It was a good book, it was a nice rom com, I liked the second chance aspect. I thought the characters were alright could have more growth but overall a good book.

Nicole lived a wild and carefree life back in the day as a music journalist when she hung out with bands and spent her time touring around. But then when scandal broke out around her best friend, Dylan, who was a rockstar, she decided it was time for a fresh start. She is now living a pretty ho hum life. So when Dylan comes back into her life, asking for help with restoring his image, she feels her old life pulling her back in, and wants to give her old life one last go. Spending time with Dylan again, Nicole finds herself being the person she truly is in her heart, but she has a different life now, and when the two begin to collide, Nicole has to decide what she really wants in life and who it is she really wants to be with.
A lovely story written with a lot of heart and emotion. Dylan and Nicole were both great characters and I enjoyed seeing them navigating their present situations and find their way back to each other. The book definitely left me with a smile on my face and happy feeling afterwards. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary review.

After an eventful early twenties, Nicole calms it down and gets involved with a stable man. When she finds out he has done her wrong and her ex best friend shows up across the street, Nicole's life changes drastically.
Opinion
This book was a fabulous read. I found my mind wandering to what was happening in the plot while at work. Nicole's story offered an escape during my busy, stressful life.
I think what I loved most about it was that Nicole rubbed elbows with the rich and famous and even became best friends with one of them. I'm sure we all have had a daydream about similar situations.
This is a great summer read.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The writing was good, the characters were likeable (except where they aren't meant to be, and those ones I loved to hate!), and the plot hooked me from the start. I'll definitely be on the look out for more by Portia Macintosh!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Ex in the City by Portia MacIntosh in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. I didn’t like the dynamic at all - living with your ex (who might not technically be your ex yet?) and his children, saying you’re staying for them when you do actually plan on leaving soon anyway? It didn’t make sense. It was awkward and uncomfortable and all I ended up focusing on was feeling sorry for the kids instead of the second chance romance that was supposed to be the focus point. Ultimately, I ended up DNF’ing this at 40% as I had no interest in continuing the story and I felt like the couple definitely should have stayed in the friend zone.

This is friends to lovers to strangers to lovers, one of us is famous trope. These aren’t my favourite tropes to begin with which might have affected my enjoyment.

I love a good second chance romance and Ex in the City came highly recommended. This was a cosy, fun read but didn’t draw me in as I had expected. In a nut shell it’s about relationships, and that sometimes not is all as it seems especially especially when social media plays a huge part.

With many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-arc 🙏

Book Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nicole Wilde has lost her zeal in life. After giving up her career as a music journalist, she has settled into the monotony of domesticated life. But, when she learns of her partner’s betrayal, she realizes the entertainment industry isn’t the only thing that has broken her heart. Things get even more complicated when her former best friend and one time lover re-enters her life. Will Nicole be able to settle back into her role as housewife, or will she leave it all behind for a shot at happiness?

I am a huge fan of Portia MacIntosh. Since discovering her writing back in 2022, I have read eight of her books. All of which have been between four and five star reads. So when I saw that she released this book, I knew I had to read it.

Sadly, this is the first book by MacIntosh that I have not instantly fallen in love with. About forty percent of the way through, I was struggling so much with the characters and story that I contemplated DNFing it. However, because I have always enjoyed her other books I decided to push through.

I am happy that I finished this book. Thankfully, it picked up the last sixty percent. It wasn’t until I read the acknowledgement that I discovered Nicole Wilde is the first character MacIntosh ever wrote. That being said, Wilde is a reoccurring character who has been the protagonist of at least three of her other books. While they are all written as standalone novels, I do feel if I had read the previous books I might have enjoyed this one much more.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Portia MacIntosh for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my opinion.

A great uplifting funny read. This book will have you laughing out loud when you are reading it. Another great book by Portia MacIntosh

In this book, we follow our main character Nicole, who was a music journalist a decade ago, and how does she juggle her old and new life. Her old life knocks on her door in the image of Dylan King, a rock star, who wants her to help him clear up his image. It is obvious that he has done some growth as a character. Even Nicole sees it and old sparks fly between them. There are some bumps on the road to their love, but what would be a love story without a few bumps here and there. I really liked Nicole’s character as she is a strong woman herself, and she is standing up for herself finally. She is not letting anyone, especially not a current boyfriend, ruin what she’s been working towards.

This book apparently has a prequel, but honestly, for me, it didn’t feel like I missed something. I might pick up the previous book to just see if it will make a difference, but I loved the book even like this.

