Work in Progress by Kat Mackenzie is a charming, feel-good romance that’s perfect for fans of lighthearted love stories. The book takes readers on a delightful journey of self-discovery and starting over, wrapped in a cozy blanket of humor and heart.

The story follows a lovable protagonist navigating life’s twists and turns as she tries to rebuild her life. The characters are relatable and endearing, with witty banter and adorable moments that keep the pages turning. The romance is sweet and wholesome, with just the right balance of tension and playfulness to make you root for the couple.

What I loved most was how Mackenzie’s writing effortlessly captures the essence of finding joy in new beginnings. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the hardest parts of life can lead to the sweetest surprises. While the story leans more on the lighter side, its themes of resilience and hope give it depth.

If you’re looking for a cute, fun read to brighten your day, Work in Progress is definitely worth picking up. It’s a delightful escape into a world where love, laughter, and fresh starts truly shine.

The narrator was lively and gave the character just the right amount of lightheartedness and joy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy! It was such a fun listen.

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Work In Progress
Author: Kat Mackenzie
Romance

Thank you so much Netgalley, Harper Audio and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC/ALC! I absolutely loved this book. It was the sweetest story and made me feel giddy inside the entire time reading it. Alice decides to take a tour of the UK with a fun cast of elderly women and a hot Scottish driver. It’s actually a literary tour so there are lots of book references, outlander, etc throughout the whole trip. I felt like I was on the tour myself which was super fun. The banter between all of the characters was hilarious. The narration on the audio was perfection. Not much spice but you don’t really care because the book is just so cute. Definitely think this will be a hit! It just released on 1/14! This is Kats first novel, and after reading the authors bio I really hope she will bring us more fun reads from an American living abroad’s perspective. Can’t recommend it enough! Thank you again Netgalley! 🙏

I love multi-generational titles and this one was no exception. I need a ticket for these tours! I could picture the bus, the driver, and all the hijinks. It was a great story and I loved every word!

Wow. Just wow. This narrator, Angela Dawe, blew me away. You could have told me that every character had a different narrator and I would have completely believed you. That’s how incredibly talented Angela is at bringing each and every character to life. There were multiple accents and so many different voices that this book was brought to life for me. I am amazed.
The writing of this book was so fantastic. I found myself laughing out loud so many times throughout it. Such a feel good romcom that just made me happy when I was finished.
We have already purchased this for our patrons to enjoy at our library. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy such an amazing book!

Work in Progress, by Kat Mackenzie, was the kind of audiobook you never want to end. The narrator, Angela Dawe, was fantastic!!! The novel required English, Scottish, American, German, Irish (and I think Welsh, too) accents and somehow Dawe managed to keep everyone straight and switch between them all seamlessly. So talented, and an absolutely pleasure for the ears!! This was my first novel by Kat Mackenzie and it was so laugh-out-loud hilarious while also being tender and swoony, I immediately went to download everything else she's written... except this is her debut!!!! Wow!! I can't wait to real/listen to whatever she writes next!! Highly recommend!!

thank you to the publisher for an arc and alc!

it’s crazy how i’m finding so many scottish romances months before my trip with my bestie… coincidence?? i think not!!

i absolutely loved a work in progress: from the literary tour with a gaggle of super cool older women (and a dog!), thrifting after our fmc’s whole suitcase gets pooped on…, and of COURSE our beautiful scottish mmc who is the literary tour’s guide, how could i not eat it up?

while a work in progress was definitely a romcom, it had so much depth thanks to the cast of characters sharing their lives and lessons.

the one thing i could have done less with was our fmc alice being petty towards the mmc robbie… like enough, he wants you babe 🙄✋🏼

as for the audio, the narrator did a fantastic job!

In the beginning of this story, I liked our FMC. I understood her frustration and her need to stand up for herself. But this attitude of hers quickly turned into one that was far too mean and truly unkind for my liking (she is the person who will openly say nasty things on social media in the guise of being honest). And it really just went downhill. On top of her nasty attitude towards Robbie, she truly was so rude about things pertaining to the culture of Scotland and England and it was incredibly frustrating and not at all cute or funny.

After she smashed Robbie's muffin in anger, I could no longer find anything redeemable about her character.

The rest of the characters were fine, if not all a bit too stereotypical for my liking. And the "reason we can't be together" was truly quite watery at best.

If she had been eliminated from this book, it would have been great overall.

The last thing I had a big issue with was the fact that Harry Potter was prominent for a section of it. It is 2025. We know that JKR is a horrible human being. Putting her crap in your book makes me question the author a little bit and it certainly crummied this one up a little more.

A warm, sexy, laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman who, desperate for a fresh start, books a literary bus tour across the UK that consists of a lively group of elderly ladies plus one infuriatingly handsome Scottish driver. - from Amazon

Sometimes a book comes along and you don't know you need it until it is read or listened to, this is one of those books. I laughed out loud several times and said oh no a couple of times. It was a great, easy, fast read and I enjoyed it so much! The characters are ones you want to meet and become best friends with. Not to mention the trip itself, that is something I need to add to the bucket list! Not the oh no parts, just the fun getting to know these women parts. Thank you Kat Mackenzie for writing a book I needed to read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

.In this cute, slow-burn romance, Alice Cooper has had her life fall apart. Between her lack of a job and her cheating ex now being engaged to the woman he cheated with (using HER engagement ring no less!), she is stressed. Add in a hell of a flight itinerary after her flight was cancelled, she is not pleased to discover that her luggage was crushed. After an antagonistic interaction at the counter with not just the attendant but also a sexy Scot, she is running late for her literary tour of the British Isle. When she discovers that not only is her tour entirely made up of old ladies to her 29 years, but also is led by the infuriating sexy Scot, hilarity ensues.

The quips traded by the main characters are hilarious. The old ladies are delightful, and the scenery is well explained.

Overall, it is a very cute romance.

I would recommend the print/e-book version over the audiobook just because the information at the beginning of each chapter comes across better in written form, but the narration was great, aside from a mother and son sounding the same.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio Adult for the DLC! All opinions are my own.

I ended up really liking this book. Alice Cooper is in a funk and sets off for a tour of Europe. I have to admit I didn’t like Alice very much for the first half of the book. She was a miserable person and I really disliked her. I then remembered how miserable and unlikable I was during my divorce and how it took over a year to find myself and my joy again. Mac and the ladies of the tour are delightful. Some of the scenarios were very unlikely and a little cringe but I really enjoyed this by the end. The narrator was impeccable and I will be checking out her other work. I look forward to more by the author as well!

2.5/5 ⭐
The author made 30 seem like such an old age??? Also the ending was SO short it felt insanely rushed. FMC seemed a bit too immature but like a kid trying to be an adult (picture wearing mom's heels)

**Spoiler**Also literally anyone could've guessed the MMC wasn't cheating/didn't have a gf. I assumed it was a sibling or child honestly.

On a positive note the narrator was amazing and the book is all fluff

Loved this hilarious romantic comedy starring a woman who is trying to start over. Alice Cooper (isn't that the best name for a character?) has booked a trip to Scotland for a literary tour to get over her heartbreak. It's definitely not what she expected. She is definitely the youngest (by far) on this trip and she's already had a run-in with the handsome Scottish tour-guide/bus driver. This is not how you get over heartbreak, nor come to terms with turning 30 and your life's plan not going as planned.
Hilarity ensues along the way and the banter between Alice and Robbie just gets better with every page. Along the way, Alice finds herself making friends with the other ladies on the tour and of course, falling for Robbie. Possibly one of the most adorable interesting romance novels I've read in a while.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

Work in Progress will have you laugh out loud with the many women that Alice Cooper meet on her 3 week bus tour around England and Scotland. What should have been a trip of a lifetime turns out to be not what Alice thought she signed up for. The website where Alice booked her trip promised love of books, professional guided tours, and bonding with other women. What Alice really got was a bus full of old women and the bus driver/owner guided tours of historic places. Robby, the handsome Scottish driver and Alice banter back and forth in this hate to love rom-com. I absolutely loved this book especially the cast of characters that are on the tour with Alice. I would like to thank both NetGalley and HarperAudio for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audio book.

If this romcom debut doesn't make you want to book a flight to Scotland I don't know what will!! I absolutely loved this Scottish literary bus tour romance between American, Alice Cooper, fresh off a breakup and looking for some adventure, and the grumpy, snarky Scotsman, Robbie who is leading the three week tour with an all female group of elderly lady passengers.

This was FUNNY, full of great banter, heartwarming intergenerational friendships, LOTs of great Scottish sightseeing side stops, Bridget Jones' Diary vibes, anxiety rep (Alice) and was also excellent on audio narrated by Angela Dawe.

There was some miscommunication involved but Robbie was secretly such a swoony, sweet book boyfriend I fell hard for him myself. Highly recommended for fans of books like Two for the road by Chantel Guertin or Kilt trip by Alexandra Kiley.

Huge thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a physical ARC and NetGalley and HarperAudio for an ALC copy. I switched between the print and audiobook and enjoyed both.

Steam level: fade to black/closed door