An excellent rom-com read from Portia MacIntosh!

I read this really quickly as I got so swept into the storyline and their characters - it's hard to explain without giving away spoilers!

The characters feel real, the plot line is well written with enough every day that the story is believable and relatable but enough flair that makes it a bit escapist! It's funny, emotional, a bit spicy but overall entertaining. I really enjoyed it - it's a great holiday read!

I really enjoyed this one. It was full of humour, flirtatious moments and holiday vibes.

I loved the chemistry and banter between Jessa and Brody (the bedroom scene was soo funny!!)

Nikki was horrible,the stunts she pulled were questionable and annoyed me.

I loved the other friends as well. How they stuck together and were so funny.

A really fun, light summer read.

If you want a quick romance read with some quirky characters and cute, banter-filled moments then this would make a great summer read! Even better if you can read it on a cruise (the majority of the book is set on a cruise).

I’ve read most (if not all) of this authors books and my only gripe is that I would love them to be longer! I want more moments with the characters (but that’s just a testament to how well written they are).

I enjoyed all the tropes in this one, which includes fake dating, one-bed, forced proximity, holiday romance, revenge pact and opposites attract.

Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh is a fun, flirty summer romcom that makes you feel like you’re right there on a journey with the characters. I loved how the story mixes sweet romance with a bit of petty revenge—perfect for fans of the fake-dating-to-real-love trope.

MacIntosh’s writing is sharp, witty, and effortlessly conversational. The plot is clever and warm. After being dumped by her boyfriend, Todd, during a wedding dance, Jessa finds out Brody, a famous cricketer, was dumped at the same moment. A year later, they run into each other on a wedding cruise and agree to pretend they’re together—if they can’t get their exes back, they’ll at least make them jealous. Their fake relationship turns into something real in the most satisfying enemies-to-friends-to-lovers way.

Jessa is so easy to root for—funny, upbeat, and relatable. Todd is hilariously awful, while Brody is the perfect charming match for her. Every side character adds even more spark to the story.

I didn’t want it to end—MacIntosh nailed the feel-good, witty romance vibe. I’m so glad I got to read an advance copy. Big thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good bit of light entertainment which has you giggling away. It is a slightly ridiculous storyline but that’s what makes it a fun read. The characters are fantastic in that we have all met people like them ,especially Nikki. A good book to read if you want an easy summer read.

I ADORED Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh - like absolutely loved it. I devoured this forced proximity as a beach read!

Jessa and Brody enter into a fake dating arrangement to get back at their exes who are now dating each other. After spending some time together on a boat, they start to think that there may be more to their fake relationship.

Just adorable! I laughed out lout several times!

Another fun summer read from Portia MacIntosh!

This one has a lot of tropes going on - but it's such an entertaining story! Jessa's boyfriend, Todd, breaks up with her at a wedding and at the same time Brody's girlfriend, Nikki, breaks up with him and makes his life hell. So Jessa and Brody team up to show their exes they're over them and in love. The next wedding is a destination wedding starting with a cruise - they have a week to convince everybody they're in love and it's a wild trip! I liked all the characters, the cruise setting was fun and the dialogue between the MCs is awesome.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

ynopsis: Jessa is shocked when her boyfriend, Todd, seemingly dumps her out of the blue. He is quickly in a new relationship with Nikki. Enter Brody, Nikki's ex. Can Jessa and Brody fake a relationship to make their exes jealous? Can they survive a cruise in a two bedroom suite with said exes?

Review: I really enjoyed this rom com. It was not spicy at all, but gave all the romance feels. I would call it a clean version of a Christina Lauren type book. There were many funny scenes that had me laughing. I enjoyed the characters and romance.

3.5/5 ⭐️

Going Overboard is a nice, short little read about a relationship brutally ending, and finding new love through a fake boyfriend.

It was charming, to say the least. Despite the premise of petty revenge, the character development through the book was fun to see. There were a few parts that had me questioning the relevancy to the over all concept, but they didn’t really do any harm to the story either.

If you’re looking for something light felt and quick, a pallet cleanser mostly, this isn’t a bad read to give a try!

Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh is a lighthearted rom-com set on a cruise ship, where Jessa, recently dumped, ends up sharing a cabin with her ex, his new girlfriend, and her fake boyfriend Brody. The fake-dating and forced-proximity tropes make for plenty of laughs and entertaining moments, especially with MacIntosh’s signature witty banter. While the story is fun and fast-paced, some character development and subplots felt a bit rushed or underexplored. Still, it’s an enjoyable, easy read perfect for vacation or a cozy weekend. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🚢🇮🇹 Going Overboard by Portia Macintosh 🇮🇹🚢
Genre: Rom Com
Length: 272 pages
Pub Date: July 26, 2025
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books foe the advanced e-ARC of this book. The opinions stated here are solely my own.

Summary:
Jessa is newly single after her boyfriend broke up with her at their friends' wedding. Soon, her bestie, Kelsey, will be getting married following a five-day cruise to Sicily with all the close friends aboard... including Jessa's ex, Todd. After a mix-up with the wedding coordinator, Jessa is stuck sharing a two-bedroom suite with Todd and his gorgeous girlfriend, Nikki. Luckily for her, hot best man, Brody, is newly single and has been booked in her room. The pair decides to go full fake-dating to get back at their exes (Nikki is Brody's ex, too!). Hilarious antics ensue, but will Brody and Jessa be convincing enough in their charade, or will real sparks begin to fly?? Will anyone find out? And how will they get around having to share one bed?

Review:
This is a quintessential Portia Macintosh rom com. Perfect for the beach, and for a good laugh as the craziness builds from the fake dating of the two MCs. This is a great rom com for anyone who loves enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, one bed, closed door spice, and even a hint of sports romance, as Brody happens to be a professional cricket player! I loved how Jessa and Brody continued to grow closer as Todd and Nikki got more annoyed throughout the story. There were some great distractions moments that piled on and ended with a very HEA. I always look forward to reading this author's latest!

Cute read and good flow. I enjoyed the plot and the characters but think that some descriptions were a bit overused (I.e. Al being shirtless all the time, etc). Nikki also ended up being a bit of a caricature. Overall though, I liked the book.

Sweet, simple, and perfect for the beach

This was a cute and easy read — nothing groundbreaking, but exactly what I wanted for a lazy afternoon in the sun. The characters were charming (if a bit predictable), and the setting gave me all the summer vibes. The romance built steadily, with just enough tension to keep me flipping pages between sunscreen reapplications.

Some of the dialogue felt a little cheesy, and the plot was pretty by-the-numbers, but that’s kind of the point with books like this. It’s comfort food for your brain — warm, familiar, and low-stress. If you’re looking for something light and feel-good to toss in your beach bag, this will absolutely do the trick.

Loved it.
Always love Portia Macintoshs books!
The cruise ship setting was fun.
The nikki character was awful.
The time in your life when everyone is getting married and all that goes with that is so relatable.
Amusing read that leaves you with smiles and feel good vibes.

Absolutely loved this book! I’ve not fallen this hard for characters in a while. Such well written and well thought characters.

Brody is so likeable and you just can’t help cheering for Jessa. So many ups and downs but a lovely easy going summer romance that’s full of fun!

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced release copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was an interesting concept and could see it being a Hallmark movie!

Going Overboard features a summer filled with Jessa's friend's wedding celebrations. Jessa gets dumped by Todd and a couple weeks later at another wedding she discovers that Todd has already moved on to a new serious relationship with Nikki.

Jessa's best friend, Kelsey, is also getting married. Kelsey, Neil, and all their closest friends embark on a cruise to reach the wedding destination. Lo and behold a "booking snafu" arises and Jessa finds herself in the same 2-bedroom stateroom as Todd and Nikki and Nikki's ex, Brody (Brody is the best man in the wedding).

I absolutely ADORED the cruise ship setting and I also enjoyed reading about Jessa's career as a home stager. That's about all I enjoyed about this book. I didn't really care about the characters. We hear MANY instances about how big and buff Al is, but we never hear anything about the other characters. Some of the shenanigans that go on in the book are funny, but most of it just felt petty and immature.

The part that I REALLY didn't like?
There's a part where Jessa tells Brody that she's worried about being left behind. He reassures her by telling her that it won't be long before Neil will prefer to play golf more than hanging out with Kelsey. Brody tells her that soon her friends are going to be begging her to rescue them from their new phase.

*ROLLING MY EYES*

Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review Going Overboard as an eARC.

Just wrapped up Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh, and if you love fake dating, forced proximity, and delicious enemies-to-lovers energy, this one’s going to be your next obsession.

It all starts at a wedding—Jessa gets dumped during the first dance, and at that exact moment, cricket superstar Brody is being blindsided by his own girlfriend. Plot twist? Their exes are now dating each other.

A few weeks later, Jessa’s headed on a wedding cruise to Sicily, hoping to avoid drama. Instead, she’s stuck sharing a suite with her ex, his new girlfriend… and Brody. Thanks to a booking mix-up, the four of them are sharing a two-bed room. Total nightmare, right?

Jessa and Brody decide to hit back—with a fake relationship designed to make their exes jealous. But the more convincing they get, the more complicated things become. Suddenly, it’s not so clear where pretending ends and something real begins.

Jessa is impulsive, messy, and hilarious in all the best ways. Brody is reserved, grounded, and so unexpectedly sweet. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their banter is sharp. You’ll root for them from the first awkward meet-cute.

The cruise ship setting adds this perfect layer of tension—there’s nowhere to run, and everything feels heightened. Plus, dreamy Italian ports and late-night balcony scenes? It’s giving escapist romance in the best way.

One thing that really stood out was the friendship. Jessa’s bond with her best friend Kelsey is a highlight—supportive, honest, and so real. The entire friend group adds a layer of warmth that keeps everything grounded.

And for readers of Portia MacIntosh’s earlier books, seeing Kira and Al pop up again was such a fun surprise. It made the whole story feel even more connected and rewarding.

Portia MacIntosh just doesn’t miss. Her writing is clever, heartfelt, and consistently addictive. Going Overboard is the kind of book you finish in one sitting and then immediately want to reread. Add this to your summer stack—it’s a must.

3 stars! Going Overboard by Portia MacIntosh is a lighthearted romantic comedy with a chaotic, cruise ship twist. Jessa is abruptly dumped by her boyfriend Todd mid slow dance at a wedding, only to discover a week later that he’s already with someone new... Nikki. When Jessa crosses paths with Brody (Nikki’s ex) at another wedding, the two hatch a plan to make their exes jealous. The banter between Jessa and Brody is sharp and genuinely funny; I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I also really appreciated the minimal spice, which is surprisingly hard to find in books these days!

The plot leans heavily into the “ex wars” concept, which starts to feel repetitive. There’s a lot of PDA, boat puns, and over-the-top antics that, while intentionally cringy, can wear thin. Most of the characters come off as immature, which made it harder to fully invest in their journey. The romance is a super slow burn, only really heating up in the final stretch. That said, it’s a fun, escapist read with some memorable laughs. Just don’t expect much emotional depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book!

An entertaining, funny & delightful romance! The reader will find themself loving all the creativity & humor that takes place, along with all the feel good vibes of this relaxing summer read. As Jessa & Brody partake in a fake dating arrangement for some fun revenge on their exes (who are now dating each other!) the laughter begins with some of the craziest moments, activities & interactions. While Jessa & Brody have no way to avoid their exes, they decide to make the most of being stuck on the cruise deciding on a little revenge plan - a fake relationship. They do or say everything romantic to drive their exes crazy. Eventually, Jessa finds that spending all this time with Brody & getting to really know him has her wondering if her feelings are really fake anymore.