I have said it before, and I will say it again, Portia Macintosh is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Every book that she writes seems to have the perfect ingredients to be another great rom-com. She literally ticks every box of what I am looking for in a romance novel. Strong female leads, amazing friendships, wonderful exotic locations, laugh out loud moments, and a perfect happy ending.

This book is no exception. When Jessa boyfriend Todd dumps her at a friends wedding, she is in total shell shock she thought everything was going well and just did not see it coming. Fast forward a few weeks she is attending her best friends wedding on a cruise ship to Sicily, when she finds out Todd is coming with his new girlfriend. Nikki his new flame has recently split with her famouse cricket playing boyfriend Brody and it seem that the four of them are about to be thrown together .Jessa and Brody come up with a plan to fake date and annoy the pair, but it is obviously from their first meeting that sparks are going to fly and Todd and Nikki might have actually done them a huge favour.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This is such a fun fabulous read! So so easy to read. The characters I loved. This is a book I didn’t want to end!!

Jessa creía tener su vida bajo control: un trabajo que ama, un novio estable y una vida más o menos ordenada. Pero todo se derrumba cuando, en medio de un romántico baile en la boda de unos amigos, su novio Todd decide romper con ella. En plena pista de baile. Con la música sonando y todos los invitados alrededor.

Destrozada pero determinada a seguir adelante, Jessa se enfrenta a una prueba aún más incómoda: asistir a otra boda… en un crucero… durante cinco días… ¡y con su ex a bordo! Como dama de honor de su mejor amiga, no puede permitirse dramas. Lo que sigue es una historia divertida y conmovedora de redescubrimiento, desamor y segundas oportunidades, mientras Jessa intenta navegar entre mareas de emociones, camarotes compartidos, y la inesperada aparición de un misterioso desconocido que la hace cuestionarse todo.


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Me faltaron capitulos de Jessa y Brody fuera del crucero.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

This was a fun rom-com. It's the wedding season, but it starts off not going so well for Jessa. After her boyfriend Todd breaks up with her at one wedding, she has to face him again when he brings his new girlfriend Nikki to another wedding shortly after their breakup. And then she ends up sharing a suite with her ex, his new girlfriend, and her ex's new girlfriend's ex, Brody, on a cruise ship for her best friend Kelsey's destination wedding. So what are Jessa and Brody to do? Of course, they fake-date to stick it to their exes. (If you think this sounds like Funny Story on a cruise ship, you're not wrong. That's what initially made me pick this up.)

The focus is mostly on Jessa and Brody's revenge shenanigans, and on Jessa getting over her break-up and realizing she's ready to move on. It doesn't go too deep into developing Brody as a character, or into developing their relationship beyond the fake-dating. That's one thing keeping this from being a 5-star book for me. Though I liked them together, I don't feel like I actually know him, and it's really that I liked them together because of how Jessa was feeling/acting when she was around him. He remains mostly a blank slate.

I was also thrown by the use of Gen Z slang, when the characters are in their early thirties. It's mostly "bestie" and "girlie" that is used repeatedly. Now, this is set in Britain (well, actually most of it is set on a cruise ship, but the characters are British... you know what I mean) and I will admit I'm less familiar with British slang usage, so these terms might be used more widely there. But it sounded off to me.

I received a review copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Okay this book took you to another place! I was so engulfed in the characters story and this beautiful setting. I absolutely loved this book!

This is a fun and lighthearted beach read that is enjoyable with some classic tropes. Jess’a and Brody team up to portray a fake romance to get back at their exes, Todd and Nikki, who broke up with then for each other. Most of the story takes place on a cruise on the way to Jess’a and Brody’s best friend’s wedding in Italy and features fun scenarios and a few dramatic moments. The main characters never really have deep or meaningful conversations and it would have been really interesting to get to read Brody’s point of view, but this is a sweet and quick read, perfect for a vacation !

If you’re looking for a fast paced addictive adventure that will have you hooked from the very first page then look no further than this. I loved the fake dating trope and the characters were fun to get to know.

Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh is a romcom that knows exactly what it wants to be—and delivers. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read this entertaining, funny, and heartfelt story early. #GoingOverboard #NetGalley #RomComReads

This book opens with pure chaos and doesn’t let up. Jessa thinks her relationship is headed for a proposal—until her boyfriend Todd dumps her during the first dance at a wedding. It’s humiliating, painful, and made exponentially worse by the fact that, across the room, professional cricket star Brody is getting dumped by his own girlfriend, Nikki. Two days later? Todd and Nikki are officially an item. Brutal.

So when Jessa boards a cruise ship for her best friend’s destination wedding, the last thing she wants is to be trapped at sea with her ex and his new flame. But fate has other plans: a booking mishap forces her to share a cabin with not just her ex and Nikki—but Brody, too. This sets the stage for a delicious fake dating revenge plot. Jessa and Brody decide to pretend they’re a hot new couple to make their exes squirm. But as with any good fake dating setup, the line between acting and actually falling for each other gets blurry fast.

The tropes in this one hit all the right notes: forced proximity, fake dating, only one bed, enemies to lovers, and even a revenge pact. What I appreciated most was that MacIntosh doesn’t just stack these tropes for the sake of it—she uses them to create real tension and conflict. The pacing is brisk but never rushed. There’s a satisfying balance between banter and emotional beats, even if the depth between Jessa and Brody occasionally skims the surface.

Jessa is a lovable lead. She’s sharp, vulnerable, impulsive, and often hilarious. Her internal monologue is chaotic in the best way, especially as she tries to save face, deal with heartbreak, and make sure her best friend’s wedding goes off without a hitch. Brody is more reserved and understated, with a dry wit that plays off Jessa’s energy nicely. Their chemistry builds slowly but surely—there’s no instant love here, and that makes the payoff sweeter. That said, I did wish we got more from Brody’s side. The book is strictly in Jessa’s POV, which makes him feel a little underdeveloped. I wanted to know more about his internal world beyond the few tidbits we’re given.

One thing Portia MacIntosh consistently nails is tone. The writing is easy, conversational, and funny without trying too hard. The humor ranges from quirky observations (there’s a scene involving a drunk guy in a T-Rex costume that had me wheezing) to sharp dialogue that reveals character dynamics. It never slips into slapstick territory, and even the absurdity of the premise—being trapped in a cruise cabin with your ex and his new girlfriend—somehow feels grounded because of how MacIntosh sells the characters’ reactions.

The cruise ship setting is also a smart move. It adds tension by limiting options. You can’t just storm off when you’re literally stuck in the middle of the sea. There’s also a fun undercurrent of escapism—balconies over the water, tropical drinks, beautiful Italian ports—that makes this a perfect beach read. The setting amplifies the story’s stakes without weighing it down. You get the feeling that anything could happen onboard, and it often does.

What held me back from giving this a full five stars is mostly about depth. The romance arc is satisfying and cute, but I wanted more emotional vulnerability, especially as Jessa and Brody grow closer. There were moments where I was craving a deep, honest conversation that never quite arrived. It’s all hinted at—there’s attraction, protectiveness, even jealousy—but not quite the moment where the emotional walls come fully down. For a book that’s already smart and well-structured, a few more layers would have elevated the love story from fun to unforgettable.

That said, Going Overboard is still a winner in my book. It’s light without being hollow, funny without being over the top, and romantic without being syrupy. If you’re in the mood for a romcom with a high-stakes setup, charming characters, and a feel-good payoff, this one is for you. Portia MacIntosh proves again why she’s a go-to author in this genre—her style is confident, breezy, and full of heart.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Especially to fans of Emily Henry, B.K. Borison, or anyone looking for a book that feels like a getaway in itself. Grab a drink, find a sunny spot, and get ready to root for two very stubborn people who never saw love coming.

Loved this book! Going Overboard is a perfect blend of fake dating and forced proximity, with just the right amount of humor and heart.

Jessa gets dumped but still has to attend a wedding—unfortunately, her ex will be there too. Enter Brody, who’s also stuck in the same awkward situation. Their solution? Pretend to be each other’s dates while their exes flaunt their new relationship. What follows is a delightful slow burn as Jessa and Brody fake their way through romantic moments… and end up catching real feelings.

Watching their chemistry grow was so much fun. This one’s perfect for fans of romcoms with a little drama, a lot of heart, and a satisfying happily ever after.

The story was cute with not a lot of depth or serious conversations (but a lot of people falling into water). I liked the friendship between Jessa and the bride. Overall it was a fun, lighthearted read.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book.

This was an okay book, the story is cute and I really loved the full circle moment from the beginning to the end, as sad as this is that was able all I enjoyed. I've said before I don't mind the instalove troupe usually you end up finding ways in the book that make it work, or its dual pov so you get an inside into the other parties thoughts, or the main character has conversations with the other character and you can see how they work. None of that is here. This book would have worked flawlessly for me if it had been dual pov between the main characters, I really needed insights into how Brody actually thought, what he even liked or anything really about him. You learn all of literally a handful of things about him and three of them are mentioned in the description of the book.

I kept waiting for them to have an actual real in-depth conversation, truly alone about each other. If you pretend to fake date you might actually want to learn about the other so you're not caught. Even as they got closer that still never happened. Most of the conversations they really had were just about how Jessa is going to get back at Todd/ thinking about Todd. One Nikki is way worse, two maybe it'd be nice if she considered Brody's feelings about Nikki besides being jealous of it, and three instead of thinking hmm I wonder if she was this physically cruel to Brody maybe ask him? Honestly that thought popped into my head more times than I can count. It didn't really feel like a romance story, it felt like a story about a woman getting dumped and than getting a real fairytale come true. I just wish it was a little more personable, a little more real feeling. I also wish it had a little more fun. I didn't laugh, I didn't feel sad or bad for someone. There just wasn't much emotion in this book for me for the first time in a long time. Technically speaking this is a good read, I enjoyed it, it's just missing a lot for me.

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to read this book I really appreciate it.

I love all of Portia Macintosh’s books and I can honestly say this is my new favourite. I love her writing style creating lovable but flawed characters but Jessa was a masterpiece and Brody? What can I say about Brody.? He was an absolute dream. Three weddings, a cruise, a psycho ex and forced proximity and fake dating makes this the perfect read. I devoured it in one sitting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

Going overboard is a warm and funny light read that had me smiling at my kindle from the moment we meet Jessa being hit on by a drunken T-Rex and obnoxious super mario brother to the absolutely perfect HEA.

What I loved in particular:
- Portia MacIntosh’s set up for the fake dating part of the story was perfect, the start of the book is a nightmare for Jessa, she’s dumped during the slow dance at one wedding only to find herself competing to catch the bouquet with her ex’s new girlfriend and a wedding 2 weeks later, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to fake date a sports star under those circumstances.
- Jessa and Brody were adorable, his teasing jokes made me laugh out loud.

This was the perfect read for a lazy Sunday morning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC

I think that this might just be Portia MacIntosh's best book yet! (At least in my opinion and when compared to the other books I have read from her.)

This book has an unexpected break-up (at the beginning with her ex, so don't worry), likable characters, easy writing style, fake dating, forced proximity, and a friend's destination wedding.

Need I say anything else?

I really enjoyed this and think this is perfect for anyone who is looking for a quick and easy (and very fun and enjoyable) little summer read. It really does feel seasonally perfect.

I really did speed through this. I read like half of it a little after midnight last night and the rest of it before lunch. A two sitting read, easily (and if you wanted to, I bet you could read it in one sitting if you need a nice little afternoon beach read).

I enjoyed the ease of the writing style and how easy the characters were to like and root for. And I think this is so important. I need to like the characters I am reading about, I need someone to root for. And I need to be made to fall in love with the characters alongside the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This was such a fun, lighthearted read with a great mix of humor, romance, and adventure. I loved the setting—it felt like a mini escape—and the characters kept me entertained from start to finish. The banter was sharp, and the storyline had just enough twists to keep things interesting without ever feeling too heavy.

The romance was sweet, though I think I wanted a bit more buildup or emotional depth between the characters. But honestly, I picked this up looking for something fun and easy to enjoy, and it definitely delivered on that front.

Perfect for when you want something light, funny, and a little bit escapist.

Going Overboard is such a fun, feel-good romance. It kicks off when Jessa gets dumped at a wedding—totally awkward—and then ends up teaming with Brody, a famous cricket player who’s also dealing with heartbreak. They come up with a plan to get back at their exes, which leads to a lot of funny and sweet moments.

I really enjoyed the classic rom-com vibes — fake dating, forced close moments, and the slow change from dislike to love. The cruise setting adds a fun, fancy backdrop that makes the story even more entertaining.

If you want something light, funny, and romantic to read on a weekend or holiday, this book is perfect. It’s a reminder that love can show up when you least expect it, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

I just finished a good book. Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh is available soon and is one you should put on your list.

This book had it all for me and that was it. I had to read this to see what it was all about. I was not disappointed and enjoyed the content. Enjoyed this book. I want to find more of her books.

Picture thinking the love of your life might propose to you soon to find out that the whole time you were thinking of ways he might propose, he was thinking of ways to break up with you (don't worry it all works out in the end). This book is like a warm hug; you keep reading because you don't want to let go. I adored the short chapters (they make it even easier to devour the book) and the characters, apart from Nikki (you'll see why if you read the book). I love a fake dating trope and this book has lived up to my expectations and more. If you are looking for a romance that fills you with happiness then this is the book for you - you will not regret reading it!

Thank you to net galley, Boldwood Books, and Portia MacIntosh for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review