After a whirlwind date with Ethan, Lana wants to keep her distance. Though sparks were flying between the pair, these sparks were causing damage all around them. But a year and some change later Ethan is back in Leeds and Lana needs a date to her uppity’s sister’s wedding. After an infuriating lunch with her family about her “bad behavior” aka being a regular human vs a rich elite Lana decides to bring a date that her family would be appalled by. Will Lana and her date end up being more than just chaos makers?

This one was really funny, but super unrealistic. I have to admit I was sucked in instantly. Fast paced plot, funny characters, and interesting story line. If you like funny, black sheep stories, with a hot mmc this one’s for you!

One bed
Destination wedding plus one
Fake dating

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars rounded up)

Lana's sister is getting married, and the family is worried she's going to wreck it somehow. Instead of changing their minds she decides to show up with the exact kind of date they expect her to bring.

I found it slow to begin until Lana really starts looking for her terrible date for her sisters wedding. There were some definite laugh out loud moments, especially when Lana starts dating.

Once I hit about half way through I flew through the rest not wanting to set it down. I will definitely read another of Portia's books in the future.

This was ok, Lana and Ethan have a meeting cute in the beginning and then they cause some havoc - cut to 2 years later her sister is getting married she needs a date to prove a point to her family - she feels like odd man out with them - through a series of events she takes Ethan (who she has sworn off ) to the wedding (in Australia from the UK) i don't know it felt rushed, didn't feel like to me they addressed the family stuff, Lana was kinda whiny, it's fine for something to read but it was just ok for me

I read this book on my Kindle, and it was such an engaging journey. The story had a strong focus on the magnetic connection between the main characters—a friends-with-benefits dynamic that naturally grew into something deeper. Their interactions, rooted in a work environment, added a realistic tension that kept me hooked.

The family subplot, however, felt underdeveloped and not impactful enough to be memorable. It didn’t add much to the overall narrative, which might have been stronger if the focus had stayed entirely on the two leads.

What stood out to me was how the story balanced humor and emotional moments, making the relationship feel genuine. I only wish there had been an epilogue to give the characters’ journey a more complete resolution. Still, this was an enjoyable read for anyone who loves workplace romances with layered characters and a touch of spice.

1.5/5

Two years ago, Lana and Ethan spent a few days together in a wild, passionate fling that ended in disaster. Fast forward to now, Lana is getting ready to celebrate her 30th birthday when her younger sister announces she's getting married...in Australia...on Lana's 30th birthday. As if that isn't bad enough, she lays out a list of rules that Lana is to follow at the wedding since Lana is the "irresponsible" and "trashy" one of the family, and they don't want her to embarrass herself. To spite her family, Lana tries to find an inappropriate date to the wedding and meet each of their expectations. However, when no date is found, there is Ethan. And, he is just as dreamy as before. Lana fears the repercussions of spending any time together, let alone pretending to date at a destination wedding, but she has no other choice.

This was not the book for me, unfortunately. From the beginning, I started to notice the quality of the writing was not there, and this theme stayed true for the rest of the book. When Ethan and Lana meet for the first time, it was completely insta-love. There was no true connection shared between the two, outside of physical; the fling that they shared was based on sex alone. The pacing was off; the plot of the entire book (fake-dating trope) is not even hinted at until 53%. Dialogue and family dynamics felt unbelievable. The characters themselves were extremely immature and emotionally childish. The entire storyline (Lana spiting her judgemental family by proving them right with inappropriate and trashy behavior) is absolutely mindboggling. A reasonable person would have ~communication~ which I know is so crazy OR kindly stop interacting with such people. But no, not Lana. Ethan is characterized as smart and charming, but he only eggs Lana on in her ridiculous ways. On the plus side, this book was completed closed door; of course, things are alluded to but no graphic descriptions which I appreciate. However, I am very sad to report that I was thoroughly not impressed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC! All opinions are my own

Lana and Ethan meet at her job when he walks into her boss’ office (the COO) for a meeting with said boss to find Lana there pretending to be said boss and he pretended to be IT support so she went along with it pretending to have a computer problem for him to fix as he shamelessly flirts with her and asks her out that night (Valentine’s Day) then the actual COO comes into the office bahahahaha it’s so ridiculous that it’s hilarious. Well anyways, they have a crazy date night and after the chaos that ensues, they decide to part ways since he’s was from out of town visiting and due to the aforementioned chaos even though they had a great time and amazing chemistry.

I thought the relationship with Lana and Molly was weird. Molly came for her all the time at first, but then they became fast friends and Lana confides her petty plan in her? I also wish we got more of a confession for the two years they spent apart from him or both of them. Also, we needed to have some words with Beau, and Eleanor, and her terrible dad, and her rude af stepmother.

