A False Proposal

Haslemere Men #1

by Pamela Mingle

London 1812. War hero Adam Grey returns home with a burning ambition to run for Parliament. But he needs the support of the local baronet, who controls the seat. Adam's plans are thwarted by his dissolute father, who has promised him to the baronet's daughter in return for forgiveness of his debts. Adam wants nothing to do with marriage or his father's problems, so he fakes an engagement to Cass Linford-his best friend's sister.

Cass has been through hell since she last saw Adam. Her betrothed committed suicide, forcing her to withdraw from London society. Heartbroken, she's given up on marriage. So when Adam suggests a temporary engagement, she agrees. He needs help with his campaign, and Cass can't resist his charm or the chance to be involved in politics. It all seems so easy, until she finds herself falling in love with her fake fiancE.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Fiction

ebook

Published June 20, 2016

About the author

Pamela Mingle is a former teacher and librarian who was fortunate enough to choose writing as a third career. Or maybe it chose her. :) She loves to create romantic tales that play out against historical events and always includes some humor in her books.

Pam and her husband enjoy walking in the UK--even though she's done her share of whining on the longer days. The walking trips have been an ideal way to discover new settings for her books.

Pam's newest book, MISTRESS SPY, released in August 2018 with Entangled Publishing. Previous books with Entangled include A LADY'S DECEPTION (2017) and A FALSE PROPOSAL (2016), Readers can find earlier books listed here on Goodreads.

Pam loves to hear from readers. Go to her website, http://www.pammingle.com/ to sign up for her newsletter.

You can find her on Facebook at Pamela Mingle Author and on Twitter @PamMingle

Reviews

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
'A False Proposal' by Pamela Mingle is the story of Adam Grey and Cass Linford.
Adam is a war hero who is looking to run for Parliament...but after being home just a short time he learns his dad is trying to marry him off to settle some debits he has. Adam is not having any of that and tells his father that he is already engaged to Cass.
Cass is Adam's best friend sister who he has known since he was young. Adam has meet Cass again after returning and has gotten off the wrong foot with her at first. Adam is finding Cass attractive and so this false engagement could be hard to keep up with.
Cass was once engaged but now is living life as a spinster helping with her family. When her brother brings Adam home again she finds she still has a tender for Adam but he starts off the wrong foot with her. But they are still friends and she does try to help him with this false engagement. But will it really be false?

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[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great historical romance! Although it is set in the Regency period, don’t expect a fainting female, oh no, not with Cass around! She's a highly intelligent, well informed and feisty young lady who is returning to face the Ton after a couple of years away following the suicide of her fiancé and the death of both her parents. She’s been brought up to enjoy learning and debating about politics and likes to keep abreast of current events, even though many men frown on this from any member of the fairer sex. Her childhood friend and war hero, Adam Grey, returns with the ambition to become a Member of Parliament, seeking and gaining the support of Cassie’s brother. It is soon after this that Adam learns that his dissolute father has agreed that Adam will marry the daughter of a baronet to pay off his debts and Adam informs his father this is impossible as he is engaged to Cass, even though he isn’t. This starts a chain of events where Cass agrees to a fake engagement to help support Adam’s political aspirations and all would be well if their love for each other was as fake as their arrangement! When love comes in, sometimes common sense flies out of the window, especially when gossips, wagers, sex, family dramas and expectations all have a detrimental impact on their developing relationship! Can they overcome these to find their HEA together or will they be forced apart?

The characters have great personalities that are complex but easy to empathise with. The plot has plenty of unanticipated twists and angst to make it an enthralling and thoroughly enjoyable read, one which I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys well crafted Regency romance.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/5/2020)! 🎁

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A False Proposal by Pamela Mingle is a engaging Regency Historical Romance. This is Cass Linford and Adam Grey's story. Adam is a wounded, war hero, who wishes to run for Parliament. His father is a dissolute, debauched Earl, heavily in debt. Cass is the sister of Adam's childhood friend. Cass has faced much heartbreak in her young life.
Sparks fly. Cass, is a strong-willed, intelligent, feisty young Lady. Adam is attracted to her straight forward ways, and her openness.
In order to thwart Adam's father, he and Cass forge a false proposal.
Well written with engaging, well-developed characters. A unique, and captivating story from the first page to the last.
I enjoyed how Adam and Cass' relationship moves forward to one of love, passion and trust. Cass finally trust someone with her daunting, horrifying secret. An enjoyable and satisfying read!
Received for an honest review from Net Gallery.

