This books didn't hit as hard for me as Switched, even though the premise is just as intriguing. It took much longer than I expected to get to the crux of the story, the dreaming, and I feel rather disconnected from it. The writing itself is as strong and fresh as ever, I just don't think this book is right for me. Also: justice for Max.

This was so good and heart breaking! I have read this authors other books in this series and this one has got to be my favorite so fare. I really love these characters and their story and the heartbreak that they go through. It’s fantastic.

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.

I’m so glad this book was read by the same narrator as the rest of the series.

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

Fated pleasantly surprises with its blend of contemporary romance and subtle magical realism, part of the Ghosted series where each installment focuses on different couples. As a standalone read, it holds its own, offering a compelling narrative without relying heavily on previous books in the series.
The story revolves around Fiona, a driven single mother managing her family's prestigious Swiss watch company. Scarred by abandonment in childhood and a heartbreaking past romance, Fiona guards her heart fiercely, hesitant to embrace love fully. However, when she unexpectedly receives a long-lost heirloom watch, her reality shifts into a parallel life. Here, she meets Aaron, a soul mate she never knew existed, along with his endearing children. Their connection is instant and profound, drawing Fiona into a world where she feels truly at home. She can't wait to sleep each night to be in this life with Aaron and his children.

The characters, especially Fiona and Aaron, are intricately crafted with emotional depth. Fiona's journey from guarded vulnerability to embracing love is portrayed with sensitivity, making her relatable and endearing. (Although I did feel bad for the best friend, Max. Hopefully, he will get his own story during the series.) Aaron's complexities as a devoted father and a man grappling with his own relational challenges add layers of authenticity to the story.

What makes "Fated" stand out is its delicate handling of magical realism. Rather than over-explaining the fantastical elements, the narrative allows readers to piece together the magic themselves, enriching the experience with imagination. While the plot takes time to unfold, once it gains momentum, it becomes difficult to put down. The blend of romance, family dynamics, and mystical elements creates a narrative tapestry that leaves readers feeling warm and fulfilled.

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.

Absolutely LOVE every book in this series!

Fiona and her brother Daniel are the heirs to a huge Swiss Watchmaking company. They live in the city and love their jobs. BUT, neither one of them has ever really found love.
When her estranged mother appears with a gift of 'time', she is intrigued. She states that the watch she is giving Fiona lets you live the life you dream to have.
So, Fiona goes to sleep one night, and wakes up in another world. Another time. Another life. In this alter life she is married and has two kids...but there are problems.
BUT the good news is...it's just a dream! Right??

When her real life starts to give her some hard curve balls, she decides to go back into her 'dream life'. But when she returns this time, nothing is the same...

Now she is on a mission to try to change things back to the way they were...and find out what the heck is really going on!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #SwiftAndLewisPublishingLLC for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
**** The book releases in about a week on 7/16/24. *****

#Fated by #SarahReady and narrated beautifully by #ShakiraShute.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

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Fated - ALC — by Sarah Ready
Release date: July 16th

When I first started this audiobook, (and if you are like me and need to put subtitles on for a movie with accents,) it takes some time getting used to the narrators British accent. But once I slowed it down to 1.7x speed and got into it, I was invested.

This book gave me all the feels, I was happy, I was sad, I was frustrated, I was yelling at the characters to hurry up — I was so torn between her reality and her dream, that I really felt for the FMC.

This book is set between the FMC’s real life and her completely different life in her dreams. You want to root for both, but ultimately need to choose, as she does.

Overall I think this was a 3.75⭐️

#fated #sarahready #narrator #audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobooknarrator #dreams #watches #torn #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #audiobookreview #alc #advancedreaderscopy #arc #netgalley

I seriously do not think Sarah Eeady can ever make a book that is not purely amazing. Skip reading the blurb and just read this book.

I enjoy Sarah Ready and her witty banter in her books.

Overall this was a very fun and unique idea. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I wasn’t hooked right away and the characters took a little time for me to get into, but I enjoyed the resolution. It’s a fun summer romance with witty wording.

Fated by Sarah Ready is a time travel love story and part of an ongoing series. This was the first book I read from this series, and I found it a bit confusing as a standalone novel. The narration was great. The story itself really seemed to drag at the first half of the book and was really hard to get into. It did have a satisfying ending as expected in this genre, although I thought the love scenes were too much and added nothing to the story. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Sarah Ready is my favorite romance/romcom author for a reason. Fated once again prove that I can count on her to deliver a story that will capture me and satisfy me!

While the paranormal/magical realism is not my normal go to when it comes to romance in my books, Ready’s Ghosted Series is the exception.

Fated gives new meaning to ‘The Man of my Dreams!’


Excellent story and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Shakira Shute is excellent at capturing the voice of Fiona.

This book came TOTALLY out of left field for me. It was a bit of a slow start - I had some expectation of a time warp love story from the short summary but I was enthralled once the story truly took off. Obviously, the idea that sleeping with a special watch can transport you to another time as another person, but I was all in. I listened to this book as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator - I found myself actually wanting to clean my house (?) so I could spend more time listening to this book. Similar ot other commentaries, Max got the short end of the stick here but I am hopeful that we will see more of his story in future installations based on some of the closing scenes.

This is my first read of Sarah Ready's and my first in the series ... I will definitely be coming back for more of her work!

This was the 3rd Sarah Ready book that I have ready. Fated is the 3rd in the series, but they are all stand alone books. All have a bit of supernatural/time travel in them. I am a fan of the time travel genre if done well, and I love Sarah’s imagination to bring these stories to the page. Each is so unique and different from others I have read. I think Fated was by far my favorite so far. When Fiona dreams, she is taken to what her heart desires thanks to the first watch her family made. Through her dreams she finds Aaron. When back in reality she can’t stop thinking about him, until the dreams stop and he seems to be forgotten.

I didn't feel much of an attachment to the characters until about 60% of the way through and then I really enjoyed the direction and ending. I didn't realize this was #3 in a series and have not read the others so I can't speak on if that matters. I think you probably would have had a connection with the characters right away if you've read the others, that may have been what lacked in the beginning for me. The sibling relationship is great.

I received an advanced review copy and audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley.

Fated was such a fun book! It takes place before the other two books and it definitely has some spice but it’s not excessive. Fiona is a great character who I rooted for the entire book and I loved Aaron and his kids. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!

I absolutely love sarah ready books. Any of them. But this one? Its the best one yet. The concept is so unique, and so hopeful. The characters are so good, lovable, and you really see the development of both the characters and their relationship. I also really love the connection to part 1 in this series (daniel).

The narrator is awesome as well, you feel like youre inside their world, i barely noticed i was listening to a book.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

This was more serious that other Sarah Ready books I've read and involved time travel which made the plot rather confusing when listening to on audio. It all came together in the end and i enjoyed the narration. I will continue to read/listen to her books in the future!

Fiona Abry has no time for love.
When she is gifted a magical family heirloom that allows you to dream of your hearts desire, Fiona finds herself dreaming night after night, of a little island town, and a sleepy cottage that she lives in with a man and their two children.
Every night Fiona returns to this life, a life that is not hers.

I love a Sarah Ready romance. Its the perfect balance of life, love and magic.
These characters, the story, the town, the confusion between what is real and what is a dream, I loved it all!

Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC audiobook of Fated by Sarah Ready.

Sarah Ready does not disappoint! In this story you follow Fiona as she lives her life with her friend Max who wants to be more and brother Daniel who runs the family watch business with her. However, on the flip side you see her fall in love in her dreams. But with a man who believes it’s the mother of his children. How is Fiona connected to this woman and what is the relevance. At times, it left me wondering where it was going, and definitely a little supernatural feeling, but all in all an enjoyable listen.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.75/5 stars (rounded up)

to quote lady gaga, "Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique"

Sarah Ready continues her streak of being a must-read author for me! It was a bit slow to start, but we hit 24% of the way through and WOW did things get cooking!

If you love The Seven Year Slip or the movie Your Name (Kimi no na wa) then you will adore this book!