I loved this easy reading chick lit book with lots of humour in. Just what was needed after some intense books.

I really liked Rosie and think a lot of us women could relate to her. We have all been there dumped, brokenhearted and are quick to jump at a new adventure. The dumping was brutal but funny! Dave what an awful guy !!

I felt for poor Rosie who has been so unlucky in love and was interested to know if she could turn her heartbreak around. Lucky Rosie could turn to her parents and run away for a bit. I loved how supportive and lovely Rosie’s parents were. Which somehow ended up on a last minute cruise. I actually really want to go on a cruise now, just maybe not a silver linings one! If you read it you will get why – ha !

It did make me laugh how a bunch of flowers sent Rosie on trip to find all her ex’s especially one to New York! Just hilarious and something girls do when they have been dumped and are not thinking straight. So lets talk about the ex's as Rosie had a right mix of ex's ranging from the lovely one you would totally love as a best friend, the sweetheart marriage material one, to the player you would not want to go near!
Without giving too much away, I loved the relationship and bond between Eli and Rosie.

This was fun, girlie and filled with plenty of laugh out loud moments. Just great !

This was my first Portia book and I really enjoyed it so will definitely be reading more of her books.

This book was very promising in the first few pages. Rosie gets dumped live on TV, just as she wins the jackpot money, and very quickly becomes a viral sensation.
After a bouquet of flowers are delivered to her, proclaiming that 'he should have never let her go.' She decides to track down her ex boyfriends to see who could have sent them.
Rosie quickly tracks down three of her ex boyfriends, and decides to go on a cruise to New York, with her parents, and Eli, one of her ex's to track down the other two.
I loved the character of Eli, although he is a bit of a cliche, he is great fun. After a promising beginning, I thought that the book dragged a little during the middle but it soon picked up, and the ending, although a little abrupt was a surprise.
This is an amusing and lighthearted read. It's fun and entertaining, and perfect for relaxing with.
I've read and enjoyed some of Portia's previous books, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by her. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a cute romance and an inspiring, yet hilarious, tale about a woman taking her life back. Or at least trying to. After the main character is dumped on live television, she goes on a quest to find the ex-boyfriend who sent her flowers. In true romantic comedy fashion, shenanigans follow.
I really enjoyed following Rosie as she works through her past. She finds out how much some things can change and how others never do. This was a story about family, love and second chances.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic comedies, especially ones of the British variety.

4.5 out of 5 Stars

BOOK REVIEW⠀
BOOK: My Great Ex-Scape
AUTHOR: Portia MacIntosh
@portiamacintoshauthor

This was one of the quickest reads since the beginning of the year and I gotta say… I AM A FAN. We just went on a cruise at the beginning of December, so I was excited to read a book about cruising.

Rosie gets dumped in a very public way, but ends up connecting with multiple exes. It’s a very simple premise but no less entertaining because of the antics Rosie finds herself in. I personally love these type of books (like the Shopahoic series) which makes you fall in love instantly with a heroine who is definitely human.


Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Rosie Jones has been dumped by every boyfriend she’s ever had - most recently by Dinosaur Dave, live on TV, during the ‘phone-a-friend’ segment of a quiz show.
After the footage goes viral Rosie receives a bunch of flowers with a message:
I love you, I should have never let you go, I want you back x
But who sent them?
At a loose end and with £50,000 prize money in her back pocket, Rosie decides to take a trip down memory lane, visiting each of her ex-boyfriends to see not just if they are the one who sent the flowers but if they are the one.
Her journey takes her back to the house she grew up in and on a transatlantic cruise to New York, but can Rosie figure out which ex-boyfriend is the love of her life, or should the past stay in the past?
*****
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book, it’s a sweet laugh out loud romantic comedy. Would definitely say it is worth reading

Third time to read a book by Portia MacIntosh for me and third time that i really enjoy my time! "My great ex-scape" is really really good! It's a page-turner book. It's such a fun read, it's extremely entertaining and every chapter brings you new adventures. Oh, how I loved reading this book! I really recommend it if you like chicklit /women's fiction type of book and if you really need a fun book. You will not be disappointed with this one!!!! I am giving this book a 4,5 stars out of 5!!! It's excellent!

A sweet read, this was a typical romcom with bits of romance and comedy and lots of the main character's thoughts.

Rosie won £50,000 but was dumped on national television by her boyfriend. She received a sweet note professing love from an anonymous person. Convinced it was one of her exes, she set out into her past.

