Let’s start with a bold statement! I actually think this is the best book I’ve read by Portia, and that is high praise indeed as I have enjoyed each and every one of her books.

When you read a book by this author, you are guaranteed to find likeable characters, interesting and comforting storylines, and bespoke and well described settings. This book has all of that. However, I also definitely found this a really touching and emotional read.

Poppy is a great character and I identified with her in a lot of ways. She is a strong, career-driven woman who has been through a huge amount of upheaval and is still trying to find her place in the world. (reminding me of myself!) I loved following Poppy on this journey and the fact that we get to see segments of her past, as well as details of her present and a glimpse into the future, ensures that her character is fully developed and the narrative satisfying and fulfilling.

The story itself takes you through a lot of ups and downs, and reminds us constantly of the importance of family, friends but most of all communication. In true Portia style, this is still a properly funny book in parts and will have you laughing at loud at times, and close to tears at others.

Zachary is also a great character, and I personally feel like he serves to highlight some of the problems with the “modern man”. Content for an easy life in terms of relationships, struggling with emotional communication and striving for success pretty much sums up Zach. You definitely get the sense that he is someone who, on the surface, has it all, but deep down is needing something more. Is the missing piece of the puzzle Poppy herself, or is there more to this story?

This is an absolutely gorgeous read and highly recommended for fans of true romantic comedy authors, such as Sophie Ranald, Carole Matthews and Camilla Isley.

I have been a fan of Portia’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I love the way in which she writes such romantic comedy stories. I read the synopsis for ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and it certainly sounded like another cracker of a read. Well it was certainly that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely loved the character of Poppy and I warmed to her from the start. In fact I grew to like Poppy so much that she felt more like a friend than a character in a book. I really felt for her. She is a canny young lass, who was married but has since ‘divorced’ (or at least she thought she had). She has a close knit group of ‘friends’. The other ladies in the group are either married or about to get married. Her friends have started arranging things for couples between themselves and ignoring Poppy, who starts feeling pretty hurt, which I could totally understand. I could definitely relate to this because in my last employment I thought I had a group of friends but it turns out they weren’t friends at all as they arranged things without inviting me and I haven’t seen sight nor sound of them since the day I left. Anyway that’s enough about me so back to the review I do go. I was so hoping that things would work out well for her and that she would find the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘No Ex Before Marriage’. In fact the synopsis was enough to grab my attention and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal. Once I started reading this book then I just didn’t stop. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. My Kindle wasn’t glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I was so desperate to find out what happened to Poppy and whether or not she got the ‘happy ever after’ that she so deserved. The book came along at the right time for me, as I was feeling a little fed up and in need of a tonic. Well this book was definitely a tonic for me. I started laughing pretty early on in the story and I just didn’t stop. I soon got to the end of ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I had to say goodbye to Poppy. I found ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ to be a delightful book to read with lots of fun, humour and romance.
‘No Ex Before Marriage’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Portia MacIntosh. Portia has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Portia’s books feels more like a chat between friends than reading a book. Portia certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a helluva book. It’s clear to see that Portia cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. I love the way in which Portia makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Portia’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

A gorgeous novel. It was packed full of drama, comedy and such a heart warming story. I absolutely loved that this book was not just some love story but also shows how friends can change as they grow and sometimes all we need to do is voice our feelings. Recommend you get your hands on a copy.

I thought that this was a great book and I loved the storyline!

The characters in the book were great and really well developed.

I loved the flow to the story, but I will say that I found it a little silted in placed and it spoilt the lovely flow that would have made it 5 stars but it didn’t spoil my reading too much – I loved the ending!

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

4.5 stars

I enjoyed this contemporary story.

Poppy is getting fed up in the way her old school friends are treating her. She's a divorcee and they sit her away from them as couples and puts them on the singles table. Her Dad sorts out his wife's office and tells her she's still married to her ex, Zac and her ex is getting remarried. This started a map cap rush to warn him and get him to sign some paperwork. Whilst doing this Poppy realises she still loves Zac and is not at all impressed with his new social influencer fiancee.,

Portia is a new author to me and I might look out for more of her work.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The fabulous Portia Macintosh returns with a stellar romantic comedy I absolutely adored: No Ex Before Marriage.

Every single one of her friends might be making that trip down the aisle, but Poppy is not the slightest bit tempted. Having been through it all already, divorced Poppy might be happy for her friends, but she doesn’t envy them one single bit. Marriage is clearly not for her and Poppy had accepted this – until she makes an earth-shattering discovery that leaves her with her jaw on the floor: her divorce never went through and she is still married to her husband, Zac. And as if that wasn’t bad enough already, Zac is about to have his second wedding! What is Poppy going to do now?

Telling your former husband that you are still married just weeks before his second wedding is not something you can plan for. Coming face to face with her ex brings a whole host of emotions to the fore Poppy was not prepared for and as if the situation between her and Zac isn’t complicated enough already, he panics and rather than tell his bride-to-be the truth tells her that’s she family! Talk about making an awkward situation even worse!

With Zac back in her life, memories of their life together come flooding back, but is Poppy ready to let bygones be bygones? Or will she find herself wanting to say ‘I do’ again?

Written with plenty of wit, humour and charm, Portia McIntosh’s No Ex Before Marriage is a side-splittingly hilarious romantic comedy perfect for Sophie Kinsella fans. Full of hi-jinks, mischief, emotion, warmth and plenty of heart, No Ex Before Marriage is just the thing to chase the blues away and provide the reader with some much-needed escapism – something we are desperate for at the moment!

Fun, flirty and absolutely fantastic, Portia Macintosh’s No Ex Before Marriage is simply irresistible!

No Ex Before Marriage is a delightful Rom-Com with a touch of somberness to bring in a bit of reality and emotions. Poppy is the oldest of her core of girlfriends, she was the first to be married and divorced. At the wedding of the last of her single girlfriends Poppy is about to encounter some unwelcome reality into the festivities… she’s been regulated to the “singles” table. What? As if divorce is contagious or something! But here she sits and encounters a new friend in Kat. Kat might be exactly what Poppy needs as she is a touch wild, definitely willing to take on a few risks, and she doesn’t act like Poppy did something wrong by her marriage not working out. She might no longer belong in that “Married Friends” circle but she’s not without a new friend.

Except…

It turns out that Poppy and Zac’s divorce was never finalized and they are still legally wed. It’s an error that’s easily fixable except, well, Zac is about to be married in a few days and Poppy has no time to wait for the divorce to be dealt with one day soon. So off she and Kat go to a castle to crash a wedding, get divorce papers signed, and to a man who once was her world until it all crumbled around them.

I enjoyed No Ex Before Marriage. There were moments of uncontrollable giggles, and times when the seriousness of the moment, the emotions that were easily felt gave this story a completely different feel. If you love a Romantic Comedy, a heroine beyond the first blush of youth, and figuring out the will they or won’t they that Zac and Poppy face… then you’ll have a good time with this one. This is a new to me author, and I’ll definitely be checking out her backlist.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

I really wanted to love this one, however it fell a little flat for me. It’s suppose to be a romcom but unfortunately I didn’t find it as funny as other might. However, I really like how the story has flashbacks and is told in the present and past. I might check out other books by Portia Macintosh

Poppy has just discovered that she is still married to the man she thought she had divorced six years ago. Now she is on her way to save the day as he is about to get married again.

This was a hilarious yet romantic novel with plenty of quirky characters and laughter.

3.5 stars
After a few flat books this past year (I really was disappointed with the last three), Portia MacIntosh returns to form with ‘No ex before marriage’.

Divorced Poppy is the subject of exclusion by her now married friends, only to find out from her dad that her divorce didn’t go through. Trouble is her not-quite-ex husband Zac is a movie star about to get married in Scotland. Off to Scotland she goes.

‘No ex ..’ is full of the same comedic moments counterbalanced with heavier topics, o including reasons for the demise of Poppy and Zac’s marriage at a young age. There were times though I felt sections could’ve been cut down or left out. Zac also behaved inappropriately by not disclosing his marriage to his fiancé. But as we know, all’s well that ends well.

This book is definitely one not to miss.

There is a rich vein of humour to be mined from this story. Full of larger than life characters, the story moves from one episode to the next. All the excitement of the build-up to a wedding is captured as well as the emotions that swirl around. In fact, you are invited to two weddings. In the first, Poppy realises how far apart she is in danger of drifting from her now married friends. The second wedding is one she never expected to be at- that of her ex-husband in a remote Scottish castle, on an island. Poppy has a very particular reason for being there.
You soon warm to all the characters you meet, with a few exceptions of the celebrity kind. The connection between Poppy and her ex is palpable. Full of fun and humour, this is a light romcom read for anyone wanting to escape for a while. Portia's books do not disappoint.

In short- Who will say 'I do'?
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

No Ex Before Marriage was my first Portia MacIntosh book and I really enjoyed it! We meet Poppy on the eve of her birthday (New Year's Day) at her friend's wedding. A few days later, she realises she's still married to her ex, Zac, when they divorced six years ago. Getting married to an influencer at a Scottish castle in mere days, Poppy reluctantly gatecrashes his wedding celebrations.

This book was fun, with plenty of wedding hijinks to keep readers entertained. I also really liked the characters. You've got intimidating action star Sonny, his stunt double Farrell, spontaneous Kat and of course, Poppy. I loved when she stood up for herself when it comes to her career and friendships.

While this book was captivating and fast-paced, it wasn't without depth too. I really appreciated the flashbacks MacIntosh sprinkled throughout, so we learned exactly why Zac and Poppy divorced and how much they meant to each other.

I think fans of Sophie Kinsella will enjoy No Ex Before Marriage and Portia MacIntosh books in general.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This story is heartwarming and humorous, with a strong cast of characters and an idyllic setting. The escapist plot finds Poppy having to face her ex-husband just before his wedding so he can re-sign his divorce papers.

There's an engaging mix of fun and poignancy. Friendship and love are explored through Poppy's eyes as she comes to terms with her present life.

A perfect read if you enjoy your romantic comedy with originality, quirky characters and lots of laughter and tears.

This was a really fun read. The characters were awesome and it was a really cute story line. If you like happy endings (spoiler alert), then this is for you.

Fun, though absolutely no romance or passion between the leads. Kat was brilliant!!

I don't normally read this genre but this was an Amazon-recommended tale and I'm glad I picked it up. It was funny and sweet and a little sad and I very much enjoyed the adventure that Poppy and her new friend Kat went on, and how the old posse of Poppy's friends, from whom she was becoming estranged, turned up for her and how they refashioned their friendship.

It was absolutely not a romance novel, which I liked. Yes, it had a few guys in it who could have been would-be lovers to either Poppy or Kat but there was absolutely no spark and no passion and no love that I could see amongst any of the potentials. There was affection between Poppy and Liam, one of her friend's little brother, 10 years younger and with a crush. There was a could-be-something non-event with Fred., who came across as a really decent type, but it went nowhere. And sadly, as for the romance with the ex, well, that was the non-starter of non-starters.

There were a few too many cooks in this, as if the author wanted a riotious time to be had by all, all the time. But, nothing was present in any depth. Not the tale, not the leads, not the romance, but I still enjoyed it and devoured it in 2 hours on the train. I would read more by this author.

This was such a fun romance! I loved the MC and I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's works.

Cover: Nice, but the three characters have a body language that doesn’t match their personality in the story.

No Ex Before Marriage is a cute, heart-warming story. Just what I needed as I recover (not there yet, but almost).

I do love MacIntosh’s prose, for example. It’s funny without going over-the-top—very genre-appropriate, so that’s good—and it’s serious when the plot requires it. The plot itself is a little silly, considering, but sometimes realism needs to take the backseat. I mean, I had to suspend my disbelief a little more than usual, no biggie.

Poppy is a fantastic MC. She’s quite relatable, even if she’s a lot nicer than me, and well-written. Zac and Lilac, the other MCs, are interesting too. They have pleasant personalities overall, and I’m glad MacIntosh didn’t paint Lilac with a nasty brush just because she’s the third wheel. Well done.

I also like the cast of characters. They support the three MCs and have their own voices. Plus, the first-person POV filters them, so that they don’t steal the spotlight.

For once, there isn’t really any flaw worth of a mention—yay!—but rather, a personal preference. I’m not that wild about the flashbacks, as I believe that incursions in the past should be woven into the text rather than have entire chapters dedicated to them. It’s too easy, you know? As I said, tho, this is a mere personal preference so take it with a grain of salt.

4.5 stars on GR.

This was not the first Portia MacIntosh book that I have read and it definitely won’t be the last!

This book was full of larger than life characters and was a whole lot of fun, with a few serious heartwarming and heartbreaking moments thrown in. In my eyes, just what I expect with a romantic comedy and perfect to escape with while snuggled up with a nice cuppa in this dreary weather.

A fun, mostly light-hearted, rom-com. When Poppy finds out from her dad that her divorce has not been finalised and her husband is about to remarry, she sets of for the Highlands of Scotland to confront him. She takes her new bff Kat, who she just recently met at the singles table of a friend's wedding, along for the ride.  Kat was my favourite character in the book - she's brash and bolshy and game for a laugh!

I'm not really one for trigger warnings but I do feel I should mention that this book discusses the aftermath of miscarriage. The author does a brilliant job of describing how the loss of a baby can leave someone feeling and I found myself nodding along in agreement with how the main character Poppy felt.

I did feel the conclusion was kinda rushed - the final chapter fast forwards several years. Overall it was a fun, if somewhat predictable, story of second-chance romance / reconnecting with a first love which also has a strong message about good friends being there for you when you need them most.

Many thanks to the publishers @bookandtonic for providing me with a copy of the book via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this review voluntarily.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. It is a romcom with a few twists which made It an engaging read. The characters of Zac and Polly are realistic, and I thought the behaviour of Polly's friends was completely believable, shutting her out of their social circle because they were married couples and she was a single divorcee. I loved the character of madcap Kat, and there were many comical moments throughout the book.
I am signing up to follow Portia and look forward to reading more of her books.