This was a cute vacation/wedding rom-com. There were definitely some funny parts, especially in the first part. The book lost a bit of steam for me as it went on and the characters were a bit flat, but it was a decently cute, light read overall.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I just finished Portia MacIntosh’s latest romantic romp, and I had an absolute blast. At first glance, I braced myself for an enemies-to-lovers storyline—judging by the title, it seemed like the obvious path—but MacIntosh surprises with something far more playful: a blend of half-hearted fake dating, a “must-bring-a-date” wedding decree, and plenty of unexpected chaos.

Our heroine, Lana, is the black sheep of her posh family—especially on her absentee father’s side—and when her half-sister announces a big wedding Down Under, the clan stages an intervention to keep Lana from upstaging the big day. Naturally, Lana decides to lean into her reputation and wreak a little havoc instead—especially since the wedding lands on her 30th birthday and, apparently, no one can be bothered to celebrate it. Enter Ethan: the ex-flame who once set off literal fireworks in her life, only for them to promise never to cross paths again. But when fate (and a second-chance meet-cute) reunites them, Lana can’t resist inviting him as her plus-one—and pandemonium ensues.

MacIntosh peppers the story with laugh-out-loud moments and clever twists that kept me eagerly turning pages. The sibling dynamics and vivid Antipodean setting add real flair, and I loved how Lana’s mischievous streak drives the fun. That said, the middle sections occasionally meandered through familiar interview-style scenes, and I felt the finale wrapped up a tad too quickly—leaving a few threads begging for just a bit more resolution.

All in all, this is a spirited, entertaining read for anyone craving a wedding-set romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you love quirky characters, cheeky banter, and a touch of controlled chaos, this one’s for you.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Portia MacIntosh is exactly what you want when you’re in the mood for a chaotic fake-dating plan that predictably, gloriously, blows up in everyone’s face. Lana is already losing when the story starts. Her perfect sister is getting married. In Australia. On Lana’s thirtieth birthday. And instead of a tiny sliver of attention or sympathy, she’s handed a list of rules designed to make sure she stays invisible. Nothing says healthy family dynamics like a formal request to please not be yourself.

Naturally, Lana decides if she’s going to suffer through this nightmare, she’s going to do it spectacularly. She needs the worst possible date, someone who will guarantee maximum disruption without getting her completely disowned. Enter Ethan, the ex-boyfriend who once turned her life into a slow-motion disaster reel. He’s gorgeous, reckless, and perfect for the job. In theory.

Except the second they land in Australia, Ethan stops following the script. He’s considerate, charming, suspiciously supportive, and somehow even hotter than she remembered, which would be great if Lana wasn’t still clinging to the plan like a drowning woman to a piece of driftwood. Fake dating never stays fake for long, especially when half the chaos is coming from inside Lana’s own head.

Portia MacIntosh nails the humor and energy of a rom-com without making the characters feel cartoonish. Lana’s frustration, resentment, and slow tumble back into her feelings for Ethan feel real enough that you wince for her even as you root for her to get out of her own way. There’s enough family drama, hilarious misunderstandings, and simmering chemistry to keep the whole thing moving like a summer movie you actually want to rewatch.

Wish You Weren’t Here is funny, fast-paced, and just messy enough to be believable. Perfect for anyone who knows that sometimes the best revenge is living your best life…accidentally falling back in love while you’re at it.

I read this book last month, and it was such an experience! 🎢 "Wish You Weren’t Here" follows story of Lara and Ethan which is full of twists, turns, and feel-good vibes. 🌟

✨ The start? Absolutely brilliant! It hooked me right in with its charm and humor. But as the story progressed, especially in the middle, I felt like the plot drifted a little, and I found myself wondering where it was heading. 🤔

💖 Ethan, the male lead, was my favorite—such a well-written character who totally stole the show. On the other hand, I struggled to connect with Lara. Her journey of navigating life as she approached 30 was relatable but felt a little underwhelming at times. The added pressure of dating app challenges and finding “the one” added layers to her character, though, and highlighted some very real struggles of modern life.

📚 While I wish there had been more of Ethan’s perspective (seriously, we need his POV! 🥰), this book left me with a soft, cozy vibe. Sure, some parts felt a little scattered, but overall, it’s a solid, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys relatable, modern romances.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I feel like this book took rather a while to get going – it took a long time to even get to Australia in the first place. Pair that with a bunch of unlikeable characters and this wasn't the book for me.

