The Proposal Planner

Ever After #2

by Kelly Collins

One loft. Two wildly different visions. And a barn full of glitter, fog machines, and undeniable chemistry…

I’m Maddy Chang—professional proposal planner, glitter enthusiast, and co-founder of Ever After, Inc. With my best friends off honeymooning and handling bridal disasters, I’m holding down the fort in River Bend. That was going fine … until Mason Kincaid moved in.

He’s Henry’s best man, all business suits and spreadsheets, and he just claimed my creative loft like it came with a deed. We’ve been clashing over everything from furniture to fairy lights—but when a last-minute proposal forces us to team up, the unthinkable happens.

We make magic. Together.

I’m chaos in combat boots. He’s logic in loafers. But somewhere between the fog machine and the fake Eiffel Tower, we crossed a line—with a kiss neither of us can forget.

Now we’ve got no feelings, no repeats, and definitely no falling in love.

But the heart doesn’t follow blueprints, and love doesn’t wait for permission.

Especially not in a town like River Bend—where sparks fly fast, second chances sneak up on you, and one perfect proposal could change everything.

Genres: Contemporary

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2025

About the author

Kelly Collins is a bestselling, award-winning author of feel-good small-town romance filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters. Her books are perfect for readers who crave heartwarming contemporary love stories, sassy heroines, and slow-burn romances with cinnamon roll heroes you’ll wish were real.

With humor, charm, and emotional depth, Kelly brings to life tight-knit towns, unforgettable characters, and the kind of love that feels like coming home. When she’s not plotting her next happily-ever-after, she’s sipping strong coffee and dreaming up heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Come for the charm, stay for the swoon—and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the whole town.

Visit www.authorkellycollins.com to grab a free book and discover your next favorite escape.

Click “Follow” to get updates on new releases, special deals, and exclusive content.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Proposal Planner

What an exciting story about two people who find themselves attracted to each other, even though they are about as opposites as possible. She is so intense and full of unexpected drama towards him. They find themselves in a situation that brings them to working together and the community. Beautiful story, shows how a community is about family support ❤️.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Absolutely loved it 🩷
Such a delight to read, with some hilarious, laugh out loud moments that had me enjoying every chapter.
Maddy’s mother is a hoot and the way that Mason first met her had me chuckling out loud.
This was Maddy and Mason’s story and book 2 in the series.
With some serious angst between the two plus add in outside pressure trying to destroy the town, will they finally let their guard down and realise that they could work well together, if they only tried.
An excellent storyline with the most amazing characters, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Excited to read Ivy’s story next.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy, Ivy, and Savy created a business that created fantasies for wedding proposals and weddings. Savvy’s husband’s best friend Mason who used to be a lawyer for Henry’s father came to work at the business. It was really funny as he was a big time New York City lawyer with expensive suites and a corner office, and now he works in the barn where the women’s business is housed. The two are so opposite in personality and don’t hit it off well when they have to work under the same roof. The crazy thing was that Henry’s father, who Mason used to work for was a man that believed in winning at any cost without thinking about people who may suffer. Unfortunately he is trying to stop a Center from being built in River Bend, and/or getting Mason back to work for him. I loved the people in River Bend and how they were always there for each other. My heart went out to Mason as he never really had anyone to be there for him. Maddy tried to show Mason how you get more with helping each other than trying to bully people into what you want. This was a good book that I encourage you to read it.

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy and Mason are total opposites. Maddy is spontaneous and Mason is analytical so it is a wonder that they can work in the same area. But they seem to complete each other. Truly a wonderful book that will keep you entertained.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juli Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy and Mason are complete opposites. She’s a mess, a disaster waiting to happen (kidding) but also extremely loyal.
Mason is tailored suits, always on point, and seems to have everything under control.
When his ex boss tries to cause problems, Maddy and Mason work together with their little town to stop him.
Falling in love in the process.
This is a cute opposites attract romance.

[Beth Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy and Mason a couple you wouldn’t think would work. There is the personal history of Mason who is trying to become a better person. Regret on Maddy ends believing a whisper instead of asking for a truth. The change of conscience of Henrys father then a historical tackle at the end. I truly enjoyed this one.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start, Maddy and Mason are at odds. Her specialty is planning epic proposals. She is creative, hopeful, fearless and confident in her abilities. Unfortunately, her work space is often in chaos until her vision comes to life, something that is foreign to a corporate lawyer like Mason. His task is to get the new preservation centre up and rolling, and sharing space with someone like Maddy is a challenge. He is used to a quiet, organized and more formal work place. Her mood music is not what he is used to, and though he accepts that he must make some concessions, he expects her to make some too.

For a seemingly stuffy corporate lawyer, Mason proves to be willing to help Maddy out in a tough spot. Whether it is cleaning up after a malfunctioning foam cannon or fugitive doves, or needing a quicker than normal setup for an epic proposal, Mason shows up to lend a hand, surprising them both. Mason finds himself admiring Maddy’s ingenuity, vision and tenacity, something he had to see to believe. Maddy believes in love for other people not herself, after the last betrayal by her ex. Which is why she denies the deepening feelings she has for Mason, and refuses to see how good they could be together. Her heart says, “Yes!” Her head says, “Don’t do it.”

Mason’s neat and tidy life has been invaded by Maddy and the creative chaos that comes with her. She teaches him the ins and outs of small town socializing, gives him an up close and personal view of her creative genius and never leaves his thoughts after their first kiss. He is inexplicably drawn toward her and he finds himself enjoying everything about her. Her chaos and his structured order can and do work together. They work well as team and actually enjoy doing so while forming a connection that seems deeper than friendship. But Maddy is running scared and putting up walls between them after someone warns her about his past. Mason is at a loss at what to do next, even more so when his past comes forward to cause trouble. Never did he expect Maddy to step up to fight beside him and to rally the support of the town’s citizens as well.

This book provides plenty of funny moments, (some may even induce uncontrollable laughter), but there are also some very tender moments too, as Maddy and Mason follow a path toward a happily ever after. I am very happy to recommend this book.

[Sue Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proposal Planner is the second in the three part Ever After series of books by Kelly Collins. The main characters are Maddy Chang and Mason Kincaid. Maddy lives in the small town of River Bend, New Jersey, where she runs a full wedding planning business with her best friends Savvy and Ivy. Mason is a high powered New York City corporate attorney in the process of restructuring his life. Maddy is full of fanciful motions, thinks everything is better with glitter, and worries about details later. Mason doesn’t move without planning every step first, exploring every thing that could happen, and planning for any possible bumps in the road.

Maddy’s role in Ever After is to plan unforgettable proposals for their clients. Some of those proposals are unforgettable because of the atmosphere Maddy creates and some because of the mishaps she creates (think malfunctioning fog machines and wayward drones). Mason, on the other hand, has a spreadsheet and contingency plan for everything. Luckily he can also think on his feet because he steps in to rescue Maddy when her plans go awry. She comes up with the big ideas and he handles the small details. Together they make a great pair.

While it is not necessary to have read the first book in the series, The Breakup Broker, it does help. The first book sets up the second and explains a lot of the people and locations in this story. Why is a high-powered NYC corporate lawyer setting up business in a small New Jersey town? Explained in the first book. Why are Maddy and Mason fighting over space in an old barn? Explained in the first book. Not having read the first book doesn’t take away from the second, but it does make a smoother read. Either way, this is a fun story and an enjoyable read. Maddy’s mother is a great side character who brings a lot of fun to her scenes.

[Ann-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proposal Planner: An Ever After Novel
Kelly Collins

Maddy Chang—an accomplished professional proposal planner, passionate glitter enthusiast, and co-founder of Ever After, Inc.—is navigating the bustling world of wedding proposals in the picturesque town of River Bend. With her best friends off on their romantic honeymoons and tackling the inevitable bridal chaos that arises, I’ve found myself at the helm, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This routine was going fairly well until the handsome and enigmatic Mason Kincaid moved into the barn.

Despite the intriguing premise, I found myself struggling to fully engage with this particular story. I can't quite identify whether it was the characters' motivations that felt elusive or the plot's; there were moments when I felt a disconnect from the narrative flow. In my review of the first book in the series, I had a similar experience, noting a lack of immersion in the story. However, I had a spark of excitement for this upcoming book featuring Mason and Maddy. Their playful banter in the final chapters had ignited my curiosity and left me eager to explore their evolving relationship.

As is typical of Kelly Collins, the narrative is richly woven with a delightful blend of humour, poignant heartbreak, emotional complexity, and the kind of drama that keeps readers on their toes. The story also offers moments of laughter and reflection, culminating in a satisfying happy ending that fans have come to expect from her work. There's an undeniable charm in her writing, making it clear why I, as a reader, keep returning for more.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second outrageously funny book in the Ever After series. Maddy Chang is a professional proposal planner for couples who want that special moment. She along with her two friends, Savvy and Ivy, own large barn that they have repurposed for their business. When she learned that Mason Kincaid, her friend Henry Kingston’s legal counsel would be moving his office into the barn, she planned the perfect office for him (not!). It didn’t matter as he moved his office into HER loft! Mason had worked for Henry’s father, Richard, but he could no longer condone the hostile takeover business format that Richard practiced. She finds Mason disturbingly proper (and hot) as he is working on the preservation center for the town. As Maddy works on her proposals, often having to revise plans at the last minute, she is surprised when Mason steps in to help. When she explains an issue to clients, he helps with his business “speak” to make it sound more professional. Mason sees Maddy’s joy for her clients as something is slowly brewing between them. She’s not ready for a relationship, is she? When Richard arrives to try to destroy their festival, that will support the center, he hasn’t faced off against someone like Maddy…someone who lives in a small town like River Bend, where the people care for each other and their town. Absolutely delightful! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Yomari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Proposal Planner. This is a true slow burn with great banter and deeply satisfying character development. The chemistry builds gradually and authentically, which made me root for the characters every step of the way.

What stood out most was the emotional depth. The story captures how silence can say just as much as words. One line that really stayed with me: “Some connections are built in silence, formed not through words but in simply watching someone be good at what they love.”

The book also handles regret and redemption beautifully. Another favorite moment: “Some kinds of quiet are worse than any noise. And the truth I buried has cost me the one thing I never saw coming, the woman who made me want to be someone worth redeeming.”

Kelly Collins balances humor, longing, and heartache so well that I couldn’t put this down. If you enjoy romances that take their time, with characters who feel real and dialogue that sparkles, this is one to add to your shelf. Highly recommend!

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

His voice carries the ease of someone who's never heard the word no and wouldn't recognize it if it arrived by certified mail.

...the fog machine kicks on with the subtlety of a Broadway understudy desperate for stage time. White mist pours across the barn floor like ghost cats in a Halloween parade. "Oh my," Mrs. Patterson says, unfazed. "Is this part of your artistic process, or are we summoning something?"

Her jaw drops so far, I'm pretty sure I can see her molars.

Oh, he's definitely husband material! Look at that sense of humor! That's what we need in the family tree, strong bone structure and an ability to survive emotionally volatile brunches!

My Review:

Kelly Collins has really hit her stride with this delightfully amusing missive. I adore her humor, smooth storytelling, and engaging writing style, and all her well-honed skills truly shine through as this is one of her most humorous and endearing efforts I have had the pleasure of picking up. I can’t wait to see what she does with the next installment.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opposites attract in this entertaining and outrageously funny romance. Maddy Chang's life is characterized by chaotic creativity, while Mason Kincaid's is defined by controlled order. However, they are more alike than either would like to admit. Both strive for perfection, but when Maddy's experiments go awry, Mason has the ability to pour oil on troubled waters. Despite Mason's calm exterior, he is in inner turmoil, waiting for an attack to be launched against him for daring to leave the fold of his previous employer. Mason discovers the charm of small-town life when the community joins forces to stand by him and thwart the threat against them and the Community Center, bringing the novel to a victorious conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Curly Bibliophagist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy runs a proposal planning business with her two best friends. She grew up in her small town of River Bend and loves everything about it. She loves planning wedding proposals. As a matter of fact, she had the perfect proposal planned for someone and her boyfriend took all of her plans. Too bad he didn't use them for Maddy. Needless to say, Maddy has a hard time trusting.

Mason is the best friend of the man who just married her bestie and one of her business partners. He used to be a corporate lawyer until he decided to make a change community development and moved from the big city to River Bend.

The sparks fly between Maddy and Mason, even though Maddy is careful to guard her heart and she and Mason are totally different people. Or are they?

This is the second book in the Ever After series by Kelly Collins. It is a really great book and series.

[Donna Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy and Mason couldn't be more different from each other if they tried.
Maddy is a proposal planner whose ideas seem way out there but somehow seem to work out beautifully. Mason is a a lawyer all business all the time, that is until he and Maddy have to share a work place.
There is an attraction between them but they fight it off, Maddy doesn't trust people like Mason after being led on by a previous boyfriend.
Mason is trying to escape his past and turn his life around, he helps Maddy even when she thinks she doesn't need it.
The town is being threatened by Mason's former boss, can they save the town with the help of the community.
Lots of laughs in this book it really is a must read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Juliana Ignácio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy Chand is one of Savvy Honeysucker's best friends, and together with Ivy, they run a full-service wedding planning company.
Maddy's job is to plan unforgettable marriage proposals for her clients. Despite her ideas, the execution doesn't always go as planned, as she creates some mishaps.
When Henry's friend Mason Kincaid moves to River Bend to rebuild his life, the meeting between the two is explosive, as Mason does nothing without first planning every step.
Maddy and Mason end up teaming up to work together, and that's when the magic happens. The two are complete opposites, but when they are together, the combination is perfect.
I loved the story and the characters. I highly recommend reading it.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a large, weathered barn as headquarters, three young gals try to arrange anything needed for breaking up couples, setting up proposals or actually putting together weddings. With fabric swatches, lots of glitter, a fog machine and artistic ideas, they do it all. This storyline is about Maddy who the decorator of the group is. There is a legal partner, Mason Kincaid, who has an office in the loft of this barn and manages to keep his eyes on Maddy as she does all kinds of experiments for different events that may or may not go wrong. This is a fun book that will make you laugh and feel young at heart. Don't forget to smile at the bear rug!

[Donna Wolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Kelly Collins has written an amazing book. Maddy and Mason are definitely opposites. Maddy grew up in River Bend and loves small-town life. Mason is a fish out of water, having never lived the quiet life found in a small town. When they are forced to work together, sparks fly. It doesn't take long to realize they may be opposites, but they also have a lot in common, and their chemistry is undeniable. There are some laugh-out-loud situations as the story unfolds. I thoroughly enjoyed The Proposal Planner and am looking forward to Ivy's story next. Get The Breakup Broker to see how the series starts.

[Jill Eshenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason is the epitome of the corporate lawyer, his suits are custom made and his desk is neat to the point of obsession. Maddy is the exact opposite, she's full of life and love, mess and glitter. Mason is going to start a new life in a corner of Maddy's world and that certainly does set off sparks. Maddy's been hurt, can she get over that and see Mason for what he really is under the custom suits?

Its another fun read that is bound to set off a few giggles while being engrossed in the story of two what seem to be mismatched people and their struggle to make it work.

[Katy Battisti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Proposal Planner was a cute story. The story follows Maddy, part of the Ever After business with her besties Ivy and Savvy. Mason is a lawyer that is trying to start somewhere new, ends up in the same place as Maddy. This read is an enemies to lovers and opposites attract type trope. The character’s chemistry is so good, I really enjoyed their playful banter. It’s entertaining, funny, steamy and sweet all in one. I love how small towns always come together! I’m looking forward to reading Ivy’s story next!

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proposal planner Maddy loves creative chaos while corporate lawyer Mason likes order, planning, and spreadsheets. They struggle to coexist in the same workspace but when things repeatedly go wrong for Maddy he steps in to help her out. I laughed over the many malfunctions Maddy encountered but they both think quick on their feet and when his past comes back to drag him down she won't let it without a fight. The townspeople were great rallying together to overcome a corporate takeover despite all the roadblocks thrown up. This was a steamy opposites attract romantic comedy.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Maddy was happy go lucky while Mason was all suits and ties and he is the one who ends up out of his comfort zone and in what Maddy believes is her space, you have to give him props for how he would have a go at helping around the place. Seeing them start to working as a team and actually really compliment each others skills and flaws while seeing their feelings grow providing plenty of laughs, but Mason also has to work for Maddy and I was cheering him all the way!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason and Maddy are complete opposites . Maddy is full of life, glitter, mess and madness. Mason is a corporate lawyer, who has his suits custom made. Neatness should be his middle name. Maddy has been hurt in the pass and struggles with trust. When these two find themselves working in the same space, sparks fly, humour and can Maddy see the real Mason.

This book has humour, drama, action, chemistry and steam.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - a fabulous fun read!

This is the second book in the series, and the three fabulous ladies of Ever After now have a large, weathered barn as headquarters, with fabric swatches and glitter galore, and with a temperamental fog machine their creativity knows no bounds.

However... they do need to share the space with Mason, a former corporate lawyer, who is now focused on non-profit and preservation. His suits are still custom made, and his desk and work is still organised with military precision. Maddy is eccentric, wildly creative, and full of mess and glitter.

This is a wildly fun read of two people that could be more opposite, they seem like a total mismatch, but are in fact exactly what the other needs to complete them.

I voluntarily review an advanced copy of this book.

[Adela Cornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing, so hard I had tears running down my face at the antics of Maddy & Mason. I was furious that a man like Richard would think he could manipulate a community so badly, but he doesn’t know about small town love, they come together to help fight for what’s theirs. I do believe between, the faulty fog machine, fairy lights, lots of glitter & a grinning bear skin rug, nothing could keep Mason & Maddy apart.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to enjoy this story before I even started it. Maddy has such a wonderful record of things going wrong and she did not disappoint and I thought it was pretty special the way Mason got her out of trouble.
The back up cast to Mason and Maddy completed this story and the whole time while reading it, I was smiling.
I had trouble putting this story down.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is sunshine, messiness and glitter. He is serious, organised and plain lines. They need to share the An Ever After barn and work together. It seems like a recipe for disaster but Maddy and Mason are meant for each other and will work together to save River Bend. Swoony and funny.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this classic opposites attract story. Maddy and Mason are great characters. I especially liked Mason once I got to know him.

[Paige Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good second installment in this series. The banter, the slow burn, the characters. I enjoyed it all!