This was my second Portia MacIntosh book. The first one, I didn't really care for, so I almost bypassed this one even after I was approved. However, it turned out to be a really fun read! The glimpse into a rock star's life was fun, and I enjoyed both the banter and sweet moments between the two main characters. I do think MacIntosh has a tendency to infodump, and I found myself skimming long swaths of text, but other than that, I enjoyed the book.

I’m really enjoying everything I’ve read by this author. She blends humour, characters with real depth and a pinch of heart perfectly to create fantastic, quick reads. This would be perfect for holidays, or for these cozy winter evenings. Highly enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Ex In The City is a story about a girl Nicole getting a second chance at living her former lifestyle of rock and roll along with reconnecting with her estranged best friend rockstar, Dylan.

I found this book to be funny and engaging and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a wonderful story of a second change at love, friendship and healing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!

So for starters, this was a very interesting read for me considering my ex was a pretty well known musician. The big difference is that I couldn’t care less if I got a second chance with him haha! But on the other hand, I’m so happy this couple got their second chance! I was rooting for them the whole way through! Such a cute book! It was fun to learn some British lingo along the way! It was crazy how relatable of a book this was for me! I can’t wait till it comes out so I can recommend it to my friends! I gave this 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a cozy easy read with characters and a plot that were well developed. No hesitation recommending Ex in the city By Portia Macintosh 4Stars

This was a very sweet second chance romance book. The relationships between Nicole and, Rowan as well as Nicole and Dylan were both very tangled and messy. I wasn't sure which way this book was going to go with them but I felt that it was good at exploring both of them and enjoyed this story a lot. I also felt that it was wrapped up nicely.

Perfect Rom Com for people who tick the over 30s box! Nostalgic, cosy and a good read.
Nicole has swapped her former rock and roll lifestyle (and rockstar ex) for the life of a middle class step mum of 2 young boys. Instead of battling newspaper headlines, Nicole battles with playground politics. Everything is dull until Dylan, rock star and ex comes knocking on her door.
I loved the witty banter and how the book took me back down memory lane. I would have loved to read a stronger ending though. What happened to the band mates (when you read it you'll know why I'm asking!)
Personally, I like a lot more spice. This book mentions sex but does not have graphic scenes. Which some readers would prefer. Overall, I'd recommend this book for a Sunday read.

Instinctively, I would never opt for a novel where one of the main characters is already more or less in a relationship, but it's written by Portia MacIntosh, and she teased this story so well a few weeks ago that I dove into it without even reading the pitch !

Nicole is probably too nice to be true (someone deserves a good one in the b....) but what a sweet and surprising story!

Nicole and Dylan have undeniable chemistry even if it's all about restraint (oh how I would have liked to read his POV too !). Their friendship is so strong that it slips naturally into love as if it had always been there and burst into the open (which it probably had !).

This novel is not only a love story, it's about forgiveness, growing older but certainly not growing cold ;) , what it means to be a step parent when the couple dies, how to deal with little town nosyness...

Thank to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

The last couple of books that I’ve read from Portia MacIntosh were good, but not as great as some of her previous work. This novel however was superb. Funny, a plot that zipped along and interesting characters. Some of it seemed a little far-fetched and yet that all added to the charm. I can’t wait for her next novel.


Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

thankyou netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. all opinions are my own!

OHMYGOD IT'S THE WAY I ATE THIS SHIT UP AND LEFT NO CRUMBS!! PURRR LESSGOO

what a blast way to start my 2024 arc reading. second chance romance?? romcom?? emotional rollercoaster?? you name it and this book has it.

this was such a reminiscent to my adolescent times. seriously writing this review, i'm feeling nostalgic as fuck (and a little teary eyed. dramatic ik). but that's how this book made me feel .

this was so cute, so adorable and so thought provoking. you know what they say, some reviews can't be written. you can only feel my emotions once you read this book yourself!!
PLEASE GIVE THIS A TRY.

This book had it all for me and that was it. I had to read this to see what it was all about. I was not disappointed and enjoyed the content. Enjoyed this book. I want to find more of her books. Love me Portia Macintosh books. all great.

I loved reading this book, it definitely felt relatable at points which added to its charm for me. I will be reading more by Portia soon.

This is simply a book you won’t want to leave behind. I adored Nicole and really wanted her to get her happy ever after, she is so downtrodden at the start of the story, she really is stuck in life and isn’t able to be the Wilde woman she once was, and what a woman she was, it can be difficult when you get older and mature and have to leave the crazy behind. I adore how this story is a little deeper than we sometimes get from this author, but I love it, if you have lived a certain number of years then you will really identify with how crazy those things we used to get up to where, I wouldn’t dream of doing half of what we got up to in the 90s and early noughties, as how I didn’t get murdered I don’t know. I really struggled with her relationship with Rowan, but then when you get to know her and see how she reacts to the other mummies, you can’t help but smile, she will rock your world.

I loved this second-chance rom-com with Nicole - who is at a point in her life I can identify with. I can appreciate the appeal of getting another opportunity to escape your suburban life and take a trip down memory lane; to revisit your teenage years, with your older self’s knowledge and experience - what a great opportunity! As Nicole reminisces, it is easy to recall so so many life situations and observations which resonate with me and my memories of being a YA: Living like there was no tomorrow, ridiculous fashion choices, teen dramas - plus things that were seen as normal in the day, but would be huge red flags today - it all makes me feel happily nostalgic. The characters are likeable and relatable and it is amusing to see the different sides of suburban Nicole and partying Nicole. Overall, this light-hearted, fun read is a real winner for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to get an early copy of this book. Expected publication is on February 27, 2024 and I highly recommend picking up a copy then.

So I was never really that into the Nicole Wilde books before - mostly because I always wanted her to end up with Dylan. I absolutely loved this, it was amazing to see them get their happy every after and to see them both mature and overcome their issues.

Everything Portia Macintosh writes is golden and this is no exception. I get so excited everything I see a new book by her!

This isn't your typical fast-paced, hard-living rock star story, but more of a friends to lovers one. I didn't realize until the end that it's actually a follow up to two books the author wrote earlier, so it's very easily a stand-alone novel, yet will offer some closure for anyone who has read the other Dylan King / Nicole Wilde stories. It features themes of personal growth, authenticity, and moving forward. Both characters end up helping each other to find themselves after years of being separated and trying to do what they thought they ought to be. There are some sensitive issues, such as drug addiction, marital infidelity, and anger in relationships. Overall a solid and fun read, and one that will be even more fun for those who've read the first two (which I will be going back and finding now)!

4.5 rounded up

'Ex in the City' is a second chance rom com about redemption, staying true to yourself and personal growth. Portia Macintosh has delivered a real treat for anyone who has read 'One Way or Another/Between a Rock Star and a Hard Place' and 'If We Ever Meet Again/How Not to Be Starstruck', featuring music journalist Nicole Wilde and her serial shagger rock star best friend Dylan King. This time Nicole and Dylan finally get their happy ending.

Ten years on, Nicole has left the chaos to live a more stable small town life with Rowan and his two sons and work in crisis management. But something is missing, and her relationship is over, but she can't quite take the final leap to reclaim her old self. Just when she starts reminiscing about him, Dylan King returns.

I devoured this book (and then went back to re-read all my favourite parts). Nicole and Dylan slotted together again effortlessly. Dylan has undergone major personal growth. This is a much healthier Dylan trying to make up for past mistakes to win back Nicole. He's supportive and always there for Nicole in a way that she missed. Continuity wise, I'm also glad Macintosh addresses all the longstanding questions I had regarding their estrangement that was described in his cameo appearance in 'You Can't Hurry Love' (though there is one slight error but its unimportant).

This book is probably one of her more 'darker' books in that Macintosh tackles some serious issues, such as the misogyny and toxic behaviour Nicole experienced or witnessed. Dylan's addiction issues are also sensitively tackled.

There were some minor pacing and plotting issues, though. The first five chapters could've done with some cuts of some overly long descriptions and the domestic/school run mum stuff. I'd have loved to have seen Nicole stop being a doormat with all the housewife/parenting she did for a thankless Rowan. I'd rather more on the tour-related stuff. Some plot lines also not quite resolved, such as married Mikey's tour behaviour. It just seemed like a missed opportunity not to delve further into how the band could make it work after all the recrimination, coupled with a healthier Dylan dealing with the bands' reclamation of their old partying ways.

This is a book that just made me happy when I finished it, that I was left wanting more (I'd be happy for a bonus epilogue (hint). Portia - thank you! I'd been waiting for this book and I've not been disappointed. I will be getting both the book and audiobook so I can re-live it.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was just okay for me. The characters were dimension and relatable. There were lots of cheating moments. Some language. Minimal spice.

Definitely wbove the rest rom-com. Characters you can relate to and like, or not - situations we've all been in one way or the other - and some solid themes of finding your true self, redemption, friendship, and what is important, all wrapped into a friend to lover slow burn. Better than the typical rock star trope, and definitely a fun read.