Absolutely, mindbogglingly brilliant. This author gets better with each incredible book! A twisted, thrilling, tense roller-coaster of a tale that I just could not put down. From the first addictive page to the nail-biting, heart-pounding last this was a stunning, accomplished and assured read that had me guessing throughout. Very highly recommended.

This book was a thrilling read, for sure. I can’t really describe it- it was an interesting story but it didn’t wow me. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for a review.

3.75/5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Wtf did I just read? was how this book left me feeling and I mean that in the best way possible. The first half of the book I would have given a 1, I was so close to quitting but I saw so many good reviews. I started reading some of the lesser reviews and realized they all said the same thing. Uninteresting first half and unbelievable last half. I decided to keep going based on that information and it couldn’t be more true. The last half was amazing! I could not put this down. What a unique, crazy, twisted story. I wasn’t able to guess anything that happened. At the end everything in the beginning actually made sense! I thought the ending tied the whole book together really well. And overall I really did enjoy this book even with the slow beginning. Echoing other reviewers it is very unique! Definitely check this out!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for letting me read The Proposal by SE Lynes for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

My first time reading that author, glad I did!

I give it 4 or 4.5 stars! Really good book, well written. I was into it from page one! The way it's written, you just keep on reading!
"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're reading these words, then the most likely reason is that this journal has been published posthumously..."

I knew right there I would enjoy that book! And you will too!

Pippa meets a salesman, Ryan, she has a weird feeling about him, is it fear or is she interested in getting to know him... she buys from him, and she wants to buy his story for her next book... Then he is everywhere, is he stalking her?

Review shared online on NetGalley, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon when published

'The Proposal' is Amazon bestselling author SE Lynes's fifth psychological thriller, and it is every bit as alluring, intelligent and haunting as the previous four. Told from the perspective of main character Pippa Gates in the form of blog posts, her private diary entries and occasional injections from baddie Ryan. This is one of those novels that is deeply ominous and that sense of foreboding continues from first page until the last. The premise is fascinating and original, and I am always a sucker for something new and unique. Not only that but the author avoids classic crime tropes altogether AND crucially her plot surrounds events that could happen to any of us, so believability and authenticity is super high.

If you enjoy complex, intricate stories with original ideas executed extremely well then look no further! The writing was sound and had me interested and invested rapidly, and the pace was superb. I would also highly recommend it to those who appreciate unreliable narrators.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Proposal by S.E. Lynes is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
Romance author Pippa Gates craves love. Divorced, living on her own, teacher by day, writer by night, she is looking for love wherever she can find it. Between the alcohol, the lovers, the overall poor behaviour, she is miserable, and having problems writing her second novel. Her best friend, Marlena, worries about her. When Pippa invites a door-to-door salesman, also an ex-con, into her home to hear his story, Pippa knows she has a best-seller on her hands. Marlena, knows she has a problem. Pippa doesn’t, and defends Ryan Marks at every turn. He makes her laugh, he makes her a better writer, he makes her feel alive. He also scares her a little.

Ryan Marks is sure he has found his soul-mate in Pippa, and he intends to make her realize it too. His secrets are there for her to discover, whenever she is ready.  He is patient, and is sure Pippa will come around.

Even when Pippa realizes she may have a stalker on her hands, she can’t really let him go.

My Opinions:
The story is told through Pippa’s blog, her personal journal, and initially a few tape recordings from Ryan. The book starts out with her personal journal, and the audience hears that if we are reading this, she is probably dead. What a great start to a book, and a great way to tell the story!

I do, however, have to admit two things. I am not a romance reader, so part of the book did not appeal. The second thing is that after that great start, the book leveled out for me for a while, moved a little slow, and then at some point, I didn’t even realize I was anxious to turn the page. That’s what made it good.

The author created a weak, self-destructive protagonist, that I didn’t particularly care for.  Pippa’s decisions were atrocious. Actually, I didn’t like any of the characters, but that didn't really matter. The author took me on a roller-coaster ride, and I was always looking around the corner to see what was next.

The story is rather dark, and I think both Stockholm Syndrome and mental illness play a big part, which makes it rather sad. The manipulation was almost scary.

As always, Lynes nailed the suspense! Can’t wait to see where she takes us next!

Another cracking book from SE Lynes. This is a chilling tale about a teacher/struggling author, with the deadline for her second book looming and Ryan an ex-con who is trying to better himself, who could be the perfect inspiration for her. This dark, twisty thriller had me up all night shouting at the characters. Well written, frightening and intriguing. Thank you for the opportunity to read this brilliant book.

Wow! This is an interesting phycological thriller. Book is told in 3 ways, a Personal Journal, Blog Posts, and Audio Excepts.

The first thing we find out is that the main character is dead but why and how? You get the creeps from beginning to end. Yes, the main character can be unlikable at times because she is supposed to be. She is a flawed human being and we are reading her personal journals where she tells us every some of her most private thoughts as she goes through this horrible event.

The main character is well written but the main side character just left me with so many questions. It may have been written that way on purpose though. The atmosphere was creepy throughout the book. At times it did drag a little but the story was still progressing. I liked the plot but it felt as if the book was written to fit the ending. I did sometimes question the logic of the story but I was intrigued from beginning to end and just had to find out what was going to happen.

All in all, this is an intense phycological thriller that had me hooked. Now I want to read all the authors other books.

S. E. Lynes is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors. I enjoyed two of her previous titles, Mother and The Pact. The Proposal ended up surprising me. Reading the blurb, I thought that I knew where the story would go. I mean, this does sound like a fatal attraction-trope, right? However, it wasn’t that simple.

Pippa is a struggling author. She wrote one book which received a lot of negative criticism. She is desperate for another book and hopes that this time; it will be well received by readers. However, Pippa can’t seem to come up with any good ideas for a second novel. This changes when Ryan Marks knocks on her door one evening. Suddenly, Pippa gets the inspiration that she needs for her second book. There is a heavy price to pay though.

The characters in this story were twisted, creepy and certainly unpredictable. I didn’t like any of the MCs but that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t entertained by them. Ryan was so dark and his character through the chapters just grew more chilling. He is the kind of character that makes you wary of strangers, hell I am even scared of answering my door at the moment. On the other hand, the jury is still out on Pippa. I liked her, disliked her and then felt like I didn’t get her. I still can’t make up my mind about her.

This is another thriller that ended up being darker than I first thought it would be. It had quite a number of twists that I never could have predicted and the ending was surprising and disturbing. Dark and twisted, I think fans of these kinds of thrillers will love The Proposal by S. E Lynes.

I've not read any of SE Lynes books before. At first I found the format very confusing and struggled to understand what was happening. I did get the hang of it after a while and kept reading to the end. Its not one of my favourite books but it did have to keep reading to find out what happened in the end.

Divorcee Pippa Gates is a teacher and aspiring author. She is unhappy in both her work and in her private life and she has no ideas for her second novel. She has writers block and cannot get her novel started. The debut novel was not very well received and she really wants to make a name for herself so that she can give up her day job and live the life of a writer full time, enjoying all the trappings of being a famous author. She really must get down to writing her next novel or she will not meet the deadline but she definitely has writers block. Whenever will it end?

A travelling salesman knocks on her door. He introduces himself as Ryan and she invites him inside. They make a connection on an intellectual level and swap stories over a glass of wine. They even swap phone numbers and suddenly it strikes Pippa that Ryan’s life is very interesting, so she makes a proposal that she will pay Ryan £200.00 for the use of his story and will make sure that she disguises his name so that he is unrecognisable. He readily agrees and she invites Ryan to choose a name for his character in the novel and true to her word she uses it. She signs a copy of her debut novel and adds a dedication, pays him his ‘fee’ and they say goodbye.

Ryan is obsessed with Pippa. He tells her that they are made for each other and texts her frequently. He turns up everywhere, though most times he is silent and invisible like a stalker. He is a troubled and dangerous man, a deluded ex-con. She tells him to leave her alone and keep away from her or she will report him to the police which would ensure he was sent back to prison. The deal is done and she doesn’t want to enter into a relationship with him.

Her second novel becomes an enormous success and at last she can become a full time writer. She moves to an isolated farmhouse with land, buys herself a new car and settles into her new life. She is suddenly a celebrity, she has lots of interviews and tells the reporter about the inspiration for her plot – but she doesn’t tell the truth. Ryan is incensed and before long manages to track her down. He turns up at her front door full of anger and threats. He turns the table on her and takes over her life. Pip doesn’t like it one bit but at last she has inspiration for her third novel. But is she safe with Ryan pulling her strings and threatening to expose her in all her lies? Read this story and find out what happens to Pippa.

‘The Proposal’ is a dark and disturbing psychological thriller full of twists and turns. It certainly kept me turning the pages, desperate to find out what was going to happen next. The tone of the text is conversational and relaxed, all the time justifying what Pippa has done. Somehow you just know she is an unreliable narrator and things are not really as they appear to be. I didn’t really like any of the characters very much but I did like the original and fast paced story and the various settings. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Bookouture through my membership of NetGalley. It was sent in return for an honest and unbiased review and I would like to thank them for my copy of the novel. It’s a 3.5* from me and a recommendation that this is a very readable and entertaining novel. Be sure to read past the end of the story and you will soon have greater knowledge of this story and everything will easily slip into place.

This was such an interesting story, obsession, fear and suspense with a dash of murder thrown in. The writing style is fun and honest and it really felt like Pippa was talking to me. I had some laugh out loud moments as well as some “you stupid cow” thoughts while reading it.

A chilling, very chilling book. I found this one very hard to put down.
It starts out with Pippa, a struggling author, facing a deadline with no real inspiration as to what to write. Then comes a knock on her door. A down on his luck ex-con is on the other side, selling cleaning products to make ends meet. He seems ok, maybe just a little off, so Pippa invites him in, offering him money to tell her his life story.
So begins a deeply twisted and shocking story. It starts out innocently enough, but soon escalates into a suspenseful and gripping novel. I really don't want to say too much as I don't want to give anything away. You'll just have to read it for yourselves....
I recommend this book to all lovers of psychological thrillers and suspense.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SE Lynes is one of my favourite authors but this book was just not for me. I found it very difficult to get into, and the main character annoyed me - I couldn’t understand why anyone would let a complete stranger into their home, their car, their shower etc. I also couldn’t understand why she didn’t call the Police at various points. This was all explained later, but not until near the end of the book. The writing is, as ever, excellent, but until 2/3 of the way through I just wasn’t enjoying it. I did enjoy the last 1/3 a lot more and the ending was very good - especially the ‘editors notes’.

ive read books by this author before and have thoroughly enjoyed them therefore, i was excited to be asked to review her latest offering. did i enjoy it? sadly no i didnt.

the first half of the book is confusing the chapters flitting between being written as a personal journal, a social media blog and a dictaphone transcript. it is hard to decipher what is happening and this made it hard to muster the enthusiasm to continue reading.

the story picks up at halfway through however, i fear many readers will have given up by then. for me the book became abit of a page turner only then to tail off with a strange ending. i felt no connection with the main characters and actually disliked them greatly. the concept behind the story is an interesting one however it just wasn’t for me on this occasion.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is dark & creepy & scary at times. A true psychological thriller. I throughly enjoyed this book, started a bit slow for me but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. Thanks for the preview,

Well. I'll say one thing for this book - it has a killer opening line. Much in the way that you would recall the opening line to Moby Dick, or that now infamous line from Jane Eyre, you won't forget this one in a hurry. And it certainly serves to intrigue and capture the readers attention from the start. If you are reading the book of a purportedly dead protagonist, just what the heck is it that you've walked into ...

The answer, put simply, is a tale of fragile psychology and an all consuming and, frankly, chilling obsession which sees protagonist Pippa chart the end of her own life by means of a diary. Pippa is, before this terrible chain of events begins, a teacher and aspiring romance author. Her first book was a commercial failure and with deadlines looming she is struggling to find a new muse. That is until she meets Ryan, a former convict now selling kitchen and cleaning goods door to door. Common sense says she should run a mile but she sees something in him, some spark of a story which could be her salvation. And this is where the fun begins ...

The story is told primarily by way of Pippa's journal entries as she charts all of the decisions she made and events which occurred that led to her untimely demise. Littered amongst it as some social media posts in which we see an altogether different side of Pippa, far more buoyant and positive than the character we are coming to know, and potentially dislike. And this is where the book was interesting for me as the more I read of it, the more I tended to find myself not liking Pippa all that much. She came across as selfish and dismissive, obsessed with her own fortune and with little thought for others. It still doesn't necessarily mean that what occurred was justified, nobody deserves to be killed, but things are not as straight forward as they may seem, and you need to read to understand what I mean by that.

Ryan was a brilliantly crafted character. You can feel his obsession grow, encouraged by Pippa's lack of decisive action against him, and each encounter becomes all the more chilling. He is the ultimate predator and while he confesses his story to Pippa on their first meeting, you still get the feeling there is something he is holding back. I would say for any woman who fear being stalked, this book captures that feeling perfectly, even if Pippa's response isn't quite as you may expect. The fact that she fails to deal with Ryan leads us to the darkest parts of the book, and her method of simply running away proves to be the catalyst for exposing Ryan's true self.

As I mentioned earlier, the styling of this book is quite unique, with the story told through journal entries and social media posts. It actually serves to heighten the tension in the book but did also take a me a little while to get used to as after the sometimes dark, often chilling journal entries, the social media posts were a direct opposite and littered with literary references which the well read amongst you will understand. Now I have never read Rebecca (I know - condemn me if you must but with so many books out there I can't read them all) but I do know enough to understand the references made in the book. There are also often letters from Ryan to Pippa which, whilst not outwardly hostile, are creepy in their unwavering love and almost passive-aggressive tone of voice which intimates that whilst he will leave Pippa as she has requested, it is only a short term measure. There are also passages in Ryan's voice which establish just how dark this tale will become. They are most definitely enough to send shivers down your spine.

I would say this is a slow building tale with the first half of the book, perhaps a shade more, setting the scene for what is to follow. Certainly in the final third of the book the tension, and the pace, pick up quite dramatically leading to many heart pounding moments and some which still manage to beggar belief. But, for me at least, it is the epilogue - the word from Pippa's editor on the book you have just read - which serves as the crucial part of the book. I won't say why but certainly it makes you look at things in a whole new light. This was a perfect ending and left me with a little smile upon my face.

If you are looking for read focused on obsession, control and the volatile and changeable nature of broken minds then this is the books for you. Calculated, chilling and with a unique narrative twist, I think SE Lynes fans, particularly if you ate up Valentina, are going to love it.

I could almost smell the vileness of him, his dirty scruffy clothes that hung from his skinny frame, his horrible brown teeth and his smarmy attitude. Why did she let him into her home and start a chain of events that were unstoppable? The heart-stopping descriptions in this book are brilliant and you are left in absolute suspense right to the very end.

Wow - this was dark... A proper physiological thriller deserving of its genre. Completely dislikable characters but that is all part of the tale. Although dark and downright scary at times there are moments of great humour.

Pippa does some bizarrely, mad, erratic things that make you wonder what's wrong with the woman but it all comes together and my this leads to a scenario that you couldn't see coming.

It is all cleverly told between a blog, a diary and a recording. Well written and will have me shutting the door fast if anyone comes selling!

Pippa works as a teacher, but dreams of writing a best seller. That proves to be harder than she imagined, especially when she can’t even come up with a first draft for her new book. Enter Ryan, a down on his luck ex-con and door-to-door salesman. When he knocks on Pippa’s door, they have a connection, which leads to a story for her book.

Told from Pippa’s point of view using journal entries and blog posts. She is recently divorced and a little unhappy with her life. She is also impulsive, which sometimes results in questionable decisions on her part.

I was hooked from the opening line, “The first thing you should know, dear reader, is that I am dead.” With an opener like that, I just had to know what happened to Pippa. Clever, dark, and disturbing.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.