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics, conspiracy and romance make for a lethal combination. I was so sure that this was another suspense romance. Arranged engagements and intriguing alliances. In need of a break from those I hoped for the best when I turned the first page of Pamela Mingles's romantic read. Ms. Mingle won me over the minute I met Cass. She has every reason to close herself off from emotional connections. Love has left her heart in shambles and with a fear of every opening herself to more pain in the future. I expected her to be a overly sensitive but that was not her. She was fighter and I enjoyed that part of her personality. She was in constant conflict with herself because despite what her head told her, her heart wanted the opposite. The strength of her characters and the amount of heart that went into A False Proposal is what I found exceptional.

[Rachel-RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't like a fake engagement? Cass's fiance killed himself and she feels so much guilt from that. She hid herself away for 2 years, only now coming back out for her brother. Adam has baggage from his childhood in regards to his father. He has been estranged from both father and brother for years.
Both characters are relate-able and easy to like. Because of Cass and Adam's prior friendship (her brother- Jack and Adam are friends and they all grew up together), the romance was believable. I liked Cass's interest in politics and how that was encouraged. Overall, I enjoyed this. I wonder if Hugh will get a book?

eARC courtesy of Entangled Publishing/NetGalley

[Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started with a fake engagement, until things get real.

Adam and Cass had been friends for a long time. He was her brother’s best friend. When Adam came back at the war, he wanted to enter politics. But first, he needed to find a wife, or fake an engagement. Who better to offer a fake engagement to than Cass?

Cass, on the other hand, has a traumatic past with her fiancé. She didn’t want to go through it again, and she was already seeing herself as an old maid, until Adam told her about his offer.

This was an easy on the heart read, with a dash of drama and the perfect amount of romance. You’d love the characters as much as I did. Adam was just perfect for Cass and vice versa, it may have took them some time to finally admit to their feelings, but it was great to watch them finally succumbing to love.

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[Fizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great historical romance novel. I loved reading it. All the characters are amazing, and it's so well-written. Once I started reading it was difficult to put it down.

Adam Gray is a war hero and now that he is back in society he plans to run for the house of commons. For that he needs his friend Jack's support and also make new friends who are capable to back him up. So he becomes reacquainted with Jack and his family.

Cass is Jack's sister. She is surprised to find Adam back in their lives. It has been quite a few years since they last met. Apparently they have both changed during that time. War has changed Adam. Cass also had her share of tragedy in her life. Now they are both vary of love and skeptical, for this reason they don't have any intention of ever getting married. But when they find themselves in each other's company things become difficult/ Clearly they are attracted to each other and keeping a distance doesn't seem to be an option...

Against their better judgment they must play a part of their dreams. They must pose as being engaged to one another. It won't be easy to keep their feeling intact but they will try... or may be this false engagement would turn into a real one...

Very intriguing story, with lots of drama, romance, heart-break, but in the end all will be well or say they are hoping. This is a must read for historical romance lovers.

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Although I feel obligated to tell my readers that this story DOES include scenes of a sexual nature that happen before marriage (I know this is a turn off for some readers).

These characters were complex enough, but when you added in the history between the two, you had all the makings for a sweet love story. I especially enjoyed watching the faux romance between these two come to reality - each day the feelings grew stronger, despite their best efforts to ignore it, and it was a pleasure being able to witness that first hand.

The loss of her first fiance wrecked havoc on Cass personally, but it was interesting to see the way she was still treated by the ton years after the fact. The gossip that was spread just goes to show how little people of that lifestyle cared about the lives of others. Most important to me was the way someone you would least expect came to Cass' defense during all of it.

Overall - I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good historical novel (and who doesn't mind some sexual happenings before marriage).

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley & Entangled Publishing in exchange for my review.

Cass is resigned to her fate as an old maid until an opportunity arises out of the most unlikely of scenarios. A longtime friend, Adam, is back from war, and trying his hand at politics. To improve his chances, he fakes an engagement to Cass. Thinking that they are smarter than love, they both give in to their attraction, only to realise that they're the ones outsmarted, after all.

I liked that the author portrayed Adam as having feelings without all the jerk-ness of most alpha heroes of the era. Cass was a great heroine, too. The entire cast of characters added something special to each page of the novel.

This was a good, well-written historical read.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

ntrigued by the cover, hearing about the book on Facebook, and having read the author's other books, I enjoyed A False Proposal. After having lived in seclusion for two years following a disastrous engagement, Cass Linford returns to 1812 London society,
resumes her former interest in political and social events and enters into a fake engagement with war hero and candidate for Parliament Adam Grey. Certainly no coy debutante, Cass plays her role perfectly but has no wishes to be an actual bride.
(Note: I received pre-publication access through NetGalley.)

[Vero Stro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read by Pamela Mingle and I enjoyed it a lot!

Adam and Cass had been friends forever. Cass is the sister of Adam's best friend. After coming back from war, Adam decides to get involved in politics. He doesn't want a real commitment so he decides to ask Cass to help him pretending they are engaged.

