A romantic comedy, not to be taken too seriously. Lana is is fed up with her perfect sister and especially the fact that she's getting married on Lana's 30th birthday. Add to that a long list of rules issued to Lana. To spite her sister, Lana decides to do her worst (being the selfish person she is....) and gets a dress that breaks all the rules and sets out to find a perfect date. Enter Lana's ex, Ethan. Oh, the troubles they used to cause back in the day.... Although, things does NOT go to plan and Ethan is definitely not playing along with Lana's revenge plan.

Book Review: WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Author: Portia MacIntosh @portiamacintoshauthor Publisher: Boldwood Books @theboldbookclub Thank you to @netgalley for my ARC and @librofm and @theboldbookclub@theboldbookclub for my ALC. Lana's life is on the cusp of a major transformation. Her 'perfect' sister is getting married in Australia on Lana's 30th birthday, and while nobody has sent her an early birthday wish, Lana is determined to make this milestone count. To shake things up, she devises a plan to bring an unconventional date to the wedding, and when her ex Ethan appears, she sees an opportunity. Despite their complicated past, Lana is willing to take a chance, and as they navigate the wedding festivities in Australia, Ethan surprises her with his charm. Lana finds herself torn between her desire for revenge and the rekindled sparks flying between them. Will she choose to re-write her past or forge a new path? This Portia Macintosh book is a true page-turner, full of humor, romance, and unexpected twists. The connection between Lana and Ethan is undeniable, and their story is a testament to the power of second chances and new beginnings. #WishYouWerentHere #WishYouWerentHereBook #BookLoversUnite #LiteraryEscapade #AdventureReads #BookstagramAdventures #RomcomLover #MeetCutes #HeartfeltHumor

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.


This lighthearted rom-com follows Lana, a woman determined to sabotage her snooty step-sister's Australian wedding – which also happens to be her 30th birthday. Feeling like an outsider in her own family, Lana decides to rebel against their "how to behave" instructions by bringing the most outrageous date imaginable: her chaotic ex-boyfriend, Ethan.
What follows is a whirlwind of comedic mishaps as Lana attempts to live up to her expectations of outrageousness. However, her plan quickly backfires. Ethan, despite his initially disruptive presence, charms Lana's family with his unexpected kindness and wit. As the wedding festivities unfold, Lana finds herself drawn back into Ethan's orbit, reigniting the sparks of their past.
Strengths:
* Engaging premise: The concept of a deliberate "worst date ever" for a family wedding is inherently entertaining.
* Humorous moments: The book delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the early stages as Lana navigates her rebellious streak.
* Charming protagonist: While Lana can be frustrating at times, her determination to assert herself is relatable.
* Compelling chemistry: The chemistry between Lana and Ethan is undeniable, making their interactions a highlight.
* Enjoyable pace: The book moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader entertained throughout.
Weaknesses:
* Mid-section dip: The middle portion of the book felt a bit repetitive, which slightly slowed down the momentum.
Overall:
Despite a minor dip in the middle, "Title" is a fun and engaging rom-com. It's a quick and enjoyable read with a charming cast of characters and a satisfyingly unpredictable plot.
Perfect for readers who enjoy a lighthearted romance with a touch of mischievousness.

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.
I found the main character to be really unlikable, and the story took so long to "take off" for me.
I felt like all these terrible dates after another just felt so unnecessary and repetitive, and I just kept waiting for her to finally get back to Ethan (so predictable, of course he will end up being her date). For him to disappear suddenly at the beginning, and for the reader to have no clue why, was really annoying and took away from my enjoyment of the story.

I felt there was good banter and chemistry, but we missed the mark with all the fluff in getting to the actual story.

Another hilarious and utterly fantastic story from Portia MacIntosh.

I don't think I have enough words to explain how much I absolutely adore everything this author writes, and this was absolutely no exception.

The initial meet cute between Lana and Ethan is memorable, as is just about every moment they properly get together, but not necessarily for all the best reasons. Things seem to go just a tad wrong when they are intimate and it's totally hilarious for the reader.

Lana doesn't really fit in with the rest of her family to the extent they held an intervention to aim to get her to act and live up to their posh standards at the upcoming family wedding in Australia of her sister.

She is so mad, she decides to try to find the worst possible date for this wedding, and it leads to all sorts of amusing dates with some truly shocking men before realising she doesn't want to totally destroy the wedding, just cause a bit of trouble.

Then Ethan comes back into her life and he is perfect for the role and from then on things get even more interesting (and I was very hooked before that).

I felt for Lana, given how much she doesn't seem to fit in, even at work where everyone shoots down a fabulous idea she has for the app they are working on, something that would actually make women's lives better.

Ethan is just sublime, and I would have happily got together with him myself. He's fabulous, and hot!

There is just so much to laugh at in this story, and I loved every word I was reading.

This was just what I needed, and a real tonic to read.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I love all Portia’s books and this one was no exception. I love the way the story lines of her novels always have a character you want to shout at. It’s a gorgeous beach read that’s just the tonic you need after a long day.

I really enjoyed this book
It was flirty, fun, and overall just a great book.

Did it break any new ground? No. Will it win any awards? Not likely. Did it make me smile and leave me feeling good? YES!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a delightful romantic comedy that offers a light and entertaining escape. The story follows Lana as she navigates family dynamics and unexpected reunions, leading to humorous misadventures. The banter between the main characters is so funny and the pace of the book is effortless.
It’s an ideal book if you want a fun and quick romance, lighthearted.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Portia MacIntosh is a lighthearted, escapist read that offers humor, romance, and plenty of holiday vibes. The story follows a charmingly relatable protagonist navigating unexpected twists in her personal life while on a dream getaway. MacIntosh’s signature wit shines through in the dialogue, and the setting is beautifully described, giving readers that perfect vacation feel.

That said, while the book delivers on charm, the pacing felt uneven at times, and some plot points were a bit too predictable to hold the intrigue I was hoping for. The romance element, though sweet, lacked the depth to make it truly memorable, and I found myself wishing for more character development to better connect with the leads.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read for fans of breezy, feel-good rom-coms, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Perfect for a quick escape, but it falls a little short of standing out in the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a pretty cute romcom, but WOW, was Lana’s family awful! They treated her terribly and acted like she was the selfish one when she reacted to them planning a wedding on her birthday! Then they took every opportunity to constantly pick on her and point out all of her flaws. It was pretty bad and took away from the story, in my opinion. I was hoping for some kind of resolution and think she kind of got that with her sister, but not her dad and step-monster. Thank goodness she had Ethan to look out for her and appreciate the person she is. Ethan was amazing and adorable! I am glad that they reunited and moved on from their past. I thought from the synopsis that they had been together longer, so I was surprised that her “ex” was more of a fling than a relationship. Overall, I did enjoy the story and seeing Lana grow and mature, despite how she was treated by her family. It was a fun, quick read.

Lana has always been held to high expectations when it comes to her personal life. Her family thinks that she must have the perfect job, perfect behaviour and perfect partner. Will Ethan meet the family expectations?

This is a fun story full of second chances, fake dating and finding true love. I loved the writing style and adored the main characters. I would definitely recommend this one.

Book Review: Wish You Weren't Here by Portia MacIntosh

Portia MacIntosh’s Wish You Weren’t Here is a delightful and hilarious romantic comedy that delivers all the fun, wit, and charm you’d expect from a rom-com with a bit of chaos and heart thrown in. Full of laughter, second chances, and a gorgeous backdrop, this book is the perfect escape for anyone looking for a lighthearted, feel-good read.

The story follows Lana, who’s already fed up with the idea of her “perfect” sister getting married in Australia on her 30th birthday. To make matters worse, she’s given a list of rules to ensure she doesn’t outshine the bride. Feeling completely overlooked, Lana decides to take matters into her own hands, and what better way to grab attention than with the most inappropriate wedding date she can find? After a series of disastrous online dates, her life takes an unexpected turn when her drop-dead-gorgeous ex, Ethan, suddenly reappears.

Ethan, of course, is the last person she should be considering—after all, their relationship imploded in a blaze of chaotic passion. But when Lana convinces him to join her as her ‘revenge’ date at her sister’s wedding, the sparks between them reignite in the most unexpected ways. Ethan, it seems, has forgotten that he’s only supposed to cause trouble for her ex and is suddenly charming and charmingly off-limits. As their chemistry heats up again, Lana must confront whether her plan for chaos might just be the beginning of something more.

MacIntosh’s writing is witty and sharp, making this book an absolute page-turner. Lana is a relatable and endearing protagonist, her frustrations with her family, her ex, and herself making her a sympathetic character you root for. Ethan, of course, is the perfect swoon-worthy love interest, with just enough mystery and charm to keep things interesting. The back-and-forth between them is fun, filled with tension, humor, and, naturally, some sizzling chemistry.

What sets Wish You Weren’t Here apart from your typical romantic comedy is the character growth and depth. Both Lana and Ethan have a history, and while their relationship seems like a recipe for disaster, their reunion makes for an emotional rollercoaster. The book is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but also takes a more heartfelt turn as Lana begins to confront what she really wants from her life and relationships.

The setting of Australia adds a delightful layer to the book, with its beautiful beaches and sunny vibes, and the wedding backdrop creates a perfect tension between familial expectations and personal desires. MacIntosh’s signature humor, mixed with a bit of chaos and heart, make for a satisfying and entertaining read.

Overall, Wish You Weren't Here is a perfect rom-com for anyone looking for a fun and feel-good escape. With humor, heart, and a bit of unexpected romance, this is a book you’ll want to devour in one sitting.

Rating: 4.5/5
Fans of romantic comedies with lovable characters, hilarious mishaps, and sizzling second-chance romance will adore this book. Portia MacIntosh has truly nailed the formula for a fun, heartwarming, and memorable rom-com.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I always see this author’s stuff on my feed, so I was happy that I got a chance to read this! Thought the story was cute and funny at times. Lana, the main character, is an outcast in her wealthy family. Her sister is getting married in Australia, and she needs a date. Lana hatches a plan to try to bring the worst date to the wedding, so she dates a lot of “red flag” guys. Enter Ethan - her ex(?) from a couple years ago. Didn’t really enjoy the fact that the MMC comes around at about the 50% mark (despite the couple of scenes in the beginning of the book), but the slight love triangle scenes were a bit entertaining. The ending felt a bit too rushed. While I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I wanted to, I do want to try another book from this author.

A fun filled romantic romp! This is an easy going light hearted read full of great characters. I found it very difficult to put down and throughly enjoyed it from start to finish. A true ray of sunshine on a grey winters day. Great read!

Thank you Netgalley

An enjoyable romcom with love and hate characters, very nice setting and a different storyline.
I enjoyed it as I have been reading some hard subjects matter books recently and it was a very welcome change.
Recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Portia Macintosh for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

This second chance romance has the perfect blend of humour and chemistry!! I enjoyed it and would recommend to those looking for a love triangle, second chance, and british romances

I love a second chance romance and this one had a healthy dose of forced proximity (hello one bed) and lots of longingly looking into each other's eyes. There were some laugh out loud moments, which are my favorite. Closed door.

Summer Beach read in the Dead of Winter? you had me at HOT Beach Bod, Chef's Kiss, Boy !! Second Chance Romance and Love Triangle all in One! Pick this Up and Beat the Winter Blues! You won't be Sorry!

This was ok. It took me a bit to get into it, but when I did I enjoyed the story. Lana is heading to Australia for her sister's wedding, and when she gets there she realizes her ex is there, charming as ever. Can the two overcome their differences to survive the wedding? Or is there more to come in their relationship?

I am so happy I got the chance to read another ARC by Portia MacIntosh!

This book is not structured like I expected, but I really liked the way it surprised me!

It's fun, it's got a love triangle (oohhh) and it is so easy and fun to read.

Great for fans of second-chance romance and troublemakers! Give it a shot and pick it up!

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood Books that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on January 21st, 2025)