Hailey Tate is living the good life: A new book contract, great friends, the man of her—oh, who is she kidding, she never would have dreamed up pro-baseball player, Connor Ryan. But somehow, they work.
So when Connor may or may not have proposed, it's left up to Hailey and her Brew Crew girls figure it all out. Ridiculousness, shenanigans, arguments, and reconciliations ensue…because, Quirky Girl Power!
But at the end of it all, is Hailey ready to marry America’s Most Eligible Athlete or is time to call a delay on that particular play?
WARNING: This is NOT a standalone. This book was written for all the Quirky Girls out there who wanted more Hails and Connor and to see the girls as a unit. Oh, and Abby. Lots and lots of Abby and Abby surprises.
Want in? You don't have to read them all, but you should definitely read THE CATCHING KIND before this one.
Bria Quinlan is an award-nominated bestselling author of eight Romantic Comedies and YA Issue Books (that she swears are funny...really. They are.) Her books make you snort Diet Coke out your nose or tear up and curse her name.
#1 The Last Single Girl #2 Worth the Fall #3 The Catching Kind #4 The Proposing Kind #5 Things That Shine #6 *In Progress*!
STARLIGHT HARBOR
#1 The Sweetest Things #2 Back to You (summer 2022!!!)
RVHS SECRETS
#1 Secret Girlfriend #2 Secret Life
YA Standalones
Wreckless
It didn’t surprise anyone when Bria Quinlan started writing YA Rom Coms… after all, her life is a walking sitcom (minus the commercials). Plus, secretly she’s still 16 (although her license says something different). Finally putting those English Literature and Creative Writing degrees and Copy Editing cert to work, Bria’s excited to get her quirky stories on the page to share with the world (or at least a segment of it).
She’s represented by the awesomely amazing Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.
Bria writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. You can contact her at briaquinlan.com OR twitter @briaquinlan She also writes sweet & sassy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.
A proud Golden Heart Finalist, she’s focusing on writing stories that make you laugh, make you cry and remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored.
This is fourth in a series and you really should read the others first. You should particularly read The Catching Kind before this one because this is a follow-on from that one.
Yes. A follow-on romance. That actually worked! And was even better than its predecessor! (I knew I was saving this year's exclamation points for something good!)
I was happy with the previous story. Or happy enough. So I was surprised that Quinlan would choose to continue on a bit after that one left off. This one starts with Hailey and Connor happily together. And it doesn't undermine the relationship to get its conflict. It really is just the next steps in their relationship. Which works because they're both very busy so they have lots of need to talk things out and work out who they are as a couple and get to the proposing that's promised with the title. And seriously, best. proposal. scene. ever! (oh look! I had some extras!)
And I think I'll leave it at that. This is really very well-done and a solid 4½ that I'm glad to round to a five. Seriously, I'm almost tempted to raise my rating on the previous in anticipation of readers being able to move on to this one...
A note about Chaste: Yeah, this one is chaste, too, and yeah I wondered how Quinlan would pull that off (or if she would). They're spending at least some nights together so you have to believe that sex is happening. It just isn't germane to the story so Quinlan doesn't need to go there. Their physical intimacy is never at issue so we get some great snuggling and comfortable (non-sexual) touching but Quinlan pulls back way before things progress to clothing removal. This book could almost serve as a coursebook for how chaste is done with subtlety and skill.
3 stars. This is a continuation of book 3 in this series… it was cute but I thought it felt a little like an over-long epilogue. There were also a few parts that just seemed too over the top, and came off as more cringe than romance to me.
Safe, clean romance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Welcome to The Proposing Kind! If you haven’t read The Catching Kind, you probably want to do that first because this is the reader-requested sequel. Plus, The Catching Kind is really funny. My mom and both her cats will tell you it is, so it must be true.
Don’t want to go read it? Well, pre-readers say you really do have to read it, but if you’re going to be all I Don’t Need No Stinking First Book, here’s what you need to know in super fast points:
Hailey Tate is a YA writer who gets matched up by her agent with Connor Ryan, America’s Sexiest Athlete (and playboy). Of course, Connor and Hailey had a bit of a scuffle right before this happens. Connor dismisses her as beneath his notice as he hits on a model. Hailey dismisses him as beneath her notice because…well, can he even read?
Obviously neither of them wants anything to do with the other—only, if they don’t pretend for the public to be the next celebrity couple, both their agents have threatened Bad Things will happen (Hailey moves to Connor’s agency and Connor loses a promotional deal and perhaps his spot on the Nighthawks).
So, they become the fake couple of the century. Hainnor? Conley? Something.
Hijinks, hilarity, and hearts are involved.
There is an argument about a dog they don’t own.
The paparazzi gets involved and Hailey is Just. Not. Ready for that stuff to get real.
When it’s time to part, Hailey knows she’s let the worst possible thing happen—she’s fallen in love with Connor.
Of course they end up together, but readers wanted more. And so here is that more. Happy reading!
Chapter 1
“Hails!” Connor shouted from the kitchen. The kitchen where my nice warm bed wasn’t. “Hailey!”
I dragged a pillow over my head. He had more than enough caffeine in there to get him through whatever was going through his overactive mind—the addict. There was no way I was getting up at…I rolled over and looked at the clock. Seriously? Four forty-eight in the morning?
“Hailey!” Connor stood in the doorway, a pair of track pants hanging off his hips, a steaming cup of coffee wrapped in his oversized mitt of a hand. “Gavin is in South America.”
Okay. I knew I wasn’t awake yet, but I wasn’t sure what Gavin’s travels had to do with anything.
“Why?”
“Something about work and hang gliding. Which,” he raged on as he stomped to the dresser and set the coffee down before pacing my tiny room. “He went hang gliding. Hang gliding. Without me.” “You’re not allowed to go hang gliding.” Which honestly, with the ideas he and his brother came up with, I was more than a little glad the team owners had rules about what Connor was and wasn’t allowed to do to put his body at risk. “Like he couldn’t have waited a few more years.” He crossed his arms, and I’m not gonna lie. I was momentarily distracted by the perfectly sculpted upper body that somehow came attached to my pro-athlete boyfriend. “Hails. My eyes are up here.”
“Right…but the prettier part of you is a bit lower.”
“Hailey Tate.” He sounded way more insulted than I’d expected…which was not at all. “My eyes are stunning. People Magazine said so.”
Of course they did.
“Well, if People said so, who am I to argue?”
“Right. So, Gavin.” He took another sip of coffee. “Gavin has taken off to South America and I need him. I need to talk to him about something. Important stuff.”
“Well, call him.” So I can go back to sleep.
Part of me wondered if I’d said the second part out loud based on the look he gave me.
“I can’t. No reception wherever he is.” He paced the room again, back and forth. Back and forth.
“Here’s the thing. I think I need to marry you.”
I—
Um…
What?
I tried to say words. I’m not sure what they were going to be, but it didn’t really matter because after a moment, Connor just carried on.
“If Gavin was here, I’d take him out for a beer—”
“At four-something in the morning?” I asked, oddly stuck on the wrong thing.
“No.” Connor looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. But I didn’t wake him up to announce that I had an obligation to marry him. “Tonight.”
“Then would I still be asleep if Gavin were here?”
“Maybe.” He ran a gaze down my leg to where my toes stuck out from the bottom of the blanket and smirked. “Maybe not.”
I tried not to get sidetracked by the look he gave me. Especially since he may or may not have just proposed.
“Connor…” I waved my hand at him, hoping he’d keep talking long enough for my brain to catch up.
“Right. So, Gavin is gone and I feel like I need to propose to you and since my brother-slash-best friend is gone, I need to talk it out with my other best friend.”
“Okay.” I nodded, not really sure what all this meant.
“You, Hailey! You’re my other best friend.” He rolled his eyes at me.
I was pretty sure I was going to have to uninvite him to the rest of my book signings if he was just going to pick up the bad habits of some of my tween readers.
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” I pushed the blankets down and crawled to the end of the bed to give him a hug. “You’re my other best friend too.”
Connor snorted. “Right, after Jenna, Kasey, Jayne, Max, and…Dane.”