Cass, after a disastrous relationship accepts. Of course attraction catches them by surprise. Nice story, great characters. Very entertaining!

I received a copy by the ]publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam sometimes has to use actions, because words just aren't enough at times, "he pulled her against him, pressing her against his maleness. “In case you’re in doubt of my desires… can you feel that, Cassie? I hope it proves how difficult this is for me.” I really loved this book, Adam was a great guy, and him and Cass were perfect for each other.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not generally a romance reader, but this was a perfect summer read. I was rooting for Cassie and Adam immediately and loved that Cassie had such spirit. And that Adam loved her for it. Highly recommend!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years ago, we visited Haworth, the house where the Bronte sisters lived and wrote. Like many since then, they were inspired by Jane Austen, who came along a generation earlier. My brief encounter with this part of England refreshed my memory of the fame of these writers but did nothing to fill the gap in my literary education, my ignorance of an entire genre called the romance novel, a category I’d dismissed as “girlie stuff.”

The romance novel, as a type, sets its focus on a romantic relationship between a man and a woman of a certain social class. The shifting class striations of the early 19th century provides grist for the writer’s mill in observing the styles, standards, mores, and expectations of “society.”

A False Proposal features the romance between Cass Linford and Adam Grey in and around London in 1812, the year Napolean invaded Russia. When Cass had been engaged to marry two years earlier, her fiancé died by suicide while she stood close by, a traumatic experience exacerbated by gossip speculating on whether she was to blame.

Adam Grey, meanwhile, was off at war, was wounded, and was traveling around the Continent for a couple of years. So, he had only the most superficial knowledge of the ordeal Cass had been through. He wishes to campaign for a seat in the House of Commons, but the only viable strategy requires help from his reprobate father, who is acquainted with the power broker of their region.

The story of their romance plays out with suspense as to why these two, with their mutual passion for one another, feel alternately magnetized and repelled. Each has issues with shame from their pasts. Their irresistible attraction provides for steamy, sensuous passages throughout the chapters.

But there’s more than hot sex in this romance. The author finds room through the characters to discuss the role of women in the emerging social order and to critique the ravages of war, gambling, and gossip. The core issue is the extent to which social class and traditional expectations control personal destiny. In this story, freedom wins.

Confession and disclaimer: I chose to read this book because the author’s husband has been my esteemed friend for 16 years. I remember when Pam Mingle first became a published author. It was time for me to see what she’s up to. She inserts insightful judgments into a popular genre. If you’re a romance novel reader, I’m sure you’ll enjoy A False Proposal.>/i>

[iread · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. I enjoyed the first half of the story. But I felt that the story began to drag in the middle. I liked Cass ‘s character. I thought she was clever and at times witty. I didn’t like the hero - Adam Grey until the end of the book. He’s selfish and negligent of Cass’s heart. He does seem to change towards the end but it was too little too late for me. I will probably try another book by Mingle in the hopes that her writing improves.

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun! The writing was good, and the pacing of the plot was perfect. All the characters were likable, which is super fun. A good first romance novel!
Heard about the book from Katie Mingle’s “Clinch” episode of 99% Invisible.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story overall

I felt like slapping Cassie and/or Adam at several moments of the story for their dumbness, but besides that I liked it a fair amount.

[H. Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out great, but the reason to keep them apart by the later half of the book just felt flimsy and unearned.

[Karen Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a bit dull. The heroine is a jealous busy body, and she allows her cousin to bully her, and the hero is a liar. I only made it to chapter 11.

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some plot holes and awkward attempts to increase the drama. I was disappointed.

[Isabelle MBTL · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
Delightful; fun; interesting!!!
 

She and Adam were joined together, performing an act common to all of humanity. Yet it was unique to them, because the way they felt, what they meant to each other, belonged to them alone. by Cass

 

What has really worked for me:

This book has a great plot. It is fast-paced, well written, has kept me guessing and I've ended wanting more.
I've really liked both characters. They were not perfect, they felt real. I could relate and understand them. I've also loved some secondary characters.
There are some good steamy scenes. I can point out a few of them. Like in most historical reads, the heat is there, but you can also feel their love and passion. The couple has unbelievable chemistry.
I like the author's creativity. She brings a women that liked politics in a historical novel.
This was a very easy read for me, in fact I read it one sitting-down. It's very addictive.
I love the cover. The popping color is catching, their clothes are beautiful and the Big Ben on the background is another great hint.

 

What could have been better:

It was a bit predictable. I wish it had more surprises or plot twists.

 

I miss you to distraction. I dream about having you: in my bed, on my desk, atop the library table, under the dining room table. by Adam

 

You MAY read this because you enjoy historical romance; you SHOULD read this if you like some steam on your read; you MUST read this because you want to meet a strong woman and a man who is not afraid of taking her on!!!

