Not that Kind of Proposal

by Victoria Lavine

From the internationally bestselling author of Any Trope but You comes an enemies-to-lovers rom-com about a hopeless romantic wedding planner and the cynical divorce lawyer forced to help her plan her ex’s wedding.

Gracie Holland lives for Happily Ever Afters—just not her own. After a crushing breakup, she’s thrown herself into planning weddings at Larkwood, the ivy-covered Rhode Island estate where she also lives in the guest cottage. But when her beloved boss passes away and leaves the estate to her grandson, Gracie’s carefully rebuilt life is suddenly on the line. Jude Larkwood is everything she’s sworn ruthless, practical, and immune to romance—he’s a divorce lawyer, for crying out loud! Worse, he plans to sell Larkwood by the end of the summer.

Jude has spent his life cleaning up other people’s romantic disasters—and he has no interest in watching another love story fall apart on his family’s lawn. But inheriting Larkwood comes with one its maddeningly optimistic wedding planner. Gracie’s sunshiney faith in love unsettles Jude almost as much as her ability to push through his defenses. He’s built a life on keeping emotion out of the equation—but something about her keeps slipping past his guard.

When Gracie’s ex calls out of the blue asking her to plan his wedding, she sees an unexpected opportunity. Jude reluctantly agrees to give her until the wedding to change his mind, and in exchange, she drags him into a two-month crash course in love to make even the most hardened cynic start to wonder if love might not be such a scam after all.

But as cake tastings and vendor emergencies give way to late-night confessions and undeniable chemistry, Gracie and Jude must confront the fears they’ve spent years avoiding. But can a hopeless romantic and a confirmed cynic find a future they both believe in?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com, Enemies To Lovers, Fiction, Ebooks

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 21, 2026

Reviews

[⊹₊⟡⋆Mandy Darling⊹₊⟡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (but honestly… 6 stars if I could)

Not That Kind Of Proposal completely stole my heart. This was easily one of my favorite books of 2026 and definitely a top 5 contemporary romance for me. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down.

The emotional depth in this story absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. My heart is still in pieces and I am not even a little bit mad about it. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric, their banter was hilarious, and the meet-cute-turned-meet-ugly setup was pure perfection. Every interaction between them had me grinning like an idiot.

This book truly gives you the full emotional rollercoaster. You will be laughing, swooning, blushing, and crying… sometimes all in the same chapter. And the last 10%? RUDE. Absolutely emotionally devastating in the best way possible. Grab the tissues.

This was my first book by Victoria Lavine and she is now an instant favorite author. I will happily read anything this woman writes. If her name is on the cover, I’m reading it. No questions asked.

And can we please talk about Jude for a second? Because WOW. Absolute perfection. The standard has officially been raised to an unreasonable level. Lord, please let me meet a man like him. 🙏🏻

Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I’ve got to just say that this was my most exciting arc approval of the year! I really loved Any Trope But You, and I was so excited to see the announcement for Not That Kind of Proposal. I absolutely adore Victoria Lavine’s writing - her books are hilarious and heartwarming, while also deeply emotional and insightful. I knew from her debut novel that if she writes it, I will be buying it. And as much as I enjoyed Any Trope But You, I think Not That Kind of Proposal was even better!

This book just made me SO HAPPY - which is pretty wild when you consider that it begins with the funeral of one of the coolest grandmothers you’ll ever encounter. I would love to read an entire book about Agatha. She’s the fabulous old lady I think we all aspire to be one day - hysterical, wise, and absolutely iconic. So of course, her funeral was one of my favorite romcom scenes I’ve read in a while - and the perfect setting for Gracie and Jude’s meet cute/ meet disaster.

I really loved both Gracie and Jude. They’re both very fleshed out and multidimensional. I liked how we got to see both of their families, friendships, and lives outside of only what pertained to their relationship. But the relationship? Oh my gosh. The relationship was so passionate and captivating. At the beginning, I loved the chemistry and witty banter. Then, as they got to know - and fall for - each other, the tension was heart pounding and downright exquisite. We’re talking Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton level angst and yearning. And then… the emotions. The tears. My heart. Ugh. It was all just so beautifully written and handled with so much care.

I do need to specifically take moment to gush about Jude, the perfect romance mmc. I was sold on him from the second he pulled out that hat and feather boa. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that, with Jude, Victoria Lavine has basically redefined what my type is. I expect more from men now. My standards have been raised. Can I really pay a higher compliment to a romance novel than that? He’s not perfect, per se. He made a few choices I didn’t agree with (as did Gracie), and he can be grouchy and cynical - but he’s self aware, and he works hard to fix his mistakes. Not to mention, he’s the owner of a vicious cat that he adores. As a “devoted but under appreciated cat guardian” myself, I loved the demon fluff-ball representation.

There’s honestly so much more I’d love to rave about, but I think it’s best to save it for the next reader to discover on their own! I’ll just say that I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a really lovely romcom with both humor and depth. Please check it out as soon as you can! Not That Kind of Proposal is out July 21, 2026!

Thank you so much to the wonderful Victoria Lavine, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Not That Kind of Proposal in exchange for my honest review.

[Soph]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

My full review will be published on July 14, 2026.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have needed a book like this for quite a while! Cute, fun, lower stakes, and full of romance. This style of romance book isn’t always my cup of tea but I inhaled this book within two days. (I just prefer a second chance or slow burn and this was a bit fast paced for me being only 320 pages!)

This felt pretty insta lovey to me but I think both characters rounded each other out pretty well and I enjoyed their connection. There were some dynamics between the FMC, MMC, and a friend that didn’t sit SUPER well with me but again, mostly preference. This book is for the romantics, the romance cynics, the ones looking for encouragement to set boundaries, and small moments of working through active grief. There's a lot of great things in this book! By the 60% point it was pretty spicy too tbh lol. Nothing crazy but definitely more than I anticipated going in. I also had to come back and edit this because I forgot to add how much I adored the banter. They were quick, funny, and a bit unserious at times but it made me smile a lot and that's ALWAYS a win for me!

I feel like this book wrapped up nicely in a neat little bow by the end for all involved. Buuuuuuut maybe could have done well with a smidge more depth to the characters connection? Or maybe less repetitiveness with the secret keeping and lack of trust/more connection building. I'm a bit conflicted. There were valid reasons for what was transpiring but I was left kind of grappling for answers and then smacked with all of them at once at the end. I think it's insinuated pretty well that there is no genuine malicious intent with the MMC but it drags for a bit.

Those were honestly my only personal issues other than some smaller things that didn’t work for my romance preferences but nothing that took away from my enjoyment of the story. Just a side note but there are definitely some sensitive topics discussed so I would also recommend checking CW’s.

Overall just some small personal preferences for me that didn't make this a slamming 5 star BUT i thoroughly enjoyed this read - and very quickly inhaled it lol. Thank you so much atria for this e-arc via netgalley! As always, all opinions are my own.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 .

Honestly, I was overdue for binge reading an arc the second I got it. I'm slumpy and needed something light, funny, and cute. I'm absolutely loving the banter here. Thank you atria for the e-arc! ♡

[michelle ✧]

I NEED THIS BOOK NOW!!!

[charisse ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

book 6 of my 24hr arc readathon!

gracie and jude stole my freaking heart! they were just soo cute together.. ugh!! full rtc!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶

₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
omg i just got approved for one of my most anticipated releases??? goodbye-

[Anna (annareadit)]

rtc

Tropes:
— wedding planner & divorce lawyer
— grumpy & sunshine
— enemies & lovers
— he falls first
— enemies to lovers

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this advanced copy.

4.25🌟
If I could describe this book in one word it would be lovely. It was sweet, swoon worthy, and the perfect springtime read. The setting was picturesque and transported me into the story. The writing throughout the novel had depth and beauty to it, with a ton of gorgeous metaphors. The humor was sharp and witty, and Jude and Gracie had great banter. Both characters well developed and I was rooting for the them the whole time. Some of the conflicts with side characters were resolved a little quickly—namely Gracie’s relationship with her mom and Jude’s relationship with Henry. They felt a bit rushed in my opinion. Gracie’s relationship with her best friend, however, was done very well. The romance itself was so sweet. It started to border on toxic towards the end, but I thought it was resolved appropriately. The story itself felt distinctly human, and it was easy to root for characters that felt so real! I really enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to get a physical copy so that I can physically annotate all of the incredible quotes!

