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Wed or Alive: The BRAND NEW smart and hilariously funny rom-com from Portia MacIntosh for 2026
Discover the next BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from MULTI-MILLION-COPY bestseller Portia MacIntosh She’s not getting hitched. He’s just here for the ride.
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
💖 Praise for Portia 💖
'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite rom com.' Shari Low
'I laughed, I cried - I loved it.’ Holly Martin
'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin
‘This is one of the easiest 5 stars I have given’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
‘Portia Macintosh 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!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
‘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!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
💖 Praise for Portia 💖
'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite rom com.' Shari Low
'I laughed, I cried - I loved it.’ Holly Martin
'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin
‘This is one of the easiest 5 stars I have given’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
‘Portia Macintosh 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!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
‘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!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
118 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Portia MacIntosh
62 books2,217 followersPortia 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 29, 2026
Wed or Alive by Portia MacIntosh
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
My Opinion
Wed or Alive is another delightful novel by Portia MacIntosh. With some relatable characters Wed or Alive was a quick and easy read. Portia MacIntosh has written a page-turner that had me laughing in places. A highly recommended novel.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
My Opinion
Wed or Alive is another delightful novel by Portia MacIntosh. With some relatable characters Wed or Alive was a quick and easy read. Portia MacIntosh has written a page-turner that had me laughing in places. A highly recommended novel.
Rating 4/5
April 23, 2026
Another great Rom com by the queen of Rom coms! I loved this! I especially loved that you start off routing for one person before you see they’re not right together and route for someone else!
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC to review!
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC to review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2026
laugh-out-loud fake dating romantic comedy
It was very funny I enjoyed it!!
Sometimes love shows up in cowboy boots 🐎❣️
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
Tropes:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Cowboy hero
✨ Wedding setting
✨ Chaotic meet-cute
✨ Forced proximity
It was very funny I enjoyed it!!
Sometimes love shows up in cowboy boots 🐎❣️
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
Tropes:
✨ Fake dating
✨ Cowboy hero
✨ Wedding setting
✨ Chaotic meet-cute
✨ Forced proximity
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Whitney is out here living the kind of life that makes you want to gently take her by the shoulders and say, “Babes… we need to make better choices.” Not bad choices, just… aggressively avoidant ones. She’s stuck in a career that isn’t popping, writing a rom-com no one wants, and casually realizing she’s in love with her best friend Andy at the exact worst possible time. Which is, of course, the moment he returns from a trip engaged to someone else with a wedding date that feels personally offensive in its urgency.
And I’m sorry, but nothing will ever hit quite like that specific emotional gut punch. That is not a plot twist, that is a targeted attack.
The setup is giving "My Best Friend’s Wedding but add a cowboy,” and honestly, I was seated. Fully buckled in. Ready to spiral with her. Because Whitney’s whole thing is that she’s not dramatic, but her life is quietly on fire. And her best friend JJ, who is also her agent, is out here throwing gasoline on that fire in the name of “career growth” and “main character energy.” JJ is… a lot. Like, I get what she’s trying to do, but also if my friend set me up on that many chaotic dates, I would block her number and move to a different country.
Which, coincidentally, might still be less chaotic than what actually happens.
Enter Jake, the cowboy. And listen, I know “cowboy” in a rom-com is basically a personality trait, but he really is just… a nice man. Like, aggressively nice. Calm, supportive, emotionally available in a way that makes you suspicious. He swoops in via a viral moment that feels straight out of a Netflix montage, and suddenly we’re in fake engagement territory because Whitney needs a real-life love story to sell her book, and Jake needs to look like a wholesome family man to secure this estate deal. Capitalism, but make it romantic.
The trope math is working overtime here. Fake dating, forced proximity, best friend angst, a looming wedding, a viral moment. It’s like the book opened Pinterest and said, “Yes, all of it.”
And I did have fun. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I didn’t. The humor is very easy, very breezy, very “I could read this on vacation and forget my responsibilities exist.” Whitney is likable in that self-deprecating, slightly messy way where you’re rooting for her even when she’s making choices that make you whisper, “Girl… no.”
But here’s where I lean over and lower my voice like we’re gossiping in a corner booth.
The pacing is… strange. It takes a while to even get to Jake, which is bold for a book where he is literally the cowboy on the cover. By the time he shows up, you’re like, “Oh! Right. The man I was promised.” And then once he is there, everything moves very quickly, but also somehow not deeply. It’s giving fast-forwarded feelings.
And the chemistry? It’s cute. It’s pleasant. It’s two very nice people being nice to each other. But I kept waiting for that moment where I feel slightly unwell about them. You know the one. That “oh no, I am emotionally invested in strangers” feeling. And instead I was like, “Aw, good for them.” Which is… not the same thing.
Jake especially feels like he wandered in from a different book where he has a full personality and a tragic backstory, but here he’s mostly just being supportive and handsome. Which, don’t get me wrong, is a great quality in a man. But in a rom-com, I want a little chaos. I want a little tension. I want at least one moment where I question his decision-making skills.
Instead, he’s just out here thriving emotionally while Whitney is still mentally circling Andy like a confused Roomba. And speaking of Andy… the emotional core of this book is actually less about the romance and more about Whitney figuring out the difference between loving someone and being in love with them. Which I did appreciate. That’s real. That’s messy. That’s the kind of thing that sneaks up on you and ruins your week.
But the execution sometimes feels like it’s juggling too many plotlines. You’ve got the career arc, the fake relationship, the best friend wedding drama, the viral fame angle, and some side character chaos that doesn’t always land. So instead of one strong emotional throughline, it’s more like a bunch of smaller ones politely taking turns.
Still, I can’t be mad at a book that made me laugh, gave me a cowboy, and let a woman have a full identity crisis without punishing her for it. This is a solid 3.5 stars. The kind of book you text your friend about like, “This was cute, I had a good time, I just wish it hit a little harder emotionally.” It’s charming, it’s chaotic in a low-stakes way, and it absolutely delivers on the rom-com fantasy… just without that extra spark that would have made it unforgettable.
And honestly, thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC, because nothing says self-care like watching someone else’s romantic life implode while a very polite cowboy stands nearby, emotionally available and ready to fix things.
And I’m sorry, but nothing will ever hit quite like that specific emotional gut punch. That is not a plot twist, that is a targeted attack.
The setup is giving "My Best Friend’s Wedding but add a cowboy,” and honestly, I was seated. Fully buckled in. Ready to spiral with her. Because Whitney’s whole thing is that she’s not dramatic, but her life is quietly on fire. And her best friend JJ, who is also her agent, is out here throwing gasoline on that fire in the name of “career growth” and “main character energy.” JJ is… a lot. Like, I get what she’s trying to do, but also if my friend set me up on that many chaotic dates, I would block her number and move to a different country.
Which, coincidentally, might still be less chaotic than what actually happens.
Enter Jake, the cowboy. And listen, I know “cowboy” in a rom-com is basically a personality trait, but he really is just… a nice man. Like, aggressively nice. Calm, supportive, emotionally available in a way that makes you suspicious. He swoops in via a viral moment that feels straight out of a Netflix montage, and suddenly we’re in fake engagement territory because Whitney needs a real-life love story to sell her book, and Jake needs to look like a wholesome family man to secure this estate deal. Capitalism, but make it romantic.
The trope math is working overtime here. Fake dating, forced proximity, best friend angst, a looming wedding, a viral moment. It’s like the book opened Pinterest and said, “Yes, all of it.”
And I did have fun. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I didn’t. The humor is very easy, very breezy, very “I could read this on vacation and forget my responsibilities exist.” Whitney is likable in that self-deprecating, slightly messy way where you’re rooting for her even when she’s making choices that make you whisper, “Girl… no.”
But here’s where I lean over and lower my voice like we’re gossiping in a corner booth.
The pacing is… strange. It takes a while to even get to Jake, which is bold for a book where he is literally the cowboy on the cover. By the time he shows up, you’re like, “Oh! Right. The man I was promised.” And then once he is there, everything moves very quickly, but also somehow not deeply. It’s giving fast-forwarded feelings.
And the chemistry? It’s cute. It’s pleasant. It’s two very nice people being nice to each other. But I kept waiting for that moment where I feel slightly unwell about them. You know the one. That “oh no, I am emotionally invested in strangers” feeling. And instead I was like, “Aw, good for them.” Which is… not the same thing.
Jake especially feels like he wandered in from a different book where he has a full personality and a tragic backstory, but here he’s mostly just being supportive and handsome. Which, don’t get me wrong, is a great quality in a man. But in a rom-com, I want a little chaos. I want a little tension. I want at least one moment where I question his decision-making skills.
Instead, he’s just out here thriving emotionally while Whitney is still mentally circling Andy like a confused Roomba. And speaking of Andy… the emotional core of this book is actually less about the romance and more about Whitney figuring out the difference between loving someone and being in love with them. Which I did appreciate. That’s real. That’s messy. That’s the kind of thing that sneaks up on you and ruins your week.
But the execution sometimes feels like it’s juggling too many plotlines. You’ve got the career arc, the fake relationship, the best friend wedding drama, the viral fame angle, and some side character chaos that doesn’t always land. So instead of one strong emotional throughline, it’s more like a bunch of smaller ones politely taking turns.
Still, I can’t be mad at a book that made me laugh, gave me a cowboy, and let a woman have a full identity crisis without punishing her for it. This is a solid 3.5 stars. The kind of book you text your friend about like, “This was cute, I had a good time, I just wish it hit a little harder emotionally.” It’s charming, it’s chaotic in a low-stakes way, and it absolutely delivers on the rom-com fantasy… just without that extra spark that would have made it unforgettable.
And honestly, thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC, because nothing says self-care like watching someone else’s romantic life implode while a very polite cowboy stands nearby, emotionally available and ready to fix things.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Portia MacIntosh’s Wed or Alive grabbed me by the collar, threw me headfirst into a fountain of secondhand embarrassment, and then had the audacity to ask me to pick a man while I was still soaking wet and emotionally compromised. Published by Boldwood Books—huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC that absolutely hijacked my reading schedule and my sanity in the best way.
This is one of those rom-coms that knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in—messy feelings, chaotic timing, and a love triangle that refuses to behave. Whitney is a struggling rom-com writer whose life is already teetering when she realizes she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy… only for him to return from a trip very much engaged and very much not hers. Enter emotional damage. And then, because the universe clearly thrives on chaos, she quite literally crashes into Jake—a cowboy with his own agenda—and suddenly she’s fake-engaged, semi-viral, and starring in the kind of love story she’s been trying to write.
And listen… this reading experience felt like being inside Whitney’s head in the most painfully relatable way. The overthinking? Olympic level. The denial? Professional grade. I spent half the book yelling “GIRL PLEASE” and the other half clutching my chest because I got it. Andy is that comfortable, history-heavy love that feels safe but complicated, while Jake is the unexpected plot twist—the one who shows up halfway through and somehow rewrites the entire story without even trying too hard. The tension between what’s real and what’s performed is where this book quietly shines.
“There’s a difference between the life you think you want… and the one that actually makes you happy.”
Let’s talk characters, because they carry this story. Whitney is messy but endearing—the kind of main character who doesn’t always make the right choice but feels very human doing it. Andy had me pacing because I could not decide if I wanted to root for him or stage an intervention. JJ? Absolute chaos agent. She’s bold, intrusive, occasionally doing the most—but also the kind of friend who forces you to stop playing small, even if it’s a little unhinged. And Jake… yeah, no notes. Sweet, steady, cowboy energy with just enough emotional depth to make you believe in the slow shift from pretend to something very, very real.
Now, real talk—the pacing isn’t flawless. It takes a minute to fully settle in, and some of the emotional transitions happen a little faster than I wanted. I wanted just a bit more tension, a little more time to sit in those feelings before everything clicked into place. But once it hits its stride? It’s the kind of book you fly through with a grin on your face and zero regrets.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is for the reader who lives for fake dating, accidental viral moments, chaotic best friends, and that delicious “wait… this isn’t fake anymore, is it?” realization. It’s for anyone who loves their romance with humor, heart, and just enough emotional confusion to make it feel real. It’s not here to devastate you—it’s here to entertain you, wrap you up in a little chaos, and remind you that sometimes the story you planned isn’t the one you’re meant to live.
So be honest… are you choosing the person who’s always been there—or the one who walks in late and somehow becomes everything?
#WedorAlive #PortiaMacIntosh #RomComReads #FakeDating #CowboyRomance #Bookstagram #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #RomanceBooks #WomensFiction #ChickLit #BookReview #CozyReads #EnemiesToLoversVibes #FriendsToLovers #BookishObsessed
This is one of those rom-coms that knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in—messy feelings, chaotic timing, and a love triangle that refuses to behave. Whitney is a struggling rom-com writer whose life is already teetering when she realizes she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy… only for him to return from a trip very much engaged and very much not hers. Enter emotional damage. And then, because the universe clearly thrives on chaos, she quite literally crashes into Jake—a cowboy with his own agenda—and suddenly she’s fake-engaged, semi-viral, and starring in the kind of love story she’s been trying to write.
And listen… this reading experience felt like being inside Whitney’s head in the most painfully relatable way. The overthinking? Olympic level. The denial? Professional grade. I spent half the book yelling “GIRL PLEASE” and the other half clutching my chest because I got it. Andy is that comfortable, history-heavy love that feels safe but complicated, while Jake is the unexpected plot twist—the one who shows up halfway through and somehow rewrites the entire story without even trying too hard. The tension between what’s real and what’s performed is where this book quietly shines.
“There’s a difference between the life you think you want… and the one that actually makes you happy.”
Let’s talk characters, because they carry this story. Whitney is messy but endearing—the kind of main character who doesn’t always make the right choice but feels very human doing it. Andy had me pacing because I could not decide if I wanted to root for him or stage an intervention. JJ? Absolute chaos agent. She’s bold, intrusive, occasionally doing the most—but also the kind of friend who forces you to stop playing small, even if it’s a little unhinged. And Jake… yeah, no notes. Sweet, steady, cowboy energy with just enough emotional depth to make you believe in the slow shift from pretend to something very, very real.
Now, real talk—the pacing isn’t flawless. It takes a minute to fully settle in, and some of the emotional transitions happen a little faster than I wanted. I wanted just a bit more tension, a little more time to sit in those feelings before everything clicked into place. But once it hits its stride? It’s the kind of book you fly through with a grin on your face and zero regrets.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is for the reader who lives for fake dating, accidental viral moments, chaotic best friends, and that delicious “wait… this isn’t fake anymore, is it?” realization. It’s for anyone who loves their romance with humor, heart, and just enough emotional confusion to make it feel real. It’s not here to devastate you—it’s here to entertain you, wrap you up in a little chaos, and remind you that sometimes the story you planned isn’t the one you’re meant to live.
So be honest… are you choosing the person who’s always been there—or the one who walks in late and somehow becomes everything?
#WedorAlive #PortiaMacIntosh #RomComReads #FakeDating #CowboyRomance #Bookstagram #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #RomanceBooks #WomensFiction #ChickLit #BookReview #CozyReads #EnemiesToLoversVibes #FriendsToLovers #BookishObsessed
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC copy received from Netgalley.
My Best Friend’s Wedding meets The Longest Ride… with a delightfully chaotic twist.
There is something magical about diving into a book without dissecting the synopsis beforehand. The story unfolds like a surprise gift, and this one delivered in the best way.
What started as a seemingly familiar friends-to-lovers setup quickly pivoted into something far more entertaining.
At first, it felt like a gentle, predictable path… and then Jake arrived. From that moment on, the entire story shifted gears. He didn’t just enter the narrative, he completely took it over, and suddenly I was no longer invested in the “expected” outcome. Andy faded into the background while Jake effortlessly stole the spotlight.
Romcoms are a favorite for me due to their comforting predictability, but Wed or Alive managed to keep that charm while still surprising me. The plot zigged when I expected it to zag, and I found myself flying through the pages, completely hooked on every unexpected turn and chaotic moment.
The humor is absolutely top-tier. This is not a gentle chuckle kind of funny. It is full-on, laugh-out-loud, unfiltered cackling that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The kind of humor that makes a good story, great and unforgettable.
Whit is incredibly relatable as a character. A classic reader and writer, always caught in her own thoughts, comfortably introverted, and prone to overthinking everything. Her internal spiral over her feelings is both endearing and genuinely funny, making her easy to connect with from the very beginning.
Jake, however, is the undeniable standout. Sweet, attentive, and an animal lover, he brings a warmth to the story that is impossible to resist. Every scene with him feels like a highlight.
JJ adds a bold, chaotic energy to the mix. While her sass and humor bring plenty of entertainment, her intensity can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Still, her loyalty and fierce love for her best friend shine through, grounding her character in a way that makes her role meaningful.
Overall, this romcom is an absolute joy. Sweet, charming, and filled with just the right amount of chaos. The country estate setting wraps everything in a cozy, small-town atmosphere, while the romance remains tender, funny, and full of heart. The friendships are messy, loud, and beautifully real, tying the entire story together into a five-star reading experience.
My Best Friend’s Wedding meets The Longest Ride… with a delightfully chaotic twist.
There is something magical about diving into a book without dissecting the synopsis beforehand. The story unfolds like a surprise gift, and this one delivered in the best way.
What started as a seemingly familiar friends-to-lovers setup quickly pivoted into something far more entertaining.
At first, it felt like a gentle, predictable path… and then Jake arrived. From that moment on, the entire story shifted gears. He didn’t just enter the narrative, he completely took it over, and suddenly I was no longer invested in the “expected” outcome. Andy faded into the background while Jake effortlessly stole the spotlight.
Romcoms are a favorite for me due to their comforting predictability, but Wed or Alive managed to keep that charm while still surprising me. The plot zigged when I expected it to zag, and I found myself flying through the pages, completely hooked on every unexpected turn and chaotic moment.
The humor is absolutely top-tier. This is not a gentle chuckle kind of funny. It is full-on, laugh-out-loud, unfiltered cackling that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The kind of humor that makes a good story, great and unforgettable.
Whit is incredibly relatable as a character. A classic reader and writer, always caught in her own thoughts, comfortably introverted, and prone to overthinking everything. Her internal spiral over her feelings is both endearing and genuinely funny, making her easy to connect with from the very beginning.
Jake, however, is the undeniable standout. Sweet, attentive, and an animal lover, he brings a warmth to the story that is impossible to resist. Every scene with him feels like a highlight.
JJ adds a bold, chaotic energy to the mix. While her sass and humor bring plenty of entertainment, her intensity can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Still, her loyalty and fierce love for her best friend shine through, grounding her character in a way that makes her role meaningful.
Overall, this romcom is an absolute joy. Sweet, charming, and filled with just the right amount of chaos. The country estate setting wraps everything in a cozy, small-town atmosphere, while the romance remains tender, funny, and full of heart. The friendships are messy, loud, and beautifully real, tying the entire story together into a five-star reading experience.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a light and fun read. But not enough to go over the 3 ⭐ rating for me. To go over that, I need more depth and intensity.
📖 Story: Whitney is a writer desperate to publish her own romance novel, in her own name, not biographies for others. But the market it tough and JJ, her bestie, who's also her agent, tells her she needs to become viral.
Whit' also desperately single. While her male best friend and roommate, Andy, is away on a business trip, JJ sets her up on blind dates...that go so poorly!
But what if all those dates are awful because Whitney's in love with Andy?
Unfortunately for her and her grand gesture, Andy's come home with a girl... and he's engaged to her! And they're getting married next month.
By a twist of fate, she meets a guy that has main love interest energy. Plus he's a cowboy. And they went viral!
Fake dating that is a win-win-win starts.
And well.. you'll have to read to find out if there's a love triangle and who Whit' ends up with.
📚 Tropes: fake dating or rather fake engagement, marketing ploy, cowboy x writer, set in England.
🌶️ Spice: None. It's a closed doors romance.
🤓 This was a fun and light read. I know romcoms are supposed to be short but it lacked a bit of substance.
The cowboy Jake felt a little flat. Main love interest energy, good listener, extremely hot. Sure but... he was so easy going that it seemed he didn't really have a personality.
He made women drool and I kind of expected us to get at least one pick in the bedroom but we just had a couple of kisses. I'm not one that demands smut in her book. It is clearly not needed all of the time. But here? It would have made so much sense.
All in all, the booked lacked a bit of the secret sauce for me. It was still a good story and a good time!
It was a page turner so if you want that and an easy going fake engagement, go for it!
I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley!
📖 Story: Whitney is a writer desperate to publish her own romance novel, in her own name, not biographies for others. But the market it tough and JJ, her bestie, who's also her agent, tells her she needs to become viral.
Whit' also desperately single. While her male best friend and roommate, Andy, is away on a business trip, JJ sets her up on blind dates...that go so poorly!
But what if all those dates are awful because Whitney's in love with Andy?
Unfortunately for her and her grand gesture, Andy's come home with a girl... and he's engaged to her! And they're getting married next month.
By a twist of fate, she meets a guy that has main love interest energy. Plus he's a cowboy. And they went viral!
Fake dating that is a win-win-win starts.
And well.. you'll have to read to find out if there's a love triangle and who Whit' ends up with.
📚 Tropes: fake dating or rather fake engagement, marketing ploy, cowboy x writer, set in England.
🌶️ Spice: None. It's a closed doors romance.
🤓 This was a fun and light read. I know romcoms are supposed to be short but it lacked a bit of substance.
The cowboy Jake felt a little flat. Main love interest energy, good listener, extremely hot. Sure but... he was so easy going that it seemed he didn't really have a personality.
He made women drool and I kind of expected us to get at least one pick in the bedroom but we just had a couple of kisses. I'm not one that demands smut in her book. It is clearly not needed all of the time. But here? It would have made so much sense.
All in all, the booked lacked a bit of the secret sauce for me. It was still a good story and a good time!
It was a page turner so if you want that and an easy going fake engagement, go for it!
I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Wed or Alive was quite the ride! At first, I was worried the plot might be predictable but was pleasantly surprised by a snowball of unexpected happenings that kept changing the playing field. I really appreciated the author's restraint for each event to unfold in turn, barely giving the reader and characters to continually adjust. This kept the story fresh and engaging, and I felt like these dominoes propelled the characters along more rapid development that, perhaps, should have been happening more gradually over the years that Whitney and Andy remained comfortable and, essentially, idle in their relationship(s).
Whitney is a delightfully relatable FMC. When we meet her she's in a relatively comfortable job and living situation, seemingly content to continue on status quo. However, JJ, her female BFF and literary agent, is pushing her to reach for something more. Tired of Whitney sidelining herself, JJ chaotically drags her off the metaphorical couch and aggressively (and repeatedly) douses the unfussy Whitney in main character energy. Thank God she does because, eventually, we see our leading lady step out and step into the spotlight of her love life.
Jake, our MMC, comes in to be Whitney's leading man. This swoony cowboy millionaire agrees to help Whitney in a mutually beneficial business arrange. He makes all the right moves and checks all the right boxes. He's exactly what Whitney needs, but he's a little too much of a strong and silent type for me. The overall story was hilarious and engaging, and I wish we could have seen a little more personality from Jake, especially set against such an expressive and extroverted cast. But, perhaps that just my personal preferences for the quirky and weird coming through.
Wed or Alive was quite the ride! At first, I was worried the plot might be predictable but was pleasantly surprised by a snowball of unexpected happenings that kept changing the playing field. I really appreciated the author's restraint for each event to unfold in turn, barely giving the reader and characters to continually adjust. This kept the story fresh and engaging, and I felt like these dominoes propelled the characters along more rapid development that, perhaps, should have been happening more gradually over the years that Whitney and Andy remained comfortable and, essentially, idle in their relationship(s).
Whitney is a delightfully relatable FMC. When we meet her she's in a relatively comfortable job and living situation, seemingly content to continue on status quo. However, JJ, her female BFF and literary agent, is pushing her to reach for something more. Tired of Whitney sidelining herself, JJ chaotically drags her off the metaphorical couch and aggressively (and repeatedly) douses the unfussy Whitney in main character energy. Thank God she does because, eventually, we see our leading lady step out and step into the spotlight of her love life.
Jake, our MMC, comes in to be Whitney's leading man. This swoony cowboy millionaire agrees to help Whitney in a mutually beneficial business arrange. He makes all the right moves and checks all the right boxes. He's exactly what Whitney needs, but he's a little too much of a strong and silent type for me. The overall story was hilarious and engaging, and I wish we could have seen a little more personality from Jake, especially set against such an expressive and extroverted cast. But, perhaps that just my personal preferences for the quirky and weird coming through.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Definitely this was not what I was expecting when I received the advanced copy of this book!
I went into this expecting a fairly standard friends-to-lovers romcom… and while it starts that way, it very quickly turns into something way more chaotic, funny, and unexpectedly addictive.
Whitney is a romcom writer whose life is very much not giving “romcom” at the moment, and realizing she’s in love with her best friend right as he comes back engaged? Yeah… emotional damage from page one. From there, everything spirals in the best way — including a viral moment and a fake engagement with a cowboy (could not be better tbh with Jake as MMC).
What I really loved is how this plays with your expectations. At first, I thought I knew exactly where the story was going and who I was supposed to root for… and then Jake shows up and completely shifts the dynamic. Suddenly, it’s not so clear-cut anymore, and I found myself rethinking everything alongside Whitney.
Speaking of Whitney — I feel so identified to her. A chronic overthinker, a bit of a mess, and constantly stuck in her own head.
Jake is definitely the standout for me. He has that calm, steady, golden-retriever-but-make-it-cowboy energy that’s just impossible not to love. Their fake relationship turning into something more felt soft, sweet, and just the right amount of swoony.
The humor is also a huge highlight — this isn’t just cute-funny, it’s genuinely laugh-out-loud novel.
Overall though, this was such a fun, light, and entertaining read. If you’re in the mood for something easy, funny, and full of heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
*Thanks NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Portia MacIntosh for this ARC!
I went into this expecting a fairly standard friends-to-lovers romcom… and while it starts that way, it very quickly turns into something way more chaotic, funny, and unexpectedly addictive.
Whitney is a romcom writer whose life is very much not giving “romcom” at the moment, and realizing she’s in love with her best friend right as he comes back engaged? Yeah… emotional damage from page one. From there, everything spirals in the best way — including a viral moment and a fake engagement with a cowboy (could not be better tbh with Jake as MMC).
What I really loved is how this plays with your expectations. At first, I thought I knew exactly where the story was going and who I was supposed to root for… and then Jake shows up and completely shifts the dynamic. Suddenly, it’s not so clear-cut anymore, and I found myself rethinking everything alongside Whitney.
Speaking of Whitney — I feel so identified to her. A chronic overthinker, a bit of a mess, and constantly stuck in her own head.
Jake is definitely the standout for me. He has that calm, steady, golden-retriever-but-make-it-cowboy energy that’s just impossible not to love. Their fake relationship turning into something more felt soft, sweet, and just the right amount of swoony.
The humor is also a huge highlight — this isn’t just cute-funny, it’s genuinely laugh-out-loud novel.
Overall though, this was such a fun, light, and entertaining read. If you’re in the mood for something easy, funny, and full of heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up.
*Thanks NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Portia MacIntosh for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wed or Alive is a fun, chaotic, and effortlessly readable romcom that delivers exactly the kind of lighthearted escapism you want when you pick up a Portia MacIntosh book. Whitney is muddling through a life that isn’t quite working, stuck in a career that won’t take off and slowly realizing she might be in love with her best friend Andy at the absolute worst moment possible… right as he returns engaged with a wedding date that feels wildly too soon. That emotional setup alone is enough to hook you, and from there the story leans fully into its romcom energy with fake dating, a viral meet cute, and the arrival of Jake, a genuinely lovely cowboy who brings a completely different kind of possibility into Whitney’s life. I had a lot of fun with this one. The humor is easy and breezy, Whitney is relatable in her slightly messy and self aware way, and the premise is packed with all the best tropes. That said, the pacing felt a little uneven at times, especially with how long it takes for Jake to properly enter the story and how quickly things then move between them. While their dynamic is sweet and enjoyable, I found myself wanting a bit more depth and emotional intensity to really feel invested. What stood out most for me was the underlying theme of Whitney figuring out the difference between loving someone and being in love with them, which added a thoughtful layer beneath all the chaos. Overall, this is a charming, feel good read that made me laugh and kept me entertained, even if it did not quite hit as deeply as I wanted it to. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was funny and very easy to read, read it in one sitting and had so much fun! It’s messy, has a little bit of drama, a love triangle and the kind of story that feels like it could totally be a Netflix movie / rom-com.
The story follows Whitney, who's a writer and not having much luck with getting her romance novel career take off. Her best friend tries to set her up and she just gets failure after failure until she realizes she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, right as he comes back from a trip with a fiancée and a wedding date that is way too soon. Then she meets Jake, and after a random viral moment that brings them together, they agree to fake date so Whitney can create the kind of real-life romance story publishers want, while Jake gets the image he needs to raise roots locally.
What I liked most about this book is how fun and easy it is to read. The humor feels very light and rom-com movie coded. They're that typical couple that get the lines between pretending and real feelings very blurry. I love how attentive he is of her and how he demonstrates it with little things. The chemistry is there - even though the Matthew McConaughey of it all gave me a little bit of an ick with the southern accent overdone - but still made me want to keep reading just to see how things would play out.
That said, it wasn’t a perfect book for me but still a great and enjoyable read! I still enjoyed the ride, this was still a fun and entertaining story. It’s the kind of book you read when you want something light.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The story follows Whitney, who's a writer and not having much luck with getting her romance novel career take off. Her best friend tries to set her up and she just gets failure after failure until she realizes she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, right as he comes back from a trip with a fiancée and a wedding date that is way too soon. Then she meets Jake, and after a random viral moment that brings them together, they agree to fake date so Whitney can create the kind of real-life romance story publishers want, while Jake gets the image he needs to raise roots locally.
What I liked most about this book is how fun and easy it is to read. The humor feels very light and rom-com movie coded. They're that typical couple that get the lines between pretending and real feelings very blurry. I love how attentive he is of her and how he demonstrates it with little things. The chemistry is there - even though the Matthew McConaughey of it all gave me a little bit of an ick with the southern accent overdone - but still made me want to keep reading just to see how things would play out.
That said, it wasn’t a perfect book for me but still a great and enjoyable read! I still enjoyed the ride, this was still a fun and entertaining story. It’s the kind of book you read when you want something light.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🩷 Blurb-
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
💖 Review -
This was such a cute and entertaining read. I have enjoyed other books by the author and Wed Or Alive certainly didn't disappoint. I loved Whitney's character and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. I also loved hers and Jake's chemistry and the small town place setting in the story sounded cute. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Portia Macintosh and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Whitney’s life is not going to plan. Her romantic comedy novel isn’t selling, her career feels stuck, and by the time she realises she’s in love with her best friend and roommate, Andy, he’s back from his work trip with a fiancée - and a wedding date that is alarmingly soon.
Enter a cowboy with his own problems, including a country estate he’s desperate to buy and an owner who doesn’t trust developers - or men without roots. When a viral moment throws Whitney and Jake together, they strike a deal. Whitney gets the real-life love story publishers want. Jake gets to look like a committed, family-minded man who belongs at Rosewood. All they have to do is pretend they’re in love.
As Andy’s wedding approaches, Whitney uncovers a plot twist that could change everything for him - but the romcom she’s acting out with Jake is starting to feel dangerously real.
Falling for your best friend is complicated, but riding off into the sunset with a cowboy is pure fiction… Right?
💖 Review -
This was such a cute and entertaining read. I have enjoyed other books by the author and Wed Or Alive certainly didn't disappoint. I loved Whitney's character and I wanted her to have the happy ending that she deserved. I also loved hers and Jake's chemistry and the small town place setting in the story sounded cute. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Portia Macintosh and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wed or Alive by Portia MacIntosh is a fun, fast-paced romantic comedy that delivers plenty of laughs, chaos, and heart along the way.
From the very beginning, the story throws you into a whirlwind of wedding drama and unexpected twists. MacIntosh has a great talent for creating hilarious, slightly over-the-top situations that still feel grounded enough to keep you invested. The premise is playful and a little outrageous in the best way, making it such an entertaining escape.
The main character is easy to root for—relatable, flawed, and often caught in increasingly awkward situations that had me cringing and laughing at the same time. Her internal monologue adds a lot of humor, and I appreciated how her journey wasn’t just about romance, but also about figuring out what she really wants.
The romance itself is sweet and engaging, with a nice buildup of chemistry. It doesn’t overshadow the humor, but rather complements it, adding emotional depth beneath all the chaos. Watching the relationship develop alongside all the wedding madness made for a satisfying payoff.
The pacing is quick and keeps the story moving, though some moments lean into predictability. Still, the charm, humor, and lively writing style make it easy to overlook a few familiar tropes.
Overall, Wed or Alive is a lighthearted, feel-good read that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for something fun and uplifting. It’s ideal for fans of romantic comedies who enjoy quirky situations, lovable characters, and a happy ending that leaves you smiling.
From the very beginning, the story throws you into a whirlwind of wedding drama and unexpected twists. MacIntosh has a great talent for creating hilarious, slightly over-the-top situations that still feel grounded enough to keep you invested. The premise is playful and a little outrageous in the best way, making it such an entertaining escape.
The main character is easy to root for—relatable, flawed, and often caught in increasingly awkward situations that had me cringing and laughing at the same time. Her internal monologue adds a lot of humor, and I appreciated how her journey wasn’t just about romance, but also about figuring out what she really wants.
The romance itself is sweet and engaging, with a nice buildup of chemistry. It doesn’t overshadow the humor, but rather complements it, adding emotional depth beneath all the chaos. Watching the relationship develop alongside all the wedding madness made for a satisfying payoff.
The pacing is quick and keeps the story moving, though some moments lean into predictability. Still, the charm, humor, and lively writing style make it easy to overlook a few familiar tropes.
Overall, Wed or Alive is a lighthearted, feel-good read that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for something fun and uplifting. It’s ideal for fans of romantic comedies who enjoy quirky situations, lovable characters, and a happy ending that leaves you smiling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars for me.
Whitney’s life is comlicated,her books are not pickup by any publishing agency,and her best friend Alex comes back from work aboard with fiance.Just in time when she realised that she love him maybe more than a friend.To the rescue comes a cowboy Jack,literally he rescued her in the fountain,and the video went viral,while he was checking her ankle it looks like he proposed.Both need something,Whitney a book deal and Jack a steady girlfriend so he can be seen as a serious family man.Alex's wedding is just days away,and maybe he see that Whitney is the one?It's all getting confusing as Jack is really a good fiancee,and they both getting better at the pretending.Whitney must decide,who she really wants,is it Alex,or Jack who with passing day stealing more of her heart?
It was a fun rom com,time flies by reading this story.Whitney was a typical avoid problems person,who likes to just have peace.Her friend JJ didn't let her hide,and both so different compliment each other.Jack was a nice surprise a genuinely good guy with fun and caring side.Both were working so well,I was rooting for Whitney to make up her mind and don't let that guy go.Little bit fun,little bit hot and little emotional it was a great read,and author become my first to pick up when I crave reading a chick lit and rom com.
Would without a doubt recommend this book for fake dating rom com fans.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood books for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Whitney’s life is comlicated,her books are not pickup by any publishing agency,and her best friend Alex comes back from work aboard with fiance.Just in time when she realised that she love him maybe more than a friend.To the rescue comes a cowboy Jack,literally he rescued her in the fountain,and the video went viral,while he was checking her ankle it looks like he proposed.Both need something,Whitney a book deal and Jack a steady girlfriend so he can be seen as a serious family man.Alex's wedding is just days away,and maybe he see that Whitney is the one?It's all getting confusing as Jack is really a good fiancee,and they both getting better at the pretending.Whitney must decide,who she really wants,is it Alex,or Jack who with passing day stealing more of her heart?
It was a fun rom com,time flies by reading this story.Whitney was a typical avoid problems person,who likes to just have peace.Her friend JJ didn't let her hide,and both so different compliment each other.Jack was a nice surprise a genuinely good guy with fun and caring side.Both were working so well,I was rooting for Whitney to make up her mind and don't let that guy go.Little bit fun,little bit hot and little emotional it was a great read,and author become my first to pick up when I crave reading a chick lit and rom com.
Would without a doubt recommend this book for fake dating rom com fans.
Thank you netgalley and Boldwood books for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a very funny and entertaining read. I devoured this in less than a day.
Whitney is such a relatable main character - the want for a big love, how she views herself. I genuinely sat here only wanting the best for her.
I got a thing for books on books (even if it is technically adjacent being books on author of said books), as well as a strange love for cowboy romances. I’ve been on one horse in my life and I’ve given a goat a manicure (not sure how that counts) but there is something so satisfying about a good cowboy romance.
Everything about this book was just adorable from the meet-cute, to the plot twists. I love the characters and their dynamics with one another; JJ was obviously a hoot and a half.
I will note, this is a very quick read. From being able to finish in one sitting, to the general pacing of the book - everything is almost at light-speed post the first 100 pages. If you're looking for yearning and slow burn, this book probably isn't for you. If you're looking for a book unapologetic with use of common rom-com tropes, with a real guilty pleasure kind of feeling, then this is definitely for you.
I will definitely find myself reading more from this author soon.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the wonderful Portia MacIntosh for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Whitney is such a relatable main character - the want for a big love, how she views herself. I genuinely sat here only wanting the best for her.
I got a thing for books on books (even if it is technically adjacent being books on author of said books), as well as a strange love for cowboy romances. I’ve been on one horse in my life and I’ve given a goat a manicure (not sure how that counts) but there is something so satisfying about a good cowboy romance.
Everything about this book was just adorable from the meet-cute, to the plot twists. I love the characters and their dynamics with one another; JJ was obviously a hoot and a half.
I will note, this is a very quick read. From being able to finish in one sitting, to the general pacing of the book - everything is almost at light-speed post the first 100 pages. If you're looking for yearning and slow burn, this book probably isn't for you. If you're looking for a book unapologetic with use of common rom-com tropes, with a real guilty pleasure kind of feeling, then this is definitely for you.
I will definitely find myself reading more from this author soon.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the wonderful Portia MacIntosh for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Okay so the beginning was a little slow and I was a little unsure in the opening chapters and genuinely wasn't sure it was going to be for me. But something shifted and before I knew it I was completely along for the ride.
Our FMC, Whitney, is really easy to get behind. She's a bit of a mess, a bit lost and very relatable, exactly the kind of character you find yourself quietly cheering on without really realising you're doing it.
Honestly I go back and forth on my feelings about JJ, Whitney's best friend and publisher. Some moments I loved her fiercely- she's funny and loyal and the kind of friend who refuses to let you shrink yourself, which I loved so much. But other moments she was just a lot. I think that's what makes her interesting as a character but it also meant I had very complicated feelings about her throughout which I wasn't entirely expecting.
Jake is such a green flag. He literally moves to a different country, sells his old ranch so he can spend every last minute with his sick dad.
But overall? Really fun read. Genuinely entertaining, an easy read and the kind of book that once it gets going, really gets going. Stick with the slow start, it's worth it.
Sasha
@sash_wilcox
Okay so the beginning was a little slow and I was a little unsure in the opening chapters and genuinely wasn't sure it was going to be for me. But something shifted and before I knew it I was completely along for the ride.
Our FMC, Whitney, is really easy to get behind. She's a bit of a mess, a bit lost and very relatable, exactly the kind of character you find yourself quietly cheering on without really realising you're doing it.
Honestly I go back and forth on my feelings about JJ, Whitney's best friend and publisher. Some moments I loved her fiercely- she's funny and loyal and the kind of friend who refuses to let you shrink yourself, which I loved so much. But other moments she was just a lot. I think that's what makes her interesting as a character but it also meant I had very complicated feelings about her throughout which I wasn't entirely expecting.
Jake is such a green flag. He literally moves to a different country, sells his old ranch so he can spend every last minute with his sick dad.
But overall? Really fun read. Genuinely entertaining, an easy read and the kind of book that once it gets going, really gets going. Stick with the slow start, it's worth it.
Sasha
@sash_wilcox
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wed or Alive was a light, easy romcom read—fun and bingeable, but it stayed a bit surface-level for me 🫶🏼
Whitney is a romance writer trying to get her own big break, stuck publishing everyone else’s stories while secretly dreaming of her own. Add in a chaotic dating life, a best friend/agent pushing her toward “viral” dating content, and a blind-date disaster streak… and things spiral fast.
And then there’s Andy—her best friend and roommate—who might actually be the real love story she’s been avoiding all along. Except he shows up engaged. To someone else.
Enter Jake: cowboy, fake engagement, and instant “main love interest energy.”
✨ what I enjoyed:
• fake dating / fake engagement trope
• best friend’s brother energy vibes
• cowboy MMC
• fast, easy-to-read romcom pacing
• fun premise with viral marketing twist
✨ spice level:
🌶️ closed-door / no spice (clean romance)
✨ what didn’t fully work for me:
• lacked emotional depth and intensity for a 3+ star read
• Jake felt a bit underdeveloped / one-note at times
• relationship dynamics could’ve used more buildup and substance
• I personally wanted more tension (and more something) to really sell the love story
overall: a cute, light fake-dating romcom that’s an easy page-turner, but didn’t quite have that extra spark for me 🤍
Whitney is a romance writer trying to get her own big break, stuck publishing everyone else’s stories while secretly dreaming of her own. Add in a chaotic dating life, a best friend/agent pushing her toward “viral” dating content, and a blind-date disaster streak… and things spiral fast.
And then there’s Andy—her best friend and roommate—who might actually be the real love story she’s been avoiding all along. Except he shows up engaged. To someone else.
Enter Jake: cowboy, fake engagement, and instant “main love interest energy.”
✨ what I enjoyed:
• fake dating / fake engagement trope
• best friend’s brother energy vibes
• cowboy MMC
• fast, easy-to-read romcom pacing
• fun premise with viral marketing twist
✨ spice level:
🌶️ closed-door / no spice (clean romance)
✨ what didn’t fully work for me:
• lacked emotional depth and intensity for a 3+ star read
• Jake felt a bit underdeveloped / one-note at times
• relationship dynamics could’ve used more buildup and substance
• I personally wanted more tension (and more something) to really sell the love story
overall: a cute, light fake-dating romcom that’s an easy page-turner, but didn’t quite have that extra spark for me 🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Books have always been my safe place, and romance is the genre I come back to again and again. One author I have really come to enjoy is Portia MacIntosh. I have already read “Going Overboard,” “A Lot to Unpack,” and “A Shore Thing,” and even though her books are not heavy on spice, I always find myself completely pulled in by her storytelling. There is just something about her writing style that feels fun, easy to read, and hard to put down.
Just like with her other books, this one grabbed my attention right from the start. One of my favorite tropes is “fake relationship,” and this book delivered exactly what I was hoping for with that. I also really enjoyed the “male best friend that she is in love with” element, which added an extra layer of tension and emotion to the story. Watching those dynamics play out kept me fully invested and turning pages.
All in all, this was such an enjoyable read. It had the charm, humor, and heart that I have come to expect from Portia MacIntosh. I finished it with a smile and already looking forward to whatever she writes next. And I am definitely hoping that J. J. gets her own story in the future.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Just like with her other books, this one grabbed my attention right from the start. One of my favorite tropes is “fake relationship,” and this book delivered exactly what I was hoping for with that. I also really enjoyed the “male best friend that she is in love with” element, which added an extra layer of tension and emotion to the story. Watching those dynamics play out kept me fully invested and turning pages.
All in all, this was such an enjoyable read. It had the charm, humor, and heart that I have come to expect from Portia MacIntosh. I finished it with a smile and already looking forward to whatever she writes next. And I am definitely hoping that J. J. gets her own story in the future.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5⭐️
✨️ Fake Engagement
✨️ Cowboy x Romance Author
✨️ Forced Proximity
This was a super cute, light and entertaining read. The characters were fun, the setting was great and I loved the premise of the story.
As much as I enjoyed it, I fear the beginning of the book was far too long which ended up making the rest of the book feel rushed. We didn't even meet the MMC until over 100 pages in to a 281 page book. The first 100 pages we see the FMC, Whitney, go on dates before realising she's in love with her best friend, Andy. She spends all of her time thinking about how great he is, how much she misses him and how much he understands her. This really impacted the way I felt about Jake (the MMC) and made their insta-love chemistry feel unbelievable. I kinda wanted her to end up with Andy 😂 Jake was great, but his scenes felt very surface level.
I really enjoyed the time the group spent together prior to the wedding, especially the dancing and board games! and I really liked Whitneys sense of humour, she is so unapologetically British. I loved that she never settled and refused to give up on finding true love.
If you're looking for a quick and light romcom then I definitely recommend giving it a read.
✨️ Fake Engagement
✨️ Cowboy x Romance Author
✨️ Forced Proximity
This was a super cute, light and entertaining read. The characters were fun, the setting was great and I loved the premise of the story.
As much as I enjoyed it, I fear the beginning of the book was far too long which ended up making the rest of the book feel rushed. We didn't even meet the MMC until over 100 pages in to a 281 page book. The first 100 pages we see the FMC, Whitney, go on dates before realising she's in love with her best friend, Andy. She spends all of her time thinking about how great he is, how much she misses him and how much he understands her. This really impacted the way I felt about Jake (the MMC) and made their insta-love chemistry feel unbelievable. I kinda wanted her to end up with Andy 😂 Jake was great, but his scenes felt very surface level.
I really enjoyed the time the group spent together prior to the wedding, especially the dancing and board games! and I really liked Whitneys sense of humour, she is so unapologetically British. I loved that she never settled and refused to give up on finding true love.
If you're looking for a quick and light romcom then I definitely recommend giving it a read.
April 29, 2026
I loved absolutely everything about this book!
If you’re a fan of Bridget Jones's Diary and My Best Friend's Wedding, this is 100% your next must-read.
Whitney is such a relatable FMC—chaotic, flawed, and instantly lovable. You can’t help but root for her, even when she’s making questionable (but very entertaining) decisions. And JJ? Every girl needs a best friend like her—loyal, hilarious, and always ready to hype you up.
The premise is rom-com perfection: Whitney finally realises she’s in love with her best friend Andy… only for him to return from a trip with a fiancée. Enter Jake—a cowboy in the most unexpected setting—who offers a fake relationship that benefits them both. Naturally, chaos ensues.
And it is glorious.
There were genuine laugh-out-loud moments (the fountain scene lives rent-free in my head), balanced beautifully with emotional beats that really tug at your heart. Whitney’s journey felt authentic, messy, and full of growth.
I especially loved the first-person POV—it pulls you completely into Whitney’s head, making every awkward moment, every hopeful thought, and every heartbreak hit that much harder.
By the end, I was smiling, emotional, and yes… absolutely hugging my Kindle.
A perfect rom-com that delivers humour, heart, and all the feel-good vibes.
If you’re a fan of Bridget Jones's Diary and My Best Friend's Wedding, this is 100% your next must-read.
Whitney is such a relatable FMC—chaotic, flawed, and instantly lovable. You can’t help but root for her, even when she’s making questionable (but very entertaining) decisions. And JJ? Every girl needs a best friend like her—loyal, hilarious, and always ready to hype you up.
The premise is rom-com perfection: Whitney finally realises she’s in love with her best friend Andy… only for him to return from a trip with a fiancée. Enter Jake—a cowboy in the most unexpected setting—who offers a fake relationship that benefits them both. Naturally, chaos ensues.
And it is glorious.
There were genuine laugh-out-loud moments (the fountain scene lives rent-free in my head), balanced beautifully with emotional beats that really tug at your heart. Whitney’s journey felt authentic, messy, and full of growth.
I especially loved the first-person POV—it pulls you completely into Whitney’s head, making every awkward moment, every hopeful thought, and every heartbreak hit that much harder.
By the end, I was smiling, emotional, and yes… absolutely hugging my Kindle.
A perfect rom-com that delivers humour, heart, and all the feel-good vibes.
April 22, 2026
I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I’m not sure how to feel about this one. On one hand, it’s stunningly self-aware (it actually calls out to this on the last page), but on the other hand, it feels like every other romance novel I’ve read over the last few years. I enjoyed parts of it. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I didn’t like how some of the book felt as though it was being written in past tense (particularly at the start of chapters) and other parts felt as though we were witnessing the action fall out in real time. I appreciated the small group of central characters, sometimes things can feel too confusing to follow, especially when the main purpose is to follow a story, rather than delve deeply into the character back stories. I do feel as though the start of the book was slow, it took me forever to get about half way through and then the resolution was completely rushed. I wanted Whitney and Jake to get to know each other better as it seems as though she decided she was in love with him after one picnic date? I don’t know. Not my favourite read of this year but a definite easy summer beach read.
I’m not sure how to feel about this one. On one hand, it’s stunningly self-aware (it actually calls out to this on the last page), but on the other hand, it feels like every other romance novel I’ve read over the last few years. I enjoyed parts of it. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I didn’t like how some of the book felt as though it was being written in past tense (particularly at the start of chapters) and other parts felt as though we were witnessing the action fall out in real time. I appreciated the small group of central characters, sometimes things can feel too confusing to follow, especially when the main purpose is to follow a story, rather than delve deeply into the character back stories. I do feel as though the start of the book was slow, it took me forever to get about half way through and then the resolution was completely rushed. I wanted Whitney and Jake to get to know each other better as it seems as though she decided she was in love with him after one picnic date? I don’t know. Not my favourite read of this year but a definite easy summer beach read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2026
Somewhere between the chaos, the cringe, and the charm, this one completely won me over. I did not go in expecting a quirky British spin on a familiar classic romcom, but once I realized what it was doing, everything clicked into place.
Whitney was easy to root for, and I loved that she was a writer. Her struggle to build a career in a world that rewards visibility and virality gave the story an honesty and depth I wasn’t expecting.
Jake leaned a little too hard into the cowboy charm for me. As a Texan, I can promise no one says “ma’am” and “darling” quite *that* much, but underneath it, he still had warmth and enough emotional depth to make him a great book boyfriend.
What I appreciated most was the emotional core. The story made space for the difference between loving someone deeply and truly being in love with them, and that gave all the rom-com chaos a little more heart. Funny, charming, and a really fun four-star read. ✨📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Whitney was easy to root for, and I loved that she was a writer. Her struggle to build a career in a world that rewards visibility and virality gave the story an honesty and depth I wasn’t expecting.
Jake leaned a little too hard into the cowboy charm for me. As a Texan, I can promise no one says “ma’am” and “darling” quite *that* much, but underneath it, he still had warmth and enough emotional depth to make him a great book boyfriend.
What I appreciated most was the emotional core. The story made space for the difference between loving someone deeply and truly being in love with them, and that gave all the rom-com chaos a little more heart. Funny, charming, and a really fun four-star read. ✨📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2026
I’m going back and forth on my thoughts about this book. Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved Jake. I also really liked Whitney, and every moment they were together. I wish he was introduced earlier in the book.
I don’t think JJ is a good friend (or tbh a good person in general) but she was needed for the story. The timeline with Andy and Cordelia already was quite crazy, but then with her backstory… insane. I genuinely don’t understand why she would make the choices with Andy that she did after all of that (I’m being vague because that develops throughout the story and I’m not wanting to spoil anything).
I’ve found that I really need to like the characters in a book to enjoy the book, even if I like the story (which I did with this!) so even though I really didn’t love the side characters, my love of Jake and Whitney made this a nice read for me. It was very cute, and an easy read.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t think JJ is a good friend (or tbh a good person in general) but she was needed for the story. The timeline with Andy and Cordelia already was quite crazy, but then with her backstory… insane. I genuinely don’t understand why she would make the choices with Andy that she did after all of that (I’m being vague because that develops throughout the story and I’m not wanting to spoil anything).
I’ve found that I really need to like the characters in a book to enjoy the book, even if I like the story (which I did with this!) so even though I really didn’t love the side characters, my love of Jake and Whitney made this a nice read for me. It was very cute, and an easy read.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Funny, charming, a little chaotic, and completely delightful—this book is the perfect example of British humor that never fails me. Even on the worst days, it finds a way to make me laugh, and this story delivers exactly that. More than anything, though, it’s the journey that stood out—it simply felt good to read from beginning to end.
I don’t say this often, but I loved the female main character. Whitney is incredibly easy to root for—insightful, emotionally mature, and full of quiet strength. Her life may seem messy, and at times she appears easily influenced, but there’s much more depth to her. She’s self-aware, layered, and stronger than she first seems, which made her story all the more engaging. The supporting cast adds even more charm, feeling flawed, human, and real.
And coming from someone who loves spoilers… I didn’t even want one this time. This is a story that deserves to unfold naturally—and one that leaves you wishing for just one more chapter.
Thanks NetGalley, author and publisher for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.
I don’t say this often, but I loved the female main character. Whitney is incredibly easy to root for—insightful, emotionally mature, and full of quiet strength. Her life may seem messy, and at times she appears easily influenced, but there’s much more depth to her. She’s self-aware, layered, and stronger than she first seems, which made her story all the more engaging. The supporting cast adds even more charm, feeling flawed, human, and real.
And coming from someone who loves spoilers… I didn’t even want one this time. This is a story that deserves to unfold naturally—and one that leaves you wishing for just one more chapter.
Thanks NetGalley, author and publisher for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.
April 28, 2026
I always enjoy a romcom which pokes fun at the typical tropes you find in these stories and Whitney's cowboy fake fiance lends itself to some laugh out loud moments. In fact, Jake turns out to be so perfect that you are waiting throughout for his motives to be unveiled but he carries on as the perfect boyfriend. I enjoyed trying to figure out what Andy, Whitney's roommate was actually up to but the dynamic between all the characters is entertaining, especially when you add Whitney's agent into the mix.
At the centre of the story is Whitney who turns out to be a likeable character who wants to find her happy ever after. A would be author, she is desperate to hook a publishing contract and it seems, will do anything to try to snag one. As Whitney discovers the reason behind Jake's desire to buy the land and stables, she begins to see him as a fully formed person and understands what is motivating him. This is a light-hearted, fun read, perfect for a summer weekend.
In short: old friends meet new friends
At the centre of the story is Whitney who turns out to be a likeable character who wants to find her happy ever after. A would be author, she is desperate to hook a publishing contract and it seems, will do anything to try to snag one. As Whitney discovers the reason behind Jake's desire to buy the land and stables, she begins to see him as a fully formed person and understands what is motivating him. This is a light-hearted, fun read, perfect for a summer weekend.
In short: old friends meet new friends
April 29, 2026
Another fantastic book from Portia Macintosh. This is the story of Whitney who is a little bit stuck in trying to become a romantic author. Her friend JJ decides she needs a man to focus on and so starts setting her up on dates. The dates were hilarious, and I cringed so hard reading those parts!
After yet another disaster of a date she comes to the conclusion that her perfect man is her best friend Andy...
Only problem is when Andy comes home from a business trip, he has a fiancee....Now she is roped into being his best man. Enter the gorgeous cowboy Jake who saves her from falling in a fountain, giving them a viral moment that means if they keep up the fake charade of being engaged they can both use into their advantage to reach their goals.
This book had me laughing so hard and also feeling so sad for Whitney when she found out Andy was getting married. Thank goodness Jake came along!
Absolutely loved it, and would highly recommend, a fantastic twist on the usual cowboy romance.
After yet another disaster of a date she comes to the conclusion that her perfect man is her best friend Andy...
Only problem is when Andy comes home from a business trip, he has a fiancee....Now she is roped into being his best man. Enter the gorgeous cowboy Jake who saves her from falling in a fountain, giving them a viral moment that means if they keep up the fake charade of being engaged they can both use into their advantage to reach their goals.
This book had me laughing so hard and also feeling so sad for Whitney when she found out Andy was getting married. Thank goodness Jake came along!
Absolutely loved it, and would highly recommend, a fantastic twist on the usual cowboy romance.
May 1, 2026
I received this book as an ARC book from NetGalley. I was a bit annoyed with the FMC on this book and by her guy best friend. It was annoying how the FMC thought she was in love with him and he comes back from his work trip and shows up with a fiancé. When a mishap happens and the FMC is rescued by a handsome cowboy now the guy best friend is uncomfortable and he doesn't leave his fiancé only makes faces at the FMC and acts jealous. That was annoying. The rescuing from the cowboy goes viral so the MMC and FMC decide to pretend they are engaged which benefits both of them. Her in getting her novel published, him with buying the resort they are currently in. They "use" each other and somewhere along the line they end up falling for each other but she is still all about her guy best friend which was annoying. The MMC was just there along for the ride, he never pressured. In the end they end up together and are really engaged no long fake engaged. The guy best friend marries his finance and gets over whatever he was feeling for the FMC.
May 3, 2026
A romcom author who needs a break,
Any chance for romance she agrees to take.
However the men she’s introduced to
Don’t feel right, they just won’t do!
Discussing her ideal with her female best friend
Discovering it’s with her flatmate she loves time to spend
She was going to tell him when he returned once more
But he comes with a fiancée who he clearly adores!
She’s asked to play a key role in their wedding next
She can’t say no, though she’s very perplexed!
But the engagement party has an unexpected twist
In this brilliant read that shouldn’t be missed.
Jake comes to her rescue and is filmed doing so
A deal is stuck, a fake engagement they’ll give a go.
But what happens when fake feelings start to feel real
Can they agree that is what they both feel?
A heartwarming read with lots of dilemmas and laughter
As readers hope they’ll achieve their ’happily ever after’.
For my copy of this lovely read I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this my honest review.
Any chance for romance she agrees to take.
However the men she’s introduced to
Don’t feel right, they just won’t do!
Discussing her ideal with her female best friend
Discovering it’s with her flatmate she loves time to spend
She was going to tell him when he returned once more
But he comes with a fiancée who he clearly adores!
She’s asked to play a key role in their wedding next
She can’t say no, though she’s very perplexed!
But the engagement party has an unexpected twist
In this brilliant read that shouldn’t be missed.
Jake comes to her rescue and is filmed doing so
A deal is stuck, a fake engagement they’ll give a go.
But what happens when fake feelings start to feel real
Can they agree that is what they both feel?
A heartwarming read with lots of dilemmas and laughter
As readers hope they’ll achieve their ’happily ever after’.
For my copy of this lovely read I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks NetGalley and Boldwood Publishers for this ARC.
I had a lovely time reading this book, it was fun, cute and hearty.
It also mixed two of my favourite romance genres - cowboy and book themed (ie, Whitney is an author trying to find her next book).
Essentially, Whitney realises she is in love with her best friend just as he turns up with a fiancé. So, after an accidental viral moment together, she fake dates a Southern cowboy called Jake to make him jealous - and we can all guess where that leads. Fake Dating doesn't always interest me as I find it very unrealistic but I thought it was fun to read and their characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged.
it had elements of multiple movies/books woven throughout it but there was enough emotional depth in their relationship building to ensure I was invested and not too bothered about where the inspiration came from.
I had a lovely time reading this book, it was fun, cute and hearty.
It also mixed two of my favourite romance genres - cowboy and book themed (ie, Whitney is an author trying to find her next book).
Essentially, Whitney realises she is in love with her best friend just as he turns up with a fiancé. So, after an accidental viral moment together, she fake dates a Southern cowboy called Jake to make him jealous - and we can all guess where that leads. Fake Dating doesn't always interest me as I find it very unrealistic but I thought it was fun to read and their characters were interesting enough to keep me engaged.
it had elements of multiple movies/books woven throughout it but there was enough emotional depth in their relationship building to ensure I was invested and not too bothered about where the inspiration came from.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
I had to decompress after a mystery thriller so picked up the recently received book from Portia Macintosh. As usual, the book was funny and somehow, recently I have read a few books where the protaganist is a romance writer. After all the analysis from the authors in the stories, I can relate - people want a happy ending (check) , people want predictability - twists and turns in love but finds love in the end (check) , people want simplicity - I don't want to be bouncing back and forth wondering who is the love interest in the story (check) and this book checks all boxes.
The appearance of a real cowboy threw me off for a bit, but in a swoon-worthy way - like who actually gets rescued by a man on horseback in real life from a fall into the fountain!?
I love books from Portia - always full of happy romantic feelings after each and always looking forward to the next one!
I had to decompress after a mystery thriller so picked up the recently received book from Portia Macintosh. As usual, the book was funny and somehow, recently I have read a few books where the protaganist is a romance writer. After all the analysis from the authors in the stories, I can relate - people want a happy ending (check) , people want predictability - twists and turns in love but finds love in the end (check) , people want simplicity - I don't want to be bouncing back and forth wondering who is the love interest in the story (check) and this book checks all boxes.
The appearance of a real cowboy threw me off for a bit, but in a swoon-worthy way - like who actually gets rescued by a man on horseback in real life from a fall into the fountain!?
I love books from Portia - always full of happy romantic feelings after each and always looking forward to the next one!
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