A fun read, but it felt like the ending was rushed, and that there could have been a few more twists. It was like she got 2/3 of the way through and then decided she'd had enough, and rather than add in any more plot, she just decided to head straight to the ending. A pity, as what there was of the book was really fun and well written. It would have been much more satisfying though, if there had been more of it.

A fun light hearted read perfect for the summer.
Lana has been invited to her perfect sisters wedding in Australia.
There are 2 issues one she doesn’t have a date and 2 it’s when she’s turning 30.
Will she find love ?

3.5 ⭐

This was a fun summer read (as an Australian!) to read on a hot summer day.

It was light and easy to read. Enjoyable plot, I love the cover and the tagline is quite cute!

This is a great type of book to read on holiday / beach / relaxing for brain off and light entertainment.

I would recommend and am keen to check out more by this author!

Title: Wish You Weren’t Here
By: Portia MacIntosh
Pub. Date: Jan. 8, 2025

Genre:
Fiction, Women’s, Romance (closed door)

Trigger Warnings:
Profanity, Closed Door (Romance)

Summary/Review:
Lana’s sister is getting married, and has chosen her destination wedding. Lana has the dress but she really needs the right plus one… until her ex, Ethan reappears into her life. Ethan is happy to help Lana with her plus one situation, however, Lana is debating if taking Ethan is a wise decision? Is rekindling old feelings a smart choice?

I have read and enjoyed Portia MacIntosh’s past novels. Here writing is enjoyable, cozy, and fast paced. The British humor was spot on and the rom-com kept my attention at the beginning of the novel. However, overall Wish You Weren’t Here didn’t measure up to her earlier novels for me. It was lacking character depth, and the ending felt rushed.

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh, Boldwood Books , and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

#Wishyouwerenthere
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#BoldwoodBooks
#NetGalley

Wish You Weren't Here is a second-chance romance. Lana's perfect and "posh" sister is getting married, which is all good until Lana finds out it's on her 30th birthday in New Zealand. While she struggles to make it, her dad and his rich family fail to realize that she doesn't have it as good as they do and don't get how it's possible. When they set up a lunch solely to ensure she won't "embarrass" them at the wedding, she is furious and decides to find the worst date possible to rub it in. After several failed attempts to find a horrible date, she bumps into her ex, Ethan. Whenever she and Ethan were together, disaster would happen. As a last resort, she takes Ethan, and he decides to help her until things change. Can real feelings come out of fake dating? It's a fun read, though the ending feels a bit rushed.

If you're a fan of laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a generous sprinkle of chaos, then this is your next must-read. Lana is a woman on the brink of turning 30 and has been unceremoniously sidelined on her sister's big day—scheduled in Australia, no less—on her birthday. But instead of sulking, Lana decides to make a bold move and show up with the most inappropriate wedding date she can find. Enter Ethan, her charismatic ex who has the ability to set her heart racing and her life on fire (in the best and worst ways).
What could go wrong? Oh, everything, of course! The chemistry is undeniable, but the chaos they caused the first time around is hard to forget. Lana’s plan? Get back at the bride, have some fun, and show her sister she’s not to be ignored. Ethan, however, has other plans—he’s all charm, all the time, and he’s not playing by Lana’s rules. A tropical backdrop, wedding drama, and a whole lot of unexpected sparks flying? It's the recipe for one hilariously messy, heartwarming adventure.
The writing is sharp, witty, and irresistibly fun. The tension between Lana and Ethan is delicious—just enough to make you root for their rekindled romance while cringing at all the missteps along the way. If you're looking for a feel-good read with a bit of sabotage, romance, and plenty of laughs, this book is your ticket to the best wedding disaster you could ever imagine. Just make sure you're ready for a whirlwind, because when Lana and Ethan are involved, it’s anything but smooth sailing!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I DNF this book - it was okay to begin with but i found it quite difficult to get through so did end up DNF
Not to say if this is your vibe then you would probably love and enjoy this book but just not for me

I had so much fun reading this new book by Portia MacIntosh, one of my favorite author! This book is hilarious, I found myself laughing outloud several times! I absolutely loved the plot, the settings (which is mostly in Australia), the main characters, the building romance, everything! It's a 4 stars out of 5 for this book for me! Perfect book to read to relax!!!

Special thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Overall, this book was a fluffy lightheaded romantic comedy. What fell a little short for me is that I did not find the FMC to be very likable. She was slightly annoying during the book and selfish. I did not find myself rooting for her to find romance. The love story in itself was not fleshed out very well in my opinion. I definitely liked the male love interest more than the female. The side characters were more entertaining to me than the main characters.
Although it was a relatively short book (<300 pages), the book did seem to drag and I did not find myself wanting to go back to it at times.
Overall, I found it to be OK. 2.5-3 stars.

In this fun, spicy, and summery new romance novel, readers follow Lana, fed up with her perfect sister and her decision to schedule her big wedding on Lana’s thirtieth birthday, as she searches for a way to bend all the wedding rules put specifically in place for her. When her charming and handsome ex Ethan reappears just in time for the wedding as her plus one, Lana almost forgets why they broke up -- they attracted too much chaos -- and Ethan’s decision to not cause chaos at the wedding has totally upset her plans. As the events pass and their Australian holiday continues, readers and Lana must figure out what they really want -- from the wedding and Ethan’s presence. With a chaotic and funny protagonist in Lana and a classic love interest in Ethan, readers will love the eccentric cast of characters and their shenanigans in this holiday romance novel. The characters are the star of the novel, and the hostile, friendly, and changing dynamics between characters really add to the drama and tension while also allowing them to change and develop in some fun ways. Exciting, entertaining, and unpredictable, this is a great new release that Portia MacIntosh fans will love.

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