I couldn't get into this.

I thought it was going to be a cute little fake dating rom-com because the description reminded me a little of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren but it ended up just being a bit of a wild, disjointed plot.

For a book that was under 300 pages, this felt like it went on FOREVER with no advancement of the characters or anything exciting in the plot. It took over half the book to even get to Australia and even then it was kind of a mess.

This is a fun read! I love the wedding themed romances, something always goes wrong.
In this book, Lana’s sister is getting married and has a list of rules everyone needs to follow. Lana wants to bring a date that will start a buzz, so she brings her troublesome and gorgeous ex boyfriend, Ethan. When Ethan arrives from Australia, he’s not the guy Lana remembers. He’s following the rules and seems intent on winning everyone over, including Lana.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was laughing out loud from the first page. Another winning story from Portia M. Riotous fun all the way through.

You can never go wrong with a Portia MacIntosh book—her characters are always a highlight, and this one is no exception. Packed with laughs from start to finish, it’s the perfect read for a bit of lighthearted fun and a mood boost.

Wish you weren't here by Portia MacIntosh
Pub Date: January 8th, 2025

Lana and Ethan met in her office and had a very interesting night together. What started with passion ended up in a very embarrassing disaster. After a couple more failed attempts resulting in disaster, Lana felt that it was best they remained friends.

Lana was raised in a modest home by her mother. Her father and his new family, on the other hand, are very well off and have very high standards. Lana feels she doesn't fit in with her father's world and is nervous about going to Australia for her half-sister's wedding. It's on the same day as Lana's 30th birthday, not that anyone remembered. The family arranges for an intervention on Lana's behavior to ensure that she's properly dressed and behaved to not embarrass the family. Lana decides to get even by just being herself. She finds the perfect dress and sets off to find the perfect date for the wedding.

It was a fun, lighthearted read with lots of funny moments.

Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I hadn't read anything by this author until this book!

It was a typical British rom com which i absolutely loved and devoured!

"Wish You Weren't Here" by Portia MacIntosh is a delightful romantic comedy that explores themes of family dynamics, personal growth, and unexpected romance. The story centers on Lana, who faces the daunting prospect of attending her 'perfect' sister's wedding in Australia—scheduled on her own 30th birthday. To make matters worse, her family provides her with a list of behavioral rules to ensure she doesn't upstage the bride. In a bid to rebel, Lana seeks the most inappropriate wedding date she can find, leading her to reconnect with her charming ex, Ethan.

MacIntosh's writing is characterized by its humor and engaging narrative. The plot is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, especially as Lana and Ethan navigate the chaos that seems to follow them. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions provide both comedic and heartfelt moments that drive the story forward.

The novel also delves into the complexities of family relationships. Lana's struggle to fit into her family's mold and her journey toward self-acceptance are portrayed with authenticity. Readers can empathize with her desire to be seen and appreciated for who she truly is, rather than conforming to her family's expectations.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Australia, the setting adds an extra layer of charm to the narrative. The wedding festivities and the vibrant locales enhance the escapism that the novel offers, making it a perfect read for those seeking a lighthearted and entertaining story.

While the novel excels in humor and character development, some readers have noted a desire for more depth in certain subplots, particularly concerning Lana's family dynamics. Additionally, the ending, while satisfying, could have benefited from an epilogue to provide more closure on the characters' futures.

Overall, "Wish You Weren't Here" is a fun and heartwarming read that balances comedy with moments of genuine emotion. Portia MacIntosh delivers a story that is both entertaining and relatable, making it a great choice for fans of romantic comedies.

Cute, fun book. It was a quick read and I liked the main characters. I didn't like most of Lana's family though. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

Cute plot, just slow moving and wasn't holding my interest. Characters are kind of old to be playing the junior high games of making each other jealous and definitely needed more spice.

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lana is the black sheep of her family. Her independent, flirty nature has saddled her with a “good time girl” reputation. Never one to make waves, she stuffs her feelings. But when her sister plans a destination wedding for Lana’s 30th birthday, she decides to play into the woman they believe her to be. Will Lana’s scandalous outfits, bad behavior, and outrageous date be enough to teach her family a lesson, or will it tear the family apart?

Portia MacIntosh is and always will be an auto-read author for me. With that being said, I no longer read the descriptions of her books. I simply dive head first into her stories and lose myself in her work for the next few days.

Going into this book blind made things extra fun. I was shocked by how awful Lana’s family treated her. While I normally don’t condone bad behavior, it was great to see Lana hold her own. We need more spunky FMCs like her.

Be sure to read this book for:
-2nd chance romance
-forced proximity (one bed)
-fake dating
-travel (Australia)

If you are a fan of the classic movie, 16 Candles you will love this book. It is a modern take with an English twist!

Special thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Portia MacIntosh for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion

I really didn't enjoy this. The book did not have good continuity or flow to it. It didn't really make a lot of sense. I felt like it should be funny but wasn't. I didn't really like it or care about any of the characters.

* I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. Perfect beach read!

Lana's perfect sister is getting married in Australia on Lana's 30th birthday and her entire family thinks that Lana is childish, wild and inappropriate so they want her to behave properly so instead of proving them wrong she wants to prove them right so she is taking a date who would cause trouble at the wedding. First of all I love how she doesnt blame herself or her parents and plays any victim card. She just decides to run with it and be petty but not mean at the same time. This is why I love this author so much.
Then there's Ethan who is such a sweetheart. He is nice, charming, has the coolest ideas, a little bit nerdy and always saves the day. I absolutely loved him.
This is my 10th book by this author and I can never get enough of her books. her books feel like I'm watching a romcom movie. Loved it.
Rating: 4.5

The start of the book was great, super cute the vibes were vibing! I love the connection, the flirtyness, the attraction was all there.

But then it kind of fell flat and the pace slowed down too much for me.

The story and plot line seemed cute but just didn’t pull me in enough unfortunately.

*𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧.*

⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Okay, Wish You Weren’t Here is a rom-com rollercoaster—messy, dramatic, and packed with wedding chaos. Lana’s plan to bring the worst possible date to her sister’s wedding? Iconic. And Ethan? Total wildcard. Their chemistry is fire, and I loved their love/hate dynamic.

That said, while the premise is super fun, some moments felt a bit too over-the-top, and the plot was fairly predictable. I was hoping for a little more emotional depth to balance the chaos, but instead, it leaned heavily into mischief and misunderstandings.

Still, if you love second-chance romance, messy family drama, and a tropical wedding gone wrong, this one will absolutely entertain you. Just be ready for a wild (and slightly frustrating) ride!

Ugh, I was expecting something better. The story felt all over the place—way too chaotic. The main character drove me crazy with her immaturity, clumsiness, and inability to make a decision. And him… well, he was a bit better, but even then, it felt like we were only scratching the surface, never really getting to know him.
The whole book felt so… superficial. No real depth, no strong emotions, just a light touch on everything. Honestly, I found myself getting a bit bored…

A romantic comedy, not to be taken too seriously. Lana is is fed up with her perfect sister and especially the fact that she's getting married on Lana's 30th birthday. Add to that a long list of rules issued to Lana. To spite her sister, Lana decides to do her worst (being the selfish person she is....) and gets a dress that breaks all the rules and sets out to find a perfect date. Enter Lana's ex, Ethan. Oh, the troubles they used to cause back in the day.... Although, things does NOT go to plan and Ethan is definitely not playing along with Lana's revenge plan.

Book Review: WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Author: Portia MacIntosh @portiamacintoshauthor Publisher: Boldwood Books @theboldbookclub Thank you to @netgalley for my ARC and @librofm and @theboldbookclub@theboldbookclub for my ALC. Lana's life is on the cusp of a major transformation. Her 'perfect' sister is getting married in Australia on Lana's 30th birthday, and while nobody has sent her an early birthday wish, Lana is determined to make this milestone count. To shake things up, she devises a plan to bring an unconventional date to the wedding, and when her ex Ethan appears, she sees an opportunity. Despite their complicated past, Lana is willing to take a chance, and as they navigate the wedding festivities in Australia, Ethan surprises her with his charm. Lana finds herself torn between her desire for revenge and the rekindled sparks flying between them. Will she choose to re-write her past or forge a new path? This Portia Macintosh book is a true page-turner, full of humor, romance, and unexpected twists. The connection between Lana and Ethan is undeniable, and their story is a testament to the power of second chances and new beginnings. #WishYouWerentHere #WishYouWerentHereBook #BookLoversUnite #LiteraryEscapade #AdventureReads #BookstagramAdventures #RomcomLover #MeetCutes #HeartfeltHumor

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.


This lighthearted rom-com follows Lana, a woman determined to sabotage her snooty step-sister's Australian wedding – which also happens to be her 30th birthday. Feeling like an outsider in her own family, Lana decides to rebel against their "how to behave" instructions by bringing the most outrageous date imaginable: her chaotic ex-boyfriend, Ethan.
What follows is a whirlwind of comedic mishaps as Lana attempts to live up to her expectations of outrageousness. However, her plan quickly backfires. Ethan, despite his initially disruptive presence, charms Lana's family with his unexpected kindness and wit. As the wedding festivities unfold, Lana finds herself drawn back into Ethan's orbit, reigniting the sparks of their past.
Strengths:
* Engaging premise: The concept of a deliberate "worst date ever" for a family wedding is inherently entertaining.
* Humorous moments: The book delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the early stages as Lana navigates her rebellious streak.
* Charming protagonist: While Lana can be frustrating at times, her determination to assert herself is relatable.
* Compelling chemistry: The chemistry between Lana and Ethan is undeniable, making their interactions a highlight.
* Enjoyable pace: The book moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader entertained throughout.
Weaknesses:
* Mid-section dip: The middle portion of the book felt a bit repetitive, which slightly slowed down the momentum.
Overall:
Despite a minor dip in the middle, "Title" is a fun and engaging rom-com. It's a quick and enjoyable read with a charming cast of characters and a satisfyingly unpredictable plot.
Perfect for readers who enjoy a lighthearted romance with a touch of mischievousness.

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me.
I found the main character to be really unlikable, and the story took so long to "take off" for me.
I felt like all these terrible dates after another just felt so unnecessary and repetitive, and I just kept waiting for her to finally get back to Ethan (so predictable, of course he will end up being her date). For him to disappear suddenly at the beginning, and for the reader to have no clue why, was really annoying and took away from my enjoyment of the story.

I felt there was good banter and chemistry, but we missed the mark with all the fluff in getting to the actual story.