Kat Mackenzie's "Work In Progress" is a whirlwind tour of adventure, reinvention, friendship, and romance. I was so taken by the authenticity of Alice's emotional and physical responses to the challenges she faces on what should be a relaxing holiday.

Alice is devastatingly relatable. She is a meticulous planner and hopeful for life changes, yet she also is susceptible to epic meltdowns and virulent temper swings when challenged by a certain bus driver, tour guide Scot. Her development from entitled passive passenger princess to an active participant in her reinvention was perfection.

Robbie is as snarky as he is swoonworthy. Beloved tour bus "Rosie" may be powered by pertol, but her driver is seemingly fueled by vollied insults and heated arguments with Alice. Miles of forced proximity later, he'll witness the strength of her vulnerability and take a chance at being his authentic self for her too.

The slow burn romance is so beautifully paced. The loathing period of their relationship is a knock-down-drag-out drag fight to one-up each other. Really though, they just need an outlet for all their frustrations with the chaos of life and they find in each other a partner than can handle them at their worst. Loved to see the gradual epiphanies that the hate they felt was outrageously misplaced.

Aside from the romance, Alice also falls in love with herself with the assistance of the gaggle of granny travel companions. They offer confirmation that life has no fixed timeline, but you have to have the daring to go do it. She can't expect lists to fix her life, its the work and experiences and people along the way that will shape her.

Part rom-com, part travelog, "Work In Progress" is hilarious as it is charming story of reinvention and acceptance. Alice didn't so much change herself, but devoted herself to accepting new possibilities into her life. I loved reading her journey.

Highly recommend "Work In Progress" to readers who love Bridget Jones's Diary and Austenland. Very timely too of you are seeking a story featuring feminine rage. Alice is a force and I love her for it all.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins | Avon Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really really enjoyed this and will keep rereading it in the future. I found the language to be a bit too flowery or borderline cutesy at times before returning to prosaic but for the most part, it was well written. I never really enjoy the poor communication trope so that was a personal irk of mine, and I did crave either a bit more to read at the beginning or the end but I understand the timeline and that things can be better left unsaid. Overall, maybe I just wish it was longer so there was more to read!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | four stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

In Work in Progress, Alice Cooper drunkenly decides to book to a ladies-only, three-week-long literary tour through the UK to flee her trainwreck of a life in Washington, D.C.

This is such a sweet read. The structure, which is Bridget Jones-esque, is fun and set up each chapter really well. I loved the banter and tension between Alice and Robbie, the MMC and tour guide/bus driver. Both Alice and Robbie were written excelllently and felt like actual three dimensional people, instead of two dimensional tropes. I enjoyed seeing their growth - individually and together - and giggling at the comedy of errors that follows them both across the UK.

Most of all, I loved that although this is a romance novel, the author places immense focus and importance on the relationships between the women. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to learn more about each of them and see how they were embraced by each other, quirks and all.

Kat Mackenzie’s *Work in Progress* is a delightfully witty and utterly charming rom-com that proves life’s best adventures rarely go as planned. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, a warm and lively cast of characters, and a romance that will have you swooning, this novel is the perfect escape for anyone who loves a fresh start, a quirky journey, and an irresistible Scottish accent.

Alice, the queen of careful planning and color-coded lists, finds herself at rock bottom after losing her job and fiancé in the same spectacularly bad moment. With her 30th birthday approaching and a desperate need for reinvention, she impulsively books herself on a literary bus tour across the UK. She envisions trendy companions, chic accommodations, and a transformational journey. What she gets is something else entirely: a creaky bus full of feisty grandmas and a tour guide who seems to take great joy in pushing every one of her buttons.

Mackenzie’s protagonist is hilariously relatable, navigating her unexpected circumstances with a mix of exasperation, awkward charm, and endearing vulnerability. Alice’s initial skepticism of the group and her no-kissing-any-Brits rule sets the stage for plenty of comedic mishaps, heartfelt moments, and delightful surprises. The elderly tour group, with their sharp wit and unapologetic zest for life, steals every scene they’re in, reminding Alice—and readers—that it’s never too late to embrace the unexpected.

And then there’s the tour guide. Oh, the tour guide. Mackenzie knows how to write chemistry that practically sparks off the page. The relationship between Alice and the infuriatingly handsome—and mischievously charming—Scottish driver evolves from playful antagonism to something deeper, with enough tension and banter to keep you glued to their every interaction. His devilish grin and her resistance make for a classic slow-burn romance that’s as satisfying as it is fun.

What sets *Work in Progress* apart is its perfect balance of humor, heart, and personal growth. Alice’s journey isn’t just about castles and quaint pubs (though those are wonderfully described and might have you Googling flights to Scotland); it’s about finding herself amid the chaos and learning to let go of her rigid expectations. Her transformation feels authentic and inspiring, with plenty of laughs and heartfelt realizations along the way.

Mackenzie’s writing is breezy and engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the UK countryside and its literary landmarks to life. The pacing keeps you turning pages, with just the right mix of adventure, character development, and romantic tension. The camaraderie of the tour group is a highlight, offering moments of humor, wisdom, and unexpected connection that make the story as heartwarming as it is hilarious.

*Work in Progress* is a warm, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romp that’s perfect for fans of quirky adventures, unforgettable characters, and swoon-worthy romance. Kat Mackenzie reminds us that the best journeys are the ones that take us off-script, leading to unexpected joys and maybe even a Scottish smile that makes us forget all our carefully laid plans. Five stars and a wholehearted recommendation—this one will leave you grinning long after the final page.

Alice Cooper has her life on track, until suddenly she does not. Her downward spiral is instant, devastating and heartbreaking all at once.

Desperate to climb out of her depression, Alice impulsively signs up for a three week literary bus tour of the UK. Surprisingly, her tour mates are old ladies and the guide is an irritating, yet handsome know-it-all.

Despite her reservations, Alice halfheartedly embarks on the all female tour. Can her broken heart be mended, her self esteem repaired? Alice Cooper’s journey of self discovery and healing is filled with twists and turns, lively characters and unexpected surprises.

A laugh-out-loud, cozy and sweet rom-com that I highly recommend for your enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this Enemies to Lovers travel romance. I was a bit unsure at first, the ignoring of the heroine's feelings by the male lead really started to bug me. It felt like that scenario when people tell you that someone who is mean to you must like you....why would you ever fall for someone who was like that? He turned into a very nuanced character and I was grateful for that because I was really enjoying the other characters in this fun book. I also fell in love with the ladies on the tour and would love to see another book following some of the characters-maybe the hot nerdy professor who moves to Boston could have his own story?

"Work in Progress" was a very fun and funny story. I enjoyed the banter between Alice and Robbie, as they annoy and irritate each other but over time their feelings change, although misunderstandings and obstacles will interfere. The "old ladies" on the bus tour are an eclectic bunch. It was interesting to learn their back stories and to see how their friendships with each other and with Alice developed. A literary bus tour of England, Scotland and Wales would be very appealing, and I enjoyed reading about authors and locations with which I was a familiar, as well as authors and locations that were new to time or new information about known locations. The story has many humorous moments -- Alice collecting her baggage in Scotland, the plumbing malfunction on the new bus, the breakdown of Rosie (the tour bus), the efforts to figure out the name of the town to which Flossie has gone, the crazy fashion show at the thrift store, etc. The story also has plenty of sweet moments.

LOVED THIS BOOK!! Alice was looking for an escape from her life that hadn't been going quite the way she was expecting, so she boards a tour bus in the UK looking for adventure. When her companions end up being a group of women who are a lot older than she expected and the tour guide, Robbie, seems like he is doing everything he can to make her life difficult, she feels like it's another wrench in her chaotic life. The story is funny, inspiring, and realistic. The characters are genuine and lovable, and they each bring something unique to the story. I loved Alice and Robbie so much. Not only do I want to pack my bags and journey to Scotland, but I feel like this was the exact book I needed to read right now. This is an instant favorite and I will absolutely be re-reading it and recommending it to others!

I absolutely loved this story! I laughed out loud the whole way through. All the characters were well written and the entire trip was descriptive in a way that made me feel like I was there right along with Alice and the ladies. I'll definitely be waiting for more from this author

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Avon, and Kat Mackenzie for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you NetGalley! I liked the premise of this book but unfortunately it wasn't my favorite. I don't think the humor was really my style and I found the female protagonist as very annoying for the first half of the book.

However, there were some wonderful intergenerational moments, lessons, and friendships throughout the book that I really did enjoy. Plus beautiful descriptions of the travels!

Bridget Jones’ life is at a turning point she hopes. After a failed relationship and a job loss a tour of the UK with a focus on historical sites of literary interest from classic to contemporary with a focus on good food seems to fit the bill. And it’s women only! The tour leader is a Scotsman who has picked just the right mix of historical sites and comfort. Over time all come an understanding of what is really important. This is the most enjoyable contemporary romance I have ever read.

Oh this was such a sweet story! I laughed out loud several times. Loved the journey the main character went on, and the romance was fabulous. Will definitely be interested in reading more from this author!

This story follows a grumpy Alice on her overseas trip. She meets Robbie after a very rough start and we are off. To me, there are times where instead of grumpy, Alice comes off more as mean. I thought the idea of a traveling tour was fun. It did have a cute happily ever after ending as well.

I do feel like it leaned pretty hard into the traditional tropes without actually feeling much from the characters. Interactions felt forced instead of banter flowing. Many of the old ladies on the tour were just names because they were not very memorable in their actions. I didn’t feel consistently pulled into the story.

It was a cute, quick read.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the arc.

This was a really sweet quick romance read. As a Bridget Jones fan, I loved how the author incorporated the tally mark track and the lessons learned description before starting a chapter. Doris and Percy are an absolute gem. For some reason Percy reminds me so much of my little fur baby. Especially when he was acting like the king of the jungle towards a German Shepherd 😂 I do wish we could have seen a further future glimpse of Robbie and Alice. Overall if you are looking for a quick, fluffy, funny and wholesome book this one is for you. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I finished this book with a fond smile on my face. The main character was extremely unlikable for at least about the first third of the book, which made it hard to sympathize with her in general, but the author’s humor and vivid description was consistent throughout. I loved the rich tapestry of supporting characters and the UK landscapes. The romance itself was very sweet and tender, including the argument-flirting, which evolves from just plain assholery to a sort of shared language between them. The spice was for the most part PG-13 with fade to black. Hell of a first kiss! I appreciated that the main character learned to connect with other people and care about something other than herself. The writing was very funny and clever and descriptive, but could use tightening up. There’s a lot of excess words and restatement, plus summarizing and skimming over events. The more in-close scenes don’t necessarily have a believable emotional depth sometimes. With a good editor to draw some things more to the forefront and push some things back out of the spotlight, this could certainly be adjusted. Or maybe this was written more with an eye towards the cinematic – it would make a great feel-good movie. Couldn’t help but imagine Tom Hardy as Robbie. The copy I read definitely needed to be Britpicked - several time characters said things like mom instead of mum etc. Generally I enjoyed this but stalled out around 3/4 of the way through and had to make myself finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!

After losing seemingly everything good in her life, Alice packs up and books a 3-week, all female literary bus tour through the UK. But when she arrives, she discovers all the women are over double her age and the tour guide drives her absolutely nuts. Has she made a huge mistake? But as the trip goes on, Alice finds that this trip may be exactly what she needed- in more way than one!

This book was an enjoyable read, but the enemies to lovers storyline seems to last just a tad too long in the beginning. It was hard to remember which day of the 3 week trip they were on, and the difference between all the older women on the trip. I appreciated all the literary references as well at the descriptions of each location, but after a while it seemed like I was taking the tour instead of following along with the plot. Overall though I enjoyed this story and would recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

I loved this book! Can I sign up for a three week literary tour across England and Scotland with a group of elderly women? You'll laugh out loud, cry, swoon, and cheer while reading Work in Progress. Highly recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A gaggle of (mostly) old ladies traveling around all the hot tourist spots in the UK with a hunky Scottish tour guide: comedy gold with the promise of many shenanigans, or the perfect place for a young American woman to come heal her heart? Turns out, both! Work in Progress is a debut romance by Kat Mackenzie, and it lived up to all my expectations.

Alice Cooper is in a bit of a rut. She's lost the job that gave her purpose and her boyfriend is suddenly engaged to someone else. After six months of wallowing, she gets fed up and books a spunky looking women's tour in Scotland, refusing to put her dreams on hold any longer. Unfortunately the trip is a disaster from the get. Her bag is lost (and completely destroyed by the time she gets it back), she's nearly so late she misses the bus, and the tour guide turns out to be the man she just cussed out at the airport for not waiting his turn. And did I mention the old ladies? Here Alice was expecting to bond with a bunch of twenty-somethings on the top of scenic mountain vistas and wind-blown moors, and instead there are a bunch of arthritic mother hens ready to talk your ear off. This was not the rejuvenating getaway she'd imagined.

But it turns out it was the one she needed. Funny how that works.

The banter in this book is top tier, and it starts immediately. No time is wasted as we're thrust into this book of constant misfortunes and comedic relief. Alice and Robbie are both little sparklers and they love poking dangerously at one another, seeing just how far they can push it. But it turns out Alice is really good at getting herself into unfortunate situations, and Robbie not only has a hero's heart, he's also legally responsible for her as the tour guide, so that makes for some fun moments :-)

It's a romantic comedy, but this book is mostly about self-discovery and healing the soul. Why is it so easy for us to be blinded by the relationships right in front of us? When they're gone they leave us with gaping holes that we humbly must realize we've created ourselves. Alice went to Scottland to heal hers, and though it is a bumpy road to get there, it works.

I loved this book. It's everything you want in a romantic comedy, and as a UK vacation novel, it has a really interesting backdrop (...if you don't already live there?). Though there are some steamy scenes, it never gets full explicit open-door. Full of heart and banter and swoon-worthy romance, this early 2025 release should not be missed!

I made it to 53% and I’m just over the same old same old
Treat people like adults and talk to them, miscommunication is the worst trope really.
I thought I’d love this book as an American who went to Uni and lived in Scotland but I just couldn’t get through it.
The main character is a 30 year old woman-child.
I get it, bad things happened in your life but to purposefully be petty and cruel? Why?
Plus the author’s random and unnecessarily inserted digs at conservative/republican Americans is lame.
If anything, it was similar to the vitriol I endured when I first moved to Scotland and was repeatedly told “I hate Americans, but you’re nice!” 😑

The entire tone of the book is negative, not romantic and not hopeful at all.

There are funny parts but all are surrounding the FMC being clumsy.
So, why not write a book about a clumsy woman who is nice and trying to start over?

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Kat Mackenzie for this advanced copy.

I'm going to have to give this book a 3.5 star review bumped up to 4!

The story follows Alice who is getting out of a brutal breakup and decides to go on an all-women's literary bus tour around the United Kingdom. While making her dream of traveling to the UK a reality, she's struck with the fact that the women on the tour are three times her age and the young man driving the bus is purposely rude to her. Hence the journey across the UK and to heal her heart begins.

Pros: It was a fun read. The witty banter between Alice and Robbie felt organic and their journey from enemies-to-lovers was fun to watch unfold. The older ladies on the bus provided some nice dialogue and depth to the story that was much needed and enjoyable.

Cons: I felt like the story was similar to a movie I have watched so it felt a bit "done before" for me. I felt like the historical descriptions were lengthy and most of the times unnecessary. Some of the characters felt a little too cliche and had they been tweaked just a little could have been done a lot better.

Overall this was a pleasant book to read and I enjoyed the charm and romance of it all. If you're looking for a Hallmark vibe love story that has the UK setting, this is definitely a good one to choose!

#NetGalley #EnemiesToLovers #WorkInProgress