What a fun trip around the UK. This was my first Kat Mackenzie book and I fell in love with Alice, Robbie and all the ladies. There were just a few too many disasters for Alice but still a good enjoyable book. Can't wait for Kat's next novel.


A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver.

UK Bus Trip Goals:

1. Crawl out of pajamas.
2. Get over cheating bastard and his stupid ironed jeans.
3. Have my first real adventure!
4. Achieve stability, strength, and growth.
5. Definitely do NOT kiss any British men.

Alice loves a good list. But careful planning didn’t stop her from losing her job and her fiance in one fell swoop. With her dreaded 30th birthday looming on the horizon, Alice makes the first impulsive decision of her life - booking a flight to the UK for a three-week, all-female, literary bus tour. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out - everything.

Alice arrives to discover that this tour isn’t what she expected. At all. Instead of cool, globe-trotting thirtysomethings with meaningful tattoos, she finds a rickety, antique bus full of fluffy-haired octogenarians. And to make matters infinitely worse, the tour guide makes her blood boil! And that devilish grin of his tells her he’s dead set on making her trip a misery.

But as they travel from castle ruins to cozy pubs, Alice may just find that she’s got it all wrong. The ladies are vivacious. The book club chat is on fire. And damn if that mischievous smile doesn't threaten to turn her world upside down - and her beloved list right along with it!

Huge Thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for allowing me access to this book which has became one of my favourite reads of the year!
Work In Progress by Kat Mackenzie is going to be released on January 14 next year and I'm urging everyone to please add it to their TBR! Please give this debut author a chance and you won't be disappointed!
This book is an absolute delight from start to finish! Alice’s journey from heartbreak to self-discovery on a quirky, all-female literary bus tour is both hilarious and heartwarming. The author’s witty writing and smart use of lists and tallies throughout the book keep the pace lively and engaging. The octogenarian tour group is full of life and charm, turning what could have been a disaster into a fun and unexpected adventure. The slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Alice and the cheeky tour guide (Robbie !!!!) is done perfectly, with banter and chemistry that’s undeniable. It was clever, heartwarming and just overall a delight!!!
PS: I'm in love with this cover I already preordered this!

This was a cute story. I liked the premise. It wasn’t something I had seen or read before. I like the push and pull between the main characters and Alice was a hoot!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this one starts off with a bang.
This was such a cute story, and I enjoyed it so much.

Alice Cooper (yes that’s right) is desperate for a fresh start and an adventure after breaking up with her cheating ex and losing her job. She books a literary tour across the UK in the hopes of figuring out what she wants to do with her life. What she doesn’t expect is the flights from hell, destroyed luggage, a group of lively, elderly ladies, and the handsome tour guide who pushes her buttons.

I loved the first interaction between the two MMC’s. The author provides a legitimate reason for the two to initially dislike each other. The banter is hilarious. This story is told in first person POV from the FMC, and I loved seeing the world from her perspective. She’s witty and funny, and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the novel.

The author does a great job of describing the settings the characters find themselves in, and honestly this traveler’s soul was jealous. I want to go on this tour!

I really enjoyed reading how Alice’s relationships with each of the women developed as they continued on their journey across the UK. Ms. Mackenzie did a great job of showing us Alice’s character arc as you delve more and more into the story. Outside of her comfort zone, she grows and lets go of preconceived notions about what her life should look like.

The chemistry between Alice and Robbie is off the charts. I loved how the relationship changed organically. It didn’t instantly go from can’t stand each other to suddenly in love. The author does a great job of showing their dynamic change over the course of their journey. For those who enjoy their spice, this story contains closed door scenes.

~Romance, Travel, Contemporary, and more!~

Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie follows Alice, who used to be put together with a plan for everything. That was until six months ago when she went through a disastrous breakup and lost her job. So, still heartbroken and jobless, Alice decides for the first time to be spontaneous and book an all-women literary bus tour across the UK, which she has been yearning to visit since she was little. After a hectic experience at the airport and arriving late to the bus, Alice discovers that this trip is not what she expected. Instead of young and colorful busmates, she is met with people over three times her age. On top of that, the handsome bus driver is rude and seems out to get her. As the trip goes on, Alice realizes that maybe she was wrong about the woman on the bus. They aren't old and worn down like Alice once thought. Instead, they are full of life lessons and wisdom. And maybe the charming bus driver isn't so bad after all.

3.5| This book was an interesting read full of unique personalities and characters. The premise itself was entertaining, and I loved the descriptions of the scenery. Sadly, some parts fell a little short for me. While I did enjoy this book, I found the main character frustrating and overly judgemental at the beginning of the story. Especially since I didn't know her whole backstory until later in the book, Alice's character was hard to sympathize with and seemed very entitled. Her character does improve later on as she has some tremendous character growth, but it was difficult to read up until that point. One thing I did love was the other women on the bus. They had so much personality and each had interesting backstories. It was always fun to learn more about them. They also added much-needed comical relief at times. I especially enjoyed how different each one of them was and how they all had different stories and advice to give Alice. They all had unique perspectives and outlooks on life, and I was thrilled every time I got to learn more. The ladies were definitely my favorite part of the story, and I was happy to see Alice's relationship with them continue outside of the bus.

While I loved the descriptions of the scenery throughout the story, I did find that some of the historical aspects got a little too wordy for my taste. I do understand that the historical parts are a big part of the tour, but it felt like a lot of info dumping at once, which took me out of the story. I also don't know if I would describe this book as romance. It had romance in it, but I would say the majority of the story focused more on Alice's self-discovery and healing. I enjoyed this book's romance aspect and liked the banter between Alice and Robbie. I am not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, which was prominent here, so at times, I felt frustrated. Alice tends to do a lot of assuming and Robbie doesn't give the whole story or explanation. The whole Tristan part of the book felt unnecessary—especially the scenes toward the end of the book. Alice had been in passionless romances before; she already knew how it felt, so I didn't see a need to put her in another one. Besides the Tristan storyline, I did like how, at the end of the book, Alice figured herself and life out first before jumping into a decision. It made the ending even better because she knew what she wanted without any doubts.

Overall, this was an interesting read with some exciting moments. The concept of the book is unique, and although I didn't love everything in the book, it was still a pleasant read. I enjoyed the character growth and discovery, along with the life lessons that came with it. The side characters were endearing, and the romance was nicely done. I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author in the future!

I honestly couldn't get through this book. I love the idea of the story and the setting. However, the main character is unlikeable from the start. This book seems to be going for a Bridget Jones esq style with the lists at the begining of each chapter, but doesn't pull it off.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This is a first by this author but will not be my last! I read this in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.

I was super intrigued by the premise of this book, from the British setting to the hunky Scottish love interest and bookish heroine. Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. I found the writing to be a little bit juvenile and the main character overly dramatic (see also: long rants to the hero not five minutes after meeting him). It's a shame because I did enjoy a few of the jokes/puns the author made. Overall I just didn't love it.

The romance genre reaches new heights with this novel, featuring characters that burst from the page with life and dialogue that sparkles with wit. Alice's odyssey from the depths of heartbreak to the heights of self-realization is not only universally resonant but also utterly captivating. Her charming idiosyncrasies and the spirited interplay with the group of spirited seniors on a bus tour add layers of hilarity and tenderness to the narrative. The prose deftly weaves together comedic and poignant threads, rendering Alice's metamorphosis both authentic and profound. This story masterfully mixes uproarious humor with deep-seated emotion, crafting a reading experience that is as enriching as it is delightful. It's a tale that intertwines moments of sheer joy with profound emotional insights, leaving a lasting impression and warming the heart.

Absolutely lovely! A classic enemies to lovers story set against the breathtaking backdrop of the UK. On the spice level, I’d say it’s a medium. Clever writing, loved the interweaving of UK writers within the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance digital copy!

This romance excels with its vibrant characters and sharp, witty writing. Alice’s journey from heartbreak to self-discovery is both relatable and engaging, thanks to her endearing quirks and the lively dynamics of the elderly ladies on the bus tour. The writing captures the humor and warmth of Alice’s transformation, making her emotional journey feel genuine and impactful. The blend of heartfelt moments and cheeky flirtation creates a romance that is both satisfying and exhilarating. It’s a story that balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional depth, making for a memorable and heartwarming read.

Entertaining and funny story of an American who travels to the UK for a 3 week literary tour on a whim after hitting rock bottom. The tour is all elderly women save for the hot scottish driver. Alice was a little hard to like at the beginning but stick with it. This is actually an endearing story, especially the life lessons she picks up from the women on the bus. The romance and tension was done very well. This is a closed door book. Plus, can’t go wrong with good looking Scottish romantic lead!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I cannae get enough of the Scottish romcoms and this one was a hilarious one. Alice was a fun character and I really felt connected to her throughout the book. The romance aspect was beautifully written.

This is a super cute romantic comedy with a fun literary focus, it was easy to follow and was just a nice light read.

Hahahahha, what an entertaining romcom! Work in Progress was a great book! I definitely recommend this one!

This book was absolutely amazing! I was excited to start reading this book because my favorite novels are Scottish romance and my favorite tropes are enemies to lovers. This book had both so I was already off to a great start.
Alice Cooper’s life has been an emotional roller coaster and what she needs is a break. She books a three week bus tour that will go around the UK discussing books and special sites that go along with them.
Then we meet Robbie Brodie, the bus driver who’s in charge of the trip. A Scot with beautiful blue eye’s but he’s the arrogant man she met at the airport while she was at the lost luggage counter. It seems like Alice’s adventure is about to take a turn.
I would highly recommend this book. I enjoyed how the author intertwined love, relearning about one’s self, heartbreak, comedy, and adventure all in one great book.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Genuine fun - what you think you want is often not what you need, and sometimes life has a way to steer you where you really need to be. Vibes of "Leap Year", self discovery, growth, and finding real friends and love. Goes beyond some common tropes, making for a fun ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Work in Progress was a super cozy read with a stellar premise it delivers on. Alice Cooper goes on a three week bus tour of Britain after her life falls apart and despite her journey starting as a nightmare she quickly makes friends and takes away great wisdom from the far older woman on the tour. These characters were just the best, incredibly funny and introspective when needed. The extra spice to this read comes from Alice’s relationship with the tour operator, Robbie, who she started on the wrong foot with. Their chemistry is great and their banter keeps things from getting sappy.

A story about finding yourself and taking control of your life, even if it means taking it off the path you think it should go and into the unknown, I loved this for so many reasons. Great writing by Kat Mackenzie helped to deliver on a very intriguing plot!

This book stole my heart! It isn’t just a romance; it’s a beautiful tale of healing and rediscovery. Alice’s emotional journey, sprinkled with laugh-out-loud moments and tender romantic scenes, made this book impossible to put down. It’s witty, sweet, and deeply satisfying; a perfect escape that leaves you grinning from ear to ear. I loved every single page of this wonderful, feel-good story.