realized she didn’t need a man to make her happy.

Gracie’s drunken email to Colin was epic. I have heard about drunk texting (never done it, my drunken days consisted of drunk dialing, and yes, I am that old), but drunk emailing was another thing. Her email was because she blamed him for the nickname (Elvis) she got in high school. I also liked that the author kept them to email, texts, and eventually seeing each other.

Colin’s backstory was just as bad as Gracie’s. It took a while for Colin to tell Gracie what happened. All I have to say is, “Yikes,” and I didn’t blame him for divorcing his wife. Colin also had his issues, which were centered around his father. Colin’s father was an idiot and a jerk. I loved that he got his comeuppance at the end of the book. He deserved it.

The romance angle was interesting. It’s interesting because it didn’t present as a romance until Gracie and Colin met face to face. Put it this way, if I didn’t know I was reading a romance, I would have figured this book to be a chick lit. But, once the feelings got turned on, they were all in. Of course, as in any romance novel, there are a few detours and roadblocks. I liked that Gracie and Colin (unwillingly on his end) dealt healthily with those detours and roadblocks.

There were a couple of twists to this book that did take me by surprise. One is the connection between Colin, Gracie, and Colin’s ex-wife. I was not expecting that minor storyline to blow up the way it did or its ripple effects (good and bad). The other twist was between Gracie and her ex. Again, I was surprised to see him show up toward the end of the book. But, in this case, I did get a good laugh. All I will say about him showing up is: “You reap what you sow,” and Gracie was lucky to avoid marrying that hot mess.

The end of The Book Proposal had me feeling conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was mad and sad for Gracie and Colin. But I felt that Gracie did the right thing, and while it felt like she was getting the short end of the stick, she didn’t. On the other hand, I was super happy for Gracie and Colin. I loved that they got their HEA.

I recommend The Book Proposal to anyone over 21. There is language, mild violence, and nongraphic sexual situations. Also, see my trigger warnings at the beginning of the review.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley, and KJ Micciche for allowing me to read and review The Book Proposal. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

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I received a complimentary copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca and all opinions expressed are entirely my own,

This is my first K.J Micciche book and I enjoyed it . The Book Proposal is every bookish readers dream but it's quite unreal and a perfect escape from the world. It tells the story of Gracie who is a romance writer with writer's block and so one day after drinking one too many ends up emailing the one guy that didn't like her back. The guy she emails is Colin and isn't as sweet as she expected initially on email but they end up talking. The premise of the book was fun and I expected to like the book but could have used more banter but overall an enjoyable read.

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I would like to thank NetGalley, KJ Micciche and the publishers for providing me with a free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

The first thing that Gracie did when she found out that her fiancé and wedding planner are having a child together, she goes out with her two best friends, and drinks away her pain. Harmless, right? Not that harmless when she recklessly emails the boy who she had a massive crush on throughout all of high school, on his work email of all! Collin is now a divorced attorney who finds humor in Gracie's email and decides to reply by sending a much nicer email of his own. After emails of getting to know each other, Gracie tells Collin about her major book deal which can set her finances straight ahead. Collin decides to help Gracie by giving her his opinions on her writing material, but what he doesn't know is that the male love interest is solemnly based off of him, and that Gracie might have also been the person who sent him the many anonymous love letters in high school.

I went into thins book thinking that I was going to read this fluffy romance book about an author with the second chance trope. I was a bit wrong about that. I didn't really feel any connection towards the characters and because of that, it took me really long to finish it. The plot was all over the place! There were just things being added to the plot which created a lot of unnecessary drama and I feel like the author was so focused on creating a plot and development that she forgot some small elements that were mentioned in the very beginning of the book, which I thought would have to do with them getting to know each other better. Did he ever find out about who the sender of the letters was? It's these small observations that really caught my attention.

I felt like they were moving a bit too quickly. They skipped many stages of a relationship and, once again, the drama was really not needed. Sometimes a simple fluffy romance book is better that a kind of spicy book with a lot of drama for book content.

This definitely wasn't one of my favorite books that I've read this month but that's simply my opinion. Many people will think otherwise and that is ok!

