The Dating Proposal

Publisher's Summary

Watch out world — I’m ready to date again.

The seven years I invested in my ex left me with nothing but scorch marks from the way he peeled out and left me at the altar. I’m not looking to put my heart into a relationship any time soon. But getting back out there? That sounds like a helluva good idea to get my groove back. 

Then I bump into Chris….Clever and funny, with a sexy surfer’s bod and a brilliant nerd brain, he has just the right screwdriver to fix my hard drive. (Yes, the one for my computer.) I wouldn’t mind dating him. The trouble is he just proposed to me—to be the dating guru on his TV show—and now he’s my new business partner. 

What happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time?

This audiobook includes the novella Delayed Satisfaction, narrated duet-style by Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt, and debuting first in audio!

Note: Back in the day, I wrote a book called Trophy Husband, and though it’s no longer available for sale, the characters of Chris and McKenna seemed to demand another chance in the spotlight. The Dating Proposal is a complete reimagining of their romance, with 85 percent brand-new material, a fresh plot, and vastly expanded characterizations so you can come to know and love Chris and McKenna like I do. Enjoy!

©2019 Lauren Blakely (P)2019 Lauren Blakely Books

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

After listening to Trophy Husband just last month, it was still fresh in my memory while I listened to this new revamped version so I noticed the changes and I have to say I liked the Trophy Husband but I LOVE The Dating Proposal. Besides the main details, this felt like a whole new book.

McKenna and Chris's story was a seriously sweet no angst love story with a perfect ending. They have amazing chemistry with their geekiness, fiery attraction and the friendship that just made it all work perfectly. I loved the nerdy banter between these two and all the references to 80's video games and I now want a Stranger Things Tee so bad!

This story left me with a light heart and a smile on my face. I always recommend all things Lauren Blakely to my romance reading friends and this one is at the top of my list. As I have grown to expect from Lauren Blakely, this story is mature and has little to no drama which is probably my favorite thing about her writing.

The narration is perfect but I expect nothing less. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are like the power team of romance narrators. Lauren Blakely ALWAYS gives us audiobook lovers a little special attention with extras and with her ability to cast so perfectly for all of her couples!

This audiobook also comes with the novella Delayed Satisfaction which is the prequel to Satisfaction Guaranteed and let me tell you Jason Clark and Andi Arndt are perfectly cast for Sloane & Malone and it's duet...PERFECTION. This was such a tease because now I need Sloane and Malone's story and I CAN'T WAIT for Satisfaction Guaranteed!!!! This novella was an awesome start for this couple and the full book is going to be awesome!

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

This couldn't be any better! Perfection!

The Dating Proposal is Lauren's Blakely's newest sweet, fun, sexy, and exciting romance. I feel like I can't say enough about what a fabulous woman and writer Lauren is. Every time I pick up one of her books it becomes my favorite. The hero my new Blakely boy. The leading lady my wishful new best friend. Lauren has an impeccable taste in narrators and she knows how to pick them and guide them to give her what she wants. Andi and Sebastian are the dream team and every book they narrate for Lauren's always sounds new and fresh. If you know me then you know that Chris is my
#1BlakelyHero. Has been from the very beginning of me reading and loving Lauren's books. The duet novella at the end is pure perfection and I don't know how I'm going to wait for Satisfaction Guaranteed. Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt were so fantastic in the little teaser to the beginning of Sloane and Malone.

The story:
McKenna is over her ex and ready to get back out there. She's smart, funny, talented and looking to have some fun. She has a few good prospects and then she meets Chris. Sexy, surfer, smart, geeky Chris. Sigh. He's perfect. They just click and their chemistry is off the charts. Then he makes her an offer she can't refuse. Come on his show and answer dating questions from his viewers. She can't say no. This is the perfect thing for her career. But dating Chris can't happen if they work together. Right? Even if they are magic on-screen and scorching hot off. Well, there's always a way. Chris has been there before and it didn't work out. But can he just say no to dating the greatest woman he's ever met? What happens when they throw caution to the wind and give into their desire for each other? Everything! I can't even express how much I loved this story! I love Chris. His smile. The hair. His intelligence. The surfing. Oh Lord, the man is pure perfection. I want to be McKenna when I grow up. Her style is flawless, her personality awesome. She's a good sister, the greatest friend and the answer to everything Chris has ever wanted. And there's a Kara, so that got me overly excited!! :) Overall, it's one of my favorite stories of Lauren's and I'm still thinking about Chris and McKenna weeks later! Mostly Chris ;).

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Definitely a cute story with some laugh out loud moments. But a warning, you may get a craving for French fries. Sebastian and Andi were great together. The duet novella with Jason Clarke and Andi at the end is also an extra special treat.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Your Sailboat in the Moonlight

Overall 4.5 stars

Sebastian York and Andi Arndt are always fantastic together! They perform both male and female voices so well and I love that even though this isn't a duet style narration, the text messages are read as if they are. There's a reason these 2 narrators are so beloved in the audiobook community. You really can't go wrong with either of them, and together they're pretty much the gold standard.

The Dating Proposal is a fun, low angst, and slightly taboo work place romance. Chris and McKenna are the perfect amount of nerdy and sweet together and they have such incredible chemistry. Their attraction to the other is instant and their easy going banter and playful innuendo set the stage for a delicious slow burn build up. I loved seeing these two toe the line between friendship/co-workers and more. I think the most refreshing thing about the book though is that these are mature adults who talk openly and honestly (for the most part) with each other. There might be a misstep or two, but they don't let it fester or explode into a huge deal. I really enjoyed the pop culture references (I will never look at Q*bert the same again!) and had a smile on my face almost the entire time reading this. Fans of Lauren Blakely are sure to love it too!

This audiobook also includes the novella Delayed Satisfaction, which is the prequel to Lauren Blakely's upcoming release, Satisfaction Guaranteed. It's narrated in duet style by Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke and tells the story of how Sloane and Malone met, shared an amazing connection, and then how everything came to a screeching halt. I can't wait to find out what happens next, when their story continues in Satisfaction Guaranteed. I've said it before, but Jason Clarke really is absolutely delicious! He's definitely one of my favorite male narrators and is always just the right amount of sexy and sweet. A short excerpt from Once Upon A Real Good Time (which like The Dating Proposal is also narrated by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York) is also included at the very end. These fun extras always make Lauren Blakely's audiobooks well worth the credit!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A great story!!

The Dating Proposal is the reimagined story of Chris and McKenna. Remember Trophy Husband? If you’re a long-time fan of Lauren’s books, I know you do. I’ve fallen in love with Chris even harder this time, and McKenna is a serious fashionista—or influencer as is the current term now. Both of them are nursing broken hearts and the baggage that comes along with it. Their insta-attraction has them believing they can have fun without getting too deep. Too bad their hearts have another plan.

I listened to the audiobook of this story, and Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are amazing as usual. Their bond from working together for years really comes through as we meet Chris and McKenna all over again. If this is your first time meeting this power couple, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

As a bonus, after The Dating Proposal, you get Delayed Satisfaction, a prequel novella to the upcoming Satisfaction Guaranteed. What starts as a promising beginning for Malone and Sloane, becomes taboo. Andi Arndt is back, but this time with Jason Clarke. They are quickly becoming another audio dynamic duo.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

So good!

I really liked this story! I did not listen to Trophy Husband prior and I like it that way.. it was al new to me. I love the easy and funny banter between Chris and McKenna have together, it made me fall in love with them both! The open honesty they have is also awesome and super refreshing. Andi and Sebastian killed it! (as usual) overall I loved it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fantastic!!

The Dating Proposal was fantastic !! If you’re a Lauren Blakely fan, then I’m sure you’ve probably read the Trophy Husband, which was amazing as it was, but fast forward to the revamped and renamed book, The Dating Proposal, is even better. We get both McKenna and Chris’ POV’s. This book will make you feel good!

After being left at the altar, McKenna never expected she’d open herself up to love again. Her fashion blog is her outlet and she decides to pair her blog with dating to help get herself out there again.

In comes Chris who turns out to be her perfect match. After fixing her hard drive, they realize how much they have in common. So much so that they end up working together. Their shared love of video games and orgasmic Katsup make them fall for each other. However, they both have trust issues that keep getting in the way.

Prepare yourself for lots of laughter, love and friendship!

The added bonus audible Delayed Satisfaction makes this even more amazing!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Proposal

The dating proposal was so much fun! After running into her ex and his new wife, McKenna realizes she is over the hurt! Yay! Time to move on! So the fun begins. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York are dynamite! Lauren Blakely has a hit on her hands!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

5 star excellence

I know I start every review of Lauren Blakely's with how much I love her books, and how it's so easy to get lost in her stories. But it is just so true! Each time, it's a new experience, a new couple and I fall in love. This update to Trophy Husband has Chris and McKenna. These two from the very start have a special chemistry, but what I really loved was that they became friends first. Yes, their attraction was always there, but they did things together and enjoyed their friendship. As it combusts, it just so hot and sexy, you are right there with them, falling hard and fast. McKenna is an interesting woman, looking for the next story, her dates are hysterical. Chris is a nerdy geek, which I love, right down to his 80's video games, which right there won me over! Give me Qbert, and I am a happy girl! The witty banter, the quick exchanges and the explosive energy from these two left me happy and smiling. Andi Arndt and Sebastian York bring it every time, and there performance of McKenna & Chris just made the story all the better.

But Blakely doesn't stop there. She gives us a prequel to Satisfaction Guaranteed, called Delayed Satisfaction. It's a quick listen, narrated by Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt. We get a taste of Sloane and Malone's(is it weird their names rhyme :) ) story and makes the wait for the release of Satisfaction Guaranteed that much more highly anticipated! I can't wait!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Cute easy listen

This is one of those cute easy listens you can relax with anywhere. No great angst or drama, but no over the top thins either. Just the easy fun listen you know you’ll get with LB. Was able to knock it out over a nice evening or 2 once I got to it. Nice, fun, easy.

Perfect Romance

I’m happy to say that I loved this rewrite of Trophy Husband. I loved McKenna and could easily relate to her, something that I couldn’t do when I read Trophy Husband. With 85% new material, The Dating Proposal is cute, sexy, and fun. I loved Chris, he was a complete go getter, no messing about on the sidelines. He talked his issues through and didn’t leave himself with regrets. McKenna thinks things through a lot more, but at least she too talks things through. No angst, no tears, just perfect romance and chemistry. Lauren Blakely, Sebastian York, and, Andi Arndt- a match made in heaven.