Another fantastic romcom from one of my favorite romance authors! Portia MacIntosh masterfully creates female characters facing realistic issues, problems, and challenges in both their professional and personal life and I adore her for it!

This book was a four star read. I enjoyed the fake-date to a family wedding trope especially since it was set in Australia. I loved how Lana was determined to be her worst self after her wealthy father and his new family felt the need to warn Lana about her behavior at her half sister’s wedding just for Lana to realize she only needed to be herself. And I loved how Ethan was there, every step of the way, to help Lana come to the conclusion she was more than good enough even if her family didn’t agree.

I HIGHLY recommend checking this book out as soon as you can! And I also encourage you to binge all of Portia’s other novels. I’ve loved every single one of the books I’ve read by her and am always excited to see a new one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Portia MacIntosh, and Boldwood Books for gifting me an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another Portia novel, another fab read. Yes, it was a little predictable and cheesy but it was just what was needed. I love reading these, they’re so quick and full of fun that you can’t put them down. This one was read in a day and was just as good as the others I’ve read.

Lana is the definitive black sheep, invited to her sister’s wedding in Australia on her 30th birthday. So after being told how to act, what to wear etc, she decides to give the family exactly what they’d expect of her. She just needs to find a man who’ll fit the description to take with her. Cue some disastrous dates including Pat….IYKYK!

If you’re a lover of easy fun romcom’s then Portia is the queen and you need to read this and her previous books. She’ll quickly become one of your go to authors.

Wish You Weren't Here, by Portia MacKintosh, starts as a funny meet-cute and grabbed my attention right away. The story, however, lagged a bit in the middle and I found myself skimming the text to get to the more interesting parts. It did come around and ended up being a fun entertaining read!

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Lana’s sister, who has been brought up in a better surrounding to her is getting married, that too on her 30th birthday in Australia.

Lana has always felt like an outsider to her family, and she’s advised specific things how she’s to dress and act on the day. But, feeling riled, she wants to get back at her family, Not having much luck in finding a plus one, she decides to ask her ex boyfriend Ethan, and informs him how or what he has to do. But on arriving in Australia, he’s forgotten that he’s to make trouble, and is instead charming her family.

It was lovely to see how Ethan was there for Lana, and eventually Lana too changed her outlook on life.

I recommend this book.

This s was a fun read and I enjoyed it very much. I always enjoy Portia's stories. If you're looking for a fun, quick read, this is for you.

This is a typical Portia MacIntosh book - fun, funny, and a plot where things keep going wrong.

I liked the characters and the plot, although it has that slightly frustrating aspect - why can’t everyone just say what they need to say?! I was glad there wasn’t a ton of Lana pushing “the” guy away and misunderstandings were resolved quickly. All in all, another light, fun read!

Well that was a fun, chaotic rom-com! This was my first novel from Portia Macintosh and I enjoyed the writing style and pace of the book. I thought Ethan was charming and fun, though a few spots were a bit over the top! You couldn't help but feel for Lana in the midst of all the family drama and to root for her throughout. I think it's worth a read if you like second-chance romances and lovable chaos!

Another hilarious book by Portia Macintosh.......

Lana is turning 30 and her life isn't exactly on track. To top things off, her younger sister announces her wedding will be held on Lana's birthday. Her family are well to do and like to portray that rich person image whereas Lana is a wild child.....determined to enjoy life as much as possible......what could go wrong??!!
Throw in a trip to Australia and a dodgy partner as her plus one along with a wicked stepmother....Portia brings us a fantastically fun story. A great book to curl up with on a cold English day.

Really loved this book by Portia Macintosh!
The fact it took me 2 days to read it shows I didn’t want to put it down. Her books are a delight to read and she’s quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.
Lana is a nearly 30 year old single lady living in Leeds. She meets Ethan at work and their couple of nights together blow her mind. Her sister Seph and her dads side of the family are different to her and when a big family event looms she decides she wants to pick a date to take, so she tries to find the most unfitting bachelor in town… I won’t say more as I don’t want to spoil it but I really enjoyed it!

Wish You Weren't Here is a perfect romance for anyone who likes a strong female lead. I read it in one sitting as it was fast-paced. The chemistry between our main characters is great.

My first, but certainly not last Portia Macintosh read!

‘Wish You Weren’t Here’ follows Lana and life as she knows it in the lead-up to her “perfect” younger sister’s wedding, which of course happens to also fall on her thirtieth birthday - an occasion her entire family appears to have completely forgotten.

As if that wasn’t painful enough, she’s pulled aside like a child for a lecture on rules, etiquette, and expectations for the big day. Not that Lana would actually cause a problem - she just doesn’t fit in. And God forbid she upstage or embarrass the bride!

Well, the joke’s on them, Lana decides. She’s going to wear what she wants and bring a date that will show them the true meaning of inappropriate. Not enough to ruin a wedding, but definitely enough to liven things up.

I’m careful to avoid spoilers, but I’ll share this: her plus one ends up being an ex, and what follows is full of laugh-out-loud moments!

I really enjoyed this. Like any good romcom, it was light and entertaining, and the main characters had the best banter.

The only thing I wish was different was the length of the book as a whole, because I would have loved to read more about them!

Thank you for the advanced copy Netgalley.

Thank you netgalley for this arc of wish you werent here in exchange for my honest review. I read this book in two days. Its an easy read and a class rom com. Lanas life is a bit of mess. She comes from a divorced family situation where her father remarried and had another daughter, they were raised differently than Lana. Lana is struggling both romantically and financially when she meets Ethan. They have such a fire between them that causes disaster. Lanas younger sister ia getting married in Australia and Lana has to bring a plus one to not look pathetic. She brings Ethan and hijinks ensue. There is a happily ever after. Four stars

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF'd it at 50%. I truly tried to finish it because it is an ARC but I just could not waste my time any further, as harsh as that sounds. It seems like an unfinished manuscript that needs to be fixed before it's release date.

The start of the book was fantastic and super cute. It felt so promising for the first 15% but then it was just dragging on. I hated the family dynamic and felt it was just so cringe in general. I do love drama within books for families but this made me not want to read. The MMC also doesn't even exist until when I stopped reading, which is awful for a romance.

The premise was brilliant but the execution was not.

Valentine’s Day 2023, and Lana, as usual, is spending the day alone, until an unexpected encounter at the office changes her solo plans. While pretending to be her boss, Jennifer Carter, Ethan, the IT support guy, well, also pretending to be the IT guy, asks Lana out. All is well until he goes back to London and they part ways.
Now January 2025, Lana, still single living with her ex-boyfriend, Steve, meanwhile her half younger sister, perfect Ms Persephone is getting married. The event is supposed to be ‘the biggest society wedding since Wills and Kate.’ The family arranged a lunch just to set a list of rules for the wedding, but just for Lana: what to gift, how to dress, who to bring. Is her family for real? On top of that, the snooty, old-money, over-the-top wedding is on the same day as her birthday, her thirtieth birthday.
Rebel as she is, she turns to Matcher, an app to look for a grade-A wanker. So she posts a notice that looks for someone who loves getting into trouble and causing chaos and wants a free holiday to Australia.
Searching for the worst date with no success, unexpectedly, she encounters Ethan, and once again their attractions rekindle.
Will Ethan be her un perfect date?
I really enjoyed Lana and their misadventures. This book is just ideal for summer, reading by the pool.

Wish You Weren’t Here is a light, fun, quick read that has likable and fun main characters. The story flows easily from the first chapter to the last. I highly recommend this book!

Rom-coms are pure escapism for me, but the writing has to be compelling enough to pull me into the world. In this case, it was a little fluffier and goofier than I was looking to read, which isn't to say it's not a good book. It just wasn't for me.

"Wish You Weren't Here" by Portia Macintosh delivers a delightful cozy romance that will enchant fans of her previous work. The story centers around a charming "curse" that unfolds between the two main characters, setting the stage for a captivating will-they-won't-they dynamic.
The male lead, Ethan, is an absolute standout. His interactions with the Lana are witty and engaging, keeping the reader hooked throughout. The cozy atmosphere of the setting adds to the overall charm, creating a warm and inviting backdrop for the unfolding romance.
While the plot may not be groundbreaking, Macintosh's signature writing style shines through, weaving a captivating tale that is both heartwarming and entertaining.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

An easy read with a lot of laugh out loud humour. The relationship between Lana and Ethan, the main characters, is explosive and filled with incident. Throw in a wedding in Sydney Australia, a dysfunctional family and you have a perfect winter pick me up. Recommended.

📚ARC REVIEW 📚

Wish You Weren’t Here⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lana's privileged step-sister is getting married, on Lana's 30th birthday, in Australia. Always the outsider of the family, they told her very specific rules of how she should act and dress. Now, she wants to have revenge by stirring up some trouble for her family, by looking for a plus one to bring along. After no luck, she decides her ex boyfriend, Ethan, will do. Problem is, he seems to have forgotten he needs to be causing chaos and not laying on the charm.

I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read and had some funny moments. I loved Ethan and how he was always there for Lana and stuck up for her. Lana was annoying at times but mainly with her family and their dynamic. Her character did get better towards the end with lots of personal growth. I liked how this was a closed door, fade to black romance but you could feel their chemistry on page. Overall, it was a fun read!

This book will publish on January 8, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

a laugh out loud romcom full of chaos

I'm usually a true lover of Portia Macintosh's books they always bring fun, romance and lots of belly laughs, and while this book still has some of those aspects this particular story wasn't for me.

For the positives the first half of the book was brilliant the chaos and fun was in full force and I adored the main characters with their firework chemistry. The FMC Lana was incredibly self aware and effortlessly funny and the MMC Ethan was a swoon worthy walking, talking green flag.

However my issue with the story was that every single side character in the book were atrocious human beings, from the people she worked with to her family (minus Tig). While I understand that it was intentional writing and meant to be frustrating, there was not a single positive factor or redemption arc for any of them which frustrated me to no end and drew away from the positives and fun of the book. I finished the story feeling unsatisfied that there were no real personality changes for the majority of the characters and we never got to see Lana's brilliant ideas for an app come to fruition

Although not my favourite I will of course carry on reading this author