I absolutely love Portia MacIntosh, and this book just reaffirms why. From the very beginning, I could hardly put this book down. As always, I found myself both laughing and crying during the book. By far my favorite author to escape into. I love that it's about an author, and the constant jokes crack me up! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

As per usual, Portia has given us a book that has it all- fake dating, one bed, friends to lovers, meet cute , miscommunication-every trope under the sun and yet it still works. I loved all the little side stories-they were so well flushed out and the humor, oh my gosh, the humor! This is a rom com that is heavy on the com, and that makes it a win for me! It is also closed door so if you don’t like steam with your romance, you’ll be good with this one.
The story takes a look behind the scenes of the publishing industry as Amber is a struggling author and her editor sends her on a retreat in France with other authors to get some inspiration when her latest work in progress needs a lot of help. While she’s there she meets Caleb, who’s an influencer who needs help promoting some items while keeping his breakup a secret, and agrees to help her book to try and get it done so she get back home in time for Christmas.
The writing was light, funny and engaging and the chapters were short which made it easy to fly through the story. And of course there was the gorgeous setting. It sounds like paradise! And the food sounded amazing too!
Overall this was another winner by Portia for me.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

📚 PUBLICATION MONTH BOOK REVIEW 📚

You Had Me At Chateau
By Portia Macintosh
Publication Date: September 15, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

This is my second read from Portia Macintosh, and she created yet another swoon-worthy rom-com with You Had Me At Chateau!

Macintosh is SUCH a master at writing strong, intelligent, and witty female main characters, who feel like your best friend by the end of the first chapter. In Chateau, our female MC, Amber, is a romance writer who finds herself struggling to write spicy scenes in her books. She'd much rather write murder mysteries with a romance subplot -- much to the chagrin of her editor, who wants her to stick to what sells... With more spice.

After a hilariously awkward meet-cute with reality TV star Caleb, in the elevator of her publisher's office, Amber is sent off by her editor for a reset at a writer's retreat in a chateau in the Swiss Alps with three other successful female authors. As an aspiring writer myself, the idea of a writer's retreat pulled me in when I read the book's summary and I was intrigued to see where this one would go...When Caleb shows up at the chateau too, the rom-com plotline really kicks into high gear.

This is an absolutely adorable friend-to-lovers trope that was a quick read for me. The romantic setting of the Swiss Alps provided a fantastic backdrop for the cast of supporting characters. The hilarity of the dramatics happening within Amber's family, including her parents' pre-Christmas announcement that they are now in a "pre-divorce" phase of their marriage and their decision to embroil Amber and her brother Tom into the middle of their daily petty arguments, added so many fun subplot storylines to the main rom-com plot of the book.

There was just so much to smile about in this one and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good rom-com! If you haven't yet read a book from Portia Macintosh, and you enjoy reading rom-coms, be sure to grab one of hers as soon as you can! She's definitely become an auto-read author for me. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review!

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I really enjoyed this book, the chemistry between them and the story was really interesting.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for my book

Fn, breezy read - perfect for an afternoon on vacation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in excahnge for an honest review.

As always, thanks to Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

This is hands down THE BEST Rom Com I've ever read!
The banter, flirting and wit was perfection. The chemistry between the characters left me swooning! This was a great fun and light read. I've never read a Portia MacIntosh book before, but I will for sure be putting many more on my TBR!

This book was very slow to start. I was about 40% in before I really started to enjoy the book. It became very funny and I caught myself laughing out loud at times. I wish the entire book would've have been written that way. I also could've used a little more spice and a little more romance between the two main characters.

Author Amber is trying to finish her new book, but her editor wants her to "spice" it up with more sex scenes. Amber would rather be writing a murder mystery than a sexy rom-com, but her editor is having none of it. To help inspire her, the editor secures her a spot at a writer's retreat at a ski resort in France. It's the last place that Amber wants to be right before Christmas, but she goes anyway.

Amber finds herself involved with two men at the resort - Caleb, an influencer and social media star, and Henri, who resides at the Chateau. Meanwhile, at home, her parents have announced that they are "pre-divorcing" and Amber finds herself taking calls from both her mom and dad, along with her brother, who feels stuck in the middle of their parents' battles!

This book was engaging and very funny - pick this one up now! Special thanks to the Publisher and Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this title!

