One proposal, two scheming best friends, and a whole lot of unexpected chemistry… what could go wrong?

The Proposal Project is a fun, trope-filled rom-com with a charming premise and plenty of flirty moments. Event planner Priscilla teaming up with her best friend’s best man to plan a secret joint proposal? It’s got all the right ingredients for chaos, comedy, and unexpected romance.

I loved the forced proximity setup, cabin getaway tension, and classic “one bed” moment—all delivered with playful energy and a clear affection for the genre. While I found the characters’ miscommunication slightly frustrating at times, the writing is light, engaging, and easy to fly through. It's a fun and super cute rom-com, perfect for a light-hearted weekend read.

Perfect for fans of trope-heavy, low-angst romantic comedies, this is a sweet, feel-good read with a guaranteed HEA and a whole lot of heart.

The Proposal Project follows event planner Priscilla, who has been asked to plan her best friend Tina’s dream wedding proposal to her boyfriend, Ryan. However, Ryan might just beat her to it. Priscilla must team up with Ryan’s obnoxious, but gorgeous, best friend Oliver to plan a secret joint proposal. But as Priscilla and Oliver work together to pull off the proposal of the year, could there be more than one happily ever after on the cards…

This was a quick, lighthearted, fun read that played with a lot of much-loved romance tropes (fake dating, forced proximity, one bed etc). There wasn’t much angst, so I feel like this book would be perfect for when you want a fluffy, feel-good romcom.

The premise was really fun, and I enjoyed reading about the characters trying to plan an elaborate joint proposal while keeping up the fake dating ruse.

However, the characters were quite immature and acted like teenagers a lot of the time, and their miscommunication frustrated me. There wasn’t much emotional depth in their relationship, which made everything feel very surface level. I also found the writing during the intimate scenes to be a bit wooden, which made them quite boring and awkward to read.

The ending and epilogue were sweet, and I overall had a fun time reading this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 30%.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the arc. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me.

I adored Hate Mail. It was one of my favorite romances of last year. But I could not get into this romance. It was … so standard, so trope heavy, and so disjointed. Their banter felt like it was staged, like I was watching a terrible performance instead of an actual conversation. Both of them were terrible people and so rude to one another and so incredibly selfish. And it was so obvious that the guy already likes her but he knifes it behind sarcasm and jokes that make me want to punch him.

Also, whoever started this trend of the FMC and friend talking about the FMC’s sex life in front of the friend’s boyfriend and the potential love interest needs to be reprimanded. It’s GROSS and no one would ever talk about a friend’s sex life or lack thereof in front of other people like that. 🤮

I’m so sad I didn’t like this one but I can’t take it anymore. I really tried here but this one just isn’t for me.

I loved Pricilla and Oliver’s story so much, I wish they could have gotten together from the jump but that is not how life works and certainly not in novels. Would have loved a little more time with them as a couple at the end too. A quick and fun read!

The nickname Priss, that’s annoying didn’t like it. I hated her parents and stopped reading shortly after they were introduced. I did feel like the plot was very predictable and this book was just not for me.

Thank you to Donna Marchetti, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti, release date June 27th 2025, in exchange for an honest review.

The Proposal Project follows Priscilla, who has recently been fired from her job and is now taking on the task of planning Tina’s engagement, and Oliver, a teacher who has also been tasked with arranging Ryan’s engagement. The catch is that Tina and Ryan both want to propose to each other at different times with different ideas. Priscilla and Oliver, who are sworn enemies at the start of the book, then decide to team up to create the best dual proposal for their best friends. Oh, and they fall in love at the end of the book but I’m not spoiling how that happens.

The Proposal Project is an easy, quick read that’s a little bit cheesy but in the right way! I didn’t enjoy the miscommunication between the two MCs but appreciate that it was quickly resolved and the characters got on with their lives afterwards. I also need to know what was in that notebook 👀

All in all, I would recommend this book to my friends!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was an enjoyable read overall, with a fun premise and a lighthearted vibe. I appreciated the setup and the potential for a swoony romance, but I found myself a bit frustrated by how juvenile the characters' behavior felt at times.

Rather than having honest conversations about their feelings, both the FMC and MMC acted more like teenagers with a crush—dodging, deflecting, and leaning hard into miscommunication. While I understood the FMC’s embarrassment, it was disappointing that the MMC didn’t directly acknowledge how he made her feel. Instead, the story leaned heavily into the miscommunication trope, which felt avoidable and kept the romance from fully landing for me.

That said, there were sweet moments and a charming foundation here—it just needed a bit more emotional maturity and open dialogue to make the relationship feel truly satisfying.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

This is second book by author Donna Marchetti - following on from her debut novel Hate Mail which was a 5 star read for me.

I am was super excited about this book and she didn't fail to disappoint.

This follows Oliver and Priscella (Great names), Tina and Ryan's two best friends. They secretly want to propose to each other and have roped in Oliver and Priscella to help organise it.

Unbeknownst to Tina and Ryan , Oliver and Priscella team up together to bring both their proposal vision to life and so they can propose at the same time.

However , a year ago , after miscommunication, the two dislike each other and can't stand to be together.

Teaming up , turns into Fake Dating and devolves into a lot of not Fake kisses.

This book was super fun and easy to read. I wish I could get Oliver's POV , to see how much the man had it bad for Priscella.

A great follow on romance from Hate Mail.

The story begins with Priscilla who's getting fired from her dream job, and her best friend Tina, who is proposing something that sounds a lot better than unemployment or accepting donations - open her own event planning business, and begin by planning Tina's proposal (of epic proportions) to her boyfriend. Except...

... she needs to do it fast, because Ryan has also bought a ring for Tina on the same day, so Priscilla needs to work together with Ryan's best friend Oliver to make sure that Tina's plans aren't ruined by an earlier proposal. But Oliver just so happens to be Priscilla's enemy... or was he ever..?

I don't even know where to begin to explain how much joy this book has brought me. I found both couples lovable, and the plot was so much fun, both Priscilla and Oliver looking out for their respective best friends and trying to up one another's proposal attempts, until they realize it's better if they work together on a double engagement of even greater proportions. Which also lands them into a fake relationship... but was it ever fake?

I had loads of fun reading this book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it if you're looking for something light, sweet, hilarious, reminiscent of early 2000s rom-com movies.

3.5 ⭐️

The Proposal Project provides some over-the-top, fake dating shenanigans. I think if you’re a lover of the fake dating trope, you’re going to find some enjoyment in this book, as it hits all of the usual beats that trope provides. This book provides ample time spent mainly between the two main characters, Priscilla and Oliver, which I really appreciate in a romance book. Quality time and plenty of dialogue are always a big plus for me.

As for what I didn’t enjoy, the main thing was Priscilla’s cluelessness and the fact that the inciting incident for her dislike of Oliver was an obvious miscommunication. It was very obvious to the reader that he liked her the whole time, so her obliviousness to it for the majority of the book was a bit frustrating at times.

This book is great for anyone who is looking for a nice palate cleanser and loves a good dash of rom-com silliness!

I loved this book! This is such a feel-good heartwarming story. The characters were so well written, you felt like you was in on the secret proposal too. The enemies to lovers trope was perfectly written for this book, and no third act break up was *chef’s kiss*. I loved Priscilla and Oliver’s chemistry together - it was so sweet to watch their fake dating become more.

It is a perfect beach read, it has banter, a sweet story line and a little bit of spice!

My only wish - WHAT WAS IN THE NOTEBOOK?!?

The Proposal Project is a charming, feel-good romcom that hits many of the right notes. Priscilla and Oliver's enemies-to-lovers, fake dating arc is full of fun banter, sweet moments, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Donna Marchetti does a great job creating that early 2000s romcom vibe, and the friendships—especially between Priscilla and Tina—add real heart to the story. The premise is a bit over-the-top in places (a competitive proposal plan, anyone?), but it works because the characters are endearing and easy to root for. It’s not without a few clichés and some predictable beats, and while the spice level might be too much or too little depending on your taste, the emotional depth balances things out nicely. Overall, this is a cute, quick, and uplifting read that’s perfect for when you need a lighthearted escape. A solid 3.5 stars from me.

Event planner Priscilla wants to help her bbf Tina to propose to her bf, Ryan. Unfortunately, Ryan already has a plan to propose to Tina... So Priscillia is foreced to work with Ryan's bbf Oliver to plan a joint proposal and keep their alliance a secret from everyone....

Love this writer's first book, Hate Mail, and this story is terrific too. The story is charming. Terrific characters... Fun banter and very cute. Lots of funny scenes too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The Proposal Project is another super fun romance read from Donna Marchetti, I was a big fan of her debut novel Hate Mail, and was so excited to be able to read TPP a bit early so I dove straight in.

I loved the characters in this one, Tina was so much fun from the get go. I really enjoyed seeing aspects of Tina and Ryan's relationship as well as the budding relationship between Pris and Oliver.

The romance was simply lovely, I always enjoy the hate to love, but not really hate type dynamics and Donna really did an excellent job with the chemistry between Oliver and Pris.

This book gives off 2000s romcom dynamics and I am so here for it. I just know all the romance readers are going to eat this up as it is the perfect summer read. I honestly could not put this book down.

I didn't think that Donna would be able to top my love for Hate Mail, yet she releases this. I have started to develop a strong love of romantic comedies, and this is the perfect example of one. Just the right about of cheesiness without being cringey. I laughed and swooned. If you like fake dating, heart warming moments, plenty of laughs and enemies to lovers, then you need to pick this up. Oh, and did I mention a little sprinkling of the one bed trope?

4 stars. Fun and cute!

Priscilla is planning her best friend Tina's proposal. But then she hears that Tina's boyfriend Ryan is going to propose! Together with Ryan's best friend Oliver (whom she hates at first) they start to plan together a true spectacle.

Planned proposals with marching bands and flash mobs are very far from my reality, but it didn't matter . This was perfectly light, romantic and cute read. It made me laugh and smile.

I haven't read Donna Marchetti's first book Hate Mail but after reading this I will absolutely read that too!

WHAT I LIKED: Priscilla and Oliver were cute together. And this was fun (the yodeling on the roof, oh my)! I think the idea of proposal planning for their friends was fun and original and I loved how the main characters planned a true spectacle together for their friends!

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The miscommunication. That being said, it was understandable and the ending was even sweeter when they finally communicated!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: heroine, 1st person
Heat: open doors
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: miscommunication
Third act: hiccups
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* Enemies to lovers
* Opposites attract

What?
* Fake dating
* Forced proximity
* Mutual pining
* One bed
* Second chance

Where?
* I'm not sure if the exact location was mentioned?

Drama?
* Miscommunication

Other vibes:
* The one that got away

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very solid read! Perfect palette cleanser read that was quick to get through and kept me entertained. I enjoyed the writing style and found the characters to be fun to read about. It had the perfect vibes for a spring/ summer read. Great humour too I found myself giggling multiple times!

This book was so FUN! last year I read Hate Mail always by Donna Marchetti and i really enjoyed it.
This has a total different vibe that I really liked.
It always gives that 2000s rom-com vibes that are my favourite in these kind of books.
The characters were likable especially Oliver (cutie pie). Priscilla was so relatable at times! Also Tina and Ryan made me laugh so much!!
If you haven't read anything by this author it's now time to READ THESE BOOKS.

Oh my god this was such a fun read!! I read it all in one day because I just couldn’t stop. The characters were so fun and their constant bickering made me want to keep reading even more about them. The whole proposal planning was just purely adorable. 100% recommend this book!!

After falling in love with Hate Mail last year, I was beyond excited to dive into Donna Marchetti’s latest, The Proposal Project—and it absolutely delivered! This is the kind of story that makes me want to drop everything and read it in one sitting (which is exactly what I did). Marchetti has a real gift for writing swoony, nostalgic romcoms that feel like they came straight out of a 2000s movie marathon, and this one hit all the right notes.

The story follows Priscilla, who’s just been fired and decides—with the encouragement of her best friend Tina—to take a leap and launch her dream event planning business. Her first gig? Planning Tina’s dream marriage proposal to her boyfriend Ryan. But there’s a twist: Ryan also wants to propose, and his best friend Oliver is helping him. Cue the chaos when Priscilla and Oliver—sworn enemies—are forced to team up to pull off this double-surprise proposal without either party finding out about the other’s plans. Oh, and to avoid suspicion, they have to pretend to be dating. You know where this is going—and it’s the best ride getting there.

From hilarious misunderstandings to heartfelt moments and some seriously cute fake-dating shenanigans, Priscilla and Oliver’s journey is packed with tension, banter, and slow-burn goodness. The rivals-to-lovers energy is chef’s kiss, and Oliver’s quiet obsession with Priscilla? Adorable. (Seriously, I need more info on that secret notebook ASAP.) There’s fake dating, one bed, yearning, and so much pining—basically every trope I live for.

Beyond the romance, the friendships in this book are equally heartwarming. Tina and Ryan are total sweethearts, and the friend group’s dynamics made the story feel even richer and more immersive. The whole vibe is light, romantic, and perfect for spring or summer reading.

While the ending wrapped up a bit quickly, it didn’t take away from how much fun this book was. No annoying third-act breakup, just a feel-good, satisfying love story full of charm, laughter, and heart. Donna Marchetti has officially made my auto-buy author list.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Donna Marchetti for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!