Another novel from the Prolific Portia Macintosh.
Always an enjoyable read, this novel ends up in Australia which warmed me up in a chilly week. I actually found this raunchier than most of her novels, there were some amusing segments such as the ground floor room hotel blinds opening, but humour is what I love about this author and I found that to be slightly diluted.
I also didn’t particularly warm to any of the characters, my favourite was flat mate Steve who made me laugh.
Still a quick, worthwhile read and I look forward to this author’s next offering.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This was very readable and highly enjoyable. Lana was immediately a likeable character and every single one of her family immediately annoyed me- they were so rude to her!
I enjoyed the premise of her hunting for an unsavoury man and the chemistry she had with Ethan was brilliant.
Their time in Australia was amusing, Beau was an interesting addition as well and it was just a great paced, engaging romantic comedy- thanks!

I read this via a NetGalley so thank you to the publisher for granting me an arc! So this was my first time trying a book from this author and I was in the mood for a quick contemporary romance and this was one of those books you can read in one sitting. So our 2 love interests Lana and Ethan who are ex boy friend and girlfriend, Lana’s sister is getting married in Australia on Lana’s birthday and she needs a date for the wedding so she ends up going on several dates with different guys and then ends up meeting Ethan again and he agrees to go with her to the wedding and it goes from there.

So overall I liked Lana how she was an older character in her 30’s which related to me as I have just turned 30 and I am finding I am enjoying romances when the characters are older rather than younger. Ethan I thought he was an ok love interest he did have a sense of humour but he didn’t shine for me.

Lana’s sister I would have liked her developed a little bit more and you can tell that she has had an easier life than Lana as she is getting the big expensive wedding and I would have liked more of the sister relationship developed a bit more. I kind of felt we spent to much in the various dates with the different guys and I kind of wanted it wrapped up a bit quicker and I kind of predicted they would get back together again early on.

The ending was ok did wrap up a bit to quickly for me but I did read it in one sitting which is always positive for me and if you want a quick summer romance with second chance romance I think you would enjoy. 3 stars not a bad rating at all ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so much fun and I really enjoy Lana's humor. The banter was fantastic and man, Ethan was perfect from the first page. The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because there was no epilogue and I want to see what happened after. Anyway, I really did love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and boldwood books for the arc of wish you weren’t here I fully enjoyed reading it super quick to read would have read in a day but I took unwell I just finished it today it had a bit spice , fake dating in it, a few twists and turns in it, I had a few books of the author on bookcase will be picking them up to read adding them to my TBR list for December

A laugh out loud romcom! I laughed I cried and I felt my heart flutter. This was very cute! My first by this author and it won’t be my last.

I feel like the beginning and “meet cute” between characters in this book is so odd and unrealistic?? Like Lana is lying and then the guy says yeah let’s go on a date? Seemed super random and why is Lana’s family so mean? I hate that when it doesn’t feel authentic. I could not continue reading this one and had to DNF.

This book was a DNF for me at the 30% mark. I could just not get into the story line at all. The writing felt very erratic, like the main character. Lana's upset that her family has this very negative viewpoint of her, so she goes out to prove them right by potentially doing all the wrong things.
I also could not stand the inconsistencies within the writing. In the first couple of chapters, Lana finds out her sister is being married, "the next February", but then "part 2" of the story takes place two years later.

I could not get into this book, and maybe I will try again in the future, but I don't think I will.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Lana and Ethan have a meet cute but after they hook up they agree not to see each other again because they cause havoc together. Book then jumps to 2 ish years later, when Lana has to go to a family wedding in Australia and needs a date that will horrify her family. I was into the story prior to the time jump, but after I felt like it dragged to the point that I almost gave up. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this closed door romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldworld Books for the eARC.

Wish You Weren't Here by Portia MacIntosh is another fun, laugh out loud read from this always entertaining author.

Lana has been invited to attend the wedding of her sister in Australia, and the date just happens to coincide with her milestone thirtieth birthday. Desperate to find a date who will behave just disgracefully enough to rattle her snobbish family, Lana struggles to find the right man for the job, until her ex Ethan steps into the breach in just the nick of time. Things have a way of becoming chaotic when these two exes mix, but perhaps their relationship will be just the thing for getting through the madness of a family wedding.

I flew through this one as I find Ms MacIntosh's narratives to be so compulsively readable and hugely enjoyable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

This book starts a little slow, but once it picks up, it’s a fast and easy read with a few twists that kept me hooked. I appreciated how unpredictable it was at times, and the MMC Ethan completely stole the show for me. His charm and energy made him an absolute standout!

Lana, the FMC, was relatable, but her indecisiveness was frustrating at times - especially since she only sorted out her feelings near the end. Her family’s terrible treatment of her was a major plot point, but I wish the story had addressed it more in depth. And while I’m a sucker for happily ever afters, the lack of an epilogue left me wanting a bit more closure.

That said, the chemistry between Lana and Ethan was undeniable, and their banter was top-tier. I loved how their dynamic kept me laughing throughout. If you’re in the mood for a fun, over the top, romantic comedy, this one is worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I feel like this book had so much potential, but I was a bit underwhelmed with it. First, the writing felt a bit juvenile to me. The characters are supposed to be in their 30’s but were quoting TikTok and acted like teenagers I almost forgot they were 30 until Lana’s birthday was mentioned. I also felt like the chapters ended weird. A lot of them ended with questions or “…” which feels inexperienced, in my opinion. I will say I really enjoyed the characters (mostly), the banter, and the comedic timing. I also enjoyed the concept of the book-I love the fake dating trope! Overall, I enjoyed the book but didn’t love it.

I am a Portia MacIntosh fan and her latest book was a winner. Wish You Weren’t Here was a fun read! Pick this one up on publication day!

I wish Lana was my bestie that’s how great she is. There was something about Lana that just warmed your heart, I know lots of people will see the party girl who doesn’t take life seriously, but she is so much more than that, maybe Ethan will be the one to show her that, or maybe it will be someone else. This was such a funny and romantic story, there are twists and herrings galore and enough to keep you hooked, even if it’s a dumpster fire. This is such a great story and an author that just writes amazing stories with such creative characters that you cant help falling in love with even the craziest ones.

A cute romcom that is relatable and a quick and easy read. Love the concept of this book and how realistic is is, thus making it relatable.

Trying to pick a favorite book of Portia’s is like asking you to pick your favorite child. You know the correct answer is all of them but deep down you know if you had to choose there would be a pecking order. That’s probably said in poor taste as I have no children, but this book would be in the top five of all of her works I’ve read. Ethan and Lana were so wrong for each other on paper but were so right where it counted. This book had me grinning until the end. This was the perfect combination of humorous exploits, a cast of odd characters and a love story that was meant to be. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a really great addition to MacIntosh's books! I really enjoyed the time jump between encounters.

Lana has had enough. Her ‘perfect’ sister is getting married. In Australia. On Lana’s 30th birthday and no one seems to have noticed. To make matters worse, she’s been given a list of rules she must follow.

Lana plans to bring an inappropriate date to cause chaos at the wedding. She can’t find anyone then ex Ethan reappears in her life. Previously it didn’t work, but could Lana make this work in her favour… just for the wedding?
However, when they arrive in Australia Ethan seems to have forgotten he’s only there to help cause chaos. Instead he’s charming, nothing like she remembers. Lana wants revenge, not a rekindled holiday romance…but Ethan isn’t playing ball.

What another fabulous read by Portia. I love her books. This book was so easy to read I breezed through it enjoying every moment and wanting more. You could feel the connection with Lana and Ethan which continued throughout and I loved the humour and emotion. The book was funny and romantic with a few twists. Another really enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood
Books for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I had fun reading this book! It has a little bit more spice (still fade to black) than Portia's the books, and I loved it. It helped to emphasize their pull and connection to each other. I thought the two main characters did a good job at balancing each other out. I had quite a few laughs with their ever growing hysterics. I do wish her family was confronted or got their comeuppance so to speak. I also wish there was an HEA but who knows...maybe there will be another book!

Another comedic/romantic read from Portia MacIntosh!
I was expecting a little more development from Beau & Lana, but happy endings are good, although the big move above the Sydney Harbour bridge seemed abit out of the blue.

I enjoyed the book, I refuse to delve too deeply into the problems of the main character because I am also having a hard week and a difficult family (I totally relate to the horrible mum/stepmum think, when every word from them is a cutting one)... so would recommend this book for a beach read as well!

Thanks for Netgalley for the ARC!