My first book by Portia Macintosh, it was a light read between my thrillers. Rosie and her journey were quite humorous at times. The story was pretty straightforward, though some parts were slow. But that could be me as I am used to a much faster pace. Some of her exes were quite fun, especially Eli, who added to the flavor of this book. The other characters added to the story, bringing a new delight down the pages.

Portia's writing showed me Rosie's life and also her travels to find some happiness. I liked the soul searching it did. The message was powerful in the voice of her words that life was about chances, and nothing was set.

Our future is as fluid as life, we just need to keep taking chances...

The book showed me a deep message told in a lighter manner. Overall, quite a fun, introspective read.

3.5* Slightly outlandish, but funny, sweet and a good laugh, even if the ending was a bit rushed.

As an intro to this author, this was pretty decent. I could relate to Rosie, perhaps because she's a Brit and came across as real and a girl-next-door type.

I won't rehash the tale as it doesn't stray away from the blurb, but I will say that it made me laugh and I think there were little British quips and familiars that not everyone will get. It did drag at times in the middle, during the 7 days of cruising, and the thing with Amanda didn't go anywhere, and we never got to find out about the total about-face that Rosie's dad did the minute he boarded the liner, and then conversely, the ending felt rushed. And, at 31yo, it seemed like Rosie and the one that got away were back to starting life almost as 18yos, back home and living with mum and dad/mum, no concrete plans of any kind having been made. I'm not sure that I saw them as a couple, nor that Rosie did, but the one that got away seemed really into her.

ARC courtesy of Boldwood Books and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

I remember being only three chapters in and already thinking this story had a very nice flow to it. It doesn't move too quickly, but the progress is on point. Definitely helps in holding your attention while reading. The only thing I noticed that might put others off, is how the main character has a tendency to ramble thoughts. Personally, I wasn't bothered by it, but I can see how others might be.

My favorite character, by far, is Eli, one of Rosie's exes, who's gay. I couldn't help but love his persona, his wanting to help Rosie but challenge her as well. I think we could all use a friend like that!

The setting! Most of the story is set on a cruiseship, which I loved because it's limited but, at the same time, you don't feel like it's that limited. I do wish there'd been more of the story set in New York City, but that's my big-city-loving self speaking, haha.

If there's one thing I got a bit annoyed by, it's how Rosie is extremely focussed on reconnecting with her exes. Not something I'd be keen on doing myself and she focuses on it a lot. You'd think that after the drama she had to go through, she had some emotional damage to take care of, or at least focus on finding a new job but she doesn't do either of those things. She's simply hyper-focused on her exes. It felt a bit wrong to me, but that's probably because I'd stress out about finding a new job as soon as possible myself, haha.

Another thing I only realized after finishing this book, is how the side characters really don't have that much depth. Since I adored Eli, I wish that would've been different. At least his character should've been more developed. He's a huge part of Rosie's story after all.

3.5 / 5

Overall, this was a fun and light read - which is exactly what I needed. The setting is original, the set of characters as well. Even though I thought Rosie's focus not realistic, I still enjoyed seeing her end up in various hilarious situations. Definitely one to read if you're in the mood for some holiday-vibes!

2 stars

My Great Ex-Scape is a decent romantic comedy book. It started out great, I laughed a bit, and I actually kinda like the idea of looking for your exes to find the one (who sent you flowers). I definitely like Rosie's family and Eli. Sadly, the cruise didn't do it for me when it was supposed to be the big thing that brought Rosie on her journey. I got bored in the middle. And by the time Rosie arrived in NY, I want to close the book so bad.

Overall, it had an overwhelming and fun first act, and moved out into a decent category later on.

Is it a rule that I have to read at least one cruise-based book at the start of every year, or just an accidental tradition? Either way, My Great Ex-Scape fits the slot for this year – and luckily, it went above and beyond just that!

The story
Rosie Jones has been dumped by every boyfriend she’s ever had – most recently by Dinosaur Dave, live on TV, during the ‘phone-a-friend’ segment of a quiz show.
After the footage goes viral Rosie receives a bunch of flowers with a message: I love you, I should have never let you go, I want you back x

But who sent them?

At a loose end and with £50,000 prize money in her back pocket, Rosie decides to take a trip down memory lane, visiting each of her ex-boyfriends to see not just if they are the one who sent the flowers but if they are the one.

Her journey takes her back to the house she grew up in and on a transatlantic cruise to New York, but can Rosie figure out which ex-boyfriend is the love of her life, or should the past stay in the past?

The opinion
Honestly, during the first third of this book, I was kind of stuck on how the author would make this plot work. After all – Rosie has 5 serious ex-boyfriends, and 3 out of those 5 are dealt with at an alarmingly high rate. Or at least, I felt like maybe it was going just a bit too fast. What story would be left for the majority of the book?

