Double Decker Dreams by Lindsay MacMillan is a slow-burn romance story of the friends-to-lovers trope.
This book is part of My Summer 2023 Reading List.
My Overview
I was drawn to Double Decker Dreams based on the premise and setting. A romance story set in London, with a storyline based on a sighting of a man on a double decker bus? I couldn’t wait to read this story! Unfortunately, it wasn’t as fun and enjoyable as I’d hoped.
Kat is an American working in London as a consultant to an oil company. The project she’s working on will keep her in London for six months. During that period, she expects to be able to earn a promotion to partner. She’s also expects to fall in love with an English aristocrat. One morning, while eating breakfast in her kitchen, she spots a man (Rory) riding a double decker bus. Kat is immediately convinced he’s the one; the man of her dreams.
As it turns out, Rory rides the bus at the same time on weekdays. This means Kat is able to see him every morning, since the bus drives right past her apartment. When Kat finally musters up the courage to ride the same double decker bus as Rory, she’s in for a surprise.
I was intrigued by the premise of the story, but unfortunately it soon fizzled. Why?
- Kat wasn’t a likable character. She was rude, bitter, and superficial.
- Rory was likable, kind, and reasonable. The way Kat treated him was sad.
- The story was drawn-out, repetitive, and saturated with platitudes.
Despite all that, the ending of the story turned it around for me. The only reason I stuck with this story, is because I kept waiting for something positive to happen. I like that Kat experienced some growth by the end. The epilogue was much appreciated.
My Overview
Overall, this wasn’t the fun and enjoyable romance story, I’d expected. It’s my first book by this author, so perhaps I had the wrong expectations. I enjoy trying out different authors, and I’m still glad I tried this one. Keep that in mind, as I don’t want to discourage anyone from giving this story a try.
Have you read this book?
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I’ve been curious about this one but this is the third mixed review I’ve come across from a trusted blogger so I think I may pass. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts on it. 🙂
Lucy
Glad you found it helpful. I’d seen mixed reviews too, but decided to give it a try anyway.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I have this one on my tbr. I hope that I like it a bit more than you did. It can be hard to fully enjoy a romance when you don’t care for one of the main characters.
Lucy
I do hope you’ll enjoy this story 💛.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
It’s hard to love a story when the main character is unlikable. I’ve hung in there thinking something good is going to happen too.
Lucy
Exactly. I wish the main character would’ve experience some growth earlier in the story.
Angela @ Reading Frenzy
It’s hard to enjoy a book when the main character is so unlikeable. Maybe if she’d experienced growth sooner it would have worked.
Lucy
I agree. If she’d experienced growth sooner it would’ve made a big difference.
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
The premise of this one would have grabbed me, too. But an unlikable main character is like the death knell when I’m reading a book. Kat sounds like an absolute pill, and her treating Rory poorly just makes it worse. Sorry that this one didn’t deliver what you’d hoped.
Lucy
Thanks. It really is an interesting premise, but the main character took away more than she added to the story.
Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse
Yeah, your three things that made it tank do not make this book sound like one I want to read. Thanks for reading and reviewing it!
Lucy
Glad you found it helpful.
Sara @ Sara's Reading Nook
I’m really sorry to hear that the book didn’t meet your expectations. Your feedback was so helpful and thoughtful. I totally get what you’re saying – unlikeable characters are a miss for me. So, I think I’ll be passing on this one. Thank you for taking the time to share your review!
Lucy
Thank you 💛! Glad you found it helpful.
Lindsey @ Lindsey Reads
The premise of this sounds nice, but I’m sorry to hear it didn’t live up to your expectations. An unlikeable main character can really break a story sometimes.
Lucy
Thank you 💛. In this case the main character did break the story.
Lark
I haven’t read this one, but the premise of it does sound like fun. Too bad Kat was such an unlikable character. I’m not sure I would like her, or this book, either.
Lucy
The premise sounds fun, but the execution lacked. I wish Kat’s growth would’ve come sooner in the story.
Sam@WLABB
I had set this one aside. I am glad to hear there was growth – that’s all I expect when a character comes across flawed.
Lucy
I stuck with the story, because I kept waiting for something positive to happen. Fortunately, Kat finally experienced some growth.