Last-Minute Proposal

by Jessica Hart

Single city girl… Cake-baker Tilly is taking part in a charity job-swap, and when she’s paired with maverick ex-military chief executive Campbell Sanderson, they get off to a rather sticky start… Rugged billionaire tycoon… Campbell is all hard angles to Tilly’s cosy curves – it’s the winning that counts for him, and it’s clear Tilly will need her hand held every step of the way… Whirlwind wedding wish! Despite himself, something about Tilly always coaxes a smile. But he refuses to be tempted, no matter how bright and bubbly she is! That’s before they share a show-stopping kiss…

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Mills and Boon, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Romance, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

After a haphazard career spent working and travelling around the world, I stumbled into romance writing as a way to fund a PhD. My first book, A Sweeter Prejudice, came out in 1991, and since then I've written a further 59 books, some of which have won awards in the US and the UK.
I live in York, a historic city in the north of England, and waste the best part of my days planning trips away or on Facebook and Twitter, both of which mean that I end up writing late into the night. As well as romance, I write 'time slips' as Pamela Hartshorne, and am a freelance project editor and occasional writing tutor.

In May 2013 I will publishing the Jessica Hart Vintage Collection of five of my early books from the 90s.
For news of forthcoming books and exclusive offers, do sign up for my newsletter: email jessica@jessicahart.co.uk or come and find me on Facebook.

Reviews

[LLC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a sweet and at times laugh out loud funny romance. It's easy to visualize the humor in two such opposite personalities reacting to the challenges in the reality show competition they are in. Neither particularly wanted to participate but felt they had to. Tilly is definitely a touchy, feely girly girl who is not physically or emotionally prepared to participate in mountain climbing, camping out or abseiling over a cliff. Campbell is a tough guy, special ops marine kind of guy who is impatient with Tilly's insecurities but isn't so tough or confident when he is challenged to bake a wedding cake. I enjoyed the development of the relationship and their personal growth. It was a fun, sweet, quick read.

[Natalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of reality shows, but once I started reading, I couldn't stop. "Last-Minute Proposal" is filled with witty dialogue & wonderful characters. They are simple, easy to relate & generally good-natured people with real human qualities and flaws. Oh, Campbell, I totally fell in love with him. He is sexy & very manly, but underneath it all he's a big sweetheart. Tilly was a perfect match for him. I liked her quirkiness & individuality.

This is a wonderful, quick read and I highly recommend it!

[Emmie Dark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was loaned this book by a friend as I'm trying to get a handle on the "Sweet" style. Loved it! The premise of two mis-matched people competing in a televised "It's a Knockout" style competition was a great hook. The hero's taciturn manner and the heroine's lovable goofiness and easy-to-identify-with body image issues made them sympathetic and interesting. Their slow realisation of their feelings for each other seemed more realistic than in many books of this genre.

There was a lot of sexual tension building up to them sleeping together, but I did feel a little cheated out of seeing the resolution of that tension (the scene faded out at the bedroom door and took up the next morning), but then that's what you get with the Sweet line.

I'm adding Jessica Hart to my favourite authors list.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am slowly, but surely becoming a fan of this author Jessica Hart. She writes with such a good sense of humour. Love it. Today I have therefore bought three other Harlequin books written by her.

This book is sweet and funny. Highly recommend if you just want to relax with a book and a box of chocolates.

[Tim Covell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute premise - two reluctant participants in a reality show. The first section, with the couple hiking and camping, is more fun than the second section (his turn to do her job), but by then you are into the story. Relationship proceeds in a relatively realistic manner, with witty banter and cute situations.

[Laura Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that got me into reading. Within the first chapter I found myself laughing out loud. I finished within hours of picking it up.

[Cady Lorenzana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started in a mountain scene where Tilly and Campbell had a task. They are partners in the task. They are in a show---like a reality show, I think. They needed to go on the top of the mountain in able to fulfill the task. They are always arguing because Campbell always go to the hard part which he always said is the shortest path to be on the end place. Tilly don't like it because she was not used into those things. She always fantasized about food, chocolates and good housing like a beautiful hotel. But they end up in a tent.



There were some sweet scenes here but this is not the one that really got my attention. Honestly, the first part don't catch much my interest. I like more the middle and the ending part where Tilly teaches Campbell how to bake a cake because its one of the task too. I love how Campbell refuse to be tempted. The scene where he was baking a cake and Tilly will go out. And checking things about him.
There were many beautiful scenes for me. The scene where they have dinner---how they talk about their lives--Olivier and Campbell's childhood. And the taxi scene where Campbell kissed him and Tilly thought they would end up in bed. But they not. But most of all, the best scene I like the most was this... ( i will just tell the dialogue part)

Tilly: Do you remember how we talked about fantasies?
Campbell: Yes
Tilly: I've got a fantasy now.
Campbell: Does it involves food?
Tilly: No. It involves you.


I was like "waaaaaaah!!!"

I really like that part.. I really liked this book. I love Tilly's character and I also love Campbell here. He can give up his job in New York just to be with Tilly... I was so touched. Over all, I rated this as 4 out of 5 because I really liked this book. Keep it up Ms. Jessica Hart :)

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Not really my type. The H and h are contestants in a competition and are partnered together since they are such opposites. Th heroine is a girly girl cake decorator and the H is a he-man athletic military type. Of course spending time together leads to attraction. They are both nice decent people. They speak together about past failed relationships so we can actually see a friendship growing - so all in all a decent read, predictable HEA

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this book, for the second time. I had my books seperated by read and to-read piles, which made sense to me, but my husband reorganized them (looks much better now, but thus created the situation I am in now). I only remember the basic plot, and I slowly remember things as they progressed in the book, which still made the story enjoyable. Good enough for a re-read though.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit closer to 3.75 stars.

Awww, that was kinda cute and fun. At least, it was once I got past the first bit. I very much dislike people like that who hold off on making a decision as if the longer they stay stuck in one spot, the more choices will appear.

[Cindy DeLong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting the British English, but I still enjoyed this story.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+