Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very sweet romance that reminds us to live our lives and do what makes us happy while we can. I really enjoyed the concept of dreaming of your happy life and having it be real. I really enjoyed how great Fiona and Aaron were together. The happily ever after in this book was so sweet. The books in this series are just so sweet and great, feel good romances with a touch of magic in them.

First off, I liked the design of the cover and the title of the book and thought I’d give it a listen. I have never read this author before and was looking for something new. I started listening and entering the details into goodreads and became cautious as this was third in a series. But, I was hooked and figured I’ll have to listen to the first two and hope nothing is spoiled from reading out of order. And now that I’ve finished, I don’t care if anything is spoiled. This was such a great book. So many feelings that I had to stop what I was doing and fully engage into the book. I usually listen as I clean or other minimal tasks but there were moments I had to just stop, sit and listen. Absolutely loved this book.

Fiona Abry guards her heart. She loves her daughter, her brother and her best friend Max, but she's not open too love after being hurt. She's content working in her family's prestigious Swiss watchmaking business. But when her mother hands her a family heirloom watch that it's supposed to make you dream you truest desires, she throws caution to the wind and decides to give it a try. After all, it's only dreaming. 

But suddenly her nights are spent in another life away from Geneva: she's married to a wonderful man, has two kids and is living in a tiny tropical island in a colorful cottage on the beach.  Soon, the literal man of her dreams is making her feel things she's never had before, but what happens when you fall in love with a life that isn't real?

I'll try to be as vague as possible sharing my thoughts because you definitely want to go in knowing as little as possible. I loved all the previous books (this IS a true standalone. You do see Daniel from book 1 - he's Fi's brother - but the events here are previous to his story) and I was mesmerized and enchanted by this one. 

You see yourself trying to figure out how Fiona can get an HEA in all this and Sarah delivers a very satisfying one. I am also glad that the one she didn't pick will be getting his book soon!

Lyrical, extremely romantic (with very little spice, though) and even a little suspenseful, this is a must-read for fans of magical realism. If you loved the movies Somewhere in Time and The Glass House, you will love this story as much as I did.

Solo narration by Shakira Shutte, who is phenomenal! Her melodious voice brings all the emotion and whimsy of this story to your ears. Highly recommend the audiobook. 

Content notes: a character is shot on page. Mentions of death by drowning, natural disaster with multiple casualties, child abandonment, food insecurity, cheating 

Thank you, Sarah, Swift & Lewis Publishing and NetGalley for the book/audiobook.

love watches, especially Swiss ones, so I was immediately delighted to enter the glamorous world of Fiona and Daniel, two siblings in Geneva who run a watchmaking business. Fiona, a single mother, spends almost of all her time focused on

business. Broken-hearted by a past relationship with a married man, she doesn’t want to get hurt again. But when her hippie mother gives her the first watch that the company made and tells her that it will help her realise her dreams, she literally meets her dream man in her dreams!

It is not easy for her though because she dreams that she is called Becca and married to Aaron on a trophical island with a teenage daughter and that she is having an affair with Robert. Sarah Ready writes beautiful descriptions and manages to make this fantasy seem realistic.

Shakira Shute has a lovely, soothing English accent and reads in a crystal-clear voice, making the story come alive as she helps you pucture Fiona’s world.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was an enchanting journey that masterfully intertwines two parallel lives – one lived by day and another in dreams. This unique narrative captivated me, blending reality and fantasy seamlessly. The protagonist's dual existence kept me eagerly turning pages, curious to see how her two worlds would collide and complement each other. Additionally, the audio narration was spot-on, perfectly capturing the essence of the story and enhancing the overall experience. *Fated* is a must-read for anyone who loves a blend of romance, mystery, and the supernatural.

Book 3 of the Ghosted series, works as a stand alone

This book focuses on Fiona, who is Daniel's (from book 1) sister. She is a single mom and falls in love in her dreams.

I couldn't completely buy into this one. I had issues because Fiona has a daughter and Aaron has two kids. It felt like Fiona was cheating on her family- and with a married man. I will say that I am an extremely logical person, so getting hung up on these facts is not surprising to me. Most people can probably just enjoy the story, but my brain wouldn't go along with it.

I still enjoyed it- especially the ending. I just had a whole bunch of conflicting feelings during the middle.

Shakira Shute narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
Fiona Abry has her family's watch company that she loves, a daughter she adores, a wonderful brother, and an amazing best friend who is always there for her. But when her mother gifts her a magical watch that lets her discover and live out her secret dreams and desires while she sleeps, she starts to wonder if maybe she could still ask for more. Specifically romantic love. In her dreams, she finds herself living a completely different life, one of slow days and sunny beaches and a strange, handsome man and her own small family. And as the nights pass and she falls deeper into her dream, she also finds herself falling in love - with her dream life and the man at the center of it.
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I always like Sarah Ready. You can count on her for a good, easy, mostly closed-door romance. The central characters in this story are all so easy to root for. They are tender, kind, and family oriented. I will say the very beginning of the story gave be Beauty and the Beast or Anastasia vibes opening with a ball that a takes a turn for the dramatic. But it very quickly gets away from that feeling. It was quite jarring going between the worlds, but I know that was the point. There were various parts of this book that put me through the emotional wringer and I might have shed a tear or two, it was a beautiful story and I'm glad I read it! I am not normally a fan of slow burn so the overall pacing of the story is not my preference, but I do think it works for this story's premise. This book is very wordy. We spend the novel inside Fiona's head, and she has a LOT of inner tangents and monologues, so consider yourself warned. But I did enjoy getting more insight to the characters and the world, so I won't complain too much.

I read both the ebook and listened to the audiobook version of this novel, and I have to say that I prefered the audiobook. The narrator did a great job and since we spend so much time in our FMC's head listening to the book as if it was an inner dialogue make it even more fun!

Overall, I enjoyed this story. The romancewas so tender, and I really loved the platonic relationships throughout the book as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this e-book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review

I almost didn’t read this one.

I mean, I like the first one, but REALLY didn’t care for #2.

Number 3, however, caught my interest.

I liked the contrasting settings, and watching the MFC navigate her ‘Becca’ persona.

I was a little concerned about the author’s ability to achieve an HEA, but it ended well.

The author never really explains HOW in her books, so if you’re looking for the REAL in Magical Realism, look elsewhere.

I enjoyed the open-endedness of the whole thing, though, and how the end of the story was really just the beginning of their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Swift & Lewis Publishing for this original ARC.

Every time I see a new book is coming out by Sarah Ready I get so excited! I have been listening to her books the last few years and I have loved those books. Ghosted was by far my favorite book in this 3 book series. I don't know if I was in a mood this time but it was really hard for me to get into this book. Usually I'm pulled in right away. I didn't start connecting with this one until probably half way through. Even though I had a hard time with this one, I did enjoy it. The characters are well written. Shakira Shute narrated this story beautifully . I thought her voice was perfect for this story. I did love the concept of this book and the ending did have me smiling with how it all played out. I would recommend this book and all of her other books as well. Just because I had a slow start getting into it does not mean someone else will. So please give this a try.


Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

Fated by: Sarah Ready

Stars: 4⭐️’s
Spice: 1 🌶️
Synopsis: Fiona has spent her life staying busy and focusing on everything but love. When she is gifted a family heirloom watch that is rumored to have the power to let you dream your greatest desire. Fiona’s once predictable life is thrown into chaos and big decisions. Fiona has to choose between her life as it is or the life of her dreams. And to be clear—her dreams are pretty great. Think hot tattooed stud with a swimmers body who loves her unconditionally, palm trees, the smell of tanning lotion and all the peace of an island life.

This story is a realistic setting with a bit of magical realism/time travel sprinkled in…that’s makes it extra fun! Oh and a fun little unexpected twist…
Pros: Sweet and unique story, hot tattooed man, enjoyable writing
Cons: somewhat predictable
Recommend: Absolutely yes, this is a fun read!

Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to read the title!

This book had it's ups and downs for me. Overall, I enjoyed the premise of the book and found that the I was invested in several parts of the story...especially towards the end. But, at the same time, I found the book to be too long, especially in the beginning. I was starting to question whether I was reading the right story since, for me, it didn't really start until at least chapter 6. I realize that some of that was necessary to set up the healing that comes from this story, but I would have preferred a more condensed version. That being said, Ms. Ready's writing is fabulous - it's like poetry. Her descriptions of characters and situations really painted a clear picture in my mind of what was going on. Of course, I enjoyed the love story very much and her characters were well detailed and likeable. This is the first book I've read by this author and I will definitely read others by her...maybe the first few of this series which, as I sometimes do, I skipped to read this one.

This story is one that I could see being made into a movie!

Fionna's life is busy, and she believes she has everything she needs. Fionna's mother, on the other hand, has decided that Fi (Fionna) needs to learn to dream again.

One day, her mother shows up with a family heirloom that claims it can help her dream again. The only thing Fi needs to do is go to sleep with the watch in her hand. In Fi's dreams, we meet a whole cast of characters that seem to have a life outside her subconscious.

This story is so beautiful in how it portrays heartache, longing, and love in a way we don't often get to see. Not only do we get to see romantic love, but also how platonic and sibling love is just as important as romantic love.

If you are looking for a book containing time travel, love, family, and suspense, this is the book you need to pick up!!!

Quotes I loved;
“The tears of regret hurt more than the tears of sorrow.” 
“Do you want love, or are you afraid of it?”
"I'm worried I am only capapble of loving in my dreams."

This book played with my emotions like you wouldn't believe. I love this series so dang much and I feel like it just gets better and better. The whole series is all about unconventional love stories.

This book is about Fiona. Fiona is a single mom who even though she has her best friend Mark, her love life isn't what it could be. After she is shot and almost dies, her mom gives her a family heirloom. That heirloom is a watch that when you dream will take you to that place. The dreams she has are so dang realistic but it's only a dream, right?

Man this book was something else. Mark is a sweetie but the connection and chemistry she has with Aaron is next level. You see Aaron is who she is married to in her dreams. But she's cheating on him with his friend Robert. Bad Fiona dream girl. LOL. I loved Aaron right away and got the ick from Robert but her the other girl loves Robert so whatever. Either way, this book was so freaking amazing but it will mess with you, in a good way. So dang good!

3.5 Stars

I absolutely love books with magical realism and time travel, so Fated was right up my alley. I enjoyed the story! While I knew there'd be a happy ending, I was engrossed in finding out how we'd get there. That's the magic of Fated – it takes you on an exciting journey, and you're just along for the ride.

However, I did struggle a bit with suspending disbelief, especially when it came to how the island's residents could buy things, book airplane tickets, or plan extensive open-water swims without phones, the internet, or visible jobs. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed reading the ARC of the second book in this series so I was excited to have access to the ARC for Fated, the third book in the Ghosted series.
Each of these books is connected (although I couldn't figure out the connection in this one), and they can all be read as a stand-alone.

Fated follows Fiona (Fi), a busy mother and CEO of a watch company in Geneva, and also follows her dreams, consisting of a completely different life and love upon a faraway island. Due to a magic watch, she is sent to a place that provides her greatest desire.
Sarah Ready's writing is magical and has more dimension than is normal for these types of books. I was surprised at the length of this book but it moves steadily and keeps your interest. I did need to suspend some disbelief in order wrap my head around all the dream world/real world back and forth but maybe I've just read too much Blake Crouch. I was also a little confused at the end but it didn't harm my enjoyment. I know a few people that I would easily recommend this too.

I was also thrilled to hear that there will be a fourth book in this series following a character from this book (whom I will not mentioned due to spoilers) that deserved so much more!

Sarah Ready is very quickly becoming an auto read author for me! I have loved all of the books of hers I've read and this was no exception! I loved the magical elements of this story-- The time travel and dreams were the perfect amount to be interesting while still keeping the story grounded. The characters, both the main characters and the supporting ones, were all so well written and it felt like each one had their own voice and story.

This was a wild, emotional ride! I should have expected by now that Sarah Ready would tear my heart out and put it back together, but boy did she. I could not put this down, especially the second half, I literally flew through the story! I cannot wait for the next book in this series to read about Daniel's love story as well! All of these love stories have just been so perfect. And even though these are part of an interconnected series, you could absolutely read this as a stand alone!

The audiobook was SO well done and the narrator did a wonderful job bringing all of the characters to life!

Fated by Sarah Ready is a captivating story that combines magical realism and time travel, making it an engaging and intriguing read. The author's descriptive prose transports readers to exotic locations like a Caribbean island and Geneva, Switzerland, allowing them to feel the ambiance and atmosphere of these places. The romance between the characters is heartfelt and emotional, drawing readers in and making them feel like they are living the story alongside the characters.

