I adore Portia Macintosh’s books. They are perfect romcoms. This one is no exception. Amber is struggling with her book only to have a meet cute with an influencer in an elevator that turns into a partnership like no other. Why is a chateau/ski resort in the French Alps so dreamy? And Caleb is just as dreamy. I loved the heartwarming story of Amber and her brother trying to help their parents through a tough time while Amber is being asked to “spice” up her books only for this book to be a closed door romance. I couldn’t put it down and binged it in a day.

I was so excited about this book because I don’t love spice. (I truly can’t imagine writing it… 🤭)

I made it like 20% before I just got too bored to continue. It took me forever to get that far and I just couldn’t keep trying.

A charmingly delightful book with the perfect amount of romance! MacIntosh offers the reader feel good vibes. Her characters are very different from each other yet they compliment one another, especially, Amber, Caleb & Henri. Her description of the chateau, the village & the French Alps mountain resort are so vivd the reader feels as if they are there. And the book all flows together so easily it makes it easy to read, to enjoy & to relax while doing so.

Amber, who is struggling to add “spice” to her novels, is sent to a writer’s retreat just before Christmas. The retreat is hidden in an idyllic mountain village that gives off the vibes of relaxation & the approach of Christmas. While Amber is there she has to stay in the chateau with three other writers older & more established. Amber also finds herself in a few awkward situations with Henri who lives at the chateau. And then there is Caleb, an influencer, who asks Amber for a favor. He always seems to somehow help people by saying or doing the right thing. There are definite notes of attraction between these two. There are some fun twists & turns in the book. And as always, the books ends with the best happily ever after.

I recommend picking this book up, relaxing & enjoying the newest book by Portia MacIntosh!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

The story of Amber, who is an author but at present has writer's block. She’s written a series of books that have done very well..

She wants to write another genre like a murder mystery, but her publishers want her to continue with romance books.

So she goes on a writing retreat to France.

I loved the setting, where Amber is staying. She meets Henri who is the manager, along with Caleb who is a reality star.

I recommend this book.

3.75⭐️

“Sometimes the people who write the best love stories are the ones who need a little help writing their own.”

Sometimes an elevator meet cute can change your life. Beth, a would be romantic mystery writer and current reluctant romance author, ends up at a writing retreat in the French Alps a few weeks before Christmas. Sent by her agent to finish her stalled book and spice it up some, Beth finds herself unable to focus on the project. Distracted by her parents announcing their “pre divorce,” the other retreat attendees who are really just there to relax and flirt with the help, a seemingly charming Frenchman who she literally keeps bumping in to and a reality star who’s followed her to France, Beth is making no progress on her book. Feeling uninspired she agrees to help reality star Caleb with some paid promo shots. What follows is a quick, fun, sweet rom-com (heavy on the com).
My only real complaint about this book is that it’s billed as a “love triangle” and that never really materialized for me. Overall though, I did enjoy it.
If you’re looking for a quick, lighthearted read and like your book with all the tropes (only one bed, fake dating, friends to lovers…), this one may be for you.
Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

okay this was so much fun!! i haven't read anything by this author before and I certainly would continue with next reads from them. i really loved the writing and story plot. it was an overall quick and fun read with not too much meaning. just a really fun time!

This romcom, set within the publishing industry, follows Amber Page, an author grappling with writer's block after a successful book series. Her struggle to balance her desire to write a murder mystery and her publisher's demand for more romance leads her to a writer’s retreat in France. The setting is beautifully described, and Amber's stay introduces her to Henri, a charming French hotel manager, and Caleb, an influencer and reality star, forming a love triangle of sorts. The book cleverly plays with common romcom tropes like fake dating, the "one bed" scenario, and miscommunication, all while fleshing out entertaining side plots involving Amber's parents’ "pre-divorce" and the lives of other female romance writers.

This book weaves together a fun, heartfelt story with moments of deep reflection, all while taking place in the beautiful Swiss Alps. It’s more than just a scenic backdrop, though; the real focus is on the characters’ journeys of self-discovery and learning what truly matters in life.

What I found especially touching was how the story emphasized the importance of accepting help. The characters go through personal struggles and growth, showing that strength doesn’t always come from going it alone, but from leaning on others when needed.

It’s a story that feels both uplifting and thought-provoking, offering valuable insights while keeping you engaged in the characters’ adventures and personal transformations.

Portia MacIntosh at her best....she never disappoints!

Amber is a popular author but is struggling with her next creative piece as her publisher wants 'spice'. She sends Amber on a writers retreat to inspire her but Amber is not so sure she wants to go on a writing retreat on the run up to Christmas.... especially when her parents announce that they are 'pre-divorcing'.
Through into the mix a few more mature, female authors and a couple of handsome men....will this retreat be the answer to Amber's problems or will it create another bigger problem?

Absolutely hilarious....loved it.

Cute romcom about a romcom writer getting her romcom on. Very meta. I don’t know if this is my favorite book by the author, but it was entertaining. I just think the romance and ending was a bit rushed. The premise is Amber is a romcom writer struggling with her latest book. She’s warring with her editor who wants her to make her story open door, against Amber’s wishes. She wants to focus on more murder mystery romcoms. Her editor sends her to a writer’s retreat at a swanky resort with three more published, more senior, somewhat snobby writers. At the same time, a reality tv hunk that Amber met at her editor’s office follows her and wants to work with her in an odd way. It’s an interesting premise. Check this one out at your local library.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A quick, easy and heartwarming story that gave me all the feels. I loved every moment that I spent between the pages with these characters. the whole thing was like being wrapped up in a big christmas filled hug

Amber is a Rom-Com writer who is told by her editor to “spice up” her books 📚, Amber was leaning towards writing a cosy mystery romance, she’s not able to sell the idea so she’s sent on a writers retreat in the Alps to get inspiration from fellow writers.
A beautiful romantic setting and not one but two love interests, Henri and Caleb.
My favourite character was actually Ambers brother Tom, their relationship was fantastic. His Christmas concerns when his parents announce their pre-divorce made me laugh 😆
This was my first book by Portia, I found it an easy read and had some giggles along the way.
Thank you NetGalley, Portia MacIntosh and Boldwood for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Portia has written another gem of a book! I am a big fan of all of her books. They all combine a love story, lots of quirky side characters and a happy ending. A love triangle was not what I would describe this as exactly. Neither love interest knew of one another because of the often times hilarious hoops Amber jumps through to keep her relationship’s private from everyone. Sent away on a writer’s retreat right before the holidays isn’t ideal for her but with the promise of rubbing elbows with her idol fellow authors makes it a little more bearable. Their advice and camaraderie she was hoping for doesn’t go as she hopes. Looking for inspiration to make her books a little more spicy takes on a whole new approach. Spending time separately with both men has her still grasping at straws to putting words on a page. Deciding this is not the type of writing she has a passion for she takes the advice to scrap it all and possibly sabotage her career. All’s right in the end with a little unknown help. I really enjoyed reading this book. Getting to see behind the scenes of an author’s and an influencer’s lives was quite hilarious. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

I will admit that I haven't read every book every written by Portia MacIntosh, but I can say that I have loved absolutely every book of her's that I have read. I loved Amber from the beginning and was definitely cheering her on and hoping she would get the chance to write the kind of book that she really wanted to. Between her editor and the other writers at the retreat she certainly wasn't getting any support from those in the industry. I didn't necessarily love Caleb right from the beginning, but he did very quickly grow on me once he started interacting with Amber at the resort. The character of Henri wasn't really necessary as it was clear that he was not who Amber was going to end up with. He only served the purpose of being the cause of the tension between Caleb and Amber that led to the "break-up". I also loved how the author openly pokes fun at rom-com tropes while including them in her work - and it is done so well that it is clear she's not criticizing or making fun of them, just making us all aware that she knows what she is doing. I loved seeing the romance/relationship between Amber and Caleb grow over the course of the book. They're friendship develops so naturally and they do really like one another before any romantic feelings take root. I would have loved to have known what Caleb said to Amber's father, just out of curiosity not because it would have changed the story in any way. I was not a fan of the other writers - and I know that was kind of the point. I kind of hated that they were kissing up to her at the end and she never got a chance to tell them how their treatment of her had deflated her spirits. Overall, this is another Portia MacIntosh gem! And, as always, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Review
I say it with every book of Portia's that I'm fortunate to read but her books are amazing. Her writing is brilliant and with so many laugh out loud scenes her books are easy to fly through.

The setting of this book is a resort in the French Alps and is just idyllic, such a picturesque setting and the most romantic of backdrops for this story.

As always I'm excited to read Portia's next read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portia MacIntosh is a prolific rom com writer and I honestly don't know how she does it. I suspect 'You Had Me at Chateau', a rom com about rom coms, the demand for 'spice' and the perceptions about authors possibly gives some insight.

Romantic comedy writer Amber Page has been pressured by her editor to spice up her fifth book. More keen about her murder mystery rom com idea, she's sent for a week in the Swiss Alps at a writers retreat to join more experienced and spicier romance authors. Along the way she finds herself drawn to two men, resort handyman Henri and influencer Caleb who needs a favour from her.

I flew through this and cackled quite a few times. While there was a bit too much over explanation and inner monologuing, I found this a big improvement from previous books, where I found myself skipping earlier chapters to get to the action. I also liked that the book addressed the reader expectations or demands that romance books must have spice in it. If it doesn't work for the book and the author its not needed. Like all her previous books, this is solid escapist fun that is always entertaining. I can't wait for my next Portia MacIntosh reading adventures.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I started reading Portias books last year and she quickly became a favourite author and now i have nearly devoured every single one of her books that she has written. She has a knack for writing feel good put a huge smile on your face romantic stories and this one did just that.

Amber is an author who has been asked to spice up her books and she isn't best please by this and so is sent off to a writer's retreat at an exclusive château in the beautiful French Alps, Amber reluctantly agrees, hoping a change of scenery will help with inspiration.

It has Portias usual humour and wit and of course two handsome men to contend with

This book is THE perfect december romcom! I completely enjoyed reading it. It really has it all: a great main characters, a lovely romantic setting, so many funny incidents and two possible love interests. The book had me laughing out loud, rooting for Amber, hating the snooty author colleagues and wishing to go on a winter holiday in the french alps - honestly I loved it and will definitely reread it in december.

How to chronical this book without spoilering it?
Portia McIntosh is the queen of romantic comedy and I wonder how much of this story is autobiographical ;)

A few weeks back, she asked her followers on Instagram whether she should add some spice to her novels. I didn't know then that it wasn't an innocent question.

It is the dilemma Amber Page, the MC, is facing. Not so much of a dilemma actually as she doesn't want to go there and wishes to switch genres instead of keeping writing romantic comedies.

And so Portia McIntosh delivers the perfect romantic comedy (without spice) for Amber in her quest to finish her book while on a writers' retreat in the French Alps.
Not to spoil how this mission ends, I can only say that the writing will take an unexpected turn with not only one but two charming and rich men between whom Amber's heart will swing.

As always with this author, the book is utterly funny and sweet, with fantastic description of the scenery. Even if this resort existed, I probably couldn't afford it. Dreamy place :D

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this rom-com about an author, a writing retreat, and the lengths she will go to break out of her writer’s block. The main character’s feelings were very relatable and some of the things she did to push herself out of her comfort zone were so funny. I really enjoyed the relationship represented with her brother in the story and I also liked the fact that my feelings were always changing about her possible love interests, I wasn’t sure which direction she would go and I like not being able to predict. This would be a great read leading up to Christmas! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book, I enjoyed it!