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In Every Way
Mia Finnegan moved to Chance to chase her dream of becoming a renowned investigative journalist. Two years later, she can’t get promoted out from the lifestyle section, her ex has run off with another woman, and she just slept through five alarms.
If there was ever a time to make some life changes, it’s now.
You control what happens next.
Do you stop for coffee and meet the flirtatious bad boy, Lachlan? Or do you skip coffee and have a run in with your broody co-worker, Sterling, who hates you?
Over and over, Fate brings Mia, Lucky and Sterling together, but only you decide where the story goes. Will you find love, pursue your dream job, or transport yourself to an alternate reality?
Live one life, or many. The choice is yours.
In this steamy MMF, Choose-Your-Own-Romance, you control where the story goes.
If there was ever a time to make some life changes, it’s now.
You control what happens next.
Do you stop for coffee and meet the flirtatious bad boy, Lachlan? Or do you skip coffee and have a run in with your broody co-worker, Sterling, who hates you?
Over and over, Fate brings Mia, Lucky and Sterling together, but only you decide where the story goes. Will you find love, pursue your dream job, or transport yourself to an alternate reality?
Live one life, or many. The choice is yours.
In this steamy MMF, Choose-Your-Own-Romance, you control where the story goes.
- GenresRomance
ebook
First published December 1, 2025
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Dani McLean
16 books190 followersDani McLean is a Bi/NB Australian author who writes shamelessly fun contemporary romance with an open-bedroom-door policy. She loves coffee, karaoke, and stories that make you kick your feet up in the air. If lost, she can be found on Ao3, or echo located through her kookaburra laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 12, 2025
Thank you to the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book, I have read a choose your own romance book before but that was not executed as well as this book, I loved how interactive this book is. There are many pathways that you can end up on depending on the choices you make as you are reading, my favourite of the ones I have read so far was my first read. In this pathway Mia chooses to help Sterling with his investigation, it’s clear Sterling has long admired Mia and sees so much potential in her writing and I loved him in this pathway. I also like Lucky as he was just so charming but Sterling was my favourite, whichever way you read it our trio will end up together. Sterling and Lucky have unresolved history and I enjoyed discovering this in one of my reads, there’s no jealously at all in this book. I found Mia to be very endearing and I loved her friendship with Celine, I wish there had been more Celine in this book. I plan on reading this book again as I can’t see how it will ever get boring as there are many ways to read this book, I love that you get a different experience each time.
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but the cover on this book is just so pretty. If you are looking for something different to read you couldn’t go wrong by picking up this book.
I really enjoyed this book, I have read a choose your own romance book before but that was not executed as well as this book, I loved how interactive this book is. There are many pathways that you can end up on depending on the choices you make as you are reading, my favourite of the ones I have read so far was my first read. In this pathway Mia chooses to help Sterling with his investigation, it’s clear Sterling has long admired Mia and sees so much potential in her writing and I loved him in this pathway. I also like Lucky as he was just so charming but Sterling was my favourite, whichever way you read it our trio will end up together. Sterling and Lucky have unresolved history and I enjoyed discovering this in one of my reads, there’s no jealously at all in this book. I found Mia to be very endearing and I loved her friendship with Celine, I wish there had been more Celine in this book. I plan on reading this book again as I can’t see how it will ever get boring as there are many ways to read this book, I love that you get a different experience each time.
I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but the cover on this book is just so pretty. If you are looking for something different to read you couldn’t go wrong by picking up this book.
December 30, 2025
Choose-your-own-adventure chaos. Bisexual wish fulfillment. Career angst. Flirty bad boys, broody enemies, and Fate aggressively meddling.
Mia Finnegan moved to Chance to become a serious investigative journalist, only to find herself stuck writing lifestyle fluff, freshly dumped, and profoundly exhausted. Enter two very different men: Lachlan (“Lucky”), a charming bad boy with undeniable chemistry, and Sterling, her broody, antagonistic coworker who absolutely hates her.
What makes this novel special is that you decide what Mia does next. Romance? Career? Both? Neither? A completely unhinged alternate reality? The story branches again and again, letting readers explore multiple lives, loves, and outcomes.
This book is genuinely fun. The variety of endings is impressive: romantic, sexy, chaotic, emotional, and yes, even a bank heist. McLean manages to make each path feel complete rather than gimmicky, which is no small feat. I also loved how accessible it is: each storyline unfolds in short, punchy chapters that still manage to deliver full emotional arcs. It’s perfect for readers who are restless, distracted, or stuck in a slump.
In Every Way feels like a reminder that stories don’t have to move in straight lines. It’s clever, inventive, and refreshingly different from the usual romance structure. If you’re bored, burned out, or just want something that feels like a literary palate cleanser without sacrificing emotional payoff, this is an excellent pick. Dani McLean proves you don’t need 500 pages to tell a satisfying story. sometimes you just need a few really good choices.
Mia Finnegan moved to Chance to become a serious investigative journalist, only to find herself stuck writing lifestyle fluff, freshly dumped, and profoundly exhausted. Enter two very different men: Lachlan (“Lucky”), a charming bad boy with undeniable chemistry, and Sterling, her broody, antagonistic coworker who absolutely hates her.
What makes this novel special is that you decide what Mia does next. Romance? Career? Both? Neither? A completely unhinged alternate reality? The story branches again and again, letting readers explore multiple lives, loves, and outcomes.
This book is genuinely fun. The variety of endings is impressive: romantic, sexy, chaotic, emotional, and yes, even a bank heist. McLean manages to make each path feel complete rather than gimmicky, which is no small feat. I also loved how accessible it is: each storyline unfolds in short, punchy chapters that still manage to deliver full emotional arcs. It’s perfect for readers who are restless, distracted, or stuck in a slump.
In Every Way feels like a reminder that stories don’t have to move in straight lines. It’s clever, inventive, and refreshingly different from the usual romance structure. If you’re bored, burned out, or just want something that feels like a literary palate cleanser without sacrificing emotional payoff, this is an excellent pick. Dani McLean proves you don’t need 500 pages to tell a satisfying story. sometimes you just need a few really good choices.
December 12, 2025
I finished it and had to reread it because, unlike other books, this one has more than one path.
Small confession: I've never owned or read a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, so every time I chose a new path for the protagonist, I felt like I was missing out on something.
I had a lot of fun, despite the little angsty moment of feeling like I was missing out on something while choosing chapters.
This book gives you the feeling that you can shape your character's personality by choosing their next move, and it felt like three different books in one.
In one, Mia ends up with her grumpy coworker, in another with the sexy and adventurous guy who appears at just the right moment, and in the third with both.
Each one has the same protagonist but with a different determination, and for some magical reason, Dani McLean makes it work—it's a rare magic.
And maybe that's the reason why I want to read it again and choose new paths again.
If you've ever wanted to change the ending or find one that feels right for the protagonist, this is your book. Besides the adventure, you'll find a love story with beautiful and also steamy scenes.
.
.
.
.
Thanks to Dani Mclean and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
Small confession: I've never owned or read a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, so every time I chose a new path for the protagonist, I felt like I was missing out on something.
I had a lot of fun, despite the little angsty moment of feeling like I was missing out on something while choosing chapters.
This book gives you the feeling that you can shape your character's personality by choosing their next move, and it felt like three different books in one.
In one, Mia ends up with her grumpy coworker, in another with the sexy and adventurous guy who appears at just the right moment, and in the third with both.
Each one has the same protagonist but with a different determination, and for some magical reason, Dani McLean makes it work—it's a rare magic.
And maybe that's the reason why I want to read it again and choose new paths again.
If you've ever wanted to change the ending or find one that feels right for the protagonist, this is your book. Besides the adventure, you'll find a love story with beautiful and also steamy scenes.
.
.
.
.
Thanks to Dani Mclean and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion
December 7, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I gave this choose-your-own-adventure romance a few tries before writing this review!
The first read0through, I ended on chapter/page 75 and was quite disappointed with the ending I received. There was no smut/romantic scenes along my route and I was left at a cliffhanger in how Lucky & Sterling (our MMCs) knew each other. I honestly didn't even get more than a single conversation with Lucky on this initial read-through.
On the second read-through, I ended on chapter/page 84. I did learn more about Lucky & Sterling's own relationship and was definitely surprised by this main plot line twist. I have read some of Dani's other stories, so in context with their writing, it isn't a surprise but it definitely wasn't what I was expecting based on the initial blurb. This read-through was more enjoyable, however it still didn’t quite check the boxes for what I expected.
Based on the content warnings for this, I really expected more to the relationships in regards to sex scenes and even emotional connections between the three characters. I just felt like things fell flat for me in both the ways I took. I might continue to revisit this book and try for different stories in the future.
I gave this choose-your-own-adventure romance a few tries before writing this review!
The first read0through, I ended on chapter/page 75 and was quite disappointed with the ending I received. There was no smut/romantic scenes along my route and I was left at a cliffhanger in how Lucky & Sterling (our MMCs) knew each other. I honestly didn't even get more than a single conversation with Lucky on this initial read-through.
On the second read-through, I ended on chapter/page 84. I did learn more about Lucky & Sterling's own relationship and was definitely surprised by this main plot line twist. I have read some of Dani's other stories, so in context with their writing, it isn't a surprise but it definitely wasn't what I was expecting based on the initial blurb. This read-through was more enjoyable, however it still didn’t quite check the boxes for what I expected.
Based on the content warnings for this, I really expected more to the relationships in regards to sex scenes and even emotional connections between the three characters. I just felt like things fell flat for me in both the ways I took. I might continue to revisit this book and try for different stories in the future.
December 29, 2025
A Choose Your Own Romance is such a fun thing, but it needs to be executed well.
This one was not.
I noticed inconsistencies, mistakes, and frankly some of these storylines were too short.
Yes, of course the idea is that you explore of all them, but still, there was a severe lack in tension in some.
Also, “go back” is not really a choice so the options for this choose your own adventure were lacking.
And for a MMF romance, some parts did not even feature the second M till in the epilogue. Bit strange.
2.5 stars rounded up.
This one was not.
I noticed inconsistencies, mistakes, and frankly some of these storylines were too short.
Yes, of course the idea is that you explore of all them, but still, there was a severe lack in tension in some.
Also, “go back” is not really a choice so the options for this choose your own adventure were lacking.
And for a MMF romance, some parts did not even feature the second M till in the epilogue. Bit strange.
2.5 stars rounded up.
November 29, 2025
4 stars
this book was fun. it's very, very different from any other book I've read, and it really makes you part of the story.
I read it three times with 3 very different paths, and they were very different from each other. My first path was the shortest (met only Lucky in this one), and it left me intrigued, so I started over, and I loved the second one (met only Sterling in this one) and then the next day I started over a third time and got the MMF and it was fun too plus I got steamy scenes here!
Now, I have to say I love Sterling a lot more than Lucky, but that's just my preference, I know some people will adore Lucky.
I do have to say some people will not enjoy this at all, and that's fine. I love not knowing how the story is going to be until the next choice I made. I'll continue to play with this one a couple of more times because it feels like an endless book, and I kinda like that.
thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
this book was fun. it's very, very different from any other book I've read, and it really makes you part of the story.
I read it three times with 3 very different paths, and they were very different from each other. My first path was the shortest (met only Lucky in this one), and it left me intrigued, so I started over, and I loved the second one (met only Sterling in this one) and then the next day I started over a third time and got the MMF and it was fun too plus I got steamy scenes here!
Now, I have to say I love Sterling a lot more than Lucky, but that's just my preference, I know some people will adore Lucky.
I do have to say some people will not enjoy this at all, and that's fine. I love not knowing how the story is going to be until the next choice I made. I'll continue to play with this one a couple of more times because it feels like an endless book, and I kinda like that.
thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2026
2 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a really cool concept. Letting the reader choose the main character’s path is honestly such a fun idea, and it almost made me rate this higher just for being different.
But the execution… yeah, that is where it lost me.
First of all, this book is like 300 pages, but it reads like a novella. I only read about 100 pages and somehow the romance was already happening at full speed. It felt rushed, which was weird.
The biggest issue for me was the romance paths. I picked the route where she is with her work colleague, and he was basically the only love interest I ever saw. So when she told him she loved him, I was like okay, that makes sense.
Then the very next chapter, the only option I had was for her to meet another guy and sleep with him. Sorry, what? She literally just said she was in love with the first guy. That gave me whiplash.
And then in the epilogue, suddenly the three of them are together… even though I barely met the second guy. So I felt confused, disconnected, and honestly kind of annoyed.
So yeah. Fun idea. Cool concept. But it did not come together in a way that worked for me. Still, props to the author for trying something new.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a really cool concept. Letting the reader choose the main character’s path is honestly such a fun idea, and it almost made me rate this higher just for being different.
But the execution… yeah, that is where it lost me.
First of all, this book is like 300 pages, but it reads like a novella. I only read about 100 pages and somehow the romance was already happening at full speed. It felt rushed, which was weird.
The biggest issue for me was the romance paths. I picked the route where she is with her work colleague, and he was basically the only love interest I ever saw. So when she told him she loved him, I was like okay, that makes sense.
Then the very next chapter, the only option I had was for her to meet another guy and sleep with him. Sorry, what? She literally just said she was in love with the first guy. That gave me whiplash.
And then in the epilogue, suddenly the three of them are together… even though I barely met the second guy. So I felt confused, disconnected, and honestly kind of annoyed.
So yeah. Fun idea. Cool concept. But it did not come together in a way that worked for me. Still, props to the author for trying something new.
November 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐ 2 🌶️
This was so much fun!! It's got some quirks being a choose your own adventure romance, but overall I loved it. I did one adventure first, but plan to do a couple more soon!
My First Adventure: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 18, 34, 39, 43, 50, 90
This was like a quick little MMF novella with these choices. I picked the higher heat options and really loved Mia and Lucky. I do wish we got more Sterling here, especially some MMF scenes, but I still very much enjoyed my adventure and can't wait for more.
This was so much fun!! It's got some quirks being a choose your own adventure romance, but overall I loved it. I did one adventure first, but plan to do a couple more soon!
My First Adventure: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 18, 34, 39, 43, 50, 90
This was like a quick little MMF novella with these choices. I picked the higher heat options and really loved Mia and Lucky. I do wish we got more Sterling here, especially some MMF scenes, but I still very much enjoyed my adventure and can't wait for more.
November 26, 2025
There was no way to talk about what didn’t work without spoilers.
This is such a cute idea for a romance, kind of like tailoring it to exactly the ending you want. Unfortunately the execution was not great. Love a choose your own adventure but this one had several continuity errors that pulled me right out.
Some things about this book did work for me. For starters it is not second person POV like most of the CYOA I’ve read. It made it feel more rom com than CYOA. I also liked that there was a decent amount of choices. I stopped at the first ending I got and made 11 choices on the way there which seems like a lot. I did plan on testing out all of the endings to see what kind of variety there was but stopped at the first e ding because it was fairly unreadable due to the continuity. The ending I got had no spice so there is at least one run through spice free.
What didn’t work for me was how the choices were set up. Many of the choices were Choice A or go back. For my run through I never chose to ‘go back’ just so I could see all there was but it was option B (or sometimes C) on almost every choice. I think that’s where the continuity errors were happening though. For my story line Mia is fired from the job she hates after being late (and loses her apartment like 5 mins later because they heard she was fired? Lol) the stranger who made her late offers her a room in his apt and then we’re on the couch working and complaining about the job that we hate (that we were fired from???). In my story there was also no lead up to the romance either. Mia moves in finds out her roommates boyfriend is the coworker she was crushing on and now she’s in love with both of them and they ask her to date them? The whole romance part must have been in another option unfortunately.
I’d be interested in giving this another try once finalized hoping it gets another round of edits to smooth out the errors.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a cute idea for a romance, kind of like tailoring it to exactly the ending you want. Unfortunately the execution was not great. Love a choose your own adventure but this one had several continuity errors that pulled me right out.
Some things about this book did work for me. For starters it is not second person POV like most of the CYOA I’ve read. It made it feel more rom com than CYOA. I also liked that there was a decent amount of choices. I stopped at the first ending I got and made 11 choices on the way there which seems like a lot. I did plan on testing out all of the endings to see what kind of variety there was but stopped at the first e ding because it was fairly unreadable due to the continuity. The ending I got had no spice so there is at least one run through spice free.
What didn’t work for me was how the choices were set up. Many of the choices were Choice A or go back. For my run through I never chose to ‘go back’ just so I could see all there was but it was option B (or sometimes C) on almost every choice. I think that’s where the continuity errors were happening though. For my story line Mia is fired from the job she hates after being late (and loses her apartment like 5 mins later because they heard she was fired? Lol) the stranger who made her late offers her a room in his apt and then we’re on the couch working and complaining about the job that we hate (that we were fired from???). In my story there was also no lead up to the romance either. Mia moves in finds out her roommates boyfriend is the coworker she was crushing on and now she’s in love with both of them and they ask her to date them? The whole romance part must have been in another option unfortunately.
I’d be interested in giving this another try once finalized hoping it gets another round of edits to smooth out the errors.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2025
I've never read a choose-your-own-adventure novel before and it was honestly so fun! I loved being able to go back and make different decisions to see where Mia would end up! Bonus points for polycule representation 👌
Thank you Dani McLean and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
Thank you Dani McLean and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
December 1, 2025
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: December 9 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you could step into a book and rewrite the script, In Every Way by Dani McLean is the perfect novel to make that fantasy come true. I’ve read a lot of romance novels in my time, but this one? It’s something entirely different, and I can’t get over how refreshing and exciting the whole experience was.
The first thing that stood out to me about this book is how interactive it is. I’ve always loved being fully immersed in a story, but here, I was in control. The book gives you the power to make decisions for the main character, Mia, which means that every time I flipped the page, I wasn’t just reading, I was shaping her journey. From the coffee shop encounter with the charming, mischievous Lachlan to the tense, complicated moments with the brooding Sterling, every choice felt weighty and real. And honestly? That’s where the magic of this book lies.
Mia herself is such a relatable character. She’s determined, a woman who knows what she wants deep down, even if she’s not sure how to get it. Her vulnerability is what makes her journey so easy to connect with, and watching her try to figure out what comes next in her life, not just in her career but in her love life, was so rewarding.
And let’s talk about the chemistry! I couldn’t get enough of the interactions between Mia and her two love interests, Sterling and Lucky. Their dynamics are so rich and layered, each one offering a completely different experience. With Lucky, there’s this carefree, flirtatious energy that makes your heart race every time they’re together. He’s the kind of guy who makes you want to take risks, to let go of your inhibitions and see where things go. Then there’s Sterling, who starts off as someone who seems to "hate" Mia but whose chemistry with her slowly simmers until you can feel the tension between them leap off the page. He’s brooding, a little distant, but there’s a side of him that Mia (and we, as readers) just can’t resist. Watching Mia navigate these two very different personalities kept me completely engaged throughout the entire book.
What I loved most, though, is that no matter how the story unfolded, I always felt like I was discovering something new about Mia, her relationships, and even myself. The book doesn’t just throw in random options for the sake of choice, it makes you think, and it feels like your decisions have consequences. Will Mia take the safe route, or will she go after the thrilling, unpredictable path? Each decision brought new surprises, and I found myself wanting to go back and read all the different possibilities. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you get to control, which is honestly an incredible feeling.
The concept of a choose-your-own-romance is so unique, and Dani does an amazing job lacing it all together. In some paths, she takes risks and finds love: in others, she’s thrown into crazy, unexpected situations that make her question what she really wants. There’s a sense of freedom in the narrative that I’ve never encountered in a romance novel before, and it made the whole reading experience feel incredibly personal.
I won’t spoil anything by saying which direction I chose, but I will say that each route I explored was satisfying in its own way. Whether you’re looking for something sweet and heartwarming, something steamy and passionate, or a mix of both, this book has it all. The best part? You get to decide what happens. And that, in itself, makes it one of the most enjoyable and innovative books I’ve read in a long time.
This book blends romance with adventure, self discovery with passion, and, most of all, it gives you a chance to play a part in shaping a story you care about. It’s fun, it’s heartwarming, it’s steamy, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something new and exciting in the world of romance. This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I’m already thinking about diving back in to see where else Mia’s choices might take her.
Thank you to Dani McLean and Netgalley for the ARC.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Mmf, friends to lovers, rockstar/investigative journalists, grumpy/sunshine, second chance romance
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: December 9 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you could step into a book and rewrite the script, In Every Way by Dani McLean is the perfect novel to make that fantasy come true. I’ve read a lot of romance novels in my time, but this one? It’s something entirely different, and I can’t get over how refreshing and exciting the whole experience was.
The first thing that stood out to me about this book is how interactive it is. I’ve always loved being fully immersed in a story, but here, I was in control. The book gives you the power to make decisions for the main character, Mia, which means that every time I flipped the page, I wasn’t just reading, I was shaping her journey. From the coffee shop encounter with the charming, mischievous Lachlan to the tense, complicated moments with the brooding Sterling, every choice felt weighty and real. And honestly? That’s where the magic of this book lies.
Mia herself is such a relatable character. She’s determined, a woman who knows what she wants deep down, even if she’s not sure how to get it. Her vulnerability is what makes her journey so easy to connect with, and watching her try to figure out what comes next in her life, not just in her career but in her love life, was so rewarding.
And let’s talk about the chemistry! I couldn’t get enough of the interactions between Mia and her two love interests, Sterling and Lucky. Their dynamics are so rich and layered, each one offering a completely different experience. With Lucky, there’s this carefree, flirtatious energy that makes your heart race every time they’re together. He’s the kind of guy who makes you want to take risks, to let go of your inhibitions and see where things go. Then there’s Sterling, who starts off as someone who seems to "hate" Mia but whose chemistry with her slowly simmers until you can feel the tension between them leap off the page. He’s brooding, a little distant, but there’s a side of him that Mia (and we, as readers) just can’t resist. Watching Mia navigate these two very different personalities kept me completely engaged throughout the entire book.
What I loved most, though, is that no matter how the story unfolded, I always felt like I was discovering something new about Mia, her relationships, and even myself. The book doesn’t just throw in random options for the sake of choice, it makes you think, and it feels like your decisions have consequences. Will Mia take the safe route, or will she go after the thrilling, unpredictable path? Each decision brought new surprises, and I found myself wanting to go back and read all the different possibilities. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that you get to control, which is honestly an incredible feeling.
The concept of a choose-your-own-romance is so unique, and Dani does an amazing job lacing it all together. In some paths, she takes risks and finds love: in others, she’s thrown into crazy, unexpected situations that make her question what she really wants. There’s a sense of freedom in the narrative that I’ve never encountered in a romance novel before, and it made the whole reading experience feel incredibly personal.
I won’t spoil anything by saying which direction I chose, but I will say that each route I explored was satisfying in its own way. Whether you’re looking for something sweet and heartwarming, something steamy and passionate, or a mix of both, this book has it all. The best part? You get to decide what happens. And that, in itself, makes it one of the most enjoyable and innovative books I’ve read in a long time.
This book blends romance with adventure, self discovery with passion, and, most of all, it gives you a chance to play a part in shaping a story you care about. It’s fun, it’s heartwarming, it’s steamy, and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something new and exciting in the world of romance. This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I’m already thinking about diving back in to see where else Mia’s choices might take her.
Thank you to Dani McLean and Netgalley for the ARC.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Mmf, friends to lovers, rockstar/investigative journalists, grumpy/sunshine, second chance romance
January 1, 2026
3.8/5 stars — everyone please join me in a silent moment of appreciation for sterling ross........ thank you 😌 i'm back on my choose-your-own-adventure nye grind and this was SUCH a fun way to start 2026 holy moly. there were a few things here and there that i think could have been stronger but, as you can see by my enjoyment rating, i wasn't THAT bothered 🤭
Plot: 3/5 - obviously this is a doozy to cover when it comes to choose-your-own-adventure, but i will say some of the plotline were SO GOOD i was actually gagged, like i would have read an entire book of them alone (hello, i'm looking at you, both of the magical subplots!!!). never have i ever enjoyed a bank robbery plotline so much in my entire life. the only problem is some were so good that i wanted MORE and we hardly got a taste (fantasy world 😭😭😭), and then when i look back on the regular first routes i took of like "they met in a coffee shop" i'm like yeah okay that's nice but where's the real lore lol
Characters: 4/5 - i'll take men written by women/NBs for 500 😭 just say you're going to give me unrealistic expectations for my love life and then just go, jesus 😭😭 lachlan is also unreal in the best way, i cannot stress this enough but sterling... when we hey king!! i can't do this today<3
Pacing: 3/5 - overall good (there's a lot of book to read here!) but as i said, i think we have some stories that get a lot more page time than others and i wish there was a slightly better balance of some of those choices. i did find it weird that we had two instances where the choice was basically to get the "cliffs notes" and read a shorted summary and i'm like ?? or just read the book when you have time? why are we trying to read less of the book, you're missing all of the good character dynamic stuff. also, i hate a fake choice. like don't tell me the options are "let him drive you home" or "go home alone" and then if i pick "go home alone" the character is just like "no way, i'm taking you home." ????????? okay so i didn't make a choice at all then, cool.
Writing: 4/5 - i was very pleasantly surprised by the writing. some tee hee haha funny parts, some SWOON worthy romantic moments (like not to only talk about sterling again but the one time when ), and let's just say dani mclean was not holding back on the spice 👀
Enjoyment: 5/5 - did i have to create my own tracker because i'm a completionist and had to be sure i had read every chapter before marking this as read, and that was a little annoying? yes. did i have a few nit-picky issues? yes. but did i love every minute of reading this book? also yes. i contain multitudes. i do look forward to trying some more dani mclean!
thank you to netgalley & set the mood publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Plot: 3/5 - obviously this is a doozy to cover when it comes to choose-your-own-adventure, but i will say some of the plotline were SO GOOD i was actually gagged, like i would have read an entire book of them alone (hello, i'm looking at you, both of the magical subplots!!!). never have i ever enjoyed a bank robbery plotline so much in my entire life. the only problem is some were so good that i wanted MORE and we hardly got a taste (fantasy world 😭😭😭), and then when i look back on the regular first routes i took of like "they met in a coffee shop" i'm like yeah okay that's nice but where's the real lore lol
Characters: 4/5 - i'll take men written by women/NBs for 500 😭 just say you're going to give me unrealistic expectations for my love life and then just go, jesus 😭😭 lachlan is also unreal in the best way, i cannot stress this enough but sterling... when we hey king!! i can't do this today<3
Pacing: 3/5 - overall good (there's a lot of book to read here!) but as i said, i think we have some stories that get a lot more page time than others and i wish there was a slightly better balance of some of those choices. i did find it weird that we had two instances where the choice was basically to get the "cliffs notes" and read a shorted summary and i'm like ?? or just read the book when you have time? why are we trying to read less of the book, you're missing all of the good character dynamic stuff. also, i hate a fake choice. like don't tell me the options are "let him drive you home" or "go home alone" and then if i pick "go home alone" the character is just like "no way, i'm taking you home." ????????? okay so i didn't make a choice at all then, cool.
Writing: 4/5 - i was very pleasantly surprised by the writing. some tee hee haha funny parts, some SWOON worthy romantic moments (like not to only talk about sterling again but the one time when ), and let's just say dani mclean was not holding back on the spice 👀
Enjoyment: 5/5 - did i have to create my own tracker because i'm a completionist and had to be sure i had read every chapter before marking this as read, and that was a little annoying? yes. did i have a few nit-picky issues? yes. but did i love every minute of reading this book? also yes. i contain multitudes. i do look forward to trying some more dani mclean!
thank you to netgalley & set the mood publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 11, 2025
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this to review
Big 'I want two boyfriends and I want the boyfriends to be boyfriends' energy and I'm here for it!
I loved choose your own adventure style books as a kid but definitely haven't read one since I was fairly young so seeing a choose your own romance immediately had me interested. This is a type of book I'm surprised I don't see more because when they're well done they can be really fun.
In my opinion In every way is a really well thought out choose your own style book with a variety of paths to take and a lot of different possible endings. Some paths did feel more detailed and were significantly longer than others but the fun of this type of book for me is exploring as many possible options as I can. At the time of reviewing I have read through 5 pathways with different endings one of which was really long and the plot was quite unexpected. In the longer pathways it felt like there was a lot of for the author to flesh out the love interests characters and make it easier to be invested in the romance/relationships. My one real criticism is that in some of the shorter pathways it sometimes felt like one of the love interests would just kind of be shoehorned in towards the end with no time to get to know them simply so that they would be there for the ending/epilogue. This isn't as much of an issue if you're re reading and trying a few different endings because you might already feel invested in the character from a previous readthrough but if you only read through once I feel like that wouldn't be the most satisfying.
There is spice and some pathways are certainly spicier than others but what I did think was interesting was that in almost every case you can completely skip the spice if you want. I didn't personally but since spice isn't for everyone I do appreciate that the option was there for those who want it.
The main characters are pretty well developed with the love interests being a golden retriever energy musician and a black cat investigative journalist which work together well and have good chemistry with each other as well as the female main character Mia.
I'm definitely going to be going back to this at a later date to read through more of the pathways and find out what other endings these characters can have together.
Big 'I want two boyfriends and I want the boyfriends to be boyfriends' energy and I'm here for it!
I loved choose your own adventure style books as a kid but definitely haven't read one since I was fairly young so seeing a choose your own romance immediately had me interested. This is a type of book I'm surprised I don't see more because when they're well done they can be really fun.
In my opinion In every way is a really well thought out choose your own style book with a variety of paths to take and a lot of different possible endings. Some paths did feel more detailed and were significantly longer than others but the fun of this type of book for me is exploring as many possible options as I can. At the time of reviewing I have read through 5 pathways with different endings one of which was really long and the plot was quite unexpected. In the longer pathways it felt like there was a lot of for the author to flesh out the love interests characters and make it easier to be invested in the romance/relationships. My one real criticism is that in some of the shorter pathways it sometimes felt like one of the love interests would just kind of be shoehorned in towards the end with no time to get to know them simply so that they would be there for the ending/epilogue. This isn't as much of an issue if you're re reading and trying a few different endings because you might already feel invested in the character from a previous readthrough but if you only read through once I feel like that wouldn't be the most satisfying.
There is spice and some pathways are certainly spicier than others but what I did think was interesting was that in almost every case you can completely skip the spice if you want. I didn't personally but since spice isn't for everyone I do appreciate that the option was there for those who want it.
The main characters are pretty well developed with the love interests being a golden retriever energy musician and a black cat investigative journalist which work together well and have good chemistry with each other as well as the female main character Mia.
I'm definitely going to be going back to this at a later date to read through more of the pathways and find out what other endings these characters can have together.
November 30, 2025
This was fun! I’ve never read a choose your own adventure book before! And I of course had to try and read as many possibilities as I could, and I think I read them all lol. Each storyline felt so well thought out and even the shorter ones felt complete! I loved the magical option! And I loved that at the end (of all of them ??) Mia, Lucky, and Sterling always found their way back to each other!! Because I reaaaally loved them all together and separately!
There’s no way to really talk about it in any specific way because everyone will have a different experience. But there has to be so much work that goes into a story like this and like with any book Dani writes they executed it so well! I thought all the character sere well written and each time were able to have a well rounded and well thought out journey!
Again it was my first CYOA and while I don’t know if I’d read another one - I could never be happy just reading one outcome, but also going back and forth was a lot of work because of course I didn’t always remember what I’ve already read! I also sometimes felt like I was losing things, and maybe that’s just the nature of the style? But this was a good time! I’m glad I read something like this by an author already love! In a universe that I know well! Chance IS a magical place and I think it was a perfect place for something like this to take place!!
Thank you so much to Dani McLean for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5/4 🌟
There’s no way to really talk about it in any specific way because everyone will have a different experience. But there has to be so much work that goes into a story like this and like with any book Dani writes they executed it so well! I thought all the character sere well written and each time were able to have a well rounded and well thought out journey!
Again it was my first CYOA and while I don’t know if I’d read another one - I could never be happy just reading one outcome, but also going back and forth was a lot of work because of course I didn’t always remember what I’ve already read! I also sometimes felt like I was losing things, and maybe that’s just the nature of the style? But this was a good time! I’m glad I read something like this by an author already love! In a universe that I know well! Chance IS a magical place and I think it was a perfect place for something like this to take place!!
Thank you so much to Dani McLean for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5/4 🌟
December 15, 2025
I loved 'Choose Your Own Adventure' books, so 'Every Which Way' was such a delight. Dani McLean, you're a genius! Not only was it a fantastic idea to create a 'choose your own romance', but it was executed so well, merging the 'CYOA' style endings with her own. I managed to get 10 outcomes and it was so much fun going back to choose something different. I loved Mia, Lucky and Sterling and their chemistry with each other (in every which way). Each outcomes completely felt right for the choices Mia (well I) made, and the spicy bits were just how I like it (TBH I tend to skim/skip chase/spice scenes as I find myself wanting to get to the rest of the plot, but in this instance I didn't). This book helped to get me out of a reading slump as you can pick it up at any time given its mini short stories in one.
Even though I don't doubt the author is currently exhausted after this mammoth effort, I kind hope there will be more.
Thanks to Set the Mood Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Even though I don't doubt the author is currently exhausted after this mammoth effort, I kind hope there will be more.
Thanks to Set the Mood Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 15, 2025
Thank you to the author for the eARC.
Full disclosure, I am friends with the author and so my review is inherently biased because I'm so proud of them for writing a romance that is unlike any other book available, and being creative and fully invested in telling this love story in a way that can be experienced SO MANY different ways.
This is a choose your own adventure, but a romance, and a why choose and there's so many different paths that a reader can take that makes it so much fun.
Dani clearly had a great time writing the book and putting a lot of thought into the story development and being able to show character growth even when taking different paths to the ending. I will happily be purchasing a physical copy of the book and proudly will display it on my bookcase.
Amazing work, Dani!
Full disclosure, I am friends with the author and so my review is inherently biased because I'm so proud of them for writing a romance that is unlike any other book available, and being creative and fully invested in telling this love story in a way that can be experienced SO MANY different ways.
This is a choose your own adventure, but a romance, and a why choose and there's so many different paths that a reader can take that makes it so much fun.
Dani clearly had a great time writing the book and putting a lot of thought into the story development and being able to show character growth even when taking different paths to the ending. I will happily be purchasing a physical copy of the book and proudly will display it on my bookcase.
Amazing work, Dani!
January 16, 2026
When I saw Dani talk about this book on socials I knew I needed to read it. I grew up on choose your own adventure novels and ‘In Every Way’ delivered the perfect amount of nostalgia while also being a fun, enjoyable read that could stand on its own as an adult story.
One of my favourite parts about all the story lines was how the events stayed more or less that same it was just about if our protagonists were involved. This meant as I read more and more storyline’s and endings the characters became more fleshed out, they got stronger backstories, their emotions were more understandable.
I’d love to see this done again, but with longer stories, longer chapters maybe if it’s possible, so I could really connect with all the main characters.
If anyone needs it I’m working on a flow chat to make sure I get every chapter and ending
One of my favourite parts about all the story lines was how the events stayed more or less that same it was just about if our protagonists were involved. This meant as I read more and more storyline’s and endings the characters became more fleshed out, they got stronger backstories, their emotions were more understandable.
I’d love to see this done again, but with longer stories, longer chapters maybe if it’s possible, so I could really connect with all the main characters.
If anyone needs it I’m working on a flow chat to make sure I get every chapter and ending
December 1, 2025
OMG, it's been forever since I last read a "Choose your own adventure"-book and I adored this one!
It's a shame there aren't more of those catering for adults, because it's really lovely and mixes things up for the reader.
As for the book itself... I managed to get a happy ending pretty fast, yay me! Even though I let Mia yell at her boss (well, ex-boss), refused to kiss Lucky (but was okay to move in with him, lol) - I had a smut-free experience which resolved with Mia being perfectly happy with Lucky and Sterling.
Loved that there was almost always the option to Go back, even though I didn't use it.
All in all, a lovely read! Would definitely recommend!
Arc-copy received by Netgalley
It's a shame there aren't more of those catering for adults, because it's really lovely and mixes things up for the reader.
As for the book itself... I managed to get a happy ending pretty fast, yay me! Even though I let Mia yell at her boss (well, ex-boss), refused to kiss Lucky (but was okay to move in with him, lol) - I had a smut-free experience which resolved with Mia being perfectly happy with Lucky and Sterling.
Loved that there was almost always the option to Go back, even though I didn't use it.
All in all, a lovely read! Would definitely recommend!
Arc-copy received by Netgalley
January 5, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
this is a really fun concept and I had a good time exploring a bunch of different paths in the story. I loved choose your own adventure books as a kid and having a grown up version is so fun. I think it did a good job of having pretty different and unique paths for the story to go down and it gives the reader the choice for open or closed door romance which is a nice option to have. I do think all the stories moved pretty quick plot wise but it makes sense when youre trying to fit multiple stories in one book. a unique take on romance and an overall enjoyable read.
thanks netgalley and the publisher for ARC access!
this is a really fun concept and I had a good time exploring a bunch of different paths in the story. I loved choose your own adventure books as a kid and having a grown up version is so fun. I think it did a good job of having pretty different and unique paths for the story to go down and it gives the reader the choice for open or closed door romance which is a nice option to have. I do think all the stories moved pretty quick plot wise but it makes sense when youre trying to fit multiple stories in one book. a unique take on romance and an overall enjoyable read.
thanks netgalley and the publisher for ARC access!
December 8, 2025
Thank you to Set the Mood Publishing for the eARC.
3.5 stars.
In Every Way is a choose your own adventure storing with a why choose romance, featuring Mia and the two men she interacts with. No matter which decision you make, Mia ends up with both men, so there’s a guaranteed happily ever after.
It was a fun reading experience. I liked having control over the decisions made, and knowing I could always go back and read the other pathway gave me the freedom to choose futures I wouldn’t normally pick in real life.
But, since the chapters kind of jump around a bit, it kind of feels like two books in one. And each story/path to the end moves at a fast pace, so we lose out on both character and relationship development. On my first read, I didn’t even get any spicy scenes, so it really just depended upon the decisions you choose.
In Every Way was still a fun experience and I would absolutely read more choose your own adventure stories.
3.5 stars.
In Every Way is a choose your own adventure storing with a why choose romance, featuring Mia and the two men she interacts with. No matter which decision you make, Mia ends up with both men, so there’s a guaranteed happily ever after.
It was a fun reading experience. I liked having control over the decisions made, and knowing I could always go back and read the other pathway gave me the freedom to choose futures I wouldn’t normally pick in real life.
But, since the chapters kind of jump around a bit, it kind of feels like two books in one. And each story/path to the end moves at a fast pace, so we lose out on both character and relationship development. On my first read, I didn’t even get any spicy scenes, so it really just depended upon the decisions you choose.
In Every Way was still a fun experience and I would absolutely read more choose your own adventure stories.
December 10, 2025
In Every Way by Dani McLean is a contemporary, choose‑your‑own‑adventure romance that offers readers more control over the story than typical novels. The protagonist, Mia Finnegan, moves to a new city chasing her dream of investigative journalism — but her life feels stuck. Suddenly you (the reader) get to decide her next steps: will she explore romance with the flirtatious Lachlan, or the brooding coworker Sterling, or focus on her career, or even choose alternate‑reality paths? McLean gives multiple possible outcomes — love, heartbreak, success, or self‑discovery — depending on your choices. It’s fun, unpredictable and tailored to readers who enjoy agency and variety in romance.
January 4, 2026
This book allows you to take on the role of the FMC and make choices that change the story. It was so well done with diverse story lines. Of course I had to read through them all. I especially liked that they didn't have the same plot and each on seemed original.
Given the nature of the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, be mindful the author can't have each story fully flushed out. If you go in thinking of each slightly as a novella, I believe you will really enjoy this read. Thanks to NetGalley and Dani McLean
Given the nature of the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, be mindful the author can't have each story fully flushed out. If you go in thinking of each slightly as a novella, I believe you will really enjoy this read. Thanks to NetGalley and Dani McLean
November 26, 2025
This was a very fun concept, but what the heck?! I went with the high-spice why-choose option each time and there was no on-page payoff?! The threesome barely had basically no on-page time together!!! I even went backwards to make sure I hadn't missed an option, but nope! Super disappointing, what was advertised in the blurb is not at all what I got.
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
Thank you so much for this ARC!
This was so different from what I usually read! There are different endings depending on the choices you have the FMC making as a reader, and I only "went back" one time because one of my choices lead me to an early ending and I refused to finish the book that fast! It's definitely a book that you can read again and again as you make different choices!
This was so different from what I usually read! There are different endings depending on the choices you have the FMC making as a reader, and I only "went back" one time because one of my choices lead me to an early ending and I refused to finish the book that fast! It's definitely a book that you can read again and again as you make different choices!
November 27, 2025
Thank you Dani for the advanced copy of this book. I finished one variation of this story and had the time of my life. I loved being able to choose which way the story went, what type of tropes I wanted to see in the book, and how chaotic Mia was. I can’t wait to continue to read and get different stories every time I pick this one up!
December 2, 2025
I received a copy of this for my honest review
The FMC in this story has been left by her boyfriend, in a job she can't where her boss hates her and she is running late. But what happens next is up to you. In this choose your own adventure story you can build dozens of ways that she will engage with our two MMCs - a flirtatious musician and her broody coworker. There's no telling exactly how your story will end!
The FMC in this story has been left by her boyfriend, in a job she can't where her boss hates her and she is running late. But what happens next is up to you. In this choose your own adventure story you can build dozens of ways that she will engage with our two MMCs - a flirtatious musician and her broody coworker. There's no telling exactly how your story will end!
December 16, 2025
If you take the fast track, the spice is SPICY! I had fun with my first read-through of this book. I will be reading this book again to make different choices in the future.
I do feel I didn’t get enough character development from the characters. The fast track did feel slightly too rushed at the end.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good time.
I do feel I didn’t get enough character development from the characters. The fast track did feel slightly too rushed at the end.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good time.
December 15, 2025
This was such a fun and surprising read. I read several different versions by making different choice and boy was the storyline different. I loved how one choice could take you down a totally different path! Totally recommend this one.
January 3, 2026
This book is a choose your own romance, and I had a great time. I really enjoyed mapping my way through the different stories and figuring out how to get to the different endings.
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