This review was originally posted on More Books Than Livros

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
'A False Proposal' by Pamela Mingle is the story of Adam Grey and Cass Linford.
Adam is a war hero who is looking to run for Parliament...but after being home just a short time he learns his dad is trying to marry him off to settle some debits he has. Adam is not having any of that and tells his father that he is already engaged to Cass.
Cass is Adam's best friend sister who he has known since he was young. Adam has meet Cass again after returning and has gotten off the wrong foot with her at first. Adam is finding Cass attractive and so this false engagement could be hard to keep up with.
Cass was once engaged but now is living life as a spinster helping with her family. When her brother brings Adam home again she finds she still has a tender for Adam but he starts off the wrong foot with her. But they are still friends and she does try to help him with this false engagement. But will it really be false?

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[Calm Your Pits · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This ARC was received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

Adam is a war hero even if he would prefer not to be called that. He saw horrible things when at war and has been estranged from his father for years and refuses to marry because he is afraid he will become the philanderer he father is known to be. Refusing to do to a woman what his father did to his mother he sets off into politics without a wife. He then lies and says he's engaged to his childhood friend to get out of a marriage to cover his father's debt.

Cass has already had one engagement end badly and knows its a bad idea to enter into another that she knows will end but sees this as her only opportunity to experience lovemaking since she seems doomed to be a spinster. She is very interested in politics which only helps her win Adams affections but is convinced that the death of her previous fiance is her fault so will not marry for real again.

I love the friendship already between these two and how it blossoms into full-blown love. I love how they have or find the answer to convince the other why they should get married. I love that he went to all the trouble of not only finding her one of her father's books that were lost but he found her own copy from her childhood.

[Sometime · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the book description and sample and they sold me on this book. I wish it had lived up to my expectations.

The writing was great and I did like the premise. But the heroine was a complete doormat. She was a strong woman who knew her own mind...until she saw Adam and then she forgot all her logic and self respect and turned into a puddle of goo. And the H had absolutely NO self-awareness. It was like he didn't know his own character or his own mind. His reasons for never getting married were weak and his internal dialogue had me rolling my eyes on more than one occasion.

And that is my main reason for 2 stars. Despite the writing and interesting plot, the story soon went down a very predictable road with the same character conflicts as a millions other books. (I'm not good enough for her/ I'm such a mess that I'll ruin his career if we married). The characters choices were just too ridiculous and I almost quit reading. After I sigh, moan, and roll my eyes too much I know this book is going in my "deleted from my kindle" pile.

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam returns home a war hero and wants nothing more than to run for Parliament. Of course, plans never go the way they should. Adam's father has promised his hand in marriage to a neighboring baronet, so that the man will forgive his debts. Adam, of course doesn't want this marriage.

Cass has withdrawn from society after her betrothed committed suicide. When Adam approaches her about a fake engagement, she agrees. She has always enjoyed spending time with Adam and it will help her to get out of the boring life she has been in.

Of course, what starts out as a pretend engagement, soon turns in something all too real when Adam and Cass fall in love.

I really liked this story. I loved both Cass and Adam and loved that banter between them. I can't wait to see what Mingle has in store for us next!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author and I’m sure not the last. I really enjoyed this story from the start. I loved the way the story developed and its pace, as well as the “fake engagement” trope.

But what I enjoyed the most, were the hero and heroine. Both are strong and smart individuals, with minds of their own. Both are passionate, in and out of politics.

If you’re in a mood for an interesting, complex and entertaining romance, this one definitely fits the bill.

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher

[Terry Hammoutene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cass is not looking for marriage she just wants to talk politics and other subjects that are interesting to her.
Adam needs a wife in order to get out of the marriage his father wants for him,
When he says he is engaged and his father wants a name he say Cass. This is the beginning of an interesting situation.
This book was great it really held your attention and Cass was like no other person I have read in this genre.
** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Katrina Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A False Proposal by Pamela Mingle is a fantab history romance set during the regency period

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn’t love a well-written story featuring a sassy and headstrong female, a dashing male and of course a fake engagement? Not me...I loved this story! The author’s writing was beautifully done and flows so smoothly while her characters have a great chemistry that really bring the story to life and have you totally captivated as Cass and Adam catch feelings...ah the feels guys...the feels!!

[Dottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A False Proposal is the story of Adam Grey, war hero who wants to start a career in parliament. However he discovers when he gets home that if he wants to fulfill his dream he must take a wife. Enter Cass Lindford, a bluestocking who's name has already been drug through the mud after the suicide of her fiance some years earlier. It's Adam's plan that the false engagement will benefit both parties! Neither of them ever expected to fall in love though!