This type of book is not a typical romance. For one, it’s not a straightforward romance novel, but neither is it quite chick lit or straight fiction. Another unique quality? It’s written by a man. That alone will make many women curious. But this book is good in its own right – it’s clever, sweet, funny, and heartwarming.

Henry and Layla have been dating for six years. He thinks everything’s perfect; she is waiting for something. Specifically, a proposal. The week before their best friends’ wedding, she sits Henry down with an ultimatum: He must ask her to marry him by the time the bride throws the bouquet or she walks.

As women are told, men don’t like ultimatums. So Henry, with one week to make the biggest decision of his life, gets some advice from some a variety of sources – a five-time divorcee, his childlike best friend, his potential father-in-law, and his love-scorned brother. Layla, in the mean time, is given advice by her contradictory friends, her mother, and her cold, distant boss. But just when Henry makes his decision, something happens that might change his mind – and his life – forever.

This book put a genuine smile on my face. The ending is perfect, in my opinion. It gets where the reader wants it to go, with some trips and side roads along the way. It’s sweet without being too sappy, and just makes the reader feel good.

The characters are all developed, realistic, and relatable. They have flaws and quirks and weaknesses, and they make mistakes. But they’re lovable nonetheless. And this goes for the minor characters as well; they are all fully fleshed out, and that just adds to the enjoyment. The fact that the majority of this book is in the hero’s head and that the book is written by a male, gives it a ring of authenticity that is sometimes a bit muffled in books written by women. Layla is still a believable character as well.

This was a great book, a good story, and a wonderful read. I enjoyed every page of it, and I am very much looking forward to reading Graziano’s previous novel – and hope for more in the future.