What do you think?
Rate this book
When Sparks Fly: The BRAND NEW classic autumn romantic comedy with a love triangle from multi-million copy bestseller Portia MacIntosh for 2026
The BRAND NEW sparkling, hilarious, autumnnal romantic read from MULTI-MILLION COPY Bestseller Portia MacIntoshIt’s not just the leaves that are falling
Moving back home was never part of Lia’s plan. But then again, neither was everything falling apart. Now she’s back in the seaside town she swore she’d outgrown - living with her parents, sleeping in her teenage bedroom, and trying not to think too hard about the life she left behind in London.
At first, it’s exactly as she the same pub, the same people, the same routines. Comfortingly familiar and yet completely suffocating. Until one slightly chaotic night leads to her getting locked in a pub toilet with a handsome stranger. He’s charming, funny, mysterious - and gone before she even learns his name.
In a town this small, he’s bound to turn up eventually - but when he does, Lia realises it’s going to be far more complicated than she thought.
When her past and present start to collide, Lia has a keep chasing the life she thought she wanted, or stay put and see what happens when the sparks start flying.
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
Moving back home was never part of Lia’s plan. But then again, neither was everything falling apart. Now she’s back in the seaside town she swore she’d outgrown - living with her parents, sleeping in her teenage bedroom, and trying not to think too hard about the life she left behind in London.
At first, it’s exactly as she the same pub, the same people, the same routines. Comfortingly familiar and yet completely suffocating. Until one slightly chaotic night leads to her getting locked in a pub toilet with a handsome stranger. He’s charming, funny, mysterious - and gone before she even learns his name.
In a town this small, he’s bound to turn up eventually - but when he does, Lia realises it’s going to be far more complicated than she thought.
When her past and present start to collide, Lia has a keep chasing the life she thought she wanted, or stay put and see what happens when the sparks start flying.
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
Audible Audio
Published September 28, 2026
About the author
Portia MacIntosh
59 books2,380 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 26, 2026
🎉Happy Pub Day!🎉
I’ll keep reading this author’s books because they’re all hilarious and I always have a great time. Even when I don’t love the story.
Which was unfortunately the case with this book.
Lia moves back to her hometown and teenage bedroom after losing her boyfriend and her job all at once. There, she meets a handsome stranger who disappears almost immediately. But then she bumps into her brother’s former best friend (and her childhood crush).
I’m still not sure if love triangles are my thing. I think I prefer cleaner setups. Especially the fact that her love interests were brothers gave me a teeny tiny ick. The drama was gooood though 😏😈
I liked the dynamic between Lia and Adam. Si was a bit pathetic, and I didn’t need him getting in the middle of things.
And I hate nonsensical third-act breakups and public grand gestures (the cringe!!!).
The writing, however, was amazing as always, so if love triangles are your thing and you’re not as allergic to third-act breakups and grand gestures as I am, go for it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
I’ll keep reading this author’s books because they’re all hilarious and I always have a great time. Even when I don’t love the story.
Which was unfortunately the case with this book.
Lia moves back to her hometown and teenage bedroom after losing her boyfriend and her job all at once. There, she meets a handsome stranger who disappears almost immediately. But then she bumps into her brother’s former best friend (and her childhood crush).
I’m still not sure if love triangles are my thing. I think I prefer cleaner setups. Especially the fact that her love interests were brothers gave me a teeny tiny ick. The drama was gooood though 😏😈
I liked the dynamic between Lia and Adam. Si was a bit pathetic, and I didn’t need him getting in the middle of things.
And I hate nonsensical third-act breakups and public grand gestures (the cringe!!!).
The writing, however, was amazing as always, so if love triangles are your thing and you’re not as allergic to third-act breakups and grand gestures as I am, go for it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
October 1, 2026
In case you're wondering if you've read this before and feel like you're going crazy because "you couldn't have, its new!" I'm here to tell you - you're not crazy! This is an expansion of PM's novella, One of the Boys, with a new title and cute autumn cover. Still a fun story, but a bummer that it isn't actually new to anyone who has already read all Portia Macintosh's books.
October 9, 2026
I love Portia MacIntosh’s books and this has all the hallmarks: cute, capable but never takes herself too seriously female main character, adorable, fun loving but swoon-worthy male main character, hilarious, relatable situations, and fun banter. However, in this one, Leah was a little too wishy washy for me and it took away some of my enjoyment of the book. Otherwise, this was a lot of fun! (I laughed so hard at the server in the restaurant when she was on a date.) I look forward to many more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.
September 21, 2026
Funny and light. Enjoyed it. The love triangle angle didn’t really work for me but other than that it was a great witty read.
Another enjoyable read by PM. Look forward to her next book
Another enjoyable read by PM. Look forward to her next book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So I have never read a Portia MacIntosh book before; I know what I know, and I am very narrow about it, but this book is cute, charming, funny, and a typical rom-com sort of book. I can normally read a 300-page book in less than 4 hours, but I wasn't completely sold on this book and kept reading children's books alongside it to just break it up.
The story itself starts really strong, with Lila having to move back home after a breakup- something which is very relatable. However, meeting one gentleman and then going back to a previous crush seemed a bit of a whiplash that I wasn't expecting. I also don't like the two love interests who are brothers; it's overdone and just not something I enjoy. I also don't like how the third-act breakup was handled, as it became a little bit too rushed.
I will be reading more Portia McIntosh; this is generally right up my street. Despite my personal preferences, this was a charming book, and I can't wait to read more of Portia MacIntosh's books in the near future.
The story itself starts really strong, with Lila having to move back home after a breakup- something which is very relatable. However, meeting one gentleman and then going back to a previous crush seemed a bit of a whiplash that I wasn't expecting. I also don't like the two love interests who are brothers; it's overdone and just not something I enjoy. I also don't like how the third-act breakup was handled, as it became a little bit too rushed.
I will be reading more Portia McIntosh; this is generally right up my street. Despite my personal preferences, this was a charming book, and I can't wait to read more of Portia MacIntosh's books in the near future.
August 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was great fun! We follow lia who has moved back home after a messy break up with her boyfriend. Lia finds herself in a love triangle and consumes a lot of alcohol.
I feel a little frustrated as the ending felt pretty rushed and we missed finding out things happening to other characters
Overall a very quick easy read if that’s what you’re after for the autumn.
This book was great fun! We follow lia who has moved back home after a messy break up with her boyfriend. Lia finds herself in a love triangle and consumes a lot of alcohol.
I feel a little frustrated as the ending felt pretty rushed and we missed finding out things happening to other characters
Overall a very quick easy read if that’s what you’re after for the autumn.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! SPOILERS 👇 👇
3.5 ⭐
The story follows Lia in a love triangle between two brothers. If you read a lot of Portia's work, this was previously published as "One of the Boys". With this republish, it has a cozy autumn vibe that I'm craving in this heat. I enjoyed this read overall, the meet-cute, the returning to home town/small town life, and the story overall. I wish there was more between the FMC and the MMC but overall I love a HEA.
3.5 ⭐
The story follows Lia in a love triangle between two brothers. If you read a lot of Portia's work, this was previously published as "One of the Boys". With this republish, it has a cozy autumn vibe that I'm craving in this heat. I enjoyed this read overall, the meet-cute, the returning to home town/small town life, and the story overall. I wish there was more between the FMC and the MMC but overall I love a HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 18, 2026When sparks fly - Portia Macintosh
The queen of cozy romance is back and better than ever with a cozy fall romance! I absolutely loved this, perfect read for a rainy day! So classically cozy and fall themed with Portia’s usual cringy but hysterical humour! I abousolutly love the storyline and the little love triangle Lia found herself in! Such a nostalgic read too, makes me wish I had my childhood bedroom to go and look around one more time.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Release date - 28th September 2026
The queen of cozy romance is back and better than ever with a cozy fall romance! I absolutely loved this, perfect read for a rainy day! So classically cozy and fall themed with Portia’s usual cringy but hysterical humour! I abousolutly love the storyline and the little love triangle Lia found herself in! Such a nostalgic read too, makes me wish I had my childhood bedroom to go and look around one more time.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Release date - 28th September 2026
October 5, 2026
This author is just so consistently fun and light-hearted. Was it her best book? Probably not, but it was enjoyable in its predictability, so a solid three for this one.
October 4, 2026
Unfortunately, the one thing I was missing most in this romance was... well, the romance 🤷🏻♀️
For me, it was missing the feelings, desire, emotion, chemistry, intimacy, and overall romantic connection I was hoping for 💔 There was also quite a lot of immaturity, mind games, and indecisiveness, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the story 🥺
I also found the book a little slow and, at times, boring. It’s written entirely from her perspective, but unfortunately, I never felt truly drawn into the story. Not much happens for a large part of the book, and I struggled to feel any real chemistry between the main characters 😔
There’s also a secret that seemingly everyone knows about but refuses to tell her. It eventually turns out to involve her brother, his wife, and some kind of revenge plot. I found this storyline a little confusing, and I didn’t feel that it was developed enough to make a strong impact 😒
The relationship between the main characters also felt quite strange to me—superficial, messy, and immature. The supposed love triangle was confusing as well 😐 At first, it seemed like none of them actually wanted to be with anyone, and then suddenly everyone had feelings. I found it difficult to understand where those emotions came from because, throughout most of the book, I didn’t really feel a genuine emotional connection between the characters 🤔
I also struggled with the characters. They often felt underdeveloped and, at times, a little odd. Her friendship with the girls she has known since school felt particularly strange and somewhat artificial. They are supposedly her friends, yet they often seem to do things that make her look bad or feel miserable, which made their friendship difficult for me to understand 🫤
I did enjoy a few scenes, particularly the bathroom scene, the tree scene, and the final scene at the festival 🌳🎶✨ Those moments stood out to me and were probably my favorites in the book 💛
Unfortunately, overall, this one just wasn’t for me 💔 I think the best thing about the book, for me, was actually the cover—it was what initially caught my eye and made me want to request the ARC 📚✨
I’m disappointed, but I know every book isn’t going to be a perfect match for every reader ❤️
📖 When Sparks Fly by Portia MacIntosh (ARC) 🍂✨🧡
⭐⭐✨ (rounded up)
For me, it was missing the feelings, desire, emotion, chemistry, intimacy, and overall romantic connection I was hoping for 💔 There was also quite a lot of immaturity, mind games, and indecisiveness, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the story 🥺
I also found the book a little slow and, at times, boring. It’s written entirely from her perspective, but unfortunately, I never felt truly drawn into the story. Not much happens for a large part of the book, and I struggled to feel any real chemistry between the main characters 😔
There’s also a secret that seemingly everyone knows about but refuses to tell her. It eventually turns out to involve her brother, his wife, and some kind of revenge plot. I found this storyline a little confusing, and I didn’t feel that it was developed enough to make a strong impact 😒
The relationship between the main characters also felt quite strange to me—superficial, messy, and immature. The supposed love triangle was confusing as well 😐 At first, it seemed like none of them actually wanted to be with anyone, and then suddenly everyone had feelings. I found it difficult to understand where those emotions came from because, throughout most of the book, I didn’t really feel a genuine emotional connection between the characters 🤔
I also struggled with the characters. They often felt underdeveloped and, at times, a little odd. Her friendship with the girls she has known since school felt particularly strange and somewhat artificial. They are supposedly her friends, yet they often seem to do things that make her look bad or feel miserable, which made their friendship difficult for me to understand 🫤
I did enjoy a few scenes, particularly the bathroom scene, the tree scene, and the final scene at the festival 🌳🎶✨ Those moments stood out to me and were probably my favorites in the book 💛
Unfortunately, overall, this one just wasn’t for me 💔 I think the best thing about the book, for me, was actually the cover—it was what initially caught my eye and made me want to request the ARC 📚✨
I’m disappointed, but I know every book isn’t going to be a perfect match for every reader ❤️
📖 When Sparks Fly by Portia MacIntosh (ARC) 🍂✨🧡
⭐⭐✨ (rounded up)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Portia MacIntosh has quickly become one of those authors whose new releases I look forward to every year. Even though her books are not heavy on spice, they always manage to pull me in with their humor, charming characters, and entertaining storylines. Lia's life is definitely not where she expected it to be as she approaches thirty. After losing her job and moving back into her childhood bedroom, she is basically starting over. Of course, a hilarious encounter with a handsome stranger while locked in a pub bathroom gives her something else to think about!
I really liked Lia and enjoyed that the story was told entirely from her perspective. Her quest to find her mystery man was entertaining enough, but things get MUCH more complicated when she reconnects with Si, her brother's former best friend and her childhood crush. Before long, Lia finds herself in the middle of a genuine love triangle, which made this one especially fun. There is also a pretty significant age gap between Lia and Si. I absolutely lost it when they went on a date and the waiter assumed 43-year-old Si was her father. Talk about killing the mood! 😂
There is quite a bit of family drama mixed in with the romance, and I enjoyed slowly discovering why some of these relationships had changed while Lia was away. I also liked watching her figure out what she actually wanted from her life instead of simply trying to recreate what she had before everything fell apart. There were several moments when I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed, only for another complication to pop up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had the humor I expect from Portia MacIntosh, plenty of romantic chaos, some surprising family drama, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. There isn't an epilogue, which I normally miss, but I was satisfied enough with the ending that it didn't bother me nearly as much as it usually would. Another fun read from Portia MacIntosh, and I already cannot wait to see what she writes next!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
I really liked Lia and enjoyed that the story was told entirely from her perspective. Her quest to find her mystery man was entertaining enough, but things get MUCH more complicated when she reconnects with Si, her brother's former best friend and her childhood crush. Before long, Lia finds herself in the middle of a genuine love triangle, which made this one especially fun. There is also a pretty significant age gap between Lia and Si. I absolutely lost it when they went on a date and the waiter assumed 43-year-old Si was her father. Talk about killing the mood! 😂
There is quite a bit of family drama mixed in with the romance, and I enjoyed slowly discovering why some of these relationships had changed while Lia was away. I also liked watching her figure out what she actually wanted from her life instead of simply trying to recreate what she had before everything fell apart. There were several moments when I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed, only for another complication to pop up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had the humor I expect from Portia MacIntosh, plenty of romantic chaos, some surprising family drama, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. There isn't an epilogue, which I normally miss, but I was satisfied enough with the ending that it didn't bother me nearly as much as it usually would. Another fun read from Portia MacIntosh, and I already cannot wait to see what she writes next!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Sparks Fly is exactly what I want from a Portia MacIntosh rom-com: fun, funny, cozy, and guaranteed to make me smile. I’ve read several of her books now, and she has become one of those authors whose name alone is enough to make me want to pick up a book—and this one absolutely delivered.
I loved the autumnal small-town setting. After losing her boyfriend, job, and London flat in quick succession, Lia finds herself back in her childhood bedroom, in the seaside town she thought she had left behind. What follows is a wonderfully chaotic mix of old friendships, family dynamics, questionable amounts of drinking, and, of course, a very complicated love triangle involving two brothers.
Lia was such a fun character to follow, and I particularly loved the friendships and the wider cast of characters. Portia has a real talent for making a fictional community feel alive, and I could easily picture myself wandering around this little seaside town alongside everyone. The humor is also exactly what I’ve come to expect from her—plenty of moments that genuinely made me laugh.
And that love triangle! I definitely had a favorite and spent a good portion of the book wondering how on earth everything was going to work out. The romance, misunderstandings, and unexpected twists kept me invested, while the cozy autumn atmosphere made this such an easy, comforting read.
More than anything, When Sparks Fly is just fun. It isn't trying to reinvent the rom-com, but it doesn't need to. Sometimes you want a book that makes you smile, gives you characters you enjoy spending time with, and lets you escape into a charming little town for a few hours—and this did exactly that.
Another winner from Portia MacIntosh and definitely one of my favorites of hers. If you're looking for a cozy, funny, feel-good autumn romance with a small-town setting and a messy love triangle, add this one to your TBR! 🍂❤️✨
I loved the autumnal small-town setting. After losing her boyfriend, job, and London flat in quick succession, Lia finds herself back in her childhood bedroom, in the seaside town she thought she had left behind. What follows is a wonderfully chaotic mix of old friendships, family dynamics, questionable amounts of drinking, and, of course, a very complicated love triangle involving two brothers.
Lia was such a fun character to follow, and I particularly loved the friendships and the wider cast of characters. Portia has a real talent for making a fictional community feel alive, and I could easily picture myself wandering around this little seaside town alongside everyone. The humor is also exactly what I’ve come to expect from her—plenty of moments that genuinely made me laugh.
And that love triangle! I definitely had a favorite and spent a good portion of the book wondering how on earth everything was going to work out. The romance, misunderstandings, and unexpected twists kept me invested, while the cozy autumn atmosphere made this such an easy, comforting read.
More than anything, When Sparks Fly is just fun. It isn't trying to reinvent the rom-com, but it doesn't need to. Sometimes you want a book that makes you smile, gives you characters you enjoy spending time with, and lets you escape into a charming little town for a few hours—and this did exactly that.
Another winner from Portia MacIntosh and definitely one of my favorites of hers. If you're looking for a cozy, funny, feel-good autumn romance with a small-town setting and a messy love triangle, add this one to your TBR! 🍂❤️✨
October 4, 2026
🎃🍂🧡 When Sparks Fly by Portia MacIntosh
Book 4: Marram Bay Collection (can read as a standalone)
Genre: Rom Com
Length:
Spice: 🫑
Pub Date: September 28, 2026
My Rating: 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Summary:
Lia is about to turn the big 3-0, and has had to move back in with her parents in small town Marram Bay from London after a disastrous failed relationship. Given that said ex was her boss, she is now also unemployed. Thankfully, Lia's two friends from back in the day are raring to take her out and bring her back to life. Lia finds herself in a very confusing love triangle, and she ends up moving in with one (as a flat mate) only to find that the OTHER flat mate is the other! I mean... what could be any messier? Well... it turns out that they are brothers. Will Lia decide the older brother, Si, is a breath of fresh air, or will Adam, the radio DJ, younger brother steal her heart?
Review:
This was one of my favorites by this author (though I love all her rom coms!). There were some tropes that I had never come across all together before, being: brother's best friend's brother, combined with age gap, roommates, love triangle, and small town. It really made for one wild romantic journey with lots of mishaps, laughs, and cringe-worthy situations (that you would want in a rom com). I loved that the love triangle was between two very different brothers, and for a while I could really see how either of them would have been a good choice for Lia, though her heart definitely led her in the right direction at the end. The autumn vibes of this book really got me into the season and it was such a fun and quick read. It is part of the Marram Bay collection, but is easily read as a standalone. I love the idyllic and small town setting of Marram Bay and I think you will to!
Book 4: Marram Bay Collection (can read as a standalone)
Genre: Rom Com
Length:
Spice: 🫑
Pub Date: September 28, 2026
My Rating: 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Summary:
Lia is about to turn the big 3-0, and has had to move back in with her parents in small town Marram Bay from London after a disastrous failed relationship. Given that said ex was her boss, she is now also unemployed. Thankfully, Lia's two friends from back in the day are raring to take her out and bring her back to life. Lia finds herself in a very confusing love triangle, and she ends up moving in with one (as a flat mate) only to find that the OTHER flat mate is the other! I mean... what could be any messier? Well... it turns out that they are brothers. Will Lia decide the older brother, Si, is a breath of fresh air, or will Adam, the radio DJ, younger brother steal her heart?
Review:
This was one of my favorites by this author (though I love all her rom coms!). There were some tropes that I had never come across all together before, being: brother's best friend's brother, combined with age gap, roommates, love triangle, and small town. It really made for one wild romantic journey with lots of mishaps, laughs, and cringe-worthy situations (that you would want in a rom com). I loved that the love triangle was between two very different brothers, and for a while I could really see how either of them would have been a good choice for Lia, though her heart definitely led her in the right direction at the end. The autumn vibes of this book really got me into the season and it was such a fun and quick read. It is part of the Marram Bay collection, but is easily read as a standalone. I love the idyllic and small town setting of Marram Bay and I think you will to!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So, anyone who knows me or follows my reviews will know that I am a huge Portia MacIntosh fan. I actually came across her books completely by accident because we almost share a surname (different spelling). Since then, she has become one of my go-to authors whenever I'm in the mood for a fun rom-com.
I so wanted to love this one, but sadly, I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters in the way I usually do with Portia's books — and I really felt like I should have been able to.
Our MC, Lia, moved away years ago and built a successful career, but when her life falls apart, she finds herself returning home. She reconnects with her old school friends, but sadly, at times I felt like I was back in high school with everyone still trying to settle old scores. For me, some of the characters and their reactions felt more like those of teenagers than adults who had supposedly moved on with their lives, and I found that quite difficult to connect with. There is an interesting love triangle involving two brothers, which added another dynamic to the story and kept me wondering where Lia would eventually end up.
There were still glimpses of the humour and writing style that I usually love from Portia, but unfortunately, this particular story just wasn't for me. That's the beauty of books though — not every book is going to work for every reader, even when it's written by an author you usually love.
I'll absolutely still be picking up Portia's next book because one that doesn't quite hit the mark for me certainly isn't going to stop me reading one of my favourite rom-com authors.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I so wanted to love this one, but sadly, I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters in the way I usually do with Portia's books — and I really felt like I should have been able to.
Our MC, Lia, moved away years ago and built a successful career, but when her life falls apart, she finds herself returning home. She reconnects with her old school friends, but sadly, at times I felt like I was back in high school with everyone still trying to settle old scores. For me, some of the characters and their reactions felt more like those of teenagers than adults who had supposedly moved on with their lives, and I found that quite difficult to connect with. There is an interesting love triangle involving two brothers, which added another dynamic to the story and kept me wondering where Lia would eventually end up.
There were still glimpses of the humour and writing style that I usually love from Portia, but unfortunately, this particular story just wasn't for me. That's the beauty of books though — not every book is going to work for every reader, even when it's written by an author you usually love.
I'll absolutely still be picking up Portia's next book because one that doesn't quite hit the mark for me certainly isn't going to stop me reading one of my favourite rom-com authors.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m going to be honest: after the first chapter, I wasn’t convinced this book was going to be for me. I spent a good portion of the book wondering how Lia managed to remain the only remotely reasonable person in a sea of questionable life choices. 😂
Lia’s mom is overbearing to the extreme. There’s loving your children, and then there’s being completely walked over while enabling them, and Mom was firmly in the latter category for me. Her friends weren’t exactly winning me over either, and her older brother is supposedly in his 40s, but sometimes behaved like he was 12. Needless to say, I had thoughts.
That said, there were definitely moments where the humor worked for me, and I really connected with Lia’s reluctance to put herself back out there. Sometimes you don’t want another grand adventure, you just want to be left alone for a minute.
And the fall atmosphere? PERFECTION. 10/10. 🍂 The seasonal setting absolutely delivered and gave the book that cozy autumn feeling I was looking for.
Most importantly, I really enjoyed the main characters and found myself genuinely rooting for them. Even though quite a few things about this book didn’t completely vibe with me, I couldn’t seem to stop turning the pages. And honestly, that counts for a lot.
So while this wasn’t a perfect match for me, the romance, humor, and absolutely spot-on fall atmosphere kept me invested until the end. Sometimes a book can surround your heroine with enough chaos to make you question everyone’s decision-making skills and still manage to win you over. 😂
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Lia’s mom is overbearing to the extreme. There’s loving your children, and then there’s being completely walked over while enabling them, and Mom was firmly in the latter category for me. Her friends weren’t exactly winning me over either, and her older brother is supposedly in his 40s, but sometimes behaved like he was 12. Needless to say, I had thoughts.
That said, there were definitely moments where the humor worked for me, and I really connected with Lia’s reluctance to put herself back out there. Sometimes you don’t want another grand adventure, you just want to be left alone for a minute.
And the fall atmosphere? PERFECTION. 10/10. 🍂 The seasonal setting absolutely delivered and gave the book that cozy autumn feeling I was looking for.
Most importantly, I really enjoyed the main characters and found myself genuinely rooting for them. Even though quite a few things about this book didn’t completely vibe with me, I couldn’t seem to stop turning the pages. And honestly, that counts for a lot.
So while this wasn’t a perfect match for me, the romance, humor, and absolutely spot-on fall atmosphere kept me invested until the end. Sometimes a book can surround your heroine with enough chaos to make you question everyone’s decision-making skills and still manage to win you over. 😂
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🧡 Blurb -
Moving back home was never part of Lia’s plan. But then again, neither was everything falling apart. Now she’s back in the seaside town she swore she’d outgrown - living with her parents, sleeping in her teenage bedroom, and trying not to think too hard about the life she left behind in London.
At first, it’s exactly as she feared: the same pub, the same people, the same routines. Comfortingly familiar and yet completely suffocating. Until one slightly chaotic night leads to her getting locked in a pub toilet with a handsome stranger. He’s charming, funny, mysterious - and gone before she even learns his name.
In a town this small, he’s bound to turn up eventually - but when he does, Lia realises it’s going to be far more complicated than she thought.
When her past and present start to collide, Lia has a choice: keep chasing the life she thought she wanted, or stay put and see what happens when the sparks start flying.
💚 Review -
I have read and enjoyed other books by the author and When Sparks Fly certainly didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed this novel, I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting, it was a quick and easy to follow read. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. I loved Lia's character and I wanted her to have her happy ending. There was also a good cast of background characters. I highly recommend it and 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.
Moving back home was never part of Lia’s plan. But then again, neither was everything falling apart. Now she’s back in the seaside town she swore she’d outgrown - living with her parents, sleeping in her teenage bedroom, and trying not to think too hard about the life she left behind in London.
At first, it’s exactly as she feared: the same pub, the same people, the same routines. Comfortingly familiar and yet completely suffocating. Until one slightly chaotic night leads to her getting locked in a pub toilet with a handsome stranger. He’s charming, funny, mysterious - and gone before she even learns his name.
In a town this small, he’s bound to turn up eventually - but when he does, Lia realises it’s going to be far more complicated than she thought.
When her past and present start to collide, Lia has a choice: keep chasing the life she thought she wanted, or stay put and see what happens when the sparks start flying.
💚 Review -
I have read and enjoyed other books by the author and When Sparks Fly certainly didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed this novel, I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting, it was a quick and easy to follow read. I loved the author's writing style and the pacing was just right. I loved Lia's character and I wanted her to have her happy ending. There was also a good cast of background characters. I highly recommend it and 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.
October 7, 2026
Firstly, thanks for NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC for this book. Second, sorry to them as well life has been LIFING (had some deaths in the fam) and this just got slide to the side for a bit. But it was a very quick read. I like reading books about people who are “supposed to” have it together because of their age, jobs, whatever societal standards we’ve set and just like don’t for one reason or another. So that was a positive here for me with the FMC. But the way everyone made her feel like a failure for having this one misstep was annoying although, perhaps akin to real life. One mistake does not equal a lifetime of them and doesn’t necessitate a need to bring it up every second like it’s a habit which multiple characters did to her here. I didn’t like that we got info about the bro and the roommate and what their issue was over 70% into the book because she refused to ask about it. And it was a valid reason for them not to be speaking because betrayal! I hate stuff like that in general. The writing was good as well but I will say I hated the way all the chapters ended. They felt like endings to diary entries. Was a lot of unnecessary miscommunication in this book between the characters due to neglecting to have a simple conversation. I’m glad it ended how it did but also you can kinda see where the 1st male interest would have been confused by her behavior given her actions with the 2nd. If you want a quick read where you can kinda see the twists coming go for it, it’s cute.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It pains me to give a book such a low score. But I just couldn't go higher than 2 for this one. I've read two other books by this author. One was good, and the other was fantastic (Going Overboard). So this was a real dissapointment.
I found the main character, Lia, to be completely immature. She may have been turning 30, but she behaved more like 20. She's a total pushover with her so-called friends (are they even real friends - I have no idea). The excessive drinking and hangovers continue the immature behavior. Her relationship with her brother is ridiculous. How is her 42? He behaves more like a 12-year-old. (The author tries to explain this away by saying he didn't really pay her any attention when she was younger, so he's making up for lost time. Lame.)
The relationship with the MMC (who was unclear for a very long time) was underdeveloped. We didn't get to really feel them falling for each other. Sure, they had the hots for each other, but there was not a true connection.
And her relationship with the "red herring" man was odd and uncomfortable. In fact, HE made me uncomfortable. According to her brother, this guy was bad news, but when that is finally explained, it turns out that he was the innocent. Weird.
I kept waiting for it to get better. It did not.
I finished the book, only because I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. Otherwise, it would have been a DNF for my by about 16% in.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I found the main character, Lia, to be completely immature. She may have been turning 30, but she behaved more like 20. She's a total pushover with her so-called friends (are they even real friends - I have no idea). The excessive drinking and hangovers continue the immature behavior. Her relationship with her brother is ridiculous. How is her 42? He behaves more like a 12-year-old. (The author tries to explain this away by saying he didn't really pay her any attention when she was younger, so he's making up for lost time. Lame.)
The relationship with the MMC (who was unclear for a very long time) was underdeveloped. We didn't get to really feel them falling for each other. Sure, they had the hots for each other, but there was not a true connection.
And her relationship with the "red herring" man was odd and uncomfortable. In fact, HE made me uncomfortable. According to her brother, this guy was bad news, but when that is finally explained, it turns out that he was the innocent. Weird.