There were many parts I literally laughed out loud. It delivered on both romance and comedy. Lana and Ethan were so adorable together. Everyone else was a bit annoying in different ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📖 Book Review 📖 Portia MacIntosh always delivers a swoon worthy, heartfelt read. Wish You Weren’t Here is comic gold about finding yourself in life when you are in the unfortunate situation of being the black sheep of your family. As Lana approaches the big 3-0, she is stuck celebrating the day with her half-sister’s wedding halfway across the world in Sydney. She might as well add more fuel to the fire of this family chaos and bring her ex Ethan to the wedding…the pandemonium does ensue but it brings about truth and beauty that is written in true Portia MacIntosh form. Wish You Weren’t Here is one delightful roller coaster of emotions that whisks the reader away on an adventure of a lifetime…

Lana and Ethan captured me from the start, and I was looking forward to seeing how it all played out. It did not disappoint. This book was funny and romantic, which was just what I was looking for.
It was a wild ride with Lana and her dates leading up to the wedding, and I couldn't see her with anyone other than Ethan.
Great book!

Portia writes outstanding rom coms that I devour. Wish You Weren't Here is no exception. I love to read about weddings and family drama including sibling rivalries. This had it all. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This wasn’t a bad book, but it ended WWAAAAAYYYYY to abruptly. I need about five more chapters. There’s a suggestion of a HEA, but there’s no closure, no follow-up, nothing. This is one of the more disappointing endings I’ve read in awhile. NEED MORE INFO!!!

•𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.•

This one was…interesting?

Lana and Ethan have a hook up on Valentine’s Day that ends in disaster and decide to part ways before they destroy anything else. We quickly fast forward to right before Lana’s 30th birthday which she will be spending in Australia for her step sisters wedding. Lana doesn’t fit in with her posh family and wants to make a statement. She tries to find a terrible date to bring, can’t find anyone, and then oh! Ethan magically appears again to go with her.

The writing in this book felt very lost and the pacing was weird. I liked the concept but by the end I was kind of glad it was over. I’ve really enjoyed other Portia MacIntosh books, so I’m not really sure what’s going on with this one.

Thank you as always to Netgally and Boldwood Books for the arc.

This was a little sexier than I’m used to with Portia MacIntosh’s novels, but it totally worked for me. I loved that there was an instant connection, both physically and emotionally, between Lana and Ethan. I tend to struggle with the second chance trope, but the reason they weren’t together did make sense to me and it made sense why they reconnected.

I didn’t love the kind of unexpected love triangle. There were some cute moments with it but overall I would have rather have seen that time spent with Ethan more, just because I loved them together. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed. I really liked the way it ended, but even just a short epilogue a year later or something would have been perfect. So that’s why this was a 4 star read for me instead of a 5 but overall, I am super glad I read it and definitely would recommend it.

Oh, and I loved the part about too much emphasis being put on the family you’re born into and that it’s okay to be on the outside looking in. Lana’s family was kind of terrible to her, and while there were hopeful moments, it just felt very real for her to accept that and not let it get her down.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lana is the black sheep of a Saltburn-esque family who broke up with Ethan after realising they're too chaotic together. When her younger half-sister gets married in Sydney on her 30th birthday, she goes on the hunt for a plus one who'll help her stick it to her family.

I really like this book, it was so much fun and I breezed very quickly through it. Ethan was delightful and I loved the way he and Lana vibed straight away. I love a cinnamon roll hero who stands up for the heroine when everyone treats her like garbage. I loved the banter between them too.

The second half was a bit odd though with Lana, out of nowhere, changing her plan. However, the biggest frustration for me (hence I deducted a star) is her unwillingness to stand up for herself with her family who were horrible to her and complete hypocrites. This is something in a lot of the author's previous books (e.g. Gigi in The Suite Life or Cara in The Plus One Pact/Fake it or Leave it with her hideous cousin and aunt) and for once I'd like to see her heroines setting solid boundaries and cut off family who don't apologise. As such, an epilogue set a year later to learn about her business idea and how much better she is without her terrible family wouldn't have gone astray.

Overall this is another solid fun escapist romp com that is perfect for holiday reading.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

I’m a sucker for the fake dating trope and this book definitely delivered!
I found the FMC to be relatable, but she was quite frustrating at times. She only made up her mind about her feelings in the final few chapters.
I did love the banter she had with MMC. He was very chaotic golden retriever energy.
My only complaint is that I think it would have benefited from a few more chapters. The third act felt a bit rushed and we didn’t get to see the HEA.
I still had a great time reading this book (finished it in one sitting). Would have loved to see another 30 or so pages to even out the pacing.

Overall, great book! I will be checking out more of her work!

I loved this!
Super quick and easy read and I really appreciate that it had a few twists and turns so it wasn’t predictable!
I loved the MMC, gold retriever energy
The FMC was a bit wishy washy for me and who gets to thirty without knowing how love is suppose to feel????

The main reasons it’s not a 5 star is her family doesn’t get called out for treating her like crap her entire life and no epilogue!
No glimpse of a big HEA?????

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a great book!! It had me hooked from page one! I couldn’t put this down. I finished it in one sitting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This was a first for me by this author but it will not be my last!!

I've loved pretty much everything by Portia Macintosh so I was thrilled to get to review Wish You Weren't Here! This book was so much fun! I love the fake dating tripe and this is that but amped up. Absolutely loved it!

Great book. Believable plot and characters. She’s one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint.