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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was going to start this review by saying that I had. It realized that this was the third book in a series and I had not read the others but it was still a great stand alone. That was until I came to review it and same the subtitle here on Goodreads that indicated it was number 3.
I went to see what the others were called and folks ravers about them. Some didn’t like this one as much as the first two and others realized that this was great but not until the last 20% of the book. So I looked up the author on NetGalley and realized that I had indeed read book two “Switched” and it all
Came together!
I want to thank NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. I seem to be a bit different than others in that I liked this book much better than Switched. I have not read book 1 called Ghosted nor did I realize back when I read Switched that it was a sequel. So I guess I’m going to go back to the beginning after this.
Anyway, this was such an interesting concept. Like other the first part of the book didn’t exactly grab me but the last 30% made it so worth it! I do think that not remembering book 2 helped as I had no preconceived standards for the characters. Apparently this story takes place before book 1 so it’s fitting.
The audio reader was delightful to listen to. She added to the story without going overboard. I enjoyed how she did the different voices, especially the male voices.
So if you’re looking for a different concept for a romance that’s well written and fully of imagery, this is the book for you!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
I went to see what the others were called and folks ravers about them. Some didn’t like this one as much as the first two and others realized that this was great but not until the last 20% of the book. So I looked up the author on NetGalley and realized that I had indeed read book two “Switched” and it all
Came together!
I want to thank NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. I seem to be a bit different than others in that I liked this book much better than Switched. I have not read book 1 called Ghosted nor did I realize back when I read Switched that it was a sequel. So I guess I’m going to go back to the beginning after this.
Anyway, this was such an interesting concept. Like other the first part of the book didn’t exactly grab me but the last 30% made it so worth it! I do think that not remembering book 2 helped as I had no preconceived standards for the characters. Apparently this story takes place before book 1 so it’s fitting.
The audio reader was delightful to listen to. She added to the story without going overboard. I enjoyed how she did the different voices, especially the male voices.
So if you’re looking for a different concept for a romance that’s well written and fully of imagery, this is the book for you!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What an interesting read! This was my first introduction to Sarah Ready’s writing and I was not disappointed. Fated is the 3rd book in the Ghosted series, and even though I did not read the first 2 books, I enjoyed this book as a standalone novel. The premise is that Fiona (FMC) is living a very busy life, focusing on the family business and her daughter, all while keeping her dreams on the back burner. That all changes when she is given a family heirloom which she was told would let her dream her greatest desires. What she experiences in her dreams changes how she lives her reality. As the story is told, we bounce between current reality, her dreams, and the past to learn more about her and her loved ones’ life experiences. I actually really enjoyed this back and forth between her reality and her dreams and seeing the contrast in those two worlds well as the journey across time. I could feel all the emotions that were being experienced; fear, struggle, excitement, heartbreak, hope, sorrow, love… Without giving spoilers, the ending was NOT what I expected but it was so good! Overall, the book was full of descriptive imagery, had elements of romance and fantasy, and was a relatively fast read. I definitely added the rest of the Ghosted series to my TBR and can’t wait to read more of Sarah Ready’s writing.
Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Fated," by Sarah Ready, has undoubtedly been the highlight of my reading journey this year. From the very first page, I was swept into a world where love transcends time and dreams become portals to new beginnings. What a ride.
The story revolves around a single mother who, scarred by past heartbreak, hesitates to embrace love again, but finds it in her dreams.
The writing was fantastic and the narrator's voice adds another layer of depth, enriching the storytelling and immersing listeners in every moment.
I found myself completely engrossed in the book, unable to put it down (or stop listening, in my case). The pacing is perfect, with each chapter unfolding seamlessly into the next, keeping the momentum and anticipation alive until the very end. Now I have to fight a “book slump” because I know the next book I read won't be as good as this one!
Having not read Sarah Ready's other titles before, "Fated" has convinced me to explore more of her work. I look forward to diving into the rest of the series.
