Sarah Ready tells beautiful love stories, effortlessly blending warmth, angst, and a bit of magic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️

💭 overall thoughts:
Not sure how I haven’t learned by now that Sarah will completely rip my heart out before putting it back together 😭 I've added another of her books to my favorites list! I loved this so much.

Fiona is a single mom & CEO of her late father’s watch company. She lives a very busy life, one that she was born into. She’s given a watch that lets you dream what you really want, and it takes her into another life.

Fiona loves parts of both of these lives, and it pushes her to figure out what she truly desires. The dream world gives her a place to safely explore love, and a completely different way to live than she’s used to.

I had so many theories and none were true 😅 I did very much enjoy the ride. I fell hard for Fiona & Aaron, and I was hoping for them to end up together somehow.

While listed as 3rd in the series, you definitely don’t have to read the first two books - this one actually takes place before, so there’s very little connection (except Fiona’s brother Daniel being the mmc in Ghosted).

🤍side characters:
I’m very much looking forward to book 4, Wished - Max deserves his happily ever after! I loved how much he supported & respected Fiona.

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Sarah Ready always has me discovering incredible narrators! Shakira Shute embodied Fiona so well, and added so much to the story.

tropes + topics:
✨ magical realism
💭 dream world
🙃 opposites attract
👩‍💼 single mom & CEO
👩‍❤️‍👨 soulmates/meant to be
🫶🏼 found family
💜 single 1st person pov

✨ books with similar vibes:
♡ The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Thank you to Sarah Ready, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is one of those reviews where it is very difficult not to spoil anything about it. At the end of the day, I loved this book/story. Sarah has a way of writing characters that you just can't help falling in love with and rooting for. I so desperately wanted to know what was going to happen with Fi, I truly couldn't stop listening/reading.

I don't know if I should say this, but about halfway through this book, I skipped to the end to see how it was going to end before I could go back to finish it. I knew when I was doing it that I should just trust that Sarah was going to get the characters where I wanted them to be, but I didn't trust that. I've read a few books from this author at this point, and she's never let me down, so I should have known this book was going to end exactly as I wanted it to, and it 100 % did. All this to say, trust the process, Fiona will end up exactly where she's meant to be.

This was a great addition to a series I'm really enjoying, and I'm so excited it's not ending with this one. I'm very excited to see how Max's story plays out in Wished. If you enjoy fantasy/paranormal romances, I would definitely suggest reading this one. I know my reviews normally include a listing of tropes, but doing that now would spoil too much. So, just know it's a fantasy/paranormal romance, and there is a HEA guaranteed.

This was such an incredible book, I couldn't put it down. I devoured it. Fiona, the main character, runs her family's Swiss watch business and is mother to a daughter. She has no time in her life for romance. Her mother is concerned about her though and brings her an heirloom watch. The story is that it's magical and will show you your heart's desires.

It shows Fiona a life she never dreamed could be hers and the growth of the character and the romance that develops is mesmerizing. The characters are all interesting and well developed and the plot feels new and fresh, even though in some ways it resembles stories close to our hearts. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read more from Sarah Ready. A must read for romance lovers in 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read an advance copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the ARC of this book.

This is my third Sarah Ready book and she has now become an auto-buy author for me! I have loved everything of hers that I've read. She is a magical realism master.

Fated has two timelines (of sorts) with one person, Fiona, in both. She moves between her real life and a dream world that she travels to in her dreams via an old pocket watch. The end became a bit confusing during the big reveal, but overall, the two timelines worked well.

Fiona is faced with a difficult life decision - settling for a gem of a man that she knows isn't her one, or keep looking for that love she believes is out there. She actually finds him, but he's in her dream timeline. What's a woman to do when your perfect match is living in your dreams?

This book was just fantastic. I loved Fiona's journey. And I really appreciated her end decision. The two opposite settings (Geneva and a tropical island) gave the best of both worlds. All of the characters were loveable and kind and it made it hard to decide who to root for. This was a solid romance that I highly recommend!

Thank you to the author, #Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy of Fated in exchange for an honest review. I rotated between the ebook and audio formats.

I always start by saying, I leap at the opportunity to read a Sarah Ready book early! Especially one in the Ghosted series! I absolutely loved Ghosted, really enjoyed Switched and now can’t stop thinking about Fated!

I didn’t realize initially that this story begins prior to when the story of Ghosted took place. That was a pleasant surprise! It was SO lovely to see Daniel come to life again on the page and this time as a loving brother and uncle.

Fated is overall incredibly creative. Sarah Ready was able to vividly depict both worlds (real life and dream world) of which the main character, Fiona was living. Every scene on the island felt palpable. Aaron/McCormick was swoon worthy! It was so riveting to see where Fiona would be when she reentered the dream and what occurred in that world while she was awake. My brain tends to be overly analytical (even when reading), so a healthy dose of magical realism is needed from time to time and this delivered!

I loved the complexity of the familial relationships in both worlds. I was happy that Fiona and Max had each other and part of my heart pulled her in his direction. Although Fiona’s mother was not there for her how she needed throughout her life, I could still feel the genuine love she had for her daughter. The story about acquiring the watch was funny! I loved how devoted of a mother and mother figure Fi was. She had such a big heart!

I thought this would follow the format of the first two in the series and have an epilogue from another POV. I think it would’ve been interesting to hear from either Aaron or Max.

The narration was absolutely beautiful!

This was definitely a different sub-genre for me!

The back-and-forth between Fiona’s “waking life” in Geneva and her “dream life” on the island could be a little confusing at times (during the beginning of some chapters, it’s not always made immediately clear whether she’s awake or dreaming), but overall it was good. There were some parts that seemed to drag a little, but it wasn’t enough to prevent me from continuing the story.

Definitely some underlying “The Lake House” vibes

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒.𝙒. 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨, 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩 & 𝙇𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙨 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙇𝙇𝘾 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

This was the third book I have read in this series. I enjoyed all three. It is a a series of romances with magical realism at its forefront. Book 1 - Ghosted - has the main character living with a ghost until she realizes she has to save him in a different timeline. Book 2 - Switched - has the Freaky Friday vibe. The main characters switch souls into each other and the antics that occur. Finally book 3 - a dream romance, which may or may not be real. If I have to pick, I enjoyed the first book the best but I loved how Sarah Ready interwove the characters in book 1 and 2 - best friends. Book 3 frustrated me a bit as I was confused about the timeline. It felt like it should have been book 1. The MC is the first books male MC’s sister. But it felt like it happened before book 1 takes place. There is no mention of her brother or his wife from book 1 as a couple, just the brother. There were some other elements that didn’t work for me but I must say that I couldn’t stop reading any of them as I wanted to see how it would all play out. Definitely some clever plot lines.

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Ready for the ARC of “Fated”! I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it was unique and thought provoking while also being romantic! I had no idea how it was going to end, couldn’t for the life of me figure out how it was going to go until right before! It was very well written!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is magical realism, romance PERFECTION. I love Sarah's poetic writing style. I loved Fiona and Aaron, I loved Daniel and Max and Amy and little Sean!!!! Every aspect, every chapter, everything was so well carved out and written, this book is an absolute GEM. Sarah writes in a way that is captivating but doesn't dangle carrots. She is an instant read and instant buy for me.

"Fated" is a beautifully crafted novel that uses the symbolism of time to weave a tale of love and self-discovery. Fiona's journey between her real life and dream world highlights her growth from a woman plagued by abandonment issues to one capable of immense love and sacrifice. The dual realities reflect Fiona's internal struggles, making her a relatable protagonist.

The romance between Fiona and McCormick showcases a deep emotional connection that transcends time. McCormick's unwavering support and love make him a standout character. Max is portrayed with empathy, and his unrequited love adds melancholy to the narrative.

The settings are vividly described, immersing the reader in both Fiona's real and dream worlds. The pacing is well-maintained, with each chapter building upon the last to create a cohesive and engaging story.

In conclusion, "Fated" is a mesmerizing read that balances romance, fantasy, and contemporary issues with finesse. The occasional complexity of dual timelines is a minor quibble in an otherwise outstanding novel. Sarah Ready has crafted a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating, deserving of a solid four-star rating.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Fated is a lovely book. I have not read the other 2 books in her series, but the magical elements in this story were done really well. Fiona has a difficult time opening herself up to love after being hurt a decade prior. She fills up her life with work, family, and her best friend Max. She and her brother are heirs to a long standing Swiss watchmaker company, and their lives revolve around the very prestigious and profitable company. One day, Fiona's mother provides her with a pocket watch made by the original inventor and owner of her company. It is said that to hold that watch in your hand while sleeping will allow you to see the dreams for your life. Upon sleeping with the watch, Fiona awakes on a tropical island with a husband and two children. Fiona grapples with the life she is living during her dreams and her real life in Geneva where her best friend Max would like to develop their relationship into something more.
Sarah Ready's writing did bring this book to life. I was able to visualize the settings and characters quite clearly. Her characters were well developed and I appreciated the background stories of Fiona, Max and Aaron (her husband on the island). This was just a fun story that was at times endearing and heart wrenching. It made me wish that the magical elements were something we could have in real life. This was told completely through Fiona's point of view. I liked that aspect of this story, as we learned about Aaron at the same pace as Fiona. I look forward to more books from Sarah, including going back and reading her earlier novels. Thank you to NetGalley and Swift and Lewis Publishing for the advance copy.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and ALC of this book. I have been loving the last few books in this series and this was no exception!

These books are so fascinating to me because they really make me think about the beyond and how entwined our lives really could be.

This book is set in the here and now and then in dreams and I really loved that. I loved Fiona's characters and her love interest(s) as well. It truly made me question everything - I don't want to spoil anything though!

While I received both the ebook and audiobook, however, I unfortunately didn't realize that the audiobook archived 11 days before release, so I wasn't able to listen beyond the sample, so I cannot comment too much on the narration. Other than I was intrigued by the narration in the sample. I will be purchasing the audiobook to listen and review when it comes out!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley!

This is my first book from Sarah Ready and my first in the Ghosted series. I don't know if it was best that I started in the middle of the series, but it didn't personally affect my enjoyment. I definitely enjoyed Ready's poetic feel to her writing. It took me a minute to get into the story, but I really liked the idea of Fiona getting relief from her stressful life running her family’s Swiss watch company in her dreams where she ultimately meets her dream man. I don't want to give anything away, but this book is definitely worth a read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

4.5, rounding up to 5!

Fated is the 3rd book in the Ghosted series. I've read Switched, but I have yet to read Ghosted (I need to fix that ASAP). Fated features Fiona as our main character. Her brother is Daniel and together they run their family's watch company. I have learned through reading reviews that Daniel is a featured character in the first book, Ghosted (the events of Fated happened prior to Ghosted). All of the books in this series can be read as standalone.

Fiona is given an heirloom and when she sleeps with it she wakes up in a hyper realistic dream.. IN SOMEONE ELSE'S BODY. In her "dream state" she's in Becca's body and married to Aaron McCormick with 2 kids. In her real life she has a daughter, Mila, and she spends a lot of time with her best friend, Max. Max is in love with her. I have so much more I want to say, but I just want YOU as a reader to be just as shocked and surprised as I was when things unfolded.

The book goes back and forth between her real life and her dream state and Sarah Ready has the most amazing gift of writing powerful visualizing stories. The last 20% of Fated had me in a chokehold. OH MY GOSH. I read this as an e-ARC but I already know I need to have a physical copy for my collection because of how much I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Ready, and Swift & Lewis Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for a review!

I was expecting this story to be happening after Ghosted and Switched but it wasn’t so I was a little confused. The story was great though and I liked Fiona. I thought it wasn’t very fair that the person Fiona jumped into in the dream was a cheating jerky woman and kept wrecking everything for Aaron and Fiona. Some of the logistics of the dreaming was a bit far fetched but it was easy to look past that and just enjoy the story. I felt bad for Max but all’s well that ends well. Maybe Ready’s next book will have Max finding the love of his life. The ending was fabulous and really fun to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Ready for a copy of this book.

I have loved this series so far but when I found out that this book was about dreaming, I was super keen to read this. I dream a lot and often remember my dreams. So I was really interested to see where this book went. The plot twists were heart wrenching and I cried, more than once! I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was fabulous. I really loved the characters, and the character development was wonderful. I was so invested in these characters and this story. So much love for this one! I can't wait for the next installment - bring on Max's story!

Big thanks to NetGalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association, and Sarah Ready for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly, this book just did not do it for me. I loved LOVED Switched, and still hope to read Ghosted, but Fated felt very blah. Fiona/Becca had very little substance to her and it was difficult for me to care about her fate. Plus, the whole "real love" vs "dream love" and the wisdom she tried to get out of the experience was a real stretch. The emotions felt forced, there was a lot of filler-type descriptions, and I got bored. By the time the ending occurred, it didn't matter to me anymore.

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.

1.5
Okay so the concept of the book sounded really interesting, and that's about where my positive feedback stops. Both parallels felt like not enough was happening but also that what was happening could have been condensed. It's like the plot wasn't super well thought out. In her dream it seemed like it sucked pretty bad so I have no idea why she kept going back. The writing also felt confusing, like there were time things didn't make tons of sense.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fiona is too busy for love. She is busy running Abery, a watch company, with her brother and raising her daughter. Love is the last thing on her mind. After a traumatic shooting, resulting in her being injured she throws herself into work to help her forget about the incident. When her mother shows up after years of not seeing or speaking to her, and gives her a watch that she says will help her dream of what she desires most, Fiona tries it out. She is thrust into a dream world where she realizes what she most desires is to love and be loved. Every night she returns to her dream world, but this world isn’t hers.

I really liked this book! The way Sarah Ready weaved a magical element into the story was beautiful. It captured my attention from the get go and the story was wonderful. I didn’t feel a deep attachment to the characters right off the bat, and it took me a bit. I didn’t even realize until about 80% in just how attached I got to the characters. By then I was so deeply invested in Fiona, Aaron, and his kids and was rooting for them to make it work.