I love all Portia Macintoshs books, but this felt like a fresh new vibe. Really enjoyed it!

The Cornish setting made a nice change - living in Devon, I enjoyed reading a book set close to home. The hot tub and views sound idyllic.

The characters were brilliant, and I loved the way the grandparents story was woven into the present day.

The story was funny, romantic and ticked every box. I would love to revisit these characters as they feel like there is so much more for them to do. Perhaps they could pop up in future novels!

I was really enjoying this book until about 30% in. I just started to lose interest and the characters began to irritate me. Will still read this author of course but this one was longer than it needed to be IMO.

Olivia is taken by surprise when her boyfriend Teddy suddenly proposes and then decides that they should get married ASAP. She has always wanted to get married in Cornwall, in particular in a barn built by her grandfather and they manage to book this to happen within the month. When they arrive she starts having second thoughts on whether she is rushing into this.
Anything set in Cornwall is guaranteed to get my attention, plus being written by an author that I've previously read and loved, so I jumped at the opportunity of reading an advance copy of this book. I am happy to say that I wasn't disappointed, the setting was idyllic, I took to the main characters and their family (others not so much, but that's part of the storyline of course). Being picky it was a bit slow in parts and I would give it 4.5* but because I really enjoyed it overall so happily rounded it up. In summary a book to sit back and relax with, rather than raising your pulse, and with that in mind I can definitely recommend it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

3.5⭐

Ok so first off, I really enjoyed this story. I need to state that before I give you a bunch of negatives. Lol.

I just read Your Place or Mine by this author and it seems like she's a fan of the reading tropes or she just did it back to back. I'll be reading more to find out even though I'm not a fan of cheaters.

I went into this book blind but it was obvious where this was headed. The only thing that surprised me was who the person cheated with and that it wasn't going on much longer than it did.

Without giving to much away, there was a moment in the book I almost stopped reading, just by something the fiance said. I don't know if was meant to make you not like him right off the bat or just some very off putting she wrote thinking it was funny. Either way I really hated it and if I didn't like her last book that would have been a quick DNF. You're more than welcome to message me to find out exactly what it was.

I had a massive gripe with a moment of bad writing. Eden, the soon to be sister in law, didn't want her thunder stolen at their engagement party BUT she was willing to share her wedding with another couple?! Doesn't make the least bit of sense to me.

And lastly, the FMC was incredibly naive and spineless and that made me not really like her much. She is was funny and there were good attributes but I can't stand people like that. Everyone had to come to her defense (literally stated in the book several times) and she wouldn't stand up for anything she wanted or didn't like. It was really annoying.

Even through all of that, I still really enjoyed the story overall. I love Hugo, love the small town beach town, and loved the competition that was going on. I would still recommend this book for sure.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood publishers for an ARC. All opinions are mine and mine alone. :)

Liv and Teddy are newly engaged and he’s pushing to get married right away. Liv is such a nice, easy-going person it’s hard not to like her, even as you’re screaming at her to stand up for herself. Normally I dislike books with a pushover MC. Hugo’s character saved this one for me. Also, loved Liv’s parents and let’s face it, both Teddy’s mom and Eden were so awful you had to root for Liv!

Sweet romance with a lot of likeable characters. 3.5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5/5 stars! I love stories where the FMC is a comedian because they are few and far between. I enjoyed Olivia's character arc quite a bit. However, she was pretty needy for the first 70% of the story, which gave me major ick. When I think of strong, independent female comedians, Olivia is not what I expected. But the chemistry between Olivia and Hugo was very nicely handled. Overall, a quick, cute romcom.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Very cute romcom that I read in a day. It’s a great beach/escape read!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Portia Macintosh has done it again! She has a wonderful way of writing relatable, modern love stories wirh humor and heart and her latest does not disappoint. I laughed, I winced, I cringed and I swooned!

I'm 99% sure my last MacIntosh book review was the same, but listen...I said what I said and I stand by it!

