You Had Me at Chateau, is yet another winning romcom from Portia MacIntosh. Amber is a romcom author but is having trouble with her latest book. She just isn’t feeling it and has the itch to try her hand at a cozy mystery instead. Her editor insists the publisher much rather she just add some spice to her romance novels. And as it turns out she is getting sent to Alps for a writing retreat with a number of more successful romance writers. Complications ensue and before she knows it Amber finds herself in something of her own love triangle. As with most of Portia’s books there is also a fun subplot or two, the main one dealing with her parents who have announced they are ‘pre-divorcing’. Note that while this one is not exactly billed as a Christmas romcom, the story does use Christmas as a backdrop. With some great characters, a funny storyline, and a healthy dose of cheeky humor, fans of MacIntosh are sure to enjoy this one. I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review You Had Me at Chateau.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3O366S0Q46TO3/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Book Review: You Had Me at Chateau by Portia MacIntosh

From the moment I started You Had Me at Chateau, I was completely charmed by Portia MacIntosh’s delightful storytelling. As a fan of romantic comedies, I had high hopes for this book, and it exceeded every expectation.

The story follows Amber Page, a romance writer who finds herself in a creative slump. I immediately related to her struggles—after all, who hasn’t faced moments of self-doubt? When she receives an invitation to a writer's retreat at a stunning château in the French Alps, she reluctantly agrees, hoping to find inspiration. The setting itself was practically a character, with its picturesque views and charming ambiance, making me wish I could be there too.

MacIntosh has a knack for blending humor with heart, and this book is no exception. The eccentric group of fellow writers at the retreat provided plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as they tried to help Amber “spice up” her writing. The comedic scenarios felt fresh and relatable, making me chuckle throughout.

As Amber navigates her writer's block, she also finds herself caught in a love triangle with two intriguing men. I appreciated how MacIntosh crafted this romantic tension; it felt genuine and added layers to Amber's journey. Each character was well-developed, and I found myself rooting for Amber as she learned to embrace her true self amidst the chaos of romance and career challenges.

What truly resonated with me was Amber's evolution. Watching her confront her fears and ultimately find her voice was inspiring. The narrative is filled with warmth and wit, and by the end, I felt a sense of fulfillment that only a great rom-com can

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This book was great! I loved the writing style and I loved the characters and their chemistry. I loved this great pallet cleanser.

I found this romcom to be hilarious. It is so clever to build the story around a romcom writer who is struggling with the demands of her editorial team. There are so many references to romance tropes which make you feel that you are in on the joke. The central character, Amber, is very engaging. Feeling an outsider to the group of writers she is sent to join; she finds herself in a love triangle. Her parents are dissatisfied with their marriage and she has pressures from work and home.
Henri and Caleb turn out to be very different characters although first impressions can be deceptive. There witty observations on the life of the influences and the effect of social media which gives the story a modern feel. With larger than life characters and some hilarious interludes, this is great fun and all round entertainment. The festive setting is perfect and so on message.
In short: fun, flirty and festive

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

Imagine being sent to a 5 star chateau in a ski resort for work, all expenses paid and you just have to write a book while you’re there. Dreamy work if you can get it I say! I enjoyed this book- Amber was very likeable and her relationship with her brother Tom was sweet. Caleb was surprisingly normal for an influencer and Henri seemed like a catch too. I definitely enjoy books which reveal a bit about life behind the scenes as an author and this did that in spades. A very heart warming, easy to read, festive story. Would definitely recommend

I just loved this book, it has such good characters..

I would highly recommend reading this if you love Portia MacIntosh’s other books as it’s so good.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Another @portiamacintoshauthor book - as always, yes I loved it!

This one took me a page or two to get into and then I couldn’t put it down.

All the rom, all the com, all the page turner writing vibes!

An amusing cast of characters, and I can’t help but wonder if Portia Macintosh will be writing a crime comedy anytime soon?! Also, would love a sequel to this one!

Thanks to @portiamacintoshauthor @boldwoodbooksnl And @netgalley for the #arc

#advancedreaderscopy #boldwood #netgalley #portiamacintosh #romcom #readthis #bookworm #bookstagram #bookvibesn#booknerd #books

A summer is never complete without a new Portia Macintosh book!

They are frothy, fun, bubbly, sweet, semi-spicy and all around *the* perfect summertime read.

📌 Basic Info:
- Romcom
- Single POV, 1st person, single timeline
- Standalone

📌 What to expect:
- Romcom author / influencer (actually) writing a book / hot French chateau manager
- A lot of bookish things, including many (meta)tropes
- Romcom about romcoms
- Alp's ambience
- Set around Christmas, but it's not too Christmasy
- Hilarious family dynamics

📌 Synopsis:
Amber is a romcom writer who is struggling with her new book. She wants to create a romcom mystery, but her editor wants her to write a spicy romcom. Anyhow, Amber is sent to a writer's retreat in the Alps (France) where she meets Caleb, an influencer author working for the same publisher and Henri, a sexy French chateau manager. You can smell the love triangle, but I would say it's pretty clear who are the working points of this triangle 🤣 The three of them spend some hilarious time right before Christmas.

📌 My thoughts:
- Very easy, light read. It's not even 300 pages. I read it in one day.
- The humour is humouring (at least for me 🤣)
- Interesting thoughts on the publishing industry, book writing, spice and romcoms.
- I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main couple and their strangers-friends-lovers journey. There is a hint of a love triangle, but you can figure it out pretty fast.
- Amber's family is a lot of fun. I'm still wondering what Caleb told Amber's father 🤣 Also, can we get a book for Amber's brother?

📚 I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

You can also find my review on Amazon, Goodreads and soon on my Instagram,

A very funny book. So clever. I love Portia's books as they always deliver. I was sorry to finish this one. I laughed out loud alot . My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This was a light and frothy rom-com. Amber is a romance writer facing a writing block because her editor wants more sex in her book. But she really wants to write a rom-com-mystery. I’m not sure why an editor of a writer with four successful books wouldn’t let her write that, but that’s the set-up. She gets sent to some fancy retreat at a French chateau that is also totally unbelievable. As if a publishing house would spend a fortune to send four writers away at a fancy ski resort with a private chef.

While she’s there she becomes friends with Caleb, a famous influencer. That seems like an awful career to give the romantic hero, but I guess I’m old-fashioned. They hit it off and become good friends. And there is also a sexy Frenchman who is interested in her. Silly hijinks ensue.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Another really cute release from Portia MacIntosh! 4.5-stars for this fantastic secretive book/social media project, travel, romance writers retreat in the Alps.

Amber, an established romance author wants to change gears, but her publisher says no and tells her to change her sweet and swoony style to be steamy. Amber is hoping to switch to mystery with romantic elements… at an impasse, she’s sent to the Alps, to a ski chalet with the “hip” and popular romance authors who are there to drink wine, gossip and pretend to write for a week before Christmas.

In the meantime, her family is having difficulties, she’s approached by the new author for the publisher who is a social media influencer and reality tv star, and he needs a favor. He secretly follows her to the ski chateau so they can post some brand items on his pages, with her filling in for his recent ex (who she slightly resembles), all while the chateau’s handyman is also flirting with her…. She goes from no interest to two short-term guys!

I really enjoyed this one, though Amber’s self doubt and constant putting herself down is why I dropped the rating half a star. I understand it’s part of the plot that she’s not confident, but it really goes on too long and brings the mood down, and does take away from some of the enjoyment. Otherwise, overall, this is one of my more favorite of MacIntosh’s storylines! I definitely highly recommend it - just go in knowing that the main character is quite hard on herself with very low self-esteem for most of the book.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and this is my honest feedback.

What a fantastic five-star read. This author never fails to deliver, and you can so identify with Amber, we all have days when we are with others in our field and feel like a child playing with the adults as they all have so much more experience, but you wont be able to laugh along with her and at her at one moment in particular, but in all honestly I think in the end she would be laughing with you, that’s how well written these characters are. Pick this great story up and enjoy the story, we have all been told that we need to add something to it, but honestly this was just perfect.

This book had me laughing all around. Loved Amber and literally every single character in this book. Amber is a Rom-Com author and even though her books are doing so good her editor says that she needs to add “Spice” into her next books. And her journey to THAT??? I won’t give it a away this book needs to be read for that, the humor in this book is unmatched, can’t leave out the real life romance.

It was such a fun and easy read that took you on a journey of all the typical tropes you can find in romance books which made it even better. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters because of the light nature of the book and because of how funny they were. The location that this book takes place in is beautiful and really adds to the story! I really liked that it had some deeper moments as well.

I adore Portia Macintosh’s books. They are perfect romcoms. This one is no exception. Amber is struggling with her book only to have a meet cute with an influencer in an elevator that turns into a partnership like no other. Why is a chateau/ski resort in the French Alps so dreamy? And Caleb is just as dreamy. I loved the heartwarming story of Amber and her brother trying to help their parents through a tough time while Amber is being asked to “spice” up her books only for this book to be a closed door romance. I couldn’t put it down and binged it in a day.

I was so excited about this book because I don’t love spice. (I truly can’t imagine writing it… 🤭)

I made it like 20% before I just got too bored to continue. It took me forever to get that far and I just couldn’t keep trying.

A charmingly delightful book with the perfect amount of romance! MacIntosh offers the reader feel good vibes. Her characters are very different from each other yet they compliment one another, especially, Amber, Caleb & Henri. Her description of the chateau, the village & the French Alps mountain resort are so vivd the reader feels as if they are there. And the book all flows together so easily it makes it easy to read, to enjoy & to relax while doing so.

Amber, who is struggling to add “spice” to her novels, is sent to a writer’s retreat just before Christmas. The retreat is hidden in an idyllic mountain village that gives off the vibes of relaxation & the approach of Christmas. While Amber is there she has to stay in the chateau with three other writers older & more established. Amber also finds herself in a few awkward situations with Henri who lives at the chateau. And then there is Caleb, an influencer, who asks Amber for a favor. He always seems to somehow help people by saying or doing the right thing. There are definite notes of attraction between these two. There are some fun twists & turns in the book. And as always, the books ends with the best happily ever after.

I recommend picking this book up, relaxing & enjoying the newest book by Portia MacIntosh!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

The story of Amber, who is an author but at present has writer's block. She’s written a series of books that have done very well..

She wants to write another genre like a murder mystery, but her publishers want her to continue with romance books.

So she goes on a writing retreat to France.

I loved the setting, where Amber is staying. She meets Henri who is the manager, along with Caleb who is a reality star.

I recommend this book.