Wish You Weren't Here

by Portia MacIntosh

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!

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Humor, Rom Com

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2025

About the author

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 30 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.

Find out more at www.portiamacintosh.com

Reviews

[Kristen's Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

The start of the book was great, super cute and everything Portia normally gives us. However the middle of the story was just fluff. It felt like the author was on a time crunch to have the book turned in and gave us random scenes to try to connect the start and the end. It felt like we got the 1st or 2nd draft, not a polished final draft. The MMC doesn't exist for 50% of the book. This is definitely my least favorite book from this author. The premise was brilliant but the pacing was so off.

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*

3.75 Stars!

I had never read anything from this author until now, although I’ve been eager to for ages.I'm so happy that this book was my introduction to her work.

'Wish You Weren't Here' was incredibly enjoyable and easy to get into. There's something about British rom-com books that make me love them so much and they always have me laughing out loud!

I’m definitely planning to explore her earlier books in the near future.

**************************
I always wanted to give this author's works a try, but I had no idea with which one to start with. But I guess it's already been decided for me with which to begin with.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, fun, and cute read.

[Catherine Victor Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read!
I initially thought this was a enemies to lovers trope based on the title but it's definitely not. It's a mixture of fake dating (not 100%)/wedding date required and a whole lot more.
Lana comes from a super posh family, well on her Dad's side anyway, except she didn't grow up with him did she? She is seen as a bit of a screw up within that side of the family so when her half sister announces she is getting married in Australia and they stage a family intervention to make sure Lana doesn't screw up the wedding, Lana decides she is actually going to do exactly that on purpose, especially since the wedding is actually taking place on her 30th birthday and no one seems to care. Enter Ethan. 2 years ago Lana and Ethan met and fireworks and disaster followed. They promised never to see eachother again, however a 2nd chance encounter gives Lana the idea to invite Ethan to be her plus one at her sister's wedding ensuring chaos will follow.

The story takes many twists and turns with some laugh out loud moments sprinkled here and there. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and fell a bit flat though.

Many thanks to Boldwood books who provided me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[sky🍒 · Rating 1 out of 5]

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. There was also a random love triangle for a good 10% of the book?

It lacked cohesiveness which ultimately made me disappointed. I’m sad to say, I didn’t deem this book as enjoyable.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the easiest 5 stars I have given. It was full of classic British humour which I love, I was in hysterics! I loved both character’s equally, Ethan was so genuine and sweet and Lana’s humour was brilliantly dry. I love a supportive MMC, he had Lana’s back throughout.

I’m not going to take any points off for this but I did feel like the book was over too soon - surely that’s a good thing right!

I think I’ve found a new favourite author.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[kjoytad · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

Two years ago, Lana and Ethan spent a few days together in a wild, passionate fling that ended in disaster. Fast forward to now, Lana is getting ready to celebrate her 30th birthday when her younger sister announces she's getting married...in Australia...on Lana's 30th birthday. As if that isn't bad enough, she lays out a list of rules that Lana is to follow at the wedding since Lana is the "irresponsible" and "trashy" one of the family, and they don't want her to embarrass herself. To spite her family, Lana tries to find an inappropriate date to the wedding and meet each of their expectations. However, when no date is found, there is Ethan. And, he is just as dreamy as before. Lana fears the repercussions of spending any time together, let alone pretending to date at a destination wedding, but she has no other choice.

This was not the book for me, unfortunately. From the beginning, I started to notice the quality of the writing was not there, and this theme stayed true for the rest of the book. When Ethan and Lana meet for the first time, it was completely insta-love. There was no true connection shared between the two, outside of physical; the fling that they shared was based on sex alone. The pacing was off; the plot of the entire book (fake-dating trope) is not even hinted at until 53%. Dialogue and family dynamics felt unbelievable. The characters themselves were extremely immature and emotionally childish. The entire storyline (Lana spiting her judgemental family by proving them right with inappropriate and trashy behavior) is absolutely mindboggling. A reasonable person would have ~communication~ which I know is so crazy OR kindly stop interacting with such people. But no, not Lana. Ethan is characterized as smart and charming, but he only eggs Lana on in her ridiculous ways. On the plus side, this book was completed closed door; of course, things are alluded to but no graphic descriptions which I appreciate. However, I am very sad to report that I was thoroughly not impressed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eARC! All opinions are my own

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is like The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren in that there’s a fancy destination wedding. Except instead of needing a fake date to impress her estranged family, Lana wants a date who will help bring some chaos and shenanigans to the wedding.

I’m obsessed with the male main character, Ethan. I’ll probably recommend this to my sister Lydia for that sole reason, but wouldn’t widely recommend it unless you’re seeking out this specific trope.

Cute, goofy lil’ beach read.

Read if you enjoy:
- destination weddings 🏝️
- fake dating 🤫
- second chance romance 💘
- only one bed 🛏️
- short audiobooks 🎧

[Crissey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just ... Really bad 🫣 I kept waiting for it to get better and it never did. It felt like it was written in the 90s but with modern references? I don't know how to explain it😂 Anyway don't think I will read this authors work again.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute and a really fast summer read. It was super easy to get into and the story was just so good. The romance between Ethan and Lana was really cute and wholesome.
4.5⭐️

[france✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 stars for me! When we talk about light romance comedy reads, my go-to books are always from Portia MacIntosh! 💯 I am very happy for having an opportunity to get an advance reading copy of this book. So thank you so much, Netgalley and Boldwood Books!

Talking about Wish You Weren’t Here, this one is so fun and very quick to read! I got hooked easily reading the first chapter. I love how the story flows and the two main characters were likable and fun! Every main characters from MacIntosh always made me swoon and laugh out loud! Her books were always fun, sweet, and NOT BORING! I just have to emphasize that because that’s one thing about Macintosh stories. But the ending feels like it was rushed…I WANT MOOORE!

I am excited for the release day of this book and I couldn’t recommend this highly enough! ❤️

[Lydia Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars 🌟

It started SO good but the ending was so rushed and cheesy that I couldn’t rate it higher. Felt like when you have a good project but then have to finish realllll quick before the due date 😬 Had a good time though!

[Maddie Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5! Very middle of the road, easy summer read! I am honestly not really sure where I found this book, but it was on KU so I gave it a shot. Nothing revolutionary, but it was a fun “I need a wedding date for my step-sister’s destination wedding and because my family already thinks I’m a disaster” kind of read!

[Ryan Coffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

1 big meh. Probably more of a 2.5.

[Ashley Osborn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lana’s family is dysfunctional in every way. Raised by her mother, Lana doesn’t exactly fit into her father and Step-mother’s world… or their posh lifestyle. Her half-sister announces she’s getting married on Lana’s 30th birthday, with no mention of Lana’s birthday or her feelings, and then the family arranges an intervention on Lana’s behavior. It’s time to get even. Plan in place? Check! Amazing dress? Check! Now she just needs to find the perfectly imperfect date that will make her family crazy. When her ex unexpectedly walks back into her life, he convinces her to take him along. What’s the worst that could happen? Only chaos every time they’re together.

It’s not very often that I say this, but I really disliked the FMC, Lana. She’s flighty, chooses all the wrong guys, makes all the wrong decisions, and can’t figure out why she doesn’t get along with her family. Her family is legitimately awful, but it’s like Lana just tries way too hard and gets hurt too easily. When she meets Ethan, he’s perfect for her, but since chaos ensues every time they’re together, she takes that as a sign that they’re not meant to be together. But it really isn’t even chaos when they’re together. It’s almost as if she just cares too much about what everyone thinks and then sabotages the relationship.

Ethan is the perfect MMC but he gives Lana so much more grace than she deserves. At times, she’s downright mean to him, and he doesn’t even bat an eye. He just takes it.

There’s a moderate amount of spice, but it’s mostly fade to black so you’re not reading all about it. There is a LOT of swearing and crass talk, which really isn’t my jam at all.

I think the premise for this book is great, but the execution was flawed. To me, Lana wasn’t a very likable main character. For the reasons listed above I would only rate this book as 2 stars. ⭐️⭐️

[Becky Pashouwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Portia MacIntosh for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very fun, quick read! It starts with Lana and Ethan meeting and creating chaos in their wake. They decide to go their separate ways because it's the safest for everyone if they aren't together.

Fast forward two years and Lana needs a date for her sister's wedding holiday in Australia (which coincides with her 30th birthday). She looks around for an inappropriate wedding date in an attempt to unapologetically herself to her snooty family. Ultimately, she ends up bringing Ethan and there's longing, some chaos and Ethan keeps really stepping up and showing Lana why she was interested in him in the first place. Except, he's supposed to be helping her create chaos, not being amazing.

As much as this book is about Lana and Ethan's relationship, it's also about Lana growing as a person and learning to spend time with her family (who she usually avoids at all costs). She matured a ton during the holiday and became someone (IMO) that was worthy of Ethan.

I love a second chance romance and this one had a healthy dose of forced proximity (hello one bed) and lots of longingly looking into each other's eyes. There were some laugh out loud moments, which are my favorite. Closed door.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to Boldwood Books for allowing me access to an ARC via NetGalley.

I really tried to finish this book, because it's an ARC, but I gave up and DNF'd at 50%. I just could NOT get into this book - t feels like a rought draft and not an actually finished book that's about to be published (and other reviewers apparently agree). The writing is lacking, a lot; the story jumps all over the place, and since this is a closed door romance, it jumps even more; and the premise doesn't really match up with what I was reading. MMC and MFC go on TWO dates, have a bit of a bad time (I would NOT call that "chaos", especially since half of it was their own damn fault for playing that game), and immediately call it quits "for the best"... and then 2 years later (and halfway through the book), they run into each other again. This is the point at which I stopped reading. I was expecting an intro to the MFC, then she runs into MMC again, and we get history mixed into the story as the plot proceeds.... Not this. Also, every single male character in this book is an a-hole or super immature apparently? And the MFC has no friends until she befriends her 2 coworkers, and no goals so she sticks with this terrible job with Jennifer? I just couldn't read anymore, sorry.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Portia's books are so much fun to read and this was no exception. There's a little more steam to this than in her other books, but it was fade to black so it didn't get completely OTT. It's full of classic British humor that makes Portia's stories so - fun and Ethan was such a genuine and sweet MMC and Lana's dry humor was right up my street.
Lana comes from a well to do family and finds out that her sister is having a destination wedding on Lana's thirtieth birthday and none of her family seem to care. So Lana decides she's going to take the worst date possible and sets out to meet him on dating apps. Then her ex, Ethan, comes back into her life and agrees to help out with her plan and be her date but is her plan the best one? While they spend more time together, the feelings they had from their prior time together start to flame up again and Lana realizes he might be the best kind of chaos for her.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macintosh writes such endearing characters in her books.
I was a goner for Ethan after the first sentence he appeared. He was the real deal and I thought Lana would never open her eyes to their potential.
True, they are a couple who get into many catastrophes but that’s what makes them combustible too.
Lana’s family was ghastly and I thought they all were stuffed shirts.
I did wonder how Lana could afford air fare for herself and a partner to Australia when she couldn’t afford her own digs.
It’s a cute read about the possibilities of love and doesn’t every woman dream of meeting a man like Ethan??
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance read.

[Nicholl McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana and Ethan have undeniable chemistry from the very beginning. Lana thinks their wildfire will set everything aflame and wants to be just friends, but what do the readers want? We want the wildfire, not the hearth fire. This book is witty and funny and has wildfire moments. Not as much spice as other romances, but a solid story line.

I tried to Google what the trope here would be, and it suggests "Messy Love" and I love that. So, I'm adding that to my favorite romance tropes. Lana and Ethan are messy in their chemistry, not in their lives. It's perfect.

*No audiobook version was listed to review but I did listen to this one.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny British romcom from a fav author. This one sees a woman about to turn 30 dreading attending her sister's destination wedding in Australia that is going to be on her actual birthday! Desperate to find a plus one, she tries a series of guys she finds through an app only for them to all be duds. When the one that got away shows up willing and with a valid passport, it seems like fate but will they survive the trip, the only one bed situation and all the feelings it brings back?? Funny and heartfelt, this was a fun, lighthearted read and good on audio.

[SelkieReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!
Super quick and easy read and I really appreciate that it had a few twists and turns so it wasn’t predictable!
I loved the MMC, gold retriever energy
The FMC was a bit wishy washy for me and who gets to thirty without knowing how love is suppose to feel????

The main reasons it’s not a 5 star is her family doesn’t get called out for treating her like crap her entire life and no epilogue!
No glimpse of a big HEA?????

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had fun reading this book! It has a little bit more spice (still fade to black) than Portia's the books, and I loved it. It helped to emphasize their pull and connection to each other. I thought the two main characters did a good job at balancing each other out. I had quite a few laughs with their ever growing hysterics. I do wish her family was confronted or got their comeuppance so to speak. I also wish there was an HEA but who knows...maybe there will be another book!

[Melanie Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the cutest little romance story. It was equal parts cute and cringe!

The audiobook was a fun journey, that was easy to follow along with and kept me entertained, just the way I like!

I really was at a loss for what was going to happen in this book and was just along for the ride. I loved the ending and the only critique I have is that, a few more funny jokes would've been nice! The humor was great, just not as frequent as I would've liked.

[Tish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was gagging for a bit of a summer read, spotted this on prime, took a cover based risk, was screaming everything I wanted and did it deliver..

No.

😂

This reads like a first draft, like it's not been proof read or developed 😬. It was repetitive, predictable and honestly all the characters annoyed me including the FMC.

I don't know the author, I don't know if this a one off bad version of her writing but there's much better summer easy going reads out there and it's a lesson to me to stop just downloading books from prime cause I like the covers 😂😂

[Stephanie Maynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy cozy romance.

I appreciated that Lana didn’t stray down the path of revenge against her oblivious younger sister and out of touch father and step mother. Hilarity still ensues - even when the characters aren’t trying to cause chaos and this was definitely Ethan and Lana’s vibe.

[Sarah Wofford · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This was a fun read. I listened to this book after reading a book with a heavier subject matter. While the characters were kind of shallow with little development, the story made me laugh and it was cute. Would recommend as a fluff read!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Alicia Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Portia Macintosh is always good for a quick fun read! As with most books like this, the outcome was predictable but there’s times that it’s nice to just read something fun and lighthearted that’ll give you some good laughs throughout!

[Margarida Dengucho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally no brain power silly romance, had a lovely time and it was exactly what I needed