[Sam Lue · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Sparkling Stars

Gracie Holland creates magic as a wedding planner. On her days off she can be found stowing away in a dreamy cottage, on the grounds of the fairytale venue. Her hideaway is rudely snatched away by the sudden death of the estate owner, and the subsequent arrival of Jude Larkwood. A man whose goal is to put Gracie out of business and kick her to the curb.

Not that Kind of Proposal stands as a true rom-com novel. The setting was exquisitely described, the characters were well-rounded, and the pacing was steady. I found it easy to sink into the story, and the author's quick quips kept me entertained.

Gracie, the wedding planner, and Jude, the divorce lawyer, naturally oppose each other, yet they are drawn together by the death of a shared loved one. Jude struggles to steer clear of Gracie, even after his best friend, Henry, takes an interest. The spice in this book had me raising my eyebrows in the best way. I appreciate the emotions this book was able to drag out of me.

A warm thanks to Victoria Lavine, Atria Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD. This was a pretty perfect dual POV, enemies to lovers romance. I love these characters so much. Gracie and Jude were such well-developed characters. They were each dealing with some deep family trauma, and I love the therapy representation. This book had some heavy themes, but it handled them in a way that fit the story and just made me more invested in the characters. I love that what drew them together was Jude's grandmother. It was interesting to see how they each dealt with their grief and found a connection through it without it being a trauma bond. The chemistry between Gracie and Jude was also so fun to read.

I didn't want to put this book down after I started, and I am excited to read more from Victoria Lavine!

Thank you to Atria, NetGalley, and the author, Victoria Lavine, for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Anna DiCiurcio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude Larkwood is definitely in my top 10 romance book boyfriends. The yearning!!! This book was so cute, I mean she’s a wedding planner and he is a divorce lawyer?! The main tropes in book are enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and he falls harder. This book does have spicy scenes, I would say it was a 2/5 🌶️. The story was definitely a roller coaster but it was worth it in the end!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Victoria Lavine for allowing me to read this book early!!

[destinysbookshelf331 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Thank you to Atria Book and NetGalley for this ARC

Wow just Wow. Easily one of the best books in 2026. I love romance books that not only focus on the romance but dive deep into how the characters deal with topics and this book nailed it. Jude and Gracie really grew as character with and without each other.

This isn’t enemies to lovers but we should be enemies but can’t. They’re ideally enemies, Jude being a divorce lawyer and Gracie a wedding planner but can’t. We can’t forget to thank Agatha for that either.

For anyone looking for a good romcom in 2026, this is for you.

[Inez (inezereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~Expected Release Date: July 21st , 2026~

Gracie, an ex-designer now wedding planner lives in a secluded cottage on Larkwood, the estate of Agatha. Jude, a successful divorce attorney who rarely visits, is Agatha's grandson.
When Agatha suddenly passes and leaves the estate to Jude’s and the cottage to Gracie, both have to navigate grief and the dilemma of their situation.

When it comes to their careers the two couldn’t be more opposite, but there’s chemistry and a connection that neither can ignore. When Gracie convinces Jude to see what it takes to plan a wedding, it forces them to think and confront the relationships that have shaped them.
There’s a great blend of banter and character development throughout this novel.

Gracie reminded me of early 2010’s rom-com lead, she is fun, quick-witted, and independent. Her sense of humor added to her charm and she had a vulnerability that was relatable.
Jude is the definition of “man written by a woman”.
He had all of charactermastic of a morally grey character, but underneath it all, a golden retriever.
I loved seeing Gracie unknowingly break down his guarded walls. Both characters had their own backstories, quirks, and fears that made them feel realistic.

There are 2 reasons why this book wasn’t a 5 star read for me.
First, the conflict with both families was resolved fairly quickly. I wanted to see the long over due- conversation that Jude needed with his mother. It was her secret that burdened him for so many years. He couldn’t even tell his own best friend, Henry about it. Second, speaking of Henry, I felt his main purpose was to stall the relationship. The “love triangle” since it complicated the deal that Jude and Gracie had.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had humor and charm with a great setting. The romance in this book was incredibly sweet and steamy.
This was my first book from Lavine, and I’ll definitely be reading her debut and future novels.

Thank You to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Victoria Lavine for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Last year, when I read Any Trope But You, Lavine’s debut novel, I absolutely fell in love with the scenery, the premise, and the story between two unlikely characters to fall for one another.