However, Portia MacIntosh then switched to a completely different gear – where Rosie’s life in Manchester was a male-storm, her week on the cruise to New York was treated at a much more leisurely pace. I found it really interesting as well, how My Great Ex-Scape shows that sometimes people might be meant to be in your life, but not quite the way you had cast them to be.

Combined all of that with some wacko co-cruisers (the fellow table guests are everything you could’ve dreamt of and more) and a very real main character (who will make a fool of herself, because that’s just what happens in a book like this)? And of course: some unexpected twists and turns that – while you may have seen them coming, you probably hadn’t figured out would come into play here? This book was a really enjoyable, albeit somewhat predictable read!

The rating: 3/5
There certainly wasn’t anything wrong with this book, but it stays fairly steady within its lane: it’s a fun read, that’ll let you vicariously live your cruise dreams through its main character. Exactly what I was in the mood for, and if you are as well? You’ll certainly get a kick out of My Great Ex-Scape!
-Saar

This one was a struggle for me. I was excited about the storyline going in and overall I still liked it but just couldn't get on board with the writing. Rosie has a tendency to ramble which I wasn't a fan of and descriptions and dialogue often felt clunky to me. I did think her interactions with Josh were cute and the new bestie dynamic with Eli was fun too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Portia MacIntosh for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely adorable!

The ending, the adventure to find her exes, and the fun of the cruise, it was absolutely adorable and loved reading it. Was a nice light read, great for reading by the fire as the snow falls. Her parents were just hilarious, and the BFF was a hoot.

Great character, spunky heroine, and the plot moves quickly and with humour. Fun for any reader.

My Great Ex-Scape is full of humour with a sprinkling of cringeable moments. Portia’s writing had me captured from the first page. It was a smooth read that I easily slipped into.
The main character, Rosie, was easy to relate to. I found this was achieved through the positive relationship between Rosie, her parents, and Rosie’s exes (well most of them), which helped this story to be believable. Although coming across pathetic at times, Rosie is able to follow her instincts. In spite of her mind fooling her into being love blind, she is able to achieve her goal. My Great Ex-Scape illiterates that through personal disaster a phoenix will arise.
An enjoyable read; it was the first time I’ve read one of Portia MacIntosh’s books. I would definitely read more of her books.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy! Sometimes the love you are looking for is a part of your past. But how will Rosie figure out who exactly from her past may be the love of her life?

What to do when one of your exes anonymously lets you know they want you back? How do you figure it out who it is and do you really want to find out?

My Great Ex-Scape is a fun escape of a novel as you join main character Rosie as she visits all of her ex-boyfriends, trying to figure out who is the one who wants her back in their life. You'll love following Rosie down memory lane which of course isn't the smoothest road to take.

This is such a cute novel. Thankfully, Rosie doesn't have too many exes so you get to spend some quality time with each of them and you'll definitely have your favourite or two. The great thing is, there are two parts to this novel - getting to know Rosie through her escapade and the mystery of who left her the message. This is the first novel by Portia Macintosh that I have read but it definitely won't be the last.

A fun and entertaining read.

After getting dumped on TV, Rosie receives a bunch of flowers with a note. She takes this to mean that one of her ex's wants her back, so sets out to find out which one.

Along the way she reconnects with old friends and has some fun!

I received a copy of My Great Ex-Scape by Portia Macintosh from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I give My Great Ex-Scape by Portia Macintosh 4 stars. A light and funny read with quirky but likable characters. I definitely recommend this book and author!

I was lucky to have received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and I am so thankful.
This truly is a laugh out load rom com and I loved every word of this book . I was hooked on this book and read it in one sitting I couldn't put it down. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up when it's published grab a glass of wine then set up a lunch date so you and your girlfriends can discuss all the parts you found yourself laughing out loud.

This is a story of how Rosie turned the most embarrassing night of her life that played out on live TV into something special. I don't want to give anything away ... cause it's best if you go into this read blind ... you will not be disappointed one bit!!

Rosie gets dumped on live TV when she is a contestant on a game show by her boyfriend Dave. We find out that Dave is the latest boyfriend to end it with Rosie, every man she had been with broke up with her for various reasons in the past. In the meantime, she gets a bouquet of flowers from an unknown person with an unsigned message that says he wants her back. Convinced that it is one of her exes who sent the flowers to her, she decides to go on a search to find out who it was. Anyways, the story started really strong but was kind of boring at times when she was on the cruise to New York City. Rosie, Eli who is one of her ex-boyfriends, Rosie's parents and of course Josh were all likable and endearing which helped move the story along for me.