This one is classic enemies-to-lovers with a sunshine-soaked twist. Lara and Sonny are rival celebrity reporters who cannot stand each other—until they’re forced to pose as a couple in therapy at a luxury island retreat. Yep, it’s fake dating in paradise, and yes, it’s as chaotic as it sounds.

The banter between them is sharp and genuinely funny, and the ridiculousness of their situation makes it even better. There’s a light mystery element too, but for me, it was all about watching their fake romance get way too real.

This book was written for you if:
1. You love the "we’re not actually a couple (but maybe we are?)" trope.
2. You're into vacation settings with lots of awkward tension.
3. You want a romcom that’s fast-paced, flirty, and full of fun.

Lara and Sonny are sworn enemies. They are showbiz journalists, always looking for the scoop or celebrity gossip. They work for the same company, but two different publications. They are not pleased when the bosses ask them to work together, undercover at an exclusive celebrity retreat. They have to pretend to be a couple to get info on a high profile couple. That means they have to share a room and bed, as well as fake a relationship and participate in activities as a couple. Can the pull this off? Will their rivalry and past finally be brushes away and maybe they can become friends or more?

I enjoyed this story and the self-realization it brings about. It turns out that Lara and Sonny have a past together, as they were in University together and were a couple at one time. Lara felt betrayed and that led to the animosity they had now. The story is told from Lara's POV and it was okay, but I would have enjoyed a dual POV for this story. The retreat was something else. I loved how Portia MacIntosh set it up so that the discomfort they were in helped to bring the together. As Lara got to know the other guests, she realized that what she had been doing in her job was not something she felt good about anymore. I really liked the ending and how Lara and Sonny came to the conclusions about their life that they did. An enjoyable read. The audiobook was narrated by Karen Cass and she does a great job with this story. Giving voice to the various characters and using tone, pacing and expression to tell this story and draw in the listener.

Trouble in Paradise by Portia MacIntosh was such a fun, feel-good read! The premise grabbed my attention right away: two rival journalists, Lara and Sonny, are forced to team up for a secret assignment at a luxurious celebrity retreat. The twist? They have to pretend to be a couple going through therapy. Naturally, this leads to a lot of hilarious situations and some very awkward, yet charming moments.

The back-and-forth between Lara and Sonny was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their banter was hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The witty dialogues kept me hooked, and I loved how their relationship developed from enemies to something more. The tension and chemistry between them were so palpable, and it made the whole journey so enjoyable to follow.

The tropical setting was a perfect backdrop for this rom-com. It added an extra layer of charm to the story, making it feel like the ideal escape. While the plot might have been a bit predictable at times, it didn’t take away from the fact that this was just such a fun, lighthearted read.

And the ending? Ughhhhh, it was so dramatic but I was so happy for them. It was the perfect conclusion to their whirlwind adventure, and I honestly couldn't help but feel a little giddy for them. If you're a fan of rom-coms with great banter, some tension-filled moments, and a touch of drama, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my review!

a quick beachy read! funny banter and witty characters always makes for a good time!! i finished this in one sitting and definietly see myself coming back to this when i need a comfort read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Trouble in Paradise by Portia MacIntosh in exchange for my honest review and opinion. The bright fun color and title made me want to drop everything and read this ASAP. I was expecting a funny rom com and found out that there were some crazy twists and turns in it as well which made it even more fun. Loved this book!

it's amazing 10/10 characters and but i still felt like smth was missing
thank you netgalley for the arc

This one was too unrealistic for me to even get in to. The plot fell flat, the main character felt childish, and it made me not want to keep reading. There were some funny bits, which is why I bumped it up from 2.5

"Trouble in Paradise" by Portia MacIntosh is a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers romcom filled with witty banter, fake dating, and tropical escapism. Lara and Sonny, are thrown together undercover at an exclusive celebrity retreat, where they must pretend to be in couples therapy. Their rivalry and playful one-upmanship lead to plenty of humorous and awkward moments, making for an entertaining dynamic.

The tropical setting, with stunning island scenery (THE OTTER POOL - SO CUTE), adds charm to the story. While the banter and chemistry shine, the plot feels somewhat predictable.

Overall this was a fun read, perfect for the beach or an escape from the cold winter season.

I absolutely loved this book by Portia Macintosh.

