The Proposition

By: Judith Ivory

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Set amidst the glitz and glamour of high society Victorian London, The Proposition is an opulent tale of blossoming love.

Lady Edwina Bollash is a woman of importance and distinction who has never been the object of any man's affection. However, when she meets Mick Tremore, a tall, handsome young man from the bottommost rung of society, she instantly attracts his attention. As Mick wants desperately to become a gentleman, Edwina decides to transform him into a man with class. From the start, she notices the way he looks at her. But what she doesn't yet realize is that as much as she is preparing him, he is preparing her for a place in his heart--and in his bed. Narrator Steven Crossley elevates the mounting passion of Ivory's prose, building tension with every breath and every sensuous word.

©1999 Judith Ivory, Inc. (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC

Very enjoyable as well as fun

I like Regency type romances but so many are similar plots just different characters. The Proposition turns things around. Granted it's a Pygmalion in reverse ... so much fun as well as a different slant on romance. The male character is delightful. He holds to his own values despite "station"...of course being fantasy, he has remarkable lineage to be uncovered. The narrator does a superb job with the accents. moving from street to polish yet always with humor. The scene in the hero's workman's tavern is hilarious as the heroine "loosens" up. If you want an entertaining story - yes there is some steam too - plus a lot of laughs, give this book a try.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Another favorite - excellently well read

The narrator of this one is a man which I found - interesting. The story is a wonderfully compelling romance, very steamy without being pornographic which so many are nowadays. Ugh. This one is beautiful, though and I really liked the narrator.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

A very satisfying listen.

This was a joy to listen to. It is well written and well read. Judith Ivory can give lessons on how to write sexual tension. The characters are well drawn and lovable, especially the hero. This is a light, funny, engaging story concerned more with the relationship between the protagonists. There is never any doubt in your mind about where they are coming from, or why they do what they do. This was a well-spent credit.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

I fell in love with a rat catcher!

I listened to this wonderful audiobook last year and neglected to write a review. Let me just say that the team of author Judith Ivory and narrator Steven Crossley made me fall in love with a rat catcher.

I have a weakness for lower-class blokes who are smart and savvy enough to work their way into the upper-class world. Derek Craven in Dreaming of You, “Charming” Mickey O’Connor in Scandalous Desires, and Nick Gentry in Worth Any Price are now joined by Michael "Mick" Tremane, the Cornish/Cockney rat catcher who is the hero of this Pygmalion-inspired story.

The devastatingly handsome Mick is so clever, sweet, and charming that you can understand why the genteel but rather impoverished heroine falls for him. In fact, if you're like me, you wonder why she doesn't do it sooner. But she is not a woman given to living her dreams. Indeed, she hardly has any dreams. She's too intelligent and too independent to believe that any man can desire her, given that she's twenty-nine, too tall, and wears spectacles.

There's not a lot of action in this book. It's mostly Winnie teaching Mick to speak and act like a gentleman, and him gradually wearing down her formidable defenses.

How can the grand-daughter of a duke find happiness with a rat catcher? The ending is a bit contrived, as well as rushed, but this is Romancelandia after all.

Steven Crossley does an excellent narration, wonderfully voicing Mick's transition from rat catcher to gentleman.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Ann

I have over 60 audio books, and this is one of my favorites. The narration was fantastic!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Absolutely delightful

Where does The Proposition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorites. I've listened many times.

What other book might you compare The Proposition to and why?

I can't really compare, because I don't listen to a lot of Romance novels. Generally, they're just too silly. The damsel in distress, the dashing rouge, ugh! But this was totally different!

Have you listened to any of Steven Crossley’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to this narrator. But wow! I will certainly look for his work in the future. His voices are amazing. All of the accents. Male and female nothing rang false. There were times when his voice really painted the picture! I could not have imagined better.

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

Yes, I listen while doing chores. I found myself looking for things to do to extend my listen.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful listen, I found myself rewinding scenes, the were just that good!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Lovely

A lovely book. My fair lady, but then the other way round. A very relaxing and pleasant listening.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A lively pygmalion fairy tale of a romp.

I enjoyed this book so much I listened to it twice. I found the primary male character, Mick, more engaging and likable than almost any other leading male character in "historical romance" - he has a bit of Tom Jones about him. And Steven Crossley does a great job of speaking for such a sexy fun-loving character. I enjoyed the gender reversal of roles in the traditional pygmalion story, and the book offers affectionate nods to both the pygmalion myth and the Shaw play.

As with most romantic fiction that takes place in the nineteenth century, it has quite a few modern ideas and attitudes especially about sex, but this is a charming fairy tale from start to finish so who cares.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

a fun little ride

The story just flow's . Steven Crossly is perfect for the storying telling... You get to know and like the characters quickly.. Love it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

One of the best!

This is the only audiobook I've listened to twice. In a row. Just to savour the story, the narration and the characters. Mick is such a lovable character, beautifully portrayed - a down-to-earth man who cannot resist drawing out the beauty hidden inside Winnie, while she works her magic on him, transforming his external self to match his interior gentle, personable self. Her innocence is portrayed sensitively and VERY believably. I like it that she is not the perfect figure of a woman and I also like Mick's preoccupation with her legs - bordering on fetish but soooo sensually described. Quite amazing how those legs tie up the whole story. Listening to this book was a sumptuous pleasure. Steven Crossley's narration is absolutely outstanding. I'm not much of a one for male narrators (Richard Armitage excepted) but Mr Crossley's performance of this book is consummate. I daresay I will listen to it again... it's like a really tasty dish, you want to have it over and over!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful