The Proposition by Madeleine Roux

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: N/A

Release Date: August 2, 2022

Clemency Fry did not believe in marriage, that is until she met Lord Boyle and was charmed and completely smitten, so much so that when he proposed a mutually satisfying union, she accepted with no qualms. But soon after they became betrothed, tragedy strikes and her relationship with the once charming Lord Boyle turns sour and she is sure she has made a huge mistake. She is debating what to do when she meets Audric Ferrand and learns what kind of man her betrothed really is.

Audric Ferrand is on a mission to avenge his sister, Delphine who was seduced, ruined, and then abandoned by Lord Boyle. He convinces Clemency to help him and they begin to plot how they can bring down the vile Lord Boyle. But the proposition is not without risk, to both their reputations and their hearts.

When I read the blurb for this book, I was excited, but sadly the reality of the story was not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped. This is my first time reading this author and I found her writing style to be a bit slow and drawn out for my taste, and when you add to that the numerous historical errors regarding Regency-era etiquette, fashion, and even actual historical events, not to mention the actual comeuppance of Lord Boyle being carried out by someone other than the protagonists, I was disappointed. But overall the story had good bones and likable characters, so while it was a slow read with an even slower-burning romance and not a book I would read again, I am not sorry I read it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*