I usually love Americans in London (or other locales), learning to find their way around the place and the culture, but this one missed the mark. What was meant to be cute and endearing actually had me cringing at times. Kat is unlikeable and while she seems professional at work, when it comes to dating she comes off as a pre-teen mean girl. I tried to get through this one but eventually gave up. This one wasn’t for me.

I thought the blurb sounded like a fun listen. An American is sent to work overseas for 6 months on a project that just may get her the promotion she wants and while there she is hoping to meet the man of her dreams. She wants the fantasy, the rom com ending of meeting a Prince or some wealthy member of the royal aristocratic family and fast forward to insta love and happily ever after. Kat, though an adult has the childlike belief she will magically find her own royal. Reality kicks in and things are not going as planned. The project is a snore and the men are not even close top any sort of aristocracy. That is until she spots “her man” from her window and kind of stalks until they can “meet”. To her dismay he isn’t the man she imagined and she was fairly awful to him calling him plain and simple and so not for her sophisticated self. Really? The concept is adorable and had so much promise. I didn’t really connect at all with Kat. She wasn’t terribly likable and in fact I found her condescending and at times just plain old mean. She does ultimately redeem herself and become a decent human being, but by then for me personally it was a little too late. Sweet unsurprising ending, but felt that Rory deserved better.

Cute RomCom perfect for fans of Love, Actually and Notting Hill. Kat has dreams of meeting a British prince when she spots "Alexander," riding by on the number 4 bus from the window of her flat. Turns out he is not exactly what she expected, but could he be even better? Kat finds out that the sweep you off your feet kind of love she thought she was looking for is nowhere near as exciting as falling in love with a friend.

Okay, in all honesty, I only made it about 20% in on this story, but I just don't want to go any further with this lead character. I spent the whole time thinking that the woman was insane and stalkerish and I'm just not interested in spending any more time on it. The pacing is WAY off. We need to actually meet the male lead much sooner. This is like going to watch While You Were Sleeping and getting a weird directors cut where we spend the first 20 minutes with Lucy hanging out in the toll booth while she daydreams. Get on with it already! We get all these memories about how terrible her ex was, but everything that Kat remembers her "terrible" ex saying sounds extremely true and valid. Kat is a total mess full of bizarre expectations. I'm glad that other people have enjoyed this book, but I just don't get it at all.

Honestly I hated the main character. She was so self absorbed and judgmental it made me want to DNF this book. But Rory and her Flatmate kept me going.
Overall the book wasn't that bad and Kat did get a little better but she just really rubbed me the wrong way that I still hated her in the end.

A cute story about American living abroad in London, Kat, falling in love with the idea of a man, that she sees daily from her window as he commutes on the double decker bus. Kat builds a dream life with the man on the bus, planning their whole lives together, but when she meets him she realizes he is nothing like she had imagined.

Kat goes on a journey of self-discovery and sees if the life she had always imagined for herself could not be what she actually wants in the end.

I enjoyed this book, I did think Kat was a big overboard with wanting “Alexander” to be everything she imagined, and thought it was silly when she was disappointed when he wasn’t, of course he’s not going to be this random person you created in your head. There was also a certain level of immaturity to Kat, as a 31 year old woman, she seemed to be acting in a way that more describes someone in their early 20s.

This books needs to have a trigger warning for sexual assault, I feel that plot line was far too graphic and repeatedly brought up to not have one.

Other than that it was a cute story and made me reminisce on my own study abroad in London.

LOVED IT! This book gave major Hallmark movie vibes, in the BEST way. London is one of my favorite places, so seeing different London landmarks & places mentioned throughout the book was fun. Overall, this a cute, easy, rom-com read, that will have you rooting for the main characters the whole time.

Ultimately, I struggled with the pacing of this book. The beginning is very slow and could have easily been edited down to be more engaging. Kat’s pining and fantasizing goes on for quite a while before she finally decides to make her move.

The way she talks/thinks about her “dream man” begins to come across almost stalker-like. If the MCs were reversed and the man was building up fantasies in his mind the way Kat does, this would be a different kind of book.

The audiobook is single POV and is narrated by Madeleine Maby. She did well conveying the source material and her accents were consistent throughout. I had no issues with differentiating the various characters.

While this book was not a great fit for me, I would be interested in reading other work from the author in the future.

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media!

The story was just not happening for me, I feel that I got too invested in he dreams of him being her prince charming that when it came to finding out he's from the same place she is I just lost interest.

I am at the 57% point of listening to this book on audio.
I only wish I had this in hard copy, so I could highlight all the cliches and stereotypes portrayed in this book.

A brief synopsis - Kat is on a temporary assignment in London for work. She falls in lust with a guy she sees riding a bus frequently. She daydreams he is a prince. He is not, he is a teacher from near her hometown in Michigan. There is a questionable sexual harassment incident and generally being an unlikeable corporate mover-and-shaker who wasn't to be "groomed for the C suite."

For starters, normally when an author sets a book in her hometown, she makes it out in a somewhat favorable light. Not this author. She apparently really couldn't wait to get out. The number of stereotypes and exaggerations of the Kalamazoo are numerous. I finally started writing them down, but I'm sure there were more:
1. Only "famous" for Bell's Beer and Derek Jeter - I encourage the author to check out the Wikipedia page, there's more than that listed.
2. 10 minute drive across the city - nope
3. downtown of low rise buildings - she might want to check out downtown now.
4. Cows and cornfields - plenty of corn, not sure about the cows, but also a lot of blueberries, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables.
5. Carnivores and camo and homophobic - sure, there are some of all of these, but I"m also typing this on the day of Pride in downtown Kalamazoo
6. Dirt roads - I'm sure there are some, but mostly there is a major interstate that connects Chicago to Detroit.

Then there are the stereotypes about corporate "America/London". When Kat doesn't get the promotion she wants, her boss tells her there isn't the headcount for it. This is a legit business reason!!! She gets ticked off when she tries to bargain for a promotion, but the boss won't put it in writing. Also, a legit HR moved!! She gets upset with her friend when she decides to cut back on work after having a baby, but her "husband doesn't have to". Totally a family's perogative to make that call.

I'm literally just going to hate listen to the rest of this book to find if it redeems itself at all.

Update - Couldn't finish it. A few minutes later, the character went off on a rant about how people from Kalamazoo never fly and a prop plane goes from Chicago to Kalamazoo. No props these days.
Also read more reviews and learned that at some point she compared Michigan to Florida with Michigan being the more conservative of the states. Huh?!?

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley.

Double-Decker Dreams by Lindsay MacMillan is a delightful novel that effortlessly transports readers into the enchanting world of an American in London.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this novel is its exploration of the idea that the world is, in fact, a small place. MacMillan weaves a tale where distance proves to be no obstacle for love. The protagonist, Kat, finds herself falling head over heels for the boy next door, thousands of miles away from that next door. It is a testament to MacMillion's skill as a storyteller that readers will find themselves rooting for Kat and her transcontinental romance, eagerly turning the pages to see how their love story unfolds.

The characters in Double-Decker Dreams are well-crafted and relatable. Kat, in particular, is a strong and independent protagonist who undergoes significant personal growth throughout the story. Her determination and resilience in the face of obstacles make her a character that readers will admire and root for.

Lindsay MacMillion's Double-Decker Dreams is a captivating and enchanting novel that seamlessly blends the allure of an American in London theme with a heartwarming tale of love. This book is delightful for anyone seeking a feel-good story that will leave them smiling and dreaming of their own double-decker adventures.

Double-Decker Dreams was a cute and easy read but a little too predictable for me. Kat and Rory are likeable but are a little too one dimensional for me.

American consultant Kat is staffed on a six-month project in London. She has two goals, get promoted to partner and fall in love with a handsome English aristocrat. One morning, she sees a man on a double-decker bus and just knows he's her person. But when she finally musters the courage to board the bus and introduce herself, he turns out to be very different from the Prince Charming she expected.

Kat had a fantasy created in her mind of the man she saw on the bus across from her window. Except, he was the exact opposite and not at all what she was expecting 🤭 Her un-romantic comedy as she referred to it quickly became something else, and love found her when she least expected it to.

Aside from that, she had other major decisions to make, including her place in the office and the lengths she'd go to in order to attain her perceived pinnacle of success. Things at the office got complicated but her love interest supported her and even gave her the push to speak out.

This was a quick read, or listen rather 😂 I loved the epilogue too!

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I loved the narrator.

While the narration was great, the story was just so-so. It had such potential, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.

3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐🎧

Michigan girl is abroad because of work, I loved the start. Yes, she was a little quirky and she dreamed of a love that wasn't real but who doesn't?!
I just feel like she wasn't really happy with her life so this was her escape. Work was all she thought about. So when she sees a handsome stranger on a bus she fantasized about him.

When she meets him and he isn't anything like her fantasy she re-adjusts, only to find out he is who she wanted all along.

I hated the workplace harassment and how that all played out but I fear that is how it really is. So it's a depiction of what some people go through. I am glad she speaks out.
Overall I liked the story, but I didn't love it.

The narration was great I thought Madeleine Maby did a lovely job I was hooked.

Kat is a successful career woman working hard for a promotion to partner. Her consulting company has sent her to London to work on a project with the assurance that she will be promoted after successful completion of the project. When she left the US, she ended the relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years. She felt he had become too comfortable in their relationship and she was insulted when he asked her to pick out her own engagement ring, rather than reading her mind and presenting her with one she would approve of. That's fine, though, because now that she's in London, it will be the perfect time for her to meet her real-life Prince Charming. As a devote of "married at first sight"-type reality TV programs, she just knows that her ideal man is waiting for her. She has already put out his attributes to the universe: he will be British, upper class (probably an aristocrat), have gone to the most elite and exclusive schools, doesn't need to work (due to being pretty much a royal) but does so and is wildly successful, etc. One day, while looking out her window, she spots him sitting on the top of a double-decker bus. He's gorgeous and makes eye contact with her and in that moment, she's sure he's the one for her. She creates an entire backstory for him, including his name: Alexander. She tells her next-door neighbor and friend all about Alexander and is finally persuaded to take the bus to work and engage him in conversation. Once she works up the courage, she's dismayed to find out he's not an aristocrat or even British. In fact, Rory is an elementary schoolteacher from the next town over from her own hometown in Michigan. Will Kat ever find her British aristocrat and embark on a jet-setting lifestyle, or will she find out her fantasy life isn't all it's cracked up to be?

I found Kat to be somewhat annoying. She was a 30-something high-flying career woman who spent all her free time fantasizing about princes. At one point she said something like, "If I were still in junior high, I'd be texting all my friends . . . " and I thought she hadn't matured past junior high at all. She might as well go ahead and send those texts! Still, it's an enjoyable enough rom-com set in the lovely London neighborhood of Islington, so there is a lot to enjoy. The narrator was very good and made the story flow along at a good pace.

Adorable, bright romcom with the coziest vibes. I look forward to reading more from this Lindsay MacMillan. I love her writing style!

Not a huge fan of the narrator or the audio quality. It could have been a bit more clear sounding.

Title: Double Decker Dreams
Author: Lindsay MacMillan
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Thoughts/Review:
This was a heartwarming, delightful read that left me smiling and wanting to read more books from the author.

✨Kat is an American consultant on assignment in London when she sees the man of her British dreams seated in a double decker bus. Named Andrew, he’s the incredibly handsome aristocratic son of a Duke who takes the bus to stay humble. He’s well educated, hard working, reserved yet passionate, and looking for an American beauty to create a life with. Kat soon figures out Andrew’s bus schedule (by watching through the window of her flat - justifying her actions as being observant and not a stalker) and decides to give fate the nudge it needs by boarding his bus. What ensues is a heartwarming, delightful, humorous journey that proves love is often more than we could possibly imagine.
✨Perfect for readers who enjoy a more light hearted romance without the gratuitous spice and steam many romances contain. I was sucked in immediately and found myself wanting to listen to the very end.

📚Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Lindsay MacMillan for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ahead of its proposed June 6th release in exchange for honest feedback.

I thoroughly enjoyed London-based Double-Decker Dreams! This book hits on topics that are extremely relevant in today's society and gave a hopeful, inspiring conclusion for our FMC, Kat, and all women in general. The narrator was also fantastic and I could picture the book as a movie as they read.

One of the overall themes within the story is, "What exactly is success? What does it mean?" Kat believes it's making partner. Climbing the corporate ladder. Working hard to get her spot in the C-suite. When Kat was a child, she decided she would become a CEO. But isn't there more to success? Maybe, happiness?

She meets Rory on a bus and even though her expectations were a little high in regards to him, they hit it off and became true friends. Think friends-to-lovers and a strong female main character. In addition, Rory was supportive and encouraged Kat to stand up for herself and not tolerate workplace sexual harassment. It made me cringe (especially because it really happens) when Kat had to decide/or not decide to 'play the game' in order to move up the ladder. I felt so badly for her and knew it was a scenario that women have to deal with all the time in corporate America.

Kat grows throughout the story, and by the end, her perception of success, love, and high expectations has completely changed. Life isn't one easy decision after another - it's complex and full of societal expectations that sometimes, we have to challenge to stay true to ourselves.

As Lindsay MacMillan wrote, "Success isn't about scale, it's about soul."

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for my audio arc in exchange for an honest review!

Here's what I loved..
- I love the cover, so cute.
- The first few minutes of this book open Taylor Swift references, which made me think it was a slam dunk from the start.
-Rory, was SO precious. I really enjoyed him and he pretty much saved the book. He was a bit too childish at points, but still an excellent character.
Here's what didn't work for me
- The Main Character and love interest never felt like they had any chemistry and I wasn't even convinced they loved each other in the 8 year ahead epilogue.
- Kat is also incredibly self absorbed.