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Proposta Indecente
Ellen, tal como a sua melhor amiga afirma, teve nas mãos aquilo com que metade das esposas americanas sonha. O seu marido disse-lhe para arranjar um amante. Com o marido executivo, os filhos e a lida da casa a mantê-la ocupada, a paixão nunca fora uma prioridade para si. Pelo contrário, o marido conseguiu arranjar tempo para isso na sua agenda - com outras mulheres. Agora, ele quer que Ellen acredite que as suas aventuras irreflectidas não foram nada mais do que "simplesmente sexo". Na verdade, está tão desesperado a tentar provar-lhe o seu ponto de vista que a desafiou a descobrir por ela própria. Após tantos anos, Ellen vai trazer as suas técnicas de sedução enferrujadas e seguir a sua melhor amiga de espírito livre para um mundo que pensava ter deixado para trás no altar. Pode ter perdido toda a fé no seu casamento, mas está prestes a descobrir algo em si própria. E aquilo que começa por ser "Simplesmente Sexo" pode acabar por ser uma segunda oportunidade para encontrar algo melhor…
415 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 30, 2008
SPOILER ALERT:
This book was a recommendation from a publication I trust and enjoy. The picture and blurb on the cover ("One time offer, no strings attached. Spurned housewives only need apply...") are misleading. What's marketed as a potentially tawdry romance novel is actually a thought-provoking and realistic look at one woman's attempt to save her failing marriage.
In the 21st year of what Ellen thought was a good relationship with her husband Tom, she is shocked to discover that he has been cheating on her for quite some time. Tom tries to explain that his affairs have been nothing more than "just sex," and he challenges Ellen to find this out herself through an affair of her own. Ellen is hurt and uncomfortable about this offer, but she eventually decides to takes her friend up on an offer to send her to a singles beach resort. Despite the encouragement of her husband, as well as her best friend, Ellen is reluctant to start up a liason with someone new. She ends up having a positive experience at the resort, but she still comes home and tries to make her marriage work.
I could relate to a woman who finds herself separated after a 21-year marriage, and I admired her willingness to try to forgive and forget.
I would have given this book 5 stars if it weren't for the very last event at the end, which was just too unrealistic.
This book was a recommendation from a publication I trust and enjoy. The picture and blurb on the cover ("One time offer, no strings attached. Spurned housewives only need apply...") are misleading. What's marketed as a potentially tawdry romance novel is actually a thought-provoking and realistic look at one woman's attempt to save her failing marriage.
In the 21st year of what Ellen thought was a good relationship with her husband Tom, she is shocked to discover that he has been cheating on her for quite some time. Tom tries to explain that his affairs have been nothing more than "just sex," and he challenges Ellen to find this out herself through an affair of her own. Ellen is hurt and uncomfortable about this offer, but she eventually decides to takes her friend up on an offer to send her to a singles beach resort. Despite the encouragement of her husband, as well as her best friend, Ellen is reluctant to start up a liason with someone new. She ends up having a positive experience at the resort, but she still comes home and tries to make her marriage work.
I could relate to a woman who finds herself separated after a 21-year marriage, and I admired her willingness to try to forgive and forget.
I would have given this book 5 stars if it weren't for the very last event at the end, which was just too unrealistic.
May 30, 2009
Dispite the title, this is not a trashy novel. I really got into the emotions of the main character, Ellen, in this great novel. She deals with some tough and very emotional issues, struggling to do what's best for herself and her family, while also giving her heart what it needs. In the end she realized what was best all the way around.
February 2, 2023
3.5 stars.
March 18, 2012
Chapter one started off with a nice bang. I loved the powerful rage Ellen exudes at the therapist’s office as she rants on and on over Tom’s uncontrollable cheating. Who could blame her, right? The interesting part was Tom firmly stating that his infidelity was not out of romantic pursuit or disrespect to his marital vows, but it was more due to curiosity. What would it be like to touch this woman, to kiss her, to be near her, to just have sex with her? Tom had to remedy his aching wonders and find out. And, of course, Ellen did not believe his theory, so he asked her if she ever wondered the same about other men she’s come across. It was in her pondering moment that Tom proposes that the she try it out for herself.
At first, Ellen’s agreement to Tom’s suggestion was purely out vengeance; but then she gives a second thought to the idea as she was never the expert dater. A contrast to her best friend Jill’s wild, boundless persona, Ellen is shy, introverted, and quite content with spending a nice, quiet evening with a good book. But, with Jill’s help, she embarks on a quest to find a lover, once again reverting to the doe-eyed, innocent days when her naïveté ran rampant and her virginity was untouched. And just as Ellen is re-discovering her dormant lust, her teen daughter, Katie, begins to experience the power of the temptation with her own innocence hanging in the balance.
I thought it was admirable how Ellen and Tom wanted to “let go of the anger” and try to get along for the sake of their children, but the whole repartee was just too corny and unrealistic. For god’s sakes, it was like watching a Hallmark movie. Nobody gets a long that well.
Was this a story about getting a family back together?
About half way through the book, I had to wonder why I was even reading this. At times, the writing was so confusing that I had to go back and re-read some parts just to find out who Ellen was even talking to. Bobby, Jake, Tommy—who the hell were these guys? They were just dropping in, trying to squeeze into the scene like jagged pieces in a puzzle. This is where I had to stop reading. Maybe this is my sign to take a break from it.
At first, Ellen’s agreement to Tom’s suggestion was purely out vengeance; but then she gives a second thought to the idea as she was never the expert dater. A contrast to her best friend Jill’s wild, boundless persona, Ellen is shy, introverted, and quite content with spending a nice, quiet evening with a good book. But, with Jill’s help, she embarks on a quest to find a lover, once again reverting to the doe-eyed, innocent days when her naïveté ran rampant and her virginity was untouched. And just as Ellen is re-discovering her dormant lust, her teen daughter, Katie, begins to experience the power of the temptation with her own innocence hanging in the balance.
I thought it was admirable how Ellen and Tom wanted to “let go of the anger” and try to get along for the sake of their children, but the whole repartee was just too corny and unrealistic. For god’s sakes, it was like watching a Hallmark movie. Nobody gets a long that well.
Was this a story about getting a family back together?
About half way through the book, I had to wonder why I was even reading this. At times, the writing was so confusing that I had to go back and re-read some parts just to find out who Ellen was even talking to. Bobby, Jake, Tommy—who the hell were these guys? They were just dropping in, trying to squeeze into the scene like jagged pieces in a puzzle. This is where I had to stop reading. Maybe this is my sign to take a break from it.
April 21, 2012
I discovered this book via a HaBO entry on the Smart Bitches Trashy Books site. The concept intrigued me and I was curious as to how the book would play out.
I really enjoyed it. I like that it was realistic. Our heroine Ellen didn't get permission to have "just sex" and suddenly become a sex bomb breaking hearts left and right. She didn't have a makeover and get a new personality. She was real. Her attempts to get "out there" were real with the same hesitancy I think any woman in her situation would feel. The awkwardness of going out to "pick up". The shock of being propositioned by a man a great deal younger for the reason of "why not". I like how she made friends with men and it wasn't all about sex.
Ellen's family situation felt real. The balancing act of trying to keep the kids out of the situation between herself and her husband, the difficulties of trying again.
I loved the ending. I liked that there was a certain satisfaction for Ellen. I also liked that it left you on a happy note but it didn't need to be all wrapped up with a bow.
An enjoyable and believable read that was very well done.
I really enjoyed it. I like that it was realistic. Our heroine Ellen didn't get permission to have "just sex" and suddenly become a sex bomb breaking hearts left and right. She didn't have a makeover and get a new personality. She was real. Her attempts to get "out there" were real with the same hesitancy I think any woman in her situation would feel. The awkwardness of going out to "pick up". The shock of being propositioned by a man a great deal younger for the reason of "why not". I like how she made friends with men and it wasn't all about sex.
Ellen's family situation felt real. The balancing act of trying to keep the kids out of the situation between herself and her husband, the difficulties of trying again.
I loved the ending. I liked that there was a certain satisfaction for Ellen. I also liked that it left you on a happy note but it didn't need to be all wrapped up with a bow.
An enjoyable and believable read that was very well done.
June 17, 2019
As trashy as this book may sound, it really wasn't. It's about a woman whose husband cheats on her claiming that it was 'just sex' and tells her to give it a try. Well, instead of being all slutty and hooking up with lots of guys, Ellen has a problem feeling that sex could be anything other than something more. So her friend sends her to a getaway called Sizzle which is pretty much a free for all sex island. Ellen trys to find someone who she can have sex, but being the good girl that she is, she can't. What I liked about this book is that she stays true to herself, she doesn't do what everyone tells her to because its not who she is. I liked it. Go figure.
