entangledinthepages 's review for:

The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely

4.75

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Audiobook and Book Review 

💜 Best friend’s sister

❤️ Marriage of convenience 

💜 Best friends to lovers

❤️ Forced proximity 

💜 Warm nuts 🤭

❤️ “Quick Draw”

💜 C*m play

❤️ Mental health rep

💜 Dog rooster

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an excellent friends to lovers romance! Maeve and Asher had been friends for ten years, but it wasn’t until her brother Beckett’s wedding two years ago that Asher realized his feelings might just be, more. But he feels that he’s broken, unable to love, and he doesn’t want to lose his best friend, so nothing can come of it. With each of the books in this series, Lauren Blakely gets us to fall harder in love with these characters. Let me tell you the narration is fantastic! Rob Hatchet is perfectly cast for Asher’s witty and playful demeanor. And Vanessa Edwin’s performance as the sassy, sultry, independent Maeve is stellar! The Love and Hockey series is absolutely worth the read/listen!

Maeve Hartley just wants to make it on her own. She wants her dream of being an artist to come true, to be able to make a name for herself. First and foremost though, a situation arises where she wants to keep her best friend Asher, from the claws of an “up and coming” beauty influencer who is out to use him. It’s this that brings the two of them to an unforgettable night in Vegas. Paying it Forward, and a Pact, alter their lives in a way they never dreamed of. What was to be an adventure, turned in to a marriage of convenience, which could have dire consequences for both Maeve and Asher if they can’t keep up appearances. Seeing the two of them work their way through this situation was so much fun! 

There is more to Asher Callahan than the “best butt in hockey.” He is sweet, thoughtful, supportive, considerate, and dealing with something he never realized. His job is to help others, help everyone, and he’s exceptional at it. Asher thinks of things so that others don’t have to. I love that Asher listens to and is so supportive of Maeve. He doesn’t brush her off or ignore her feelings, he embraces them with her. In this story he definitely has more than one life changing revelation. I love his character and his growth. Plus he has a sinfully delicious mouth. 🫠 My goodness the man knows how to use his words…and his body. 

Maeve is such a great FMC! She is always thinking of others, wanting to make things better for them. It’s this, plus the amazing chemistry she and Asher have, that makes them perfect for one another. Maeve doesn’t let Asher have control all the time, though, she does not mind one bit when he does…but, she gives it as good as she gets. The “work arounds” that the two come up with because of the ‘ground rules,’ and the anticipation/build up to the climax 😏 is incredibly entertaining. Plus, I loved their banter! 

Some of Rob Hatchet’s ‘finest work’ is when he narrates characters like Asher. He brings their quirky, fun, and smoldery sides out with such brilliant skill. I LOVE it! There were the extra little laughs, sighs, and growly tones he gave that added so much depth to the story. That depth and skill is equally matched with the remarkably talented Vanessa Edwin. She effortlessly (though I’m sure it actually takes a lot of effort!) voices each and every character flawlessly. Edwin has a way of bringing out the ‘sexy’ side of the FMCs, especially Maeve, with such finesse and beauty. I love these two narrators so much on their own, so bringing them together for this audiobook was a delightful listening treat!

I have to thank Ms. Lauren Blakely (and her team!) again for choosing me for another ARC/ALC. I hope I continue to be blessed to get to read/listen and review these titles! I am in awe of Blakely’s writing and ability to create stories and worlds that we the reader fall in love with. It was amazing getting to know Asher and Maeve, as well as seeing what the other Sea Dogs and their partners are up to! I am SO looking forward to The Girlfriend Zone!

🏒“You look like…” Mine.

🎨“So you’re wearing monkeys tonight?” “A gentleman doesn’t tell,” I say. “Are you a gentleman?” Not in bed.

🏒“There’s one more thing I want you to remember about kissing,” he says, like a professor. “What is it?” “A good kiss starts with me getting you so wound up, you’re…” He stops, dips his face to my ear, then whispers, “wet before I even kiss you.”

🎨“No one gets to treat you like that, Maeve. Not while I’m around.”

🏒“Keep count,” I tell her, dangling the toy in front of her. “Four,” she says, breathlessly. “Such a good wife,” I praise, then I slide it inside her soaked p***y.

🎨“I’m painting myself with your c**e,” she says. That’s it. She needs another org**m. “Rules are rules. You need three-to-one org**ms.”

🏒“What a good point. Be a good wife then and let me taste you for the first time.”

🎨“The sass in you. I want to f*** it right out of that pretty mouth.”

🏒“Good, then I’d like to see you get down on your hands and knees, wife.”