The decent proposal: a novel

*Starred Review* Donovan's delightful debut explores the plight of two strangers brought together by an unusual proposition. When a lawyer brings gorgeous 29-year-old film producer Richard and 33-year-old lawyer Elizabeth together to tell them they'll each get $500,000 if they agree to get together once a week for a year, they're completely taken aback. Party-boy Richard and super-serious Elizabeth couldn't be more different, and although they can't figure out the connection between them or who their mysterious benefactor might be, they agree to the proposal. At first, their meet ups are awkward and stilted until they decide to share and discuss their favorite books and movies. As the year goes on, Richard and Elizabeth start to become more involved in each other's lives, much to the chagrin of Richard's best friend, Mike, who has fallen hard for him and takes it upon herself to seek out the person who brought them together. Peopled by appealing characters and filled with lush descriptions of the diverse L.A. landscape, Donovan's winning first novel offers up a page-turning tale brimming with heart.--Huntley, Kristine Copyright 2016 Booklist

In Donovan's hesitant first novel, an anonymous donor offers two young strangers $500,000 dollars each if they agree to meet once a week for two hours over the course of a year. Richard is a wannabe movie producer and Elizabeth is an associate on the partner track of a tony L.A. law firm. The author emphasizes their contrasts: Richard is a cool, lean film fanatic who binge drinks and Elizabeth is a smart, no-nonsense, full-figured teetotaler who would rather read a book than socialize. Donovan provides backstory of Richard's "best bud" Michaela, who secretly pines for him; Orpheus Washington, a homeless man whom Elizabeth has taken under her wing; and the eccentric anonymous benefactor. The contrived secret connection between Richard and Elizabeth, on top of a somewhat preachy side plot, results in a narrative that never fully gets off the ground. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Richard Baumbach and Elizabeth Santiago have never met, yet a mysterious benefactor offers them each $500,000 to spend a minimum of two hours a week together for a year. Superconservative -Elizabeth, known around her law firm as "La Máquina" (the Machine) for her work ethic and billable hours, is skeptical to say the least. She has issues owing to a "rough patch" years ago that she won't discuss. Ladies' man Richard sees nothing wrong with the plan; he could use the money to help launch his L.A. production company. Eventually, they are both on board but wonder how they will fill those two weekly hours over 52 weeks. Not so thrilled is Mike -(Michaela) Kim, Richard's college girlfriend who broke up with him right before graduation but is now also in Los Angeles and is Richard's best bud (to her regret). And who is the secret philanthropist who set it all in motion? VERDICT Debut author Donovan takes what might have been a derivative tale and colors it with poignancy and self-discovery. Readers will likely forgive the too-easy denouement after appreciating the artful and arresting writing. For most readers of contemporary fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 10/26/15.]-Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Boy meets girlfor big bucksin this high-concept Los Angeles rom-com. "One of my clients is offering you five hundred thousand dollars each, if you'll agree to spend some time together. At least once a week for two continuous hours, for one full calendar year." This eponymous "decent proposal" is delivered by lawyer Jonathan Hertzfeld to two complete strangers he has called to his office. At 29, Richard Baumbach is a lovable, superhunky bro type, a wannabe movie producer, the kind of guy who crawls out of bed hung over from clubbing at 12:45 p.m. on a weekday. Voluptuous, uptight loner Elizabeth Santiago, known as "La Mquina" in her own law office due to her relentless productivity, has enough sobriety and maturity for a small village. But with that payoff dangling in front of them, the patently incompatible couple puts their differences aside and buckles down to the task of weekly socializing. Fortunately, there are a few things they both like, among them the In-N-Out Burger stand, one of many vivid LA settings in this trendy, lightweight beach read. Amid the texting and the pop music, Richard and Elizabeth form a book and movie club, inviting everyone from Harold and Maude and Miss Daisy to Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Ivanhoe, and Jane Eyre into the sometimes comically aspirational narrative. Donovan's debut novel is as goofy and good-natured as its male lead, faltering only when it tries to be superserious and psychological. There's a homeless character named Orpheus Washington who is about as realistic as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and the long-awaited, somewhat poorly orchestrated reveal at the end is delivered in an awkward clump and followed by a silly coda. A Labrador retriever of a bookyou'll find yourself smiling even when it knocks over the furniture and drools on your leg. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

*Starred Review* Donovan's delightful debut explores the plight of two strangers brought together by an unusual proposition. When a lawyer brings gorgeous 29-year-old film producer Richard and 33-year-old lawyer Elizabeth together to tell them they'll each get $500,000 if they agree to get together once a week for a year, they're completely taken aback. Party-boy Richard and super-serious Elizabeth couldn't be more different, and although they can't figure out the connection between them or who their mysterious benefactor might be, they agree to the proposal. At first, their meet ups are awkward and stilted until they decide to share and discuss their favorite books and movies. As the year goes on, Richard and Elizabeth start to become more involved in each other's lives, much to the chagrin of Richard's best friend, Mike, who has fallen hard for him and takes it upon herself to seek out the person who brought them together. Peopled by appealing characters and filled with lush descriptions of the diverse L.A. landscape, Donovan's winning first novel offers up a page-turning tale brimming with heart. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

An anonymous benefactor promises 29-year-old wannabe Hollywood producer Richard Baumbach and 33-year-old high-powered lawyer Elizabeth Santiago that they can split a million dollars if they agree to spend at least two hours together each week for a year, just talking. With a 100,000-copy first printing.

Richard Baumbach and Elizabeth Santiago have never met, yet a mysterious benefactor offers them each $500,000 to spend a minimum of two hours a week together for a year. Superconservative Elizabeth, known around her law firm as "La Máquina" (the Machine) for her work ethic and billable hours, is skeptical to say the least. She has issues owing to a "rough patch" years ago that she won't discuss. Ladies' man Richard sees nothing wrong with the plan; he could use the money to help launch his L.A. production company. Eventually, they are both on board but wonder how they will fill those two weekly hours over 52 weeks. Not so thrilled is Mike (Michaela) Kim, Richard's college girlfriend who broke up with him right before graduation but is now also in Los Angeles and is Richard's best bud (to her regret). And who is the secret philanthropist who set it all in motion? VERDICT Debut author Donovan takes what might have been a derivative tale and colors it with poignancy and self-discovery. Readers will likely forgive the too-easy denouement after appreciating the artful and arresting writing. For most readers of contemporary fiction. [See Prepub Alert, 10/26/15.]—Bette-Lee Fox, Library Journal

In Donovan's hesitant first novel, an anonymous donor offers two young strangers $500,000 dollars each if they agree to meet once a week for two hours over the course of a year. Richard is a wannabe movie producer and Elizabeth is an associate on the partner track of a tony L.A. law firm. The author emphasizes their contrasts: Richard is a cool, lean film fanatic who binge drinks and Elizabeth is a smart, no-nonsense, full-figured teetotaler who would rather read a book than socialize. Donovan provides backstory of Richard's "best bud" Michaela, who secretly pines for him; Orpheus Washington, a homeless man whom Elizabeth has taken under her wing; and the eccentric anonymous benefactor. The contrived secret connection between Richard and Elizabeth, on top of a somewhat preachy side plot, results in a narrative that never fully gets off the ground. (Apr.)