Can Love Be 10 Years in the Making? Award-winning photographer Mason Montgomery is back in Pine Valley, Kentucky. Hopefully, for good, if his business proposal is accepted. On paper, he’s the perfect buyer for Forget-Me-Not Photography. Too bad the seller, Ol’ Man Rowe, doesn’t see it that way. He’s looking for a family man to take over, and Mason’s bachelor status doesn’t fit the bill. For shy Lily Anne Dawson, life has not turned out the way she’d hoped. Working at her mother’s bakery and editing for the local newspaper is a far cry from her journalistic dream. She’s a failure. A lonely failure worrying about infertility with no romantic prospects in sight. That all changes when a decade-old promise to marry on Valentine’s Day pushes the two together at their high school reunion. The impromptu proposal offers a solution to their problems. But marriage requires honesty—and both have secrets. Secrets that could make or break their budding love.
Though I no longer live in Kentucky, it’s always nice to go back to those beautiful rolling hills and down home hospitality on the pages of a book! Such is the case with Beth Pugh’s debut novel, The Valentine Proposal! Pine Valley is full of eccentric characters and good food, and it’s a quintessential small town – the good, the bad, and the too-much-in-your-business haha. The kind of town where high school reunions are almost sacrosanct. Each of these elements comes together to make what happens next make sense when it probably otherwise would require a hefty suspension of disbelief. The author uses the setting well to support her plot and her characters.
I also readily admit to being a sucker for engagement/marriage of convenience stories, and while The Valentine’s Proposal doesn’t purely follow that trope it’s close enough to have been decidedly on my radar. Mason and Lily Anne are sweet characters who were friends in high school. Take one small-town high school reunion, add a ‘silly’ pact these two characters made ten years ago plus one potentially life-altering event for each of them respectively, and you’ve got the perfect set-up for his spur of the moment proposal.
While this is a whirlwind relationship shift & sometimes feels like a really bad idea (lol), the author takes the necessary time in the story to grow her characters individually and together. I appreciated that they both had struggles they were dealing with, some seated deeply over the years, that needed to be addressed before their relationship could have the solid foundation it needed. Mason’s gentle mission to show Lily Anne that he can be trusted is touching and sweet – in fact, I could use those adjectives to describe the story as a whole. This pacing and tone to the story provide a pleasing juxtaposition to the impulsive engagement and fast-approaching wedding, balancing out the mood for readers and allowing us to relax into the events as they transpire.
Bottom Line: The Valentine’s Proposal is an endearing debut novel from Beth Pugh. Mason & Lily Anne’s shared past, mutual beliefs, and similar struggles make it easy at times to forget the whirlwind nature of their current relationship, a dichotomy that the author successfully uses to her advantage. While I thought some of the interactions/reactions/dialogue were a bit unnatural or needed deeper layers, I have a feeling that will improve with each new book the author writes and it likely won’t detract from your enjoyment. There are also several supporting characters who intrigued me, and I hope to see their stories soon! A great choice for fans of Candee Fick’s Wardrobe series and Ruth Logan Herne’s Wishing Bridge series.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
What a charming debut! This heartwarming story features an intriguing premise, a relatable heroine, and a sweet romance. I appreciated the beautifully expressed theme—that the second chance God blesses us with may not unfold the way we expect, but in a manner we need the most. The Valentine Proposal is sure to delight!
This was a fun debut novel! I liked these two characters, especially Mason. I struggled a bit with how tense Lily Anne was and with her perfectionist tendencies, yet I still liked her, too. I enjoyed seeing her through Mason’s eyes, both as he saw her in the past and the way he could see through the things of the surface now. His dedication to Lily Anne and to helping the two of them grow closer to each other as their wedding approached was so sweet.
Mason and Lily Anne worked hard to get to know each other again and they were definitely dedicated to making their marriage work. Yet, they still had some bumps along the way. They were both so nervous to mess up what seemed to be going right, they ended up hiding things from each other that would then become big problems in the future. It added good tension to the story, though, and did open the characters’ eyes to the importance of honesty in their relationship.
I liked the introduction to this fictional town and various side characters. I look forward to returning here in future books.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
What a beautiful read. I loved everything about this story. Mason and Lily Anne are such beautiful people (characters.) The author gave me a copy to read and I feel blessed to have been able to read this book before it came out. I will definitely read more by this author. I love her style and the wholesome feeling of the book. The author brings you back to God and reminds you He's always there for you. (Whether that was her intention or not... I found the hidden gem while reading.) If you haven't read anything by this author I would definitely give her a chance.
**I was gifted an ARC by the author. All opinions are my own.**
Let me just start this off by saying that this is the first christian romance book I’ve ever read. With that being said, I LOVED it. The main characters’ chemistry was amazing from the start.
This book will make you fall in love with their love story from page 1, which is one of the most important qualities of a good romance book!
The Valentine Proposal is Beth Pugh’s debut novel and was so good! Set in small town Kentucky, everyone knows each other and the feeling of belonging was appealing to me. I felt like I could stop by The B & B Inn for a chat or the bakery for a treat. Having that kind of community helped Mason and Lily Anne in their courtship to help them see that love is worth the risk. I especially liked the pastor's counseling sessions and homework.
Mason Montgomery was my favorite character. He’d been quite the jokester in high school and coming back home after ten years was a challenge to prove he’d changed. His patience, steadfastness, and love for Lily Anne was beautiful to see.
Lily Anne was someone who I think everyone can relate to. She's been hurt, is lonely, and is a bit fearful to love. I understood how she was hesitant to commit to Mason, but someone gave her a piece of advice that I wholeheartedly with. “Maybe it’s time you start letting your heart do the thinking for you and give your brain a rest.”
I loved the sweet romance of marriage of convenience, friends-to-more story of Mason and Lily Anne. The encouraging and uplifting faith element interwoven throughout the story was just right. I hope there will be more stories about the people of Pine Valley.
Thank you to the publisher and author for an electronic advance reader copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
A sweet romance! I loved it! Mason was able to reconnect with his true love from the past. Lily had to discover what her true feelings were & make peace with some things in her past. They had obstacles to conquer & you weren’t sure they would succeed. Kept you reading!
This was such a fun debut! I loved these characters right from the beginning. They were three-dimensional, well fleshed out.
Even with this whirl-wind romance that seems like a really bad idea at first and maybe even throughout...haha...Ms. Pugh paces the story ideally showing their struggles both individually and together; revealing that this may not be such a bad idea.
The supporting characters were just as fun as Mason and Lily Anne and I hope to see more of them soon.
The theme that Ms. Pugh weaves throughout the book is one of forgiveness and second chances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more books by Beth Pugh.
Readers who enjoy Besty St. Amant, Becky Wade, and Courtney Walsh.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a review.
After not seeing each other for 10 years, photographer Mason Montgomery proposes to sweet writer/cafe worker Lily Anne Dawson at their high school reunion. He’s acting on a pact they made a decade ago. Mason and Lily Anne both have secrets and insecurities. Can the Lord help each of them to be truly open and honest with one another, overcoming their fears and insecurities to let the love they have for each other truly shine through? It’s well worth finding out in this upcoming love story from Beth Pugh! I was gifted an ARC of this book. My review is my own opinion.
I am so proud of my friend for writing her first book! She did an amazing job!!!
These characters felt so real to me. I loved Lily Anne and Mason's story. Mason was such a sweetheart. And I felt like Lily Anne and I could've been best friends. I also felt like I was back home in eastern Kentucky, which I loved.
If you like to read clean, sweet romances, then this is the story for you!
Mason and Lily Anne's story is so sweet, and a true testament about couples learning to trust each other. Feeling rejection from her father at a young age, Lily Anne is constantly second guessing herself, Mason, and Mason's feelings for her. At the same time, Mason is trying to make his dream of owning their small towns photography business and having no luck. After reuniting at their high school reunion, Mason makes good on a proposal pact they made 10 years ago, and Lilly Anne accepts. Though they both come into the relationship with their own agenda, they end up exactly where God intended for them to be. After they are both hurt from misunderstandings and past grievances, Mason and Lily Anne learn to forgive and to communicate with each other.
This book was such a great read, and I enjoyed reading it during any free time I had. This is a great debut novel and I can't wait to read the next in the series!
Thank you to the Author for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was given the opportunity to be an early reader for Beth Pugh’s debut novel, The Valentine Proposal, and I enjoyed it very much!
Photographer Mason Montgomery and journalist Lily Anne Dawson were friends in high school when they worked on the paper together. Mason was the spontaneous class clown while Lily Anne was the ever-serious, ultra-organized introvert. But they were drawn together as friends despite all that, with Lily Anne never realizing that Mason’s crush on her ran far deeper than she ever could have imagined, and that his hair-brained vow placed in the reunion time capsule to marry her on Valentine’s Day if they were unattached in 10 years was made by a boy who loved her even then.
In the years since, Mason has become a well-known and established photographer. Lily Anne, however, only sees failure in her life. Let go from a downsizing paper, still single, moving back home and facing an imposing diagnosis, she’s not sure what to think when the time capsule is opened and she finds herself facing a kneeling Mason holding a makeshift ring.
Mason wants nothing more than to take over the photography studio in his hometown. Okay, that’s not entirely true- his high school crush on Lily Anne is still very much alive and if he could ever gain the courage to tell her, that would be what he would want the most. When reminded of the old vow at their reunion, Mason can only think of what an opportunity he’s been given to make every last one of his dreams come true. He’s floored when he hears her agree.
In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, Mason and Lily Anne are going to have to unpack a whole lot together… from their deepest fears and insecurities to their most cherished dreams. Do they have too much to overcome or will their pursuit of love drive out the fear threatening to keep them apart?
Beth Pugh throws a lot of “stuff” at Mason and Lily Anne in this book’s pages. But the process is an enjoyable, emotional ride on the way to happily ever after. Both characters are dealing with pasts littered with misunderstanding and insecurity. Lily Anne deals with terrible anxiety and self-imposed stress, brought on by family trauma and pursuit of perfection. Mason has had his character unfairly besmirched and struggles with letting people see who he really is beneath his old class clown facade. But together they bring out the best in each other. I enjoyed the evolution in their relationship, how they worked on it, and the highs and lows that bring about a hard-fought happy ending.
If you like friends-to-more or marriage of convenience tropes or small town romances, you’ll enjoy The Valentine Proposal. I read this story quickly and enjoyed my time in it. The characters felt especially genuine, even as I did sometimes feel like the plot veered occasionally to the edge of believability. I felt like Mason and Lily Anne’s families should have been a little more reactive to the whole wedding announcement and reluctant to hop on board! However, this didn’t dim my enjoyment!
I also need to say that Beth writes with Kentucky in her voice, and it came through in an enjoyable and authentic way. You won’t regret giving The Valentine Proposal a try. I look forward to additional stories in this series with anticipation.
I was given an ARC copy of this book from the author and was not required to give a positive review.
This book is for anyone who enjoys a Hallmark movie type romance. Its a fun, light read that has an overarching faith thread, but not in a heavy-handed way, and also has fun romantic elements in it as well. Its almost like a cozy romantic book much like a cozy mystery, fun and light without all the drama where you know it will all work out in the end. There were a few times in the book that I felt like situations were forced or where it didn't flow as well as I would have preferred, but that being said this is a very enjoyable debut by this author. I look forward to more books from her in the future.
I truly loved the story. I got sucked into it in the first few chapters because of the dynamic dialogue and the pacing. As the story progressed, I enjoyed the romance, of course, but I also loved the loving relationship between Mason and his brother.
The Valentine Proposal is the first book in Beth Pugh’s new Pine Valley Holiday sweet romance series.
I had the opportunity to read an early copy of The Valentine Proposal and loved it right from the start. The characters are fantastic and I was rooting for them to find their happily ever after. I also love that this story takes place around Valentine’s Day.
If you love sweet, contemporary romance, especially reunion romances, then grab a copy of The Valentine Proposal. I can’t wait to return to Pine Valley for The Santa Run releasing later this year!
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Iron Stream Media, then purchased a copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
Beth Pugh’s debut novel, The Valentine Proposal, is a sweet story about two people for whom life hasn’t turned out the way they had hoped (can anyone relate?). Lily Anne feels like a failure in every area of her life, and all Mason wants is to return to his hometown, plug into the community with his photography career, and reconnect with the girl he’s always loved. Then, a decade-old promise to marry on Valentine’s Day pushes the two together at their high school reunion. It took a little while for me to get invested in these characters, but they were well developed, and their dialogue was natural. Soon I was rooting for their happily-ever-after and enjoying the roller coaster ride as they dodged various roadblocks.
I was intrigued when early in the story, it was revealed that both Lily Anne and Mason had made a purity pledge in high school. I was hoping it would be developed into a major theme and was a little disappointed when it was not. Today’s teens need to hear the message of staying pure for marriage more than ever.
When Mason brought up going ring shopping, I looked forward to experiencing that in real time, getting into their heads and discovering what they were thinking and feeling, but it was told rather than shown. The ring was unique and special, and I was looking for the back story.
The Valentine Proposal is a great introduction to Pine Valley, and Pugh has set things up well for future books in the charming small town, which is a successful trope in inspirational fiction. Devoted readers of the genre will enjoy this story.
This book was provided courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews.
I won an ARC of this book. I am under no obligation to write a review. While I prefer historical settings over modern ones, I just want to say that I enjoyed reading this book. The concept was so much fun and the writing was real good. I loved the ending!
The Valentine Proposal has such a cute premise!! A promise made at the end of high school, which was thought a joke by Lilly Anne, couldn’t be more real to Mason, which is why he proposes at their ten year high school reunion. It’s this moment that begins a quick engagement that also reveals deep insecurities and secrets that threaten to end this budding romance before it’s really begun.
Everyone in their families freak out when they announce their plans. I have to admit that it is pretty crazy, but it’s also so incredibly romantic. Who doesn’t love a whirlwind romance?!
One aspect of Lily that I loved was how shy and insecure she is. So many of the books I’ve read lately have strong, outspoken heroines, which I appreciate, but seeing someone that doesn’t love the spotlight, and struggles with self-esteem issues, is a gal I can really relate to. When it comes to her deep-seated insecurities Mason is a total sweetheart, and does everything he can to boost her confidence, and to show her how he really feels. Talk about swoon!!
This was a quick and fun read, and a great weekend escape, with realistic characters, and a charming premise. It felt good to see those of us that struggle with anxiety and self-esteem to be represented on the page. For a debut novel the writing’s not bad, and I appreciated the slow burn of a budding romance and the touch of faith that was shared between the pair. Very cute!
After not seeing each other for 10 years, Mason proposed to Lily at their high school reunion. It seems improbable, but as I read more about them, it seemed right. I enjoyed their progressing relationship as they plan the wedding. A sweet and fun romance.
This is one of the best books I've read this year! It's well written and holds your attention from the first page until the last. It's a fun clean romance that was an absolute joy to read. I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am always anxious to read a new-to-me author, and the storyline and characters in this story were both charming and entertaining. Imagine having a promise you made in high school read aloud at your ten-year reunion. This is where Lily Anne Dawson and Mason Montgomery find themselves. “If in ten years we are both unattached we will get hitched on Valentine’s Day.” Where does this agreement take them? A definite must-read to reveal all the secrets! I received a copy from the author. The opinions are my own.
This book was a long awaited release for me. It definitely didn't disappoint. Be warned that it is a Religious romance, think along the lines of a Mills and Boon sweet romance with Religious additions and add in the fact that they went to school together and one had an unknown crush on the other for 10 years
The story was so raw and emotional and the characters so easy to relate to. Two strong people who are so used to doing it on their own find that they need a partner in crime, so to speak. Lots of inner self discovery and emotions on the sleeve. Realising the people they are is different to the people they were and that they might just make a damn powerful team.
I can't wait to see what the rest of the characters become in upcoming books
Mason Montgomery proposes to Lily Anne Dawson at their 10 year high school reunion. They made a pact 10 years ago if they were both unattached then they would get married on Valentine’s Day. Lily Anne says yes. They have 6 weeks to plan their wedding. Can they actually make it to the altar? It was such a joy to read about their love story. I was brought to tears a time or two. It’s so much more than just a romance. It’s a story about what it means to really love someone. A story about forgiveness. The Valentine Proposal will definitely set your mood for Valentine’s Day.