Review: The Proposal by Katie Ashley

The Proposal by Katie Ashley
Summary:

In the weeks following Aidan’s betrayal, Emma has tried her best to move on. Ignoring his countless texts, voice mails, and flowers, she isn’t sure she wants to be won back by him. But Aidan isn’t going down without a fight—especially not until Emma lets him reveal the secret of his past that caused him to be so commitment phobic.

But fate intervenes when premature labor forces Emma on strict bed rest for two weeks. Aidan steps forward with a shocking proposal. To prove his love and commitment for her and their unborn son, he will take a leave of absence from work to care for her around the clock. Vowing to guard her heart, Emma reluctantly agrees.

While she is touched by Aidan’s attentiveness and tender loving care, Emma is thrown for a loop by the amorous attentions of ER doctor, Alpesh “Pesh” Nadeen. Pesh is everything Emma could ever want—successful, stable, and ready to settle down and be a husband and father. Pesh wants nothing more than to win Emma’s heart, but she is not sure she’s able to give it.

Her heart may still belong to the very man who broke it—the one who is so desperately trying to win her back.


Our 4 star review

"It's just a simple question, son. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with Emma and your son or not?  I mean, most men who are truly in love don't go and try to sleep with other women." 

Katie Ashley's The Proposal picks up where The Proposition left off. Aidan Fitzgerald was finally in a good place in his life and seemingly in love with his baby's mother Emma. What started out as a proposition-to father a child with Emma, turned into a full-fledged love affair. After self-doubts and cold feet set in, Aidan sabotaged his relationship by giving in to temptation and playing tonsil hockey with another woman. In walks Emma, out walks their budding relationship.

Emma refuses to listen to any of Aidan's groveling, and holds firm to the belief that she will be a single mother and will be facing this pregnancy alone. Aidan's family members are some of her staunchest supporters, especially Aidan's father, Patrick. Aidan has secrets he hasn't shared with Emma; they've caused him to hold part of himself back and have prevented him from saying out loud the words she so longs to hear.

“God, you were and still are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
 
Emma struggles with the conflicting emotions she has for Aidan.  Part of her wants to forgive, but the bigger part can’t forget. Patrick is a source of strength and companionship for her.  A medical crisis brings even more worry.  Enter Dr. Alpesh Nadeen.  The handsome ER doctor treats Patrick, and becomes quite enamored of Emily, despite her advanced pregnancy. Aidan experiences even more pangs of anguish and frustration. 

“I’ve been dead inside the last three weeks.  But now that I’m with you…”

Emma is confused by her feelings.  Of course she is still in love with Aidan, in spite of his asinine behavior. By the same measure, she is a little intrigued by Pesh (as he insists she call him).  He is more than willing to take care of her pregnancy cravings and offer some much male attention. 

“All this time and who knew I was such a panty melter?”

 Emma has some pregnancy complications, as if Aidan and Emma needed any more complications! While on the surface having Emma within his reach again, should lighten Aidan’s mood. The reality is the good Dr. Pesh makes house calls to his favorite patient. Poor Aidan, how much more can this man take?
Emma’s friend Casey is the epitome of what women long to have in a best friend relationship-loyalty above all things.

“Please don’t tell me you’ve done something truly insane to try to get her back? Because if you have, I will make sure that you go to jail for a long, long time where a very large hairy man can make you his bitch!”

Ashley has written a wonderful novel that combines humor, angst and some good old fashioned sexual tension. This equates to the trifecta for romance stories. In The Proposal hearts are broken, fears are faced and love is found. This one is every bit as good as The Proposition.


This is one of Katie's favorite songs because it is a song of the utmost devotion. It's saying for you, for the rest of my life, for the best of you, for you alone. 
This song reminds Katie Ashley because it is the song that Emma would see as the best wedding song to show her commitment. 
Katie thinks that it is a great song for Aidan too, because coming from his background, he never saw himself living for just one woman, but that's how he came to feel. He wanted her to have everything--his present an his future.

 Here is Katie's Ashley's play list for The Proposal. Enjoy!!
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