I went in blind with The Proposal Project and I am so pleasantly surprised by it. It had a unique plot that I had never read before (and I read a lot of romance) and an adorable MMC that I could not get enough of. It follows Priscilla and Oliver who have best friends that have been dating for awhile. Both of those best friends want to propose to the other and enlist Priscilla and Oliver's help (without those best friends knowing what each other have planned). So Priscilla and Oliver team up to make it the best proposal for both of their best friends and meanwhile start fake dating to cover up the fact they have to spend so much time together. It is OBVIOUS Oliver is obsessed with Priscilla but we (as the reader) only read from Priscilla's POV and she is the most clueless FMC ever. I almost wish we had one bonus chapter of Oliver's POV just to get a taste of how long he loved her and wanted her.

You'll love this book if you like:
- fake dating
- obsessed, head over heels MMC
- absolutely clueless FMC (which was a tad annoying)
- banter and bickering
- HEA
- no third act breakup!!!
- spicy scenes

The only reason I rated it as four stars is because there was a part of the plot where Priscilla had to deal with a creepy and annoying businessman as she's starting up her business and it felt weird to me. It also felt like it wasn't resolved and I was left wondering what happened to him and why he gave Priscilla up so easily. I wish it was left out of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the cutest romance I've read recently. I love an enemies to lovers story; and this one also has fake dating, which makes it the perfect combination for me. This story is sweet, funny, clever, and everything you could ask for. I only wish it was longer haha.

I really enjoyed all characters and their interactions amongst themselves. All their experiences felt pretty real and relatable. I had such a nice time reading it, I didn't even noticed how time flew by. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Rating: 4,25 stars.

First of all, thank you Net Galley for the ARC.

The premise itself was too difficult to believe for me. Like your friend gives you more than 100,000$ to plan her proposal???? Isn’t that a bit TOO much? That was one of the first things that gave me the ick.

I love an enemies to lovers and the banter of her trying to steak the ring and everything, that was fun, but then, the proposal thing, which is the main plot for the whole book, felt super naive. A marching band?????? A flash-mob????? It was all too crazy and for my taste. I was expecting something else to happen, to know more about these characters? but it never came. Over all, it lacked a bit of depth for me.

I love romantic comedies but with layered characters that show you that there is more than funny and sweet moments.

So if you are after a light fun book, you might actually enjoy this more than me!

Thank you so much to One More Chapter / HarperCollins UK, and Netgalley for access to this eARC! I always appreciate the opportunity to read and review ahead of publication day.

I was so excited to receive this eARC email because Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti was one of my first ARC reads when I got started reviewing through Netgalley. The Proposal Project sounded like the perfect romcom set-up to pair with Donna's penchant for fun banter, and I was right!

The Proposal Project follows Priscilla as she teams up with Oliver - a man she nearly dated before things between them soured - to make sure that their friends Ryan and Tina get the proposal they both want, while keeping the real plan largely secret from them both. I loved this story as a light read between heavier books, because the hijinks, banter, and absurdity of it all was such a fun time. The actual plot of the story around the proposal paired with Priscilla's hyper-focus on executing an event perfectly led to so many moments where they COULD have resolved things in a less absurd way - but where's the fun in that? Reading this book felt like watching a romcom from the golden years of How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days, or 27 Dresses - there MUST be an easier/better way to achieve these goals, but then... we wouldn't be anywhere nearly as entertained, so no complaints here.

I really enjoyed both Oliver and Priscilla - Oliver obviously was yearning in his own way, confused about what happened at the start of their relationship that led them to this strained place. I do feel like Priscilla's grudge against him was just slightly overblown, but knowing her parents use similar language about her being "obsessive" and that it was a public moment did give it the weight it needed. I also really enjoyed Tina, I think having the token rich friend to kinda excuse away the costs of the chaos being planned for the proposal made the whole thing so much more fun - they really did go big with it and every single aspect felt so over the top in the best way.

My two main gripes (small ones!) were:
- Oliver "smirked" nearly every other line - once I noticed it, I couldn't unsee it, and it took me out of the story a bit just because I kept noting it. He even smirked in a sad/serious moment which took me a second to recover from.
- We never got to circle back to the notebook??? I need to know what Oliver was writing (clearly about Priscilla)??? was it poetry? music?? I'm dying to know

I rated this book a 4/5 stars. Overall this was a silly, fun, lighthearted romcom read that I think any contemporary romance fan could pick up and enjoy, especially as a palette cleanser or mental break between heavier books. It was exactly what we were sold, and it was done well, but it's nothing groundbreaking (but it doesn't have to be, to be a good time!). As someone that isn't a huge contemporary "enemies to lovers" fan, I think this was done well in the way that the "enemy" portion wasn't taken too seriously or held onto for too long - but if you're a connoisseur of contemporary enemies to lovers, this might not hit hard enough for you.

