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The Decent Proposal: A Novel Audiobook
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An addictively readable debut romantic comedy, drama, and mystery rolled into one, about two very different strangers whose lives become intertwined when they receive an unusual proposition. This is a funny, tender, and enchanting story about love, attraction, and friendship: Jane Austen in Los Angeles.
A struggling Hollywood producer, Richard Baumbach is twenty-nine, hung-over, and broke. Ridiculously handsome with an innate charm and an air of invincibility, he still believes good things will come his way. For now he contents himself with days at the Coffee Bean and nights with his best friend Mike (that’s a woman, by the way).
At thirty-three, Elizabeth Santiago is on track to make partner at her law firm. Known as “La Máquina” The Machine—to her colleagues, she’s grown used to avoiding anything that might derail her quiet, orderly life. And yet recently she befriended a homeless man in her Venice neighborhood, surprised to find how much she enjoys their early-morning chats.
Richard and Elizabeth’s paths collide when they receive a proposal from a mysterious, anonymous benefactor. They’ll split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together—just talking—every week for a year. Astonished and more than a little suspicious, they each nevertheless say yes. Richard needs the money and likes the adventure of it. Elizabeth embraces the challenge of shaking up her life a little more. Both agree the idea is ridiculous, but why not?
What ensues is a delightful journey full of twists, revelations, hamburgers, classic literature, poppy music, and above all love, in its multitude of forms. The Decent Proposal is a heartfelt and often hilarious look at the ties that bind not just a guy and a girl but an entire, diverse cast of characters situated within a modern-day Los Angeles brought to full and irrepressible life.
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“Delightful…Peopled by appealing characters and filled with lush descriptions of the diverse LA landscape, Donovan’s winning first novel offers up a page-turning tale brimming with heart.”
— Booklist (starred review)
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“A sweet and slyly charming love story…a wise and witty—and well-written—romantic comedy that is filled with heart.”
— Examiner (UK) -
“A romantic tale with a heart and a brain—and a mystery that will keep you turning the pages.”
— W Magazine -
“[An] opposites-attract love story where emotional stakes deepen as the story unfolds…Snappy dialogue and well-drawn characterizations…infuse a clever plot filled with surprising twists.”
— Shelf Awareness -
“Donovan takes what might have been a derivative tale and colors it with poignancy and self-discovery…Artful and arresting.”
— Library Journal -
“Michael Bakkensen narrates…in a precise voice…[and] adds some emotional nuances and snarky intonation when describing relationships and reciting music lyrics.”
— AudioFile -
“This book is both a moving love letter to Los Angeles and a thoughtful rumination on what people can mean to one another.”
— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Maybe in Another Life -
“A sharp, wise, and hilarious novel. Think Entourage meets Tom Wolfe with a touch of Indecent Proposal.”
— Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza, authors of The Knockoff -
“This character-rich, breakout novel will make your heart burst with love.”
— Claire Bidwell Smith, author of The Rules of Inheritance
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About Kemper Donovan
Kemper Donovan has lived in Southern California for a dozen years. He attended Stanford University, and then went to law school because like many undergrads, he had no idea what he wanted to do. After graduating from Harvard Law, he ruined an entire summer by studying for the New York Bar, passing, and not practicing a day of his life. He worked for ten years at the literary management company Circle of Confusion in Los Angeles representing screenwriters and comic books. His first client wrote the feature film Hanna, released by Focus Features. He is now a full-time writer.
About Michael Bakkensen
Michael Bakkensen is an actor who has appeared on many stages both on and off Broadway and has guest starred on several television shows. He earned an MFA in acting from the University of California–San Diego.