Publication Date: 12th Jan 2025
Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3kj7AG
Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223443645-the-leap-year-proposal
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
4 Stars
One Liner: Pretty entertaining and thoughtful
Book Blurb:
Three women. One crazy hen weekend. A
life-changing decision.
When three women meet on a mutual friend’s hen
weekend on the Scottish island of Arran, they get more than they bargained for
when one of them has the genius idea of proposing on 29 February, like the
age-old Irish tradition.
High-flying businesswoman Anouska and her boyfriend
Zach are deliriously happy and madly in love. If only they had more time
together. But now she’s pregnant and doesn’t know how to tell him since having
kids hadn’t featured in their plans.
Dog walker Jess lives with her childhood sweetheart,
but they’re already like an old married couple, without the romance, or the
wedding, or the ring. When Mark doesn’t propose on New Year’s Eve, Jess is
gutted and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Ellie and Scott still live apart after six years,
and his lack of commitment is a sore point. She’s up for a huge promotion which
involves moving country. It’s make-or-break time. She needs to know he’s worth
turning down the job for.
The women meet weekly, helping each other with
decisions big and small, becoming each other’s support system in the run-up to
‘the big ask’.
Will love conquer all or will their
hopes and dreams come crashing down around them?
***
My Thoughts:
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Anouska, Ellie, and Jess.
Based on the premise, you might have guessed correctly that this is more of women’s fiction and less of romance. Though we have three couples, the focus is on the various aspects of a relationship, the intricacies, the missing red flags, the passivity, doubts, fears, etc. There are some lovey-dovey scenes but the steam is 0.5 at the most. Nothing explicit or detailed.
The three main characters are different in many
ways. The age ranges from 24-35, their careers are different, the family
dynamics are different, and the relationship troubles are also different
despite the common factor.
Though it may seem like marriage is the ultimate
goal, it’s the intention behind this that is emphasized. The characters want
worthy, reliable, and loving partners who are not afraid to commit to them
(especially after being together for many years).
The main characters are not friends at first but
bond quickly. Their scenes together gradually shift from surface-level
friendship to becoming each other’s found families. I really loved this
progress.
Naturally, there is drama in each track but nowhere
does it get confusing. The conflicts are different enough to prevent overlap
but too dramatic.
The story takes place in a couple of months, so some
aspects are put on a fast track. This may or may not fully work for everyone. I
didn’t particularly mind since I guessed that’s how they would proceed.
We get an epilogue to tie up the loose ends and
close the story on a happy and hopeful note. The pacing is a bit slow in the
first quarter but gets better in the second half.
To summarize, The Leap Year Proposal is an
entertaining read with some thoughtful themes and ideas about relationships.
Though it is about love, the book celebrates female friendships.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and
the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion
about the book.
***
About the Author – Susan Buchanan
Susan Buchanan writes romantic comedy, contemporary
romance, and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family,
friendship, community – also Christmas!
Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game,
The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas
Spirit, and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor, and
proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing, or writing, she’s thinking about
it.
She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’
Association, the Society of Authors, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two
children, and a crazy Labrador.
When she’s not editing, writing, reading, or caring
for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board
games, watching quiz shows, and eating out, and she has recently discovered a
love of writing retreats.
Follow the Author:
Website: www.susanbuchananauthor.com
Instagram: authorSusanBuchanan
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susancbuchanauthor
X/ Twitter: susan_buchanan
Threads: authorSusanBuchanan
***
Giveaway to Win a Signed Paperback of The Leap Year Proposal (Open to UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for the despatch or delivery of the prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway***
This has been a stop on the #TheLeapYearProposal
blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources (@rararesources).
Thanks for stopping by!
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