Quick Summary: A "hand of fate" romance

My Review: Fated by Sarah Ready is book #3 in the Ghosted series.

About the Book: Fiona Abry's life is not perfect. Truth be told, it had never been. Once, she thought things were going well for her, where her heart was concerned, but after a devastating truth changed the course of her life, things were never quite the same. When a peculiar series of events happens upon her, a glimpse into the dreams and desires of her heart changes everything. Should she dare hope for a precious love with the man of her dreams?

About the Characters: This novel was filled with characters of interest. Fi, Max, Aaron, and Becca were my favorites. They were so colorful and layered. They brought a host of considerations and thoughts that I was totally feeling. As I dug further into the story, I became invested in their lives. I wanted to understand why they each presented themselves how they did, and I also wanted to watch their evolution of change.

About the Conflict: Where do I start, regarding the points of conflict? Do I start with the shooting? Do I start with the transition from one life to another? Should I start with the connection force between Fi and her dream man? Do I mention the horrible tragedies? Should I discuss the deeply moving scenes? Those are just a few of the things that caused this story to keep my attention . As far as I am concerned, it existed on another plane. This novel was non stop from beginning to end.

My Final Say: I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was so well done. It is a book that makes readers think and to see beyond the obvious. To dream or not to dream, to believe in the impossible, to want something more for self, to accept substitutes or to lay claim to the happiness and love that await you - it's all in there!

Other: This series is incredible. Honestly, I cannot think of another series of books quite like it. The fantastical element that weaves its way into the romances is so appealing. I also really like the symbolism that Ready so effortlessly injects. Her stories are beautifully complex and non-linear.

* My advice to potential readers... expect the unexpected. This book and this series will make you rethink the idea of what love, family, dreams, and desires are all about.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💖

Heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation are extended to the author, to the publishers (Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)), and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words and sentiment I have expressed are my own thoughts and opinions and have been voluntarily offered. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this author's work.

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but this was just a train wreck. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all, nor did I feel our main characters had a connection. I forced myself through it, but it should have been a DNF.



Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this book, but when I did u was blown away! I really enjoyed the characters and the unique storyline of the book. And towards the ends when the big twist happens let me tell you I was in tears! Will be recommending this book to everyone!

I was able to not only read this book but also listen to the audiobook! The narrator is Shakira Shute. She has a very soothing voice and is very easy to listen to. She adjusts her voice for the various characters and voices throughout the book so you can follow along as the conversation progresses.

Fated is book 3 in the Ghosted collection. I have both Ghosted and Switched as TBR and I didn’t feel behind or struggle with starting with book 3. There are character connections but nothing to prevent you from following along.

What would you do to remember your dreams? What about live your dreams???⏱️
Is it that our dreams allow us to actually experience life and feel alive or is it that we live a life dreams are made of?💫

Fiona’s busy life meets its match when she meets the man of her dreams, in her dreams! Now she can’t wait to visit the sandman.💘

The descriptive language in this book had me in a dreamy state. Everything was so picturesque☁️
There was hope and love, healing and growth and the impeding sense of want to crawl into bed.😴


Fated favorite line “Cats to pet 🐈 books to buy 📚 and ice cream to devour🍨”

Thank you to the author, Sarah Ready, NetGalley and the publisher, Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC, for the opportunity to read AND listen to this book. I received these advance review copies for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The book and audiobook are set to publish July 16, 2024.

#Fated #NetGalley

Fiona Abry has been running her family’s Swiss watch company, and guarding her heart due to being burned in the past, but then she inherits a family heirloom rumoured to let you dream your greatest desire.

This book wasn’t what I had come to expect from this series — this book could be read as a stand-alone as it seems to be a prequel to the first two books of the series. I read this book in tandem with the ebook and audiobook - I started with the ebook and finished with the audiobook.

I was struggling to connect with this story to enjoy the characters / get invested in them while reading the ebook — I then switched over to the audiobook which helped to move the story forward for me.

I was disappointed that there wasn’t as much wit and comedy in this book as in the previous two in the series — and I felt bad for both men in her two worlds Max and Aaron they both love her but it’s like torture for everyone. On the other hand, the writing is very beautiful and poetic throughout— and very full of gushing romance. The ending --OMG -- get the tissue box ready! The ending brought up my rating from 3/5 to 4/5.

Thank you Netgalley, Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members titles.

Praying that this book I'd made into a movie because it gave me all the feels. Love, lust and a little bit of magic, Sarah Ready delivers.

Fiona, single parent and one half of Abrey watches finds herself transported to Charlestown, a remote island embodied as a married mother of two, each night as she dreams.

A delightful read. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A tender series wtih many lessons within the pages of the story. Pursuit of happiness, believing in dreams and following your heart. Fiona Abry is the CEO of Abry Watch Company, a family owned Swiss watch company she and Daniel inherited from their late father. Fiona closed herself off from love after being abandoned by people she trusted the most. When Fiona’s mom gives her a family heirloom that has been missing for years and tells her that not only did she steal the watch but that it can make dreams come true and show what your hearts desire. Skeptical but curious, Fiona decides to use it one night after recounting her family members telling her to find herself and to open herself up to love again. There in her dreams, Fiona comes in contact with a man named Aaron who is apparently her husband and they have two children together. As Fiona grapples between reality and fiction, she has to decide which life she’s willing to choose. The magic of love and finding the one that makes your heart soar, don't settle look, dream and believe.

Thank you so much NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+⭐️
Fated by Sarah Ready was.... OMG!!! I could scream how much I loved it!
The storyline blew my mind, broke my heart - twice, and made me feel for the characters. I believe that this is the first book where I loved all the characters! I can't express how I feel but I will tell you one - as much as I loved Ghosted and Switched - this book is phenomenal! This book deserved to be a stand-alone with a sequel coming soon!

It's mad how much I grow with characters! I reduced my listening speed to make the book last longer! Usually, with an audiobook, I can manage to do so much at home - today I sat frozen on my sofa and was scared to miss any single tiny detail!

The same as the previous two books this story is set in a world that swings on the edge of reality and fantasy. Two worlds that somehow must come together in one and it's hard to predict how this would happen.

Then I got so confused about Daniel! Why is Daniel single? Where is Jillian? And then I read that this story takes place before book 1 so left out that breath that I didn't realise I was holding! :D

Anyway, back to this book:

Fiona, left by her mother at an early age has incredibly close relationships with her younger brother Daniel and her long-term best friend Max. Both Daniel and Max are great supporters of Fiona and her daughter Mila. In some twisted way, they are like a family of four! But... what about the love? What about the sparkle? Fiona has closed herself off to love and buried herself in work and other commitments so she is not ready to risk breaking her heart - again... But then she fell asleep and met her dream husband Aaron McCormick and her dream life on a small tropical island.
Unfortunitelly not all dreams can come true so how do we find a balance between the dream world and reality?

Seriously... I can't stop thinking about this book! Usually, I easily switch to the next book but not today... My brain is still with Fiona and everyone else... I can't connect with the next book at all... I want to live in this book, I need a next book - now!

Thank you NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing for this unbelievable copy!

Cute and heart wrenching, dramatic and endearing, you really get pulled into the journey with the characters and really want to see everything work out

Sarah is very descriptive, I don’t feel like I was left out of the know of anything. However, I feel like the storyline fell flat for me in some aspects.

For context, this is Fiona's love story and the events of this book happen before Ghosted (this book is focused on the bet that resulted in Daniel's shirtless billboard ad that we see in Ghosted). I LOVED Ghosted so I had high expectations for this book.

After getting ahold of a mysterious/magical family watch that supposedly shows a person's desires, Fiona is transported to a different life in her dreams, one with a different identity, different family, different world. But this life isn't as perfect as it seems.
Sarah Ready writes phenomenally - her descriptions are so vibrant and flowing. Usually with romance novels, it's easy to predict what will happen, but that wasn't the case for me here. Fiona and Aaron's journey was a wild and emotional ride. This book broke my heart (several times) and also mended it. I was NOT prepared for the latter third of the book and I was shaken and tearing up. I love Aaron's character so much. He's selfless and kind- he deserves the best.

I really liked Max's character and felt bad for him, so I can't wait to read his HEA in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a ride this book was. It was not what I expected and I LOVED IT.
By day, Fiona Abry is working alongside her brother, running the family Swiss watch company. By night (in her dreams), she is on a tropical island with the love of her life.
What do you do when the man of your dreams is literally in your dreams?
What do you do when you've fallen in love with a dream, and reality cannot compare?
This book had the perfect amount of romance, suspense and mystery.
Once the story started to unfold, I was hooked and couldn't put this book down. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
Will Fiona get her HEA? Give it a read and find out.

Where to even start. This book had me in a chokehold - I could not put it down. I instantly fell in love with the characters and I felt like I went on the emotional rollercoaster with them.

Sarah did such an incredible job with her descriptions of places, things and people that you'll now feel like you intimately know them. In fact, her descriptions were so intimate that I felt the characters love, hurt, sadness and excitement. Her use of magical realism took the book to another level. When reality and dreams get blurred - who's to say what is real and what's not.

This book focuses on family, fun and love. All consuming, sparkling, lit on fire love. The love of friendship, family and that of your perfect partner.

Things this book had that I loved, and now want to experience;
Drinking Hot Chocolate in Geneva? Check
Eating fresh Mangos on a tropical island? Check
Flower Time Garden? Yes please
A Christmas Gala in Switzerland where no expense is spared? Pretty please.

Would I read this again? You Becha!

Wow! This was a great book. I’d highly recommend it to readers who are fans of romance novels. Five stars!

It’s the first time I ever read anything from Sarah -sadly- since her writing has such an attention to detail that you don’t even need to try to imagine the scenario she’s setting, you’re instantly transported as soon as you start reading.

This book has such an original plot that at first I didn’t even know how everything that was happening would make sense, but Sarah ties it all together and believe me, she lefts no loopholes. The characters are relatable even if your life doesn’t look at all like theirs, meaning that the author excels at making them feel human and alive.

I enjoyed this books so much that I stayed up until 3:30 am finishing it basically in one sitting; after having very busy days and not being able to properly sit down to read. I couldn’t stop thinking about reading the next chapter and just see Fi’s and Aaron’s love story unfold.

This is a really magical book, I enjoyed tremendously!

This is my favorite book in the series so far. Sarah, you keep outdoing yourself with every book you write. I love your books.

If you want a magical book that is full of love, a quick read and you won't be able to put it down until you finish reading it, this book is for you. I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you Netgally and Swift & Lewis Publishing for the ARC!
This is apart of an interconnected series but they can be read alone!

This book has such a unique concept that kept me hooked from the beginning! The characters were very loveable and Sarah Ready's writing really makes you connect to them! The twists this book takes keeps you very interested I struggled to put it down. Once I hit the halfway mark i devoured the book that day! This book had me exclaiming and gave me chills!!!!

This is my favorite book I have read this year. I would high recommend this book to anyone who is a lover of romance! Sarah Ready has such a nice writing style that really flows through out the book and has definitely become an author for me to look out for and look through her backlist

Thanks to Netgalley & Swift and Lewis Publishing LLC. for access to this E-ARC! Loved this so much!! The characters were so cute. Also loved the magical realism elements. New favorite author.

I loved this just as much as the previous 2 in the series, and can’t wait to read the next. The only note I have on the writing is that there were some repetitive descriptions, but otherwise great writing. It kept me wanting to keep reading. The magical realism plots of this series are all different yet all wonderful reads.

Fated is a 5 Star Read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A must have for your romance shelves a beautiful blend of romance and magical realism that always leaves you wanting more.

I was gripped by the story from the very first page until the last. By chapter 2 I was already in tears and completely invested in this story.

The lives of the characters blended together with aspects of magical realism created story full of whimsy and love with some complex undertones that address whether just to settle or is it worth finding the spark.

I loved the overall writing style apart from one small aspect that would at times pull me out of the story. I found at times there was a little to much listing when it came to describing the what she saw or felt for me that just didn’t blend with the whimsy of the rest of the writing however still and incredible read!

This book is a must for any romance lover !

Thankyou to Sarah Ready, Netgalley and Swift & Lewis Publishing LLC for the ARC.