a cute little romance, however i do feel like it's like every other romance and i will forget it within a few months and it will merge will every other ones ive read in the past.

I like the idea of this book as someone who once was a wedding planner/coordinator, but the execution was painful. This book in a nutshell is miscommunication trope for a thousand. And if I could get a dollar for every time something could have been solved by having a solid conversation, I would have a solid amount of cash on hand. The FMC and MMC need therapy and education on boundaries and communication. Also the jump from “I hate to you” to oral was just…..gah.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute read! I loved Donna’s other book, Hate Mail, and was so excited to read this one! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters.

I thought the storyline was really cute and same goes for how Pricilla and Oliver worked so well together. I loved how Oliver was a band teacher! I think that him leaving tech to become a teacher really speaks volumes of his character. Teachers are so important and I like that they get recognized in this book!

I thought Tina & Ryan were so cute! I wish we got more of them, but Tina seems like a lot so I am also happy with how much we did get haha. I also thought it was really sweet that Tina & Ryan kept it a secrets that they knew Priscilla and Oliver were fake dating. It was like they were letting them figure out their feelings without meddling.

I enjoyed learning more about Priscilla’s passion for her job, especially since her parents seemed like they didn’t believe in her. She became successful all on her own. I also loved the epilogue, such a romantic moment, Oliver did made everything be exactly like Priscilla said she wanted.

A few things that bothered me were:
1. Priscilla’s name, no judgement or any hate towards those who have this name, it just felt like it was less modern
2. I don’t understand why Priscilla was so irked with being called obsessed! Yes, it probably is frustrating to hear, especially from her parents. However, it made me think she was immature, especially since her hatred towards Oliver was because he called her obsessed (and his delivery was also at fault)
3. Why include the whole thing with the charity guy? I mean I liked how she chose to go on her own, but I didn’t like how he had to hit on her and be sleazy.
4. I thought some of the words used during the spicy scenes were as if Priscilla never had sex before. And during the second scene at the cabin it repeated the same sentence that was written in the first scene and it made me question if I accidentally went backwards but I did not.

Overall, it was a cute book! Donna is such a talented author, I can’t wait for her other work to come out!

3⭐️

I received an ARC from HarperCollins UK through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

The Proposal Project was such a cute concept. It honestly feels like it would make a great rom-com movie. I really enjoyed the mix of rivals-to-lovers and fake dating. It had the kind of setup that pulls you in quickly, and all of the characters each added an entertaining layer to the story. One of the best parts was definitely the banter between Priscilla and Oliver. Watching them slowly get more comfortable with each other and build that reluctant connection was really satisfying. The way they came up with the fake dating plan was especially funny and fit perfectly with the tone of the book.

That said, the romance didn’t completely land for me. Their connection from the past was pretty minimal, so it was a little hard to fully believe in the depth of their feelings. I also felt that Oliver’s explanation for what happened a year ago wasn’t very strong, and his reaction felt a bit immature. I wish they had communicated more. I really wanted to see Priscilla explain why she was so upset about the past, instead of just jumping into bed with him right after. The transition to intimacy felt a little too fast and not fully earned. Some parts, like Oliver’s journal, were introduced but never followed up on, which felt like a missed opportunity. The final quarter of the book felt a bit rushed overall.

Still, I had a good time reading this. It was fast-paced, funny, and lighthearted, and the characters were enjoyable throughout. If you're in the mood for something sweet and easy to read, this is a great pick.

Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a light and easy romance read. The story flowed, the characters were easy to love and it wasn’t over the top. I really liked the focus on friendships in this book too, you could really tell how much Oliver and Priscilla valued their friends in the lengths they went to make them happy! I absolutely loved the development of their relationship too, it felt very real and had the perfect amount of spice! I would’ve loved to have seen a bit more of their actual relationship at the end and that is why I’ve given it 4 stars but it was a very close 5! I’m so excited to see where Donna goes as an author as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both Hate Mail and this book!

As someone who adored Hate Mail, the new Donna Marchetti was an auto-request for me the moment I spotted it on NetGalley. Naturally, my expectations were sky-high, but sadly, this one didn’t quite live up to them.

This book is a quick, engaging romance with a fun premise that kept the pages turning. However, what I found lacking was the emotional depth and history between the main characters that made ‘Hate Mail’ so compelling. The central relationship between Oliver and Priscilla started with an exciting dislike-to-lovers setup, but that tension dissolved quickly. Rather than a gradual build or a slow-burn realisation of love, their relationship escalated almost instantly, which made it hard for me to feel fully invested.

I wanted to fall in love with Oliver and Priscilla the way I had with the characters in her last book, but unfortunately, I didn’t connect with them on a deeper level. Their development felt a bit rushed, and as a result, the emotional payoff just wasn’t there for me.

That said, I did enjoy the final few chapters, and I still think the book delivers as a light, fast-paced read, perfect for getting out of a reading slump. While it didn’t meet my personal expectations, it’s by no means a bad book, just one that didn’t hit the same highs as ‘Hate Mail’.

I was super excited to read this after reading Hate Mail last year and absolutely loving it! Although this had quite a different vibe, it was still a really sweet story.

There was some heartfelt moments, good banter between the MCs and just a real fun element running through the whole book. The MCs had good chemistry, and were actually quite likeabke. Things did often swing to cheesy territory, but I feel like that's just part and parcel with this book so if you hate cheese, this probably isnt for you. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, so I was a bit this weary when I that was in this book, but it was handelled a bit differently in this so I didn't mind too much.

Overall, this is a sweet rom-com for anyone wanting a nice and easy read.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and Netgally for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you so much Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

I have to start this review by stating that I had the privilege to read Donna’s first book Hate Mail and loved it and so when I got approved for The Proposal Project I was so excited!!

This book was fantastic and exactly what a rom-com should be! Donna’s characters are always hilarious and wildly relatable. The entire premise of this book was executed perfectly and felt like something that could really happen within a friend group.

The spice?? 😏 Incredible! It also wasn’t the main thing in the book which I also liked! It felt like it naturally fit in which sometimes doesn’t happen in romance novels.

Overall, a great book that any rom-com enjoyer would love! :)

After Priscilla lost her job as an event planner over something she didn't do, her best friend Tina hires her to plan her proposal to her boyfriend. As she starts ironing out the details, she finds out Ryan, Tina's boyfriend, is also planning on proposing. The only solution she can think of, is for her and Oliver, Ryan's best friend, to put aside their differences in order to team up and combine the events.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Hate Mail, I was so excited to pick this one up, and it definitely did live up to my expectations. While I did have some issues with it, I still really think it is such a good, entertaining book— definitely a great palate cleanser type of read. The writing is light and engaging, making it so easy to fly through this.

The characters are great, and I really enjoyed them all— I actually wish we got more of them, as they felt somewhat underdeveloped at times. I feel like there were certain things that kept being brought up about them, especially with Priscilla, without ever going anywhere, or at least not the way I wished they would. When it comes to the main relationship, that also felt somewhat lacking; I really loved both Priscilla and Oliver, but I don't think we saw a lot of them together in a way that moved their relationship forward, which made it feel very rushed, when it really wasn't. I do believe this is the kind of book that could've benefited from a dual POV, but it is what it is.

Overall, it really is great for what it is, and it truly has a pure rom-com feel to it, which I adore, and I would definitely recommend it!

I loved this book! I thought it was such a fun idea, a fun Rom Com about two rivals planning a proposal for their best friends.
This honestly had everything I love, enemies to lovers, fake dating and rom com!
I thought the characters were so lovable and real, it was actually such a cute story and I’m obsessed with both Pricilla and Oliver. I’m not usually a big fan of miscommunication but it was done really well in this book and resolved in a realistic way!
Highly recommend.

The Proposal Project is a fun, feel-good romantic comedy that ticks all the right boxes for fans of the fake dating and enemies to lovers tropes. With a light touch and plenty of charm, Donna Marchetti delivers a story that blends wedding mayhem with unexpected romance.

Priscilla is an organised, no-nonsense event planner whose mission is to pull off her best friend’s dream proposal. The plan is simple, until she finds herself reluctantly teaming up with Oliver — her best friend’s boyfriend’s annoying but undeniably attractive best mate. Their chemistry is immediate, their banter sharp, and watching them slowly soften towards each other is thoroughly satisfying.

The book leans into all the best romcom ingredients: secret alliances, close proximity, and moments of genuine emotional warmth. Priscilla and Oliver’s evolving connection is heartfelt, and the dual proposal setup adds a fresh twist.

This is a joyful, easy read full of humour and heart. Perfect for anyone who enjoys romance with a dash of chaos and a guaranteed smile by the final page.

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

The Proposal Project is a light, feel-good romance with a fun premise and engaging characters. Donna Marchetti’s writing has an easy charm, and the story moves along with plenty of lighthearted moments and sweet romantic tension.

That said, some aspects didn’t quite land for me. The miscommunication between characters, while a common trope, felt more frustrating than compelling at times, dragging out conflicts that could have been resolved more naturally. It occasionally took away from the emotional payoff and made the pacing feel uneven.

Still, the chemistry between the leads is enjoyable, and the supporting characters add warmth and humor. It’s a solid read for any contemporary romance lovers looking for something light and entertaining, even if it doesn’t break new ground.

4 Stars

This was such a cute, low angst book with the best tropes - Forced proximity, enemies to lovers and fake dating! which are some of my personal favourites.

The premise was just silly enough to be a fresh, funny take on teaming up to achieve and mutual goal of making sure their best friends have the best proposal that they deserve with lots of crazy twists and turns!

I actually liked the chemistry between the two main characters and did believe in their ending, even though there was a bit of miscommunication, which isn't my favourite.
The side characters were funny and memorable and altogether, I had such a fun time reading g this book and will definitely read from this author again. (I also really enjoyed this authors debut novel Hate Mail!)

Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and HarperCollinsuk for an ARC in return for an honest review.

our fmc is an event planner who’s hired for her bestie’s over the top proposal.. and the boyfriend’s obnoxious best friend (our mmc 🤭) tells her that that he ALSO planned to propose. they plan a mastermind proposal so both tina and ryan get to propose @ the same time. they fake date (or as fake as it can be for all that tension) to disguise just why they’re spending so much time planning this together. stayed up until the early AM multiple nights, including this one, to finish this book. the concept of this story was so original and the pair were so likeable and had me kicking my feet for the entirety of the book. fake dating trope done well is so! so! good and this is a great example! priscilla and oliver go together so well and he’s such a golden retriever bf it’s insane. a romance book in this day and age WITHOUT a third act breakup is so special to me and it was the cherry on top of a GREAT romance.

Thank you @NetGalley for the book "The Proposal Project" Thank you @HarperCollins. This was a cute romcom between Priscilla and Oliver. They both work together to plan their best friend's proposals. The banter between both of them was sweet and funny. I enjoy reading fake dating troupe, especially when it turns to true love. This was my first time reading a book by Donna Marchetti and I will be looking for more books by her.

I'll read anything Marchetti writes. Give me all the fake dating, forced proximity tropes. Donna does such a great job weaving characters together who feel so real and a story that you just cannot put down!

This wasn’t my favorite read. While I got the whole point was meant to be about her planning a proposal I felt like there wasn’t really much else besides that. I didn’t feel like we got too in depth into their lives outside of being the best friends of the other couple.

3.75★

I read Hate Mail a while ago, and quite enjoyed it, so I was really excited to receive this eARC. It had the same things I enjoyed about Hate Mail: easy to read, great writing style, humour, and likeable characters.

Oliver — he was a sweetheart. Even though Priscilla was adamant in “hating” him, he still looked out for her, wanted to spend time with her, was a little bit cocky, but he was really just smitten with Priscilla, and was hurt by her rejection of him when they first met. I loved how even though he said it was to help their case with their fake dating plot, he initiated kisses just because he wanted to kiss her. I could tell from the very first moment he liked her.

Priscilla — Man, I am so glad she didn’t end up working for Malcom. He was an ass who was condescending and overly-flirty. He didn’t take a hint and was so full of himself. I’m proud Priscilla decided to open her own business, and it worked in her favour, and I’m happy that Tina gave her that push. I loved the relationship between Priscilla and Tina, it felt like a genuine sisterhood where they both loved each other unconditionally.

The Romance — this is where I was a bit underwhelmed. We got a lot of Oliver and Priscilla working together to plan the joint proposal, and we got scenes of them acting out their fake-dating plot, but we don’t actually see any emotional or romantic development between them. It’s like we’re expected to trust that they know each other from when they were previously friends for one week, a whole year ago. They don’t really learn anything new about each other or have any deep conversations. I would have loved to see Priscilla have a deep conversation where she explains, in her point of view, how Oliver hurt her and why. I wanted her to express why him using the word “obsessive” was so hurtful to her. There was A LOT of miscommunication that probably could have been avoided.

However, I did really enjoy their banter and the few cute moments they did have. I could really see them being a believable couple if only there was more development. It felt like it went from frenemies-friends-I love you very quickly, with no in between.

Overall though, I did enjoy this and it was an entertaining, quick read. It was funny, sweet, and had good romantic moments.

pretty fun romance book that's generally well written, though like many enemies to lovers stories that i read it's really less enemies and more almost-lovers. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you so much HarperCollinsUK and One More Chapter for an early copy of The Proposal Project! 💖
This book was so cute!!! The tropes include enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity (a common project), slow burn, and definitely has a "he falls first" kind of vibe!
I really liked that this book kind of reminded me of my fav enemies to lovers books like The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners where you don't really understand why they hate each other until the end. Like I said earlier, the book is more slow burn BUTTTT the pacing of the book still feels fast paced! I read this book super fast because it was like brain candy! 😂
I also loved that all the main characters were in a common friend group and they had so many cute and funny moments!
I've been dying to read Hate Mail and this just shows that I should have more urgency in reading it! 💞