Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
The Proposal  By  cover art

The Proposal

By: Mary Balogh
Narrated by: Rebecca De Leeuw
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Award-winning and New York Times best-selling author Mary Balogh delights fans with historical romantic tales that touch the heart. After her husband dies in a freak accident, Lady Gwendoline Muir never dreams she’ll love again. So when soldier-turned-nobleman Lord Hugo Trentham stirs feelings in her that have lain dormant for years, she can’t help but imagine his strong embrace. Hugo finds himself drawn to Gwen, but he’s never courted a woman before. Can he muster the right words to make Gwen open her heart and love once more?

©2012 Mary Balogh (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about The Proposal

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,164
  • 4 Stars
    507
  • 3 Stars
    184
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    22
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,162
  • 4 Stars
    391
  • 3 Stars
    118
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    22
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,063
  • 4 Stars
    451
  • 3 Stars
    174
  • 2 Stars
    26
  • 1 Stars
    18

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So Very Romantic!

This is such a sweet romantic story. Usually I can predict where the story will go but with this one I had no clue. I found it true to life and romantic. Couldn't stop listening. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned romance with a good story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Balogh Hit

Would you listen to The Proposal again? Why?

Most definitely. I have read many of Mary Balogh's novels and some are true treasures. I think this might be one of them. Not her best, but very enjoyable. But the best part was the wonderful narration by Rebecca de Leeuw. I can't think of another female reader, aside from Davina Porter, who can transfix you and easily move from one voice to another and do male voices so well. Often the female readers have little quirks about their voices that drive me mad..

What did you like best about this story?

The hero, Hugo, as not born to the peerage but who tries to do what's best for his sister, but who refuses to follow all the "gentleman's" rules. And his struggle to forgive himself for what he has taken part in in the war with Napoleon. He's a hero to everyone but himself. It's a real struggle for him to love himself enough to give his love to a woman. I really liked this character.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca De Leeuw’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I'd like to have her do other Balogh stories.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully Written!

What did you love best about The Proposal?

Wow ! What a great book. This a very gentle and natual romance. I felt the progression of the romance and bond between the characters throughout the book. The main characters are well written and I enjoyed the strength of both. Even the other minor character are well written. I felt like I was a fly on the wall watching all the wonderful interactions.

What does Rebecca De Leeuw bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The character voices

Any additional comments?

I was apprehensive at first on buying this book. But was very surprised how much I really liked it. It will be on my list to listen to again and again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

IT PULLS YOU IN AT CHAPTER 1

This is a real change to the usual 'Historical Romance' type books about one titled Lady and one deeply troubled, and mentally scarred, Military Officer. It's witty and charming and you can't help but empathise with the two main characters and you end up routing for them both. Hugo should be a dislikeable character but all his shortcomings actually just make you like him all the more.

It made me wonder if there will be more books covering the other members of the Survivor's Club? Narrator was brilliant.

I'm a huge Mary Balogh fan and, in my opinion, no paper was waisted on producing this book for us.

Worth a credit? It's one of those 'addictive' type books - once you start it you just can't stop so it's a definite Yes.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this book!! One of my favorites.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I will listen to it over and over for years to come.

The narrator Rebecca De Leeuw (also goes by Binca Amato) is on my top 3 list.

A gorgeous passionate and romantic story told by an amazing narrator. The perfect audiobook.

Must Buy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely characters, interesting story

I enjoyed this book so much -- the strong, likeable lovers, Hugo and Gwen. Both were damaged with scars from past hurts but had generous hearts. Neither of them gave up on life no matter their past pain and difficulties. There is humor, too. I also enjoyed reading a love story about older, more mature lovers who have had some life experience.

Just a lovely book -- perfect listening for a summer day. I liked it so well that I listened to it twice.

It was good to see how characters from previous books were doing, too. Neville and Lily, for instance. Mary Balogh's characters become old friends and it enriches the story to have characters from previous books taking part.

With eager anticipation, I look forward to more stories about the Survivor's Club.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Honest Love Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Proposal to be better than the print version?

I don't know. Sometimes a narrator can make a bad book good and a good book bad, but I don't know about if it would really make any difference with this book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hugo. I loved the dry wit Ms. Balogh gave this character. There were several times I laughed out loud at either Hugo's comments or Hugo himself.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where Hugo tells Gwen that he can't court her because she has a limp and it might embarrass him. Gwen laughed out loud at this comment and then brought it up again in another scene. People who can laugh at themselves are usually happy people.

Or maybe it was the few scenes where Hugo tells Gwen about his robust sexual appetites. It was so nice and honest and even funny. Gwen was quite taken aback, but trudged ahead with the conversation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to this book in pretty much one sitting. I started listening very late one night and got to chapter to two and listened to the rest of the book the next day. I loved the book. I just couldn't stop listening.

Mary Balogh always makes one think. In this book she broaches thoughts and feelings of many soldiers who have blessed this earth and she has done it so eloquently.

Any additional comments?

Gwen and Hugo have a wonderful story. I'll listen to this story again and again. I loved it. I cannot wait to read the other Survivor's stories.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good enough...

The story was a little silly, but good enough. I did enjoy the listen and don't regret the purchase. I wouldnt listen to it again though. Lol

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Mannered narration

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Narration that does not get in the way of the story, a plot with some depth, at least one character appealing enough that I care what happens to him or her, and a happy ending. Every life contends with more than enough grindingly difficult experiences having tragic outcomes - I have not the smallest interest in or need to read about more of them..

Has The Proposal turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. I prefer romantic suspense stories with no raw sex but with wit, humor, and intriguing likable characters, and also plots that are engaging; Georgette Heyer is matchless in this genre. Such stories are VERY hard to find in today's market. It completely eludes me why current readers apparently are willing to pay for raw (usually goofy) sex scenes in lieu of more depth to the story. Women I know, who enjoy sex a lot, would rather do it than read about others' raw details.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Mannered exaggerated narration with affected unnecessary pauses and expression that does not complement the narrative phrasing as it was written... very annoying; not as dreadful as Anna Flosnik who put me off earlier Balogh audio books which I had enjoyed reading, but still unacceptable - I will not purchase another book narrated by De Leew.

What character would you cut from The Proposal?

I was drawn to none of them.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Would you listen to The Proposal again? Why?

I certainly would. It kept my attention and did not drag in the middle. As a matter of fact I kept listening to it all weekend -- hard to put down.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca De Leeuw’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I don't think so. She has a wonderful voice and was perfect. Loved listening to her narration.

Any additional comments?

This was a lovely story. It centered around two people who had experienced tragic experiences in their lives. They also came from different backgrounds. They were mature, not stupid, silly and clueless like so many characters in other books. Through love and caring they were able to work through their differences. Definitely worth a credit.
This book is better than some of hers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful