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A review by groovygirl858
The Proposal by L. Steele
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked the premise and was engaged with the story, but almost EVERY SINGLE TIME the FMC had a decision to make, she made the wrong one. Worse, her choices were NOT understandable, in the slightest. Oh, she had her reasons. But they were senseless. Typically, that means the FMC is too stupid to live and I'm able to dismiss the character entirely. In this frustrating book, the FMC WASN'T stupid. Which means she was either mentally ill or her decisions were just nonsensical for the sake of angst in the story. Since the story didn't go the mentally ill route, I can only assume her character arc was based on the author just trying to cram in as much drama as possible, even if it made the FMC look unstable.
The FMC told the MMC she didn't care about him and didn't want to be with him so many times (after sending mixed messages), AFTER he expressed his feelings for her, that I couldn't help but think about how if the roles were reversed and the MMC was being so harsh and cold after the FMC declared feelings, it would be seen as toxic and emotionally manipulative, at best, and emotionally abusive, at worst. Her behavior really made it difficult to root for them to be together, especially with the MMC claiming the FMC is "strong." Her actions were weak. It's strength she pushed away the man she loves to deal with her emotional bullshit regarding her "condition?" No. The harder decision would have been to lean on him for support and be vulnerable. She had been pushing him away the entire book. Pushing him away is the easy route for her. But whatever. I guess the book can pretend she's strong if it wants.
Overall, I give this book 3 stars. There was a lot about it that frustrated me, but I liked the MMC and, despite my frustration, I wanted to know what happened next. I also was intrigued by the characters featured in the next book in the series.
The FMC told the MMC she didn't care about him and didn't want to be with him so many times (after sending mixed messages), AFTER he expressed his feelings for her, that I couldn't help but think about how if the roles were reversed and the MMC was being so harsh and cold after the FMC declared feelings, it would be seen as toxic and emotionally manipulative, at best, and emotionally abusive, at worst. Her behavior really made it difficult to root for them to be together, especially with the MMC claiming the FMC is "strong." Her actions were weak. It's strength she pushed away the man she loves to deal with her emotional bullshit regarding her "condition?" No. The harder decision would have been to lean on him for support and be vulnerable. She had been pushing him away the entire book. Pushing him away is the easy route for her. But whatever. I guess the book can pretend she's strong if it wants.
Overall, I give this book 3 stars. There was a lot about it that frustrated me, but I liked the MMC and, despite my frustration, I wanted to know what happened next. I also was intrigued by the characters featured in the next book in the series.