I grew up reading series books and I enjoy the shorter length especially when I don’t have a lot of time to read, so I had high hopes for The Pretend Proposal. The timeworn plot and characterization is juxtaposed against the author’s tangible concern for adults unable to read. Ms. Braun has worked on fundraisers for literacy programs, and her enthusiasm and concern for adults faced with this problem shines through the story.

Thomas Waverly lied to his grandmother. Of course he had a good reason. Nana Jo was convinced that she was not long for this world despite a good bill of health from her physician. Over and over, she told Thomas she just wanted to see him settled before she died. So he fibbed just a little and made up Beth. But of course now Nana Jo is insistent on meeting lovely, wonderful, perfect Beth. So he needs to come up with a pretend fiancée but the arm candy he normally dates won’t fool Nana Joe for a moment. But the moment he meets he meets cute, petite Elizabeth Morris he finds himself checking out her ring finger.

Elizabeth Morris is out pounding the pavement, making cold calls on businesses hoping for donations to Literacy Liaisons, the nonprofit organization she started right after she graduated from college. Not her favorite way to raise money, but with the cuts in government funding she will do whatever it takes to keep her organization solvent. Teaching adults has become a cause close to her heart, because her brother slipped through the cracks in the education system, reaching adulthood unable to read. Appalled at his decision to drop out of school she didn’t hold back on some home truths ultimately driving him away. Now she can only hope that somewhere an organization like hers will help her brother out of a life of dead-end jobs.

She finds Thomas extremely attractive – what woman wouldn’t? However, she knows that she doesn’t have the level of sophistication that men like him look for in a woman. For that reason, she is surprised when she receives a call from asking her to dinner to discuss a unique proposal.

Thomas doesn’t put any strings on his company’s donation but holds out a very appealing carrot for his personal one. With the ground rules firmly in place – no outright lying to his Nana Jo, Elizabeth agrees to his terms. When they role play their parts both are surprised at the eruption of sexual attraction. Now they have to keep it from burning out of control.

Thomas’ childhood trauma of losing his mother, and then his father’s descent into alcoholism has put him off love. Still, he enjoys the company of gorgeous woman until they start to get serious – usually around the three month mark – then he ends the relationship. Elizabeth is confident and assured in business but in her personal life she lacking in confidence, underestimating her appeal to the opposite sex. Nana Jo is a cunning lady, not afraid to give her grandson a nudge in the right direction even if she has to act the hypochondriac. All in all, a fairly typical pretend love interest story.

Interspersed within the story are the hero’s thoughts of how different and unique the heroine is compared to other women he has dated. However, the heroine doesn’t see herself as anything special and this repetition brought me out of the story. The heroine is almost too self-effacing, especially considering her accomplishments. Perhaps readers who enjoy overly humble heroines will enjoy this book more than I did.

This is a sweet story about a great cause but with it being so predictable, I found it easy to put down. I look forward to a story where Ms. Braun breaks out of the mold.