The Proposition

Author: Judith Ivory
Publication date: December 8, 1999
Series: NA
Pages: 355
Genre: Historical, Romance
Synopsis: No man, gentleman or otherwise, has ever looked at Lady Edwina Bollash the way the brash, handsome man standing before her is doing now. Edwina has accepted the challenge to transform incorrigible Mick Tremore into a gentleman in just six weeks. And although the linguist is sure she can rise to the task, she isn’t at all certain she won’t swoon under his frankly sensuous gaze before her job is done.

Mick has lived outside of London society long enough to know that appearances can be deceiving. Edwina might look all buttoned up—the perfect English lady—but there is unleashed passion existing just below her placid facade (not to mention a great pair of legs!). And as she prepares him to take his place in society, Mick prepares Edwina to take her place in his heart…and in his bed.

Love Factor (How much I loved it):
Would I recommend it:
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This book may contain explicit intimate scenes, so if you are not 18+ then I probably wouldn’t recommend it for younger readers.

My Opinion

First off, I am so glad that I was able get my hands on a physical copy of this book as it was that great. I loved everything – from the start to the ending. An it is definitely worth being in my physical book collection which is growing quite rapidly these days.

I really LOVED Mick. He was a brash / dirty talker, rat catcher who has penchant for long female legs, whom has a cockney accent so thick that he butchers the English language to where most people cant understand him except for Winnie. She finds his speech interesting and wants to study his linguistic skills and speech so therefore that is where the ‘proposition’ part comes in – she has 6 weeks to turn him in to a smooth talking polite proper gentleman that she can present to the society.

During the 6 weeks, Mick is taught how to act, behave, dress, and speak like a true gentleman of English society which was a fun ride. I loved how during Winnie’s dance lessons, Mick feigned on about not knowing how to dance so he could dance with her longer. I also loved how Winnie would become irritated with him when he’d twitch his mustache at her which results in her to asking him to get rid of it but Mick wont settle for just shaving it off, he barters for it an I loved that scene. Also another part that I loved, which he did throughout the book was mischievously wiggle his eyebrows at Winnie and tell her if she wants him to kiss her, all she has to do is just ask him – my gosh he was such a hoot!

About half way to three quarters through, Mick realizes he is in love with Winnie and has thoughts of marrying her, but what lady of her breeding would want to marry a man of his class? Near the end he realizes that he doesn’t care about where he stands in society, that he loves Winnie, and he believes he deserves a chance with her and asks her to be his wife.

I will say I was absolutely surprised with how the last part of the book went, I didn’t expect that at all. But lets just say everything turned out splendidly – Mick and Winnie having their HEA. A great amusing read that shouldn’t be missed by anyone if you love historical romances settled in the Victorian era (1890s) with a cheeky brash male character whom you will 100% completely fall in love with.