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.

Really enjoyed this one. The romance was very sweet but it was also a hilarious book, with plenty of Bridget Jones vibes (which I loved!) and was both heartfelt and funny. I loved the main character's journey in this one and the older ladies were so funny and realistic! Great story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing a DRC of this title for review.

Funny, hot, and so charming! Loved that the FMC was given the space to be a little unlikable/acerbic in the beginning so that she could grow as she connected with the other characters + figured out what she wanted out of life. Definitely one I’d recommend to patrons, and really looking forward to reading more from this author.

2.5 stars rated up. I’m so upset I didn’t love this. I knew from the first chapter it would be a rough read; the main character was just so difficult to connect to for me, and that’s never good in character-driven books. Also, I felt this was a little… overwritten? There was just so Much going on with the writing that I didn’t particularly enjoy. However, I didn’t completely hate it, and it’s definitely a “it’s not you, it’s me” situation. I am sure this book will be adored by others, but it wasn’t for me.

Alice loves order, lists, and knowing what’s in front of her. It’s always worked for her, until her fiancé dumps her and gives her ring to another woman, and she’s out of a job. After letting herself wallow for a while, she suddenly signs up for the adventure she’s always wanted: a 3-week literary tour in the UK. An all-female tour, no pesky men to ruin the fun. Only it’s all elderly women and Robbie, one very grumpy, very hot Scottish man…

And the loathing is ON from the moment they meet, enemies vibe in full force. Yes!

LOVED this book! I would read it for the hilarious lists and alliteration alone—the writing is superb and so much fun. In the enemies stage, Alice gives Robbie so many venomous descriptions like the “contemptuous Caledonian cretin” and “detestable driver” among many others (read and see the rest) that made me laugh so hard.

There’s a lot of sweetness too, especially in the friendships that develop between Alice and the elderly ladies (who are so wise and funny). If you love literature, history, and/or geography, there are so many great references and descriptions—I wish I could book this exact tour (especially if there’s a hot Scot leading it)!

Alice and Robbie’s chemistry was strong; a bit of a slow burn and letting the relationship grow naturally. And so worth it when they get together! Only one thing I feel obligated to mention: the miscommunication trope when the problem could be resolved with a basic grown-up conversation. But it didn’t ruin the book for me—everything else was so good that I could deal with it. Highly recommend!

3.5 ⭐️

Alice Cooper... not to be confused with THE Alice Cooper... is going through a rough breakup and looking to get away from it all. Little does she know, her problems are going to follow her to the UK for her little getaway.

We meet a cast of characters who have varying personalities. The standout is Robbie who gives Alice a run for her money. They have great banter with each other and the banter continues to build throughout the story. While they get on each other's nerves, they are also there to support each other.

I very much enjoyed the other ladies that Alice met on this trip. They each had their own quirk and played off each other well. Alice was able to make a friendship with each of the women and learn something about them and herself.

The ending of the story was a bit rocky as I wasn't 100% sure I understood where it was going. I do wish we got a peek into the relationships more at the end but also enjoyed that a side character took a bit of a presence. The story does take place over only 3 weeks, so it moves pretty quick and so do the relationships and sometimes I needed to remind myself of this.

Overall, it was a cute story that kept me engaged the whole time. I thought the places that were visited were described well and added a more immersive experience.

*Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ecopy. The review and opinions are my own*

This was so fun! As someone who debates dropping everything and moving to Europe almost daily, this book was perfect for me. The banter between Alice and Robbie was fantastic, and mixed with the fabulous commentary and personalities of all the ladies on the tour, this book had me smiling the whole time. The story also felt super real, and the emotions and real life struggles Alice was going through were relatable. I also loved learning a bit of history like I was on the tour with them. Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I think Kat Mackenzie could easily become one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!

I seriously thought this was going to be some silly rom com book, and boy was I wrong.

This book is loaded with life lessons, laughter, love, and the journey to finding oneself after extreme heartbreak.

Alice Cooper's life fell apart: she lost her fiance, her job, and her apartment all in a short span. Then, to top it off, one day she sees that her old engagement ring is now on another woman's finger. So, to try and find herself again, and give herself a break, she books a Reading/Book tour across the UK with a group of women.

Literally nothing goes to plan in this super heartwarming book about finding yourself when everything goes to shit.

Banter. >>>
I love banter in a book and this delivered.
"It's silly of me to expect you could enjoy the sounds of anything other than the screams of men as you crush their spirits."

When it comes to characters.. I liked the FMC. I enjoyed reading about her journey ( emotionally and physically). I loved all the ladies she went on the trip with. The MMC... Ugh I just couldn't! I know he's grouchy and talked about why he was closed off.. but I'm sorry. I felt like the way he treated her in the airport was unforgiveable. Specifically, the shoving. I can get over the words he said, but I just couldn't get over him physically pushing her.
Don't get me wrong, their tension? Amazing. I just wasn't a fan of him. Except the part where he saved her ribbon. That part was sweet lol.

Overall, I enjoyed the book specifically for the tension and reading about her trip.