I have to be totally honest and say that I really struggled with this book. I normally love this authors style of writing but found this one totally confusing. I did stick with it however and started to enjoy it half way through. It was extremely well written but just not for me personally.

Sometimes a book freaks me out. I get goosebumps, I get stressed for the characters, I bite my nails. I dream about it. The Proposal will freak you out and then some. I love books that jump around because they give only tidbits to keep you going. This was really well done.

While I thought the premise and introduction was intriguing, I had to DNF the novel about a quarter of the way through. One thing I found did not appeal to me was the back and forth between the journal entries, blog posts, etc. There was a lot of jumping around and I didn’t want to do it anymore.

Well Susie Lynes you are a genius and this was a superb novel and as others have written totally unique. I have loved all your other books but this one surpasses them all by far it was just so very different if I could I would give it far more than a 5 * review and can only praise the wonderful writing and a brilliant, twisted plot so totally recommended to anyone who wants a damn good book to read. Thank you so very much it was a blast !!

Pippa lets a door to door salesman (Ryan) into her home one evening and her life is never the same. Turns out Ryan is a crazy ex-con that she can’t get out of her life. And so begins a dangerous game of pursuit But, he says, he’s a reasonable guy and he’s willing to wait until she’s ready. But is he. Little things around the house seem to move when she’s out. But do they? Or is it her imagination? This dark twisted tale is told through Pippa’s blog, her personal journal and Ryan’s transcripted audiotape. I loved Ms Lynes writing style - I had enjoyed her book “Mother” so I had hoped I would like this too and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. A good psychological thriller that even had me laughing at times. I honestly couldn’t put this book down. .................Thanks to Netgallery for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Excerpt from Pippa Gates: Private Journal
The first thing you should know, dear reader is that I am dead. Not now, writing this, here at the farm, obviously. But if you are reading these words, then the most likely reason is that this journal has been published posthumously.

Pippa Gates is the author of a romance novel. Not well reviewed, but published and the deadline for her second novel is looming. She has writer’s block. So when a traveling salesman, hard on his luck, knocks on her door one night, she offers him a “proposal”- that he tells her the story of his life in exchange for a one time payment.

As he shares his story, she learns that Ryan is an ex-con. She tries not to let this make her nervous. She tries to remember that he is a human being, and when her heart starts to hammer, and trickles of sweat begin to roll down her back, she tells herself that it is her own prejudice that is causing this to happen.

To be polite, she smiles when she should. She laughs when it seems appropriate.

She offers him food, and wine.

She should’ve listened to her gut.

I FELT THE TERROR!

The story continues through journal entries, blog posts, and audio excerpts.

It is a story of obsession.

Be sure to read Chapter 31-Letter from the editor. IT is the true ending of the book. A 5 Star ending!

The only reason I gave the book 4 stars, is because the book got a bit bogged down in the middle for me. Also, if you did not read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, the “Mrs. Danvers” references could be a bit confusing.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture, and SE Lynes for the ARC I received in exchange for a candid review! This book will be available on Sept 21, 2018! Pre-order now!

I got a bit confused at the beginning with the blogs etc (not the authors fault! ) but once I worked out what was what, I could not put this book down. A book within a book! As with all of Susie Lyne’s books, I highly recommend this one

Dark, unnerving and all consuming but most importantly for me, deliciously different! This book had me desperately wanting to turn the pages but needing to read slowly to savour every wonderful word and nuance. The characters, the pacing, the structure and the writing in this novel are a sheer delight and dare I say sprinkled with Genius?

With S.E. Lynes you don't just know the character's thoughts, you get right into the deepest, darkest, maddest part of their psyche - and the scary thing is that no matter how dark and despicable they may be, you find yourself relating to and empathising with them ... just wonderful, a truly unsettling, memorable psychological thriller that has joined this author's earlier work, 'Mother', in my all time favourite reads.

Thank you, thank you, thank you S.E. Lynes for once more raising the bar of excellence in this genre - I'm utterly in awe!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this unique book - this review reflects my honest thoughts and opinion.

I’m increasingly impressed with S.E. Lynes, who’s clearly a very diverse, creative and also very prolific (four books in what seems like a short space of time) author. All four are pretty different and The Proposal is a very unusual and original read - the only thing I don’t love is the title (can we please stop with the “The [proper noun]” titles now and allow writers to think of something more interesting?). As is pointed out in a rather meta way within the text, various standard psychological thriller elements are there - e.g the sinister stranger - but it all adds up to something rather different and much more thought provoking. It’s definitely one of those books which makes you want to go back and read bits again.

Pippa Gates is, at the beginning of her story, a teacher and moderately unsuccessful romance author (reviews of her first novel are pretty scathing). She needs to come up with a second, but inspiration fails to strike, at least until ex-con Ryan Marks knocks on her door with a tray of overpriced cleaning products.

I don’t think most of us would have invited Ryan in. I’m sure I wouldn’t, not so much because he’s down on his luck or physically unprepossessing as because right from the start he’s making worrying sexual innuendoes towards a woman he’s only just met. But Pippa isn’t most people and she doesn’t behave in ways which are either normal or sensible, relying on best friend Marlena (named by her parents, rather tellingly, for Suzanne Vega’s ‘80s song Marlene on the Wall) to rescue her from ill-advised situations.

Told through blog posts from Pippa Gates, Author (describing an idyllic writing life at Cairn Farm with her faithful “Mrs Danvers”), Pippa’s private diary, and occasional testimony from Ryan himself, it’s not always clear what to believe.

The Proposal is a twisted tale of love(?), madness and the act of storytelling itself, which has the reader utterly confounded at times. To say more would only spoil it...

In a closing letter to the reader, S.E. Lynes refers to the book having her in its “gnarled and nasty claws”. It did me, too, and I loved it.

Where to start with this review!!!!!

I must say I was totally blown away with this story. I read lots and lots of thrillers but this one defiantly stands out from the crowd because it's so different. I wasn't aware what was going on around me because I was in the book, captivated and engrossed in the story. At times when I was reading it I would have a look and see if anyone was watching me and had caught me reading someone's personal diary. I also found myself picking my kindle up at every possible opportunity to see if Pippa and written another entry in her diary, she is a fabulous character. I did giggle at points in the story, I know laughing at a thriller!!!!!! I did though. A must read in my opinion as the author has pulled this one out the bag for sure.

S E Lynes is currently one of my favourite authors so I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this book! Just as good as her first three, she is my go-to read for domestic noir/psychological thrillers. When I finished this one I thought what have I just read!? Had to leave it for a day or two then reread the last couple of chapters just to take it all in!.
This was an excellent read. Pippa is a struggling author who has a proposal for ex-convict Ryan, working as a door to door salesman as part of his rehabilitation, she will pay him £200 for his life story hoping this will inspire her next book. However, by allowing Ryan into her home she sets in motion a chain of events she could never have foreseen.
We all have that one friend like Pippa, her life is one never ending drama and I did feel sorry for her friend Marlena who always bailed her out of trouble. However, Pippa takes advantage of Marlena once too often and is soon isolated from all her friends and colleagues when she moves to the country. Quite a few times I was shouting at Pippa saying get a grip woman and stop being so stupid! Ryan is a fascinating character, we don't know how much of his backstory to believe but we begin to realise how far his traumatic childhood has influenced his current actions.
I can't wait for the next book from this author, I would recommend any of her books, they are all fantastic!

Pippa works as a teacher as well as being an author. Her first book hasn't done well but that all changes when she meets Ryan. I really liked Pippa though I did find her quite selfish when it came to her best friend. She is a bit of a free spirit and doesn't really think of the consequences of her actions. There was just something about her though and her lifestyle that fascinated me.

The story flicks between her blog posts and her journal. I loved the blog posts of an idyllic life of which I'm sure many of us would envy.

Ryan, from first meeting him, I was as fascinated about his background as well as Pippa. Saying that though, there was something about him that worried me also. I definitely had mixed feelings when it came to him. I was torn between wanting Pippa to steer well clear to giving him a chance.

The Proposal is a story that drew me in and held me there. I became fully engrossed and couldn't turn the pages quick enough wanting to know what was going to happen next. The story certainly takes some unexpected turns and I loved the overall feel that it gave me. I was full of apprehension whilst being thrilled with the direction the story was taking. A very cleverly written book that readers are going to love.

W.... T..... F!! I’m not even sure where to begin with this review. Me, speechless - that never - ever happens (just ask my husband!)

So..... where to begin with this one..... well, how can I paint a picture for you? How about I just say The Proposal is double scoop of intensity triple dipped in psycho! Lynes is brilliant. As you read - hell the first chapter - she sucks you in and then at the end she spits you out leaving you shaken, sweaty and short of breath. What more can I say other than - love!❤️ 5 stars and a new addition to my favorites list

Fantastic twisted story that keeps to7 guessing right until the end. Amazing characters . Once again this author delivers a 5 star story

Very interesting read! The explosive outcome of two damaged individuals was gripping and thought provoking.

Stop! I need to breathe again! Actually, think I need resuscitation! Every time I think Susie Lynes can't do any better she smashes that damn ball right out of the park!

When you pick up a book and the first line is "the first thing you should know, dear reader, is that I am dead" you know it's going to grip you & when you know it's by SE Lynes then you know it is going to grab you by the throat, punch you in the gut and mess with your mind before spitting you out a mess at the other side!

The Proposal is told through a series of journal entries and blog posts the unique narrative takes the reader on a dark and twisted journey into the life of author Pippa Gates; the public life through her social media feed and the private life through the journal entries with snippets of audio tape from the man who will change her life!

Ryan had a depth about his character that made me feel like I could see into the abyss of his soul; something about him repelled and attracted me at the same time; I had a sense of unease reading the book as though I could feel something awful about to happen! Pippa conflicted me - from feeling a terrible sorrow at the emotional mess that she was to a frustration at the self-destruct button she pushed right through to disgust at her lack of concern for those close to her. She is a damaged soul and it was difficult to know what to feel for her at times. Both characters were written authentically and to the point that I could actually see each of them, like two actors on a stage playing out their strange and twisted story.

There is a real intensity about the dialogue and when Ryan reminds Pippa of the emotional contract we make with words, a shiver ran down my spine: his understanding of the unsaid words that lie beneath a seemingly innocent statement or invitation making my skin crawl. I loved the writer narrating the life of the writer and the insight into the writing process, albeit a very dark process was a fascinating take on the story; it gave it something unique, something raw and something very compelling indeed!

The tension just kept building, my stomach was in knots and my brain was frying. The dripping obsession fear and descent into darkness oozed from the pages; it drew me in, wrapped its tentacles around me and swallowed me whole leaving me a bloody mess by the end. There was something so ordinarily authentic about it, reminding me of when I read the author's first novel, Valentina, it was almost as though I were friends with Pippa sat next to her on the sofa as she regaled me with tales of tinder dates and bad decisions. She irritated me yet she drew me like a moth to a flame.

SE Lynes is the mistress of her craft, she doesn't just write psychological thrillers she creates psychological masterpieces which make you work for your reward; no easy read cosy crime here but rather a breakneck hurtling bungee jump off the highest building kinda read. Genius, sheer genius! There's a dark intensity to Lynes writing which will absorb you from the outset

The Proposal is a twisted and macabre tale of love, rejection and obsession cleverly narrated from the point of view of novelist Pippa Gates. This book will make you question your own motivations and decisions in life.

Deliciously dark, dangerously deviant and delightfully daring, SE Lynes once again proves that she has magic ink flowing from her fingertips, that she has a genius that others wish could be bottled and sold. Read this book, read all her books, there is no excuse not to!
To be shared on my blog as part of the blog tour

This author has fast become one of my favourites.
Another five star winner and must read for any fan of this genre.

Wowzers. This book is so different to any other psychological thrillers I have read.
Teacher and romance author Pippa is desperate for her next novel to be a hit after her debut not quite hitting the mark with her readers. Enter Ryan Marks, reformed character trying to get back on his feet by selling cleaning products door to door. Sensing Ryan has a story to tell she invites him into her home to hear his life story. Probably not the wisest move Pippa has ever made! Gripping, thrilling, suspenseful. Highly recommended if you love a good psychological thriller.

All the stars! Every single one! What did I just read?
I’ve never read anything like this ever in my life and I don’t think anything could ever top this! My head is spinning, eyes hurt from not blinking the last 20 pages, my skin is covered in goosebumps, and I have paper cuts from wildly flipping back a few times to reread a page or four of crazy.
All the while as I’m screaming “oh my god I get it now!”
“I GET IT! Pippa, I finally freakin GET IT!!!!”

Best book of 2018! Holy wow! Put this on your read right now list.

🌟U N I Q U E 🌟

Thank you #Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my free ARC and this creepy, super unique adventure in exchange for my honest review. #AllTheStars
Posted in Goodreads (by Melissa In The City)

oooh what the heck did i just read !
Wasn't sure at the beginning of this book was almost not going to continue, but it was one that pulls you in and you need to keep reading. Glad i did. Wow what a messed up (in a good weird way) kind of book!! Give it a chance you won't regret it!



Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book