Released: April 5, 2016 | Harper Collins
Genre(s): Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 305
Edition: ARC Paperback
Source: TLC Book Tours
Rating:
An addictively readable debut romantic comedy, drama, and mystery rolled into one, about two very different strangers whose lives become intertwined when they receive an unusual proposition. This is a funny, tender, and enchanting story about love, attraction, and friendship: Jane Austen in Los Angeles.
A struggling Hollywood producer, Richard Baumbach is twenty-nine, hung-over, and broke. Ridiculously handsome with an innate charm and an air of invincibility, he still believes good things will come his way. For now he contents himself with days at the Coffee Bean and nights with his best friend Mike (that’s a woman, by the way).
At thirty-three, Elizabeth Santiago is on track to make partner at her law firm. Known as “La Máquina” The Machine—to her colleagues, she’s grown used to avoiding anything that might derail her quiet, orderly life. And yet recently she befriended a homeless man in her Venice neighborhood, surprised to find how much she enjoys their early-morning chats.
Richard and Elizabeth’s paths collide when they receive a proposal from a mysterious, anonymous benefactor. They’ll split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together—just talking—every week for a year. Astonished and more than a little suspicious, they each nevertheless say yes. Richard needs the money and likes the adventure of it. Elizabeth embraces the challenge of shaking up her life a little more. Both agree the idea is ridiculous, but why not?
What ensues is a delightful journey full of twists, revelations, hamburgers, classic literature, poppy music, and above all love, in its multitude of forms. The Decent Proposal is a heartfelt and often hilarious look at the ties that bind not just a guy and a girl but an entire, diverse cast of characters situated within a modern-day Los Angeles brought to full and irrepressible life.
A struggling Hollywood producer, Richard Baumbach is twenty-nine, hung-over, and broke. Ridiculously handsome with an innate charm and an air of invincibility, he still believes good things will come his way. For now he contents himself with days at the Coffee Bean and nights with his best friend Mike (that’s a woman, by the way).
At thirty-three, Elizabeth Santiago is on track to make partner at her law firm. Known as “La Máquina” The Machine—to her colleagues, she’s grown used to avoiding anything that might derail her quiet, orderly life. And yet recently she befriended a homeless man in her Venice neighborhood, surprised to find how much she enjoys their early-morning chats.
Richard and Elizabeth’s paths collide when they receive a proposal from a mysterious, anonymous benefactor. They’ll split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together—just talking—every week for a year. Astonished and more than a little suspicious, they each nevertheless say yes. Richard needs the money and likes the adventure of it. Elizabeth embraces the challenge of shaking up her life a little more. Both agree the idea is ridiculous, but why not?
What ensues is a delightful journey full of twists, revelations, hamburgers, classic literature, poppy music, and above all love, in its multitude of forms. The Decent Proposal is a heartfelt and often hilarious look at the ties that bind not just a guy and a girl but an entire, diverse cast of characters situated within a modern-day Los Angeles brought to full and irrepressible life.
I received a review copy courtesy of the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or views regarding the book whatsoever.
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REVIEW
Absurd Situations Always Lead To Great Things.
2 strangers + an unbelievable offer + other interesting things I won't spoil = a book worth a read.
.
You want to know the beauty of reading a book you've never heard of before? The element of surprise! You're going in completely blind, most certainly oblivious to what the story has in store, but that's what makes it exciting right? Not knowing what's going to happen -- if you're actually going to like the book or not. Often times, these types of situations result in one of two endings: horribly fucking bad, or incredibly fucking good. (There are definitely in betweens) The Decent Proposal written by the oh-so-handsome Kemper, (isn't his name so cute?) Donovan not only surprised me, but impressed me enough that I read it (almost) in one sitting.
And no it's not because I'm crushing on the author's face . . okay I'm lying but whatever.
I'd Take That Offer For 500 Bob.
If someone, an anonymous someone might I add, asks you to spend time with a complete stranger every week for an entire year, would you do it? How about for half a million dollars? I don't know about you guys, but for that amount of money, you damn skippy I'll Netflix & Chill with this catfish. Of course I need him to be my type, and he MUST submit to a background and psychological check because you know, I don't do the crazies. I liked Joe from YOU by Caroline Kepnes, not sure I can handle him in real life. Anywho, that is the exact proposal our two main characters, Richard and Elizabeth receive from a mysterious person. At first I expected the book to be cheesy, because come on, how absurd is this situation, but as I mentioned before, I was surprised to see that I not only enjoyed the concept, but the characters, the LA scene, the easy-going writing . . almost everything Kemper had to deliver.
So Opposites Really Do Attract, Eh?
I'm a hard-on-characters type of reader. Sometimes when I read a book, I'd end up liking one character but hating the other, especially in YA relationships. (Thank goodness this is Adult huh?) However, Richard and Elizabeth were a match made in heaven. Before I dive into the duo, thank you cute author man, for sliding diversity into your novel without A. Shoving it down my throat, and B. Waving a " my book is incredibly diverse " flag in my face. I had zero clue Elizabeth would be a Latina from South Central, or that Mike (bestfriend of Richard) was actually a girl . . a Korean girl at that. Nice touch man, nice touch.
What I liked the most about our main characters, is that they were so freaking different. Richard reminded me of someone I could chill with on a daily. He's a social drinker, ratchet texter, (yes his text messages are full of slang and abbrievations, my type of texting buddy) just an all around cool, easy-going guy. Now Elizabeth is definitely the moon to Rich's sun, and even though she's more reserved and was a bit stiff in the beginning, I absolutely adored her. While Richard was into movies, (he was a producer BTW, a struggling one but still.) Elizabeth was an avid reader. Her favorites are classics, EW and she likes re-reading books, DOUBLE EW, but you can definitely see how their personalities fit together like one nerdy ass puzzle.
Stradling The Fence
After finishing this novel, I had no clue what I wanted to rate it. I enjoyed it enough for it to warrant atleast 4 stars, but then I had a bit of an issue with " the reveal " being a bit underwhelming. I felt that caused a ping-pong effect with my thoughts, in other words, I just couldn't freaking decide. I do however, think The Decent Proposal is a solid read. This is one of the few times I've enjoyed a book told in the third perspective, and even though others had a problem with the writing being " info-dumpy " it didn't bother me not one bit.
I actually liked that Kemper decided to not only show but tell. Whenever you think of world-building in a novel, your mind automatically jumps to the genres fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian. Contemporaries rarely come to mind. So the fact that I was taken through the streets of LA as if I was right there, front and center, was fascinating. Do you know how obsessed I am with In-N-Out? We don't have one in my area, so I have to resort to looking up the #Innoutburger tag on Instagram. (Yes I'm that pathetic.) But see, cute author man actually took me inside of an In-N-Out restaurant! He gave me a vivid picture of the red and white 50's style decor, made me think I could order a double-double with extra cheese and a milkshake right through the freaking book. With all of the places and people he described, I felt as if I was touring the city through his writing, he painted THAT perfect of picture, and you know what? I thought that was pretty fucking cool.
Look, all I'm trying to say is that this cute author man, referenced one of my favorite movies from my teenage years, (Blue Crush) and gave me a Latina from South Central that likes to read and surf. Um Michelle Rodriguez anyone? My teenage hero people. So technically, he deserves not only a read, but a freaking hug.
I like you Kempster, cute author face guy. Oh and your book too.
P.S: If you're reading this, think you can mail me a double-double? Extra cheese & mayo. No pickles. (On the side is acceptable.)
And no it's not because I'm crushing on the author's face . . okay I'm lying but whatever.
I'd Take That Offer For 500 Bob.
If someone, an anonymous someone might I add, asks you to spend time with a complete stranger every week for an entire year, would you do it? How about for half a million dollars? I don't know about you guys, but for that amount of money, you damn skippy I'll Netflix & Chill with this catfish. Of course I need him to be my type, and he MUST submit to a background and psychological check because you know, I don't do the crazies. I liked Joe from YOU by Caroline Kepnes, not sure I can handle him in real life. Anywho, that is the exact proposal our two main characters, Richard and Elizabeth receive from a mysterious person. At first I expected the book to be cheesy, because come on, how absurd is this situation, but as I mentioned before, I was surprised to see that I not only enjoyed the concept, but the characters, the LA scene, the easy-going writing . . almost everything Kemper had to deliver.
So Opposites Really Do Attract, Eh?
I'm a hard-on-characters type of reader. Sometimes when I read a book, I'd end up liking one character but hating the other, especially in YA relationships. (Thank goodness this is Adult huh?) However, Richard and Elizabeth were a match made in heaven. Before I dive into the duo, thank you cute author man, for sliding diversity into your novel without A. Shoving it down my throat, and B. Waving a " my book is incredibly diverse " flag in my face. I had zero clue Elizabeth would be a Latina from South Central, or that Mike (bestfriend of Richard) was actually a girl . . a Korean girl at that. Nice touch man, nice touch.
What I liked the most about our main characters, is that they were so freaking different. Richard reminded me of someone I could chill with on a daily. He's a social drinker, ratchet texter, (yes his text messages are full of slang and abbrievations, my type of texting buddy) just an all around cool, easy-going guy. Now Elizabeth is definitely the moon to Rich's sun, and even though she's more reserved and was a bit stiff in the beginning, I absolutely adored her. While Richard was into movies, (he was a producer BTW, a struggling one but still.) Elizabeth was an avid reader. Her favorites are classics, EW and she likes re-reading books, DOUBLE EW, but you can definitely see how their personalities fit together like one nerdy ass puzzle.
Stradling The Fence
After finishing this novel, I had no clue what I wanted to rate it. I enjoyed it enough for it to warrant atleast 4 stars, but then I had a bit of an issue with " the reveal " being a bit underwhelming. I felt that caused a ping-pong effect with my thoughts, in other words, I just couldn't freaking decide. I do however, think The Decent Proposal is a solid read. This is one of the few times I've enjoyed a book told in the third perspective, and even though others had a problem with the writing being " info-dumpy " it didn't bother me not one bit.
I actually liked that Kemper decided to not only show but tell. Whenever you think of world-building in a novel, your mind automatically jumps to the genres fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian. Contemporaries rarely come to mind. So the fact that I was taken through the streets of LA as if I was right there, front and center, was fascinating. Do you know how obsessed I am with In-N-Out? We don't have one in my area, so I have to resort to looking up the #Innoutburger tag on Instagram. (Yes I'm that pathetic.) But see, cute author man actually took me inside of an In-N-Out restaurant! He gave me a vivid picture of the red and white 50's style decor, made me think I could order a double-double with extra cheese and a milkshake right through the freaking book. With all of the places and people he described, I felt as if I was touring the city through his writing, he painted THAT perfect of picture, and you know what? I thought that was pretty fucking cool.
Look, all I'm trying to say is that this cute author man, referenced one of my favorite movies from my teenage years, (Blue Crush) and gave me a Latina from South Central that likes to read and surf. Um Michelle Rodriguez anyone? My teenage hero people. So technically, he deserves not only a read, but a freaking hug.
I like you Kempster, cute author face guy. Oh and your book too.
P.S: If you're reading this, think you can mail me a double-double? Extra cheese & mayo. No pickles. (On the side is acceptable.)
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