I originally read this as How Not To Be a Bride (uncorrected proof). It's a fantastic chick lit book with laugh out loud moments throughout.

Well the original title was not wrong, if you want to find out how to be the perfect bride this is not the book for you. However, if you fancy a fun giggle a minute romantic comedy this is definitely down your aisle.

I'd never read a book by Portia MacIntosh before but this certainly won't be my last. I love her writing style. It's easy to read and follow with humour intertwined throughout. I never realised that there was a book which went before this, you definitely don't need to read it first. This book flowed and gave no hint that a prequel had come before it.

All of the characters are extremely likeable and realistic, Mia especially. It's an honest and refreshing look at the pressure put on modern day brides to throw the perfect wedding. It also shows how when the bride's feelings aren't considered and family thinks they know best can be detrimental for all involved!

Overall, this is a thoroughly enjoyable light-hearted read that is a perfect summer holiday book!

Mia— so relatable! And that is one of the biggest things I look for in books like this. Humour, Silliness, Family, and Romance all in one. Portia MacIntosh pulls it all together well. A great read!

How Not To Be a Bride was a nice and enjoyable story,the words flow and the plot development kept me glued to my kindle.
This is my second Portia MacIntosh's book but she easily became one of my favourite romantic comedy author.

Following Mia journey from her boyfriend's proposal to her walk down the aisle was a whirlwind of feelings,I laughed at most of her predicaments and I have shed few tears too.
I could definitely feel her love for Leo and her excitements at the prospect to have him in her life for ever but at same time I could see how she was drowning under her family's expectations and the monotony and the loneliness of her writing job.

I only met these characters in this novel,sorry I've to catch up to the previous installment,but it didn't feel like I was missing something.

I've never read a book by this author & have had this sitting on my kindle for a while. I'm really glad I decided to read it. There are fab characters, a few twists to throw you off track and some funny moments.

I will definitely look out for future releases from this author

Well the title is not wrong, if you want to find out how to be the perfect bride for a big white wedding then you are looking in the wrong place. If you are wanting a fun romantic comedy about real people that aren't quite sure what they want or how to act then this is the book for you!

This is a typically amusing Portia MacIntosh book, incredibly funny and transports you to between the pages of the book for a few hours while you read it. Pure escapist fun and frolics.

Now who doesn't want to read a book featuring a hot fireman, who appears to be the perfect boyfriend. Leo is wonderful and I'm just a little bit in love with him myself.

Then there is rockstar Dylan who I ended up having a real soft spot for, as we learn his personal revelations and he is the subject of Mia's latest job.

What I did find frustrating was Mia and her constant comparisons of her LA life from before she met Leo, to her current life. She is a lovely girl but just can't seem to see what she has in front of her. All aspects of her life seemed pretty great to me and I did like her as a character, just wanted to knock some sense into her on occasion.

What really made me laugh is Mia's extended family, they sound like a complete nightmare, and I know how she feels. Doesn't seem to matter what she does there is someone around to upstage her, criticise her or blame her.

As I've been writing this review I have just checked the blurbs of a couple of this authors previous books and its confirmed a suspicion, that if you have read some of her earlier books then there are some recurring characters in this, and made me realise I really should read those books that are lurking on my kindle!

This is a really enjoyable romantic comedy that really made me smile.

Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I haven't read any of Portia's books before but this definitely won't be my last! I didn't realise until I was looking at her other books that there was a book before this one but you didn't know reading it. This is my kind of book, light hearted chick lit with lol moments and some celeb glamour. I really enjoyed the ending and glad that Mia got married, she would have been bonkers to let Leo go! Thank you for letting me read and review this book, I will definitely look out for her next book and will be checking out her previous ones now too!

The main character, Mia, gives up a glamorous life in LA to move back home to Kent and soon after her gorgeous, firefighter boyfriend proposes. Mia comes across as spoiled, self-centered, and not very likable. The attempt at humor was a bit juvenile for my taste but seems to appeal to many.

A great lighthearted easy book to read.
We meet Mia who goes to great lengths to not plan her wedding, she loves her boyfriend Leo but is she ready to marry him.

A new book from Portia Macintosh is not to be missed. you know you're in for a rollicking rom[, a good story and lots of laughs sighs and a few tears. This is no different. Fabulous.

OH MY GOSH I loved this book!! I laughed out loud so many times during reading this that I was sure people were going to think I was crazy. Mia, the main character, was so funny and I felt for her so many times. This book is an honest look at the pressure put on modern day brides to throw the perfect, lavish wedding. It shows how quickly things can escalate when a bride's feelings are not considered, and family thinks they know what's best. I cannot recommend this book enough!

This book had me laughing.
Mia is so down to earth and it is super refreshing to have a character like her in a book.
I enjoyed the authors writing style and it made the store flow and kept me interested.
Overall this was a great read.

Funny, lighthearted, this is a great short read for anyone who loves a good laugh

I am a huge fan of Portia MacIntosh's novels and I was so looking forward to reading "How Not to be a Bride" - already the title made me smile and I really hoped that it's setting the mood for the rest of the story. And I absolutely got the fact that Mia didn't want to get married - I have never dreamed about fluffy bouncy wedding dress and only thinking about the first dance and all those traditions that are mandatory at the wedding made me cringe, and big weddings are a real nightmare for me, so yes, Mia, I know what you meant - when married, then in the simplest way!

Portia's writing style is, as usual, easy and light - hearted and this was a quick read full of great one - liners. A story about making decisions, small and huge and realising what it is that you want from your life. It was refreshing and of course brutally honest, but in a funny way, filled with situations all of us can relate to, cringe with embarrassment and whisper "I've been there, I've seen this". My only problem with this book were characters, I couldn't warm to them and probably I didn't "get" them enough to enjoy them more. I really wasn't sure about Mia, if she truly knew what it is she wants. The more I read about her relationship with the wonderful fireman Leo (her words, not mine. I personally didn't think Leo is wonderful), the more often I was asking myself the question why she's with him at all, is he the right person for her. I was starting to ask myself if they really are destined to be together, if there really are chances for them to be happy and wondering why are they together at all. There was something that was not working for me in this relationship and it bothered me the whole story.

"How Not to be a Bride" was filled with ups and downs of everyday life and problems, full of troubles in paradise and jumping to conclusions, and this all brought to us in a great, light way. There was all the time something happening in this story and I think it's great, as it kept me glued to the pages and I truly wanted to know what's going to happen and what kind of troubles is Mia going to get herself.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I am just not interested in this book anymore. Sorry for the inconvenience.

This author is fantastic. Books got lot of laughs brilliantly written. Wish there was more like it!

Portia MacIntosh has returned with a brand new book, which means I have my book soul sister back and couldn't be happier for it. I could read Portia's stories all day, in fact I pretty much did with 'How Not To Be A Bride.' I couldn't help it. I had a nice little day to myself and decided to just curl up and read - is there anything better? This is the 6th book of Portia's that I have read and I can honestly tell you that her books just get better and better; I have never once been disappointed by her work.

So, today for Portia's blog tour I felt like writing a list; a list of 10 reasons why I loved 'How Not To Be A Bride.' Before I begin let me tell you a bit about it...

Mia Valentina is used to a high-flying life in L.A. She loved her job as a Romance movie writer but four and a half years ago she loved her boyfriend, Leo, more, which is why she moved back home to the U.K to be with him and start a new life as an author. She doesn't regret her decision but life is suddenly feeling less exciting than it once was; she's lonely and with a new house to fix up, she constantly feels stressed out. So, when Leo proposes and she of course says yes, a wedding may just give her something to get excited about...hopefully. Mia knows she wants to marry Leo more than anything but the whole wedding planning isn't, well, going to plan and when she gets a job offer she can't refuse, life suddenly gets a whole lot more interesting, but at what cost?

10 Reasons Why I Loved 'How Not To Be A Bride'...

1. I always want to be the main characters in Portia's books and Mia was no different. She is sassy, cool, confident and hilarious.

2. Portia's writing flows so effortlessly, I feel like she's just talking to me and telling me the story. It feels as though she writes as the thoughts come to her, which makes her books a pleasure to read.

3. Her stories are unique, fun and have a touch of glamour. Mia's job as a Romance movie writer was so awesome and made me love her even more.

4. Leo - Mia's fireman fiance is utterly amazing. I adored how he was a sweetheart but also a tough strong, fireman. He had everything.

5. There was not one part of the book that I wasn't enjoying. Every single one of Portia's books are pure entertainment from start to finish.

6. I could be wrong, but I always feel like there are little bits of Portia in each book and it makes her writing seem that much more fascinating.

7. Being Italian myself, I loved that Leo was Italian and that his family came first and he could cook - told you he was pretty much perfect!

8. The relationship between Mia and her Grandad put a huge smile on my face. He was goofy and non judgmental and loved her regardless of what she was getting up to. He and their relationship reminded me of my Grandad. :)

9. The great big surprise a few chapters into the book!! No spoilers but YES!!! It was totally unexpected but I was doing my happy little book dance. It gave the book added charm and entertainment.

10. Finally, I was smitten with the way Mia was smitten with Leo! :p She goes through a few ups and downs in the book and I was nervous at first that she would be tempted to do something she regrets, but I'm glad this wasn't one of those stories. She may be worried about a few decisions in her life and not quite of sure what she wants, but Mia is certain about one thing. It's the glue that holds 'How Not To Be A Bride' together and it's completely romantic and wonderful. (You may have guessed what It is but I can't give too much away!)

I hope my 10 reasons give you enough good reasons to pick up this book. Portia is utterly brilliant, so much so, I could probably write 50 things I love about her books. 'How Not To Be A Bride,' is a fantastic romantic comedy, that you will be thoroughly entertained by from beginning to end. Portia never misses a beat with her humour and warmth, which keeps me coming back to her books again and again. I genuinely think the voice that comes through in a her stories could be a stand up comic!!

This book was OK. I liked the basic premise, and Mia was fine, but I had a few issues. For one thing, she says over and over and over how much she loves Leo, but we never really see that. Most of the scenes with the two of them, they're fighting. She doesn't consult him with major decisions, she doesn't think about how he might feel about planning the wedding, and she can't even tell him that she's not excited about a big white wedding. Whenever Mia thinks about her pre-Leo life, it's all about how fabulous it was, and she really seems to resent him for giving it up more than anything. I found myself surprised that they didn't break up.

On top of that, I got annoyed at how long it took her to figure out that eloping was probably the answer to all her wedding issues. I figured out I didn't want to plan a big wedding after about four days of trying to find a venue that would cost less than fifteen grand to rent.

The Blurb :
Mia Valentina gave up her high-flying life in LA to move back to Kent over four years ago. But it turns out that life in the slow lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!
So when her boyfriend Leo proposes, she says yes, hoping it will bring some much needed sparkle back into her life. The trouble is, Mia never wanted a big white wedding, just the happy ever after…

My Thoughts :
Having loved previous book by Portia MacIntosh, I knew this new offering wouldnt be a disappointment.
We meet Author Mia Valentine, Mia used to live in LA but moved back to Kent to be with boyfriend Fireman Leo. When Leo proposes, Mia isnt too sure if its what she wants but decides to get on with the wedding plans in the hope it will take her mind off how boring her life has become in the UK. While most brides to be are thinking of huge white weddings and the full works, Mia just wants a simple fuss free wedding with no interuptions. Mia was refreshing and easily likeable. There were some great supporting cast, I especially liked Mia’s Grandad.
I really enjoy Portia’s writing style and I love how I always get lost in her books. This was an easy read filled with love, humour, family and decisions which will have you smiling and laughing throughout.

This was a nice, easy, feel good read! Really enjoyed this book!