Cute romcom about a romcom writer getting her romcom on. Very meta. I don’t know if this is my favorite book by the author, but it was entertaining. I just think the romance and ending was a bit rushed. The premise is Amber is a romcom writer struggling with her latest book. She’s warring with her editor who wants her to make her story open door, against Amber’s wishes. She wants to focus on more murder mystery romcoms. Her editor sends her to a writer’s retreat at a swanky resort with three more published, more senior, somewhat snobby writers. At the same time, a reality tv hunk that Amber met at her editor’s office follows her and wants to work with her in an odd way. It’s an interesting premise. Check this one out at your local library.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A quick, easy and heartwarming story that gave me all the feels. I loved every moment that I spent between the pages with these characters. the whole thing was like being wrapped up in a big christmas filled hug

Amber is a Rom-Com writer who is told by her editor to “spice up” her books 📚, Amber was leaning towards writing a cosy mystery romance, she’s not able to sell the idea so she’s sent on a writers retreat in the Alps to get inspiration from fellow writers.
A beautiful romantic setting and not one but two love interests, Henri and Caleb.
My favourite character was actually Ambers brother Tom, their relationship was fantastic. His Christmas concerns when his parents announce their pre-divorce made me laugh 😆
This was my first book by Portia, I found it an easy read and had some giggles along the way.
Thank you NetGalley, Portia MacIntosh and Boldwood for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Portia has written another gem of a book! I am a big fan of all of her books. They all combine a love story, lots of quirky side characters and a happy ending. A love triangle was not what I would describe this as exactly. Neither love interest knew of one another because of the often times hilarious hoops Amber jumps through to keep her relationship’s private from everyone. Sent away on a writer’s retreat right before the holidays isn’t ideal for her but with the promise of rubbing elbows with her idol fellow authors makes it a little more bearable. Their advice and camaraderie she was hoping for doesn’t go as she hopes. Looking for inspiration to make her books a little more spicy takes on a whole new approach. Spending time separately with both men has her still grasping at straws to putting words on a page. Deciding this is not the type of writing she has a passion for she takes the advice to scrap it all and possibly sabotage her career. All’s right in the end with a little unknown help. I really enjoyed reading this book. Getting to see behind the scenes of an author’s and an influencer’s lives was quite hilarious. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily

I will admit that I haven't read every book every written by Portia MacIntosh, but I can say that I have loved absolutely every book of her's that I have read. I loved Amber from the beginning and was definitely cheering her on and hoping she would get the chance to write the kind of book that she really wanted to. Between her editor and the other writers at the retreat she certainly wasn't getting any support from those in the industry. I didn't necessarily love Caleb right from the beginning, but he did very quickly grow on me once he started interacting with Amber at the resort. The character of Henri wasn't really necessary as it was clear that he was not who Amber was going to end up with. He only served the purpose of being the cause of the tension between Caleb and Amber that led to the "break-up". I also loved how the author openly pokes fun at rom-com tropes while including them in her work - and it is done so well that it is clear she's not criticizing or making fun of them, just making us all aware that she knows what she is doing. I loved seeing the romance/relationship between Amber and Caleb grow over the course of the book. They're friendship develops so naturally and they do really like one another before any romantic feelings take root. I would have loved to have known what Caleb said to Amber's father, just out of curiosity not because it would have changed the story in any way. I was not a fan of the other writers - and I know that was kind of the point. I kind of hated that they were kissing up to her at the end and she never got a chance to tell them how their treatment of her had deflated her spirits. Overall, this is another Portia MacIntosh gem! And, as always, I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.

Review
I say it with every book of Portia's that I'm fortunate to read but her books are amazing. Her writing is brilliant and with so many laugh out loud scenes her books are easy to fly through.

The setting of this book is a resort in the French Alps and is just idyllic, such a picturesque setting and the most romantic of backdrops for this story.

As always I'm excited to read Portia's next read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portia MacIntosh is a prolific rom com writer and I honestly don't know how she does it. I suspect 'You Had Me at Chateau', a rom com about rom coms, the demand for 'spice' and the perceptions about authors possibly gives some insight.

Romantic comedy writer Amber Page has been pressured by her editor to spice up her fifth book. More keen about her murder mystery rom com idea, she's sent for a week in the Swiss Alps at a writers retreat to join more experienced and spicier romance authors. Along the way she finds herself drawn to two men, resort handyman Henri and influencer Caleb who needs a favour from her.

I flew through this and cackled quite a few times. While there was a bit too much over explanation and inner monologuing, I found this a big improvement from previous books, where I found myself skipping earlier chapters to get to the action. I also liked that the book addressed the reader expectations or demands that romance books must have spice in it. If it doesn't work for the book and the author its not needed. Like all her previous books, this is solid escapist fun that is always entertaining. I can't wait for my next Portia MacIntosh reading adventures.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I started reading Portias books last year and she quickly became a favourite author and now i have nearly devoured every single one of her books that she has written. She has a knack for writing feel good put a huge smile on your face romantic stories and this one did just that.

Amber is an author who has been asked to spice up her books and she isn't best please by this and so is sent off to a writer's retreat at an exclusive château in the beautiful French Alps, Amber reluctantly agrees, hoping a change of scenery will help with inspiration.

It has Portias usual humour and wit and of course two handsome men to contend with

This book is THE perfect december romcom! I completely enjoyed reading it. It really has it all: a great main characters, a lovely romantic setting, so many funny incidents and two possible love interests. The book had me laughing out loud, rooting for Amber, hating the snooty author colleagues and wishing to go on a winter holiday in the french alps - honestly I loved it and will definitely reread it in december.

How to chronical this book without spoilering it?
Portia McIntosh is the queen of romantic comedy and I wonder how much of this story is autobiographical ;)

A few weeks back, she asked her followers on Instagram whether she should add some spice to her novels. I didn't know then that it wasn't an innocent question.

It is the dilemma Amber Page, the MC, is facing. Not so much of a dilemma actually as she doesn't want to go there and wishes to switch genres instead of keeping writing romantic comedies.

And so Portia McIntosh delivers the perfect romantic comedy (without spice) for Amber in her quest to finish her book while on a writers' retreat in the French Alps.
Not to spoil how this mission ends, I can only say that the writing will take an unexpected turn with not only one but two charming and rich men between whom Amber's heart will swing.

As always with this author, the book is utterly funny and sweet, with fantastic description of the scenery. Even if this resort existed, I probably couldn't afford it. Dreamy place :D

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this rom-com about an author, a writing retreat, and the lengths she will go to break out of her writer’s block. The main character’s feelings were very relatable and some of the things she did to push herself out of her comfort zone were so funny. I really enjoyed the relationship represented with her brother in the story and I also liked the fact that my feelings were always changing about her possible love interests, I wasn’t sure which direction she would go and I like not being able to predict. This would be a great read leading up to Christmas! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book, I enjoyed it!

I always enjoy a book by this author and this one was no exception. I did find the first few chapters hard going but once through I totally loved the storyline. A proper romcom, exactly what everybody should read and enjoy in the run up to Christmas!

The book follows the story of Amber, who’s a writer who writes Romance novels. While writing her next book, she feels the need to change her genre to murder mystery with a pinch of romance but her editor doesn’t want her to, so she sends her to an escape chateau to get her back on track, and get inspired on some romance along with other writers.

It was my first book by Portia, and I liked it. Some parts of it felt unnecessary and some parts felt very rushed. The parents story feels unnecessary, and just one talk with the dad (that we don’t even know what was said) and was easily solved. But overall, the book has funny characters and it’s a good read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This picture is me laughing at the book. A romantic comedy that is heavy on the comedy with a romantic ARC. As someone who appreciates keeping the bedroom door closed, so to speak, I did not miss the “spicier” scenes others really enjoy. To each their own, I just find them cringey.

