Double-Decker Dreams had me at the cover. I wanted to LOVE this book and LOVE it hard. Sadly it lost me along the way. It was a ride I couldn’t wait to get off of. This was my first book by author, Lindsay MacMillan, and it was a miss for me. After seeing the cover and reading the synopsis, it had all the potential for an awesome fun read. However, the narrator made it too painful to listen to. It was rather tough to power through the narrator ‘s attempt at a British accent. Yikes a doodle. I wanted a fun, cute rom com but instead I was met with a book full of stereotypes and cliches badly narrated.

What didn’t work for me … It was the hatred for the Midwest and Michigan in particular that got me the most. I’m from Michigan and it’s not my favorite state by ANY means but it was the authors hatred for “Michiganders” and the stereotypes that almost had me wanting to DNF this book immediately. But I powered through. I thought for a moment the author just failed to research the demographic area she decided to write about, but sadly, not the case. The author is from Michigan. Say what? That blew my mind. We all get it, the author very much hated where she grew up. But it didn’t do ANYTHING for the plot. Just an absolute miss for me.

I received an audiobook from Netgalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for my honest review. Sadly, I’ve learned this author’s writing style is not for me. I needed more plot & character development & a whole new narrator to have enjoy this one.

My appreciation for this book went in stages. From confused, into skeptical, then truly adoring. This is absolutely an unusual romance in the best of ways. I found the main characters very well formed and believable. And the basis for the story is so comically told, but at its heart is very real.

Kat is living in London temporarily for her job. She’s convinced her time there will bring about everything she’s been dreaming of her whole life. She’s going to be promoted and fast track her career towards becoming a CEO. She’s going to get a posh British boyfriend. She’s going to rise to her full potential and prove she’s been making the right choices. Then, one day, she spots him. Alexander (as she names him in her head) her posh British boyfriend and soulmate. He rides the bus past her flat a few times a week and he’s always looking towards her window. She’s convinced this means he feels their meant-to-be-ness too. So she makes plans to hop on and introduce herself. Once she does though, she finds out that this man isn’t an Alexander. He isn’t even British. He’s from the same small American town she is.

It took me a moment to get into this, as I fully believed that the MFC’s quirks were going to go too far and make her more caricature than relatable character. But then this took a turn I wasn’t expecting, and I ended up just loving everything about it. Fantastic story. Would recommend

Audio: 3/5 Neither terrible or great. I thought the actress had wonderful comedic timing and really told the story with a great energy. There were a few odd inflections here and there though. And, it may be a bit picky, but for a story set in England the actress didn’t have a great British accent, so some of those character voices did bother me a bit.

Overall, this book was very "meh". I just didn't feel like our FMC learned anything from her mistakes, and the romance didn't feel like it had a believable build up. The SA subplot felt both too much and not enough care was placed on it. I enjoyed the London setting but overall this wasn't for me.
3 stars.

Double-Decker Dreams by Lindsay MacMillan was so sweet. This one will be perfect for Christmas listening and had some of my favorite hallmark movie markers: busy city gal, hometown hero, delightful setting. Perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit anytime of year!

I can't workout if this book is an American author trying to see how many rubbish British stereotypes they can cram into one book, or just a really bad author writing a book that they think will sell.

I loved this book so much!! Highly recommend. It was a cute and light hearted read and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the ARC!

This book is what I would imagine anxiety would be like if it were a human person. This type of "love at first sight" kind of trope is not my favorite. Add in the manic pixie dream girl on uppers and it was just all too much.
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Anyone listening to Kat’s thought, the protagonist of the “Double-Decker Dreams” novel would very soon come to one or both of the these conclusion. One, Kat is one of those rare dreamers who simple thoughts are enough to keep Hollywood producers in business for years to come. Two, Kat is the most hard-working consultant, who would go to any length to become the successful business person she dreams of being since she was a small kid. But when these 2 Kats collide, let’s just say that it’s best to watch from far way. One such time is when Kat’s gaze falls on a London double-decker, on a complete stranger, about whom Kat make-believes is an English aristocrat. Only problem is, Kat’s too afraid to approach him.

So begins Lindsay MacMillan’s “Double-Decker Dreams”, a romantic and funny novel set in contemporary London. Narrated by Madeleine Maby, this novel can be listened at any time of the day to get you in a good mood. It’s funny, well-written, and good to get you in a good mood. Loved it!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #DoubleDeckerDreams #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

The beginning was a bit hard for me to get into. It was your stereotypical girl that studies abroad thinking they're going to meet a prince and fall in love and move to the country permanently. She played up the idea of a stranger in her mind (something we have all fallen guilty of), so when she meets him and is nothing like her imagination she is disappointed. I think it's easy to do this in real life (especially if you read a lot of romance books). This book was a nice reminder that romance books and rom com movies aren't real life.

Double-Decker Dreams
Lindsay MacMillan
Kat is in London as an American Consultant for six months. She has her heart set on getting promoted to partner and to fall madly in love with an English aristocrat. She puts forth the effort at work but rarely associates with her co-workers. As to a handsome English aristocrat so far none of them have met her expectations. However, there is the man on a double-decker bus, she begins daydreaming about him, imagining his voice and personality. When she finally is brave enough to meet him she is disappointed, he isn’t an aristocrat and he isn’t even English.
I was disappointed in this tale. I didn’t like Kat. There was no chemistry between her and Rory.

**please note due to low rating I will not be leaving a public review for this book as I have not paid for it.**

Narrated by Madeleine Maby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Lindsay MacMillan ⭐

It's hard to get engrossed in a story when you have such a strong dislike for both main characters.

Im really sorry but I have nothing positive to say about this book so I'm just going go stop here.

Story: meh
Narration: meh

Overall I was not the biggest fan of this story, nor did I enjoy the characters. Everything just fell a bit flat.

I typically do very well with audiobooks, but about halfway through this, I think I forgot I was listening. I may try to re-read the ebook and see if I have an easier time staying engaged in the story.

I was immediately captivated by Lindsay MacMillan’s novel Double Decker Dreams because its promising premise resonated with a personal experience of mine. As an avid rom-com fan, I eagerly dived into this book, looking forward to reading what would happen with Kat and her mysterious bus “Prince Charming.” However, I must admit that it left me really disappointed.

Kat’s erratic behavior and questionable morals made it difficult for me to root for her. I actually empathized with Rory and wanted him to find someone more deserving of his love. Kat’s wavering commitment to her values, especially about feminism, was also a stumbling block for me. The inconsistent portrayal of her character’s beliefs distracted me from the overall experience.

As a fellow Brit, I know of the cultural nuances of causal one-night stands and their unfortunate glorification. But, I find it demeaning when the sole focus revolves around whether or not two individuals have slept together. Kat’s promiscuity was another reason I felt bad for Rory, who preferred to do things slower and foster a genuine connection rather than focus on shallow physical attraction.

While I had hoped for an enjoyable read, Double Decker Dreams fell short of my expectations and wasn’t the book for me. Additionally, it was tough to endure the narrator’s attempt at a British accent, which was less than convincing. In the future, I think I will steer clear of secular romances and opt for a cleaner, morally upright novel.

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

There are a couple reasons why I rated Double-Decker Dreams so poorly.

First, the main characters were both pretty unlikeable. I don't feel like we get to know Rory too well as the main male lead, but what we do find out is a bit OCD and stoic. It's hard to believe he ultimately becomes Kat's love interest, especially considering the idealized image she had of him and how that person was a pretentious moneyed man. Kat was also not super likable, though her character development was slightly more relatable.

Second, the storyline was not just predictable, but it was also pretty dang boring. Not a whole lot happened to keep me interested in the story.

Lastly, the audio book narrator was extremely annoying to listen to. She spoke like she was reading the most dramatic book, with this way of pausing and over enunciating. It really irritated me after a while, and it didn't seem to match up well with who Kat was supposed to be. This probably contributed to my dislike of Kat as a main character as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't finish this book. Unfortunately I found the lead character totally unbearable and I couldn't connect to them at all. I didn't like what she was facing at work and perhaps that would have changed if I continued but the lead's unrealistc romantic plans and assumptions about work and life were not something I could connect with.

Double-Decker Dreams is a cutie story.
Kat is in London for a work project. She sees a handsome Brit on a bus and creates a Prince charming persona who will profess his love for her. She builds him up in her head full of fairy tales. Once they meet is she quickly disappointed, Instead of hearing a British accent on Rory, she hears an American midwestern accent. This destroys her fairytale romance she built in her head. Rory is a sweet man also in London for a six month teaching job. He and Kat become fast friends, spending plenty of time together. They soon have romantic feelings for one another.
I liked Rory’s character, he was well developed and was a mature man. Kay’s character I felt was a bit immature. For being a woman with a professional career, her thoughts were very adolescent. I enjoyed the story but it’s a onetime read for me.

This one did not draw me in. We were 5 or 6 chapters in before the narrator stopped being creepy and tried to talk to the guy. I really didn't like how much she had built up this story and then the crankiness when it wasn't true. I feel like the type of woman who excels so high in a STEM field would have a little more confidence.

I didn’t like this book. At all. And that's not to say that I don't love romcoms! They're literally my jam, so I thought I would, but this was honestly bad in so many ways.

If you didn’t like where you grew up, why spend so much of THIS BOOK bashing it? Deal with that NOT in writing. It rubbed me so wrong, especially being from the Midwest, and it made it hard to like it.

Furthermore, it felt too rushed and too bizarre. First, she was already making up a story about a person she’d never met. Then she’s suddenly in love with someone who she’s barely spent any time with. Then when they start seeing each other, it’s ANTI-FEMINIST to WANT A FAMILY? You’re losing me more and more. You can have a career AND a family, if that’s what you want. It left a sour taste in my mouth.

It all felt really weird to me.

Double Decker Dreams had seemed promising and the premise reminded me of One Day In December by Josie Silver. DNF @ 33% I tried to give the main character a chance, but I just cannot root for her at all - she is so unlikable and delusional. The narrator was good and the writing itself was good (I'd read others from this author!) but the characters just made it unbearable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this ALC.

Although a sweet story, I had a hard time believing that a 30-something woman who’s on the partner track at a McKinsey-like international consultancy firm lack this much self awareness. Kat is in London on a project after being dumped by her long term boyfriend for having unrealistic relationship expectations. She’s driven and single minded and has given up a lot for her career. She wants nothing more than to meet a sophisticated (maybe royal) Englishman who will knock her off her feet like a rom-com. One day, while working from her Islington apartment, she sees a very handsome man on a double decker bus and believes he’s her dream man. She names him Alexander, builds a whole fantasy story around him and waits by her window at the same time most days to see him. Her neighbor convinces her to get one the bus and meet time. Kat does and gets a huge surprise that changes the course of her life.