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"The Book Proposal" by KJ Micciche is an insightful and practical guide that demystifies the process of creating a compelling book proposal for aspiring authors. With her wealth of knowledge and experience in the publishing industry, Micciche delivers a comprehensive resource that offers valuable advice and step-by-step instructions for crafting a persuasive book proposal. The book takes readers on a journey through each component of a book proposal, from the query letter and synopsis to the author bio and marketing plan. Micciche's writing style is clear, concise, and approachable, making the content accessible to both novice and seasoned writers. Her expertise shines through as she shares insider tips, industry insights, and real-life examples that help readers understand the nuances of a strong book proposal. One of the standout features of "The Book Proposal" is its practicality. Micciche not only provides guidance on what to include in each section of the proposal, but she also offers exercises and prompts that encourage writers to think deeply about their book's marketability, target audience, and unique selling points. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the publishing landscape and helps authors craft a compelling proposal that stands out to agents and publishers. Micciche's emphasis on the importance of research is another commendable aspect of the book. She stresses the significance of understanding the market, analyzing comparable titles, and tailoring the proposal to fit the specific needs and interests of agents and publishers. This attention to detail and strategic approach sets "The Book Proposal" apart from other writing guides, giving authors a competitive edge in the publishing industry. Furthermore, Micciche's engaging and conversational tone makes the book an enjoyable read. The author's passion for the craft of writing and her genuine desire to help authors succeed shines through in every chapter. It feels like having a knowledgeable friend guiding you through the intricacies of the publishing process. If there is one area where "The Book Proposal" could be further enhanced, it is in providing more examples and case studies. While Micciche does offer a few illustrative examples, additional real-life proposals and success stories could further enrich the book's practicality and provide writers with concrete models to follow.

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'The Book Proposal' is a funny, lighthearted romance that makes for a great read Whenever I hear that a book's main character is an author, I'm down. And this one is about a romance novelist, which is even better!

The FMC is hilarious, a bit crazy, and many of her jokes and awkward situations had me laughing through half the book. But also the side characters were lovely and always contributed to the plot in a positive way, especially Evan! He was my absolute favorite.
The love story between Gracie and Colin made for a wild ride with many twists and turns that were to die for. While some of the story's turns were to be expected, they still provided an entertaining plot.
Overall, this is a sweet and fast-paced rom-com that will have you flying through the pages!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

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This was a very cute little romance. Very easy read, light hearted, and really great banter. I really enjoyed this, and it was a lovely little palette cleanser book

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Gracie reconnects with Colin after a drunken email to him. What they don't know if how their lives are connected already. A great read, I would have liked to have seen more of an epilogue though.

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This book wasn’t for me. It was pretty cringey at times. I definitely liked the idea and I did like the writing style but overall it was just too over the top.

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I went between a 3.5 and 3 stars for The Book Proposal - I LOVED the idea it, but I struggled with some aspects of it.

Gracie is a ghostwriter and is struggling to finish her next book. She’s been working with an agent who is convinced that she can get her a 6 figure two-book deal but she needs to see something as soon as possible. Gracie is also not quiet over a high school crush, Colin - who she just so happens to drunk email one night.

Colin responds the email and two embark on emails back and forth - creating an unlikely friendship, growing love - all the while he’s helping provide her ideas for her new book. Who’s ex-wife is her unknowingly her agent.

I LOVED the back & forth emails and I loved the friendship but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters to make me feel the love. I also didn’t really love the characters themselves - in my books, I want more depth. I want to be in their head. I want to see growth & development and I didn’t really notice that. I also didn’t love the third act breakup that was due to miscommunication/ lack of communication.

This is a debut novel by KJ Micciche - I would absolutely give more books by her a try because she has great ideas.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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The Book Proposal lured me in with a gorgeous cover. The premise follows Gracie, a struggling writer who drunkenly emails a former high school crush. When she receives a reply, she is initially horrified and then strikes up a correspondence with him. As they build a connection, Gracie begins to get ideas for a story once again…but what if the story doesn’t belong to her?

While I loved the premise, I struggled with the execution of it. I found it difficult to connect with Colin and Gracie, as at times they could be pretty uncompelling. Colin’s dialogue and inner thoughts felt cringey, making it difficult to hope for his happiness. I also disliked some of his inner musings about women. When conflicts arose, I felt the second-hand embarrassment of being trapped in a public location and forced to bear witness to an argument. While this wasn’t my cup of tea, I think there are readers who will love the pure shenanigans Gracie gets up to as she fights through writer’s block and strives for her happiness.

Thank you to KJ Micciche, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

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Reading a book about a romance author’s journey of writing a book was definitely a little meta at points. This book felt a little long winded at points but overall I enjoyed it. There were some unexpected moments that kept me interested!

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Overall, I liked this one! There were a couple of points in the middle where I wasn’t sure it was for me but I really enjoyed the second half and the end! There were some cringy parts, but also some parts that made me laugh out loud. Give it a try if this is your genre!

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Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and author for giving me a chance to reviewing "The Book Proposal".

I enjoyed the dual POV and the banter between Gracie and Colin. However, some of the jokes felt repetitive and forceful. While it was funny in the first couple of chapters, it became a bit too much later on. The romance was too instant for my taste. But great for readers who are into that trope.

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DNF 9%. I reached the words “Alfredo shart” and knew I was done. This book is gross. Evens before this particular scene, there was more than one poop joke and the descriptions of people are body-shamy. It felt like a 12 year old boy wrote the book rather than a romance between 30 something’s. It’s a no from me and I will not be returning.

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