I kept waiting for it to get better. It did not.
I finished the book, only because I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. Otherwise, it would have been a DNF for my by about 16% in.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've read a few books from this author now and they are always full of fun, the cover for this gives fantastic autumn romcom vibes and would grab my attention immediately if I saw it on a bookshelf.
This was a really quick read, I was surprised at how quickly I finished it but the story was progressing at such a pace that time just flew.
I really liked Adam, he seemed like an interesting character - I was intrigued as to how he and Lia had never met before though given she knew Si from childhood, surely she was aware he had a younger brother?
I would have loved for Lia to have a bit of a frank conversation with Mel and Angie, here were so many digs and bits with Tim that I really wanted Lia to grow a backbone and see that conversation through, I think that would have been a good development particularly for Mel and Angie. I know they have a lovely conversation where they make her tea and listen to everything, but I think this bit of honesty would have just done a lot of good!
I would have also loved a scene of Rory and Si meeting, just to fully heal that circle, I was not expecting what we found out about their friendship and I do enjoy being surprised in a story.
I love a grand gesture in a romcom, I feel like this grand gesture could have been a little bigger, but I thought the moment in the tree was lovely.
There's a number of humorous moments in the story and some feel-good heartwarming bits so I was a happy reader!
This was a really quick read, I was surprised at how quickly I finished it but the story was progressing at such a pace that time just flew.
I really liked Adam, he seemed like an interesting character - I was intrigued as to how he and Lia had never met before though given she knew Si from childhood, surely she was aware he had a younger brother?
I would have loved for Lia to have a bit of a frank conversation with Mel and Angie, here were so many digs and bits with Tim that I really wanted Lia to grow a backbone and see that conversation through, I think that would have been a good development particularly for Mel and Angie. I know they have a lovely conversation where they make her tea and listen to everything, but I think this bit of honesty would have just done a lot of good!
I would have also loved a scene of Rory and Si meeting, just to fully heal that circle, I was not expecting what we found out about their friendship and I do enjoy being surprised in a story.
I love a grand gesture in a romcom, I feel like this grand gesture could have been a little bigger, but I thought the moment in the tree was lovely.
There's a number of humorous moments in the story and some feel-good heartwarming bits so I was a happy reader!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a big fan of this author and one of the main reasons for that, is that every book you know exactly what you are going to get and I'm never disappointed.
She is the ultimate comfort read author for me and this was another big hit for me!
I got into this story right away and I flew through it in one sitting as it was such an easy book to read.
The main thing I liked about this was our main character Lia. I liked her relationships with her friends and family and the banter they had together. I also found her to be incredibly likeable and she came across like a real person.
The romance side of this worked well for me too. I really felt he connection between Lia and the love interest and I did really enjoy spending time with these characters.
Once again, the writing style was great and the pacing was spot on. One thing Portia Macintosh writes is a perfectly formed book. They are never drawn out or slow paced and they all are the perfect length for this genre in my opinion.
The whole story is packed full of autumnal, cosy vibes and atmosphere and it is a great book to read this time of year.
I found the whole thing to be such a charming, light hearted, heart warming, easy, enjoyable book to read.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
She is the ultimate comfort read author for me and this was another big hit for me!
I got into this story right away and I flew through it in one sitting as it was such an easy book to read.
The main thing I liked about this was our main character Lia. I liked her relationships with her friends and family and the banter they had together. I also found her to be incredibly likeable and she came across like a real person.
The romance side of this worked well for me too. I really felt he connection between Lia and the love interest and I did really enjoy spending time with these characters.
Once again, the writing style was great and the pacing was spot on. One thing Portia Macintosh writes is a perfectly formed book. They are never drawn out or slow paced and they all are the perfect length for this genre in my opinion.
The whole story is packed full of autumnal, cosy vibes and atmosphere and it is a great book to read this time of year.
I found the whole thing to be such a charming, light hearted, heart warming, easy, enjoyable book to read.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
October 5, 2026
DNF at 38%
This was my first pick for fall season reading and sadly was a disappointment.
MC is fine and so is her backstory and if it wasn’t for all the little frustrations I’d keep going but the only worthwhile other character is her friend from the Christmas shop everyone else is awful.
Some minor fall vibes but that’s sort of thrown off by the Christmas shop even though it’s September in book
Also the love triangle setup is definitely not my cup of tea. I hate her brother and I hate Tim and I don’t like Mel and Angie some how is both awful and the only reasonable one which doesn’t work especially since her husband is the actual worst and Mel’s best friends with her school BFF’s biggest bully being Angie? Who is also married the MC’s ex-boyfriend who is a giant AH. What is wrong with all these people? Also why is her brother at their parent’s for breakfast every morning without his child and pregnant wife acting like a 12 year old? Why do her parents let him?
Audiobook narrator was good and one of the reasons I was trying to stick with it but once the love triangle truly hit and Tim was a total AH I just couldn’t be bothered. So many seasonal reads to enjoy when this one isn’t cutting it.
Based on other reviews here willing to give this author another chance at some point. Apparently not a great one to start with.
This was my first pick for fall season reading and sadly was a disappointment.
MC is fine and so is her backstory and if it wasn’t for all the little frustrations I’d keep going but the only worthwhile other character is her friend from the Christmas shop everyone else is awful.
Some minor fall vibes but that’s sort of thrown off by the Christmas shop even though it’s September in book
Also the love triangle setup is definitely not my cup of tea. I hate her brother and I hate Tim and I don’t like Mel and Angie some how is both awful and the only reasonable one which doesn’t work especially since her husband is the actual worst and Mel’s best friends with her school BFF’s biggest bully being Angie? Who is also married the MC’s ex-boyfriend who is a giant AH. What is wrong with all these people? Also why is her brother at their parent’s for breakfast every morning without his child and pregnant wife acting like a 12 year old? Why do her parents let him?
Audiobook narrator was good and one of the reasons I was trying to stick with it but once the love triangle truly hit and Tim was a total AH I just couldn’t be bothered. So many seasonal reads to enjoy when this one isn’t cutting it.
