Denise Hunter has long been one of my favorites, and I always look forward to getting to dive into her new titles. This one sounded especially intriguing because I love getting to read "bookish" books. The plot revolving around a writer who is forced to change from her regular genre of westerns to writing romance sounded intriguing and original, and I had a feeling that I wouldn't end up being disappointed.

This author has such a talent for writing stories that draw the reader right in, and give them an escape from all the craziness of the real world. With a beachy setting, a romance that starts off on all the wrong feet, and a mystery that begins from a little library of all things, this one pretty much had everything I love in a romance book all rolled into one.

Sam and Sadie's romance is a little bit crazy, a little bit hysterical, and all types of swoon worthy, and I loved every single moment of it. I especially loved how they both had to learn how to let go of past hurts before being able to find their own way to a happily ever after, and I appreciated how this is illustrated both realistically and authentically to the reader.

While I loved many bits about this one, my personal favorites ended up being the quest that our two main characters go on to solve the mystery of who the engagement ring belongs to that ended up inside Sadie's little library. And the wonderful tidbits that start out each chapter showcasing the process that goes into an author writing a successful romance novel.

This was such a wonderful and sweet romance, and while I wouldn't say it's my personal favorite by this author, it was definitely a worthy contender, and I highly enjoyed it.

My only complaint was that Sadie was a bit too much to handle at the start of the book, but as more of her story came known to the reader, I started to feel more for her, and by the end of the story I was definitely rooting for her to find her own happily ever after.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Definitely recommended to anyone who enjoys sweet and clean romances, or to anyone who has enjoyed books by this author previously.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via Netgalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Absolutely adorable!!! There were so many things that I loved about this book starting with the grumpy/sunshine trope. Sam was the perfect grump and seeing how his heart opened up to Sadie over time was so sweet. Sadie reminded me a lot of myself with all the talking...especially when nervous. When she was able to support him at his cousins wedding without even knowing what fully happened was the moment I knew they were perfect for each other. I loved the ring hidden in the book that Sadie found and how that was a big part of the book she was writing and it was a cute twist that it ended up being Sam's dad's ring for his surprise proposal to his mom. The ending that connected back to that scene was absolutely perfect. I also loved the Nancy Naigle reference as I have just found her books and love them.

A Novel Proposal was such a fun read that I finished it in one day and enjoyed every minute of it! The beach setting was amazing...just reading the descriptions of the duplex and area that Sadie lived in made me want to visit and see what was in her little library. I loved the "Romance Writing 101" blurbs at the beginning of each chapter and how Sam started out distant from Sadie and wanting to be left alone but was slowly drawn to her and the mystery in the book.

Denise Hunter has done it again with A Novel Proposal. This truly is the perfect beach read!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publishes 21 March 2023.

A Novel Proposal is a pleasant and entertaining story about an author trying to write her first romance novel and the hunky guy she is sharing a duplex with for the summer. The story sucked me in and kept me reading because I enjoyed the characters and was rooting for them to be together. If you are looking for a clean read without graphic sex or swearing but you want something that will keep your interest, this is your story. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

I love absolutely everything about this book! The book cover is beautiful and fits the story so well! The title is perfect! I adore the characters, yes one is a little bit annoying at times but I love the person that she is, no hesitation. She is open, loving, optimistic and selfless. I actually have a friend that resembles her personality and I adore my friend!

I love the way that each chapter begins with an epigraph, describing the process of writing a romance novel. When reading this book I kept telling myself over and over again, “I love this book!!!”. While I wanted to reach the end to find out the answer to the mystery weaving throughout the pages (which was perfect for this story), I also did not want to leave this world that Denise Hunter created. I have read several of her books in the past, but I think this is my favorite! It is early in the year (when I read this), but this may turn out to be my favorite book of 2023!

Sadie and Sam are very memorial characters. At first, it seems to be an “opposites attraction story”, but that is only because Sam is going through a situation that is not portraying his true personality. I think they are more alike than different. Their core values of life are similar. The story would not be the same without Sadie’s adorable little dog, Rio, who definitely contributed to the liveliness of the plot.

The author took a unique approach to writing this book. It is a great book for a person new to reading romance, since it explains the path that a romance novel takes. For a seasoned romance reader, as I am, it is very humorous. The quotes from Romance 101 before each chapter always made me chuckle and a grin.

I enjoyed this book so much and will be recommending! I rarely reread books, but I can say with certainty, I will be rereading A Novel Proposal! (I want to reread it right now!)

I want to thank Thomas Nelson--FICTION and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of this book, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of Hunter’s sweet, romantic books. And while I enjoyed this one as well, it wasn’t quite as stellar as expected.

Sadie is an art teacher in NYC who writes Western Romance on the side. When asked to switch to writing contemporary romance because of lackluster sales, the never-been-in-love Sadie takes a summer rental on the coast of NC to focus on writing in her new genre. She meets her neighbor Sam who initially seems a bit standoffish. But as they team up to solve a mystery and return a priceless personal possession found in a book in Sadie’s newly built little free library on the beach, they begin to see each other in a new, more positive light. And when they attend a family wedding together (Sam’s estranged cousin), they grow closer. But can they overcome trust issues (Sam) and relationship disillusionment (Sadie)?

My only issue here (and it was a nagging one) was with Sadie’s character. While I enjoy bubbly, optimistic, outgoing characters, she was too over-the-top, at times to the point of annoying. At times nosy and often easily distracted, she just came off as too immature for her age (26).

Otherwise, another sweet romantic contribution from Hunter.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing the free early arc of A Novel Proposal for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I enjoyed the premise of a Novel Proposal. Sadie, an author of westerns, is challenged to learn to write romance. The blurbs at the beginning of each chapter explaining how to write a romance added charm to the story. Sadie's bubbly personality and her little dog created a great contrast to Sam and his desire to be alone. I pretty much knew what was going to happen, but enjoyed watching the story play out. The island they're on sounds wonderful and the little library adds so much fun. And there is a mystery to be solved. (That's the part I didn't figure out!) If you're a fan of romance, you'll want to read Sadie and Sam's story. I received a copy from Netgalley. Opinions are my own,

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a delightful, easy to read summer romance novel set at the beach.

Writer Sadie Goodwin is tasked by her publisher to abandon her unsuccessful Western themed series and write a mainstream romance novel. This challenge is definitely out of her comfort zone. Outgoing Sadie ventures to the beach to seek motivation & inspiration where she meets her grumpy neighbor Sam. She unexpectedly finds her inspiration by discovering someone’s lost treasure and sets off to reunite it with it’s owner. Of course, a friendship develops with Sam when she convinces him to help her solve the mystery. She quickly realizes that her current life situation is the perfect romance novel, she just has to write it for her publisher!

This would be a perfect Hallmark movie and it came as no surprise to me that Denise Hunter has already written several Hallmark movies!

Thank you @NetGalley@ThomasNelson and @DeniseAHunter for this advanced read!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I have always enjoyed novels about books and authors. I've also enjoyed Denise Hunter's books. That being said, I like this book. It was a lighthearted story about an author trying to change genres and write her next novel while falling in love with the man next door. I like how she incorporated the names of other authors and their books.

This is definitely a fun and easy read.

This is the story of Sadie whose most recent book flopped. She is asked by her publisher to write a different type of book, a romance, something that is completely out of her comfort zone. Sadie has no choice, she has already spent the advance for her last book which wasn’t published and now she has to pay it back. She moves from the city to a beach house for peace and quiet to write. Her neighbor is Sam, a not very friendly man who has run away from a failed romance. Sadie is a delightful character and Sam gradually warms up and becomes more approachable. This is a cute light romance which will have you rooting for Sam and Sadie to get together. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This is a sweet, fast read about an established author whose most recent book flopped, so she has to write her first romance novel if she wants another book contract. The tips for how to write a romance novel at the beginning of every chapter are cute, and I enjoyed the forced proximity between the hero and heroine. As far as heroes go, Sam is easy to love. Sadie, on the other hand, requires some patience. Her ongoing chatter with her dog was a bit grating. Maybe that was a plot device because she was alone so much trying to write her novel quickly. For part of the story, Sam and Sadie are on a quest to return a book to its rightful owner. That's a plausible reason for two people to spend time together, which adds to the delightful slow burn of their budding relationship and kept me interested in reading.
Overall, the chemistry between Sam and Sadie is great. A Novel Proposal is an emotional, satisfying read, which long-time fans of Denise Hunter's work will adore.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter. I received this ARC from NetGalley. Sadie is an art teacher who lives in NYC and writes Westerns. Her publisher decides to drop her. However they want her to write romance novels. She has one summer to write and decides to spend it in North Carolina. She rents a duplex on the beach from a friends mom. She puts up a little free library on the edge of the lawn. Sam is her duplex neighbor. He is coming off of a bad breakup. He doesn’t want to be neighborly but Sadie and her dog Rio slowly start breaking down his defenses. This book is phenomenal!!! It has a romance, mystery, books, a little free library, and a cute dog. You will not be disappointed in this book!!!! Great beach read!!!

DNF. There is an acceptable amount of references to dogs going "potty" and this book crosses the line.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishing Company. This is a cute story for any reader and for any type of reader. Denise Hunter tackles some real issues that doesn't make you feel super depressed by the end. I could see this being made into a great movie. This story line had drama, romance and mystery. Characters Sadie and Sam are so different in each way but can they balance each other out. Or will there past keep them from being able to move forward. Trust is a very hard thing and even harder if trust has been broken. Sometimes people make mistakes without meaning to but can people recover from those mistakes or no?

#ANovelProposal #NetGalley

Sadie, writes western novels, the publisher wants her to branch out and write romance instead. Sadie, has a problem, with writing romance, she has never dated someone, long enough to fall in love. When Sadie, is offered a stay at a beach house for the summer, she just knows it will be the perfect place to write her novel.
Sam, just needs some time away, from family, so he moves into a duplex on the beach. He wants solitude and silence, but didn't plan on having a chatty neighbor living next door.
What a cute book on learning to forgive. Sadie, and her optimistic attitude and little library on the beach was so fun.

I loved this book that has a sunshine and a grumpy character sharing a duplex for the summer. Sadie Goodwin is the eternal optimist who doesn’t know a stranger. She doesn’t know a stranger and each day is a joy. Sam Ford is such a curmudgeon! As Sadie barges into his life, he finds as many ways as he can to avoid her. But, there are not enough potted planters or brush offs to keep Sadie and her dog, Rio, from being a part of Sam’s life.

Here are some of the things that I loved:

Bubbly, impatient female MC
Emotionally wounded, brooding male MC
Humor!
Beach setting
Strict rule following church librarian
Writing tip epigraphs
A mystery with a twist
Little Free Library
A Maltipoo
Forced proximity
Forgiveness

I highly recommend reading this romantic comedy that had me laughing and shaking my head at Sadie and Sam. This is a quick, fun read that has a good message of forgiveness and trust. I’d love to see this made into a movie.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sadie writes western themed novels that don't sell so her agent asks her to try to write a romantic novel. Sadie moves into a beach house and meets her neighbor.

A sweet romance novel with likable characters about an author writing her first romance novel. Being a novelist who writes both romance and historical fiction, I have been at that same crossroads where I've had to change genres, and I felt her pain. I loved that each chapter starts out with a romance novel writing tip. I love that Sadie and Sam join together in a shared adventure. This book is about friendship, family, learning to forgive, learning to trust again, and opening up your heart to love. Well done.

This was my first book by Denise Hunter, but it won't be my last. A quick-paced but well-timed fun romance with a peek behind the scenes of how romance novels might be written. Sadie has been handed the task of writing a romance novel (instead of her beloved westerns) when she has never experienced romance. Sam is trying to ignore all romance after a very messy breakup. Add in a beach-loving dog and you have all the makings for a classic romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the mystery within 'A Novel Proposal' as the main characters united to deliver a lost item to its rightful owner and along the way fell in love. Sadie is delightful enough to overcome Sam's heartbreak, but the path to accomplishing this is not easy. The surrounding family characters and cheerful ending make it a delight to recommend. I have never been disappointed with a Denise Hunter book, and this certainly was no different.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.