Not That Kind of Proposal is no different.

Gracie and Jude are both deeply flawed but deeply lovable main characters, and the circumstances in which they find one another are troublesome at best. But, after weeks of pining & yearning (read: a man down bad), they give in to fate and fall together perfectly.

It was never string-free. It was never anything but loving you. Even before I knew what to call it, I loved you, Gracie.

Much as I loved this novel, I will say, there seemed to be A LOT going on. You’ve got the Larkwood estate, Gracie’s ex’s wedding (which she’s planning??), Gracie’s family issues, Sophia’s family issues, Jude’s family situation, the Henry of it all, etc. It did feel like a lot of balls in the air for a novel of this length & depth, which would be my only critique (and reason for the 4⭐️ instead of 5). But, overall I felt that Lavine wove a carefully constructed love story that anyone could fall for.

His lips find mine, and this time, it’s like the turning of a page. The release of something old. The start of something new. The beginning of forever.

4⭐️!! Pick this one up!!!

[Jess Hilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one got me. It started off feeling like a fun, slightly chaotic rom-com, and then somewhere along the way it just kept deepening until I was fully emotionally invested and not okay about it. I was smiling, laughing, tearing up, and completely wrapped up in Gracie and Jude the entire time. 💛✨

Gracie was so easy to love. Watching her slowly realize she doesn’t have to carry everything or blame herself for things that were never hers to hold was such a beautiful arc. And Jude… you could feel how much he was holding back and why, even before everything was fully revealed. There was so much empathy built into both of them that you couldn’t help but root for them, even when they were struggling to get it right.

And yes, the third act breakup hurt, but it felt like it mattered. It pushed both of them to grow in a way that made the ending land exactly how it should. This was sweet, emotional, funny, and just so full of heart. One of those romances that gives you everything. Four and a half stars from me. 💫

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

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Such a cute contemporary romance that hooked me from the start! When I heard Victoria Lavine announced she had another book coming out, I jumped at the chance to request it on NetGalley! And this second novel of hers did not disappoint!

What an emotional rollercoaster! Second chance, enemies to lovers, slow burn, grumpy x sunshine, divorce attorney x wedding planner, banter, and an overprotective “let me take care of you” MMC… yes please!! I loved and hated the side characters but was rooting for Jude and Gracie to find common ground. I loved their connection but Henry’s actions and Gracie’s mom and Jude’s mom were not my favorites. Yes, they had redeemed some of their ick from their storylines but it felt rushed and surface level. The story itself felt real and human, with heavy themes like family trauma and trauma bonding that deepened the characters’ development. I would definitely recommend this to any and all romance lovers!

A big thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

[Anna Marinello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve cried this much reading a romance novel. I just wanted to give both of the main characters a hug so many times. They taught each other that they were truly deserving of love.

Dealt with heavy themes in a beautiful way. Romance novels are really special. They are such a safe container for processing heavy emotions, because you have the safety of the happy ending.

I enjoyed Any Trope But You by the same author, but this was even better. Well written. Good depth. Pacing was excellent. I really don’t have any complaints.

Worth the read if you’re a romance novel lover. Themes were handled delicately, but I would suggest checking the content warnings to be safe.

Thank you so much for to Atria Books and NetGalley the opportunity to read and review!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I read this while I traveled to a wedding to stay on theme? Yes, yes I did and it was the best decision ever. A hopeless romantic wedding planner and cynic divorce lawyer? Say less. Victorias writing is swoon worthy, relatable and absolutely addicting. I knew after I read Any Trope but You, I would be a fan of anything she wrote.

The death of a loved one brought them together, but I truly believed they would have crossed paths and entered each others lives no matter what. I loved the instant chemistry between Jude and Gracie, even when their flirty banter turned into a slight screaming match when they realized who each other were and their intentions with the Larkwood estate. Even though they are basically opposites when it comes to the idea of love, they couldn't hep but be drawn to each other. Even with Jude tagging along with Gracie while she planned her ex's wedding, he was so down bad for her. Yeah Jude is definitely on my list of favorite book boyfriends because the things he said and did had my jaw on the floor!! A friend of mine said nothing is hotter than a man being capable and this heavily applies here. I was also happy to see the growth between Gracie and her friends and family which added more depth to her character the side plots.

I simply could not put this one down. Not that Kind of Proposal is emotional, funny and a truly heartwarming rom-com (but definitely make sure to read the content warnings beforehand). So excited for this one to come out this summer! Thank you Atria and NetGalley for the arc!

[jordan εїз · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟 what a wonderful surprise!!! i really really enjoyed judegracie and the way they fell in love 💍🧟‍♀️💘 agatha haunted the narrative a perfect amount 🥹 her eclectic personality was so fun to read about! jude was SUCH a cinnamon roll, perfect for gracie in every way 😊 these two had amazing chemistry and i loved seeing their story unfold ❤️‍🩹 i love that gracie found herself and realized how amazing she is!!

i will say the stuff with henry was quite annoying but i guess it was fine in the end 😭

a special thank you to netgalley and atria books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria’s done it again (and dare I say… even better!)

Any Trope But You was one of my first ARCs from NetGalley, so I knew I had to request this book as soon as it became available. I absolutely adored the concept, and I think it was well done! The book had me smiling, laughing, kicking my feet, blushing, and even crying. Any book that can evoke that many emotions from me is an automatic five star read. I cannot recommend this book enough. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This ended up being such a cute read. A wedding planner and a divorce attorney have immediate sparks when they meet at a beloved friend and family member’s funeral. The flames immediately fizzle when they realize they have very different plans and dreams for her estate that doubles. A bargain forces them to work together to plan one last wedding at the estate…

Enemies to lovers and there’s a grumpy cat; what more could you want? 4 ⭐️

PS What on earth is coffee milk?? Apparently I know nothing about Rhode Island.

[Alyssa Redmile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, easy read - exactly the kind of book you pick up when you want to get lost in something light but still engaging. The book had a lot of the classic romance book elements without being cliche, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters. I also enjoyed the pacing of this book a lot. Overall, I really enjoyable read that balanced light hearted moments with just enough emotional depth.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Clara Gilleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria Lavine! Girl!!!!!!!!

A moment to just appreciate Jude. Just take a beat.

Loved loved loved this book. Emotional, vulnerable, funny, charming, tender, witty, spicy 🙂‍↕️, swoonworthy…all the things!!!! The small nod to Any Trope But You made my heart so happy.

Thank you to Atria for this eARC!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most perfect rom com I’ve ever read. It was a wonderful mix of humor, banter, chaos, sweet romance, and emotional moments. The wedding planner x divorce lawyer dynamic was so fun, Jude and Gracie are my new favorite couple, and I really loved the plot. I also loved the way it was written, how well developed all the relationships were, and the character arcs progressing throughout the story. This one is for the hopeless romantics for sure. The best romance I’ve read in a long time!

[corie · Rating 5 out of 5]

no bc I’m a sucker for caretaking in romance and this brought it to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. it’s burned into my brain now.

thank you to Atria for giving me an ARC on NetGalley so I could read this early!!

[Abby Cozart · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars

[Mai | mai.readingnook · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. I had been going through a 4 star streak lately and this was the book that finally clicked with me. 5 stars. Fun, banter-filled, low stakes book that had me hooked throughout.

Even though there seems to be a LOT going on in this story, Lavine does a fantastic job balancing it all. Nothing really felt overwhelming, and nothing felt lacking, either.

Thank you so much for the ARC! I had so much fun reading.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an adorable romance read. I enjoyed the grumpy sunshine dynamic between Gracie and Jude. It was interesting to see the relationship develop between a wedding planner and a divorce lawyer and everything that went into that scenario.

Somehow the author managed to have me both loving the characters and disliking them equally for the majority of the book. There were a lot of ups and downs where the characters are concerned, and it was a little frustrating at points, but I ended up loving them and the outcome in the end.

Read this if you like:
💐 Dual POV
💐 Grumpy/sunshine
💐 Forced proximity
💐 Enemies to lovers
💐 He falls first

Thank you @atriabooks for the gifted copy of the book.

[Gina Lovelace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved this author ever since I received my last ARC (Any Trope But You), so I was beyond excited to get my hands on this one as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity, these thoughts are all my own.

I will never get tired of a good grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and when you mix that with a wedding-centered storyline, I’m completely sold. Gracie is a venue coordinator with an amazing boss, trying to rebuild her life after being dumped by her boyfriend. When her boss unexpectedly passes away, her grandson takes over and he couldn’t be more opposite from Gracie. He’s a divorce lawyer, closed-off, and determined to sell the estate…which also happens to be Gracie’s home.

Determined to change his mind, Gracie convinces him to work a wedding alongside her, and of course, that means spending a lot of time together. The chemistry, the tension, the slow shift in perspective, it all just works. And as if things weren’t complicated enough, she’s also planning her ex’s wedding…yes, really.

This book delivered everything I love, banter, heart, and all the emotional moments that come with two total opposites colliding. I absolutely adored this one!

[Aislin Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

**spoiler alert** This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review This review may contain spoilers.

I have been patiently waiting for Victoria Lavine to gift us this story, and WOW…she absolutely delivered. Not That Kind of Proposal is witty, emotional, and unapologetically swoony in all the right ways. I could barely put it down, and I found myself laughing, crying, and downright blushing from start to finish.

Let’s talk about the setup first. Gracie, a hopelessly romantic wedding planner, is living her best life at the Rhode Island estate where she works for Agatha, an eccentric, fiercely charming woman who instantly steals your heart. Enter Jude, a cynical divorce lawyer and Agatha’s grandson, who inherits the estate and immediately throws Gracie’s future plans into chaos. A wedding planner vs. divorce lawyer creates instant tension. But Lavine’s writing goes beyond the premise—her humor, her warmth, and the tiny details in her characters’ personalities make this story come alive.

Gracie is smart, snarky, and utterly relatable—plus, her obsession with zombies is such a fun, quirky contrast to her polished, Audrey Hepburn exterior and her wedding-planner day job. What really pulled me in, though, was her relationship with her family. I could feel her heart ache as she bent over backward to make her mother’s party plans come together, always slipping into the role of “planner.” I saw so much of myself in Gracie in those moments, and it made Jude’s intervention all the more powerful. When he drew that line and said she wouldn’t be taking on more, it hit me in the chest. It was exactly the kind of gentle but firm push we sometimes need in life. As a people pleaser, sometimes we desperately need someone else to step in and draw the boundaries we’re too afraid to set ourselves. And Jude… Where do I begin? He’s charming, thoughtful, and layered, with just the right amount of emotional walls that you just know are on the verge of crumbling. Their banter is electric, the kind that makes you grin in public and want to reread every line just to savor it. Their chemistry doesn’t just sparkle—it burns, it aches, it leaves you wanting more.

Agatha stole my heart as soon as she appeared on the page, and my heart broke when her storyline took a heavier turn. Victoria handles her with such care, giving us tenderness, humor, and just the right amount of mischief. The way her memories thread through Gracie and Jude’s romance makes you feel the weight of her absence in all the right moments. I selfishly wished for even more of her, but what we get is absolute perfection. Both Gracie and Jude loved her dearly, and the reader can’t help but fall for her too.

Victoria also handles the heavier, more complex threads of this story with incredible care. Jude’s family history—his mother’s years of physical and emotional abuse, and his lifelong struggle to protect her while respecting her choices—adds real emotional weight. It’s deeply personal, shaping his pro-bono work and is even reflected in the tattoos he keeps as tributes to those cases. Gracie faces her own awakening when her best friend’s family situation mirrors similar trauma, shattering her ideas of “perfect love” and forcing her to confront the messiness of real life behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the tension around the estate—Gracie’s fight to keep it and Jude’s decision to sell it—intertwines beautifully with these stories of safety, autonomy, and healing. Lavine navigates all of this with a careful but intentional touch. The moments of humor, warmth, and love never feel diminished by the weight—they’re enhanced, making every leap Gracie and Jude take lands that much harder.

Ultimately, what continues to impress me about Victoria Lavine is her ability to blend humor, heart, and emotional resonance. You don’t just read this book—you feel it. You care about Gracie and Jude and all the messy, beautiful ways their stories intersect. It’s the kind of book that leaves you sighing, smiling, and immediately recommending it to everyone in your orbit.

Victoria, I bow down. This is of course another auto-buy for me, and I am already counting the days until the next story. Congrats on a fantastic sophomore novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Victoria Lavine for the opportunity to read Not That Kind of Proposal in exchange for an honest review.