The main character, Fiona, undergoes a transformation from a workaholic CEO to someone who learns to love and dream again, thanks to a magical watch that allows her to live out her dreams. The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Fiona's journey to find love and happiness. The side characters, such as Fiona's supportive brother Daniel and the lovelorn Max, add depth and complexity to the story, making it more compelling and enjoyable.

While some readers may find it hard to suspend belief at times, particularly regarding the logistics of the characters' lives on the island, the overall story is engaging and well-executed. The emotional rollercoaster ride of the plot, combined with the unexpected ending, leaves readers wanting more and eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Overall, Fated is a book that will appeal to fans of romance, magical realism, and time travel. Despite a few minor flaws, the story is well-written, engaging, and emotional, making it a worthwhile read for anyone looking for a captivating and heartwarming love story. I would give this book four stars and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a summer read that will transport them to exotic locales and tug at their heartstrings.

Fated follows the journey that Fiona has to take to find true love. Fi has spent so much time focusing on everything but love, and now is the time for her to learn how to love again. She is gifted an old watch that will supposedly allow her to fulfil her dreams. She is shocked when she finds herself on a tropical island with a husband and two children that she doesn't recognise. She has found the man of her dreams but it's only in her dreams, right?

When I started this read I did not think this was going to be a 3.5 Star read for me. This was my first Sarah Ready novel and found that it was a bit overwritten for me. She goes into great detail about everything that Fiona is feeling and experiencing (as in describing every single sense) and I found that it took away from what was actually happening in the story. I think it was also preventing me from really connecting to a lot of the characters.

By the time I was mid way through, the story wasn't doing a whole lot for me BUT I'm glad I stuck with it because the last 15-20 chapters made it all worth it! The story really needed that twist and I was not expecting it at all!! I was hooked and I had to finish the book in that sitting!

I'm really surprised at how much I ended up liking it. The story was very unique and I really enjoyed it. Be patient with it, it's worth reading!

I also thought I'd mention that I read it as an audiobook and the narrator was great!

🐦‍⬛🦋⏱️Fated⏱️🦋🐦‍⬛
I see a new Sarah Ready book and I’m all the way sat. Fated is the 3rd book in the ghosted series, but can be read as a standalone. Like the others in the series, Fated is just as whimsical and captivating. Sarah wraps you up in her spellbinding writing, shreds your heart into itsy-bitsy pieces, and then puts those pieces back together in the most magnificent way possible.
If You Fancy:
🔮Contemporary/Paranormal Romance
🔮✨Magic✨Whimsy✨
🔮Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Stuff
🔮Dual Timeline
🔮Single Mom/FMC in 30’s
🔮Self Discovery
🔮Found Family
🔮So Much Angst
🔮Slow Burn
🔮Love Square?
🔮Ugly Crying
🔮Heart Wrenching
🔮Spectacular Character Development
🔮Unique Plot That Keeps You Constantly Engaged
🔮Superb Setting Details
then you’ll fall absolutely head over heals for Fated like I did.
✨Shakira Shute does an absolutely phenomenal job with the audio.
Format: 🎧Audio
Time: 13hr 34min 1.25x
Listened on: NetGalley 🎧
Audio Release: July 16, 2024

“If you ever need me, if you ever find yourself awake at night wanting me, I’ll be here. I’ll be here loving you.”
“You said you’d let me go”
“I lied. I’ll be here, my hand held out to you. All you have to do is take it.”
#Sarahready #fatedbook #mustread #paranormalromance #netgalley #audiobook #ghostedseries
Thank you so much for the opportunity to listen to this book! It is greatly appreciated!

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this ARC audiobook of "Fated" by Sarah Ready in exchange for an honest review.

Please be aware, there may be small spoilers within this review.

Straight off the bat, this book called to me. I loved the fact that Fi was so lost within herself. She thought she knew what life was, but until she slept, she didn't know what living was. Aaron was a gorgeous and such an understanding MMC, wanting what was only best for Fi, or in his eyes, his wife Becka.

There was such a twist within the story that I was not expecting, but Ill say that I feel that it was executed in such an amazing way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC and am looking forward to reading/listening to other works by this author.