As expected, Portia MacIntosh's latest novel, You Had Me at Chateau, is a winner. This rom-com is a funny page-turner from the beginning to the end. The great plot, interesting characters, and witty text made this an easy afternoon read.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Amber Page, a rom-com writer in a creative slump, is tasked with adding more "spice" to her books—a challenge she dreads. In a bid to find inspiration, she attends a writer’s retreat at a luxurious château in the stunning French Alps. Surrounded by eccentric romance authors, Amber’s attempts to heat up her writing don’t quite go as planned. However, her real-life romantic comedy begins to unfold when two leading men enter the picture, leaving her caught between work struggles and unexpected romance. It’s a delightful story full of humour and heart.

Enticed by the title I had to read it. Loved it. Just what you come to expect from Portia's books. Funny, set in a great location and filled with fab characters. I must admit I do like books with authors as characters... and this didn't disappoint.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

So, Amber is a romance author who is struggling to finish her book. Her editor sends her on a writer's retreat with 3 other authors who are the bitches of Eastwick. Amber also (weirdly) looks like the ex-girlfriend of reality TV star, Caleb, who decides that they can help eachother out as he needs to promote some stuff online.

It was a slow starter and I'll admit that it wasn't my favourite book by Portia MacIntosh (I, unashamedly, am Millsy til I die) and was VERY monologue heavy.

I found the premise of the book interesting though as it did make me consider the fact that Ms. MacIntosh is also not good at writing smut. However, the other authors had me wondering if they were based on anyone in particular!!

I didn't really see the point in Henri, he seemed like a bit of a useless character, although I can appreicate that he did move the plot along somewhat.

In direct comparison to the slow start, the ending seemed somewhat abrupt.

I enjoyed the story but it was not my favourite book by Portia MacIntosh.

What an adorable comedy romance! Just in time for the change in seasons (for Minnesota at least) and getting me ready for Christmas and the holidays. I loved the MC and storyline, but what I felt was missing was the SPICE! How can we have the MC on a writers retreat to find more spice and not get any SPICE? Still a really good read, recommend it for this winter!

Amber is a rom-com writer who has a writers block and is told by her editor to “spice up” her books. As she tries another genre but can't sell her latest idea, she’s sent on a writers retreat in the Alps to get inspiration. In this french, wintery beautiful described scenery she meets two love interests which give her all the inspiration she needs.

I love the way the author described everything, you can almost see it. The MC is very relatable and likeable and makes it easy to really feel for her and get into the story. It's a really great rom-com, it sure made me laugh out loud a few times.
The writing is light and airy, but the author really knows how to give you the feels. If you love rom-coms, I totally recommend this one.

Portia has done it again! Another hilariously swoony rom com set in a stunning location!

I adored the beautiful chateau and I felt so sorry for Amber as she tried to hold her own with her peers.

Both Henri and Caleb were such good guys and I was torn between them!

A great festive story with incredible characters!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Portia always has some very silly plots with a colorful cast of characters! There are some good plot points I never guess either. Fun holiday read!

Portia Macintosh, your English teacher was soooo wrong! Each book just keeps getting better, if thats even possible. I loved You Had Me at Chateau. This is without doubt a must read fall/winter book.
It is the perfect blend of funny and romantic, set in the beautiful French Alps.
I would sincerely like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and most importantly the author, for writing this very entertaining read!

The writing was light, funny and engaging. I found myself laughing out loud a few times and smiling throughout the rest of the book. There were some deeper moments and some times when I really felt for the main character, so overall there was a great mix of emotions going on.

I particularly liked how it felt as though the main character was speaking to you, telling you how her life was going. It made me feel more involved with the story.

The chapters were fairly short which kept the story moving. There was always something happening and this technique kept my attention. There was a good flow to the book, which made it easy to read.

The characters were great. I loved the relationship that the main character had with her brother and how they were there for each other when their parents were having their own problems.

There were some lovely moments between the main character and each of her potential suitors. I really wasn't sure how it was going to end!

The relationship between the main character and the other writers was interesting. It really made me feel for the main character. She tried so hard to fit in with them, when really there should have been equal effort from all parties. Having this storyline running through gave the main story a grounding and a more serious note.

Lastly the settings. They were wonderfully described. I really wanted to be there! The description of the food was also excellent. As soon as someone starts describing food, they are on to a winner with me!

Overall an entertaining read that I recommend.

Portia Macintosh is having a purple patch, her last book was excellent and You Had Me At Chateau is right on its heels.
 
All the usual elements, a love triangle, sunny location, but for me it is always the lightness of touch. There are always memorable sections,
in this book, it was the damp knickers in the handbag on a blind date and the French maid cleaning scene. I also loved the dynamic with
Ambers’s quarrelling parents.
 
Such an enjoyable read and hopefully, there will be a new novel hot on its heels.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.