Title: The Summer Proposal
Author: Vi Keeland
Release Date: January 10th 2022
Length: 350 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Vi Keeland and a new love tale … another sexy fling-to-forever romance, right? All those who have read at least one love story know that you almost always deliver complex literary works that have the power to nail the reader to the pages.
Serious and light elements that are well mixed and seasoned with a good dose of humor and chemistry.
I have to be honest and say that I expected this literary adventure of hers to win me over from the very beginning. I was expecting characters in whose fate I will get involved, events that will arouse my interest, and a plot that will not let me fall asleep.
The Summer Proposal is a story about a young and successful heroine, Georgia, and her battle to escape the clutches of everyday life. We also get to know her struggle and tenacity to keep a firm grip on the helm of her life and to be in control of her entire boring existence. One blind date, one confusion, one little contingency, one cheeky and sexy stranger, and all the rules change. All the latent passions spring up, the desire is kindled, the heart desires, and the awareness tries to say no. But how to pronounce those words? How do you say no to something you desire so strongly? Maybe just try a little, to quench the desire… But what will happen when that little is not enough? When will all the cards on the table be revealed? All in or fold…?
Vi Keeland is an author who has always managed to satisfy my reading senses and pamper me with his skillfully woven stories. And it’s really hard for me that I can’t give a higher rating for The Summer Proposal, but simply, no matter how much I read, I couldn’t sympathize with the heroine, nor could I find the meaning I so desired. Some decisions and thoughts were so bizarre and unbelievable that it was simply pointless for me to even try to peek into the psyche of the heroine. From the very beginning, it was futile to try to relate to the story. To feel something, we must first understand the characters. When that understanding is impossible, then all attempts are futile.
That her actions are questionable and extremely irrational is more than obvious. To want to stay loyal and faithful to someone who without any problem left is downright absurd. Especially if we take into consideration his claims of needing space and an attempt at an open relationship. I must admit that certain aspects of her character are to be commended, such as: overcoming her learning difficulties, accepting her shortcomings, dedication, and effort to succeed. But the reality remains the same, to me she simply lacks the backbone and the courage to change her reality and reach for her dreams. Her development as a character is obvious, especially near the end of this story, but it still doesn’t change the fact that she’s without any doubt not my cup of tea.
Max, on the other hand, is a very likable and interesting character. The masterfully inserted flashbacks into his past give us a slightly different perception of the whole story. Brash, slightly rude, and extremely determined, he is at least one scale better than his partner. I couldn’t help but notice that he lacks the freshness and poignancy that we are already used to seeing in characters created by this author. The development of their relationship felt somehow forced. Their path towards HEA was too insta everything, without the necessary depth or emotional journey that would allow us to feel their connection.
And maybe I am part of the minority for whom this short and sweet summer adventure did not live up to their expectations. This planned-unplanned no-strings-attached deal that turns into a happily ever after just didn’t click with me as a reader.
As in all previous books, the author uses the well-known formula of mixing light and serious elements, which are usually perfectly balanced to imagine but not burden the reader. But here I think it would be more effective to have a slightly more emotional approach to the inserted topics such as the death of loved ones or an aneurysm as a serious medical condition.
For the dual narrativе and writing style, I feel that no words are needed. Vi is a skilled artist who knows how to weave strings of words that are easy to read and reach the reader.
Yes, there were some intriguing, sweet, and LOL moments in this story. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to delight me.
And I may be part of the minority who were not thrilled with The Summer Proposal. But considering the range of sumptuous stories that this author has created, I think that this is only a pale copy of the gripping romance tales she has given us before.
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