"The Sleeping Beauty Proposal" Review

The Sleeping Beauty Proposal

By Sarah Strohmeyer

8/10

My Synopsis:

Genie has a boyfriend Hugh.  She’s had him for four years and yet – no diamond ring.  When Hugh pops the question to another unnamed “mystery woman” on national TV, Genie is beside herself.  What’s worse, everyone assumes Genie is the object of Hugh’s proposal and is now newly engaged.  Encouraged by her best friend and realizing that this may be the answer to many of her dreams, she decides to play along while her non-fiancé is away in England.  Genie goes through the motions of a new bride-to-be all the while worrying if hunky Nick the carpenter has overheard her discussing her fabrication.  Will anyone find out Genie’s secret?  What will Hugh think when he returns?  How far will she go playing pretend?  More importantly, who is this unnamed mystery woman?

My Opinion:

The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is definitely chick-lit (literature aimed specifically at females).  Plain Jane girl wants more from life.  Hunky guy hangs around but is not her boyfriend.  Kooky best friend serves as the catalyst for a metamorphosis.  This book is very typical of your romantic comedy type story.  Don’t get me wrong, I like romantic comedies but definitely have to be in the mood to read them.  Luckily, I was in the mood for this one.  The concept was original with Genie pretending to be the future Mrs. High Spencer.  The story read with ease and makes a nice weekend book.  Nothing deep.  Nothing profound.  Just pure fun.  The book points out the idea that single women are entitled to the same treatment as married or engaged women.  The author transforms Genie into a slimmer, more confident version of herself which I didn’t think was totally necessary to make her point.  I was pulling for Genie throughout the whole story and genuinely hated Hugh.  I also found myself wishing the book had pictures so I could see Nick with my own eyes.  He sounded so yummy.  The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is a variation on the classic ugly duckling turns swan story.  Although it does have a few twists, most of the plot can be seen coming at least a few pages in advance if not more.  Only read if you are in the mood for some carefree chick lit.  8 out of 10.