An Improper Proposal by Audra Wells: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Historical fiction
• Series: Improper Agreements (Book #4)
• Length: 268 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: August 13, 2024

Tropes

• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract
• Marriage of convenience

My Rating

Book Description

“She had sworn to never fall in love, but one man changed all the rules . . .

Louisa Morgan never intended to fall in love, so when the stuffiest of men offers to marry her for the sake of convenience, it feels like an offer from heaven itself. Things change, however, and the rigid Duke of Boroux begins to wax poetic, doing his best to win her hardened heart. But love was never to be on the table, and Louisa isn’t sure she wishes to play his risky game.

Robert, the Duke of Boroux, tired of society and its demands, decides to take matters into his own hands. Instead of a silly wife only after his title, he will ask a lady who knows her own mind and may just be the perfect woman to become his duchess. But when things beyond his control change his perception of what a marriage should look like, his entire world is turned upside down. Now his greatest struggle is to convince the woman he is falling in love with to love him back. 

What will happen when two obstinate people are on opposing sides and neither will relent?”

— from Goodreads

My Review

First comes marriage, then comes love?

Robert was such an adorably awkward MMC. But underneath his stuffy facade is a thoughtful and protective man.

Meanwhile, Louisa loves to tease and speak her mind. She’s also much more comfortable in social interactions.

They did have one interesting similarity — hiding their true feelings behind a “mask.” (For Robert, it’s stoicism. For Louisa, it’s teasing and quips.)

I liked that their interactions implied that they probably would have fallen in love with each other eventually. (The situation with Lord Drake and Jessica simply sped up the process.)

After witnessing her mother grieve her father, Louisa is determined never to fall in love. Though others try to encourage her that love is worth the risk of heartbreak, it made sense that her mother was the only who could ultimately convince her.

Another thing I loved was that the dowager (Robert’s mother) was completely supportive of Louisa. 

Favorite Moments

💍 draping the shawl 
🎩 spectacles 
💍 “Did you just touch my wife?”
🎩 searching for the kerchief
💍 rescuing Prince
🎩 hiding in plain sight
💍 first kiss
🎩 kissing in the library
💍 reuniting with Robert
🎩 Epilogue

Favorite Quotes

“‘Your Grace,’ she said, interrupting his thoughts. ‘Am I making you uncomfortable?’

When all other thoughts fled, he knew to cling to honesty. He met her eyes, blinking once before responding. ‘Yes.’

She tried to hide her smile, dipping her chin as she turned her face. ‘I see.’ Her chest rose with a deep breath. ‘I shall try harder to behave myself.’

‘I hope you will do no such thing,’ he said, his hand stiff as her waist spun beneath it.“

Audra Wells

“She tucked her lips in, hiding her obvious smile. ‘You are rather adorable when you are nervous.’

Adorable? Not dashing? Handsome? Attractive? 

‘Thank you,’ he said, like the idiot he was. Perhaps one day he would be able to keep up with his wife, but today was not that day.“

Audra Wells

“‘Louisa,’ he began taking her elbow before she passed him by. He needed some thread of connection to life. Something to ground him to reality. Her eyes brightened at his touch. ‘Why did you marry me?’

Seeming to notice his fragile state, her face softened into a smile. ‘Because you were thoughtful enough to ask.’“

Audra Wells

“A soft smile teased his lips. ‘Only you, Louisa. Only you would follow me here out of sheer, insatiable curiosity.’

‘Can you believe you married such a woman?’

With this, he laughed. ‘I believe I am a very lucky man indeed.’“

Audra Wells

“‘But what if, at the end of it all, we break?’ Her words came out as a whisper, unable to keep her voice even anymore.

‘At least you have those memories to hold on to forever. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have the latter. I choose you. I choose us, Louisa.’“

Audra Wells

“Louisa gave her head a quick shake. ‘No. You don’t have to chase me. I don’t require your love.’

‘You may not require it, but you already have it.’“

Audra Wells

“‘But please do not close yourself off to happiness simply because you fear losing something. That will make for a very dull life indeed. I would much rather sit here with all the love in my heart than to look back and have nothing to miss.’“

Audra Wells

“She wove her fingers into his hair. ‘If only you weren’t so lovable, Your Grace.’

‘Loveable, am I? You think you know me so well?’ There was a grin in his voice.

‘Yes. I know you’….’a man who appears crusty to the world but has the softest and warmest center I could ever imagine. A man who likes to take naps, has a clever tongue, is willing to learn new things, and can love deeper than anyone I have ever met. Who either falls asleep reading with my dog in his lap — glasses lopsided and falling off his face — or opens his windows to listen to the soothing wind outside.’“

Audra Wells

“‘What are you thinking about?’…

‘How much I love you. And how my foolishness almost cost me everything.’

He turned his face into her hand, kissing her palm. ‘I wouldn’t have let that happen. I told you I would wait.’

‘And was it worth the wait?’…

‘You were always worth it, Louisa.’“

Audra Wells

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