It follows work colleagues and arch enemies, Lara and Sonny as they are sent in a joint assignment to a tropical island.
This is most people's idea of heaven but they have to pretend to be a coupl and are under full scrutiny of their fellow islanders. Will they be able to cover their feelings and pull off their task or will there indeed be trouble in paradise.

Such a light hearted, funny book .....a 5 star summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook in exchange of an honest review.

Una historia curiosa.
Nuestros protagonistas, ambos periodistas de una revisa de farándula, deben ir en un viaje a un "resort para rehabilitar relaciones de pareja", este lugar está lleno de lujos y es muy costoso; sin embargo deben ir ahí para salvar sus empleos y espiar a la pareja de actores más famosa del momento, quienes al parecer no se encuentran muy bien en su relación.

¿Cuál es el problema? Se detestan, son rivales, y no pueden ni estar en la misma habitación sin boicotear el trabajo del otro. Entonces fingir ser una pareja con problemas, pero que se amó mucho en el pasado, podría ser muy complejo... o tal vez no.

Me divertí leyendo esta historia, es ligera y predecible. Tiene romance y humor. Sin embargo, no podría catalogarla como una historia memorable. Creo que en el momento estuvo bien, pero dudo que siga en mi mente mucho más tiempo.

I picked this up hoping for a fun enemies-to-lovers romcom, and while it had its moments, it didn’t completely win me over. The premise of rival journalists forced to pretend they’re in couples therapy at a celebrity retreat is hilarious, and there were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments. But I struggled to connect with Lara and Sonny—their banter felt more mean-spirited than playful at times, and the shift from enemies to lovers didn’t feel as natural as I’d hoped. That said, the tropical setting was fun, and I did enjoy the over-the-top celebrity antics. It’s a light, easy read, but I found myself wishing for a bit more spark between the leads.

My first & will not be my last book that I read by Portia MacIntosh. I really found myself getting swept away with these characters and going on their journey.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Trouble in Paradise by Portia MacIntosh is a highly entertaining and fun-filled enemies-to-lovers romcom, perfect for fans of witty banter, fake dating, and tropical getaways. Lara and Sonny, rival showbiz journalists with a history of one-upmanship, are forced to team up undercover at an exclusive celebrity retreat. The twist? They must pretend to be in couples therapy to blend in, which leads to plenty of humorous and awkward moments.

MacIntosh masterfully captures the fiery chemistry between Lara and Sonny. Their rivalry sparks playful banter and hilarious sabotage, making their forced collaboration all the more enjoyable. As they navigate the absurdity of their situation in paradise, the tropical setting and undercover shenanigans add a delightful layer of escapism.

While the story follows familiar romcom beats, the evolving relationship between Lara and Sonny feels genuine and satisfying. Their gradual shift from enemies to something more is both heartwarming and filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The mix of showbiz drama and romantic tension keeps the plot lively and engaging throughout.

Overall, Trouble in Paradise is a perfect summer read—light, witty, and packed with charm. Portia MacIntosh delivers another feel-good romance with great characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and just the right amount of heart. If you're a fan of fake-dating tropes, enemies-to-lovers, or simply looking for a fun escape, this romcom won’t disappoint!

Cute read! Perhaps not as good as some of her others.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

A cute enemies to lovers romance for the summer. The book does feel a bit disjointed and rushed at times, but the characters are great and there is some fun banter.

Not my favorite Portia book but this is a cute story filled with love, laughter and many cringe moments.
It is nicely written and Portia is one of my instant read authors so l'd expected nothing less. The plot left some to be desired but it was still enjoyable regardless. The island was beautiful, so many stunning visions, the Otter pool made ne smile.
The ending was okay, nothing memorable but still wrapped up the story well!

I LOVED this story. Portia MacIntosh never fails with her books — every single one I have thoroughly enjoyed and this is no different. The plot was refreshing and the characters were brilliant!

This was a cute enemies to lovers, but struggled a bit to be invested this time around. Normally I fly through Portia MacIntosh's books but this was a little slower for me.

Portia MacIntosh has done it once again.... providing us with a laugh out loud, heart warming read. Brilliant characters. with a perfectly paced story that keeps you invested.... One of my go to authors!

I really enjoyed this romance that had a bit of mystery in it. I love the seclusion and resort setting. It was definitely one worth reading!