Thanks NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for giving me copies of the book and audio in exchange for an honest review.
The story revolves around a single mother who, scarred by past heartbreak, hesitates to embrace love again, but finds it in her dreams.
The writing was fantastic and the narrator's voice adds another layer of depth, enriching the storytelling and immersing listeners in every moment.
I found myself completely engrossed in the book, unable to put it down (or stop listening, in my case). The pacing is perfect, with each chapter unfolding seamlessly into the next, keeping the momentum and anticipation alive until the very end. Now I have to fight a “book slump” because I know the next book I read won't be as good as this one!
Having not read Sarah Ready's other titles before, "Fated" has convinced me to explore more of her work. I look forward to diving into the rest of the series.
Thanks NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for giving me copies of the book and audio in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fiona Abry guards her heart. She loves her daughter, her brother and her best friend Max, but she's not open too love after being hurt. She's content working in her family's prestigious Swiss watchmaking business. But when her mother hands her a family heirloom watch that it's supposed to make you dream you truest desires, she throws caution to the wind and decides to give it a try. After all, it's only dreaming.
But suddenly her nights are spent in another life away from Geneva: she's married to a wonderful man, has two kids and is living in a tiny tropical island in a colorful cottage on the beach. Soon, the literal man of her dreams is making her feel things she's never had before, but what happens when you fall in love with a life that isn't real?
I'll try to be as vague as possible sharing my thoughts because you definitely want to go in knowing as little as possible. I loved all the previous books (this IS a true standalone. You do see Daniel from book 1 - he's Fi's brother - but the events here are previous to his story) and I was mesmerized and enchanted by this one.
You see yourself trying to figure out how Fiona can get an HEA in all this and Sarah delivers a very satisfying one. I am also glad that the one she didn't pick will be getting his book soon!
Lyrical, extremely romantic (with very little spice, though) and even a little suspenseful, this is a must-read for fans of magical realism. If you loved the movies Somewhere in Time and The Glass House, you will love this story as much as I did.
Solo narration by Shakira Shutte, who is phenomenal! Her melodious voice brings all the emotion and whimsy of this story to your ears. Highly recommend the audiobook.
Content notes: a character is shot on page. Mentions of death by drowning, natural disaster with multiple casualties, child abandonment, food insecurity, cheating
Thank you, Sarah, Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for the book/audiobook.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my first Sarah Ready book. After starting it I realized it’s part of a greater series, but it read just fine as a stand alone! I really enjoyed this book and will likely pick up the others.
I went in expecting a fluffy romcom (which I love) and was pleasantly surprised with extra substance, layers and even a little mystery. I was attracted to the premise of this book because I have incredibly vivid (albeit usually bad) dreams and my partner is quite into watches. In the story the main character (Fiona) runs her family watch company and starts having hyper realistic dreams in which she’s in an alternate reality, on a beautiful island living a totally different life.
This book was satisfying, comforting, and heartbreaking at times. Pretty much everything you want in a romance story. What I thought was going to be a cutesy predictable romcom (which again, I have no problem with) turned out to be a heartfelt story with a few unexpected twists and turns.
I loved the character building and the relationships between the characters felt very real. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job.
This book relies on magical realism to carry the story. You must suspend reality to let the magic happen in the book, and if you do, it’s delightful. As someone who’s constantly searching for magic in my own everyday life, I loved this.
The only real criticism I have is the font on the cover, at a glance I definitely thought this book was called “Farted.” I know it matches the other books in the series…but…I’m a designer by trade and I couldn’t unsee it.
*Thank you to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love books with magical realism and time travel, so Fated was right up my alley. I enjoyed the story! While I knew there'd be a happy ending, I was engrossed in finding out how we'd get there. That's the magic of Fated – it takes you on an exciting journey, and you're just along for the ride.
However, I did struggle a bit with suspending disbelief, especially when it came to how the island's residents could buy things, book airplane tickets, or plan extensive open-water swims without phones, the internet, or visible jobs. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.