The Proposition

by Lucia Franco

The Proposition is a brand new novella featuring James and Aubrey exclusive to the Say Yes paperback. The novella can only be found in the back of the paperback.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Menage, Age Gap Romance

Paperback

First published May 28, 2024

About the author

Lucia Franco has written over a dozen romance novels. Her emotional stories often include an age gap and forbidden love.

Her novel Hush Hush was a finalist in the RWA 2019 Stiletto Contest. Her novels have been translated into several languages.

Lucia resides in South Florida with her husband, two boys, and five pets. She was a competitive athlete for over ten years – a gymnast and cheerleader – which heavily inspired the Off Balance series. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the beach getting slammed by waves or wandering through her butterfly garden.

Reviews

[moretomary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurb and James forever. Ps no one *I REPEAT* no one writes spicy like Lucia 🥵

[megan ◡̈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

pls this was so hot and yet so sweet and cute

[Lucia Franco]

This novella is now available for the first time on Kindle and in Kindle Unlimited!

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Under the low-lit room, the glow of his smile spreads across his handsome face. A year into marriage, and he still manages to fluster me with a simple look.”

A quick novella featuring a favorite couple of many.. and a friend.

A hot threesome that I read it loud to my husband which ended up with us having hot sex. Baby #5 here so go. lol.

We get dp in this and a very happy ever. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I’m so ready for Luca and Natalie though. I’m dying for their story. Luca has to be some mafia guy. He’s delicious and Natalie loves fucking with him and fucking him… lmao

[The Love Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

You must read Hush Hush and Say Yes prior to reading The Proposition!

It was fun being back with James and Avery! We get to see life after their marriage, including how they keep things interesting both in and out of the bedroom. It was just as entertaining as the first two books were.

I can't wait for us to get Natalie's story! The sneak peeks into her romance are getting me excited!

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this novella.
I love James and Aubrey. Their duet is one of my top reads ever. Being back in their world is amazing and seeing more of Natalie I absolutely adored.
I'm so intrigued with her and her story, I can't wait for more Luca too.
What I didn't care for was the "filler" i didn't see any reason for that whole situation. Maybe that's just me, and seems that it is just me, the smut really wasn't it for me this time.
3.5 ⭐️ for this one.

[Amanda Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a little indifferent about this. Although I love James and Aubrey, I felt like this was a little bit too much. I felt like some of it was repetitive and found myself skimming a good bit because of that.

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

James + Aubrey

-epilogue novella
-sharing is caring

well that was quite a shock for everyone involved i feel 😂😂 but it was nice to see these two (coughthreecoughcough) again & boy was it HOTTT!!! 🥵🥵🥵

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucia Franco needs to write an entire book about how she manages to successfully pack a 90 minute read with so much freaking story, emotion, delicious steam, and umph.

I didn’t know how much I missed Aubrey and James until I was in this short being consumed by them.

No regrets, it was hot hot hot, it made me tear up, gave me warm fuzzy feelings, and I did not want to stop reading.

[Daffy Kraizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so good! The spice, the depth, the story. Loved it

[dany · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t miss this brand new novella. I missed daddy James and Aubrey’s iconic personality 💖 this was everything I ever wanted plus more.
Gosh, I loved how we got to see these two in love, as in, after all that drama (lol), they get their deserved cute+sexy moments ❤️.
I’m so excited to see what’s going to happen with my girl Natalie, there are quite a few Easter eggs/sneak peeks here and there so 👀 I just know Lucia is going to give her the perfect story!

[Brittany | goodreadswithb · Rating 5 out of 5]

what Lucia packed into just over 100 pages (no pun intended, or did I? 😜) is incredible. I forgot how much I missed these two. James and Aubrey are still on fire. And the spice in this book is off the charts. Lucia did not hold back and my god I love her for it. But it's also sweet and fun, and funny!! Being back in this world was like coming home and I can't wait for more from our girl Natalie.

[Hopelessly seeking Happily Ever Afters · Rating 3 out of 5]

James and Aubrey

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

The Proposition by Lucia Franco, book 3 in the Hush Hush series. KU borrow. Single POV (Aubrey's). Extreme age gap, best friend's dad romance. I'm not a fan of the orange feather cover. This novella had quite a few disruptive typos, including the misspelling of Riviera. Content warnings: MFM; DVP (no @n@l); Reece is revealed to be bi; and h had a pregnancy scare.

Location: New York; Belize

James and Aubrey (aka Valentina) have been married a year and are seemingly happy as they work and travel. In 'Hush Hush', while she was still an escort, James and Reece* (James' best friend) shared one hot paid night with her (there was no sword crossing). In 'Say Yes,' Reece mentioned their time together that night to James, but he wasn't invited/didn't join them again. Aubrey's gaining curves and seemingly experiencing some of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. James took Aubrey out to dinner and proposed a trip to Belize. He wants to share her with Reece again. Aubrey struggles to answer, but after talking it through with Natalie (former escort/Aubrey's best friend/James' daughter), she decides to accept the proposition. They agreed to rules, but James and Reece changed the rules, and so did Aubrey. Reece reveals that he's bisexual and doesn't intend to ever settle down. Instead of DP, like they agreed, they end up having DVP se×. When James and Aubrey returned home, she was very ill for over a week. When Aubrey mentioned it to Natalie, Natalie asked if Aubrey might be pregnant. Of course, Aubrey spirals because she and James don't plan to have children. After multiple pregnancy tests with conflicting results and a doctor visit, she learns she isn't pregnant. After talking out their feelings, James plans to get a vasectomy. Natalie is still married to Luca and living with him in her own room in Italy. James still doesn't know it was Natalie who recruited Aubrey into prost¡tut¡on at Sanctuary Cove or that Natalie was an escort there, too. Natalie's previous job as an escort was almost revealed to James when they ran into one of Natalie's former Johns while they're all at a bar. James wants to repair his relationship with Natalie, so James and Aubrey have plans to travel to Italy to visit her and Luca. James and Aubrey discussed getting a puppy.

I don't know why, but bringing Reece into their marriage for one night felt sad. Clearly, James and Reece think of Aubrey as two different people, Valentina the escort and Aubrey James' wife. The problem is she isn't two different people and the existential crisis she experienced because of James' request proved it. In my imagination, Reece became a frequent visitor in their marriage, and I don't think that's what Aubrey wants. Reece was never her choice. Reece was only ever a one-time client. JP

3 out of 5 on my spice scale.

1st read 12-15-24

*Reece was only her Sanctuary Cove client once in Hush Hush, and it was the night with James.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author will NEVER disappoint her readers when it comes to both these characters. This series lives rent free in my head and I am always wondering what can become of these two. Well, no need for me to wait because I got what I wanted from Lucia. I read the first book to this series, Hush Hush, and when I dove in, I did not expect what I read. All I knew was that it was age gap, best friends dad, and James Riveria was Hotter than an Egyptian tour during the summer.

Backstory to these two. Aubrey was a high end escort goes by the name "Valentina" and James was her client. The sex is apparently out of this world because James keeps requesting her and they have intense nights of passion and feelings start to develop. One day her best friend Natalie invites her to a family dinner and surprise surprise guess who Natalie's dad is? DING DING DING.......James.

Here we are after two books and these two STILL have intense chemistry. The spicy scenes had me blushing and wanting to "pet the cat".....granted I do not own a cat but you know what I mean and these two were just a match made in spicy heaven. Now, I am over here hot and heavy and Lucia Franco decides to add in James's best bud for a threesome and that my reader friends got me to go off like the fourth of July.

I love this author, I love these characters and I thank you Lucia because I love the plot you give them. Keep giving us crumbs of these two throughout the years because as time passes these two have already become family to the many characters I absolutely adore.

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨

Thank you @lucia_franco_ for the ARC ilysm!!!!

I can’t tell you how happy it made me to get back into the lives of Aubrey and James Riveria. My OG babies. Hush Hush was one of the very early age gap romances I read and the one that made me fall in love with the trope. Lucia could write a 100 books about these two and I would devour each and every one of them.

“I’m yours, always. Only ever yours.” Moments like this one just always made me tear up because of how clear you can see their love for each other is. Their banter is just some of the very best and their love shines through that. The way they compromise, communication and just wholeheartedly interact with each other is just filled with so much love, respect and kindness and this third book of them just showed me once again that there is something such as true love.

This book was also pretty raunchy and fun and I loved how comfortable Aubrey and James once again were with exploring new sides of their relationship together like they did early on in their relationship. This just shows a level of trust and understanding that is so rare. Lucia just writes the best
of the best novellas. I CANNOT GET ENOUGH.

💋 What to expect
— small novella
— mfm action
— age gap (big)
— soulmates
— always been you
— spicyyyy (with a big s)
— heartfelt moments

[Crystal Saldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

While I have not read Hush Hush yet, I could not resist reading anything new Lucia releases, and now, I am obsessed with James and Aubrey and cannot wait to go back and read the start of their story 😍

With The Proposition, we are reunited with James and Aubrey. While preparing to go on a well needed vacation, James approaches Aubrey and brings her an offer that she cannot turn down and will make their vacation much more interesting 😏

I feel like Lucia never let's us down with each new story she brings our way. In such a short amount of pages, she managed to pack in all of the spice, while still putting in that emotional aspect to her stories that I love so much, and showcasing the strong bonds that the characters share with each other. And the characters she writes always just feel so real and personal. The banter they share, the love you can feel between them, the compromises and trust they put into each other, and the insane amount of chemistry they share were all just so perfect. I also absolutely LOVED Natalie and Aubrey's friendship and 100% need more of Nat and Lucas's story 😍

Lucia, you absolutely nailed it yet againand there truly is nothing you write that I won't rush to read ASAP! And congrats on the (re)release day for both Hush Hush and Say Yes 🫶

*𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐘𝐞𝐬

𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆:
💋 age gap
💋 sharing is caring 😏
💋 bonus epilogue novellas

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this author announces that something new is coming our way, I immediately start looking forward to more of her words! As soon as I found out that we were getting more from the Hush Hush world I was so glad! I headed right back into this world and got into it quickly. I enjoyed this novella so very much!

Aubrey and James's journey continues!

It was great catching up with James and Aubrey. I so enjoyed getting more of these two and their relationship. Once again, Aubrey and James had me blushing and feeling so much! I didn't know what all to expect in this novella which had me even more glued to my kindle.

With The Proposition, Ms.Franco brought the feels and heat with this continuation! It kept me turning the pages for sure. I thoroughly enjoyed getting more of these characters and their one of a kind journey. I can't wait for everything that this author has in store for us next! 🧡

Be sure to check out Hush Hush and Say Yes. This novella is included in the paperback for Say Yes.

*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can get this short novella at the end of the new edition of Say Yes book which is part of the the Hush Hush duet. We are taken back to visit with James and Aubrey. You definitely will want to make sure you read Hush, Hush prior to reading this. Just like with anything I’ve read by Lucia, I’m instantly hooked. James brings up a proposition to Aubrey for something while they go on a trip to Belize. It brings up many questions and feelings for Aubrey but James is there to hear them all and ease whatever anxieties she has about it. This one night in Belize is one for the books and will have you fanning yourself for a few chapters. When they return from their trip they have a scare but things fall as they should for them along with bringing James closer with his daughter by the end of the novella. Enjoyed this so much and just devoured it in one sitting. You will definitely want to read this and make sure to have a fan ready to cool you down.

[Jen Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC, Lucia!

“I’m yours, always. Only ever yours.”

What a treat to return to James and Aubrey. Their banter is so sexy. The way they love each other so thoroughly. The compromise and trust. James decides he wants to take a trip and reminisce with Valentina. At first this gives Aubrey some concerns but she gets on board and it is the best decision EVER.

We also get a little more of Natalie and Luca. I LOVE how Luca tortures Natalie in all the best possible ways. Yeah I’m chomping at the bit for Natalie’s book. Her and Luca are too good.

The Proposition is perfect. Lucia absolutely killed it. You need to run right now and pick this one up. When I say this novella is hot, I’m talking scotching. Will definitely leave a mark.

“Tell me if she tastes like you remember.”

“He’s ready for you. Make him see stars the way you do me.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Jennifer - fortheloveeofbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 80 degrees and humid here in Jersey and it easily felt 180 degrees while reading this 😂.

The Proposition is the perfect James and Aubrey novella. You get fun, you get spice, you get emotion. It’s a quick read and brings you back into their world, which I loved.

The Proposition takes place a few years after Say Yes and it’s clear James & Aubrey’s chemistry has only gotten hotter and stronger and time went on 🔥. I loved being back in this world.

Hush Hush & Say Yes are now in bookstores! Congrats Lucia! This is such a special day!

The Proposition can be found at the end of Say Yes. I highly encourage everyone to read all 3, especially if you’re a fan of steamy age gap romances!

[Stephanie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I have missed James and Aubrey! This is a quickie in a sense but not in another!! LOL It was amazing to get back to these 2 and it made me realize how much I missed them. All I can say is hold on to your kindle because it may combust with how hot this one is. I pretty much flew through this one and should have been working!! But as I mentioned it is a quick read and that is just what you may need at the moment. I would recommend you read Aubrey and James full story before this one Hush Hush but also Say Yes as you will be able to understand their relationship and also how you will also fall in love with Natalie.

I can't wait for everyone read this one.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh it was so much fun being back in the world of Aubrey, James and Natalie. Lucia brought the spice...SO MUCH spice I about had to fan myself. The Proposition was a short and spicy read, the perfect length (although we would read anything Lucia writes, no matter how long) and I didn't feel like I needed to reread the Hush Hush Duet before jumping right into The Proposition. It flowed seamlessly with quick recaps from Lucia even though its been years since I read hush Hush and Say Yes. Needless to say, Lucia continues to amaze me with her world building and I am so happy to have this spicy novella on my shelves to reread over and over. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

[heareads (Debbie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back with James, Aubrey and Natalie and seeing the dynamic between them. But especially James and Aubrey together. They fill my heart with so much love 🥰.

This may be a novella, by Lucia takes us right back into their world like we haven’t left. The spice is 🥵🥵🥵 and I wouldn’t have expected anything less for my favourite couple.

Aubrey and Natalie are friendship goals. I loved their bond, their laughs and how supportive they are towards each other, after everything they went through. I sure hope we are getting Natalie’s story soon after all the teasing we went through, I can’t wait to see who’s story is going to be spicer ☺️.

ARC received for an honest opinion.

[Stacey(TotalBookAddicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this I had to read it. I absolutely love Hush Hush, and Say Yes because I love James so much. James and Aubrey are endgame..

It was so much fun being back with James and Aubrey in their world. I missed them so much. They're more in love than ever, and my heart is so happy.

The spice and steam because that whole scene when they're in Belize.. jesus wept I needed a fan to cool off. It was hot as hell..

The emotion and the love that they both still have for each other was just amazing to see.

I wish this could've been a full-length book because I wasn't ready for it to end lol.

[katasokolov · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5*

Předchozí díl byl slabší, ale tenhle se mi líbil moc. Nejlepší na téhle sérii je dynamika vztahu hlavních postav. Zamilovala jsem si jejich jinakost, to že jejich touhy směřují k cílům, které nejsou běžné a ordinérní.

Zhruba v polovině knihy je to teda na hodně papriček, ale autorka prostě tyhle scény umí napsat bravurně🌶️. Moc se mi však líbilo, že nezůstalo jen u toho a ústřední dvojice si také ujasnila směrování společného života, přestože byla kniha kraťoučká, tak v ní bylo vše, co bylo zapotřebí.

Ted už budu nenasytně vyhlížet autorčinu další knihu z Off Balance série 🖤.

#theproposition
#luciafranco

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love James and Aubrey so much. I’m so glad that we get more of them. We also get a lot more of Natalie as well. I cannot wait to read Natalie’s story. The spice and chemistry between Aubrey and James has not lessened. When he proposes bringing Valentina out of retirement for a special trip to Belize, Aubrey has to work through if it’s a good idea. This trip brings out some revelations and some unexpected surprises! I absolutely loved this book!!! This series is one of my favorites and I could definitely read it again!

[Gina Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Propostion brings us back into the world of Aubrey and James Riveria. They are happily married and James comes to his wife with a proposition to consider for their pleasure.

Their love for each other is strong but there is something from their past, or more like someone from their past that makes a return.

This novella is short and full of steam! I mean the steam is insanely hot. Kisses and fluids everywhere!

This novella is a solid read if you want more James and Aubrey! Highly HIGHLY recommend.

[Alisha Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m yours, always. Only ever yours.”

***fanning myself***
This. Was. So. Dang. HOTTTTT 😮‍💨🫠

James wants to take Aubrey away for a romantic getaway where for one night she will become Valentina again and share a night with not only him but Reece as well.

This novella, even though it’s not long, had depth and spice…. 🤌🏼💋🔥
I don’t know how Lucia does it but she hits every single time!

I swear Aubrey and James never cease to amaze me. I love their love. There is just something about them that makes me swoon.

“The thought of two men owning my body for the night so they can do whatever they want wets my panties.”

🧡 MFM
🧡Age Gap
🧡 Spicyyyyy

[Lala · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Because of this book I was able to visit the world of Aubrey and James again along with more of Natalie! I just didn't expect that the proposition would include James' best friend, Reece. But his presence was a nice addition to the book. Rating is because this book is an extra scene that I sort of wanted back when I read the first book of the Hush, Hush duet yet this isn't a book that I necessarily needed since for me everything was explained and understood during my buddy read of the series.

[Carolina Villiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm, I felt disappointed in the fact that the book or Novela I should say was supposed to be a conflict of a proposition. In the end, Reece wasn't even mention, how we get 75 pages of their thrist and not even mentioning him at the end?. It almost seem like they both regretted that night, even tho was amazing. I would have like them to be in a relationship with Reece, to tame the internal bachelor, for Aubrey to get to know him better, to feel more attraction for him and ultimately all 3 be together. But well ,I'm not the writer, so my rate is 2.5 stars.