Another incredible story from Donna - Priscilla and Oliver were such a delight to follow, I loved the concept of them both having to bring two proposals together because both of their friends wanted to be the ones proposing. The banter between them was perfection and the slow burn tension keeps you at the edge of your seat. The Proposal Project is the perfect rom-com and I could definitely see it on the big screen.

A delightful mix of heart, humor, and unexpected twists, The Proposal Project is the kind of romance that’ll have you laughing, swooning, and rooting for the characters from start to finish. Donna Marchetti masterfully blends a lighthearted premise with deeper emotional moments that give the story real heart.

The plot centers around a quirky, fun idea—an unusual proposal project—but it’s the chemistry between the leads and their witty banter that really steals the show. You can practically feel the sparks flying through the pages. The pacing is perfect, the secondary characters are a joy, and the twists are just enough to keep you on your toes while still delivering that sweet romantic payoff.

This book is a warm hug with a little bit of sass and a whole lot of charm—perfect for fans of feel-good, rom-coms with a sprinkle of surprise.

The Proposal Project is a hilarious, heartwarming rom-com that delivers fake-out proposals, real feelings, and top-tier banter.

Priscilla, a recently fired event planner, is hired by her best friend to plan the perfect proposal—only to find out the boyfriend is planning his own surprise proposal with the help of his best friend, Oliver. Cue the chaos.

Priscilla and Oliver can’t stand each other… which obviously means they’re about to fall in love. Their banter is sharp, the tension is delightful, and the whole thing feels like a rom-com just begging for a movie deal.

4.5 stars for the slow-burn sparks, proposal shenanigans, and enemies-to-lovers magic.

I was immediately hooked on this book from the first chapter! I love a good rom-com and this really scratched that itch for me. I really enjoyed the fmc in this book, very relatable! Thank you so much for the arc, this was my first time with this author and I enjoyed it.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so fun and easy to read. The story itself was just beautiful and the characters are perfect. Literally read this book in a matter of hours I loved it that much.

If you're looking for a fast, easy summer read then this is the perfect book for you.

Two 'lifelong enemies' are forced to fake-date to help their best friends propose to each other. It's a unqiue premise with a few cliche's along the way, but the cliche's don't take anything away from the story or the characters.

This book saved me from a reading slump, the pacing is fast, the chemistry between Priscilla and Oliver is electric. It was funny and cute, the fmc was very naive at times, but it also felt like a realistic way of thinking.

I'm very delighted I got to read this early & I think I'll be going back to read 'Hate Mail' next!

Thank you netgalley & harper collins for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Often books make me smile and sometimes do one of those silent laughs through the nose, but rarely are they actually laugh out loud funny. This one had at least two moments where I found myself actually giggling and one stand out moment still makes me laugh now when I think back to it. The storyline was good- the ‘fake relationship’ often feels really forced and this didn’t and neither did the enemies plot line. I liked the resolutions of both of these plot lines which can sometime prove a difficult conundrum. I also kept thinking surely that wouldn’t happen and then remembering that actually it’s easy to see how misunderstandings do come about in the real world like the ones presented here. I didn’t want to put this down, a lovely bit of escapism. Be prepared for some spice, always good to know what you’re getting into with that.

If you want a lighthearted, fluffy and quick read with ALL the tropes, then this is a book for you. I read it in about 3 hours while lounging in the sun, and I kept wishing I were on a beach somewhere, because it would be the perfect vacation read.

After she's fired from her job, Priscilla is persuaded by her best friend Tina to start up her own even-planning business. And Tina wants to be her first official client, given that she's decided she wants to propose to her boyfriend Ryan. Little do they know that Ryan is planning a proposal of his own and has asked his best friend Oliver to help him out. Priscilla and Oliver agree to head up a joint proposal project so that everything will (hopefully) go smoothly and so that both of their best friends will have a proposal they won't forget.

There's only one problem: they can't stand each other so having to spend all this time together is going to be a real hardship.

I ended up liking this a lot more than I suspected I would after the first couple of chapters. The writing isn't my favourite style, but I liked Priscilla and Oliver quite a bit. It becomes quite clear very early on that their mutual animosity is actually more of a one-sided affair as Priscilla thinks Oliver dislikes her right back. But of course the fact that they don't get along is all based on a misunderstanding.

If I had a dollar for every conflict in a romance book that could be solved by having one conversation, I'd be pretty rich.

Now, normally I don't like the huge miscommunication thing at all. And don't get me wrong, I didn't like it any better here (there's a lot of assumptions being made, constantly, that could be fixed by just opening up and talking but hey), but I did tolerate it better than I usually would. Maybe because everything was so predictable and I was in the mood for predictability.