Portia can do no wrong. She is the QUEEN of a happy, witty romcom. She is the Nora Ephron of the 2020s with her books and I absolutely adore that I received another one in an advanced copy and I appreciate the opportunity!

Thank you to Boldwood books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved every second of this sweet love story, and couldn’t put it down. Sometimes we meet the right people at the wrong time, and the wrong people at the right time.

Liv is shocked when her boyfriend Teddy proposes to her out of nowhere. As unexpected as it was she decides to say yes because of course she does love Teddy. Thinking she will have time to get used to the idea of eventually marrying Teddy, is part of the reason she agrees. But when she realizes the only wedding venue she’s ever dreamed of marrying in (a barn her Great Grandfather built) will be closing soon, Teddy encourages her to accept the last date available… in a month.

As Liv struggles to plan her wedding, butts head with her sister in law, and wonders where the heck her fiancé is, she meets a handsome stranger at the hotel. Hugo is all too happy to help Liv plan her wedding, in Teddys absence. And this is just the beginning of Liv wondering if she is truly making the best choice for herself in marrying Teddy.

Liv was such a likeable character, and I found myself constantly rooting for her and her happiness throughout the story. This was one of those happily ever after, feel good books that would make a lovely Hallmark movie!

Portia Macintosh has quickly become a new favorite author of mine! I've read a few titles by her and have laughed out loud and enjoyed and this was no different! I was so excited by this title because I love wedding and engagement stories. A must read for anyone who wants a quick read that will make you laugh!

Better Off Wed
by Portia Macintosh
4.5 stars

Olivia is a comedian/ghostwriter and has been dating her boyfriend Teddy for about nine months when Teddy decides to pop the question. Olivia's taken by surprise. As much as she loves her boyfriend, she can't help thinking it's going too fast. With wedding planning and overwhelming feelings, Olivia wants to lean on Teddy, but he's nowhere in sight when she needs him. She can't help but shake the feeling that maybe there is something more, and she's going too fast.

I love this book; it's so funny and cute. It makes your heart so happy. I love Portia's writing, but I need to read more of her books. This book is just a cute little drama/romcom. Olivia drove me crazy at times, but she was adorable with her family and relatable, which I enjoyed immensely. If you love a rom-com and fast-paced, read it. I am adding more Portia Macintosh books to my library hold.

Thank you, Net Galley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC for an honest review.

“I don't think women feel like they need a man to be happy,' I point out. 'I think plenty of women live very happy, full, contented lives without a man or a woman - I think lots of us are doing it without cats these days too.”
Sweet, complicated but right romance book about a woman doing what is best for her and finding love there waiting on the way.
When comedian and ghostwriter Olivia is proposed by her boyfriend Teddy, she is not expecting it at all. But the wedding location they want to use is about to go down so she will have to share her twin brother’s wedding day. Through compromises and letting others decide for her, Liv will find herself overwhelmed and crowded and with complications in her relationship with Teddy, there’ll be a bit of doubts. Until a very handsome and funny and hilarious man, Hugo sweeps her off her feet … and doubting becomes a regular thing.
This book was really good !!! Even just the main plot felt really compelling. Add to that a bit of a fake engagement dynamic to make the weddings happen, and you have exactly what you need to read a story you won’t be able to put down !!!
I loved both the family dynamics and the romantic ones happening in this book. And I absolutely loved how Olivia managed to figure out exactly what she needed with the help and support of family and friends who loved her throughout it all.
I’m very grateful I had the chance to read this book!!!
“It's like Hugo said: we only get to do all this once. I have to do what's right for me.”

I always know I'm in for a good time with a Portia MacIntosh novel and this was no exception. When you learn very early on that Olivia is a comedian, you know there are going to be jokes galore in this, with various levels of funny.

I found though this story took a while to properly get into, and its only at the point where the action moves to Cornwall, for the wedding prep to start happening properly that I was fully engrossed in the action.

However given all my favourite bits are far enough into the story that I wouldn't want to give spoilers for, this is going to be very tricky for me to review, as there are various things I'd love to comment on but given they aren't covered by the blurb, I daren't.

Rest assured this isn't just the regular bride planning a wedding that may have doubts sort of a story, there is plenty of this author's trademark zaniness and hilarity, and extra things going on, to keep you thoroughly entertained.

My favourite character is Hugo who is trying to help Olivia win a wedding photographer, and I loved all of their interactions, especially during the contest.

I also enjoyed getting to know Olivia's family, and to a lesser extent her fiancée, Teddy, who I really didn't take to. Some of her mum's comments are fabulous!

This is one incredibly enjoyable story that had me smiling and another great example of this authors ability and comedy skills too.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I loved the premise of this book. Olivia’s boyfriend Teddy of only a few months proposes out of blue which leads to rushing to get married within a month to have the wedding venue Olivia has always dreamed of. Or is it everything Olivia has ever wanted or is everything happening to fast for everything to sink in. I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books Publishing and Portia McIntosh for an opportunity to read and advance copy of this book.

I always know I'm in safe hands with this author, and this read is no exception. As a Cornish woman, I am starting to feel that the Cornish coast is getting a bit overused and am bored of it but recognise I'm in the minority there.

Olivia's entrance is fabulous, she's feisty. flirty and makes all the right jokes. Then I think the wedding stress lost her some of her edge.

Hugo is fabulous and deserves all the love from this book.

Fun and fearless.

This was cute, but I had to speed-read through the first half since I’m no fan of books when the heroine is clearly matched with the wrong guy. It was quite obvious from the beginning why her boyfriend suddenly asked her to marry him and then basically ignored her after that. It just got tiresome reading about how everyone stepped all over her as she has to plan a joint wedding with her brother’s influencer bride while her future mother-in-law treats her like dirt. I just couldn’t believe that this woman was supposed to be a comedian. She barely said anything funny throughout the book.

I’ve enjoyed MacIntosh’s other romances, but this one just didn’t measure up for me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I enjoyed this and was rooting for Olivia to make the right decisions. She was a loveable main character, as was Hugo. I liked the story of her great grandparents and I wish her story paralleled it more closely! I also wish this had an epilogue ☹️ Felt like we didn’t get to see enough of Olivia and Hugo.

This book gives me a strong need to be by the Cornish coast - though perhaps not for wedding planning and not with all those characters! I was drawn in by all the peace of the ocean breeze and the Summer sunshine that definitely counted the chaos of so many strong (and mostly awful) personalities in one place. It was hard watching Liv’s battles and resignation, and her feelings were completely relatable and her later bravery inspiring. Teddy was the worst. Well, the worst boyfriend - his mother definitely gave him a run for his money in being THE worst but maybe that’s where he got it from? It was hard to read his behaviour and I would have liked a bit more explanation of it, as well as a little more time to enjoy the true romance of this story but I did like the chemistry between Liv and Hugo and if you don’t finish this book wishing you had a friend like Heidi (or thanking the world that you already do) then I think we’re reading different books!

I absolutely love Portia Macintosh's books. They are all wonderful, funny, engaging, romantic and uplifting and this one is simply no different.

In this book we meet Olivia who is in her thirties , who has a job as a ghost rider, and has always dreamed of getting married in the barn her grandfather built for her grandmother. It is the place that everyone in the family has got married so it simply has to be the place for her too.

Olivia is on the way to her brother's engagement party with her boyfriend Teddy when out of the blue he proposes to her. They haven't been together too long and so Olivia thinks it's too soon her them to get married. Olivia thinks that it is an ultimatum they either break up or they they get engaged and have a long engagement. Not wanting to break up Olivia says yes and is planning for a long engagement. That is until everyone finds out about it and all of a sudden there is a rush for them to get married. Teddy is one of those people, who doesn't have a long engagement. However there is just one spot left in the family barn to get married in, in a month. However there are two marriages now happening on the same day. Who will have to put their thoughts and feelings aside when compromise is key.

This book is rather funny. Olivia is a lovely character, however is akttle but of a push over and too happy to please everyone. While her own thoughts and feeling get trampled on which I found that I could relate to very well.