I really liked this book. The main character was likable and fun. I related a lot to this book given that I'm engaged and have absolutely no desire to plan a massive wedding. I liked that this wasn't book didn't feature a real love triangle. The only thing I found a little bit annoying was that there was a lot of references and slang which I'm sure was used to keep the book current, but which also means that it probably won't age well. In the end I enjoyed the story and the characters and I can't wait to read more from this author.

If you have ever read a Portia MacIntosh book you know that you will get down to earth characters who feel like you could genuinely know. Along with a story that will completely wrap you up in the storyline all the way to the end. How Not to be A Bride is exactly that and it felt so easy to be pulled into Mia's life along with the ups and downs that she experiences along the way. It was really refreshing to meet a character who wasn't obsessed with weddings or even remotely hoping for an engagement ring from her boyfriend. I guess in a way it made Mia stand out just that little bit more.

The story is written in a way where I couldn't help but laugh and smile along at some of the situations. I could understand Mia's reluctance of having the dream big wedding I never wanted that for myself. I hate being the centre of attention so to have so many eyes on me would be my worst nightmare. The fact that Mia and Leo are an established couple really made this story extra special for me it was almost a story of what happens after the happy ending. When real life and other issues crop up making it feel so realistic in that sense. A special mention has to go to Mia's granddad I loved how he was always on Mia's side and just loved her for who she is.

A heart warming story that will leave you smiling away to yourself long after you have put the book down!

With thanks to Love Reading Romance, Portia MacIntosh, HQDigital & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Heartwarming, amusing, and positively enchanting!

How Not to be a Bride is a lighthearted rom-com full of heart and humour that reminds us that life is often full of pressures, challenges, misunderstandings, and surprises and sometimes all we need to do to find happiness is communicate, compromise and find balance.

The writing is crisp and witty. The characters are flawed, lovable, funny and sincere. And the plot sweeps you away into the lives of Mia and Leo as they learn the importance of being true to one's self, family, friendship, trust, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Once again, MacIntosh has written a novel that I truly adore. How Not to be a Bride is wonderfully entertaining, enjoyable and has a storyline that will make you laugh, smile and most definitely leave you wanting more.

This book was so good!!  I was literally laughing out loud at times and I adored the writing style used, so perfect for the story and it made it such an easy read!! 

The characters were brilliant and the whole thing genuinely made me smile.  Exactly the type of book I use to take myself away from the day to day norm or when I need a pick me up - 5 stars from me - an excellent book!!! Loved it xx

Mia is the main character in 'how not to be a bride', when we join her she is living with Leo a hunky fireman in their house that needs gutting which is a million miles away from her American life. Leo proposes to Mia and although she says 'yes' with no doubts they start to creep in over time through some of the bad choices she makes. Mia is a writer so stays at home and feels she's missing out on the social side of work life so to help fund the house and the wedding she sets off to find an extra job. She starts to flap over her wedding when she finds that no-one wants to be her bridesmaid in her family, her mother organises a wedding planner that she never wanted and she starts ghost writing a famous persons autobiography that takes her back to her American life in a way and makes her question what she's doing.
This was a funny read and Mia is a bit of a one for making wrong choices and getting herself into a pickle but I did like her as a main character, I started off thinking Leo was too good to be true but I was wrong but he at times was a bit of a whittler but maybe I would be if my fiancé was going to parties with a rock star whilst I was at home!!
This was a light hearted read that I did enjoy and thought the ending was great and would definitely read more by Portia Macintosh.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ digital, Harpercollinspublishers Ltd for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

-raises hands up to the sky in the hallelujah pose-. YAS!!!! 

I am a huge fan of Portia MacIntosh's work. Her laugh out loud approach to real life situations is not only refreshing, it's also weirdly heart-warming. MacIntosh takes situations (which some of us hide behind closed doors at, crying our eyes out with no idea  of where to go from here) dissects them until they're unrecognisable, and then coaches her characters to get through the emotional times - bit by bit. It's pretty much like therapy. Except it's a smudge of the cost and makes you laugh instead of crying out; 'I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M HEREEEEEE'. 

I have to be honest; I was slightly apprehensive about reading Portia MacIntosh's latest novel as whilst I did enjoy the authors previous offerings, it didn't feel like the author I had come to know and love. I had everything crossed that MacIntosh's trademark, snort-worthy one liners were even more present in this book. Literally, everything crossed....probably why I didn't know I needed the loo thinking about it now! Anyway...

So, the burning question - did I enjoy 'How Not To Be A Bride'? Oh hell yeah I did! Guess who's back, back again -shimmies-. The author's iconic writing style had returned in her latest offering, and what a belter of a book for it to return in! If you're thinking that every woman in the world has been planning their wedding since they were an embryo; think again. If you're thinking that every engaged woman wants the big, white wedding with added meringue (the dress, not the dessert), then you've obviously not been watching enough 'Say Yes To The Dress'! Mia is the voice of every woman out there who just wants to get married simply. No fuss. No fluff. No having to say yes to things she doesn't want but is railroaded into agreeing with. I guess some readers might find Mia's approach to her wedding a little unorthodox. I however, found it to be extremely refreshing, whilst also finding out that I should be a bobbly head/nodding dog in my next life - due to all the agreeing I was doing.

The main relationship in this novel is brilliant as it shows the two characters being just like every other couple out there! Couples who don't communicate! I shouldn't laugh, but I made my sides hurt from laughing when Mia decided to 'go and feel young again'. Brilliant.

I love, love, LOVED this book. The whole storyline was written brilliantly and I managed to finish it in one sitting (obvs) it was that addictive! I loved how the characters lifestyles pulled me in from the very first page, keeping me hostage until the very last page. Now, seeing as the calibre of this novel is 100% Portia MacIntosh and FABULOUS, I didn't really mind being kept hostage to be honest! Not a sentence I thought I would say, but oh well!

'How Not To Be A Bride' is a laugh out loud, warm, refreshing novel which is guaranteed to make you curl up on the sofa with, whilst also feeling like you're gaining a 2D BFF in your PJs. Win-win! It's modern, it's relatable and it's absolutely brilliant. Another fantastic novel from such a brilliant author.

Thanks HQ!

Mia Valentina just got engaged to Leo, her boyfriend of four years, but her happiness is disrupted by the many things going on in her life. She misses her old life in Los Angeles; her house is an ongoing construction site; her mother hired a wedding planner without consulting her; no one wants to be her bridesmaid; she barely sees Leo who is working overtime as a firefighter; and she is ghostwriting the biography of a rock star who is often drunk. As the Christmas holidays loom and the pressure for the wedding becomes too much, Mia makes a series of bad decisions that make her wonder why she is not as excited as everyone expects her to be.
I found the character of Mia a bit too self-centred and preoccupied by the way she looks, but she is also funny and honest and I love the sarcasm she reserves for the members of her family. It’s a heart-warming, funny and romantic novel where love, family, and friendship come together to create an enjoyable Christmas read.

This book was super fun to read and I honestly could not put it down. I really enjoyed the sense of humor and all characters were like able. I would read something from this author again for sure!

How Not to Be a Bride is such an enjoyable read! I loved reading about Mia, her life as a writer, and her relationship with Leo. And, I honestly wasn't sure how this book was going to end! While Portia Macintosh never threw out any true curve balls, there was enough doubt about Mia and Leo's relationship to keep me engaged to the last page. My only complaint about this novel is that it got a little repetitive at points. I think it would have been better if a few pages about how great Leo is were removed!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read but kept my interest the whole way through, I love these types of books for a quick escape that you can get lost in and this book did it's job in doing that. I liked how the old Mia and the new Mia meshed together and look forward to reading her next adventure!

This book was pretty funny and not too predictable which was a nice change. I found the humor to be right up my alley but I did have to pound my head against the wall when the main character made a very stupid mistake. Often we need the character to make the mistake so they can realize how wrong they were but I still dislike reading it sometimes.

Poor Mia. What a mess wedding planning can be and she seems to take the brunt of all the problems. Leo, her fiancé, isn't always the most likable character (to me anyway) and her family- well they're just royal pains. Much of this plot will seem familiar but Macintosh has a sprightly writing style and the humor is welcome. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This one could be entirely relatable if you've been through the process or a cautionary tale. No matter your perspective, it's an entertaining read.

How Not to be a Bride is a fabulously sparkling fun read with an underlying message: do you get married for the wedding - or the marriage?

Mia and Leo are totally and madly in love, but outside influences don't make the ride an easy one - a house which takes all their time and money, madcap neighbours, Leo's shift pattern as a fireman, Mia's lack of a regular income - and that's without mentioning her overbearing and interfering family (which rang a very loud bell for me). All of these add up to a level of stress which is only just bearable .. and then Leo proposes!

This is my first Portia MacIntosh read and I look forward to searching out more of her novels. Great well-rounded characters, fabulous writing, travel, personal dilemmas, jealousy, family relations and, most importantly, love all make this a very easy to read rom-com of the highest calibre. And it's so funny!

Definitely a book and an author which I recommend. Trust me, this will lift your spirits and make you smile. Five sparkling gold stars without a doubt.

My thanks to HQ Digital for approving my request on NetGalley to read an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest, original and unbiased review.

Honestly, Leo was sweet but really high maintenance and needy. Mia's family is vicious. Dylan is hilarious and honestly, while some of this book seemed to drag, over all t was entertaining.