3*

I'm not too sure about this book. The idea of the book was very appealing and I was so much looking forward to it, however, I forgot to download it in time to my Kindle. Luckily a friend of mine could lend me the book so I could still read it. She did temper my expectations a bit and rightfully so. Especially at the beginning I really didn't like Kat, her attitude was way off and I didn't like her at all. However, character development and descriptions of London were really good, so this was easily forgiven. All in all I didn't hate the book, but it also wasn't the best one I read so far. The attitude really threw me off, so without that, the book would've been a 4* for me.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy through NetGalley. This is my first read by Lindsay MacMillan. Double-Decker Dreams is a fun read for anyone who appreciates London, romances, double-decker buses, a diverse cast, and male main characters who don't fall into the tall, dark, and handsome toxic masculinity trope. 4/4 stars.

I picked this one up twice and never finished. The premise sounded adorable, but I just could not buy into the story because of the heroine.

I’ve only DNF’ed 2 books in the last 10 years and this is now added to that list. Made it to 40% and cannot go on any longer.

Read while on a plane heading to London and even that couldn’t make this book bearable.

She is massively delusional. The first 20% is truly painful with the imaginary future she builds with this unknown guy. Should’ve made her a writer instead so could’ve at least made sense to have a wild imagination.

I’m going to have wrinkles between my eyebrows for how hard I was scowling at this book in frustration.

Double Decker Dreams
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Lindsay MacMillan

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Dreamscape Media and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: American consultant Kat is staffed on a six-month project in London and has two very small, very reasonable ambitions before returning get promoted to partner and fall in love with a handsome English aristocrat. No problem, right? But work is a grind, and the British men she meets are a far cry from her royal ideal. Then one morning, she sees a man on a double-decker bus and just knows that he's her person. But when Kat finally musters the courage to board the bus and introduce herself, he turns out to be very different from the Prince Charming she expected. Can Kat open herself up to a love that's not like the movies, or is she too imprisoned by her rom-com expectations? And just as importantly, will she be able to see that success isn't about landing a C-suite job but rather living a life that's aligned with her soul? Listeners looking for a charming modern love story will be smitten with this sharp, emotionally resonant rollercoaster ride through the heart of London.

My Thoughts: I was really conflicted with this story. Kat is in London on a work assignment trying to bide her time to make partner at her consulting firm. She sees this double decker bus everyday and sees this handsome man on the bus. She creates this whole fairytale about who he is, royalty, and why he would be on the bus. She creates this whole world and plans out their life. When she finally works up the nerve to meet him, she is disappointed. Can she get past this fairytale expectation?

The premise of the book was interesting to me, however, there were times at the beginning that I did not want to finish it, Kat was just a very selfish character. Kat’s attitude in parts of the book made me cringe a bit. I know that the character was written this way but I just couldn’t get past it. Now, I loved Rory, he had a heart of gold and was so compassionate about his students. The characters were developed well, some more likable than others, witty banter, and some chemistry. The author’s writing style was crisp, the details of London were fantastic, you could picture yourself there, and engaging.

This was not a horrible book, take out Kat’s childish attitude and it would have been a four star for me, but because of that, I am giving this 3 stars. I would still recommend for other readers.

One morning, Kat sees a man on a double-decker bus and just knows he’s the English aristocrat of her dreams. When she finally musters up the courage to board the bus, she meets Rory, an American teacher.

Kat was horrible, and this was just not for me. Not for me.

While I loved the twist on the meet cute and the London setting and the hero. The heroine who's head we spent the entire time in didn't seem to be able to act her age of 30 something. I enjoyed the premise of the story. But had a hard time understanding the dialect the author used sometimes. But even though I didn't like the heroine. I still kept turning the page because I just had to know what was going to happen to Kat. I also liked that this wasn't like normal rom coms. This one in a way read like a real life rom com. With everything that happened it could have almost been real life.

A DNF! I loved the idea of this book, I got about 20% and I was annoyed. The character was so annoying and very immature and I know it’s a book but god unrealistic to the point I couldn’t finish.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc

Just an okay read with a heartwarming ending. Parts felt a bit dry/boring and I would have enjoyed it more if it was a bit shorter/faster paced. Good on audio narrated by Madeleine Maby this was a fine balance between women's fiction and romance. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!

⭐⭐⭐🌠/5 Stars

I liked the premise of the book: a young 30-something on assignment in London, working as a consultant for a major oil company. One morning, she looks out the window of her flat before work, and sees the man of her dreams on top level of a double-decker bus. She begins to make up a storyline about how he's this rich aristocrat and how her life would be with him.

But when she finally musters up the courage to board that bus and meet him, she is up for a surprising awakening.

I thought it was a sweet story, although I thought that Kat was a little mean to Rory, but she redeemed herself towards the end.

I was given a complimentary digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are mine alone.

2 stars.

"Double-Decker Dreams" by Lindsay MacMillan is not a good book. It's poorly paced, mean-spirited, and unreliable, on top of being very dull and drab. I found the main female character, Kat, to be extraordinarily judgmental throughout the entire book, beginning from 4% into it. I don't think she ever really learns anything during the course of this book. I think she pushes aside her judgy, delusional, selfish thoughts to get the guy, in this case, the main male character, Rory, an absolute gem of a person. He is patient, he is kind, and he has his heart and ideals in the right place, but he simply cannot overcome the immense expectations that have been thrust upon him, unknowingly, by Kat. Rory wants to take their relationship slow and build a genuine connection with Kat, but she kept pushing him because she was more interested in s3x and s3xual things than fostering a deeply intimate connection. She built Rory up in her mind to make him this actual royal prince, and when he didn't measure up to her ludicrous expectations and daydreams, she basically cast him aside until she couldn't have what she wanted. Only then did she realizes she was fully invested. So manipulative! Also, she lets one of her higher-up coworkers, Harold, feel her up and then mentally has a conversation with herself about how it will further her career??? WTF?!! She claims to be a feminist, but will very quickly drop her ethics when it benefits her life and career. At least what happens in the end happens, but Kat still waits until it no longer benefits her to do so! My jaw was on the floor when I read that. What in the 1950s? The book also has a hodgepodge environmental aspect in the story, too, but this is abandoned until the end of the story when it is convenient for Kat to all of a sudden have a conscience. Don't read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lindsay MacMillan, and Alcove Press for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensate for my review.

A fun summer read about falling in love in London. You will find yourself wanting to know what is going to happen and not be able to put it down

Here is a fun summer romance that is perfect for reading on a hot day at the beach or under one’s AC. Live in London? Check. Fall in love with the guy spotted on the bus? Hmm, will have to see. Have fantasies about who someone is? Yes. Are they correct? Read this one to find out.

This book’s London setting appealed to me. The romance was well played out and will keep readers guessing just enough.

This novel has received lots of praise.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and author for this ARC!


I loved everything about this book, it was cute and fun. The characters made the love story so enticing. I would read this book multiple time! Thanks again!

I loved the setting of this book, and I liked the plot of it! Overall, I would recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This was just ok for me. The main character, Kat, was absolutely delusional. I would not want to be around her let alone date her. But it seemed to be ok with others. The romance itself was uncomfortable at times due to her weird assumptions about a stranger.

Cute, heartfelt, and a lot of fun banter. I loved being transported abroad in this engrossing novel. Read it one sitting and can't recommend more highly!

I was immediately captivated by Lindsay MacMillan’s novel Double Decker Dreams because its promising premise resonated with a personal experience of mine. As an avid rom-com fan, I eagerly dived into this book, looking forward to reading what would happen with Kat and her mysterious bus “Prince Charming.” However, I must admit that it left me really disappointed.

Kat’s erratic behavior and questionable morals made it difficult for me to root for her. I actually empathized with Rory and wanted him to find someone more deserving of his love. Kat’s wavering commitment to her values, especially about feminism, was also a stumbling block for me. The inconsistent portrayal of her character’s beliefs distracted me from the overall experience.

As a fellow Brit, I know of the cultural nuances of causal one-night stands and their unfortunate glorification. ButI find it demeaning when the sole focus revolves around whether or not two individuals have slept together. Kat’s promiscuity was another reason I felt bad for Rory, who preferred to do things slower and foster a genuine connection rather than focus on shallow physical attraction.

While I had hoped for an enjoyable read, Double Decker Dreams fell short of my expectations and wasn’t the book for me. Additionally, it was tough to endure the narrator’s attempt at a British accent, which was less than convincing. In the future, I think I will steer clear of secular romances and opt for a cleaner, morally upright novel.

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

DNF at 10%

This book wasn't grabbing me, plus it's much too similar to "One Day in December." I'm sure it takes a life of its own as the story progresses, but I couldn't see myself getting there.

Everything was just so cheesy and full of caricatures. I don't need or want my contemporary romances to be extremely realistic, but this was so over the top and cringe. I love an unlikeable character, but this was beyond unlikeable, it had the flavor of an SNL skit almost.

Usually I try to get at least to 25% before giving up but I just couldn't do one more page.

Kat moves to London for six months for a work assignment. She was working from home one day when she looked out the window and saw her dream guy on a double-decker bus.

Once she saw him she spiraled into this dream fantasy about the guy. It got to be too much at times. She consumed her life around this dream guy that she named Alexander. She never met him but was planning their entire life together.

One day she got the nerve to go on the bus to meet him. Once we learn his name is Rory and he is nothing like her dream fantasy “Alexander” she was over him. I found that to be a bit rude because she wanted no part of this guy. I love that he was a teacher from the same hometown of Michigan that she was.

Rory was the nicest guy and I loved learning more about him. I had a hard time with Kat at the beginning of their friendship, but I love that she finally moved past her fantasy to see true love staring at her in the face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.