"Fated" by Sarah Ready is a captivating blend of contemporary romance and fairytale-like dreams. Fiona Abry, a single mother, is given an old watch by her mother, which transports her in dreams to an idyllic island life where she is married to Aaron McCormick. These dreams make her question whether she is truly living her life when awake.

The best part of the book is the evolution of Fiona and those around her. When Fiona starts to truly live, it allows everyone else around her to do the same. The dreams also help Aaron realize his past perceptions of love were just a facade.

Fiona and Aaron's relationship is beautifully portrayed, with their journey to true love filled with laughter, swooning, and tears. The small island setting, where everyone knows each other, adds to the charm.

However, at times, the writer's focus on surroundings can be a bit too detailed, but this is a minor critique in an otherwise excellent story.

This book is unforgettable, an emotional rollercoaster that blends angsty romance with a magical twist. It's a 5-star read and highly recommended for those who enjoy a mix of romance and fantasy. Sarah Ready's storytelling is truly mesmerizing, making "Fated" a book you’ll want to revisit.

I don't even know how to describe this book. It was kind of crazy at every turn. The little "Fi" "yes" was really cute. She was doing everything she could to make the people in her dreams happy and I loved it. I would like to see more of them at the end when they are all together.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I adored this novel by Sarah Ready. I've never read a book with this type of concept before and it was like Midnight in Paris takes a tropical paradise. The duality of her dream life and real life was so interesting and it was so hard put this book down and not just constantly wish for my own heirloom pocket watch.

I loved this novel. I hadn't read anything by this author before and didn't realise that it was part of a series but it didn't stop me from enjoying it.
I loved the story, it was easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I kept rooting for them to have their happy ending. I will definitely be reading more by the author. I highly recommend it.
💓 Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid book probably more like a 3.5* but for some reason its my least favorite in the series so far. I just don't think I ever really connected to the main character, she just felt too one dimensional for me. The other two books in this series deal with heavier themes as well but they managed to be funny and engaging where I found myself kind of wondering if there would be any humor or banter here as I think that is what shined the most in previous books. Overall it was a good romance and the 2 characters had chemistry but it just did not work as much for me this time. I would still recommend, the settings were also really well done and I felt like I was in a tropical island and Geneva. It works well for a summer time read so for that I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for granting me access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a different type of book for me. I don't normally read these types of HEA that deal with the idea of fate. Although not normally my cup of tea, the writer has me rooting for both the MC and LI while also making me love Max.

What I do like about the book is the idea that her dreams didn't just open Fiona up for her dream life, but it made her question whether she was truly living life when she was awake. For me, the best part of the book was the evolution of not just the MC, but everyone associated with her. Isn't it funny, when you start to live, it gives everyone else around you permission to live their lives as well. Also, I love that this dream allows McCormick to understand what he thought was love was not, just a facade of what used to be. Oh, I get chills thinking about it!

If I had to give any critique, it would be that sometimes the writer gets too hyper-focused on the surroundings. I'm not sure we need that much detail every time.

All in all a very good book.

Fiona Abry has given up on love after having her heartbroken a few years ago and she doesn't need it she has her beautiful daughter Mila and her brother Daniel to fill her life with joy. But when Fionas mother gifts her a watch on her birthday she's told that if she wears it whilst sleeping her dreams will show her what she truly desires and in them she has a husband and 2 kids living life on a gorgeous beach and each day it gets harder to leave behind but she knows one day she will because dreams can't come true can they?

This was truly amazing I loved this by far my favourite in the series. I loved Fiona and Aaron together and the way they both showed each other what true love really felt like. I loved the small island setting too where everyone knew each other and it was like one big massive family. This had me laughing swooning and crying. If you haven't already please read this series you won't regret it.

I didn't super love it. The pacing was slow--too much boring stuff that I found myself skipping. I don't know, I just didn't click with this specific story.

"Fated" by Sarah Ready is an intriguing addition to the romance genre, blending elements of destiny and personal growth. The story centers around characters who are drawn together by fate, and Ready does a commendable job of exploring their individual backstories and motivations.

The writing is clear and accessible, making for an easy read. The plot, while somewhat predictable in places, is engaging enough to keep readers turning the pages. Ready's character development is solid, though some readers might find certain characters more relatable and developed than others.

Overall, "Fated" is a decent read for those who enjoy romance with a touch of destiny. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it offers a pleasant escape and a satisfying narrative for fans of love stories.

</b>This series by Sarah Ready is getting indescribable by words with each book. This unique and mind blowing combination of angsty contemporary romance with fairytale or paranormal vibes is beyond perfection. Unforgettable. Fated is the kind of story that you keep on revisting in your mind. It's the kind of story that pops up in your day and night at most surprising moments. The author will have your heart wrapped up around her artistic fingers.</b>

Fiona Abry is many things. One of the leaders in their family watch business. Bada&& single mother. But she feels lonely and incomplete even when she is happy and her life is picture perfect. Then her hippie mother gives her an old watch as gift on her her birthday. The first watch made by Abrys. Her mother tells her if she sleeps with it..it will show her the dreams. And it transports her from Geneva to a island. White sand beach, blue water, isolated from world...where she isn't Fiona. She is Becca. Mother to a teenage girl and a little boy. Wife to Aaron McCormick. In an affair with her husband's best friend. It's disorienting but liberating and she doesn't understand why she isn't in love with her husband..because she is falling. Every night she dreams and it feels more real. More than her real life best friend Max who is in love with her. Can she find Aaron in real life?

<b>I seriously doesn't think this story can be summarised. Please experience it. The stark contrast between cold beauty of Geneva and warm wildness of Charlestown was portrayed so beautifully. This book is more descriptive than Sarah Ready's other book. I loved going through the seasons and the places. This whole concept of finding love in dreams and then that dream coming true was just splendid. Fiona is so loving and compassionate and sweet with a fearless determined heart. She enters the dream as Becca but ended up with Aaron in real life as Fiona. What a journey! She saved herself and the whole island in a miraculous way. I was clutching my kindle so hard because every chapter hit my heart so hard with heartbreak and heartache and swoon. Imagine Fiona finding love in dreams and then thinking she will never find it in real life and it really happens. What an emotional rollercoaster. Most of the times my heart was beating out of my chest because I never knew what Fiona will go back to in her dream. Aaron is so dreamy and larger than life but he has his pain and vulnerability. He is top shelf book boyfriend material. It was mesmerizing. It was explosive. It was unexplainable. But it was so amazing.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

I recently finished reading Fated, and I have to say, it was a delightful experience! The story follows Fiona Abry, a dedicated businesswoman managing her family's Swiss watch company, and her journey through love and self-discovery really resonated with me.

From the start, I was drawn in by Ready's engaging writing style. The witty dialogue and relatable characters made me feel connected to Fiona and her struggles. The unique premise of meeting the man of her dreams in her dreams added an imaginative twist that kept me hooked and eager to see how it would all unfold.

What I appreciated most was the emotional depth of the story. While there were plenty of light-hearted moments that made me laugh, there were also poignant scenes that tugged at my heartstrings. This balance made the reading experience rich and satisfying.

Overall, I would give Fated a solid 4 stars. It’s a charming and heartfelt novel that left me with a smile, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a touch of magic.

The writing in this book was a real highlight. The descriptions of the island were vivid and Sarah Ready is a master when it comes to characterization and body language. I didn’t find the leading couple quite as charming as I did with the previous book in the series, but I enjoyed that the story had higher stakes this time around, and any feelings I had about the resolution of the story being a bit too convenient were overshadowed by the genuinely emotional reaction it was able to get out of me.

I thought the use of dreams as a way for the main character to un-inhibit herself was a fun idea, and the ambiguity about how it all worked made for a relaxing and carefree summer read. I would have liked to see a little more of the “real” world in the second half of the book, maybe have more details of how Fiona’s preoccupation with Aaron affected her life and relationships, but that is a small complaint. If you are looking for a quick, sexy, wish-fulfilling romance, this book is worth checking out. Many thanks to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC. This is my honest review.

4/5 Lucid dreaming, or something more?

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for the ARC! I loved this story, it was extremely well written. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author!

I read the other two books in this series and loved them. This one, though, didn't quite capture my attention as much. I'm not sure why, but I think the FMC dropping into someone else's life and creating a dual personality for the woman on the island was kind of unsettling to me. It didn't unfold in the same manner as the other books and also seemingly took place before the first book in the series. If you hadn't read Ghosted then it might not be as jarring as it was for me. I don't know... it just seemed a bit disjointed at times. The magical element was true to the series and fun to read, though. And it was a good book, just a slightly different vibe than the first two. As Ready's books tend to do, it did pick up in the last 20%. the back half of the book was great -- had my heart pounding. I just wish that that urgency had shown up sooner.

I absolutely love this standalone series. This is the story about Fiona, Daniel’s (from Ghosted) sister.

Fiona has put up a wall to dating/being in love ever since her daughter was born. Her best friend Max is always there with the offer of companionship but deep down Fiona wants more. After being shot at their Christmas Eve party, Fiona is working til distraction. That is until her hippy mother waltzes in with the original Adolphus Abry watch, an heirloom that had been missing. A watch that supposedly allows you to dream of you hearts true desire. Now Fiona finds her nights spent on a small tropical island with a husband, McCormick, and two kids. The more time Fiona spends there the more she learns to let go and love. The only problem is the risk of her losing her heart in the process. After all, dreams aren’t real, are they?

I loved watching Fiona learn to let go, to see what was important and missing in her real life. And McCormick, he was absolutely perfect for Fiona. You should definitely pick this book up today, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Pub for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Fiona is a single mother and CEO of the Abry Watch Co. Her life consists of long work days and evenings with her daughter, but not much else. And certainly, she has not given herself any time for love. When her eccentric mother brings her a family heirloom that is told to transport one to their dream life, what it there to lose.

When Fi dreams of a totally different life on a small tropical island with Aaron McCormick and their two children, can she truly see herself living this life that is so different that the one that she lives when she is awake? In her waking hours, her best friend, Max, is trying to win her for a life that would be comfortable but not the passion that she is realizing that she is craving. And how could her dream world become a reality?

This is the third book in the Ghosted series. I liked this book and I liked the element of magic that runs through the series. I must say that this was my least favorite of the three. With that being said, I am still excited for book four and would still recommend Fated .

Sarah Ready is a consistent and entertaining writer.

Rated 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Give it a chance, or don't, but I'm happy I did.

It was a good idea, a very interesting and not overdone idea. The concept was so intriguing. The ending was perfect to me. Aaron was such a heartwarming character. I questioned how it would be a HEA soooo many times. However, the detailing was about to take me under. There was SO much detail. Not even on relative information for the love story, but about watches. Which I get it, she owns the company with her brother so obviously she is passionate about her family's life work, but it was a bit excessive. There were times throughout the entire book that I skipped ahead some. With that all being said, I still enjoyed this book! I haven't decided if I'll ready any of the others from the series, but I'm glad I read this one.

This is a great book with a fantastic premise. Fiona runs her family’s Swiss watch company with her brother. She has a young daughter and spends time with her old friend Max, who wants to marry her.
One day, her visiting aunt gives her a family heirloom watch that purportedly lets you dream your greatest desire.
That night, Fiona finds herself as a different woman named Becca. She lives on a remote tropical island, is married with 2 kids to a handsome guy named Aaron, and is having an affair with an attractive man named Robert.
It’s so different compared to her life in Geneva, and she travels back to the island every night. Fiona realizes that she’s falling in love with her island husband, and justifies her visitsbecause none of it is real, right? Maybe the watch is showing her that she, Fiona, is open to love and to be loved.
This book requires you to suspend logic, as part of the book takes place in Fiona’s dreams. The ending is a wonderful surprise!
This is magical realism at its best, 4.5 stars.

Synopsis:
Fiona Abry excels at keeping busy, running her family’s Swiss watch company, and guarding her heart. She’s so busy she doesn’t have time for a vacation much less a love life. But then she’s given a family heirloom rumored to let you dream your greatest desire.
Suddenly, Fiona is spending her nights on a tiny tropical island in a completely different life. She’s married. She has two kids. She lives in a colorful cottage on the beach.
But what happens when opening yourself to love means falling for a life that isn’t real and a man who doesn’t exist? Because in the end, it’s not fate, it’s just a dream.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fiona Abry is a successful, single mom who is beyond busy juggling running the family business while raising her daughter. Her mother gives her a family heirloom with rumors it allows you to dream your greatest desire. One night she decides to give it a try.

In her dream world, she lives on a Tropical Island in a colourful cottage on the beach with a hunk of a husband and her two kids. It couldn’t be more different from her reality.

It doesn’t take long for her to fall in love with her dream husband.

I loved and adored every single thing about the book, it captured my attention from the very first page. I should mention I read it as a standalone as I didn’t realize it was a series. I will be going back and reading the series although, each can be read as a standalone.

Fated is a slow burn romance with interesting plot twists, great characters, magical realism and cliffhanger chapters. I’m a huge fan of the author’s writing; everything weaved together to create an incredibly magical and heartwarming story. I particularly enjoyed how we transitioned from the real world and the dream world.

Thank you Swift & Lewis Publishing and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this one. I kept hearing great things. But I found the book too descriptive and kind of boring. It was definitely not as funny as the last one. This one didn't tug my heart strings. I tried to love it. But it never hooked me.