Macintosh writes such endearing characters in her books.
I was a goner for Ethan after the first sentence he appeared. He was the real deal and I thought Lana would never open her eyes to their potential.
True, they are a couple who get into many catastrophes but that’s what makes them combustible too.
Lana’s family was ghastly and I thought they all were stuffed shirts.
I did wonder how Lana could afford air fare for herself and a partner to Australia when she couldn’t afford her own digs.
It’s a cute read about the possibilities of love and doesn’t every woman dream of meeting a man like Ethan??

In Wish You Weren’t Here by Portia MacIntosh, Lana is irked when her sister schedules a wedding in Australia on Lana's 30th birthday, further exacerbating the situation with strict rules to ensure Lana doesn’t overshadow the bride. To regain some control, Lana plots to bring the most inappropriate date possible to the wedding. After unsuccessful online dating attempts, her ex-boyfriend Ethan reappears. While she initially sees this as a chance to cause some chaos, Ethan’s unexpected charm and cooperation make her rethink her plans—and their dynamic.

The novel combines humor and romance, utilizing the fake-dating trope while exploring themes of personal growth and familial relationships. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Australia, it’s an engaging, lighthearted read. While many found the premise entertaining, some reviewers noted issues with the pacing and relationship development, making it a fun but mixed experience for readers. If you enjoy humorous romantic comedies with a twist, this could be a delightful addition to your reading list​.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lana is a party girl. But when Mr Right is standing right in front of her, the universe seems to have other ideas.

But he may be her only option and be the one to help her heal.

Macintosh gives us a main character who needs to find self-love and acceptance before she can find love. I struggled to like her at first because she seemed to be self-sabotaging, however as the novel continued, she grew on me and I started to understand her as a character.

I loved the character of Ethan, who every reader will be rooting for from the very start. I loved that he didn't actually give up on her, and he was able to show her how being herself is the most lovable and perfect way to be.

There was also a great contrast between characters whom we knew to dislike; this author always knows how to give depth to each character.

This narrative is a really easy escape that I read quickly, which is one thing that makes me always come back to this author.

2.75 stars rounded up

This book started off with a top-notch meet-cute, but unfortunately that was the high point for me. This was a very fun premise, but the execution fell short. There was an inordinate amount of filler, especially considering the book was under 300 pages. Much of the book was the main character dating and pursuing other men, yet I still did not feel much chemistry between the two MCs. It felt like a first draft where everything is dumped in and nothing is quite flushed out yet.

I really liked the intention the author had with the main character Lana being a woman not obsessed with meeting Mr. Right and not being a workaholic. Lana doesn't take life too seriously, and she finds fulfillment in enjoying the simple pleasures in life, and I love that message. The author also brings in the topic of class and how people are treated differently based on their station in life and that resonated with me.

A good foundation for a story, but not the best execution.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Portia MacIntosh
The beginning was great, easy to walk right into the story and relate to the characters, then it fell flat. The plot seemed random and somewhat disorganized. It just didn’t flow and after connecting with Lana and Ethan at the beginning, the story became disconnected with the reader.
You have family disconnect with a rich father and one sister who is the favored child. Lana is overshadowed when her sister plans to get married on Lana’s 30th birthday. Lana finds the perfect dress and then Ethan shows up to be her plus one, saving the day.
I appreciate the humor but the story just didn’t flow and resonate with me. 2.5/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review and ARC of this book.

The undisputed Queen of the romcom is back with Wish You Weren't Here. Written in her inimitable style Macintosh takes us on a fun filled, antic strewn romp to Australia.

Quintessentially British, the story had me laughing out loud repeatedly as Lana along with ex Ethan try not to upstage the bride with their 'fake dating'.

It's a light and easy read that was so quick to read in an afternoon. It's entertaining, highly enjoyable, has a charming cast of characters and is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face 😊

The story started off with a funny encounter between Lana and Ethan, and for a few chapters, we could see the attraction develop between the two of them as they go on dates and get closer.

However, not even ten chapters in, we suddenly lose Ethan, and he doesn't show up until chapter 20. Now, I really hate long and unnecessary fillers, and reading through ten whole filler chapters felt like my own personal hell, so that was disappointing to go through.

Further, I spent more time hating most of the characters in this rather than enjoying the actual plot. I was frustrated with Lana's family for the most part, and that just made me lose the will to seriously read it per chapter.

Another aspect in this book that let me down was the romantic development between Lana and Ethan - it wasn't as pronounced as it could've been, and I felt that there was less time spent on Ethan and Lana, and more on Lana with other characters. Although I liked Ethan and Lana individually, their pairing ended up feeling rushed.

As for the ending, it just wasn't satisfying for me. I almost got whiplash at how easily Lana "made up" with her sister, but even more when she and Ethan got together at the end - it just felt like random happenings. If only we were given more chapters to witness the authentic development between the two, this would've turned out better.

Overall, for this book specifically, I wasn't able to appreciate the characters and the plot, and I also thought this wasn't structured or paced that well. I did want to like this because it started off really well, but it just fell as soon as we lost Ethan for those ten chapters. However, I think the author's writing was good, and I'm not opposed to reading another story from her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for allowing me to share my honest comments on this ARC read.

I absolutely found myself truly enjoying this book at the start - I was engaged and it was just cute and fun.

A few chapters in I'm not sure what happened but it went from being engaging and fun to fluffy and rather dull. This chaotic wedding and revenge on the family with her ex just felt so random and off balance. I honestly was wondering if this was just a rush job to get something turned into in order to be published?

There was no chemistry, no witty banter, no sassy come-backs, nothing. The other men that she first dated had far more chemistry with her over Ethan, and with Ethan shouldn't the history bring forth some emotion? I just didn't feel it.

I've read other works by Portia but overall this was a complete miss for me. I missed the cohesiveness of her other books, and I really missed her beautifully written characters that she has in her other books that I've read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Given a list of rules to follow for her sister’s Australian wedding, Lana rebels by bringing her unpredictable ex Ethan as her date. He unexpectedly charms her family and reignites Lana’s old feelings. Can she embrace the chaos he brings to her life for a second chance at love?

This book is so much fun! Lana and Ethan are the perfect couple—they’re sweet and kind and understand each other. The romantic and sensual chemistry between them is off the charts, and they’re hilarious together. The audiobook narration by Karen Cass is entertaining as always.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This book kept turning me upside down, and I didn't know which way it was heading... but I really enjoyed it! Love it when I can be kept on my toes and that's not always the case. Another great Portia MacIntosh

Lana's romantic life is complex. Meeting Ethan seems to be a turning point, but two years later, she is still single and now has to attend a dreaded wedding on her 30th Birthday and needs a date, preferably one that will shock her judgy family. Serendipity brings Ethan into her orbit again, and she risks taking him as her fake date. The reader gets a detailed introduction to Lana's dating life, which is humorous and a little sad, and her connection with Ethan is undeniable. It's a story about family relationships and being true to yourself with a passionate and humorous romance intertwined with the family drama. I like Lana's character, her passionate connection with Ethan and the many amusing moments.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The description of the book says "Lana's ex turns up as she needs a date to her sister's wedding".

Why'd you have to lead me on? Also: is the ex in the room with us?

He didn't show up for the first 50% of the book. He just didn't exist. The first HALF of the book is Lana dating other men, while the male lead is nowhere to be found. And you call this a romance novel? I mean even the cover has a caption "Don't get mad, get Ethan" but HE DOESN'T EXIST FOR HALF THE PLOT.

It felt like the author's deadline arrived last month while the book still wasn't finished yet so the author decided to cram as many tropes and hot as many plot points as she could in one or two chapters. This is such a let down. I had high hopes based on the description but this isn't what we were promised. If the male lead doesn't show up in the first 15% of the book and female lead is dating other men, it's not a romance novel. So don't market is as such.

A fabulous read from portia macintosh. Her books are always hilarious with witty characters- loved the storyline and the characters

Wish You Weren't Here is a hilarious, yet heart-warming story that you find yourself unable to part with. Portia MacIntosh has once again introduced us to some incredible characters and a witty storyline. I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

Wish You Weren't Here was okay. I really could not stand Steve which made the book a bit harder to get through.
The writing was fabulous and Lena is lovable so I would give the book a try it I were you.

This was DNF for me. Couldn’t really get into it. Had potential to be something cute but just fell flat.

I tend of love most of Portia MacIntosh’s work. And don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this one but I did have an issue or two with this one. The start is quite strong. The intro of Lana meeting Ethan was great, and the idea the ‘say yes to everything date’ had me laughing repeatedly. They seemed like a fun couple so the real issue I had was the gap that occurs between the opening and when they reconnect. The relationship between Lana and her sister also felt a little off, but not in the way I think MacIntosh originally intended. (Can’t really explain why I feel this way without posting some spoilers) That being said, it’s still a fun experience with plenty of laugh out loud moments, and fans of MacIntosh’s previous work are still going to enjoy it. I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Wish You Weren’t Here.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1SX31W7NX3178/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This one was a NO for me. I tried so hard to get into it. it did not, maybe for someone who like sweet, cuet and predictable.

This book started off well with our main duo meeting and having their date on Valentine's day which I thought was fun and then boom 2 year time jump and suprise they aren't together! We EVENTUALLY find out why but only after a lot of filler dates with other men as Lana searches for someone to be her awful plus one to take to her sisters wedding. Because we only see them in such a brief encounter at the beginning and then again just before, and including the wedding, I feel like I didn't care about their relationship and I didn't feel their supposed 'explosive chemistry'. Once we got to Australia and the wedding it felt very rushed and I literally didn't see that I was at the end of the book until I realised I was on the last page and thought oh we are going to end here.

This is a fade to black romance that had the potential to be great but it fell flat for me.

3.5* Well that was a fun, chaotic rom-com! This was my first novel from Portia Macintosh and I enjoyed the writing style and pace of the book. I thought Ethan was charming and fun, though a few spots were a bit over the top! You couldn't help but feel for Lana in the midst of all the family drama and to root for her throughout. I think it's worth a read if you like second-chance romances and lovable chaos!

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review was posted at the links below (Instagram, Goodreads, bookishlytara blog and Storygraph on December 14. An additional post (with a reposted review) was be posted on Instagram on the publication day as well as submitting an Amazon Canada review. (links to be added below once completed)