They Ain't Proper

Table of Contents Cover Synopsis Bella Books Social Media Praise for the works of M.B. Guel Other Bella Books by M.B. Guel About the Author Title Page Copyright Acknowledgments Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Bella Books Synopsis 1880s, The Wild West. An easy, solitary life on the outskirts of Ghosthallow is all Lou Ramirez wants. They want to buy some house plans, build a home, and live their quiet life far from townsfolk’s prying eyes. But somehow instead of house plans, a housewife is delivered to their door. Clementine Castellanos desperately needs a way out from under her family debt, and it seems as though selling her services as a wife is the only way to do it. Expecting a rough, harsh man to be her new husband, Clementine is pleasantly surprised to instead be dropped off at the ranch of an equally surprised Lou. Lou would rather Clementine leave them to their lonely existence, but Clementine is too charmed by the quiet and mysterious rancher to give up. She may have come into Lou’s life easily, but she certainly isn’t planning to leave that way. Undeterred by Lou’s prickly demeanor, Clementine is determined to get her reluctant spouse to open up to her. When the past comes back to haunt the pair, the fight for their independence—and their love—may become more deadly than either of them ever expected. www.BellaBooks.com When you shop at Bella, more of your dollars reach the women who write and produce the books you love. Thanks from all of the authors & staff at Bella! Blog: Bella Media Channel Facebook: BellaBooks Twitter: @bellabooks Instagram: TheBellaBooks Praise for the works of M.B. Guel Queerleaders As Mack interacts with a variety of people, the reader does as well, and Queerleaders challenges us to rethink our own assumptions about cheerleaders and queer people and parents and football players, and to pay attention to their feelings and admit that everybody’s feelings are complex and important. The writing is also very clever and I found myself highlighting passages as often as I was smiling or laughing. I can’t think of a book I’ve had more fun reading in a while… -Smart Bitches Trashy Books This is a fun, easy, and entirely charming read. Guel manages to create a story that is captivating, relatable, and reminiscent of the movies in which the underdog wins. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel, it’s just so good. I cannot recommend this one enough. -The Lesbian Review This story dealt with a variety of topics. It was about having that fearful conversation with parents about being gay…not knowing if they will face acceptance or rejection. But it also was about strong supportive friendships and experiencing that first special kiss and first girlfriend. The author actually took the reader through a gamut of emotions from start to finish. There were some laugh out loud scenes as well as heartwarming ones. It was an extremely well written, engaging, and entertaining read. -R. Swier, NetGalley This is absolutely, one-hundred percent the queer teen book I wish I had when I was a teen. Mack and Lila are so fun and hilarious and you can feel how great their friendship is from the first page. When Mack attempts to woo all the girls on the cheerleading team, the book breaks into hilarious teen antics and I loved every second of it. I highly recommend this sweet, funny book. -Kate C., NetGalley Other Bella Books by M.B. Guel Queerleaders Internet Famous About the Author M.B. (they/them) is an author of a couple of novels and several mediocre jokes. Their debut novel, Queerleaders (2021 ALA Rainbow List; GCLS 2021 Goldie Award finalist), was published with Bella Books in 2020. Ninety-nine percent of readers said it wasn’t the worst thing to happen in 2020. They grew up between South Central LA and the high desert, and spent the long car rides back and forth writing stories about their dogs, and queer fan fiction. They still live in Los Angeles with their partner, writing queer fiction and making bad crafts. They also will tell you too much about how to embalm a body, dog breeds, Lizzie Borden and how Jennifer’s Body deserved better, if you ask. Copyright © 2023 by M.B. Guel Bella Books, Inc. P.O. Box 10543 Tallahassee, FL 32302 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance Acknowledgments Thank you to every single person who supported me while I was writing this. I couldn’t have done this without the immense support I have behind me. Though the ones I have to name by name are the animals who did everything they could to make my life hard while writing this. Sitting on my laptop? Done. Ripping out my power cord? Just another Tuesday. Super special thank you to Taffita Sprinks, Minner Winner Chicken