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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
This is a fun, entertaining read. I enjoyed the story’s paranormal elements and getting to see the hero from the first book in the series. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages to find out how it would all end. There were also aspects of the story that didn’t work for me. I enjoyed Aaron and Fiona’s romance. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love this series! Fated is the third novel in the Ghosted series and these could be read as stand alone novels as well.
Fated follows Fiona Abry of the Abry Swiss watch company. She’s terrified to open her heart & she’s gifted a watch that lets you dream your greatest desires. Fiona ends up living 2 lives. One in reality & the other on a beach with a husband & kids, but what is she to do when the man of her dreams is just that? A dream.
This book was so good. I was really curious to see how a happily ever after would be possible given the circumstances & I wasn’t disappointed. There’s tons of lovable, and some not so lovable, characters to get to know. It really tugs at your heartstrings near the end of the book & I was not expecting it at all.
slow-paced
This was a miss for me. I normally love Sarah’s books but this was very hard to follow. There was so much filler in the first 30% and from 50-70%; I can’t stand books like that. I love the idea of meeting a man in your dreams but what was real life and what was make believe were too interconnected to follow easily. This wasn’t worth reading for the 5 chapters of actual plot at the end.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Tbh I feel pretty indifferent to this one. It has a cool concept but I feel like it was doing to much to ever be able to really sink into the romance.
Some of the dialogue is also extremely cringey like when our love interest said to our fmc 'you smell like butterflies' I don't know what to do with that.
Some of the dialogue is also extremely cringey like when our love interest said to our fmc 'you smell like butterflies' I don't know what to do with that.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another winner by Sarah Ready!! While technically the third in her Ghosted series, Fated is a stand alone magical realism/romance with a side of time traveling dreams.
When Fiona is gifted a family heirloom, she's told it will let you dream your heart's desires... but what does that really mean?? Now, whenever Fiona sleeps, she becomes Becca on an island and begins to fall for her dream husband. Having to deal with motherhood, work life balance, and potential romances (reality or dreamy), will Fiona be able to turn her dreams to reality?
Fated kept me on my toes, the writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was on the island or freezing in Geneva, I wasn't sure how the dreams were going to play out (and there's a plot hole that I'm choosing to ignore because *magical realism*, of course), but what I do know is that I loved these characters and I wanted the absolute best for them. The last 15-20% absolutely wrecked my emotions in the best way. I've liked every Sarah Ready book I've read, but somehow her Ghosted series gets me everytime!
ps - Robert and Becca deserve nothing!!!!!
A giant thank you to Sarah Ready, NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I cannot wait to see how Max's story turns out
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc.
I finally finished the book that I've been putting off for a while and i kinda like how it turned out at the end, eventhough it took 80% of the book to become more interesting. the book has a lot of fillers and im not a big fan of it, so i tend to feel bored while reading this book. Luckily the few chapters towards the end were brilliantly written as i was suddenly invested in the plot for like 5 chapters left. but it's a shame i didn't quite enjoyed the book from the very beginning. Alas, the plot was brilliant though. It was exactly the kind of twist that readers love.
I finally finished the book that I've been putting off for a while and i kinda like how it turned out at the end, eventhough it took 80% of the book to become more interesting. the book has a lot of fillers and im not a big fan of it, so i tend to feel bored while reading this book. Luckily the few chapters towards the end were brilliantly written as i was suddenly invested in the plot for like 5 chapters left. but it's a shame i didn't quite enjoyed the book from the very beginning. Alas, the plot was brilliant though. It was exactly the kind of twist that readers love.
"Fated" by Sarah Ready is like a cross between "The Seven Year Slip" and "Freaky Friday."
Although the story was a bit slow to grab my attention initially, it became truly interesting once the FMC and we, the readers, started to realize what was happening and how the magical realism element worked.
Max deserves better, but Aaron deserves all the good things in the world. I adored Aaron; he is an absolute gem of a human being. I just wanted to hug him and find a way for these two characters to come together and live happily ever after. Thankfully, that’s what we got in the end, though it was quite a journey to get there.
I am always struck by the creativity of magical realism, as it makes magic feel real. Sarah Ready crafted a unique magical component in this story that made me very invested in the characters and their story arcs.
Fiona's character arc focused on her desire to be loved but her struggle to let anyone in, fearing they might hurt her again. She feels she can love freely in her dreams but is afraid to love anyone in real life. Watching her discover what it’s like to be truly loved and how she proceeds with her relationship decisions is both frustrating and satisfying in the long run.
Shakira Shute's performance was good, but it didn’t particularly stand out. The narration didn’t immediately draw me in or keep me engaged at the beginning. I contemplated DNFing in the first 20%, and I wondered if that was due to the narration. However, after reading a few other reviews, it seems many people weren't thrilled by the beginning of the book. It is worth sticking with it, as the payoff is worth the slow start.
Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ALC.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
Loveable characters:
Yes
“Some say it means an almost, a never was, a dream that didn’t happen, but I say it means an always, a dream that still goes on”
A wonderful cozy romance, perfect for curling up and living in a whole new world!
Crying, Giggling, Kicking My Feet! I am shocked I have never heard of Sarah Ready before! This is the kind of cozy romance novel I love to read (or listen to) when I want to escape reality.
When I first started the book I thought it was a little description heavy, some were good but some felt unnecessary. However, as I read the book I noticed that the descriptions I deemed unnecessary grew less. This made me realize that it was purposeful and helped exhibit a change in our main character which I thought was clever. While this book is cozy there is definitely heartbreak and sadness, but it is wonderful and up until the end you don’t truly know what is actually going to happen.
I received an advanced review copy of this book.