Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper Narrator: Amanda Ronconi
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on April 8, 2025
Genres: Mystery
Length: 11 hours, 47 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Jessamine Bricker loves a plan. Contingency plans and pros-and-cons lists are her love language, and because of that, her proposal planning business is thriving. But with rent costs rising at her office building, Jess jumps at the chance to plan a proposal between her snobby high school classmate, Diana, and her very wealthy boyfriend, Trenton Tillard…the Fourth.
Roped into joining Diana’s ”pre-bridal” retreat at the exclusive Golden Ash resort, Jess hopes to fade into the background, get some work done, and maybe find some time to unwind. Their first day is anything but Diana is furious about the mountain spa’s lack of cell phone reception, the couple next door argues constantly, and Jess swears she just saw a drug deal go down. To top it all off, she’s warned to stay out of the woods by the gruff and sexy chef, Dean Osbourne. Is this a retreat or a horror movie?
As Jess tries to do her job while placating the bride-to-be and her increasingly over-the-top demands, she spends more and more time with the resort owners, finding herself much more in tune with the laid-back Osbourne family than her social climbing “boss.” Between a meditation garden-related drowning and Jess’s discovery of a body in a sauna, it's clear that deadly secrets abound at the Golden Ash. Now it’s up to Jess to unravel the mysteries here in the mountains—before all her plans are cancelled…permanently.
My current favorite genre is mysteries. I’ve always enjoyed this author and narrator so I was happy to try them in a new genre for them.  The start was a bit slow since some of the characters were over the top clichĂ© which, honestly, I accept more easily in paranormal romance than I do in contemporary romantic mystery. The main character, Jess, was a nice person in a tough spot most of the time.
I enjoyed how creative Jess was in her business and her strong family relationships. Dean, as the chef at the resort was obviously going to be of interest because I’m always interested in food.  I loved the way they teased each other. Dean’s various family relations who owned and ran the resort were an amazing group and a bit of a found family for Jess.
At least when the dead bodies started showing up, they were people I was happy to see dead. Unfortunately, Jess knew too much and got on the killer’s list. In the end, Jess figured out everything and her efforts to help were successful.
Narration:
Amanda Ronconi has steadily brought this author’s works to life. I enjoyed her voices, well suited to the lively banter and the crazy entitled characters. I listened comfortably at 1.7x speed.
Listen to a clip:Â Â HERE
About Amanda Ronconi
Amanda is an actress and narrator who divides her time between New York City and Upstate New York. She has a BFA from NYU where she studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory. She has performed in theaters around New York City and regionally at The Alley, Capital Rep and many productions at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Her Off-Broadway solo comedy, Shirley at the Tropicana, received critical acclaim and was subsequently featured in The New York Times. Film and TV credits include Daydream Believer (Slamdance 2001’s Best Dramatic Feature winner), The Understudy, Deadly Sins (ID Discovery), IFC’s Get Hit and Chasing Paradise. National network and regional commercials include Chase Bank, Sony and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Her voiceover work encompasses nearly 100 audiobooks available on Audible.com. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity.
Amanda’s new solo show, Kempner, will debut in 2016.
About Molly Harper
Molly Harper worked for six years as a reporter and humor columnist for The Paducah Sun. Her reporting duties included covering courts, school board meetings, quilt shows, and once, the arrest of a Florida man who faked his suicide by shark attack and spent the next few months tossing pies at a local pizzeria. Molly lives in western Kentucky with her family.
She has written many great series including Jane Jameson, Naked Werewolves, Half-Moon Hollow, Sorcery & Society, Mystic Bayou, Bluegrass and Southern Eclectic.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
I’m not used to seeing Harper writing mysteries! Thanks for featuring, Anne💜
It’s new for her. She still brings the wacky as she does to PNR and romance. This has a romance in addition to the mystery.
I’m about to start this one and am so glad to see how much you enjoyed it. I love what I’ve read from Molly Harper and mysteries are really my genre – especially at the moment.
yes this one has her usual wacky characters and there is a romance in addition to the mystery.
It’s always nice when the people dying aren’t ones you are sad about in mysteries. LOL This does sound like a great read. I will add it to my wish list.
I agree with you that I can accept some of the over-the-top and silly behavior in her paranormal stories, but it was harder in this one. I did enjoy the romance and the mystery. My biggest issue was the non-stop mean-girl and abusive behavior from the women. Nice review!