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)

Wish You Weren’t Here, is a hilarious look at family dynamics, and one girl’s mission to just be herself. She plans to embarrass her family at her sister’s wedding, by bringing along someone who will be the opposite of what the family would want!
The lengths Lana goes to, to find the most imperfect date she can find! Oh, I forgot to say, they’re also having this wedding on her 30th birthday too!!! This is all about revenge really!!
Along the way, she meets a man who she had a very strong connection with, but Ethan and herself cause awful problems when they get together. That’s why they’re exes! She decides they will cause the most problems for her sister’s wedding in Australia, so he gets “the job”!!. Unfortunately, he’s not playing ball, and seems to be acting the opposite of what he’s supposed to be!! He’s trying to win her back!! He’s being nice!!.
So, this story will have you laughing your head off and wanting to quickly see what happens next!!
I really loved it! Portia Macintosh has done it again and written an absolute masterpiece!!!
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #The oldBookClub,#PortiaMacintoshAuthor..

Lana is turning 30, and no one seems to be interested, especially with her ‘perfect’ sister getting married in Australia. Having been told that she can’t upstage her sister, she decides to do the opposite and wear an amazing dress and find an inappropriate wedding date, which turns out to be her gorgeous ex-boyfriend Ethan. However, Ethan seems to have other ideas than just being her date and wants to rekindle a relationship with her.
As always, Portia Macintosh puts together a fun storyline with plenty of twists and turns. This second-chance romance was at times quite funny. Ethan was an endearing character who was so sweet in his feelings for Lana. My only wish was that the ending did seem quite rushed. A good read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read a number of books by Portia Macintosh and this is the very first one I can’t give 5 stars. I thought the writing was top notch and the story was entertaining but the book itself was all over the place. And for me, the biggest missing piece was a puzzling relationship between the two main characters. They didn’t have a very well defined relationship and I couldn’t tell what really drew them together. I look forward to Portia’s next book because I’m sure it will be back to her usual stellar storyline.

Wish You Weren’t Here by Portia MacIntosh

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Don’t get mad, get Ethan!

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 so she doesn’t upstage the bride. Well, rules are meant to be bent right?

She’s found a killer dress, now she just needs the most inappropriate wedding date she can find. But where to start? All her attempts at online dating are simply disasters, and not in the right way! Too boring/married/easily intimidated! But then her drop dead gorgeous ex Ethan suddenly reappears in her life. With the power to make her dizzy with excitement she reminds herself why they broke up. Together they literally attracted chaos until their relationship imploded. They couldn’t make it 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 bedlam. Instead he’s off the charts charming, nothing like she remembers and not playing by her rules. She’s here for revenge, not a rekindled holiday romance…but Ethan has other ideas!

My Opinion

Well this was an entertaining read. I really liked the way that we were introduced to both Lana and Ethan. This was a fun and quick book to read with a few twists to keep the reader guessing. Portia MacIntosh has once again written a great book.

Rating 4/5

Following Lana and her half sisters impending wedding, which has been arranged on the day of her special birthday that it seems everyone has forgotten. With many rules, of which Lana believes are made to be broken, will she succeed in leaving her own stamp on proceedings?….

Another great lighthearted read from Portia Macintosh had me hooked from the start to the end.

MacIntosh masterfully balances humor with heartfelt moments, creating a protagonist who is relatable, witty, and endearing. The vibrant descriptions of the locations and the quirky ensemble of supporting characters add depth and color to the narrative. While the plot may tread familiar rom-com territory, the execution is fresh, engaging, and full of surprises.

Wish You Weren’t Here is a delightful escape, ideal for fans of lighthearted romance and uplifting stories. It reminds readers that sometimes, life’s detours lead to the most rewarding destinations.

This was a fun read!
I initially thought this was a enemies to lovers trope based on the title but it's definitely not. It's a mixture of fake dating (not 100%)/wedding date required and a whole lot more.
Lana comes from a super posh family, well on her Dad's side anyway, except she didn't grow up with him did she? She is seen as a bit of a screw up within that side of the family so when her half sister announces she is getting married in Australia and they stage a family intervention to make sure Lana doesn't screw up the wedding, Lana decides she is actually going to do exactly that on purpose, especially since the wedding is actually taking place on her 30th birthday and no one seems to care. Enter Ethan. 2 years ago Lana and Ethan met and fireworks and disaster followed. They promised never to see eachother again, however a 2nd chance encounter gives Lana the idea to invite Ethan to be her plus one at her sister's wedding ensuring chaos will follow.

The story takes many twists and turns with some laugh out loud moments sprinkled here and there. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and fell a bit flat though.

Many thanks to Boldwood books who provided me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I found this to be a highly entertaining read with fun main characters. Lana and Ethan had a strong chemistry from their first meeting. There encounters truly made me laugh out loud. Their antics were hysterical. Lana's attempts to find a wedding date were so funny! I've read a few books by this author and have enjoyed this one as much as the others. This author is one to pick up when you want a great rom-com! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another brilliant release from Portia Macintosh! I’m hooked on her books - she’s absolutely a one-click author for me. I cannot miss any of her new releases. This is most definitely another 5-star winner! I loved it the whole way through!

This is such a fun storyline - Lana’s half sister is getting married on her 30th birthday… in Australia. Lana’s family sit her down and lectured her about how she’s got to behave and dress and… and… so Lana decides to go on a dating app to audition guys to be a terrible date in exchange for the free trip. With time fast approaching and the candidates sadly disappointing, she has to rely on a willing coworker to attend as her fake date - someone who, when they are together, tends to help her create chaos.

A fantastic read, which I couldn’t put down. Macintosh can weave a tale like no one else! She’s hilarious and her romcoms are far and away above the rest out there. If you need a laugh and pick-me-up and a great romance all in one, this is it! A great read to start the new year off right.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the early copy. This is my honest feedback.

This book is about Lana who has to go to her younger step sister's wedding and she wants to show them (her dad's new rich family) that she isn't beneath them like they always seem to imply. And when that plan doesn't work she decides if they're gonna talk let's give them something to talk about so she brings her ex, Ethan, who she always ends up causing chaos with.

I previously read ‘The Suite Life’ by Portia Macintosh and to be honest this book felt like a copy and pasta but with different names and locations. Like I mentioned in my previous review, the MMC is not actually in the story besides the prologue until 44% into the book. I can’t fall in love with a man I don’t know. Lana’s dates are funny and entertaining but I wish we had interactions with Ethan sprinkle inbetween so we could see the relationship build. I feel like this book had all the right ingredients, but it just didn’t come together for me. It was similar to the previous book of hers I read. The writing and characters are so good, but I think the connection in her books is missing.

Overall, it's a quick entertaining read

Rating: 3/5
Spice: 1/5

Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of this arc! All thoughts in this review are my own.

Portia MacIntosh never disappoints! The writing was the perfect blend of crazy, funny and charming. The characters were likable and I had so much fun seeing them through their journey.

"Wish You Weren't Here" is an engaging and charming read that immediately pulled me in. Getting to know Lana and Ethan was an absolute treat, and Lana’s quick wit had me laughing throughout. While her relationship with her stepmother occasionally felt a bit over the top, it added depth and intrigue to the story.

I’ve been gravitating toward British rom-coms lately, and this one didn’t disappoint—it was a joy from start to finish. I’m excited to read more from this author in the future!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars!

#WishYouWerentHere #NetGalley #boldwoodbooks

Fine/enjoyed. I'd say the pacing was maybe a little off, with lots of filler content. Our FMCs family was cartoonishly toxic and bad - perhaps a little heavy handed. And I couldn't quite get in her head/understand her hold ups and motivations which made the story's arc a little frustrating at times. overall though it was quick and easy to ready, delivered on main romcom tropes, and entertained.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This book started off so well and I had high hopes for this romance. Our couple Lana and Ethan have a perfect meeting/date with a night of only YES. We see a fun and sweet night of romance with a strong connection between the two...and then we jump to the present day where the two are not together!

Lana has a disconnected relationship with her father and half-sister.... let me say, this family is just horrible and so unaware of how toxic they are. The way they treat Lana made me so angry. They literally had a lunch with the sole purpose to hold an "intervention" discussing how Lana should act, dress, and what kind of plus one she should bring to the wedding. Hense, the idea of Lana trying to find the most inappropriate date for the wedding.

And here is where things started to go downhill a bit. The plot to find this "horrible date"...while some funny moments, it took way too much away from the on-page time with our true romantic interest, Ethan. Over half the book! We finally find out why the two called it quit because of their magnetic pull of not only chemistry and connection, but they seem to attract chaos as well.

Ethan does end up going to the wedding as Lana's plus one, but she fights what she feels the whole time. She even tries to start up a relationship with someone else at the wedding. Sigh.

There was too much filler before our couple (mainly Lana) finally gets the "aha moment" that they are not actually cursed, and some chaos is okay...I also wish Lana got some closure or a true moment where her family made amends or were less horrible to her.
Nope.

I enjoyed our couple, I just wanted more of them together. I still look forward to what this author has to offer!

3 stars

This author was a first for me as I had previously never read any of her books, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Hilarious, quirky fun read!