Based on other reviews here willing to give this author another chance at some point. Apparently not a great one to start with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This author always makes me laugh. Even though the last two books I read from her weren't her best, in my opinion, they never failed to be entertaining, and both had an element of surprise, which is rare in a rom-com nowadays.
That being said, I felt there were aspects of this story that needed more clarity, like the issue between the FMC's brother and one of his best friends from school, who happened to be the MMC's brother. That point left me with a bit of a bitter taste after the book ended, so I'm hoping it gets fleshed out more by the time it's published.
I detest love triangles, so when I read in other reviews that this book didn't revolve around one, I was relieved. The love triangle is something that complicates the story a bit, but it never feels forced…it's hard to explain without spoilers.
Anyway, I enjoyed it. It was different, and very on point with the author's sense of humor. Not her best, but not her worst either, and since books are such a subjective topic, I'd say if you have time to spare without feeling like it'd be wasted, you might enjoy this one. This a 3.5 for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.
That being said, I felt there were aspects of this story that needed more clarity, like the issue between the FMC's brother and one of his best friends from school, who happened to be the MMC's brother. That point left me with a bit of a bitter taste after the book ended, so I'm hoping it gets fleshed out more by the time it's published.
I detest love triangles, so when I read in other reviews that this book didn't revolve around one, I was relieved. The love triangle is something that complicates the story a bit, but it never feels forced…it's hard to explain without spoilers.
Anyway, I enjoyed it. It was different, and very on point with the author's sense of humor. Not her best, but not her worst either, and since books are such a subjective topic, I'd say if you have time to spare without feeling like it'd be wasted, you might enjoy this one. This a 3.5 for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Sparks Fly was a cute and easy read, but it never became anything more than that for me.
I liked the romance between the two main characters, but I felt like the story became a bit too messy with all the misunderstandings. The book also leans heavily on a love triangle, even though it never really feels like one, which made parts of the drama feel more drawn out than necessary.
My biggest issue was the way the characters were portrayed. Lia is 30 and Adam is in his early thirties, but they often felt much younger. At the same time, the book makes a much bigger deal of the age gap between Lia and Si than I felt was necessary, and it made him seem much older than his actual age of 43.
At only 240 pages, I think the book could have benefited from being longer. There wasn't enough time to really explore the characters or their relationships, and I think the story would have been stronger with a bit more depth.
Overall, this was a cute, quick and entertaining read, but it didn't do anything particularly new. It was enjoyable enough, but not one I'll remember for very long.
When Sparks Fly was a cute and easy read, but it never became anything more than that for me.
I liked the romance between the two main characters, but I felt like the story became a bit too messy with all the misunderstandings. The book also leans heavily on a love triangle, even though it never really feels like one, which made parts of the drama feel more drawn out than necessary.
My biggest issue was the way the characters were portrayed. Lia is 30 and Adam is in his early thirties, but they often felt much younger. At the same time, the book makes a much bigger deal of the age gap between Lia and Si than I felt was necessary, and it made him seem much older than his actual age of 43.
At only 240 pages, I think the book could have benefited from being longer. There wasn't enough time to really explore the characters or their relationships, and I think the story would have been stronger with a bit more depth.
Overall, this was a cute, quick and entertaining read, but it didn't do anything particularly new. It was enjoyable enough, but not one I'll remember for very long.
October 4, 2026
I love everything Portia writes. Her stories are always filled with humor, great banter between the characters, and an overall fun story. Unfortunately, this one fell a little short for me.
Lia has just moved home from London and is living with her parents again right as she turns thirty. After her friends convince her to go out, she meets a mysterious man at a club and feels an instant connection, but she loses sight of him. Determined to find him again, she goes out the next night with her friends, only to run into Si, her childhood crush and her older brother’s best friend.
When Si invites her to dinner and eventually offers her a place to live, Lia is excited to finally get out from under her parents’ roof. What she doesn’t realize is that Adam, the mysterious man from the club, is Si’s brother—and now her roommate!
This creates a bit of a love triangle, with the brothers constantly trying to one-up each other. It was a cute enough story, but not as good as some of her others in my opinion.
Still, it was a fun, easy read, and I’ll definitely continue reading Portia’s books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lia has just moved home from London and is living with her parents again right as she turns thirty. After her friends convince her to go out, she meets a mysterious man at a club and feels an instant connection, but she loses sight of him. Determined to find him again, she goes out the next night with her friends, only to run into Si, her childhood crush and her older brother’s best friend.
When Si invites her to dinner and eventually offers her a place to live, Lia is excited to finally get out from under her parents’ roof. What she doesn’t realize is that Adam, the mysterious man from the club, is Si’s brother—and now her roommate!
This creates a bit of a love triangle, with the brothers constantly trying to one-up each other. It was a cute enough story, but not as good as some of her others in my opinion.
Still, it was a fun, easy read, and I’ll definitely continue reading Portia’s books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
A cozy, funny autumn rom com that delivers exactly what Portia MacIntosh fans come to her books for. After her life in London falls apart, Lia is easy to root for as she reluctantly settles back into her childhood bedroom and the seaside town she swore she'd left behind, reconnecting with old friends and getting tangled up in a properly messy love triangle involving two brothers. The small town setting is a real strength, vividly drawn and full of warmth, making the wider cast of characters and their friendships feel genuinely lived in. The humor lands consistently, with plenty of laugh out loud moments and chaotic, feel good energy throughout, and the love triangle keeps things unpredictable right up until the end. Some of the old friend dynamics lean a little into old scores and high school era pettiness, which can feel more teenage than adult at times, and the miscommunication trope gets a bit heavy handed in places, but the cozy atmosphere and charm carry it through. A fun, quick, comforting read, another satisfying entry from one of the genre's most reliable authors.
A cozy, funny autumn rom com that delivers exactly what Portia MacIntosh fans come to her books for. After her life in London falls apart, Lia is easy to root for as she reluctantly settles back into her childhood bedroom and the seaside town she swore she'd left behind, reconnecting with old friends and getting tangled up in a properly messy love triangle involving two brothers. The small town setting is a real strength, vividly drawn and full of warmth, making the wider cast of characters and their friendships feel genuinely lived in. The humor lands consistently, with plenty of laugh out loud moments and chaotic, feel good energy throughout, and the love triangle keeps things unpredictable right up until the end. Some of the old friend dynamics lean a little into old scores and high school era pettiness, which can feel more teenage than adult at times, and the miscommunication trope gets a bit heavy handed in places, but the cozy atmosphere and charm carry it through. A fun, quick, comforting read, another satisfying entry from one of the genre's most reliable authors.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Sparks Fly is the second new release out this year from Portia MacIntosh (the first one was A Shore Thing back in January). Both books were fun, but they couldn't have been more different. A Shore Thing was a globe-trotting, Hollywood book. With When Sparks Fly, however, we've zoomed way in to a small seaside town in the UK, where we find Lia living in her childhood bedroom after losing her boyfriend, job, and London apartment in quick succession. Aside from her own drama, and some rather interesting dynamics with some former high school friends, she finds herself in a love triangle of sorts with two brothers. Chaos ensues. Oh, and there's a LOT of drinking.
Although this was generally a fun read, the book left a lot of frustrating loose ends related to side characters, and the ultimate resolution felt too easy and too rushed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
Although this was generally a fun read, the book left a lot of frustrating loose ends related to side characters, and the ultimate resolution felt too easy and too rushed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lia is lost after a heartbreak and has to leave London and move back to her hometown a failure. She has no job, no boyfriend, and she’s living in her childhood home with her parents and her Leonardo DiCaprio posters. Can life get any worse?
Reunited with her old friends, she finds her high school bully married her ex boyfriend and her childhood best friend is now best friends with her. Writing of love, Lia meets a mysterious man that she’s instantly attracted to and he disappears.
After running into her brothers childhood best friend, Lia decides to give him a chance. She doesn’t expect he’d like her but she doesn’t like him back. Her mind is stuck on the mysterious guy she met. Soon she agrees to be a roommate to her brothers childhood best friend and soon finds herself in a love triangle when the mysterious guy returns and just happens to be their roommate.
Perfect book for fall, this love story had me swooning long after the last page. Loved it!
Reunited with her old friends, she finds her high school bully married her ex boyfriend and her childhood best friend is now best friends with her. Writing of love, Lia meets a mysterious man that she’s instantly attracted to and he disappears.
After running into her brothers childhood best friend, Lia decides to give him a chance. She doesn’t expect he’d like her but she doesn’t like him back. Her mind is stuck on the mysterious guy she met. Soon she agrees to be a roommate to her brothers childhood best friend and soon finds herself in a love triangle when the mysterious guy returns and just happens to be their roommate.
Perfect book for fall, this love story had me swooning long after the last page. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Sparks Fly by Portia MacIntosh is a quick, funny, and lighthearted read, a perfect easy romance to breeze through. Moving back to her childhood seaside town, sleeping in her teenage bedroom and returning to the same suffocating routines was never part of Lia’s plan after her life in London fell apart. However, everything takes an unexpected turn after a chaotic night getting locked in a pub toilet with a charming, funny and mysterious stranger. When he inevitably turns up again in such a small town, Lia finds herself untangling a far more complicated web than she anticipated as her past and present collide.
While the plot is predictable at times, the charming narrative, witty banter and small-town dynamics kept me completely entertained. I found myself rooting for Lia and "Mr. L" right from that first encounter. This was my first book by Portia MacIntosh, but it certainly won't be my last! It is a delightful pick if you are looking for a quick, uplifting and comforting rom-com.
While the plot is predictable at times, the charming narrative, witty banter and small-town dynamics kept me completely entertained. I found myself rooting for Lia and "Mr. L" right from that first encounter. This was my first book by Portia MacIntosh, but it certainly won't be my last! It is a delightful pick if you are looking for a quick, uplifting and comforting rom-com.
September 29, 2026
This was overall an easy, fun rom-com.
I liked the humor and even though this story felt a little unpolished, I’d like to try something else by Portia Macintosh because I can definitely see that she CAN write.
What was missing?
I felt like certain things were hinted at but then never fully addressed? She is almost resentful of the way her brother has their parents look after his kids like she’s offended they’re taking advantage or not looking after their own kid, but it’s said in passing and never discussed. And I especially thought things with Angie were going to come to a head. We saw her being quite passive aggressive but it was just accepted and never came to anything and Lia just accepts that her new “friend” talks to her this way.
That’s pretty much my only complaint with this story. Other than that I really had a good time and will most likely be looking into PM’s catalogue
I liked the humor and even though this story felt a little unpolished, I’d like to try something else by Portia Macintosh because I can definitely see that she CAN write.
What was missing?
I felt like certain things were hinted at but then never fully addressed? She is almost resentful of the way her brother has their parents look after his kids like she’s offended they’re taking advantage or not looking after their own kid, but it’s said in passing and never discussed. And I especially thought things with Angie were going to come to a head. We saw her being quite passive aggressive but it was just accepted and never came to anything and Lia just accepts that her new “friend” talks to her this way.
That’s pretty much my only complaint with this story. Other than that I really had a good time and will most likely be looking into PM’s catalogue
October 8, 2026
I’ve really enjoyed Portia MacIntosh’s books in the past, so I was excited to pick this one up! It was a cute, quick, and easy read, but definitely not one of my favorites from her. My biggest issue was the love triangle. I just couldn’t get behind it! I found the older of the two men to be pretty lame and not a great match for our FMC, while the younger one seemed like such an obvious fit. I kept wondering why this was even a competition! I’m intentionally being vague because I don’t want to give anything away, although I never read the publisher’s blurb, so for all I know, the whole love triangle is spelled out right there! Overall, a fun enough read, just not one that I loved. That said, I still really enjoy this author and will absolutely be picking up more of her books! Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions stated are based solely on my reading experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews