Wish You Weren't Here by Portia Macintosh #Review

 

I am delighted to feature a laugh outloud romcom by Portia Macintosh. Wish You Weren't Here was published on January 8th by Boldwood Books.

 
Don’t get mad, get Ethan!

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!

A laugh-out-loud, fake dating romantic comedy from million-copy bestseller Portia MacIntosh

 My Thoughts

This is a great romcom to start the new year with its laugh out loud moments. It really felt like the story took off when Lana set off on her trip to Australia. Her family are vividly described and you can sympathise with her over her treatment. They seem larger than life at times but as the story develops, you sense that their views soften and begin to shift.  Through Lan's eyes, you see snobbery and selfishness exposed. It is as if they have never really understood her or seen her properly.

    Ethan is a wonderful foil to Lana. They share some hilarious moments but you feel that he sees her family set up through new eyes which leads her to reevaluate them and what they mean to her. The fake dating scenario sets up some great moments in the story. The wedding celebrations in the idyllic setting in Australia feel like a holiday escape and the characters who are assembled there are a rich cast and the main source of the fun.

In short: entertaining characters and fun episodes

About the Author

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels. From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

You can follow Portia here: Website  |  Twitter |  Instagram   |  Facebook  | Newsletter sign up  |  Bookbub 

  Purchase links 

 

 Thanks to Portia Macintosh, Boldwood Books, and Rachel of Rachels Random Resources  for copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Check out the rest of the tour!