The characters are also one-dimensional and they make questionable choices and don't seem to have any notion of personal boundaries. Their age is never mentioned (or any other background stuff, for that matter) but they behave like teenagers most of the time, which was a weird choice.

On the good side, though, this is blissfully low on drama and I am always appreciative of that. So, if you don't expect this to be anything more than just a standard, brainless, early 2000s romcom, you'll be fine.

Oh, this also needs another good read-through by an editor. But given that I read an ARC, I am more forgiving of this and hoping some things that didn't entirely make sense might still get cut.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book was so cute and sweet. It was the perfect rom com read! I didn’t want it to end loved it so much!! Priscilla and Oliver had such amazing chemistry from the very beginning. It was also interesting seeing Tina and Ryan’s relationship mixed in. The plot was well written, the author really bought these characters to life. Truly amazing!

Thank you netgallery and Harper Collins Uk for the opportunity to review this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Pre thoughts
- Fake Dating...

Post Thoughts
- Great development of the MMC and FMC.
- Captivated the reader from the very beginning of the book.
- Some parts had me giggling.


Overall
- This is a great 2000's rom com read, I loved the progression of the book Pricilla and Oliver are quite a memorable couple. I will be Re-reading this further down the track, cant wait for the book to be published.

Stars 4/5
spice 2/5

Tropes
- Fake Dating
- No third act breakup
- Forced proximity
- One Bed
- Obsessed MMC (He falls First)
- Enemies to lovers
- Cabin shenanigans
- Miscommunication :(

Just finished The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti, and honestly, it was such a fun ride. If you're into enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity vibes, this one's for you.

Priscilla, the event planner, is all about her bestie’s dream proposal, but things get chaotic when she has to team up with Oliver—Ryan’s best friend and certified hot mess. Their banter? Top-tier. The chemistry? Off the charts. It’s giving rom-com energy, and I was here for it.

Some parts felt a bit predictable, and the pacing was a little uneven at times, but honestly, it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment. The story was still a cute and fun read.

Overall, The Proposal Project is a solid 4-star read. It's light, funny, and perfect for when you need a feel-good story. Definitely looking forward to what Donna Marchetti comes up with next!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

*Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter for the eArc*

4.5 ⭐️

This book was so cute. It was the perfect sweet rom com read.
Priscilla and Oliver had such great chemistry from the very start.
I loved seeing Tina and Ryan’s relationship mixed in as well. The plot was well written, it really came to life at the end.

This was a quick, easy read and sweet enough in places. I didn't mind Priscilla and Oliver but I found Tina really annoying and felt a lot of the characters were immature. It was also frustrating to see a number of storylines left unfinished or underexplored - Priscilla's dad's opinion of her and the situation with Malcolm especially.

Cute but not as enjoyable as it could have been.

After reading Hate Mail I got so excited that I was approved for this ARC, I really fell in love with Donna Marchetti's writing on that one. But against all odds, I think I liked this one even better!

LOVED the whole 2000's rom-com vibe and the fake dating trope is done so well! Add the forced proximity and the banter that comes with the whole rivals to lovers trope and for me it's a perfect match. All of that was done with amazing story telling and character development.
Also the dynamic between Priscilla and Oliver was just amazing and had me swooning the whole book, which I devoured in no time.


Thanks so much to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and Donna Marchetti for giving me the opportunity to read this in advance and give my honest opinion about it.

ARC Review – The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti
Rating: 4/5 stars

The Proposal Project is such a cozy, feel-good fake dating romance with just the right amount of charm and chemistry!

Priscilla, an event planner trying to launch her business (despite her parents’ doubts), is tasked with planning her best friend’s perfect proposal. But when the groom-to-be might beat her to it, she’s forced to team up with his best friend — Oliver. Priscilla can’t stand him due to a past miscommunication, but Oliver is kind, patient, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Their fake dating setup is hilarious and sweet, and the tension between them feels real. What I loved most? There’s no third act breakup — just a quick misunderstanding that’s solved in the same chapter. No unnecessary drama!

This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and once again, she doesn’t disappoint. The spice is minimal and skippable if needed, and the romance is genuinely heartwarming. A solid 4-star read that left me smiling!

such a cute premise of a book- I loved it!

Oliver and Priscilla have to fake date to convince their best friends who they are planning a secretly massive joint proposal for! it was so cute and the moments between them were just perfection! obviously had a one bed moment and a lot of “pretend” kisses that were 🔥 and obviously not to pretend. Oliver the band teacher… swoon! loved him and the fact that he’s been in love with her but convinced she turned him down?! so sad. That was my only complaint- they could’ve had a single conversation and wouldn’t have even hated each other one bit but then there wouldn’t be a book so 🤷🏼‍♀️