He spit Dane’s name out as if it was a curse he wasn’t allowed to say in the house. He was still a little bitter about Dane supposedly planning on marrying me once he was done sleeping with every available woman under forty.
“No, sweetie. Just Jenna and Kasey. And really,” I gave him a quick squeeze, “when you think about it, they’re more like one person. So you have Gavin and I have Jensey…um, Kasna. Something.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.” Connor rested his cheek on top of my head, melting into my hug.
He was still struggling with closing the gap between who he was in real life and who he let the other Nighthawks see. We’d been hanging out with his teammate Marcus and his wife, Chantelle, a bit and it had been really good to see Connor around a guy who didn’t want to arrest him or hit him for dating me.
Ah, the small joys.
“I’m not,” I answered. And it was true. “You’re my favorite person for a lot of things. And trust me, you’re glad you aren’t that person for things like pedicures and PMS talk.”
His back muscles under my hands tightened. Sadly, even big strong pro-baseball players panicked at those three little letters.
“So…” How to reenter this conversation? “Why do you think you have to marry me?”
Connor’s hand slipped down my back, running his fingers along the length of my spine and back up. Up and down. I was still trying to figure out if he did that at times like this to calm me down or himself.
“Well, I like your place better than mine.”
“Which explains why you’re always here.” I hid my grin in his shoulder. “Plus, even if you lived here, that leather chair is still mine.”
He made a low mm-hmm sound and kept going. “And, I want to be around you all the time.”
Well, that was sweeter.
“And, if we’re married, the paparazzi would leave you alone after the initial ridiculousness around whatever dress you wore and if you did something fancy with your hair. I think you’d feel safer without them following you everywhere.”
Okay, still sweet, but not exactly romantic. In Connor’s brain, that was probably right up there with roses though.
“And,” he rushed on, “I’m in love with you and don’t want any other guy to even look at you. Unless he’s looking at you because he realizes you’re with me and he can admire from a distance. And also so no matter what we’re always together. And so we can get a dog.”
And with that mysterious flow of thought from my otherwise intelligent boyfriend, he pulled back, kissed me on the nose, and turned away.
A gut-deep sigh rushed out of him as if just saying all that took the pressure off.
“Okay. Thanks.” He pulled a t-shirt over his head and headed for the door, high-fiving me as he went. “Good talk. Off to the trainers.”
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the hand I’d somehow auto-offered for the high-five, trying to figure out what in the world had just happened as the door fell shut behind him.
I've been on a kick re-reading old favorites, when I read The Catching Kind yesterday, I realized I never read the sequel, The Proposing Kind! I somehow missed this one coming out. But I was really excited to see what happened next with Hailey and Conner.
This is probably one of the few romances I've read where the couple is already established. It was actually a pretty nice change of pace, just seeing them happy together. I thought this was a cute read, I think people would probably enjoy it more if they've read the rest of the series, and definitely The Catching Kind. There is a big focus on Hailey and her friends and coming to terms of where her relationship is with Conner and how he fits into her friend world. I actually would have liked a little more interactions with Conner and Hailey. Its magic when they're together and I wanted more. Conner was a little too-good-to-be-true, but this was a fun conflict-free romance that was a good addition to the series. Overall, an enjoyable read that kept me entertained and glued to the pages.
Content Rated PG Romance: Clean, kissing. Main couple sorta living together, but no sex or mention of sex. Language: None that I remember Violence: None Other: Social drinking, getting drunk
First things first... if you have NOT read The Catching Kind then I would NOT suggest reading The Proposing Kind! If you want my personal opinion then I suggest reading the entire series in order. It's fun and super cute! I have loved every book I have read so far!
And now... on to my review... ;)
Hailey never imagined she would be dating Mr. Baseball/America's Most Eligible Bachelor, let alone maybe being engaged to him! How does one become maybe engaged?! Leave it to Connor to kind of, sort of, maybe propose and leave Hailey hanging wondering WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?!
On top of dealing with her maybe proposal, she has to deal with everything changing around her. Like the rest of us, Hailey does not like change and is on the verge of one big panic attack. But there is one constant that she can always count on to ground her and bring everything back into focus... Connor.