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April 27, 2010
Ellen has a difficult choice to make. Does she stay with her husband of 20 years who can't seem to keep his weewee in his pants or does she leave him and begin a new life into the unknown. A decision that not effects her but her family ad well.
Unlike the title of this book it's definitely not a romance novel but more of the daily struggles of a woman who is just trying to find herself. Definitely a good read. ( fiction)
Unlike the title of this book it's definitely not a romance novel but more of the daily struggles of a woman who is just trying to find herself. Definitely a good read. ( fiction)
September 23, 2009
This books was a lot better than I expected it to be. It was kind of a slow read...but the book kept my interest. This is not one of those books that I would tell everyone to rush right out and get. For me this was a nice in between books read and an introduction to an author that I have never read before and will now look forward to reading more of.
September 7, 2009
Not the tawdry, trashy novel the book jacket hints it might be. Story of a middle aged woman trying to save her marriage and find herself. A good read for those who like everything wrapped up neatly.
October 25, 2008
Not as good as "The Paper Marriage." However, I liked it enough to seek out a couple of her historical romances (not usually my cup of tea, but I make exceptions on occasion).
January 3, 2010
I picked up this book for a quick read thinking it was a trashy romance novel for my long flight over the holidays... it turned out to be a decent book that was more of a story than trash haha
December 12, 2025
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦' 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘹@𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵' 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘈𝘱𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘹@𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮 “ 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 😫💔
August 2, 2025
Good book candy - nothing complicated. This is part of the giant pile of books I bought in the 2000's that I am finally working through. Recommend for someone looking for a beach read or a break between more serious books.
May 21, 2018
Picked this up for a fun, quick read. It was ok. Nothing super fabulous. Writing was generic and not enticing, but some parts hit home the feelings I felt after my divorce.
Read
June 3, 2020Funny and sexy
Read
October 2, 2022Dnf at 40% for now.not intrigued by characters or storyline
May 11, 2016
Wow let me start by saying I really thought I'd just get this over with and be done, but it wasn't your basic trivial chick lit, it had heart and mind. It had you thinking, it was about a wife ignoring the signs anymore, it was about a wife facing the challenge head on and not putting blinders back in place to accommodate for the kids and for an uncertain future because of fear. She decided she didn't want to believe that it's "Just Sex and that emotion and intimacy is not involved in the act of love making". And to hold true to ones values no matter the controversy in today's easy living environment regarding sex. It was a good read and I read it through in one sitting I could not put it down. The reason for the 4 stars is basically due to some characters needed not be in the book or they required further development like the daughter Katie and the son's character, I didn't understand the need for them, ok keep the daughter but develop her more and explain the fallout that occurred because of the fathers actions more clearly.
October 11, 2012
3.5, if I could.. it wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible. After finding out her husband has been unfaithful, there should have been more fight. More anger. More ... something. I wouldn't re-read or insist a friend read this one.
August 7, 2016
This was one of our book group selections. In my opinion, not a good choice, because there was nothing very meaty for discussion. It was just a light read about a woman whose husband has been unfaithful to her multiple times, and wants her to realize that it's "not personal"' it's "just sex".
August 19, 2007
I found this book to be extremely predictable. It's about a woman who's husband cheats on her repeatedly and he tells there that an affair means nothing and encourages her to have an affair...
January 1, 2008
Something different than I normally read; but really exciting & fun!!
June 4, 2008
Wow - Funny story! Ended a little odd. Not realistic, but I did enjoy the read. Can there really be a vacation place like the one in the book???
August 21, 2008
Great book!!! I had a pity subscription to redbook and it had an excerpt of it in there. The read was fun! So I went on amazon and bought it! I may reread it again during the winter!! :)
September 29, 2008
Good. Empowering to jilted women everywhere.
April 3, 2009
Loved It!!
September 29, 2009
Interesting read. What if your cheating husband told you to have an affair of your own?
February 17, 2010
Pretty good book. Not my favorite genre but I walked away from it feeling like I got something out of it.
September 30, 2010
This is not the typical type of book that i read, but it is a good book. It was interesting and held my attention.
July 27, 2011
Great story for summer beach reading - every woman needs a great escape and this book does just that!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews