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The Proposal
We've been friends as long as I remember, but we might be more.
I was there when my best friend proposed to someone else. Just like I'd been there for house-moving and cat-sitting, for parties and vacations and nights out. I was always the guy behind the camera snapping vacation photos for Daniel and his girlfriend, Megan. They were happy, and it made me happy. After all, I set them up. So of course I was there the night he planned to propose to her. It was all picture perfect except for one detail:
She said no.
So with plane tickets and hotel rooms booked for a post-proposal getaway, what was he to do? Go anyway and get his mojo back, and of course he invited me to tag along. What could be better than a week in paradise secretly lusting over my best friend, unable to tear my eyes from his glorious body, resisting the urge to throw myself at him? Every time he looked at me that little thrill I felt was almost worth it.
Just two guys having a good time to move past a bad night, right? That's what it was going to be, until we hit the bars the night before, and he asked me to stay over the night before our flight.
That's what it was before he kissed me.
Now we don't have to find trouble in paradise. It followed us. Will lust grow into love or just become another fading memory?
The Proposal is a fifty thousand word friends to lovers romantic comedy with an HEA!
A Friends to Lovers Romance.
I was there when my best friend proposed to someone else. Just like I'd been there for house-moving and cat-sitting, for parties and vacations and nights out. I was always the guy behind the camera snapping vacation photos for Daniel and his girlfriend, Megan. They were happy, and it made me happy. After all, I set them up. So of course I was there the night he planned to propose to her. It was all picture perfect except for one detail:
She said no.
So with plane tickets and hotel rooms booked for a post-proposal getaway, what was he to do? Go anyway and get his mojo back, and of course he invited me to tag along. What could be better than a week in paradise secretly lusting over my best friend, unable to tear my eyes from his glorious body, resisting the urge to throw myself at him? Every time he looked at me that little thrill I felt was almost worth it.
Just two guys having a good time to move past a bad night, right? That's what it was going to be, until we hit the bars the night before, and he asked me to stay over the night before our flight.
That's what it was before he kissed me.
Now we don't have to find trouble in paradise. It followed us. Will lust grow into love or just become another fading memory?
The Proposal is a fifty thousand word friends to lovers romantic comedy with an HEA!
A Friends to Lovers Romance.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2019
90 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 22, 2021
If this had been my first book by Ivy Oliver I would hesitate before reading another. The story was ok. In the beginning there was way too much inner monologue, but once they started sleeping together that pretty much stopped. I also couldn’t believe that Dan went from proposing to Megan to sleeping with Chris two days later. There were so many grammatical errors it was very distracting.
March 8, 2019
Far too rough-hewn and unsubtle for my taste, with two majors nuisances to top off the crude and hackneyed character drawing that sometimes borders on sexist the way Chris is feminized and Megan turned into a harridan, the completely similar POV of the two leads, none of whom seems very bright, and the extremely cheesy feel of their interactions: the trope complacently exposed in the title does not correspond to the reality of the book, Megan's shenanigans consuming such a disproportionate amount of pages that Daniel's flip-flopping towards Chris gets on the back burner most of the time, and the writing, which is always minimalist, alternates well-proof read chapters and sections which bristle with horrid typos and wording errors ("I say, nice and jockular" ~ "after he just flat our refused to admit that I just brought the money" ~"I was just turned eighteen the month before, and was excited to start school" ~ "a fortune in trust that would be mine after graduated" ~ "I had a car, too, my inherited Jaguar convertible. One care out of the entire collection" ~ "and there I had a tray with two triples, fries, all the fixin's", etc). This novelette is so puny that I simply do not care enough to spend more time reviewing it.
March 31, 2019
1.5.....really? I couldn’t finish this book...
March 9, 2019
Two things you need to know about this book:
1) it’s a very sweet friends-to-lovers romance with some interesting interactions between the three main characters (Megan is totally up there as an MC as far as I’m concerned), gently-done revelations, and lovely 😍 sex scenes;
2) Ivy Oliver has an awesome sense of humour and some of the lines in this will make you laugh for ages then text your friends to tell them about it.
The main characters in this book are both lovely, though a bit “oh gods just tell him already” at times, and the interaction between them is super sweet. Megan, Dan’s girlfriend at the start of the book, is confusing but awesome. The relationship development is nice and easy, and I like that there are non-vanilla elements to their sex life. And I like the Shark Shuttles. Definitely going on my re-read list.
I received this book as an ARC and the above is my honest review.
1) it’s a very sweet friends-to-lovers romance with some interesting interactions between the three main characters (Megan is totally up there as an MC as far as I’m concerned), gently-done revelations, and lovely 😍 sex scenes;
2) Ivy Oliver has an awesome sense of humour and some of the lines in this will make you laugh for ages then text your friends to tell them about it.
The main characters in this book are both lovely, though a bit “oh gods just tell him already” at times, and the interaction between them is super sweet. Megan, Dan’s girlfriend at the start of the book, is confusing but awesome. The relationship development is nice and easy, and I like that there are non-vanilla elements to their sex life. And I like the Shark Shuttles. Definitely going on my re-read list.
I received this book as an ARC and the above is my honest review.
April 1, 2019
Okay
This was an okay story. At times it was a bit dull and the typos was more annoying than anything.
This was an okay story. At times it was a bit dull and the typos was more annoying than anything.
March 9, 2019
Dear Author,
Could you explain this beautiful sentence -- from the second chapter -- to me, please?
"I gave up trying to correct that misconception years ago, after he just flat our refused to admit that I just brought the money- without him, our startup would never have existed."
You can't? Me neither!
What I liked in/about this book:
1 - The freshness of the plot. I can't explain it, it just feels right to read something light sometimes, I had that feeling when I read the plot.
What I actually detested in/about this book:
1 - The supposedly central - crucial - first scene with the girlfriend was theatrically below par, boring even. Seriously, for a book titled "The Proposal" the scene of the proposal isn't good enough, in fact, it's very badly written and lacks inspiration horribly. There are much better ways to start a book.
2 - The meaningless sentences just like the one I quoted above in this review.
3 - The messy "development" or what should have supposedly been a development.
4 - The charmless storyline that didn't keep its promises.
5 - The boring cover with another naked chest that can't upgrade a bad work.
6 - The botched work and numerous typos that give the image of a greedy author lacking talent.
1 * because I am disappointed by this uneventful story and won't read the books from this author anymore. Waste of time.
Could you explain this beautiful sentence -- from the second chapter -- to me, please?
"I gave up trying to correct that misconception years ago, after he just flat our refused to admit that I just brought the money- without him, our startup would never have existed."
You can't? Me neither!
What I liked in/about this book:
1 - The freshness of the plot. I can't explain it, it just feels right to read something light sometimes, I had that feeling when I read the plot.
What I actually detested in/about this book:
1 - The supposedly central - crucial - first scene with the girlfriend was theatrically below par, boring even. Seriously, for a book titled "The Proposal" the scene of the proposal isn't good enough, in fact, it's very badly written and lacks inspiration horribly. There are much better ways to start a book.
2 - The meaningless sentences just like the one I quoted above in this review.
3 - The messy "development" or what should have supposedly been a development.
4 - The charmless storyline that didn't keep its promises.
5 - The boring cover with another naked chest that can't upgrade a bad work.
6 - The botched work and numerous typos that give the image of a greedy author lacking talent.
1 * because I am disappointed by this uneventful story and won't read the books from this author anymore. Waste of time.
March 7, 2019
This was a fun love story where two bestfriends fall in love once the other realizes he was t as strait as he thought he was. Dan and Chris have been bestfriends since college and Chris always knew he was in love with dan but knew he had no chance with him since he was strait and was just about to propose to his long term girlfriend of 6 years. The proposal didnt go as plan and dan was suppose to celebrate with a trip to Hawaii with his new fiance but instead decides to take his bestfriend.What he thought was just going to be a normal fun get away with his bestfriend turned out to be so much more and Dan starts to discover something new about his sexuality and starts to look at Chris in a different way than before. Then his ex girlfriend shows up on the trip and things become even more complicated than before and to make things worse her parents show up also telling Dan he has to propose to their daughter again then Dan and Chris's relaxing trip turns out to not be so relaxing anymore. I really enjoyed this one. it was a quick and fun read and I couldnt put it down. It was a really cute and sweet love story between friends with some super hot and steamy scenes in the mix.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2019
Two men, Chris and Daniel, have been friends for 10 years. Chris is gay but keeps himself firmly in the closet to hide his feelings for his best friend Dan. Dan is probably bisexual, but has buried his "gay" feelings so deep that he would be knocking on his neighbor's wall if he had a neighbor. Pushed by Chris towards his female best friend, Megan, things are status quo until Daniel decides to propose to her in front of family and friends. A firm no and Dan turns to Chris and his eyes open to something he has buried for years. He has feelings for Chris. Going to Hawaii together...followed by Megan, they both start to open up to their feelings. Things are not easy or smooth. Megan invades their lives with her own problems and they find themselves in turmoil. Do Dan and Chris open up to each other? How do they deal with their own problems and those of Megan? A entertaining story with enough angst and turmoil to add spice. My only problem with the story is that is desperately needed to be edited. I did feel it affected the way I read the story because I had to stop and figure out what and who the author was talking about more often than I wanted too. Otherwise and excellent story and the errors should not keep the reader from enjoying this story.
March 7, 2019
Chris spent the last ten years in love with his best friend Daniel who he fixed up with his other bestie Megan who then turned down Daniel's proposal, leaving Chris in the middle of a mess and comforting Daniel. Daniel never gave his relationship with Chris a second thought until he drunkenly kissed him and then couldn't seem to stop picturing Chris naked. The trip to Hawaii started off rocky and proceeded to go down hill really fast when Megan kept appearing like some crazy stalker at every event Chris and Daniel went on. It wasn't until Chris and Daniel finally confronted Megan together that they got to the root of the crazy and discovered all three of them had been hiding secrets from each other for years. Daniel and Chris had a great relationship once they both came out despite more of Megan's craziness coming out. It was nice seeing the reappearance of Larissa from Mister Hard to Get and it'd be nice to continue her story. I laughed so hard at the raptor conversation between Daniel and Chris.
'I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.'
'I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.'
March 6, 2019
This is a very original story and there are some twists in it I didn't see coming. When Daniel, who has been in a five year relationship with Megan, decides to propose, Chris is there to witness his best friend get shot down. The excuse Megan gives for turning down Daniel confuses Chris, but also gives him hope for the first time in ten years. When Daniel invites Chris to go to Hawaii with him, they run into Megan, who is acting strangely. Once they arrive on the island, Daniel, who has always seen Chris in a sexual way but has denied it to himself for their entire friendship, realized he kissed his friend the night before they arrived in Hawaii. As they explore their relationship, Megan keeps showing up, but not for the reasons you might think. While the story stutters from scene to scene without a true break in between to adapt (especially the HEA at the end) the connection between the two men and the surprising revelations in the story make it worth the read!
March 9, 2019
This is a best friend to loves trope!
Chris has been pining for Dan for years and was never truly content to watch him and Megan date. He resigned himself to being the third wheel until Dan's marriage proposal to Megan does not end the way he expects it to. Dan and Chris end up traveling to Hawaii where long buried feelings surface (Chris) and realization of suppressed feelings become apparent (Dan). It takes a lot of back and forth for Dan to fully accept and finally admit his feelings. A bit too much back and forth really. Poor Chris. did feel so annoyed on behalf of Chris because of how Dan kept changing his behavior. However, I did enjoy this book a lot and would definitely recommend that everyone read it! It is a light and short read perfect for a little bed time or weekend reading. :)
I did not care for Megan though. Like at all.
*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*
Chris has been pining for Dan for years and was never truly content to watch him and Megan date. He resigned himself to being the third wheel until Dan's marriage proposal to Megan does not end the way he expects it to. Dan and Chris end up traveling to Hawaii where long buried feelings surface (Chris) and realization of suppressed feelings become apparent (Dan). It takes a lot of back and forth for Dan to fully accept and finally admit his feelings. A bit too much back and forth really. Poor Chris. did feel so annoyed on behalf of Chris because of how Dan kept changing his behavior. However, I did enjoy this book a lot and would definitely recommend that everyone read it! It is a light and short read perfect for a little bed time or weekend reading. :)
I did not care for Megan though. Like at all.
*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*
March 9, 2019
Nice story. Intriguing theme. Delightful characters. Chris and Dan are likeable characters. Megan is likeable when you remember she is Chris's best friend from college and keep an open mind for her reactions. Chris crushing on Dan since college. Dan passively crushing on Chris. Megan noticing Chris'college crush but remaining silent. Dan oblivious of Chris' crush. After dating for years, Dan proposes, Megan shuts him down, Chris offers Dan support. What kind of support does Chris offer? Does Dan accept? Dan decides to take his trip to Hawaii inviting Chris. The get on the plane and find out Megan is going as well, two weeks!Will Dan and Megan get back together? Will they have a threesome? Will they all end up alone and single? Very nice story, hysterical in parts. Ms Oliver entertains, amuses and keeps us intrigued to see how it all flows out. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
March 7, 2019
This is a fun and entertaining story with an intriguing storyline but unfortunately it is just an okay read for me. I like Chris and Dan as a couple but I found all of the drama with Megan to be a bit too much. They have several issues to deal with as they navigate the change in their relationship from best friends and business partners to a lot more but even though there are a few interesting twists in the story everything is resolved a little too quickly and easily. I wish that the focus of the story stayed on Chris and Dan instead of on Megan and her family issues. Chris is amazingly patient with Dan and he is even forgiving of Megan when she really doesn't deserve it. The ending is good and I am glad that they get their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
March 6, 2019
This was a lighthearted story about three best friends.
Chris and Dan have been best friends for 10 years. When Chris introduces his friend Megan to Dan, they end up dating. It's been 5 years and he's ready to propose. When Megan says no, the story takes flight to Hawaii where the three end up vacationing together, learning more about each other than they ever thought possible.
This was a friends to lovers, first time gay romance and it was a well planned, clever story. I truly enjoyed it for the most part, but was a little let down by all of the back and forth between Dan and Chris. It seemed like it took 12 hours for Dan to realize his feelings, but weeks for him to stop messing around and own up to them.
All in all this was a cute story with a perfect HEA.
Chris and Dan have been best friends for 10 years. When Chris introduces his friend Megan to Dan, they end up dating. It's been 5 years and he's ready to propose. When Megan says no, the story takes flight to Hawaii where the three end up vacationing together, learning more about each other than they ever thought possible.
This was a friends to lovers, first time gay romance and it was a well planned, clever story. I truly enjoyed it for the most part, but was a little let down by all of the back and forth between Dan and Chris. It seemed like it took 12 hours for Dan to realize his feelings, but weeks for him to stop messing around and own up to them.
All in all this was a cute story with a perfect HEA.
March 7, 2019
The Proposal is a fun, quick friends to lovers romance by Ivy Oliver.
Chris and Daniel are best friends, along with Daniel's girlfriend, Megan. But when Daniel proposes to Megan, everything changes. Megan says no, and Daniel and Chris go on the honeymoon.
Soon the two guys are hooking up and it's a fun first time with a guy for Daniel. If they want more, they have a few things to deal with first, like Megan and some complications.
Their story is entertaining, flows well, and is a great way to spend a little time. I like Chris and Daniel as a couple, as adding sex to their relationship just makes things better. The little things that keep getting in their way are entertaining and enjoyable.
If you like friends to lovers, you'll enjoy The Proposal.
Chris and Daniel are best friends, along with Daniel's girlfriend, Megan. But when Daniel proposes to Megan, everything changes. Megan says no, and Daniel and Chris go on the honeymoon.
Soon the two guys are hooking up and it's a fun first time with a guy for Daniel. If they want more, they have a few things to deal with first, like Megan and some complications.
Their story is entertaining, flows well, and is a great way to spend a little time. I like Chris and Daniel as a couple, as adding sex to their relationship just makes things better. The little things that keep getting in their way are entertaining and enjoyable.
If you like friends to lovers, you'll enjoy The Proposal.
April 7, 2019
Have you ever been reading a book and come across a sentence that just takes you so far out of the story the whole thing is ruined? That's what happened to me here. I mean the editing was bad up to this point with random commas and typos ("forest of bear bottles"), but what took me out of it was in a description of empty liquor bottle's in the ex's hotel room. "...there's a regiment of them by the fireplace." Fireplace. In a hotel. In Hawaii. They just got back from a helicopter tour of an active volcano. They spend a lot of time at the rooftop bar. It's Hawaii. Just a few words, but it left me baffled and ruined the experience.
2/5 because I believe with polish this would be entertaining fluff. I still have Mister Bridesmaid on my list and probably will still attempt it.
2/5 because I believe with polish this would be entertaining fluff. I still have Mister Bridesmaid on my list and probably will still attempt it.
March 6, 2019
Short and sweet. Really enjoyable friends to lovers with a hint of bunny boilers thrown in for good measure.
Chris has been in love with his best friends boyfriend who also happens to be his best friend. Ten years he has watched his two best friends getting together and every day it gets harder and harder.
When Dan decides to propose to his long term girlfriend it doesn’t go as expected. With a week in a luxury resort in Hawaii booked who better to take than Chris. But things start to change and feelings become known.
Hot and steamy but sweet at the same time. Little angst and easy to read. Definitely recommended.
Chris has been in love with his best friends boyfriend who also happens to be his best friend. Ten years he has watched his two best friends getting together and every day it gets harder and harder.
When Dan decides to propose to his long term girlfriend it doesn’t go as expected. With a week in a luxury resort in Hawaii booked who better to take than Chris. But things start to change and feelings become known.
Hot and steamy but sweet at the same time. Little angst and easy to read. Definitely recommended.
March 7, 2019
A great friends to lover story. Dan and Chris have been friend for over 10 years. Chris introduces Dan to his friend Megan and they hit it off, so after 5 years of dating Dan decides to propose to Meghan. Chris is crushed as he has be secretly in love with Dan. So when Megan says no, Dan and Chris go off on the pre honeymoon trip to Hawaii. This is were the true feelings come in play. The story has humor, drama, and a great love story along the way. It moves at a steady pace and it will keep you reading till the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2019
What a long, strange trip it was. This story has some familiar tropes combined with unique and interesting twists. Guy loves Girl; Guy proposes to Girl; Girl rejects Guy; Guy goes on the honeymoon anyway with his best friend; Guys hook up with each other; Girl follows them on the honeymoon….What?!!! Yeah, it’s a wild ride. Friends to lovers, gay for you type story with interesting twists. I liked the character of Chris the best, Dan drove me a little nuts with his indecision, and Megan was just – well – annoying. This is an entertaining read and there are some nice steamy scenes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2019
The Proposal by Ivy Oliver is a fun and sweet friends to lovers' first time gay romance. Daniel and Chris are a great pair of characters. They are cute' sweet and sexy. I love the whole best friends to lovers aspect and these two are a fun couple to follow in Paradise. The story was interesting and even had a twist or two that was interesting. It had humor' drama' sweetness and sexiness' overall a very enjoyable read.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation
April 17, 2022
DNF 56%
From the beginning, this book was hard to read. The writing could really use editing. There were so many grammatical and spelling errors that at some parts it was hard to understand what the characters were even saying. Chris, Dan and Megan all acted like children despite being successful adults at work. The characters were also low key homophobic at times, or at least made sort of outdated comments about gay people and gay couples. Lots of stereotyping going around. I very rarely DNF books but I couldn’t do this one anymore.
From the beginning, this book was hard to read. The writing could really use editing. There were so many grammatical and spelling errors that at some parts it was hard to understand what the characters were even saying. Chris, Dan and Megan all acted like children despite being successful adults at work. The characters were also low key homophobic at times, or at least made sort of outdated comments about gay people and gay couples. Lots of stereotyping going around. I very rarely DNF books but I couldn’t do this one anymore.
March 8, 2019
He proposed for all the wrong reasons. You do that when you really love someone unconditionally. She wasn't ready and wasn't the person for him. The person that is for you won't play games. I'm glad he found who he should have been with in the first place. He deserved some peace after everything happened.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2019
Sweet funny romance
Chris and Dan habe known each other since college, started their own business and are best friends. They go on holiday to Hawawi for two weeks and connect romantically -sexually. Parts of the story are funny and entertaining.
Editing was poor in parts. Book stops at 80% (on Kindle) and there's an intro to an another book.
I read via KU.
Chris and Dan habe known each other since college, started their own business and are best friends. They go on holiday to Hawawi for two weeks and connect romantically -sexually. Parts of the story are funny and entertaining.
Editing was poor in parts. Book stops at 80% (on Kindle) and there's an intro to an another book.
I read via KU.
March 11, 2019
This story has a little of everything, sweet romance, sexy overbearing and frustrating alpha make and a beautiful woman who has the right heart and spirit. Thoroughly enjoying and entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2019
What a story, I think like most some will love this best friend find love. How they do it, will read the book. I personally love the book, the ups down and in betweens. Read the book and enjoy it, I did.
March 25, 2019
An early? book by Ivy. The writing was rough in places (characterization wasn't always solid, there were missing words in some sentences and some homophones (words that sound alike, have different meanings, and different spellings) but all in all it was fun and occasionally quite hot.
March 13, 2019
OK, but a bit maudlin
I found parts of this more annoying than interesting and the sex was a bit much, too. By the time I reached the end, I was just done with all of them.
I found parts of this more annoying than interesting and the sex was a bit much, too. By the time I reached the end, I was just done with all of them.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews