I am a big fan of Portia MacIntosh books and I was super happy to have the opportunity to read "Ex in the City". And once again, I can tell that I have enjoyed another book by Portia MacIntosh. I have more than enjoyed it! I loved it! It's a page turner. So many things are happening in this book. There is not a single moment of boredom! I don't know how Portia MacIntosh does it, but every of her books are different from one another. All here stories are unique. I really recommend you "Ex in the city", it's so so much fun!!!!

The author describes facial expressions and gestures perfectly, which make her characters feel alive and active. I also really liked the rock and roll aspect of the book. Having traveled with bands on a much smaller scale than the ones portrayed in this book, I found it very true to my experience. The exposition in the book is also quite well done, and I found the looks into the main character’s past and current thoughts entertaining.

I thought that some of the ways the ex is dealt with in this story were a bit mean-spirited before we had the context to make it more understandable, and it put me off the leading couple a little at first. This is less of a problem as the book continues, and the characters did grow on me. Fans of second chance romances with a focus on self-actualization and growth will find this to be a fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

3/5 Rocking and rolling your way out of a toxic relationship.

Dissatisfied with her relationship and clearing up her husbands financial messes and old friend turns up.
Not just an old friend but her best friend who was the rock god at the time. Rekindling the friendship only highlights more issues in her marriage.
Can you go back and it be even better than the first time round?
A lovely heartwarming story about holding on to the right person and making changes.

I normally love Portia MacIntosh's writing but with this novel it took too long to actually get into the meat of the story, the characters are not that interesting and tbh the secret was not that big of a deal.

Ex in the City is a second chance, sweet romance (closed door steamy scenes), friends-to-lovers tale that I throughly enjoyed reading. 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!

Nicole is in a failing relationship, only staying for the same of her partner's two boys, when someone from the past turns up at her door looking for help.
This story involves two lifestyles totally alien to me; living in an exclusive suburb, with all its associated drama, and the life of a rock band. It is, however, still a human story with people struggling with relationships. I did feel for Nicole and her problems, but have little in common with Dylan, not being a mega star recognised everywhere he goes, but this story shows that this isn't everything. This is a slow burner, with past history gradually being revealed, so not for those who prefer faster paced books, but is enjoyable all the same.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I had so much fun reading this book! Nicole and Dylan had such great chemistry and banter. Portia MacIntosh has such a wonderful writing voice, I felt like I was living the story with the characters. Rowan was such a toxic partner, Nicole was a saint to help him. And the moms! My heart was going crazy the night of the fundfair when the others showed their true colors. It’s wild that the people with the biggest secrets were the ones to try to bring Nicole and Dylan down. I’m so happy with the ending of the book, I just need a bonus epilogue of Nicole and Dylan in the future!

This was one of those books that I wished I loved, but in the end I just didn’t feel the connection to the characters and story that I was hoping to. Don’t get me wrong, the story is written well, flowed well, had character growth, and was a quick read. I think I was partially put off by Nicole sticking around with Rowan (her ex) even though the relationship was over, and it took a bit to learn exactly where things went wrong with them. Plus I think I would’ve liked to see Dylan arrive in the story sooner and more of a relationship with him and Nicole. While this wasn’t quite the right book for me, it’s something I think other readers may enjoy, so definitely don’t write it off just based on my feelings about it.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved this book.

It’s been a long time since Nicole was living her wild days.

Now, she’s living a less calmer life, but her relationship isn’t smooth sailing at present.,

Then, her old life comes back in her life, Dylan, who was a lead singer of a band. There were some very funny moments along with twists to keep you hooked.

I recommend this book.

I love Portia’s romcoms! Quick reads that are always enjoyable. This was a second chance, rockstar romance. Nicole Wilde used to be wild but has since settled into the suburbs with her boyfriend and his children. When her rockstar best friend Dylan comes back into her life asking for help, he comes when she is already in a tough place in her relationship. Dylan makes her feel alive again and is such a sweet guy.

I definitely enjoyed Ex in the City! I highly recommend this one. Nicole is someone who has been hiding in the suburbs thinking it is what she wanted. But Dylan shows her that the spark felt between them all those years ago is still there. This is a story of finding oneself and also finding the love that you deserve.

I would like to thank netgalley and Goodwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable, but a bit more woman's fiction than romance.

Portia's books are truly some of my favorites! They are light, fun, breezy, frothy and LOL worthy. I love the writing, characters and stories and the way that you feel like you are a part of the story with the characters!

A fun read, I liked the chemistry between them and thought it was a cool twist with the current social media celeb versus the old school rock God!

I'd pick up another book by the same author for a fun beach read

Not sure how the editor missed Squashed instead of Quashed! Please change, this one always annoys me!

Nicole plays the part of influencer, Rowan's, partner and step mum to his children alongside her career limiting damage to others' reputations. Her life is upended when former friend and rock star Dylan appears and asks her to help him relaunch his rep for the bands pending reunion.

A pleasant engaging read.

Ex In The City is a second romance about Nicole, who 10 years ago left the glamorous life behind and is living in a small village with Rowan and his two kids. Nicole is not happy with her relationship with Rowan and wants to get out of his house and village. Nicole sometimes reminisces about her past with the rock bands Burnout and Dylan King.

Both Nicole and Dylan are likeable characters. Nicole is living a dull life and wants to get away from Rowan and the village, while Dylan wants to focus on his personal growth. Nicole and Dylan reunited when they needed each other the most. Both Nicole and Dylan help each other; Nicole starts working with Dylan to improve his image in the media and public, and Dylan takes Nicole to musical gigs and shows. They both are supportive of each other.

This book is fast-paced and easy to read.

This began as another one of those romances where the heroine is in a relationship or coming out of a relationship with a totally unworthy guy. Nicole’s present guy makes his living posting about himself and his parenting on Instagram. Apparently, people like watching his videos. And he uses Nicole as a prop in those videos. But he was involved in some financial shenanigans so she’s going to leave him just as soon as she helps him earn enough money to pay off the people he defrauded. And he has two adorable sons that she’s grown very close to.

In pops a former rock star, Dylan King, whose band Nicole used to travel with and help keep out of trouble. He wants her help to plot his comeback. And he’s rented the house across the street from Nicole and her bad soon-to-be Ex. Apparently, nice woman-of-the-suburbs used to be rather wild and hung out with rock bands, not as a groupie, mind you, but just as a good, helpful female friend.

What made the story enjoyable was seeing how the new, sober Dylan King is perfectly comfortable hanging out with Nicole as she takes care of the two boys and makes the ride run to their school. He just seems like a very nice guy and it’s hard to match him up with the portrayal of the drunken rock god who slept around with so many women back in the day.

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.

Roses: Nicole is a rockstar herself. She is strong-willed but not stubborn, empathetic and selfless but not like a pushover. She sticks to her guns and doesn't allow people to manipulate her choices, which is great to see in a lead female character. Dylan is the best reformed bad boy. He changes for the better, and seeing him trying so hard to show Nicole that he's different and not how he used to be was super sweet and endearing. Their relationship was a great second chance/friend to lovers. They are the definition of meant to be but just at the wrong time. However, their second time around was worth the wait to experience, and they deserved the HEA.

Thorns: I thought the Rowan situationship was annoying and drugged out for too long. In the beginning, it took five chapters to explain what he did that finally made her want to leave him. I also thought because of this, I started to get turned off by the story cause it made Nicole look like she was willingly this guy's fake girlfriend or something weird. I don't know; it just didn't sit well with me. Also, the whole mean-girl mom pose was a bit blah. I know they added to the drama later, but at the same time, they were pointless. I didn't particularly appreciate how long it took Nicole and Dylan to own up to their feelings for each other, especially Nicole. Dylan was dropping little hints about how he felt but never fully said, but Nicole never caught on, which was annoying. Cause with other parts of her life, she is super smart and notices things; however, when it comes to herself, she misses the mark.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It ticked every single box for me, as to what a romantic comedy should be. I actually picked up this title due to the author. I haven't read any of her books previously but noticed her last name was Macintosh like my own so it seemed like a safe bet. She is definitely going to be on my reading list going forwards.
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Nichole Wilde is living a quiet life with her partner Rowan and his children, trying to keep the children safe as her life implodes around her, she is contacted by an old friend and rockstar Dylan. He needs her help her clean up his image and once again take to the stage with his band. They had been best friends and one of her jobs back in the day, was alway to look out for him. Each of them obviously still have feelings for each other, and are meant to be together. Picking up where they left many years before they navigate what went wrong with their friendship and build on making a life together.

I really enjoyed this book, the book is well written and flows really well. The characters are interesting and likeable even Rowan, who redeems himself in the end. The book had me literally laughing out loud whilst reading and left me with a smile on my face by the end.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really really enjoyed this one, I felt like it was back up to the Portia writing I LOVE! I really enjoyed that the beginning of this book had so much mystery added in at the very beginning of this book it had me guessing before the romance really kicked in.

I liked the adventure but also loved that the family aspect that was woven into this book, The plot was fleshed out, the characters were infuriating but loveable and I just couldn't get enough. In fact I flew through it in one sitting on a train journey. Absolute perfection.

This is a brilliant story . Nicole has left her wild days behind and has settled into suburbia with two sort of step children then her past comes back in the shape of Dylan an x lead singer of a band. The story is fab. You get the star struck and cliquey PTA . Lots of fun moments and twists and a nosey neighbour.. I really loved this. Read it