This book is inspired by the publishing industry and has great characters and several strong plot arcs. Amber Page is an author who had a successful book series, with a case of writer’s block as she tries to recreate success with a new novel. Amber wants to add more murder mystery, her publisher just wants more sex scenes. They send her on a writer’s retreat in France, which is a lovely setting full of descriptive details. There she meets Henri, the French hotel manager who will someday take over the resort. A love triangle of sorts, influencer and “bachelor” type reality star Caleb also

This is really a romcom about rom coms- it has every trope; fake dating, one bed, friends-to-lovers, miscommunication and a meet cute. I loved that the side plots were so fleshed out- her parents “pre-divorce”, the other female Romance writers she meets there, Henri and Caleb’s back stories. The finale was a bit of a let down; the very end just kind of fizzled for me. But 80% of the book I loved— this book really is funny. It’s. British, though, so it is “Brit humor.”

If you are in the mood for something light, this may be a great read for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC. Book to be released September 15, 2024.

#netgalley #bookreviews #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booktok #youhadmeatchateau

A romcom writer is having writer's block and wanting to switch genres, but instead her editor sends her on a holiday vacation to learn to put more steam and spice in her stories. She feels like a fish out of water alongside the other writers and finds herself inadvertantly being wooed by two men at this exclusive chateau getaway. There is some family drama brewing in the background that eventually gets mixed in with some romantic drama, and everything resolves itself nicely in the end with a happily ever after!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 When the opportunity to retreat to a French chateau arises, the answer is always go! That’s the moral of this story. Stuck in a writing rut, single, and finding out your parents are divorcing? Obviously an escape to a chateau is in order for romance writer Amber. The camaraderie with the fellow female writers was beautifully refreshing and the love triangle in the Alps leaves the readers almost as giddy and indecisive as Amber herself! As always, Portia MacIntosh’s writing is warm and inviting, creating a heartwarming and delightful read. Approaching forty with four kids and still grieving is exhausting so if anyone has a chateau, I have some airline miles I can pull together…in the meantime, I’ll just cuddle my frenchie and enjoy this wonderful book because books truly are the best escape!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Review is on Goodreads and will be on instagram closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!

I really liked this book and I rate it 5/5 stars. I have read a few of Portia’s books and this one like the rest have not disappointed. I will be honest I found the first couple chapters of the book a little slow and it took me a few chapters to warm up to the book but once I did I couldn’t put it down. This book is released September 15, 2024. Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Portia MacIntoah for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

An amazing story , funny and sweet . I must confess that it is the first book that I read of Portia MacIntosh but now she gain one more reader .
Amber is a writer of romantic comedy but her editor asks her to write spice in her books something that it is not received very well by Amber . Her dream is to write a murder rom com but her editor is negative . She is sent at an exclusive château in the beautiful French Alps for inspiration for her book . There are two men she meets the influencer Caleb and the French caretaker Henri . Which man will touch her heart ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

I just loved this festive Rom com- absolutely one of Portia Macintosh’s best. I loved Amber as a Rom com writer struggling to finish her latest book and her experiences in the French writer’s retreat. At first I liked both love interests Caleb and Henri and was unsure who to root for but as time went on the clear chemistry and general niceness of the one meant it was clear who she would end up with. The side plot of Amber’s family problems was perfect- enough of a worry for Amber but the whole family were warm and likeable so I was rooting for them too. Would love to see a sequel focused on Tom finding love. Please, Portia, don’t follow Amber and ditch Rom com for murder- you’re too good at it!

Amber es una escritora de romance y quiere cambiar de género, pero su editorial no la deja, por lo que la mandan a un retiro de escritores en un chateau para que se inspire.


Extrañamente disfrute la parte del triángulo amoroso porque lo vi como una aventura y hubiera quedado perfecto con ella regresando a su país soltera y con libro nuevo.


No entendí para que darle tanta importancia al divorcio de los señores si al final tendría una solución sencilla.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.