For a music lover like me, this was an amazing book. This might not be the genre of music I listen to, but man, this gave me all the right feels. A lot of us probably imagined ourselves being friends and getting together with our favourite musician, and Portia will give it to you in this book. On top of it all, it had everything a second chance romance books needs, with comedy sprinkled in. This would be a perfect read to pick up this spring to help you get into that cosy, lovely feeling that spring brings us.

My first read by this author. The book delves into the lives of two unlikely souls: a brooding rockstar with a past shrouded in shadows and a determined music journalist with a knack for unraveling secrets. Their connection is undeniable, sparking a whirlwind of emotions that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Looking forward to my next Porta read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.

I really liked this book! I enjoyed it so much. Such a cute story. It had it all! Humor, drama, spicy, all of it. A great pallet cleanser!

I liked this second chance roma ce whichade me laugh out loud in places. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to have read and advanced copy of this book by earc. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

This was a different take on the second chance romance storyline. I thought that it was a good storyline and was fast-paced. I wasn't a huge fan of the relationship between Nicole and her boyfriend at the beginning of this story so Dylan coming in was just what the plot needed! Dylan and Nicole's relationship was sweet and it progressed very naturally. Overall, it is a good read!

Nicole, a former music journalist, traded her rockstar lifestyle for a settled life with her partner Rowan and his kids. However, when her past resurfaces, it shakes up her world. The novel offers a peek into the music industry and life on the road, with relatable characters and a second chance romance between Nicole and her rockstar friend Dylan. As Nicole navigates trust issues and reflects on her desired life, the story resonates with moms juggling family and past dreams. Despite minor pacing issues, the plot unfolds smoothly with engaging complexity and chemistry between characters. Overall, it's a well-crafted novel by MacIntosh that promises an enjoyable read.

Favorite Quotes:

He’s not so much my one that got away, more the one I was lucky to get away from.

My eyebrows, over the years, went on a real journey, and not a nice one like a holiday, a chaotic one, like Lord of the Rings.

I swear it’s darker over there, where they’re sitting, because even the sun finds them a bit much. It’s almost as though they’ve drawn an invisible circle around themselves, creating an impenetrable bubble of hostility and drama.

...he’s matured like a fine wine, whereas I’m maturing more like a cheese.

Jo claps her hands so loudly that one of the older women at the other side of the playground ducks.


My Review:

I enjoy the clever stylings and humorous content in the writing style of this amusing scribe, her characters’ inner musings and colorful observations never fail to keep me smirking throughout perusal. I do love a good second-chance romance and copious servings of wry humor helped to prevent the angst and regrets of their bumpy past from overpowering the tone of this one. The storylines were somewhat slow and taunting initially, which found me a bit restless and annoyed, although Ms. MacItosh redeemed herself with her deft lashings of comedic wit. I remain her devoted acolyte.

Well I blew through this one, in less than a day! Ex in the City by portia macintosh tells the story of Nicole, a woman in her mid-thirties living in the suburbs with her influencer partner Rowan, who she has recently semi-broken up with, and his two kids from a previous marriage. Nicole is unhappy with her current life, but is sticking in it for the short term to make things easier for the kids. She misses her old lifestyle where she was a journalist and often went on tour with bands. When he former friend Dylan, a rock star, walks back into her life she begins to see that maybe she doesn't have to completely leave her old life behind and that she deserves happiness.

While there is a little bit of romance nearer to the end of the book, the majority of the story is really about self-discovery and breaking out of the mundane if you're unhappy with it. I also loved some of the drama between the pretentious parents Nicole runs into when doing the school drop offs and how the friendship with Dylan just rekindles so nicely even after much time has passed. As with all of the books I've read by this author, this one looks into the relationships and connections between people in a deeper way than the average romance/romcom, making you think a bit more about the world around you and where you are headed. Definitely one I would recommend, and it's out now!

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher, @theboldbookclub for giving me the chance to read and review this awesome book!

Im a big fan of portia macintosh and I did really enjoy this book even though i found it wasnt like her usual books. A very different take on second chance romance but it was enjoyable and a fun. Quick read

Well Portia is back and reminding her readers why she is so fantastic. This is a book full of humour in true Portia style.

Dylan and Nicole are fantastic characters. I loved this one and getting deeper into the lives of these characters.

This is completely entertaining and as a reader and lover of all of Portia’s books, I can safely say that this is an author who just gets better and better.

Ex in the City is a perfect pick me up book. It is filled with of laugh out loud moments. It is a book that once you start reading, you don’t want it to end. I devoured this book with no regrets, only that I want to experience it as a first read all over again.

I knew this was going to be a great read and that I’d love it. Portia has not disappointed. Everything about this book is fantastic and worthy of all the praise.

This is lighthearted, fun and a must for the TBR.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