I’d like to thank NetGalley & Boldwood Books for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

This book felt like a fever dream. Lana comes from an insanely wealthy family. Her sister is getting married in Australia on Lana’s thirtieth birthday. Lana’s ex, Ethan, makes a random appearance two years later, when she is coincidentally in need of a chaotic wedding date to act out this plan of revenge on her family. It was a lot for a two hundred page book. It felt like the authors deadline was yesterday and she was trying to hit all the plot points in two chapters. Ethan and Lana had zero chemistry. They weren’t connected emotionally or even physically. The build up of events was extremely slow, half of the book was her dating other men. It felt false to call this a romance and even call it a fake-dating trope, when it started more than halfway through the book. It lacked cohesiveness which ultimately made me disappointed. I’m sad to say, I didn’t deem this book as enjoyable.

This story started off strong for me. I really enjoyed the meet-cute between Lana and Ethan, and the accidental run-in at work was both cute and believable. However, despite the book being only 300 pages, the story felt drawn-out. The main characters meet early on but don’t reconnect until more than halfway through the book, and even then, their romantic interactions are minimal until nearly the 85% mark. This was truly the slow burn to end all slow burns. While I’m not usually opposed to slow burns, I love the tension they build, but this story lacked that tension. Ethan clearly liked Lana more than she liked him. He worked hard to prove himself, while she remained fixated on someone else. It felt like she was after Beau primarily for his status, which contradicted the point of bringing Ethan to the wedding in the first place. Lana only seemed to realize she liked Ethan near the end, when she understood that Beau wasn’t loving her for who she truly was. The premise was strong, but the pacing didn’t align with it, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this couple broke up a few months after the book’s conclusion.

I liked how this one started, then I found it really hard to read and skimmed a lot of the sections until Ethan makes another appearance. I think there was too much time spent on that period, I felt like the book was halfway through before the trip to Australia. I don’t get why it was called Wish You Weren’t Here and I really struggled to like the FMC. Being a single POV, disliking the main character makes it hard to enjoy. I feel like she was basically in love with every bloke who gave her the time of day and didn’t try to assault her. I don’t think she is good enough for Ethan.

Wish You Weren’t Here is the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud chaos, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt moments! Lana’s quest to upstage her sister’s wedding—with the help of her ex, Ethan—makes for a wildly entertaining ride. The Australian backdrop adds a sunny, escapist vibe, while the enemies-to-lovers tension between Lana and Ethan keeps the pages turning.

What starts as a scheme for revenge blossoms into something unexpectedly sweet as Ethan proves he’s not the same guy Lana remembers. Their banter is sharp, the romantic tension is off the charts, and the humor will have you rooting for Lana to find more than just payback.

If you love second-chance romance, a dash of revenge, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a must-read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Tropes:

2️⃣ Second chance romance
❣️ Fake dating
🛏️ One bed

I love the start of this book because it starts off with a funny meet-cute of the main characters - Lana and Ethan.

Lana works in a company that makes lifestyle apps and met Ethan in the office where they lied about each other’s job positions, but ended up being each other's valentine’s date. It seems like they enjoyed each other’s company too much to the point where they discovered that being together equals disaster. So we all know what happens next and fast forward to two years later, Lana goes on a mission to find a fake date to bring to her sister’s wedding which will take place on the same day as Lana’s birthday. I feel so sad and mad for her that her family is that uncaring towards her and she deserved better. I do like that we get to see the whole process of choosing her fake date but ofc we know who she brought.

Ethan is actually such a sweetheart, the way that he is very pro-active and willing to help out Lana. But, I was so confused on this new crush Lana has on Earl Beaumont, like do we need this drama? I was not vibing with it and the fact that we do not get more scenes with Lana and Ethan. I wanted to see more of their relationship rather than Lana and Beau.

All in all, it was a cute, fast-paced summer (in Australia) read and it gives me ‘Anyone but You’ vibes!

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley, Portia MacIntosh and Boldwood Books for giving me an ARC copy!

A super-fun Rom Com! Fake dating, the black sheep sibling, a fun location. This was a fun and entertaining read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I had a lot of fun reading this with all the banter, romance, humor, and pop culture references, The only thing I would've liked more of is more development with Lana and her relationship with her family. I feel like that would round out that subplot a bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and of course, Portia MacIntosh, for an eARC of Wish You Weren’t Here in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 ⭐️
 
✔️ Fake Dating
✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Vacation/Holiday
✔️ Black Sheep of the Family FMC
 
When the opportunity arises not to spend Valentines Day alone and instead spend it with a virtual stranger, one she just met at work hours prior, Lana says yes. It ended up being the first yes (of many to come) for the night when Lana and Ethan decide to play a game - in which anything anyone asks or offers them - they have to say yes. After the most chaotic and best night together, Lana decides it’s best to keep her distance from Ethan. However, this won’t be the last of their encounters.

As it happens, Lana’s “perfect” sister is getting married, which means her family has concerns … about Lana’s behavior. She’s been instructed with a do and don’t list and to be on her absolute best behavior. Lana can do that, so long as she brings along a date that won’t be on their best behavior. Looking for the perfect guy, Lana embarks on finding the “best” horrible date. Little does she know that her and Ethan’s paths will cross again, at the perfect timing. Ethan agrees to play his her rules, but once there will he continue to play by her rules or will he play by his own?

For me personally, I really related to Lana’s character. Being in your later 20s and getting closer to your 30s, was not a fun time, or at least it wasn’t for me. 30 is a staple age, one that both people and society put a lot of pressure on. Lana is the blueprint of someone who is trying and struggling to piece all the aspects of her life together – dating, partying, living situations, friends, working a job where she isn’t appreciated. Lana is a fresh breath of air as a reminder that it’s okay not to have everything all figured out by society’s standards. Everyone has their own timeline and it’ll all work out how it’s supposed too. ALSO, while we’re on the topic of relatability, glad to see I’m not the only one going on horrible dates from dating apps!!! 😂

There were a few things that were not my cup of tea for this book:

1. The family subplot: I thought this just needed more/ underdeveloped? I would’ve liked to see more development between Lana and her family – I suppose you could say things were mending, but she never got that moment of her sticking up for herself. If anything the only family member that kind of won me over was Chester.

2. Love triangle drama.

3. Not necessarily a problem, but would’ve loved to see an epilogue to tie things together more!

This was my first read by Portia MacIntosh, and I’m excited to check out more of Portia’s work!

Wish You Weren't Here was such a fun read! Lana's quest to find a date for her sister's wedding is interesting to say the least. Enter Ethan. Whenever they are together, chaos tends to ensue and it made for a hilarious read! Highly recommend!

If you’re a fan of laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a side of chaos, Portia MacIntosh’s latest novel, "Wish You Weren’t Here" might just be for your. Set against the backdrop of a glamorous Australian destination wedding (with plenty of drama along the way), this book delivers a delightful mix of humor, family drama, and closed-door romance.

FMC Lana's younger, “perfect” half-sister is getting married—on Lana’s 30th birthday, no less. To top it off, her posh family has set rules for Lana to ensure she doesn’t “upstage” the bride. But Lana isn’t one to play by the rules. Armed with her too-sexy dress, she’s determined to bring the most inappropriate wedding date she can find. Enter Ethan, her charming and chaos-prone ex. Together, they plan to wreak havoc, but Ethan seems to have his own agenda--and so do several others at the wedding.

Lana is a relatable protagonist for those of us who enjoyed our 20s: emotional, impulsive, and trying to find her footing in a world where she doesn’t quite fit. It's enjoyable to see her grow and her relationship with Ethan change from just chemistry to something more. Their chaotic misadventures serve as a reminder that it’s OK to be imperfect and that the best relationships—romantic or familial—are built on authenticity.

"Wish You Weren’t Here" is perfect for fans of second-chance romances, fake-dating antics, and protagonists who learn to embrace their quirks. With its blend of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy romance, this book is sure to leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the final page. If you love books by Sophie Kinsella, Beth O’Leary, or Emily Henry, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

🏖🇦🇺 WISH YOU WEREN'T HERE by Portia Macintosh 🇦🇺🏖
Genre: Rom-Com
Length: 292 pages
Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2025
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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

Synopsis:
Lana is feeling pretty low. She's working a job where she isn't appreciated, she has had a rough dating patch, and her younger sister is getting married destination-style across the world in Australia... on Lana's 30th birthday, no less. She is desperate to find a plus-one for the big event with her very elitist and posh family (she isn't like them). Along comes Ethan, a chance date that goes absolutely PERFECTLY, but ends with a crazy disaster. She is so drawn to him and thinks their wild dumpster fire of history might be JUST the answer to giving the proverbial middle finger to the family in Australia. But what happens when this fake dating plot begins to elicit real feelings??

Opinion:
This book was so funny and such a great romantic adventure! This is my 3rd read by Portia Macintosh and I am now 100% going to read her entire backlist. She knows how to add the perfect amount of humor, current pop culture reference, and setting to make every rom-com an absolute joy to read! Lana was such a lovable main character, and I found myself cheering Ethan on the whole book. Read especially if you love a fake dating trope and lots of hilarious and disastrous dating adventures!

I love Portia's books! They are frothy, fun, banter-filled and evoke being on a holiday even in the dead of winter!

Such an entertaining fun read!
Light-hearted & funny take on single life, family, exes, and finding strength in being authentic. I really sped through this feeling cheered up and absorbed

Lana is such a fantastic character! Her journey is filled with humor, heart, and a lot of unexpected twists. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning. She's relatable, funny, and her growth throughout the story is truly inspiring.

The island setting is described so vividly that I felt like I was right there with Lana, experiencing all the quirky local culture and beautiful scenery. The way MacIntosh captures the essence of the island life made me want to pack my bags and go on an adventure of my own.

The story is a perfect mix of laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt scenes. Lana's interactions with the other characters are so genuine and entertaining, especially the romantic subplot that adds just the right amount of sweetness to the story.

If you're looking for a feel-good read that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even shed a tear, "Wish You Weren't Here" is a must-read. Highly recommend! 🌴❤️📚

Lana has had enough. Her ‘perfect’ sister is getting married. In Australia. On Lana’s 30th birthday and no one seems to have noticed. To make matters worse, she’s been given a list of rules she must follow so she doesn’t upstage the bride. Well, rules are meant to be bent right?

She’s found a killer dress, now she just needs the most inappropriate wedding date she can find. But where to start? All her attempts at online dating are simply disasters, and not in the right way! Too boring/married/easily intimidated! But then her drop dead gorgeous ex Ethan suddenly reappears in her life. With the power to make her dizzy with excitement she reminds herself why they broke up. Together they literally attracted chaos until their relationship imploded. They couldn’t make it work. But could Lana make this work in her favour… just for the wedding?

However, when they arrive in Australia Ethan seems to have forgotten he’s only there to help cause bedlam. Instead he’s off the charts charming, nothing like she remembers and not playing by her rules. She’s here for revenge, not a rekindled holiday romance…but Ethan has other ideas!

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

This is possibly my favorite Portia MacIntosh book I've ever read and I've read a lot of them!! Lana and Ethan were SO MUCH FUN! And Lana's family! Ugh I wanted to hurt them! But I loved all of the quirky craziness that happened around Lana and Ethan and they are just so cute together!! I highly recommend and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it's released in early January 2025! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

I received an ARC copy of this book, it's the first Portia Macintosh book I've read because I normally listen to the audiobooks of her work. As a Yorkshire girl I love her work and her little Yorkshire sayings she puts in her books. I really enjoyed wish you weren't here. If you're the wild child of your family you will definitely appreciate this book. The FMC is relatable and the MMC is adorable

Another good read from Portia Macintosh. The story had a slower start than most of Portia’s books but I soon got into it. This book is funny and filled with human frailities in its range of different characters but somehow it all comes together to a brilliant ending. Well worth reading.

A fun second chance romance story.

Lana's sister, the perfect one, is getting married and the whole family is worried about Lana messing it up - they have an intervention dinner to let Lana know how to behave, what to wear, etc. It's a destination wedding and happens to be on Lana's 30th birthday, only nobody seems to remember that. Except Ethan. He's the ex and after a bunch of disastrous dates, Lana decides to give Ethan a second chance - he's promised to be the "worst" best date to the wedding.

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

If you are looking for a fun romance that requires zero effort, thinking, or imagination from the reader, this may be the romance for you.

Lana is approaching her 30th birthday, which is also the day her posh younger (half) sister is getting married, in Australia. In a last-ditch effort to annoy her family, she brings Ethan, the fun man with whom rendevous always seem to end in disaster.

The concept was a ton of fun, but the novel lacked depth. The addition of a random love triangle that began past the halfway point in the book led to confusion. Overall, it was an okay book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.