I wanted more time with the characters. This book was absolutely fantastic. The writing, the characters, the setting, the plot! Everything. I kept saying one more page…one more page. It was more than a page your honour. Lol.

I just finished reading this book. The plot was absolutely fantastic! It was quite the page turner, and I could not put the book down once I began reading it.

I feel like I can always rely on Portia to deliver such a fun read! Her books feel like pure escapism to me and I love it 😍

The book starts two years earlier, when Lana and Ethan meet for the first time. They have the most amazing few hours together and it’s clear that they have chemistry, but when everything they do turns out to be a massive disaster, they decide that maybe it isn’t meant to be and they don’t take things any further. Fast forward to two years later, Lana is preparing to travel to Australia for her sister’s wedding - which just so happens to be on the same day as her 30th birthday - something that Lana’s family either don’t realise or don’t care about!

Having being briefed by her family not to act too much like herself in Australia, Lana is determined to take a walking red flag as her plus one. Her endeavours to find such a man leads her right back into Ethan’s path, and he ends up accompanying her with strict instructions to be his worst self. Back in each other’s company, how will Lana and Ethan cope, especially when chaos follows them wherever they go.

Lana was such a brilliant firecracker of a character! And what I really loved was how Ethan loved that about her and didn’t try to turn her into something she wasn’t. The way that Ethan was Lana’s cheerleader was just so, so lovely. I need an Ethan 😂 The were so real and down to earth as well.

As always with Portia’s books, there was so much humour that I was laughing out loud. She just has this way of writing books that are so easy to read, I didn’t want to put it down!

I devoured this delightful novel in just 24 hours!

The writing and pacing were excellent, making it a smooth and addictive read. Ethan completely stole my heart—he’s the kind of boyfriend you wish existed in real life: smart, sweet, fun, and unwavering in his care for Lana. Their chemistry was fire, and the chaos they caused together was just the right kind of entertaining.

I also loved the layers within the story. While it’s not a suspenseful read (it’s a romance, after all), the various subplots kept things interesting and helped maintain a fun, engaging rhythm throughout.

That said, I had mixed feelings about Lana. While it’s clear her family treats her poorly—honestly, they were just plain awful—she also made a few choices I didn’t love, especially in how she handled things with Ethan. Her self-sabotage felt unnecessary at times, and she occasionally lashed out in ways that felt a bit cruel.

Still, it didn’t take away from how enjoyable and heartwarming this story was overall. Definitely one I’d recommend!

I read everything Portia MacIntosh writes, and I liked this book but perhaps didn't love it as much as I have her other books. I felt bad for the main character as her family is so awful for her, and it felt like it took awhile to get to Australia and for the story to get going. That being said, a mid Portia MacIntosh book is still a delightful escape!

Die Geschichte dreht sich um Lana, deren "perfekte" Schwester ihre Hochzeit in Australien ausgerechnet an Lanas 30. Geburtstag plant. Um ihre Familie zu ärgern, beschliesst Lana, den unpassendsten Begleiter für die Hochzeit zu finden. Nach mehreren fehlgeschlagenen Versuchen trifft sie zufällig auf ihren Ex-Freund Ethan, mit dem sie vor zwei Jahren eine turbulente Beziehung hatte. Gemeinsam reisen sie zur Hochzeit, wo Ethan jedoch nicht wie erwartet für Chaos sorgt, sondern charmant und zuvorkommend auftritt. ​

Das Buch ist eine charmante, wenn auch vorhersehbare Wohlfühllektüre. Portia MacIntosh schafft es, mit Humor und einem Hauch Chaos eine Geschichte zu erzählen, die trotz aller Leichtigkeit kleine emotionale Tiefen streift.

Lana als Hauptfigur ist sympathisch in ihrer Unperfektheit – sie versucht, mit dem Erwartungsdruck ihrer Familie umzugehen, während sie selbst ein bisschen auf der Suche nach sich ist. Besonders gefallen hat mir die Dynamik mit Ethan – es ist diese klassische „Ex-zurück-im-Spiel“-Spannung, bei der man als Leser sofort ahnt, wie es enden wird, aber trotzdem dranbleibt, weil der Weg dorthin unterhaltsam ist.

Fazit: leicht, romantisch, ein bisschen schräg und mit einem versöhnlichen Ende.

A fun read, but it felt like the ending was rushed, and that there could have been a few more twists. It was like she got 2/3 of the way through and then decided she'd had enough, and rather than add in any more plot, she just decided to head straight to the ending. A pity, as what there was of the book was really fun and well written. It would have been much more satisfying though, if there had been more of it.

A fun light hearted read perfect for the summer.
Lana has been invited to her perfect sisters wedding in Australia.
There are 2 issues one she doesn’t have a date and 2 it’s when she’s turning 30.
Will she find love ?

3.5 ⭐

This was a fun summer read (as an Australian!) to read on a hot summer day.

It was light and easy to read. Enjoyable plot, I love the cover and the tagline is quite cute!

This is a great type of book to read on holiday / beach / relaxing for brain off and light entertainment.

I would recommend and am keen to check out more by this author!

Title: Wish You Weren’t Here
By: Portia MacIntosh
Pub. Date: Jan. 8, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Women’s, Romance (closed door)

Trigger Warnings:
Profanity, Closed Door (Romance)

Summary/Review:
Lana’s sister is getting married, and has chosen her destination wedding. Lana has the dress but she really needs the right plus one… until her ex, Ethan reappears into her life. Ethan is happy to help Lana with her plus one situation, however, Lana is debating if taking Ethan is a wise decision? Is rekindling old feelings a smart choice?

I have read and enjoyed Portia MacIntosh’s past novels. Here writing is enjoyable, cozy, and fast paced. The British humor was spot on and the rom-com kept my attention at the beginning of the novel. However, overall Wish You Weren’t Here didn’t measure up to her earlier novels for me. It was lacking character depth, and the ending felt rushed.

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh, Boldwood Books , and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

#Wishyouwerenthere
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#BoldwoodBooks
#NetGalley

Wish You Weren't Here is a second-chance romance. Lana's perfect and "posh" sister is getting married, which is all good until Lana finds out it's on her 30th birthday in New Zealand. While she struggles to make it, her dad and his rich family fail to realize that she doesn't have it as good as they do and don't get how it's possible. When they set up a lunch solely to ensure she won't "embarrass" them at the wedding, she is furious and decides to find the worst date possible to rub it in. After several failed attempts to find a horrible date, she bumps into her ex, Ethan. Whenever she and Ethan were together, disaster would happen. As a last resort, she takes Ethan, and he decides to help her until things change. Can real feelings come out of fake dating? It's a fun read, though the ending feels a bit rushed.

If you're a fan of laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a generous sprinkle of chaos, then this is your next must-read. Lana is a woman on the brink of turning 30 and has been unceremoniously sidelined on her sister's big day—scheduled in Australia, no less—on her birthday. But instead of sulking, Lana decides to make a bold move and show up with the most inappropriate wedding date she can find. Enter Ethan, her charismatic ex who has the ability to set her heart racing and her life on fire (in the best and worst ways).
What could go wrong? Oh, everything, of course! The chemistry is undeniable, but the chaos they caused the first time around is hard to forget. Lana’s plan? Get back at the bride, have some fun, and show her sister she’s not to be ignored. Ethan, however, has other plans—he’s all charm, all the time, and he’s not playing by Lana’s rules. A tropical backdrop, wedding drama, and a whole lot of unexpected sparks flying? It's the recipe for one hilariously messy, heartwarming adventure.
The writing is sharp, witty, and irresistibly fun. The tension between Lana and Ethan is delicious—just enough to make you root for their rekindled romance while cringing at all the missteps along the way. If you're looking for a feel-good read with a bit of sabotage, romance, and plenty of laughs, this book is your ticket to the best wedding disaster you could ever imagine. Just make sure you're ready for a whirlwind, because when Lana and Ethan are involved, it’s anything but smooth sailing!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I DNF this book - it was okay to begin with but i found it quite difficult to get through so did end up DNF
Not to say if this is your vibe then you would probably love and enjoy this book but just not for me

I had so much fun reading this new book by Portia MacIntosh, one of my favorite author! This book is hilarious, I found myself laughing outloud several times! I absolutely loved the plot, the settings (which is mostly in Australia), the main characters, the building romance, everything! It's a 4 stars out of 5 for this book for me! Perfect book to read to relax!!!