A review by micslibrary
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

2.0

i’m starting my review at about halfway through the book and it is not looking good. (can let you know my review is not changing lol) i’m not into the author’s writing style at all. it feels juvenile, awkward, and i think i’ve even cringed a few times???

Nik is a freelance writer that doesn’t really give a shit about the guy she’s dating, Fisher. she’s at a dodger’s game with her man and his bros for his birthday, twiddling her thumbs away at her phone when Fisher gets down on one knee and pops the question on the scoreboard. She tried to let him down gently because they’ve never had a conversation about marriage and they’ve only been together for 5 months. in a huff, Fisher and his bros leave, and Nik is sitting by herself at the game. Now surrounded by cameras, she’s plotting her escape. Cue Carlos, the man (and his sister) who comes to the rescue and begins a very boring and cringey “love” story.

first of all, i’m listening to the audio book versus actually reading the book. i checked it out on a whim from my library because it was displayed on the homepage of Libby under the hispanic heritage month section. the story sounded interesting enough to passively listen to while i work or drive and honestly the only reason i’m finishing the book is because i’m curious at how long the list of cringey things can get. to name a few, while getting dressed Nik describes something she’s putting in as giving her an ass like “one of those rap guys girlfriends”. we love a Sir Mix-A-Lot reference, but we specifically don’t love this one, lol. i think at one point a character also calls out “I didn’t know you were black”…and that matters because???? also carlos says at one point “no glove, no love” and i truly can’t. i digress though (maybe?).

the characters lacked a distinct voice, they had no depth, and none of them were likable or relatable. for a book based on hook ups, the sex scenes suck, feel awkward, and feel like a high school teen drama. there’s a car make out sesh, at one point carlos jumps up to SPRINT(!!!???) for a box of condoms, there’s also literally no details immediately making it feel even more juvenile (my opinion of course). the ending also kinda sucked.

all in all, only giving it 2 stars because i’m too nice and i finished the book anyways. this is the first jasmine guillory books i’ve read and it’s also the last.