Molly Harper is one of my favorite authors due to her Jane Jameson & Half-Moon Hollow series. I love the snarky humor, solid banter, enviable relationships, and references to Southern culture in those books. And while this new title included some of those elements, it just didn't quite hit the same for me. I did enjoy the setting - secluded luxury resort/spa in Appalachia - and the Osbourne family and their dynamic made the book more appealing.

I struggled a bit with Jess as a main character. Even though she was the protagonist and the story was from her perspective, I felt like I couldn't fully understood her motivations, other than building her business. Also, the development of her romance with Dean felt like it came from out of nowhere - there was no real chemistry build-up. I also felt like there were some plot holes that will hopefully be addressed before going to publication, since I was reading a galley copy.

That being said, the story was compulsively readable - I had to know 'who dunnit'. The villains (primary and secondary) were not obviously deduced by the reader, but were properly thwarted by Jess and her supporters in the end. And the nasty, but ultimately not dangerous, side characters also got what they deserved.

Recommended for those who love snarky, humorous, cozy mysteries that wrap up with an HEA for the protagonist.

Well, this was an absolute DELIGHT, which I know is a little funny to say about a murder mystery, but it’s true! This was so fun that I ended up reading it one sitting, and didn’t even notice the time going by. I think this one will be perfect for anyone that likes cozy reads - it has the perfect amount of hilarity with suspense. I loved our main character, Jess, and the whole group of background characters at the resort as well. They worked so well together and really brought the story to life. So much so that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them in the future for a spin off or two! Their dynamic, and Jess and Dean’s romance story, was so fun, engaging, and filled with the best comedic banter that it made the story that much more engaging. One of the most entertaining and hilarious murder mystery’s I’ve ever read filled with all the best twists.

Cute overall, but seemed more focused on the relationships and drama than the murder mystery I expected. Interesting connections that made sense at the end, so at least it wasn't an obvious villian too early. I received this as an ARC from Berkeley Publishing Group via Netgalley

Jessamine Bricker loves a plan. Contingency plans and pros-and-cons lists are her love language, and because of that, her proposal planning business is thriving. But with rent costs rising at her office building, Jess jumps at the chance to plan a proposal between her snobby high school classmate, Diana, and her very wealthy boyfriend, Trenton Tillard…the Fourth.

If you love mystery you will love this book.

Jessamine, a proposal planner, is stranded at a posh mountain retreat for a week after she unintentionally accepts a job offer from a former school friend. A volatile group of people, including a nightmare wedding planner and a black sheep relative, have been gathered by her client Diana, to assist in planning her extravagant "surprise proposal." This delightfully twisting mystery, which combines witty humour, well-timed suspense, and incredibly realistic characters, exudes Molly Harper's trademark style.

3.75 stars

This was a fun mystery with a great main character. Jess left the wedding planning business to start her own related firm -- setting up memorable proposal settings. She has had a lot of family angst in her own life and likes the idea of giving others a head start on their happily ever after.

But her latest client is a nightmare. Someone she knew but wasn't close to who is a total prima donna and clueless about anyone besides herself. Her fiance's real proposal wasn't good enough, so she hires Jess to do better. Everyone troops off to a luxury spa but then Jess finds out she is expected to be in the wedding party. Ugh.

The upside is the family that runs the spa is great and Jess finds herself hanging around with them, especially the mysterious brother/chef. Then the first dead body appears. Meanwhile Jess is juggling the whole narcissistic self-centered and entitled bunch of them. She can't just quit -- she needs the money desperately to stop her home and business from being sold out from under her.

This was a quick read, entertaining, lots of humor and some great characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Proposal To Die For by Molly Harper is set in an exclusive luxury resort for a pre-engagement retreat, where proposal planner Jessamine Bricker is tasked with creating the perfect proposal. But this idyllic setting quickly turns sinister when Jessamine realizes someone has deadly intentions. Harper's signature wit shines through, making even the most tense moments chuckle-worthy, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. The budding romance adds a layer to the suspense, without overshadowing the main plot.

Readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries with a touch of humor and a dash of romance will find this a delightful read.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one. The mix of suspense, wit, and the offbeat charm of the characters really clicked together and kept me hooked.

The protagonist’s whole “plan everything down to the last detail” vibe was VERY relatable (cough cough at myself lol), and watching her navigate chaos in her own way was honestly a lot of fun. The murder mystery elements kept me intrigued, but it was really the banter and the chemistry between the characters that truly sold me. The dialogue was so sharp and natural, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to the moments when the characters went back and forth.

It had just the right balance of humor, suspense, and a little bit of romance, which made it a perfect pick for when you’re in the mood for something engaging without being too heavy. Definitely a great, light read that kept me turning the pages.

Fun, sparkly, a dash of romance and a full blown mystery!

Jessamine is a proposal planner, and when she unwittingly agrees to work for an old high school acquaintance, she finds herself trapped at an exclusive mountain spa for a week. Her client, Diana, the ultimate bridezilla, has assembled a chaotic entourage—including a nightmare wedding planner and a black sheep cousin—to help orchestrate her over-the-top "surprise proposal."

Jess is expected to cater to Diana’s every whim, ridiculous spa plans, and extreme dietary restrictions, all while being forced into the bridal party. And that’s before the groom-to-be arrives with his rowdy frat bros—or before a dead body turns up.

Now, what was supposed to be a luxurious (if exasperating) gig turns into a deadly game. The spa is no longer just not fun—it’s dangerous. But Jess can’t afford to walk away—not when she needs the paycheck to keep her business afloat and support her grandmother.

Can she survive the week from hell and solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?

Molly Harper’s signature charm shines through in this delightfully twisty mystery, blending sharp humor, perfectly timed intrigue, and vividly real characters. With her knack for crafting witty, relatable protagonists and razor-sharp dialogue, she lives up to her claim to be a writer of "snarky romance with bite." #mollyharper #berkley #aproposaltodiefor

A truly unique modern murder mystery. The characters are full of life—even the cringy influencer moments. I devoured every word of this quirky, suspenseful, yet sort of romantic novel!

Jess is a proposal planner who ends up at a lux resort to bond with a client prior to her proposal. What could be a week of relaxation and planning, quickly turns into amateur sleuthing and unexpected danger. I truly didn’t know how this book would end. It was a fast read and kept my attention the entire story!

This was truly the cutest murder mystery I've read in a really long time. It felt so good when Jess was able to put into words pushing back against the insane Diana's and Aubrey's of the world. I loved the Osbournes and their quirky family dynamic as well. A truly wonderful and well written mystery that will have you hooked and wanting more!!

This was a super fun read and kept me guessing until the very end. I really loved Molly Harpers witchy rom coms and this didn’t disappoint. I loved the family dynamics with the Osbourne’s, that the resort was a family business and how much Jess got along with them. The chemistry between gruff chef dean and jess was smoking and deans back story of why he is so closed off was really good. Also her secretary Mavis is a hoot and man was Diana and her entourage just the worst. The pacing was really great with the mystery and romance and just a really great fast read.

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

An engagement proposal coordinator gets swept up dealing with the whims of a wealthy bride-to-be, which leads her to spending time at an isolated spa resort in the woods. The prologue starts with finding a body, and the mystery of the identities for both the victim and the killer create some decent tension. The found family romance aspect felt a little quick and insta-love, but it worked. Overall, a fun and funny read.

Thank you Edelweiss and Berkeley Publishing for the advanced galley! While the chapters felt long and a little difficult to get through, I really enjoyed how the series of events led up to the big reveal, starting off with the mystery of who was actually killed.

If you're looking for a mystery that’s as clever as it is fun, A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper is your next must-read! Jessamine Bricker is a proposal planner with a knack for making everything go according to plan—except when there’s a dead body (or two) involved. When Jess lands a high-stakes job planning a proposal for a wealthy couple at a remote resort, she expects a weekend of stress, snobbery, and perhaps a little peace and quiet. What she gets instead is the chaos of bridal drama, suspicious happenings, and a murder mystery that threatens to derail not just her business but her sanity.

The humor in this book is spot on. Jess’s sarcastic wit and dry observations had me laughing out loud, especially when she’s trying to juggle the high-maintenance bride, Diana, a potential drug deal, and a resort that’s more horror movie than relaxing getaway. Add in the brooding, gruff-but-sexy chef Dean Osbourne, and you've got the perfect mix of tension, charm, and mystery.

The pacing is fast, and the twists keep you guessing—Harper does an excellent job of keeping things lighthearted yet suspenseful. The combination of Jess’s pragmatic approach to everything and the increasingly bizarre events around her makes for an irresistibly entertaining read. By the time Jess uncovers the deadly secrets lurking behind the Golden Ash resort, I was hooked—desperate to know what would happen next.

If you love mysteries with humor, a dash of romance, and a protagonist who can handle a dead body as well as she handles a wedding proposal, *A Proposal to Die For* is your ticket to a great read. It’s quirky, unpredictable, and a total blast from start to finish!

Molly Harper does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the concept of this. The characters had that charm that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that element that I was looking for from the mystery genre and it worked well overall.

A solid 3.5/5 for me. I adore Molly Harper and this was a new writing leap for her - a straight murder mystery. The memorable characters and humor that I love were there and it was a good whodunit - however, some of the pacing was off for me--I think it was the chapter lengths and sections but overall a good way to wrap up 2024.

Jess just wants to keep her fledgling business afloat as a wedding proposal event planner when she is contacted by a woman she briefly attended school with as a teen. Diana is already a bridezilla in training, demanding that her fiance re-do his proposal as it wasn't "social media" extravagant enough for her to post to the followers of her "brand." Demanding that her fiance hire Jess so that she can post a "worthy" proposal proves to be quite the challenge for Jess with Diana constantly changing her mind and making new demands. If it wasn't for the huge fee she'll b paid at the end of all these demands, (which would allow her to buy the building which houses both her and her business), Jess would just walk away from this one. As it is, Jess needs the money and so she agrees to accompany Diana and her entourage to an exclusive spa where she can "properly" create an event for Diana's second proposal. But all is not tranquil and zen at the spa retreat in the woods and when bodies start to show up, Jess ends up not only planning a proposal event, but doing some amateur sleuthing as well.

A fun cozy mystery filled with great characters. There were plenty of twists and I loved the idea of a proposal planner!

A fantastic new cozy from the hilarious Molly Harper. This book had me laughing, wincing, smiling and sighing. With a quirky cast of characters this story drags us into several mysteries and a murder or two. I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend.