"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.

Fiona Abry is always busy running her family's Swiss watch company, with no time to think about love. Everything changes when she inherits a family heirloom that supposedly lets you dream your greatest desire. Suddenly, she finds herself in a dream life on a tropical island, married with two kids, living in a beachside cottage. As she falls for her dream husband and this perfect life, she starts to wonder: what happens when you fall in love with a life and a man that aren't real?

I absolutely loved this book!
I’ve been unable to stop my mind thinking about it for months. The unpredictability kept me hooked—I never knew what to expect and enjoyed every second of the wild ride.

Sarah had me laughing out loud and crying my eyes out. She’s an incredible storyteller! I’ll read anything she writes.

Read this now! Trust me, you’ll thank me later. Your heart will burst with joy and you’ll be squealing with glee.

Thank you to Goodreads and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC.

📚Fated by Sarah Ready
🎧ALC Review(Copy gifted by Swift & Lewis Publishing via @Netgalley
🚨While reviewed copy is gifted, opinions are always my own.
Status: Available July 16 2024, Not KU

🥰Enjoyment: What a wild freaking ride! I started this one off a little lost, sure I had forgotten some major detail that we learned in Ghosted (book 1 in this series) or that I had misunderstood the blurb. But I rode it out (after some reassurance that it would be okay) and I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED this story. I quite literally sobbed, like the kind of sobbing where you sound like a goose? Me. It was the first book in months that had me like “someone anyone talk to me about this book” and when I think about it now (almost a week later oops) I still feel that squishy heart feeling you get when you’ve been through the emotional ringer. And now I’m hearing there will be a book 4?! Sarah, I love you.


P.S. As far as feeling like I had forgotten some major detail, I eventually realized that this book appears to have sequentially occurred prior to the start of Ghosted. Since they are interconnected standalones I don’t think it matters if you start here or Ghosted.

I love everything Sarah Ready writes. I absolutely loved this book and maybe my favorite, and could not put this book down. A workaholic gets gifted a watch that allows her to dream of her unspoken dreams and for her it’s an easy life on an island happily married with two kids, except her dream isn’t just that…. A dream. After a few nights in her dream she discovered that she is indeed living this life while she sleeps, and starts falling for her dream husband, and while she falling for her dre husband she learns that she needs to live a little in her real life. After learning from her Uncle that the watch gives you the chance to live not dream, she realizes that staying away from her dream was a mistake, and dives back in to her dream world.

This story grabbed me from the start and kept me ensnared until the end. I stayed up way later than I should have reading this book and didn't want to put it down. The twists and turns weren't what I was expecting and even when I got one aspect somewhat correct, it wasn't exactly how I thought it happened. You do have to suspend your beliefs in this book a bit because many of the things that happen are not very realistic. In addition, there are a couple of critiques. I wish we could have gotten a glimpse into Becca's viewpoint. You only learn about her through other characters, and I had some lingering questions about her that weren't answered. Also, while I like the ending, I wish it could have been more elaborate. I wanted to experience everyone figuring it out and also the meeting of side characters and Fiona. That being said, I had a blast reading this book. It's one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

This is the third book in the Ghosted series. I had a really great time with the second book in the series, switched. This book was no exception. Sarah Ready has a great talent for writing memorable love stories.

In this book the FMC receives a family heirloom that allows her to dream what her heart wants. In her dreams she explores a remote island and comes across love in the process. There’s a couple of twists and turns throughout the book that keep you on the edge of your seat. I adored all of it. This was very well written and overall a great story.

Fated by Sarah Ready is the 3rd book in the Ghosted series and mixes romance with the mystical/fantasy. Whilst I enjoyed the second book - Switched, and couldn't wait to finish it, Fated was a very slow read for me. I enjoyed the twists at the end, but the build-up was quite slow and a little confusing. Thank you, Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, for giving me the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The third book in the Ghosted series, Fated by Sarah Ready, continues to showcase the author's talent for weaving intricate and emotionally rich narratives. The Ghosted series is a collection of standalone books, each exploring different characters and their unique experiences with the supernatural. This instalment follows Fiona, a complex character who navigates a dual existence between her waking life and a mysterious dream world. The story is a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and supernatural elements, making for a truly engaging read. While this is the third book in the Ghosted series, you do not need to read them in order, as each is a standalone story.

Fiona's journey is a labyrinth of emotions and revelations. In her waking life, she grapples with the aftermath of a past affair that led to the birth of her daughter and a truth that shattered her and led to years of solitude, along with a shooting that made her take stock of her life and hectic schedule that had her forgetting to live life to its fullest. In the dream world, Fiona is caught in a complex love triangle with her husband of 15 years, Aaron, and his best friend, Robert. The dream world operates under its own enigmatic rules—time halts whenever Fiona exits, only resuming upon her return. This unique narrative structure, where time in the dream world is suspended when Fiona is not present, adds a layer of intrigue and suspense to the story, compelling readers to unravel the truth alongside Fiona.

Sarah Ready deftly balances the emotional weight of Fiona's real-life struggles with the whimsical elements of the dream world. The narrative delves into themes of self-discovery, love, betrayal, and the pursuit of personal happiness. Fiona's character is not just a protagonist but a mirror reflecting our own struggles and desires. As she navigates her dual existence, she is forced to confront her past, her choices, and her desires, making her journey all the more compelling.

Overall, Fated is a beautifully written tale that delves into the intricacies of love and self-discovery. It's a must-read for fans of the Ghosted series and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story. The book's emotional depth and the way it resonates with the reader's own experiences make it a truly compelling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, for providing me with the audio ARC of Fated. I am eagerly looking forward to Sarah Ready's next release.

This book is the third in the Ghosted series by Sarah Ready and follows heir to a Swiss watch company and single mom Fiona Abry.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Steam: 🌶️
⌚ Dual timeline
🌴 Paranormal/magic vibes
⌚ Opposites Attract
🌴“I'm falling for you."
⌚ Healing from trauma
🌴 Kisses in the rain
⌚ Mid-thirties FMC
🌴 Happily ever after

Our heroine bears the emotional scars from the trauma and abandonment she's felt in her life, all while juggling running her company and raising a precocious, adorable daughter. Beyond that, love is a risk and something she avoided. That is until a life-altering incident after which Fiona is gifted a mysterious family heirloom that supposedly allows the owner to dream their heart's desire.

I absolutely adored Fated. While it took a few chapters to truly grip me, once it did, I absolutely devoured this book. This truly unique story is full of compelling characters, mystifying twists, and so much heart and humor. With its dual plotlines, the storyline is like a two-for-one special, keeping readers captivated from beginning to end. It wasn't just a romance story about love, but also about allowing oneself to explore and mend using the relative safety of dreams. Confronting and conquering fears and fully facing the subconscious. Learning to live fully without regrets.

That idea and slightly supernatural plot are compelling in themselves, but then our dear author tied in an epic, gut-punching love story with turns that had my heart racing, my eyes watering, and, at one pivotal point, had me gasping out loud in shock and nearly cursing the author. It was a journey not only for our heroine but for the reader. Fated>/i> is enthralling and brims with hope and healing—and I savored every moment of it. I highly recommend this one.

I'm also totally invested in reading the other stories in the Ghosted series and continuing on with the next book Wished. Our next MMC absolutely deserves his happiness and his chance to find love.

Favorite Quote:
"You can love someone wholly, completely, and it doesn’t mean that they’re the one for you. You can love someone and they can still be the wrong someone."

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. This book snuck up on me - I took probably a week or two to get through the first 30-40% and then once I was hooked I absolutely couldn’t put it down. The story of a woman who has a magic family heirloom which drops her in her “dream world” was planned out so well and you connect with so many characters both in the real world and dream world. The latter part had me on the edge of my seat! Despite this being part of a series I had not read any others and I would never have known but I do want to go back and read others.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 🌶️
Netgalley ALC

PROS:
This book had no right being as good as it was. I had absolutely no idea where it was going up until the very end. I loved Fiona as a main character; she is smart, loyal, caring. Her memorizing poems to make her dream daughter happy had me in a chokehold. Prior to this I read Switched, but not the first book in the series, Ghosted. Fiona's brother Daniel is the MMC in Ghosted and now I am super pumped to go back and read it. He was a wonderful brother to Fiona, and funny that this book seems to take place before Ghosted as Daniel was still single in this one.

CONS:
The audiobook made me cry while I was trying to drive my car. RUDE!!

AUDIO:
I've never listened to Shakira Shute before but really enjoyed her narration. As previously stated, I was crying while listening to some of the more emotional scenes. She really had me feeling things with Ms Fiona Abry.

Overall, I am thinking the Ghosted series just isn’t for me. This book is the 3rd in the series and while each book can be standalone, they are connected within the same universe.

I adore Sarah Ready, she’s one of my favorite authors but I’ve noticed I’ve had a hard time getting into this series. Especially this most recent book. It’s not bad, in fact the writing is rather lovely…a poetic style to it. I just struggle when there are so many realities, descriptions and characters swapping it’s like I can’t immerse myself into the story. I also thought it was also a bit long. Full disclosure, I also don’t usually enjoy magical realism. This one didn’t really sound like the style of writing she usually does, don’t get me wrong she’s always poetic in her writing, this one just wasn’t the SR I’m used to, to the extent that if I didn’t know she wrote it I would think someone else did (I’m NOT saying that is what happened though, it’s just that big of a change). So she may be making some stylistic changes to how she writes this series but hopefully not her future books.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝...

✅The lucid dreaming aspect
✅The part where she talks about how when you see something through someone else’s eyes and it’s something that they love, you start to love it too
✅When she helps the grandmother at the fish market (reminded me of my relationship with my mommom)

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝗼𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝗼𝐲...

☀️Magical Realism
🕰️Lucid Dreaming
☀️Complex Relationships
🕰️Time Jumps / Alternate Realities
☀️Poetic Writing
🕰️Horology

My favorite books by Sarah are The Space Between and the Josh & Gemma books. I also really enjoyed French Holiday and the Soul Mates in Romeo (Married by Sunday was my very fav in the series)!

“She meets the man of her dreams in her dreams.” What a dynamic summary of this book-borrowed from the author, of course! I listened to this book after not knowing much of the premise and was surprised at how much the story captured me. Fiona, a busy single mother and entrepreneur who isn’t quite happy with her current life, is given a family heirloom, a watch, that allows dreams of what you might be missing in your life. As she dreams, she is transported to another life with a husband and family. The magical realism plays out beautifully and is so immersive, and you just want to find out if Fiona’s dream can become reality. There are many amazing one line quotes, but I fell for this one in particular: “He is the tide that washed over me and opened me to all the good that love can bring.” This is the third book in the series but can be very much a stand-alone. The narrator’s voice was captivating and emotional and added to the experience of this book-especially when tandem reading. A special nod to the spectacular cover design with the colors! The world’s colliding! The characters!

I loved the first two books in the series and so was so excited for this one! I have been big fan of Sarah Ready since I found her books a year ago! This one was disappointing. Not sure if anything changed with her writing or it could be me.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I am giving this book 4 stars because of the plot in general. Although there are some points that don't make sense, and the fact that the development of the character of the real Becca, to me, was needed (especially towards the end), it was a cute story. It has a bit of spiciness but not much. I have to say about the writing, and why the stars went down, is that the descriptions of the characters at the beginning feel forced. I like the magical realism elements, and that it is a fast read. I did not know it was book 3 of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

A really great story! Very unique and left me wondering about how it would all work out in the end. Great writing and great plot! I loved McCormick he was the best character!

This book was a crazy wild ride that I adored. At no point did I really know where this book was going, but it was a delight to go on the journey.

This is so much more than just a simple romance, it was a truly beautiful love story.

If you liked Ghosted or Switched, you will love this one. We met Fiona in Ghosted and we get to follow along on her journey in this book. Fiona meets the man of her dreams, while dreaming. She is in possession of a timepiece that her family made a long time ago that shows you love. She dreams of her true love and falls in love with him. In reality, she is deciding if she wants to have a future with Max, her best friend.

There were so many emotions in this book, like in Ghosted. I teared for Fiona and McCormick multiple times. I longed for Fiona and the three children to somehow all be loved together. There were several times I wanted to throw my book and smash my listening device because ish just wasn't how I wanted it to be written, but it was done so much better. I wanted to ring some people's necks a few times, because they were being dumb. And then one the next page they were being so freaking delightful and thoughtful.

This is the 3rd book in the series. While you do not need to read the other two to understand this one, I do recommend reading Ghosted before Fated.

I am beyond excited for what comes next!

Thank you to Sarah for the gifted copy, this is my honest opinion.

Sarah Ready really knows how to hit you in the feels. Having loved the first two books of the series, I was excited to see how Fiona’s story played out. I was a little confused at the beginning, not realizing this took place before the events of Ghosted. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel for the first part of this book or who I was supposed to be rooting for. But as the book went on I became more and more invested. I just wanted to see Fiona happy and in love and the ending didn't disappoint.

I really liked this book! I love the concept of destiny and soulmates, and it was really fun how this story came together. This book had me always wanting to read just one more chapter to see what would happen. This was a great companion to the "ghosted" series by Sarah Ready. I will definitely look forward to reading more of her books. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.