Connor may be one of the major factors causing craziness in Hailey's life, but he is also one of the major factors in making everything in life just fall into place. From the outside looking in, they may not look like they fit into each other's world, but to them, life just wouldn't be complete without the other in it. They just fit. Life may not be full of sunshine and roses, but at the end of the day they have each other to balance and maneuver this crazy thing we call life together.
*dreamy sigh*
I am not ashamed to admit that I was one of those people who wanted MORE when it came to Hailey and Connor! When I heard that Ms. Quinlan had written a sequel to The Catching Kind, you better believe I snagged it without even reading the synopsis because... Hailey and Connor! Duh! Hehe. This entire series is one the the cutest series I have read and will definitely be rereading them over and over and over again! And I am keeping my fingers crossed for more in this series! I would love to see Dane, Abby and even Gavin get their books! ;) Hehe.
Oh! And I still totally love these two for Hailey and Connor! <3
If you haven't read "The Catching Kind," you need to do so before reading this. And if you read TCK a long time ago, I suggest re-reading it before starting this one! I did, and this one felt like one, big, happy epilogue! Loved it. It has all the best parts of the Brew Ha Ha series...the characters we now know and love, humor, and romance. I love this series and hope Ms Quinlan keeps it going!! Like with Abby and Gavin (hint, hint)...
A great addition to this series and good, clean, sassy fun!
Well that was adorable. I didn't expect to like it so much since it's not a new, budding romance story, but just a continuation of the characters story. But there were some really cute moments, and Bria has a real talent for writing romantic comedy.
Definitely read The Catching Kind first.
Content: implied intimacy, but nothing on the page. Couple lives together.
So excited for this! More Hailey and Conner? Yes, please!
Hailey gets kinda, possibly proposed to... she's not really sure what to think about it (so funny). I enjoyed puzzling through what Connor means. He's spontaneous and yet strategic. I liked the changes happening in Hailey's life--when she wants everything to stay the same.
I always get very wary when authors write books purely due to fan demand. The reason for my caution is, often, when authors write books just for fan service, the plot suffers - it's like forcing a story. And that's exactly how I felt about The Proposing Kind.
The first book of this companion - The Catching Kind - was such a delightful read. The chemistry between the main characters were solid and the banter was funny. It was a quick, fun read. The Proposing Kind, felt like all the life had been sucked out of the characters. The plot felt very contrived and frustrating. With characters doubting their own motivations and self-sabotaging. There simply wasn't any fun to be had and I really struggled to get through this read.
A disappointing turn of events, but I'm still quite invested in this author's future works.
This is a fun follow-up to The Catching Kind, continuing Connor and Hailey’s story. Hailey’s left wondering whether Connor’s rambling, half-coherent conversation with her one morning means she’s actually engaged, and the emergency meeting she calls with her friends is...underwhelming. Doubts assail, her emotions see-saw as only a chick-lit heroine's can, and Conner wins mega points for being one sweet hunk of a guy. And you seriously do not want to miss this proposal! Another fun, clean read, although it can be inferred that there is now a physical relationship between Connor and Hailey, as he sometimes stays at her place.
I love this book and will read it again. The beginning is unusual, that alone should hook the reader in you right from the start. You will laugh out loud thoughout this well written book. The dialogue is excellent, fast and intelligent.
I was so excited to find out Hailey Tate and Connor Ryan were getting a sequel - SO excited - because I don’t like “happy for now” endings, which is what we were left with in The Catching Kind. And it’s always fun to revisit favorite characters!
Hailey and Connor have been together for five months now. When Connor wakes Hailey up early one morning rambling about things, including something about getting married, Hailey isn’t sure if it was a proposal...or not. So she calls an emergency meeting with all her friends and gets various and assorted opinions about what to do. In the meantime, Connor is acting a little odd - even for him - and Hailey ponders whether or not she’s ready to make such a big step.
Unfortunately, this sequel fell a bit flat for me. I’m sure part of the reason why is because I absolutely LOVED The Catching Kind. I don’t even like the fake relationship trope, or the enemies-to-lovers trope (both of which were represented in that book), and I loved it. I’ve even pointed to The Catching Kind as fake-relationship-trope done right in several other reviews! So I went in with some pretty high expectations.
I think where this one went sideways for me is in the amount of Hailey and Tate we get. It started out well - with a quick scene where Connor behaves like his impulsive self, which leaves Hailey scratching her head. From there, it’s all mayhem and internal monologue. Mostly mayhem in the internal monologue. The other characters from the series flit in and out, making brief appearances. And I didn’t connect with any of it.
I actually started this book way back in July 2017 - right when it was released. But then I got sidetracked by another book. Then another. Then another. And next thing I knew it was back on page 18 of 22 on my Kindle books list. When I found myself caught up on my ARC reading the end of November I decided to go back and catch up on some of the books that had gotten buried, and when I found The Proposing Kind I knew it would be a good one to read while on vacation. It did provide a couple hours of entertainment, but failed to warm my heart the way the others in the series did. Still, it was good to get just a little bit more of the Brew Ha Ha gang, even if it wasn’t completely satisfying.
I loved The way the met in the original, so getting to revisit the "after the happily ever after" that so often gets missed was great. The ups and downs that you see in a new/old relationship, interactions with friends, and YAY ABBy!!!!! Bria's books aren't just all about the sex, they're qbout the emotions and the amazing women having them. Highly reccomend
OK. P.S.A. If you haven't read The Catching Kind yet (and why on earth not!!) then you need to get to that first. Then come to this. Quickly. Because I think you're going to need it.
I have missed the Brew Ha Ha crowd. Even Abby. (Or maybe especially Abby). Anyhow, when you have a love for a series, and there has been a bit of a gap since the last one was released, you might wonder if the author will meet your expectations; if the writing is as strong as you recall; if the humour is as subtle, yet on point.
Well, I'm here to tell you, dear reader, that in my opinion, this addition to the Brew Ha Ha menu hits all the right notes. Yes I know I mixed my metaphors, but I'm giddy for this couple.
You might feel, as you're reading this, that you know what's coming. I, for one, didn't care, because I wanted what was coming for these two. I mean, come on! The clue is in the title!
Unfortunately, this simply didn't quench my thirst for this couple. I need more. I respectfully suggest "The Marrying Kind" might just do it...
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Romance, PG-13 for some adult situations This was another cute, fun romantic comedy by B. Q. These characters were fun to revisit, and what made me fall for them in "The Catching Kind" works here again as we find out more about them, their relationship, and their friends and how they interact with each other. They endear your way into your heart and your head. Seeing things from Hailey's perspective, and seeing Connor's endearing qualities as she figures out his 'secret', as she worries about them becoming engaged, very lovely, heartfelt, and beautifully told with humor, wit, and of course romance. Hailey's friends give a good sounding board for her, and it is fun to revisit some of them. Hopefully, will see some of them in some other stories! Still waiting to read Dane's story, and of course Abby. Seeing Abby get softened as a character, and having her become part of the 'crowd' was lovely. Hailey and Connor's 'proposal' was so worth the followup read.
This is the HEA we needed from the last book! Even though I am still waiting on Abby and Gavin's book and Dan and Becca's book... I mean can you not totally see Abby and Gavin getting together at the wedding? YES, this is at least a novella worth writing, please!
“Hails, I don’t want to take over your world.” He kissed the top of my head. “I just want to be in it.” And really, was there anything better than that?
Great ending to Connor and Hailey’s story. I loved that this story basically took place a few months down the road. This is the first time you get to experience the couple after they get together. In all the other Brew Ha Ha stories, they stop immediately after the couple get together. In this one you see Connor and Hailey interacting as an actual couple... and they are adorable together. I also enjoyed this because there was no relationship angst. They stayed strong throughout. It was more about Hailey coming to terms with the relationship and where it was heading (marriage) as well as friends acceptance of Connor after the rough start the couple had in the previous book.
One of my favorite scenes was the girls therapy session. There was a lot of Hailey interacting with her friends in this book and a newfound friend which I loved. Even though Hailey was in a new relationship she still made time for her friends and in order to keep her friendship(s) solid, she had to hash out the nitty gritty feelings that were going around.
“Hails of course they worry. They love you”
As for negatives, there were a few grammatical errors, but none that hindered the writing. I also wish there was more of the other couples interacting throughout the series. I’m a little bummed you see very little of John and Sarah. Here’s to hoping that maybe in the upcoming books we see more interaction with all the friends. Oh and I can’t wait to get Abby’s story.
All of the books so far have been easy and fun reads with all the h’s trying to find their place and self in life while the H’s slowly and quietly watch, help and fall in love with the h’s.
The Proposing Kind, the Brew Ha Ha book 4 by Bria Quinlan, narration by Brittany Goodwin I purchased this audiobook. LOL This book is a mix of confusion and hilariousness. When the chapter starts with Connor wondering if he should propose to Hailey…oh yeah he has this convo with HAILEY. It sends our girl into a freakout. Hailey is worried about marrying Connor. She fears it is too soon. Slowly as this book happens, she realizes there is no reason why she should fear marriage to Connor. He is her everything. This book we see Connor is a bit distracted and we the readers can kinda figure out what is going on but we wonder how this will all play out. The final chapters had me in stitches because Connor and Hailey are a riot. I absolutely love this crew and especially Hailey and Connor. They are my heart couple. But I admit I am giving Gavin side eye much like Hailey. Dang Connor so telling us…I mean Hailiey we can’t have his brother and him. LOL This novel is an absolute must for a fan of the series. This made me so happy but I really want to see so many more books from the series. Gavin needs love. Abby needs love. Dane even needs to get his butt kicked by love too.
This entire series is utterly charming! Lots of humor, romance and just plain fun.
This book is a continuation of Hailey and Connor's story from The Catching Kind, which is one of those rare books that made me go from completely hating the male character, to loving him by the end. Hailey made me laugh with her cluelessness as to what Connor was up to ("Why is there sawdust in your hair?"), but I loved the fact that she didn't automatically jump to the conclusion that Connor was a cheater/liar, just because he was acting a little suspicious. Hailey's interactions with her friends (who were rightly a little concerned about Connor considering how their relationship started) were realistic and I love how they included Abby (grumpy cat Abby!) into their circle.
My only complaint is that the other characters weren't in the book very much (especially Kasey and Max, they're my favorite couple), I wished there had been more of that, because I miss them.
I'm definitely game to read more (Gavin and Jayne anyone? Or how about someone for Dane?), so I would love it if there were more stories to come!
This book was exactly what I needed right now--a visit with old friends to catch up on all the ways their lives are moving forward and toward better things. In other words, a book of hope and normalcy.
Ms. Quinlan draws you into her quirky world and her characters are people you can imagine knowing and feel drawn from experiences and thoughts we've all probably had at one time or another. No? Just me? ;)
The romance here was the sequel for Hailey and Connor, the main characters from THE CATCHING KIND and we get to see the completion of the arcs for these two characters from HFN to HEA. The book had me laughing and in happy tears by the end. I also loved seeing a different side of that bristly and snarky barista, Abby and how Hailey pulled her in as an integral member of the circle of friends at the Brew-Ha-Ha.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved Hailey and Connor. They are wonderful together, and if the review were based only on them it would have a higher rating.
My problem is that I actually reread the other books right before reading this one and the contrast in how the friends were written in this book was like a slap to the face. I loved the strong friendships that were a focal point in the other books. Where were Ben, Dane, and Max in this book? Are they suddenly unimportant? And what was up with the complete personality overhaul of Jenna and of Abby? Why did the strong female friendships from the previous book suddenly go awol?
I rounded up. Again, because Hailey and Connor’s love story is sweet, but I miss the Friends like feel of the other books.
I was SO looking forward to this book, so excited when I realized this was a continuation to The Catching Kind. I was sad that I was a bit underwhelmed. The good: Connor continued to be cute, Hailey's freak out was realistic, . Abby was amazing. Jeweler guy was cool. The bad: the plot point about was obvious, I wanted more fluff between Connor and Hailey (the story was too focused on the "what is may answer going to be???? When??? I'm so confused????" part of it, and more of them dealing with media. I don't know if I will read this book again, but I don't regret reading it.