The Proposition

By: Katie Ashley

Narrated by: Justine O. Keef

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

With her 30th birthday looming, Emma Harrison finds her biological clock clanging and the elusive knight in shining armor yet to appear. She's running out of options, especially after her gay best friend backs out from being her sperm donor. Of course, there's always a sperm bank, but Emma fears a donor mix-up might impregnate her with the spawn of Satan.

Resident company womanizer, Aidan Fitzgerald, is used to always getting what he wants, especially in the bedroom. When Emma spurns his advances at the company Christmas party, he's determined to have her no matter what it takes. After Aidan learns of Emma's predicament, he is quick to offer a proposition that will benefit them both. He will father Emma's child, but she must conceive it with him naturally. Not one for hook-ups or casual sex, Emma is reluctant to take him up on his offer, but his charm, coupled with her intense desire for motherhood, wins out.

Soon their baby-making sessions become more than just physical. Aidan can't seem to walk away from her while Emma begins to wonder if Aidan could be the one. But can Aidan leave his past behind to become the man Emma needs him to be?

©2012 Katie Ashley (P)2013 Tantor

Baby making

To begin with the reason I got this book was because Justine O’Keef narrated it. She is one of my favorite narrators and the story sounded interesting, so I got it. I love Justine’s male voices. For some reason it just thrills my ears, especially in the sexual context.

So we have Emma who wants to have a baby and her friend, Connor, who’s gay, backs out on being her sperm donor. Aidan, a womanizer, whom happens to work in the same company with Emma, sees his chance and makes his proposition.

It was just so cute how Emma gets under Aiden’s skin. It’s supposed to be sex to make a baby but you can see how Emma and Aidan are becoming entwined into each other’s life. Emma meets Aiden’s family and his dog. He’s not what she expected. She’s much more than he expected. I really can’t say too much more because I’m going to give out too many spoilers. I do have to say the first time they have sex after Emma finds out she is pregnant is so cute.

Sometimes a book flows for me, sometimes not. This one did! I love romantic fiction due to the fact I don’t have to over think things and just go with the flow of the book. After all it is fiction and that’s my whole purpose of listening to it. I love to escape to a fantasy world that is totally unrealistic. This one was written and performed well enough for me to go there and enjoy the ride.

I did realize before I got this one that there is another one in this series that comes out in a few weeks and I will be getting that one to finish up this story. It was worth my credit and I enjoyed it so much I listened to it in one sitting.

17 of 23 people found this review helpful

cliffhanger endings?<br />

I truly enjoyed the book, but! When did it become the trend to end a book with a cliffhanger? Hmmmm, I don't know, I don't think I am going to buy the next book. I would love to know the ending, but I refuse to be forced into buying another book to do it. I realize that this is a new trend, but it's ending right here with me.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Cool til the end

What made the experience of listening to The Proposition the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed this story on several levels. It's sexy, great dialogue and interesting characters. The storyline is interesting, but the female main character is too weak for my taste, the male's issues don't have a very plausible explanation and the cliffhanging ending was not appreciated.

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

This is a classic Harlequin romance without the satisfying editorial perimeters.

What about Justine O. Keef’s performance did you like?

Ms. O'Keef did an excellent job with keeping voices clear. And her sexy scenes are really steamy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Frustrated. I wanted to slap Em on several occasions.

Any additional comments?

I wish that this had be one, maybe two books instead of three.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

no ending left me hanging , I feel jipped <br />

I connected with this story. now to find out story continue in next book, SUCKS

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great.....but with a cliffhanger

I love this story so far, but I would have been mad if I'd had to wait on the next part. Well written and well read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

That's not an ending!!!!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Honestly, everything was great up until the ending. It was like dropping off a cliff. Highly disappointing.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I have no idea but a modern romance or a modern story about women in their 40's.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hmm, this book is kind of sappy and predictable so I can't say that I have a favorite.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NOT WITH THAT ENDING.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I'm glad it was a free book.

Would you try another book from Katie Ashley and/or Justine O. Keef?

The narration was just fine, but the story was a bit boring. I may just not be a romance novel reader, but it seems like everything is an attempt at the 50 Shades idea right now. I am just glad this had been a Free book club offering.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Oh so cheesy

I really wanted to like this book but it was just too cheesy for me. I thought the concept was good for a story-line but the execution just fell flat. It lacked any real character development and the whole thing just felt too unrealistic. A woman who isn’t even 30 yet is so desperate to have a child that she agrees to let the office man-whore get her pregnant. Really? These are successful and professional people who mostly act childish. I just couldn’t understand the motivation by any of these characters.

I enjoy light and fluffy romance books but this was just too clichéd and cheesy for me. Not to mention I did not enjoy the narrator which completely shocked me. This is the same narrator of “Sinners on Tour” but she was just off with this one.

Overall I can’t recommend this book.

BEWARE: This book has no real ending. It is a too-be-continued with book 2 – The Proposal.

15 of 22 people found this review helpful

Sophomoric

What disappointed you about The Proposition?

While I enjoy "fantasy", when writing in 2012, don't set up the characters as educated professionals with good jobs and then have them behaving outrageously at the office.
If set in the mid 70's, perhaps I could have stomached the office gossip about sexual experiences, having sex in the office, and having alcoholic drinks at lunch during the workday. I endured 2 1/2 hours but couldn't go further.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not this author.

Which character – as performed by Justine O. Keef – was your favorite?

n/a

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

n/a

Any additional comments?

Will probably return this book.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

What and Seriously?

Why is a book this long and sappy a cliffhanger? What a waste! I won’t buy another book by this author.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful