I started this book knowing I was in for a treat but also not really knowing what to expect, the author isn’t your usual thriller writer where you are just reading for the twist or the big reveal. I’d say I favour these books more, the writing is just fantastic, so descriptive and almost raw and there’s a real knack of creating characters who you love to hate. Firm 5 stars from me!

I don't think there have yet been words invented to leave a review for The Proposal which will do it adequately enough justice, but I shall have a go.

You know when one of your favourite authors releases a new book and you're excited? With SE Lynes books, I get that excitement, but also a nervous stomach flip as I never know where her stories will take us, which is an absolute dream for someone who reads mainly thrillers. SE Lynes writing is just exquisite and, dare I say, a cut above the formulaic psychological thrillers out there.

The Proposal was an absolutely astounding read, but what made it even more special is that the flaws in the main character, are parts of all of us that we usually try keep hidden, which made for gloriously uncomfortable reading. At times, I had to slow my reading down to savour and take in, all that I could of the book.

As highly recommended as always!! Roll on book 5!

This is going to be a difficult review to write without giving anything away!

This book follows three different versions of the same story. You have Pippa's Private Journal written very cleverly detailing the past and the present. Then you have Pip's Blog all written in the present. And finally audio recordings from Ryan.

At about the half way mark I had figured out a couple of the "shocks" but that just made me want to plough on through the rest of the book.

I have ready several reviews about it not being about a "proposal" but it actually really is. The final 25% of the book really made me start questioning what we believe is love and romance in the unconventional sense, There is a lot of symbolism in the book that alludes to marriage etc so I find the title fitting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will most definitely read more by this author.

Thank you netgalley x

'The first thing you should know, dear reader, is that I am dead...'

Teacher Pippa wants a second chance. Recently divorced and unhappy at work, she uproots her life to renovate a beautiful farmhouse in the countryside, determined to make a fresh start. But Pippa soon realises: your troubles are never far behind.

When Pippa meets blue-eyed Ryan Marks, he is funny, charming, and haunted by his past. He might just be the answer to all her problems. But how well does she really know him?

She knows the story of his life, the pain that stays with him, the warmth of his smile and the smell of his skin. She knows he can make her laugh over a glass of wine.

Pippa can tell truth from lies. She’d know if she were in danger. Wouldn’t she?

Right from the beginning I was on edge, it was not what i was expecting.. AT ALL! I really couldn't relate to Pippa at first, I found her character quite unbelievable, I couldn't believe that somebody would be so reckless in dangerous situations. But the further I delved I realised why she was that way.

The whole story and it's characters were manipulative in every way and that's what made it so gripping! Easy 4 stars

I just finished reading The Proposal by S E Lynes and must say that this is one of the strangest books I have ever read because it is two books in one with added blog and audio tapes. It sounds like a lot and it was. About halfway through the book I finally stopped being confused (except about the blog) and the pace of my reading picked up from there and before I knew it we were at the end ... literally. The Letter from the Editor at the end was very helpful in clearing up some vague areas. I give this book 4 stars because I found it better than a 3 star but I can’t give it 5 stars because for half of the book I was totally confused but I am very glad I read it. I happily recommend this book to others and thank NetGalley and SE Lynes for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. The Proposal by S E Lynes is a psychological thriller that hooks you in and keeps you reading. I would recommend this book.

I really loved the main characters and the brilliant plot. I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

When the opening line of a book is "The first thing you should know, dear reader, is that I am dead" you know that you are in for a good one. I have read SE Lynes last 2 books with her first on my kindle waiting to be read and I am definitely a fan. This book was an addictive story with a main character that was very much unlikeable. I struggled to see how it was going to end which is always a good thing in my opinion.

The Proposal is the story of Pippa, a dreadfully unhappy newly divorced woman. She is a teacher by day and a writer of romance. Her publisher is on her back for a new book and she is having a blank. She spends her evenings having casual hook ups with random men. One night there is a stranger at her door selling cleaning products. He is attractive and funny and on a whim Pippa invites Ryan in. Over a glass of wine he tells her his life story which she uses as inspiration for her new book. But that is not the last she sees of Ryan, with him becoming obsessed and not in a good way.

It definitely sucked me in . Great psychological thriller. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

The Proposal is probably the most unique book I’ve read this year. Told from a few different viewpoints - including audio recordings, a private journal and blog posts, we follow Pippa as she meets and immediately proposes an idea to an ex-con who shows up at her door, and the subsequent journey into total madness.

Wow! This book was just something else! I have read many psychological thrillers but this goes to the next level! Just stunning, this author is supremely talented!

Wow, such a different book to what I was expecting.
The way it was written, the concept of the story itself - all a little quirky & certainly not the norm.
Loved this & now off to explore more by this author.
4.5 stars ⭐️

This is the 4th book from S. E. Lynes, who I think has safely established herself as one of the most accomplished writers of psychological thriller stories. In The Proposal, Lynes gives us author Pippa Gates. We meet Pippa struggling to find inspiration for her novel when she's interrupted by a knock at the door. She opens it to find Ryan Marks, ex-con turned door to door salesman, just trying to make ends meet and get back on his feet. That night, Ryan strikes a deal with Pippa that will change both of their lives forever. The book is written in three sections; Pippa's private diary, her blog, and the audio recordings of Ryan. At first it was hard to keep track, but when the pennies finally started to drop - WOW! The second half of the book is fabulous, as it takes a dark and sinister turn. The opening line of the book is brilliant - the final line is genius. My chin literally dropped! The fictional Editor's note that comes at the end of the book is just gold dust. The only reason I haven't given The Proposal 5 stars is that is just doesn't top Lynes' first book, Valentina, which is still the one I love the best.

Amazon Links will be posted on publication day.

The Proposal by SE Lynes is billed as an unputdownable psychological thriller ! Well sorry, but for me i couldn't wait to put it down,i always strive to finish every book i start and i did indeed stay with this book until the last page but it was very hard work ! I may well be in the minority when reviewing The Proposal but the story just never got going and it was confusing going from Pippa's journal posts to her blog and then to audio chapters from Ryan whom she met by inviting him into her home.I will not go in to much detail regarding the plot because to be honest i had given up caring about the main characters long before the end and had lost interest of how the book finished.I do not like giving bad reviews but sorry i am just being honest and this book i am afraid just wasn't for me.

This was such a gripping book, when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.

It sounded like it was going to be a nice little story about a writer who was struggling to get the next plot of her new book written and submitted to her editor in time and came upon a flash of inspiration.

What it actually was, was a thriller that just kept on going at a thunderous pace and totally gripping.

Pippa, the author in the story is struggling to write that troublesome second book, but when a random knock at the door introduces her to door - to - door salesman, Ryan who is trying to get his life back together after a stint in prison, she realises that her story literally walked up her path. All she has to do is to convince Ryan to tell all, £200 should do it, £200 and then she'd own him, own his story....

Pippa isn't the most likeable character, maybe you could even go as far as to say she's a bit of a narcissist, that being said I did feel some level of sympathy for her and the way she'd been manipulated by Ryan, who was actually playing who?

A great read, thoroughly enjoyed The Proposal - thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.

This book is totally different from what I expected “The proposal” to be about and I didn’t have a clue what was about to be sprung on me!!

The story of Pippa Gates an Author who is struggling to come up with an idea for her next book, meets Ryan a travelling salesman and an ex con down on his luck. She offers him money to hear his life story and stupidly invites him into her home. There the story goes from weird to bizarre!!

This book did intrigue me as to how it would end but it wasn’t a book that gripped me. The Authors letter at the end was definitely worth reading and ended this book perfectly.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you Net Galley

Wow...I am honestly not quite sure where to start. I read 3 pages last night and the remainder of the book today..

Suspense, Psychological, twisted, thriller..I am not sure. What I can say is S.E. Lynes pulled me in from the start, I had to keep going just figure this out, only to be surprised at each twist and turn and then the finale...

This book keeps readers on their toes and enegaged.
The story is believable, the character connections are realistic. Pippa, marlena, Gary, Ryan, and Mrs. D, the characters intertwine and connect.

Definitely recommend be prepared to be engulfed in the story.

Woah! This was one messed up book. I just finished reading it and feel like I haven't caught my breath for the last couple of hours. We are, basically, in the main character's head throughout and she, Pippa, was one crazy character indeed. Well, not as crazy as 'Ryan' but I found her actions and thoughts really insane.
I was never really sure whether things really were as they were portrayed and where the story was going- ok, we know right from the start that Pippa is dead but not how and why etc.
The Proposal is a dangerous story about obsession. The way it is written - mainly as Pippa's journal - is unique and I hadn't read anything similar prior to this. I may not have liked the characters but the story itself was a pure rollercoaster ride. I enjoyed it and will be reading more from SE Lynes.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my e-copy.

The cover and blurb for this book drew me in. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. The writing style kept pulling me out of the story and I wasn’t interested enough in the plot to push past it. Thank you Net Galley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
Goodreads review

I was so looking forward reading The Proposal by SE Lynes and have loved all her other books. So when I saw this I requested it. My Wish was granted. However, Sadly I could not get into this book. I read up to chapter 6 and gave up. I hate doing this so I put it down, made a coffee and then read another chapter and Nope I still couldn't get into it. Sorry.

This book sadly wasn't for me.........

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry I could not get into it. But gave it 3 as I loved the way it started..........

Oh my goodness where do I even start. Absolutely brilliant, the characters are brilliantly written. I went from loving them to hating them to being frustrated to wanting to high five them. How is it possible to go through ever emotion within minutes. Well done SJ Lynes my ghast was well and truly flabbered