Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of "The Meet Cute Method" by Portia MacIntosh.
Frankie is a journalist for a love and dating advice magazine at a popular magazine house. A new boss has been hired for the Stylife section of the magazine and on the morning that she needs to be on time Frankie is caught up with the total insanity of real life ending with the elevator breaking down as she rushes to her floor. With her new boss and her job on the line Frankie is tasked with attempting 'meet cutes' in real life to show that people can still meet in real life and not just on the internet. We follow Frankie through many horrible attempts at meet cutes that end up failing while the real thing is happening right under her nose.
This was a fun and easy read. I appreciate that MacIntosh owns that this entire story has all the meet cute scenarios possible from workplace dating to fake engagements. It made the book not take itself too seriously and kept the light hearted vibe of this book going even through the parts that in any other contemporary romance would have made me cry. This book is short enough that it doesn't really ever get boring, nor does it tug on my heartstrings as much as longer romances, which can be a nice change. I thought Frankie was relatable and it was fun reading about how 'the other side' live from her perspective. You instantly like Max and that feeling only grows as you get to know him through the book and despite not setting off the waterworks I was still rooting for them in the end.
A fun summer read.
This book was alright. I had high hopes for it, but it did not meet my expectations. In my perspective, the characters and romance were lacking. It was just not something I was interested in.
This is a first time read for me by this author and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely loved this book! I've been obsessed with reading romantic comedies lately, and this one definitely hit the spot. From the start, this book will put a smile on your face and keep you smiling till the end and the smile will still be there long after you have finished. Frankie is a relationship expert for a popular magazine, which is ironic because her love life could definitely use some help. Her boss tasks her with creating something new and exciting, and there starts the fun as Frankie comes up with and sets up different meet cutes. Setting up all these meet cutes, she ends up in one herself, not even realizing it when she meets Max. And things only get more interesting and fun from there. The chemistry between them was just so obvious and had just the right amount of spark and sizzle. The characters are well-developed and endearing and so relatable you can't help but fall in love with them. Max and Frankie were so wonderful together. This was a really entertaining and enjoyable story and I am glad I had the opportunity to read it. The story was delightfully cute with just enough steam to make your toes curl. If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted and adorable read, then you definitely will want to pick this one up. This is one laugh out loud romantic comedy you do not want to miss! I will definitely be looking for more by this author!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Cute and fun, classic Portia MacIntosh. Great setting too. The uncle was a stand out character. Loved the conflict between the brothers. And who wouldn't want to go on assignment abroad.
This is another light fun novel by Portia Macintosh. Her novels are usually enjoyable, the perfect summer beach read. This one revolves around Frankie, a journalist who writes about love and dating. Her new boss challenges her to write about ‘meet cutes’ but she keeps messing them up. Then she meets Max and her boss sees it as the perfect story. Thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel,
With an opening line that grabbed me straight away, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from MacIntosh, especially as, to be honest, I had no idea what the title meant!
When Frankie is tasked with an article that could save her or fire her, she knows she has her work cut out. As a dating/romance writer for a women’s magazine, Frankie is investigating whether love can be found through old-fashioned, chance meetings, rather than the digital, remote world of dating apps. Yet, every time Frankie creates such an opportunity, the results are a hilarious catastrophe that had me laughing out loud at the hopelessness of the situation. Even when she happens to get stick in a lift with a cutie, Frankie is haunted by the demands of her article, leading her to even more falsified actions that sees her travelling to Hawaii and meeting a very rich and influential family.
I did laugh with this book; it was the light-hearted tonic that I needed. I can always rely on MacIntosh to write a romantic yet entertaining story, and this ticked all the boxes. I think it helped even more that the story moves to Hawaii and I very much felt like I was experiencing the sun, sea and snorkelling with Frankie. The setting is described as very extravagant and I could vividly picture Frankie’s eyes popping with disbelief at the luxury of the resort and her companions.
To be honest, I was a bit sceptical about the opening of the novel, thinking that MacIntosh’s writing had taken a very new turn. However, I was so pleased I didn’t bin the book because it establishes the fun tone for the rest of the story. I really enjoyed listening in my head to Frankie’s narrative: she is portrayed as so ‘normal’ and ‘girl next door’. I think this made the story so appealing – Frankie is a realistic character who does not seem to be able to find love so easily when apps are apparently there to help navigate the dating game.
I have read several books by this author now and have never been disappointed. This novel is a perfect candidate for a beach read and I found that I just could not put it down because I was desperate to see what meet-cute disaster would befall Frankie next. It’s an entertaining book with love, laughter and sunshine – a perfect combination.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A book about the movies we love, and the moments that make them, unfolding in real life?
Yes please!
The thing is...recreating fiction in the regular old world, isn't quite as easy as it sounds.
Frankie was a doll, and a little hypocritical seeing as she wrote the dating and romance column for a popular magazine, yet didn't harbor positive feelings for love itself. I mean, one would think she would be in love with love, at the very least, to accomplish her job, and yet...she does. Pause for a second...does this part bring to mind any romcoms you can think of? Try 27 Dresses...if SHE was the writer and he was the always-a-bridesmaid (bridesman?). Yep. So the stage has been set, and it only gets bigger and better. When a new editor moves in that's known for turning publications inside out, starting with the staff, her hopes and dreams start to dissolve. The only thing that can save the job she doesn't loathe, yet doesn't love, and her new apartment dreams is having THE best idea for a column turnaround. Good thing Frankie can think on her feet...even if her super-interesting-story-idea could land her in a lot of awkward situations, to say the least. The thing is...the heart wants what it wants, but fate is also a fickle beast, and it's generally when we've stopped trying to shape our future that things fall into place...but it doesn't hurt to have a few laughs along the way to our HEA.
Seriously, there are laughs to be had, cringes to make, shoulder shrugs to roll with, and eventually, something bright and shiny to look forward to...whether it's real or part of a fake relationship, I'll leave for you to discover. *smirk* Frankie's meet cute setups were too much, and yet just perfect for the story. I mean, WHAT IF you were to put yourself in these random moments...would love just fall into place? It's a great way to test the theory out, without putting yourself, or your heart through the ringer, but if there's anything she learns along the way, it's that love finds you when you least expect it.
A great read for Contemporary Romance, and Romantic Comedy fans, filled with love, laughter, accidental tiny dog theft, and wardrobe malfunctions...but filled to the brim with moments well worth all the effort.
Thank you #netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for allowing me to read this ARC.
I absolutely enjoyed The Meet Cute Method by Portia MacIntosh.
The story centres around Frankie and Max, two journalists from different worlds.
Frankie's new boss Addison at a Women's Monthly Magazine is there to sort out the issues at the magazine. This means jobs are on the line, including Frankie's. this means she has to pull her socks up and knock her next article about Meet Cutes out of the park. Instead of using modern day apps she tasks herself with meeting someone the old fashion way, by chance. We also encounter the memory of Elizabeth Dukes clown necklace. Nostalgia.
In order to Meet Cute, we stumble along with romcom ideas, damsel in distress situations, meeting a man on public transport, Disney inspirations and countless others. There are some references to amazing movies, as she gets herself into countless scrapes in true Bridget Jones style. Then out of the blue she gets stuck in a lift with Max Ray who is to die for handsome and a fellow journalist. Life's events lead to an impromptu invite to Hawaii, which Addison sees as the perfect opportunity for Frankie to complete her meet cute mission and thus packs her a case full of revealing swimwear, lingerie and outfits. Once in Hawaii she is bamboozled into pretending to be Max's fiancée.
She hits it off with Max's parents Eva and Ronnie Ray, In no time at all it becomes apparent that there is some discord within the family.
What a lovely story that sweeps you away into a world of riches, love, secrets, family loyalty and being true to oneself. There are some funny moments and the story is fun to follow, without major complexities, the Audible is narrated by Karen Cass my favourite audible hero. I definitely recommend this book as a means to escape for a few hours and dive into a fun love story with some twists and turns that may lead to true love.
This is the story of Frankie, which is told over the course of 41 Chapters. Throughout this book Frankie finds herself in situations that readers will find funny and interesting.
From the very start of this book readers will be intrigued and giggling from not only the story but the sort of situations that Frankie finds herself. Whether the situation works out for her or not, it is one more reason why readers will enjoy this book.
This story is easy to get stuck into, to the point that readers will soon find themselves whizzing through the chapters. Quicker than they anticipated. Although this story is filled with its share of laugh out loud moments, there was a few moments that I would call 'tear jerky'. Now they weren't full on, grab a new box of tissues tear jerk moments, more along the lines of a tear or two may escape you.
Overall this book is full of moments that are both funny and adorable at the same time. Every moment like this within this book proves to the reader why this is a romcom.
Another great book from Portia, all her books are well worth reading . This one is a light hearted funny rom-com and it carries you away to the world of romance. This is a 5 star novel. enjoy
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC
If you haven’t read any Portia Macintosh books before I highly recommend that you make a start. They are all wonderful, but The Meet Cute Method may be my favourite one yet.
Frankie is a magazine journalist who writes about love and marriage. In order to impress her new boss, she is researching an article on old fashioned dating by trying out a variety of meet cute scenarios, based on romantic films. What ensues is an hilarious and fun adventure that may just lead to some genuine romance.
Frankie is such a fun character. An expert on love and marriage behind the keyboard, the reality is that Frankie is single, and a bit of a dating disaster. She is such a darling but also a bit of an hilarious case. She tries so hard but seems to end up in some really funny situations.
I adored the chemistry between Frankie and Max and they brought out each other’s naturally playful side. Addison was also a fun character too.
This is such a funny and light read and is perfect for a holiday book or just to escape for a few hours. It’s full of hilarity, travel, flirting and mishaps and I couldn’t get enough of it.
I have read quite a few of Portia MacIntosh's books and they never fail to deliver. They are exactly what I expect from a light RomCom.... just a complete joy to read, like a guilty pleasure! The Meet Cute Method was not an exception, it was just so cute and the book cover is just pefect!
I read most of this book with a huge smile on my face and even laughed out loud quite a few times. It was a real laugh to see how wrong it could go when Frankie tried to stage meet cute moments. Rather her than me!
I loved the interactions with Max. He simply seemed like a dream love interest, but I must say Frankie stole the show for me and the fact that she tells her story first person was just the cherry on top.
Highlights:
- cute and likeable main characters
- lots of laugh out loud moments
- movie like meet cute moments gone wrong!
- an abundance of RomCom tropes
- light, feelgood RomCom
- change of scenery, London to paradise
“Don’t ignore what’s around you because you’re so focused on what you’re trying to move closer to”
This is my first Portia MacIntosh and I loved it! It reminded me of "How to lose a guy in 10 days" movie and I love that movie. It's like an ode to rom-com films, with Frankie trying to set up various movie-esque meet cutes.. And then there is the man who she meets in the lift at work, who she is actually attracted too. However her editor reckons office romance isn't interesting enough for the article Frankie is writing. Well up until the point where she gets an interesting offer from him and from there the book catapults itself from the great light hearted fun it was.
The story goes through several tropes of the genre (friends to lovers, fake dating, second chances) but it does it in a really natural way, not feeling forced at all.
This was just the read I was after. A light and easy read that gave me all the romantic feels! Fun in the sun and true love working its magic on two very likeable characters.
This book was really cute! It went in a different direction than I expected based on both the setup with the work assignment to test out meet-cutes, as well as different from what the synopsis kind of led me to believe. But in a totally good way. I adored all the crazy situations the meet-cutes got Frankie in at first. Like the lost dog one, that was hilarious!
About halfway through is when the big twist showed up, and from there on it became a little different type of story, while staying true to what it began as. There were a lot of different things going on with the different members of Max’s family that we met on their big Hawaiian vacation. So much going on in that family it was probably good we didn’t have a lot going on with Frankie’s family. But I adored Frankie. So many of the ways she tried to meet guys sounded like what I’d end up doing if I tried those things. And the things she said in those situations, especially when she was trying to flirt? Yeah, sounds like my level of flirting, negative one hundred on a scale of 1 to 10.
I liked how even though we knew who the villains or bad guys were, they kind of had their own back story, most of them, that made me feel a little sympathy towards their behavior, or at least a little bit of understanding. Overall there were some parts that seemed a little longer maybe or more descriptive than I might have needed to completely enjoy the story, but those things didn’t take away from the story. This was a fun, sweet read, and I think I would like to read more by this author in the future!
This was such a fun read! If you want an easy to read, funny, romcom with heart, then give this one a go. I found myself laughing more than once. Even though the premise is different, this kind of reminded me of How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, so fans of that movie should definitely read this.
Portia MacIntosh is an author who writes romantic comedies that I do look forward to reading. The Meet Cute Method is, I think her best yet!
Given an assignment to write articles about her attempts to meet Mr Right. We see Frankie trying everything, from being a female with a flat tyre who needs help to throwing coffee over a stranger. She is not convinced these meet cutes will work in the real world. They may not work, but boy, they gave me a chuckle (or even possibly a little snort once or twice).
The perfect meet cute happens...in the lift at work but Frankie totally misses what's right in front of her nose. Then she is given an offer she can't refuse and we find ourselves whisked away to a fabulous location where Frankie has a part to play, and play she does!
Cue the hilarious moments as she has to pretend she is a spinal surgeon to a millionaires family. Frankie brazens it out with the heart she so clearly shows throughout. My heart did go out to her as well at times, she is barely surviving and has to act like she is at the top of her game with loads of cash.
The cover of this book is one that totally fits this story and is so eye-catching too, perfect all round! Such an amazing, funny and feel good book. I was smiling from start to finish. I would totally tell anyone who loves a great rom com to read this book!
Thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for the copy of the book.
The Meet Cute Method by Portia MacIntosh delivered on the chic lit I love and needed. Portia MacIntosh never disappoints. This was an excellent read and I absolutely love her books. The characters are all well developed and flawed, Frankie was such a klutz, but it just made her all the more lovable. And Max is just the guy you can't help but love! I'm looking forward to more from this author and she keeps the romance coming!
I am such a huge fan of Portia MacIntosh as an author and having already read and reviewed many of her books, including Stuck on You, Faking It, and Life’s A Beach – I knew I was going to love The Meet Cute Method just as much – and I wasn’t wrong. I absolutely adore the character of Frankie – she is just so loveable. Frankie writes about love and relationships at popular magazine Stylife, yet she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy endings when it comes to her own love life.
When her new boss asks her to write about dating the old-fashioned way, Frankie comes up with the meet-cute idea. What follows is a series of incredibly funny movie-style meet cutes, and yet still Frankie has no luck in finding romance of any kind. That is until she meets Max in the lift. He works for the tech magazine on the floor below her at work. After bumping into each a few more times and getting to know each other a lot better, Max asks Frankie on a 2-week vacation to Hawaii with him when his friend cancels on him. Going on holiday with an almost stranger – what could possibly go wrong?
I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it is safe to say this part of the story had me laughing out loud! The Meet Cute Method really is thoroughly entertaining, with incredibly well-written characters and a bucket load of fun and frolics! I laughed so much with this story and I can guarantee you will laugh too – a real feel-good story.
A fun, lighthearted, enjoyable read! This wasn't a 'WOW, can't put it down but it was a nice escape.
I don't expect the World from rom-coms because I want the escapism untainted by expectation. If you feel the same, then this is definitely for you.