This was such a sweet, fun book and I can't believe it's a debut! I love the "enemies to lovers" trope and while the "enemies" part went on for longer than I usually like, it worked for me. The humor was fun with the witty banter and Bridget Jones style journal entries opening each chapter. The descriptions of the various stops on the tour were fantastic and I felt like I was right there. I really am inspired now to go on a literary tour in Scotland. I loved the secondary characters. The miscommunication between Alice and Robbie about Isla seemed to go on for much longer than I found believable which was probably the only negative for me with this book. I appreciated all the life lessons Alice learned from the ladies on the tour and the friendships she formed with each one of them. Overall, a fun, feel-good read that also had depth and heart. Highly recommend to rom-com fans and anyone who enjoys travel stories.

3.5 *’s… snort laugh funny with great side characters. Special mention for the funniest and most heinous luggage accidents I have ever read in a romance

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book, this is my objective review. Alice is an American on a literary bus tour through Scotland, which was hastily booked after breaking up with her boyfriend and questioning her life choices. Robbie is the antagonistic tour guide and requisite handsome Scottish hunk. The tour group itself is delightfully full of older ladies, who are quite lively and are great supporting characters that mesh well. The book is 1st-person POV from Alice's perspective, she's written with enough of a sense of humor to have an enjoyable inner dialogue even if she is overly sarcastic at times. There's a lot of antagonism in the beginning between Robbie and Alice, just petty stuff from both of them. There's plenty of back-and-forth sharp-edged banter, it reminds me of dialogue from 1940s movies. It's witty most of the time, but the sniping at each other started to wear a little thin. It took awhile before things heated up on the page between Alice and Robbie, which also prolonged the antagonism a bit too much for me. It's obvious that the author has done her homework and loves England and history. This book is half romance and half a loving homage to British travel. Sweet and fulfilling, perfect for when you're doubting your life choices and need a pick-me-up (or a few hours spent fantasizing about running away to Scotland). 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Publishes January 14, 2025.

This was a very enjoyable read and was laugh out loud funny in spots. I felt like I was on the bus tour around England and Scotland with Alice (the main character), the ladies in the tour group and Robbie their hot but sweet, Scottish driver. The author did a great job differentiating each of the characters. And it was easy to keep them straight early on. The relationships that develop along the way between Alice and the others on the tour was a nice part of the story. And of course there was the romance that developed along the way.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like Alice, as she seemed quick to anger but slow to let go of a grudge. I liked her as the story developed and the author revealed more of her character. The romance between Alice and Robbie took longer to develop than I had expected.

This was a nice rom-com. It was fun to pick up and read each day. But think it might have been a stronger story with a little editing, as it felt a bit too long.
#netgalley #WorkInProgress

I was able to read this because NetGalley provided with an arc. I loved this romance. Great Read. I would read more by this author.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I have to admit that I didn't have the highest expectations for this novel -- I have read many poorly executed Scottish Eat, Pray, Love type of books. This was a funny, well written novel, with decent character arcs. The cast of secondary characters were funny, endearing, and had purpose. The chemistry between the MC's was fantastic and the tension was wonderfully frustrating. I was worried that Alice was going to be an annoying character, i the beginning, but she quickly became a leading heroine I could root for.

Spoilers: My only real criticism is that the ending seemed slightly abrupt and out of character with the rest of the book. It was little flat and the tone was very different. Also, it seems very weird to me that Alice and Robbie wouldn't have been texting (they sent each other weekly emails??? That's... weird). It felt a little too contrived in order to create the grand gesture ending.

Otherwise I really did love the novel and I look forward to reading more from Kat Mackenzie.

Work in progress. If you lose your fiance and your job. Fly to Scotland/englNd for a woman’s tour with a hot Scottish tour guide/ bus driver

3.75 stars

A stellar debut with lots of humor, great characters, and an interesting setting. Alice Cooper has had a bad year -- so she spontaneously books herself on an all-female Scottish/English literary tour. She is dismayed to arrive and find out that the other participants appear to be fairly elderly. And the male tour guide/driver is a snarky Scot who locked horns with her at the airport.

Alice and Robbie battle daily and their repartee is quite entertaining. Several things soon become obvious: there is definite chemistry between the two, and also the old ladies that Alice was doubtful about soon show themselves to be terrific travel companions. They are smart and funny and uninhibited. They have a lot of life experience and non-judgmental wisdom and soon Alice is appreciating her fellow tour members.

This was a fun read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What an amazing debut for Kat Mackenzie. I laughed often and at times very loudly (just ask my sleeping dogs how often they were disturbed). There is so much magic in the banter between these enemies to lovers characters. You genuinely have doubts that there will be a love connection with as much venom and the strength of the vitriol that is thrown around. However, you just know there's this snarky flirt that is simmering under the surface.
I won't recap the synopsis for you but trust me when I say the focus isn't entirely on the romance in this one and it's a genuinely joyride to get to know the group of ladies (plus one dog) and their stories. The backdrop is the tour around the countryside of Europe starting in England and ending in Scotland.
There is a misunderstanding and our FMC does seem to overreact a bit to it but I forgave her when it led to a glorious moment of clarity for the couple. They fight the inevitable but I also don't fault the author for needing our main character the chance to forge her own path forward by choosing herself above all else so that she was free to make choices based on what she wanted versus what she thought were the best ones for her.
If you love enemies to lovers AND picturesque settings for the romance to blossom.. grab this one! Also.... I have to say each opening chapter had lists and Bridget Jones tongue in cheek mentions.... you gotta love the British humor weaved throughout! 4.5 stars

Alice Coopers life is in shambles, so naturally the usually type-A woman books a last minute international trip. Her bookish-themed all women bus tour of the UK starts off with a terrible, and part of the terrible is due to the broody-but handsome-Scot who happens to be their driver and tour guide.

What I loved…
- ageless female friendship
- book and travel centric destinations and locations
- forced proximity
- side characters that try to steal the show
- banter between the FMC and MMC was great

What I didn’t love…
- I didn’t get the bridget jones and checklist things at the beginning of the chapters. I always find when books rely to heavily on the assumption that you’ve read another book/seen the movie/know the pop culture reference, its nearly impossible for me to connect.
- while the setting, history, and book references were fun I found myself a bit bored at the long descriptions and skimming these sections quite a bit.
- there are an exorbitant amount of references to bodily functions. I don’t ever want to read the words “poop tornado” in my romcoms.

While this wasn’t quite the right book for me I do think this will be a great read for someone who appreciates the bookish related book tour and getting to “travel” the UK through this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The premise of this story is a fun one, following the Bridget Jones blueprint of a younger woman, who encounters all sorts of frustrations and calamities in her travels.

The chapters are set up in a journal fashion, one that allows the reader to connect easily with Alice. I found this easy to read and enjoy.

I appreciate receiving a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, and I voluntarily leave my review.

Brilliant premise, even more brilliant execution.

I love a messy female character. I love a journey to find herself and finding confidence and romance along the way (but mostly confidence). I love meddling septuagenarians and a recognition of the wisdom that comes with age, even when that wisdom comes out in the battiest way possible. I love lush descriptions of the English countryside and a road trip for the ages (and rooted in literature? Score). I especially love a well-done meet disaster where it leads to realistic depictions of growth in a relationship. I love the humor, and I can't tell you how many lines I highlighted just because they made me giggle.

Can you tell I love this book?

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book on a whim, and boy am I glad I did. It just ticked all my boxes. Scotland? yes. Grumpy vs grumpy? yes. A book tour filled with older age-fluent party-ready ladies? yes!
I read a LOT of books, so if I remember everything about one, it must really be something. I remember everything about this book...and I loved it!

Alice Cooper’s life has recently fallen apart. After losing her job and having her fiancé cheat on her, she feels like all the carefully crafted plans she had for her life are completely ruined. With her 30th birthday coming quickly, she impulsively books a flight to the UK for a three week, female only, literary bus tour. After a terrible flight experience, and dealing with a rude man at the airport, she discovers that the tour she thought would be full of cool, globetrotting 30-somethings is actually full of women twice her age. And that rude man from the airport? He’s the tour guide. What else could possibly go wrong?

This was adorably heartwarming! The beginning took me a little while to get into, since it was mostly an awkward train of unfortunate events happening to Alice. I really enjoyed the female friendships in this story. There was such a fun and interesting cast of characters, I wish I could have been on the tour bus with them.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Work in Progress was okay. I enjoyed the way the author described the setting. She did a wonderful job creating an immersive reading experience. I felt like I was back in the UK during my read. I did feel like there were a lot of additional details that could have been spared from the story. A lot of Alice's thoughts and descriptions felt drawn out...which made the story feel really long. The whole tour bus plotline was fun and interesting. I adored the supporting cast of older women. Each woman helped support and drive Alice's character arc. Alice wasn't my favorite character. I found her judgmental and immature. The whole Isla plot point was frustrating. The miscommunication there felt unnecessary. I didn't mind Robbie's character. I thought he was sweet and cute. He could have been developed a bit more. I thought Robbie and Alice's beginning issues were drawn-out. The "enemies" part of the story became too much for me. The chemistry between Alice and Robbie was okay. There wasn't anything too special to write home about. I did like when Alice and Robbie put down their weapons and became friends. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Work in Progress has a great premise: a rather Eat Pray Love adventure for a young woman, only it’s on a book themed tour with elderly women across the UK. I loved the characters. Particularly the older women. And the dialog/banter was so well done. Overall, Work in Progress is a solid read within its genre. What would make it even more enjoyable is a little more character development for its FMC and MMC. While I enjoyed many elements of the story, it was familiar in its themes of character growth and romance tropes. I will be recommending this book. I think the author has great character and humor within her writing.

This book was definitely unique to me and something I’ve never read before. Alice was such an interesting character but I really liked reading about her journey to living life spontaneously and finding comfort in taking risks and learning what she likes and doesn’t like. The book says it’s a romance book but I think it is a bit deeper than that and everyone can definitely learn something from Alice and her journey with finding herself and the choices she makes. Don’t get me wrong though the romance was adorable and so sweet! Robbie was pretty funny with how well he handled Alice and her witty sarcastic comments she had. But then we have a surprise appearance from a past character that I honestly didn’t care for. But overall was a really good book and I would recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! Alice, though a bit judgmental at first, experiences great growth as she connects with a lively and lovable cast of characters. Robbie brings the perfect mix of charm and playfulness, and their chemistry is undeniable. The romance is sweet and natural, while the humor gives off fun Bridget Jones vibes. The supporting characters are fantastic, especially the hilarious older women, adding depth and heart. With a beautiful setting and a story full of warmth, it’s a feel-good read that leaves you smiling!

Post-breakup and jobless, Alice Cooper (no relation) books herself on a three-week literary tour through the UK, imagining meeting many like-minded women (and maybe a hot kilted Scotsman) around her own age and bonding with them. She is surprised to be the only thirty-something on a busload of senior citizens being driven around by a handsome but surly rogue.

With lush descriptions of the scenery of England, Wales, and Scotland, Alice channels Brigdet Jones through mishaps and mouthwatering descriptions of cream teas. Each destination is related to a carefully curated list of recommended reads. The accompanying book chats and many, many literary allusions, make this novel is a dream for readers.

A truly fun and swoon enemies to lovers set in the Scottish Highlands!

Though, Alice the FMC was a tad judgmental in the beginning, I was glad to see her start to grow and lean into this fun and witty cast of characters. Robbie was good natured from the jumpy, leaning into the playfulness Alice needed and the chemistry?! ON FIRE. I really loved watching these two get closer, Alice coming back to truly discover herself and the organic way the two MMCs grew together. This cast of characters were perfect, they each held a role that provided such a purpose and truly made a realistic group dynamic.