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No Ex Before Marriage
It's not over until someone says 'I do'...
While her friends join the "Wife Club" one by one, Poppy feels like that part of her life is done and dusted. Already married and divorced she's not desperate to go through all that again.
But what if her divorce never actually went through...?
After a shock revelation Poppy not only discovers she is still married, but that Zac is about to have his second wedding!
Coming face to face with her (almost) ex-husband after six years apart is never going to be easy. And when Zac panics and tells his new wife-to-be that Poppy is family, things can't get much worse as she is welcomed with open arms as part of the wedding party!
As the memories flood back, can Poppy really leave the past where it is? And can she watch the first love of her life walk down the aisle to say 'I do' once again?
While her friends join the "Wife Club" one by one, Poppy feels like that part of her life is done and dusted. Already married and divorced she's not desperate to go through all that again.
But what if her divorce never actually went through...?
After a shock revelation Poppy not only discovers she is still married, but that Zac is about to have his second wedding!
Coming face to face with her (almost) ex-husband after six years apart is never going to be easy. And when Zac panics and tells his new wife-to-be that Poppy is family, things can't get much worse as she is welcomed with open arms as part of the wedding party!
As the memories flood back, can Poppy really leave the past where it is? And can she watch the first love of her life walk down the aisle to say 'I do' once again?
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2022
About the author
Portia MacIntosh
41 books1,597 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
February 10, 2023
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a review)
It has always been the four of them in the Wife Club, and the first rule: is to talk about Wife Club all the time! But then Poppy doesn't feel like they're close as they used to, especially after her divorce. Her friends often made couple plans without including her just for being single again. But then, what if... her divorce never went through?
I'm not sure why I requested this book in the first place. I think it's the title that lured me in, and it's best to say: I'm glad I did. For one, the summary is such a gain and loss. There was barely anything for readers to latch on to what the book is about, but then, going into this blind sure made reading this better than expected!
No Ex Before Marriage is a lighthearted, fun, and lovely story full of festive! I love how it was all full of twists; from making a new friend after being thrown into the 'single table", flying to Scotland to file a divorce, to reconnecting with your one true love. And for a short pages book, Macintosh got the top with the writing as the book was packed with a lot of emotion, plot development, and well-rounded characters.
This brings forth for me to say, that I am enamored by Poppy! The book offers readers some flashbacks from when Poppy first dated Zac to the reasons things ended between them; giving more depth into their story. You can see the differences between those two-time frames where both of them are more grown in the present than their past decision whose timing wasn’t quite right the first time around. Poppy's character development was apparent even from a few flashback chapters and I love the level of maturity she takes when confronts with conflicts or dilemma.
Even when there were times the plot felt ludicrous to me, the author ended up justifying them well by allowing the characters to communicate like a real grown adult than causing havoc and emotional destruction (unlike those miscommunication trope pundits that I truly despised). I've yet to find any books with reconnecting themes that I truly enjoy but this book has bring the honor to be the first in my list!
If you want some fun and light chick-lit where two characters reunited under odd circumstances; pitched in with some loving and thoughtful friendship, I can't recommend enough for you to read this!
[3.5/5]
"We may have wandered down different paths to recovery but that there was no reason those two paths wouldn't meet up again further down the line"
It has always been the four of them in the Wife Club, and the first rule: is to talk about Wife Club all the time! But then Poppy doesn't feel like they're close as they used to, especially after her divorce. Her friends often made couple plans without including her just for being single again. But then, what if... her divorce never went through?
I'm not sure why I requested this book in the first place. I think it's the title that lured me in, and it's best to say: I'm glad I did. For one, the summary is such a gain and loss. There was barely anything for readers to latch on to what the book is about, but then, going into this blind sure made reading this better than expected!
No Ex Before Marriage is a lighthearted, fun, and lovely story full of festive! I love how it was all full of twists; from making a new friend after being thrown into the 'single table", flying to Scotland to file a divorce, to reconnecting with your one true love. And for a short pages book, Macintosh got the top with the writing as the book was packed with a lot of emotion, plot development, and well-rounded characters.
This brings forth for me to say, that I am enamored by Poppy! The book offers readers some flashbacks from when Poppy first dated Zac to the reasons things ended between them; giving more depth into their story. You can see the differences between those two-time frames where both of them are more grown in the present than their past decision whose timing wasn’t quite right the first time around. Poppy's character development was apparent even from a few flashback chapters and I love the level of maturity she takes when confronts with conflicts or dilemma.
Even when there were times the plot felt ludicrous to me, the author ended up justifying them well by allowing the characters to communicate like a real grown adult than causing havoc and emotional destruction (unlike those miscommunication trope pundits that I truly despised). I've yet to find any books with reconnecting themes that I truly enjoy but this book has bring the honor to be the first in my list!
If you want some fun and light chick-lit where two characters reunited under odd circumstances; pitched in with some loving and thoughtful friendship, I can't recommend enough for you to read this!
[3.5/5]
December 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this heartwarming story. 😍
Poppy is thirty years old and already divorced. Meanwhile her besties are all married or getting married and they seem to be leaving her out of their social loop. It's as if her divorced status is contagious. While attending her friend Rachels wedding as a bridesmaid she is mortified to see that she has been relegated to the *Singles* table. Dreading the evening she has ahead she is surprised to meet Kat, the cousin of the groom, and they hit it off immediately. Kat is a little wild, a little whacky, and a lot of fun to be around. Maybe this night won't be so bad after all.
Waking up the next day hungover from the wild night before she receives shocking news. Her divorce from Zac never happened. The paperwork was never filed. It has been six years since she last seen him and to make matters worse she finds out online that he is due to be married to an Instagram influencer who just so happens to be the daughter of a famous actor. Their wedding is at a secluded castle in Scotland. By hell or highwater she needs to figure out a way to get to Scotland so he can sign the papers for their divorce to be finalized and only then can he legally get married to his fiancé. Sounds simple, right?
With Kat by her side, this dynamic duo decide to take a road trip to Scotland. What could possibly go wrong with her crashing her soon to be ex-husbands wedding? Expect shenanigans!
First of all I loved Poppy and Kat which made this book a pleasure to read. Everyone should have friends like these. This book isn't all lighthearted. Poppy is dealing with the loss of her mother and also the reason behind why her and Zac got divorced broke my heart. Even though I thought this book was a bit predictable I still loved every minute of it. Especially the ending. I always love when I turn the final page with a smile on my face. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my complimentary copy.
Poppy is thirty years old and already divorced. Meanwhile her besties are all married or getting married and they seem to be leaving her out of their social loop. It's as if her divorced status is contagious. While attending her friend Rachels wedding as a bridesmaid she is mortified to see that she has been relegated to the *Singles* table. Dreading the evening she has ahead she is surprised to meet Kat, the cousin of the groom, and they hit it off immediately. Kat is a little wild, a little whacky, and a lot of fun to be around. Maybe this night won't be so bad after all.
Waking up the next day hungover from the wild night before she receives shocking news. Her divorce from Zac never happened. The paperwork was never filed. It has been six years since she last seen him and to make matters worse she finds out online that he is due to be married to an Instagram influencer who just so happens to be the daughter of a famous actor. Their wedding is at a secluded castle in Scotland. By hell or highwater she needs to figure out a way to get to Scotland so he can sign the papers for their divorce to be finalized and only then can he legally get married to his fiancé. Sounds simple, right?
With Kat by her side, this dynamic duo decide to take a road trip to Scotland. What could possibly go wrong with her crashing her soon to be ex-husbands wedding? Expect shenanigans!
First of all I loved Poppy and Kat which made this book a pleasure to read. Everyone should have friends like these. This book isn't all lighthearted. Poppy is dealing with the loss of her mother and also the reason behind why her and Zac got divorced broke my heart. Even though I thought this book was a bit predictable I still loved every minute of it. Especially the ending. I always love when I turn the final page with a smile on my face. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my complimentary copy.
January 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this fun story of the second-chance-romance trope. In her witty and clever writing style, Portia MacIntosh has once again delivered a fantastic rom-com 🥰.
Poppy and Zac were each others' first love, married, and divorced. Well, they thought they'd been divorced, but as it turns out it appears they're still married 😯. Not only do the divorce papers need to be signed, but time is of the essence since Zac is scheduled to be married in just a few days ! All Poppy could do is rush to the castle in Scotland where Zac and his bride's family are staying for the wedding preparations. Should Poppy have shown up at the castle and privately explained the situation to Zac? Definitely! Thank goodness she didn't though, because what ensued was a fun and entertaining story about love, friendship, and second chances.
I enjoyed the well-rounded group of characters, their antics, and the setting. Through alternating chapters between past and present, I really felt like I got to know Poppy and Zac. Overall, this is a funny and heartwarming story; exactly what I've come to expect from this author.
Poppy and Zac were each others' first love, married, and divorced. Well, they thought they'd been divorced, but as it turns out it appears they're still married 😯. Not only do the divorce papers need to be signed, but time is of the essence since Zac is scheduled to be married in just a few days ! All Poppy could do is rush to the castle in Scotland where Zac and his bride's family are staying for the wedding preparations. Should Poppy have shown up at the castle and privately explained the situation to Zac? Definitely! Thank goodness she didn't though, because what ensued was a fun and entertaining story about love, friendship, and second chances.
I enjoyed the well-rounded group of characters, their antics, and the setting. Through alternating chapters between past and present, I really felt like I got to know Poppy and Zac. Overall, this is a funny and heartwarming story; exactly what I've come to expect from this author.
January 10, 2022
Genre: romance, humor
Tropes: wedding crashing, fake divorce, fake family, friendship
Type: stand-alone
Spice: None
Rating: 4.25 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
This was an extremely enjoyable read and I think I got it exactly at the right time as I devoured it the first day after the New Year. And I don't know why, but it was very satisfying to know the characters were going through all that around the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, that being the same time I was actually reading the book.
It's romantic and funny, a total page turner and a great depiction of second chance romances and different kinds of friendship.
"How the hell do you get over the love of your life? I suppose I'll start small, by actually divorcing him, and then take it from there."
》》The Plot《《
Poppy is a divorced woman in her very early thirties whose single status influences a lot of aspects, including her inner circle of friends. At Rachel's wedding, one of her 3 best friends, it becomes absolutely clear that, being the last one in the group without a significant other, she's left out. But that's when she meets Kat at the single's table and they bond surprisingly well, turning into fast friends. So when her father informs Poppy that the divorce papers have never, in fact, been finalized and that she have to find Zac to sign them, Poppy can't think of anyone else to help her with this crazy mission but Kat. Especially since Zac is about to get married with Lilac Strong, influencer and daughter of Sonny Strong, a movie star.
But when the two women show up in Scotland, at the castle where the wedding is about to take place, Zac panics and tells his bride that they are cousins, which results in an extended invitation to the wedding for Poppy and Kat.
"Where do you think he's going?"
"I know where you wish he was going. Your bed."
"You mean our bed," I remind her.
"I'm game if you are," Kat jokes.
I liked it a lot and it was funnier than I was expecting. Kat was by far my favorite character, with her impulsive nature and original way of solving things or getting out of situations. Poppy and Zac were sweet, but a bit infuriating, because it was clear they were in love with each other and it felt as if they were creating all those issues entirely by themselves. However, I think that it showed pretty nicely that if something is meant to be, it will find its way back to you.
"I don't want to rub your make-up off," he says.
"You give her black eyes, she'll give you black eyes."
Even though it was a romance, the thing I liked the most here was the portrayal of friendship. Kat and Poppy had an epic friendship, something like love on the first sight in a platonic way, that promises adventure and no chances of boredom. With Rachel, Lindsay and Sally, things were different a bit, but I think that not everyone can have that rebellious soul that keeps a friendship interesting. I felt like things were more mature with the four of them and, even when they seemed less good friends, in the end you could see that all those years spent together meant something and when push came to shove, they were there.
"If life is short, then take good cake where you can get it, that's what I say."
All in all, it was a good start for my reading year and I recommend this to anyone in search of something light and sweet, with nice writing and a happy ending.
Tropes: wedding crashing, fake divorce, fake family, friendship
Type: stand-alone
Spice: None
Rating: 4.25 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
This was an extremely enjoyable read and I think I got it exactly at the right time as I devoured it the first day after the New Year. And I don't know why, but it was very satisfying to know the characters were going through all that around the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, that being the same time I was actually reading the book.
It's romantic and funny, a total page turner and a great depiction of second chance romances and different kinds of friendship.
"How the hell do you get over the love of your life? I suppose I'll start small, by actually divorcing him, and then take it from there."
》》The Plot《《
Poppy is a divorced woman in her very early thirties whose single status influences a lot of aspects, including her inner circle of friends. At Rachel's wedding, one of her 3 best friends, it becomes absolutely clear that, being the last one in the group without a significant other, she's left out. But that's when she meets Kat at the single's table and they bond surprisingly well, turning into fast friends. So when her father informs Poppy that the divorce papers have never, in fact, been finalized and that she have to find Zac to sign them, Poppy can't think of anyone else to help her with this crazy mission but Kat. Especially since Zac is about to get married with Lilac Strong, influencer and daughter of Sonny Strong, a movie star.
But when the two women show up in Scotland, at the castle where the wedding is about to take place, Zac panics and tells his bride that they are cousins, which results in an extended invitation to the wedding for Poppy and Kat.
"Where do you think he's going?"
"I know where you wish he was going. Your bed."
"You mean our bed," I remind her.
"I'm game if you are," Kat jokes.
I liked it a lot and it was funnier than I was expecting. Kat was by far my favorite character, with her impulsive nature and original way of solving things or getting out of situations. Poppy and Zac were sweet, but a bit infuriating, because it was clear they were in love with each other and it felt as if they were creating all those issues entirely by themselves. However, I think that it showed pretty nicely that if something is meant to be, it will find its way back to you.
"I don't want to rub your make-up off," he says.
"You give her black eyes, she'll give you black eyes."
Even though it was a romance, the thing I liked the most here was the portrayal of friendship. Kat and Poppy had an epic friendship, something like love on the first sight in a platonic way, that promises adventure and no chances of boredom. With Rachel, Lindsay and Sally, things were different a bit, but I think that not everyone can have that rebellious soul that keeps a friendship interesting. I felt like things were more mature with the four of them and, even when they seemed less good friends, in the end you could see that all those years spent together meant something and when push came to shove, they were there.
"If life is short, then take good cake where you can get it, that's what I say."
All in all, it was a good start for my reading year and I recommend this to anyone in search of something light and sweet, with nice writing and a happy ending.
January 20, 2022
5☆ Highly Compelling, Entertaining and Plenty of Laugh out loud moments.
If I could give this book more ☆s
I would!
I absolutely loved reading No Ex Before Marriage! I don't think I've come across a story quiet like it before!
I'm a huge fan of Portia's books and I think this one could be my favourite!
I could see this being made into a film it was so good.
I'm not going to go into the plot as I don't want to risk giving any secrets away. This is a book you need to uncover for yourselves!
I really liked going from past to present with Poppy and Zac's relationship it was so Heartwarming to see how their love blossomed at such a young age, to their heartbreak that led to their breakup.
I was routing for them the whole way through!
I also loved Poppy and Kat's friendship, Kat certainly bought out the wild side in Poppy and it was a joy to see especially her secret service job lol
There's some juicy Twists, plenty of Laugh out Loud moments & giggles, a stunning location, potential Romances, Crazy Antics, Sabotage,
New Friendships and some Quirky Characters which were a lil like marmite some I loved and some I definitely disliked lol
But one thing is for certain once you start reading No Ex Before Marriage you won't want to put it down!
Portia has written another absolute gem!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2022/0...
If I could give this book more ☆s
I would!
I absolutely loved reading No Ex Before Marriage! I don't think I've come across a story quiet like it before!
I'm a huge fan of Portia's books and I think this one could be my favourite!
I could see this being made into a film it was so good.
I'm not going to go into the plot as I don't want to risk giving any secrets away. This is a book you need to uncover for yourselves!
I really liked going from past to present with Poppy and Zac's relationship it was so Heartwarming to see how their love blossomed at such a young age, to their heartbreak that led to their breakup.
I was routing for them the whole way through!
I also loved Poppy and Kat's friendship, Kat certainly bought out the wild side in Poppy and it was a joy to see especially her secret service job lol
There's some juicy Twists, plenty of Laugh out Loud moments & giggles, a stunning location, potential Romances, Crazy Antics, Sabotage,
New Friendships and some Quirky Characters which were a lil like marmite some I loved and some I definitely disliked lol
But one thing is for certain once you start reading No Ex Before Marriage you won't want to put it down!
Portia has written another absolute gem!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2022/0...
September 12, 2022
Another entertaining read from MacIntosh that had me chuckling throughout. I enjoyed it immensely! It’s true that MacIntosh writes from personal experiences because some of the flashbacks that she describes really brought back some entertaining memories, making it even more delightful to read as a result.
Learning that she is still married to her ex-husband, Poppy is on a mission with her new-found friend, mad Kat, to get the divorce papers signed once and for all. When we first meet Poppy, she is bored and miserable at one of her best friend’s wedding. It doesn’t help that her friends have started to treat her like a pariah because she is the only single one in the group, not to mention has been divorced at such a young age. Therefore, when pushed onto the singles table, she meets Kat, and this is the start of a very entertaining friendship.
Poppy’s mission takes her to a lavish castle in the Scottish countryside. It is like something off a film set, which is no coincidence when Poppy learns that her ex-husband’s father-in-law is a famous film star. Thanks to Kat’s wit, Poppy becomes part of the wedding circle, under the guise she is not an ex-wife, but cousin to the groom. It’s only a matter of time before Zac marries – but will the divorce papers get signed in time?
What made this book so funny was how unpredictable the plot was. It was ‘laugh out loud’ funny and many times I was sniggering over the scenes, especially Kat’s erratic behaviour. Coupled with Poppy’s dry humour and commentary over the narrative, MacIntosh has created a very mad-cap series of events and I could not imagine whether Lilac, Zac’s fiancé, would actually guess the real reason for Poppy’s appearance. Add in some special MI6 action, and it becomes a very surreal experience for Poppy in Scotland.
However, it is not just funny in this story. The flashbacks throughout give readers more insight into why Poppy and Zac became divorced. This part of the narrative added a more sombre tone to the story and I think this made it more rounded as a result. It is not all happiness and smiles in the story and, whilst it does provide pure escapism, I think the sadder parts make it more realistic too.
I have read several of MacIntosh’s stories and fail to be disappointed. This was a great, light-hearted and funny read that I found I could not put down. Not being able to predict what Kat would do next added large amounts of energy to an already entertaining story. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Learning that she is still married to her ex-husband, Poppy is on a mission with her new-found friend, mad Kat, to get the divorce papers signed once and for all. When we first meet Poppy, she is bored and miserable at one of her best friend’s wedding. It doesn’t help that her friends have started to treat her like a pariah because she is the only single one in the group, not to mention has been divorced at such a young age. Therefore, when pushed onto the singles table, she meets Kat, and this is the start of a very entertaining friendship.
Poppy’s mission takes her to a lavish castle in the Scottish countryside. It is like something off a film set, which is no coincidence when Poppy learns that her ex-husband’s father-in-law is a famous film star. Thanks to Kat’s wit, Poppy becomes part of the wedding circle, under the guise she is not an ex-wife, but cousin to the groom. It’s only a matter of time before Zac marries – but will the divorce papers get signed in time?
What made this book so funny was how unpredictable the plot was. It was ‘laugh out loud’ funny and many times I was sniggering over the scenes, especially Kat’s erratic behaviour. Coupled with Poppy’s dry humour and commentary over the narrative, MacIntosh has created a very mad-cap series of events and I could not imagine whether Lilac, Zac’s fiancé, would actually guess the real reason for Poppy’s appearance. Add in some special MI6 action, and it becomes a very surreal experience for Poppy in Scotland.
However, it is not just funny in this story. The flashbacks throughout give readers more insight into why Poppy and Zac became divorced. This part of the narrative added a more sombre tone to the story and I think this made it more rounded as a result. It is not all happiness and smiles in the story and, whilst it does provide pure escapism, I think the sadder parts make it more realistic too.
I have read several of MacIntosh’s stories and fail to be disappointed. This was a great, light-hearted and funny read that I found I could not put down. Not being able to predict what Kat would do next added large amounts of energy to an already entertaining story. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2022
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
Portia MacIntosh has done it again (for the nth time) and has delivered another enchanting and heartwarming story I could not put down, loving every single thing about it (as usual!).
Poppy is 30, divorced and feeling a bit left out by her group of best friends after all of them tied the knot. She’s ready to start dating again when she discovers her divorce from Zac (the love of her life) was never finalized. With him getting married again in a matter of days, Poppy must travel with new friend Kat to a Scottish castle so he can sign the divorce papers before his wedding. Sounds like a simple mission but it will be anything but!
First of all I gotta say I adored Poppy’s character. Not only her friends are excluding her from their plans and behaving like idiots, she’s still dealing with losing her mum, her unresolved feelings for Zac and the whole thing that led to their divorce, that I found really heartbreaking. I loved, loved, loved, the duo she made with Kat (that’s a good friend!) and all the shenanigans they were involved in. They made such a great team and had several hilarious moments.
Although a romance, it’s also a story about friendships and how you still have to take care of them cause at the end of the day, a good friend will always be there for you.
Emotion wise the story was like a rollercoaster going seamlessly from laughs to tears in a matter of seconds. I loved that it dealt with some heavier issues like loss and grief.
The setting was awesome and I could feel myself wandering around the castle. Although there were some not so likeable characters, at the end of the day most of them redeemed themselves one way or another (not you, Crystal!).
Another perfect mix of rom and com from Ms. MacIntosh that will surely put a smile on your face. Another well deserved 5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Portia MacIntosh has done it again (for the nth time) and has delivered another enchanting and heartwarming story I could not put down, loving every single thing about it (as usual!).
Poppy is 30, divorced and feeling a bit left out by her group of best friends after all of them tied the knot. She’s ready to start dating again when she discovers her divorce from Zac (the love of her life) was never finalized. With him getting married again in a matter of days, Poppy must travel with new friend Kat to a Scottish castle so he can sign the divorce papers before his wedding. Sounds like a simple mission but it will be anything but!
First of all I gotta say I adored Poppy’s character. Not only her friends are excluding her from their plans and behaving like idiots, she’s still dealing with losing her mum, her unresolved feelings for Zac and the whole thing that led to their divorce, that I found really heartbreaking. I loved, loved, loved, the duo she made with Kat (that’s a good friend!) and all the shenanigans they were involved in. They made such a great team and had several hilarious moments.
Although a romance, it’s also a story about friendships and how you still have to take care of them cause at the end of the day, a good friend will always be there for you.
Emotion wise the story was like a rollercoaster going seamlessly from laughs to tears in a matter of seconds. I loved that it dealt with some heavier issues like loss and grief.
The setting was awesome and I could feel myself wandering around the castle. Although there were some not so likeable characters, at the end of the day most of them redeemed themselves one way or another (not you, Crystal!).
Another perfect mix of rom and com from Ms. MacIntosh that will surely put a smile on your face. Another well deserved 5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2021
Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
No Ex Before Marriage by Portia MacIntosh is a delightful romp in London and Scotland that had me laughing out loud and perhaps a sniffle or two during the emotional scenes.
Poppy is the only one left of her four friends who isn’t married. It isn’t like she tried, she was the first of her four friends to marry, but the marriage ended in divorce several years ago. Then her father breaks the news to her that her divorce was never validated and she’s still technically married to Zac. But, Zac is headed to Scotland to marry a social influencer who is the daughter of a rock star. With only a couple of days before the wedding, Poppy heads up to Scotland to a remote castle to give Zac the papers so he can sign them before he gets married.
Poppy is a character that I can relate to. She’s fed up with her friends excluding her on their “Wives Only” nights out. She always has the best intentions, but some of her escapades go hilariously wrong. When she meets Kat, a distant relative of one of her friends, they hit it off immediately and Poppy and Kat together make a hilarious team.
This book is mostly about friendships and how they, like other relationships, need to be nurtured to be healthy. Although there is a romance, and it’s a good one, the book is mainly about the women around Poppy and how those relationships affect her.
The book is fun, with many laugh-out-loud moments, but also has some emotional moments that took me from laughing to tearing up. The scenes in the book are sometimes funny and sometimes very heartbreaking and I was on an emotional roller coaster (in a good way!) throughout the entire book. The settings are vividly described, and I felt like I was sneaking around the castle along with Poppy and Cat.
No Ex Before Marriage is perfect for anyone who enjoys women’s fiction and romantic comedy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
No Ex Before Marriage by Portia MacIntosh is a delightful romp in London and Scotland that had me laughing out loud and perhaps a sniffle or two during the emotional scenes.
Poppy is the only one left of her four friends who isn’t married. It isn’t like she tried, she was the first of her four friends to marry, but the marriage ended in divorce several years ago. Then her father breaks the news to her that her divorce was never validated and she’s still technically married to Zac. But, Zac is headed to Scotland to marry a social influencer who is the daughter of a rock star. With only a couple of days before the wedding, Poppy heads up to Scotland to a remote castle to give Zac the papers so he can sign them before he gets married.
Poppy is a character that I can relate to. She’s fed up with her friends excluding her on their “Wives Only” nights out. She always has the best intentions, but some of her escapades go hilariously wrong. When she meets Kat, a distant relative of one of her friends, they hit it off immediately and Poppy and Kat together make a hilarious team.
This book is mostly about friendships and how they, like other relationships, need to be nurtured to be healthy. Although there is a romance, and it’s a good one, the book is mainly about the women around Poppy and how those relationships affect her.
The book is fun, with many laugh-out-loud moments, but also has some emotional moments that took me from laughing to tearing up. The scenes in the book are sometimes funny and sometimes very heartbreaking and I was on an emotional roller coaster (in a good way!) throughout the entire book. The settings are vividly described, and I felt like I was sneaking around the castle along with Poppy and Cat.
No Ex Before Marriage is perfect for anyone who enjoys women’s fiction and romantic comedy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 6, 2024
Another British unique book!
Poppy (FMC) is 31 she has been married and divorced. Did not see her ex for 6 years yet she thinks about him daily and measures every new man to him.
In a hilarious turn of events, she comes to know that she was never divorced. And Zack (MMC) is about to get married again in a secluded 'A' list wedding in Scotland. So to prevent Zack from committing bigamy, she crashes into his wedding.
That was the premise and I just have little points to make about the story:
*This book is more of Women's fiction than a Rom-Com.
*Then it's more of Comedy that Romance (laughs and smiles through out the book are guaranteed)
*The Romance, even though it exists, it's not that special. Quite frankly I think that the author could've have expanded some details, events, struggles just to emphasize why/how the MCs are perfect for each others.
Poppy (FMC) is 31 she has been married and divorced. Did not see her ex for 6 years yet she thinks about him daily and measures every new man to him.
In a hilarious turn of events, she comes to know that she was never divorced. And Zack (MMC) is about to get married again in a secluded 'A' list wedding in Scotland. So to prevent Zack from committing bigamy, she crashes into his wedding.
That was the premise and I just have little points to make about the story:
*This book is more of Women's fiction than a Rom-Com.
*Then it's more of Comedy that Romance (laughs and smiles through out the book are guaranteed)
*The Romance, even though it exists, it's not that special. Quite frankly I think that the author could've have expanded some details, events, struggles just to emphasize why/how the MCs are perfect for each others.
January 3, 2022
Calling all Hollywood movie producers, please turn this book into a film, it feels like a film, it was like a movie running through my head the whole time and its completely fabulous, so deserves to be on a big screen.
I can't put my finger on whether this is loosely based on potentially an amalgamation of existing rom com movies, or whether its completely fresh and just written in a way that had the scenes playing out so so clearly in my head, but its brilliant!
I've laughed quite a bit at this amusing story, which I whizzed through as it was just so readable and captured my attention so much more than quite a lot of the books that I've read recently. It's reinvigorated me and reminded me just how much fun, and how much I really do love an excellently written rom-com. (Not to say other books haven't been great, by my attention span has been iffy recently).
I loved the race against time for Poppy to locate Zac at his new wedding, to explain that they are still married and that the divorce papers need re-signing. The circumstances leading to this a great, and the location of Zac's upcoming nuptials, a massive castle in Scotland is spectacular.
Add in a new friend who is rather zany, some what are apparently out of character moments for Poppy as she tries to enjoy life, even though all her old friends seem to be freezing her out, and also flashbacks so we can see key moments of Poppy and Zac's relationship from the start to the end of it, and you have plenty to keep you entertained while reading this.
Utterly fantabulous, I just hope my wish comes true and that we can see this on a big screen in the future as it would definitely be a hit!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I can't put my finger on whether this is loosely based on potentially an amalgamation of existing rom com movies, or whether its completely fresh and just written in a way that had the scenes playing out so so clearly in my head, but its brilliant!
I've laughed quite a bit at this amusing story, which I whizzed through as it was just so readable and captured my attention so much more than quite a lot of the books that I've read recently. It's reinvigorated me and reminded me just how much fun, and how much I really do love an excellently written rom-com. (Not to say other books haven't been great, by my attention span has been iffy recently).
I loved the race against time for Poppy to locate Zac at his new wedding, to explain that they are still married and that the divorce papers need re-signing. The circumstances leading to this a great, and the location of Zac's upcoming nuptials, a massive castle in Scotland is spectacular.
Add in a new friend who is rather zany, some what are apparently out of character moments for Poppy as she tries to enjoy life, even though all her old friends seem to be freezing her out, and also flashbacks so we can see key moments of Poppy and Zac's relationship from the start to the end of it, and you have plenty to keep you entertained while reading this.
Utterly fantabulous, I just hope my wish comes true and that we can see this on a big screen in the future as it would definitely be a hit!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 7, 2022
Having read other reviews I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately I didn’t find it that funny. I found it a little tedious and I guessed the ending halfway through. It’s a shame as I’ve liked this author’s books in the past but, this one didn’t do it for me. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
May 6, 2022
Recommended: sure
For characters who might make you cackle in delight every now and then, for a plot that flirts with absurdity just enough to make you smile, for a slow wind into more serious territory where you're there without realizing when it went from silly to somber
Thoughts:
I think the simplest way to sum this up is by saying that if you read the blurb and it makes you smile and think it sounds like something you might enjoy, you probably will. It definitely delivered, even though going into it I was like "how on earth will they explain that this guy introduced her as his cousin when that would be SO stupid of him??" And yet, in the moment, I was totally on board and thinking that the only way out of the situation was to pretend they were cousins. Yep.
This is a romance of course, and I'd say that the romance in it was a definite slow-burn and honestly a little bit secondary to the main issues of the relationships. Since Poppy and Zac have already had a relationship built and even been married, that initial falling in love stuff happened more or less off screen. We get some nostalgia and reminiscing, but no real flashbacks. So if you're coming into this hoping for steamy or swoon-worthy moments, you're probably not going to be satisfied. It's more of an element to the character's story rather than the singular focus.
The characters overall are... fine. They each play a role, and they fill it in as well as they need to. Some are definitely flatter than others, like Poppy's pretty crappy friends and Poppy's wild-child new friend Kat. Still, Kat was probably my favorite character despite it all. In the end, the friendship aspect of the story is resolved in a few pages, so it does come full circle, but it's not something we see a lot of throughout.
While it's mostly really silly and lighthearted, there are definitely some more serious issues that come up in the story of Poppy and Zac. As we learn more about what happened with them, the book does have some more serious moments to match the pain of what they went through. It typically bounces back fairly quickly, but just be aware that it's not ALL Scotland and movie stars.
And finally: the resolution. WOW y'all, if you're looking for an ending that's Jerry-Springer-ish kinds of drama with over-the-top characters, then this will be everything you dream of! It's all a bit silly, but in a way that still made me smile the whole way through.
Here's the moment that made me cackle early on:
This image tickled me just right, especially in context of that whole scene! I absolutely cackled the whole way through it. So if that seems like the kind of humour you enjoy, this will work for you. :)
A few spoilers & trigger warnings below:
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a free advanced copy! This is my honest review.
~See more reviews and book talk at MyBookJoy.com!~
For characters who might make you cackle in delight every now and then, for a plot that flirts with absurdity just enough to make you smile, for a slow wind into more serious territory where you're there without realizing when it went from silly to somber
Thoughts:
I think the simplest way to sum this up is by saying that if you read the blurb and it makes you smile and think it sounds like something you might enjoy, you probably will. It definitely delivered, even though going into it I was like "how on earth will they explain that this guy introduced her as his cousin when that would be SO stupid of him??" And yet, in the moment, I was totally on board and thinking that the only way out of the situation was to pretend they were cousins. Yep.
This is a romance of course, and I'd say that the romance in it was a definite slow-burn and honestly a little bit secondary to the main issues of the relationships. Since Poppy and Zac have already had a relationship built and even been married, that initial falling in love stuff happened more or less off screen. We get some nostalgia and reminiscing, but no real flashbacks. So if you're coming into this hoping for steamy or swoon-worthy moments, you're probably not going to be satisfied. It's more of an element to the character's story rather than the singular focus.
The characters overall are... fine. They each play a role, and they fill it in as well as they need to. Some are definitely flatter than others, like Poppy's pretty crappy friends and Poppy's wild-child new friend Kat. Still, Kat was probably my favorite character despite it all. In the end, the friendship aspect of the story is resolved in a few pages, so it does come full circle, but it's not something we see a lot of throughout.
While it's mostly really silly and lighthearted, there are definitely some more serious issues that come up in the story of Poppy and Zac. As we learn more about what happened with them, the book does have some more serious moments to match the pain of what they went through. It typically bounces back fairly quickly, but just be aware that it's not ALL Scotland and movie stars.
And finally: the resolution. WOW y'all, if you're looking for an ending that's Jerry-Springer-ish kinds of drama with over-the-top characters, then this will be everything you dream of! It's all a bit silly, but in a way that still made me smile the whole way through.
Here's the moment that made me cackle early on:
She cheers wildly as she catches [the bouquet], then almost violently throws it down on the floor in that way you often see American footballers do so.
This image tickled me just right, especially in context of that whole scene! I absolutely cackled the whole way through it. So if that seems like the kind of humour you enjoy, this will work for you. :)
A few spoilers & trigger warnings below:
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a free advanced copy! This is my honest review.
~See more reviews and book talk at MyBookJoy.com!~
January 5, 2022
Poppy is the greatest person. She is 30 and divorced. She go on a wedding alone and ao she is left out of the circle of her friends. But she is also lucky, she met a new best friend and they are so great together. She find the support she was missing. Suddenly she is 31 and she gets to know she is not divorced for real. So she and Kat go on a mission to get sign the papers. And they go to Scotland. Her ex ia getting married. Panic? Not at all. There is a lot of fun in this book. Lovely.
Thank to Netgalley and the Boldwood publishers for this opportunity.
Thank to Netgalley and the Boldwood publishers for this opportunity.
Read
March 3, 2022[3.5 stars] This was such a fun quick read! I really liked the humor throughout the story and I found the main character very likeable. I also really enjoyed the whole concept of the story and think it worked really well ovarall.
Thank you netgalley for providing an arc of this book.
Thank you netgalley for providing an arc of this book.
April 26, 2022
My first Portia MacIntosh book, but definitely not my last. I really enjoyed this. Fab, relatable characters, lots of wry observations that I could totally relate to, and a story that sucked me in further with every page. I love a good romcom and this is my favourite so far this year.
July 23, 2023
This is by far the best Portia MacIntosh work I come across! 'No Ex before Marriage' is one of the funniest and still one of the more sirious of MacIntosh''s stories.
Also, it has some of the best characters. Poppy is probably my favorite next to Ella from Faking It. Both feels a bit different compared to other ones of the main characters MacIntosh writes about. Poppy is one of the more sirious characters. She is a really strong one.Especially when it comes to Poppy's misscarrige. Came out of nowhere and gave me a real sympathy to her character. But also losing her mother in such a tragic and sudden way. And Cat is a funny friend, almost as great and funny as the best friend in 'Honeymoon For One' novel. The men in this story is also quite great. Not as annoying as in other stories. And Zac was sweet, not an annoying and controlling ex comparing to other stories by the author.
In the end, it had it all. Funny and embarrassing moments. But also the heartfelt and sirious one. Finly balanced.
Also, it has some of the best characters. Poppy is probably my favorite next to Ella from Faking It. Both feels a bit different compared to other ones of the main characters MacIntosh writes about. Poppy is one of the more sirious characters. She is a really strong one.Especially when it comes to Poppy's misscarrige. Came out of nowhere and gave me a real sympathy to her character. But also losing her mother in such a tragic and sudden way. And Cat is a funny friend, almost as great and funny as the best friend in 'Honeymoon For One' novel. The men in this story is also quite great. Not as annoying as in other stories. And Zac was sweet, not an annoying and controlling ex comparing to other stories by the author.
In the end, it had it all. Funny and embarrassing moments. But also the heartfelt and sirious one. Finly balanced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2022
tw: Miscarriage tw: Bereavement
I've read several of Portia Macintosh's books in the past and have enjoyed them. They're usually pretty light-hearted fun.
No Ex Before Marriage is still an often light-hearted rom com, with some truly silly yet funny scenes. But, there was an unexpected depth that I hadn't been prepared for at times. That's not a negative. I love an angsty read. It always makes me connect with the characters much more. It just perhaps wasn't the best idea reading it on what would have been my own mum's 70th birthday, as the theme of bereavement is dealt with throughout the book.
Told in a mixture of real time and flashbacks, we follow Poppy as she navigates life as the only (now) single woman in her group of smug married friends. Over the course of the book, we discover how she came to be single, having been the first to marry. Feeling like she no longer recognises herself, this is a story of unresolved feelings and second chances.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It left me feeling full of love for Poppy. However, because of the themes running through it of bereavement and miscarriage, please exercise caution if either of these may be triggering.
Overall Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥
Emotional Rating: 💓💓😂😭😭😭
*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review*
I've read several of Portia Macintosh's books in the past and have enjoyed them. They're usually pretty light-hearted fun.
No Ex Before Marriage is still an often light-hearted rom com, with some truly silly yet funny scenes. But, there was an unexpected depth that I hadn't been prepared for at times. That's not a negative. I love an angsty read. It always makes me connect with the characters much more. It just perhaps wasn't the best idea reading it on what would have been my own mum's 70th birthday, as the theme of bereavement is dealt with throughout the book.
Told in a mixture of real time and flashbacks, we follow Poppy as she navigates life as the only (now) single woman in her group of smug married friends. Over the course of the book, we discover how she came to be single, having been the first to marry. Feeling like she no longer recognises herself, this is a story of unresolved feelings and second chances.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It left me feeling full of love for Poppy. However, because of the themes running through it of bereavement and miscarriage, please exercise caution if either of these may be triggering.
Overall Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥
Emotional Rating: 💓💓😂😭😭😭
*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
*huge thanks to netgalley and boldwood books for the eARC of this book*
~
first of all, this is my first book by portia macintosh and i am very glad that i read and discovered this.
~
this book is a heartwarming & entertaining story about poppy. this isn't just your typical love story. it also talked about the importance of friendship - real friendship - and family. that's why i probably liked this book a lot.
~
it's so entertaining because there were a lot of things happening like ~ pretending to be a detective ~ and there were twists as well that i didn't expect.
~
overall, it was such a fun and quick read! if you're looking for a light read, i would definitely recommend this book!
~
first of all, this is my first book by portia macintosh and i am very glad that i read and discovered this.
~
this book is a heartwarming & entertaining story about poppy. this isn't just your typical love story. it also talked about the importance of friendship - real friendship - and family. that's why i probably liked this book a lot.
~
it's so entertaining because there were a lot of things happening like ~ pretending to be a detective ~ and there were twists as well that i didn't expect.
~
overall, it was such a fun and quick read! if you're looking for a light read, i would definitely recommend this book!
January 3, 2022
I love Portia Mcinstosh’s books, they never fail to entertain me, and this one didn't disappoint!
No Ex before Marriage is the perfect escape from the real world, filled with laughing out loud moments and also emotional ones.
I especially loved the chapters set in the past, that tells us the story of Poppy and Zac's young love, they reminded me of my teenage years and the beginning of romance with my (ex) husband.
This is the ultimate perfect balanced rom-com: just the right amount of com and the exact amount of com, for ideal enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
No Ex before Marriage is the perfect escape from the real world, filled with laughing out loud moments and also emotional ones.
I especially loved the chapters set in the past, that tells us the story of Poppy and Zac's young love, they reminded me of my teenage years and the beginning of romance with my (ex) husband.
This is the ultimate perfect balanced rom-com: just the right amount of com and the exact amount of com, for ideal enjoyment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2022
There were a few things I didn‘t like that much (too many stereotypes, hateful friends, negative main character, sidestory until 29% is not really necessary for the plot and drags a little…)
BUT the story and narrative got better after 30% (glad I didn‘t dnf it) and I quite enjoyed it. The time jumps were very well placed and interesting. These chapters gave you an insight into the relationships of the heroine and everything that happened leading up to the big 'event‘.
I loved Kat and her quirkiness and the way she deals with life. Everybody should have a Kat in their life.
A little side note: Please be aware of the trigger warnings before reading.
BUT the story and narrative got better after 30% (glad I didn‘t dnf it) and I quite enjoyed it. The time jumps were very well placed and interesting. These chapters gave you an insight into the relationships of the heroine and everything that happened leading up to the big 'event‘.
I loved Kat and her quirkiness and the way she deals with life. Everybody should have a Kat in their life.
A little side note: Please be aware of the trigger warnings before reading.
February 16, 2022
Portia MacIntosh once again delivered exactly what I wanted from this read. If you are looking for a light, easy, romantic comedy read look no further than her writing. Yes, the plot is fairly predictable. A common theme in books in this genre - boy meets girl, the fall in love, they break up, they get back together - isn’t that the stereotype? But I knew that going into the book and that is why the 5 stars remain. I am judging this book based on this book and it’s genre and not comparing it to a book such as Tattooist of Auschwitz which would be beyond unfair and ridiculous to be direct. What makes Portia’s books so unique and amazing to me though is not only her skill at relaxing the reader and writing stories I hate to put down, but that she manages to interweave lessons and hardships and incredibly sensitive themes in a way that don’t feel out of place or even preachy - in each novel she manages to plant circumstances that provide food for thought and heavy topics that are beautifully and sensitively worded in a book that on the surface doesn’t leave space for that. Another brilliant read and I am a solid fan!
January 25, 2022
No Ex Before Marriage is a cute, heart-warming story. Just what I needed as I recover (not there yet, but almost).
Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
October 30, 2024
Dou 1* unica e exclusivamente pela Kat.
January 17, 2022
I have been a fan of Portia’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I love the way in which she writes such romantic comedy stories. I read the synopsis for ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and it certainly sounded like another cracker of a read. Well it was certainly that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely loved the character of Poppy and I warmed to her from the start. In fact I grew to like Poppy so much that she felt more like a friend than a character in a book. I really felt for her. She is a canny young lass, who was married but has since ‘divorced’ (or at least she thought she had). She has a close knit group of ‘friends’. The other ladies in the group are either married or about to get married. Her friends have started arranging things for couples between themselves and ignoring Poppy, who starts feeling pretty hurt, which I could totally understand. I could definitely relate to this because in my last employment I thought I had a group of friends but it turns out they weren’t friends at all as they arranged things without inviting me and I haven’t seen sight nor sound of them since the day I left. Anyway that’s enough about me so back to the review I do go. I was so hoping that things would work out well for her and that she would find the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘No Ex Before Marriage’. In fact the synopsis was enough to grab my attention and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal. Once I started reading this book then I just didn’t stop. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. My Kindle wasn’t glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I was so desperate to find out what happened to Poppy and whether or not she got the ‘happy ever after’ that she so deserved. The book came along at the right time for me, as I was feeling a little fed up and in need of a tonic. Well this book was definitely a tonic for me. I started laughing pretty early on in the story and I just didn’t stop. I soon got to the end of ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I had to say goodbye to Poppy. I found ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ to be a delightful book to read with lots of fun, humour and romance.
‘No Ex Before Marriage’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Portia MacIntosh. Portia has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Portia’s books feels more like a chat between friends than reading a book. Portia certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a helluva book. It’s clear to see that Portia cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. I love the way in which Portia makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Portia’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I absolutely loved the character of Poppy and I warmed to her from the start. In fact I grew to like Poppy so much that she felt more like a friend than a character in a book. I really felt for her. She is a canny young lass, who was married but has since ‘divorced’ (or at least she thought she had). She has a close knit group of ‘friends’. The other ladies in the group are either married or about to get married. Her friends have started arranging things for couples between themselves and ignoring Poppy, who starts feeling pretty hurt, which I could totally understand. I could definitely relate to this because in my last employment I thought I had a group of friends but it turns out they weren’t friends at all as they arranged things without inviting me and I haven’t seen sight nor sound of them since the day I left. Anyway that’s enough about me so back to the review I do go. I was so hoping that things would work out well for her and that she would find the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘No Ex Before Marriage’. In fact the synopsis was enough to grab my attention and the story within the book’s covers sealed the deal. Once I started reading this book then I just didn’t stop. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. My Kindle wasn’t glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I couldn’t turn the pages of the book quickly enough as I was so desperate to find out what happened to Poppy and whether or not she got the ‘happy ever after’ that she so deserved. The book came along at the right time for me, as I was feeling a little fed up and in need of a tonic. Well this book was definitely a tonic for me. I started laughing pretty early on in the story and I just didn’t stop. I soon got to the end of ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I had to say goodbye to Poppy. I found ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ to be a delightful book to read with lots of fun, humour and romance.
‘No Ex Before Marriage’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Portia MacIntosh. Portia has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Portia’s books feels more like a chat between friends than reading a book. Portia certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a helluva book. It’s clear to see that Portia cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. I love the way in which Portia makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘No Ex Before Marriage’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Portia’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 1, 2022
No Ex Before Marriage is the first book I have read by Portia MacIntosh, so I went into it without any real expectations. From the cover and synopsis, I expected a cute, fun read. I was a bit disappointed as this book was not for me.
First, I like Poppy and could only imagine her shock and horror at finding out that she was still married. We are not told at the beginning why she and Zac divorced, so you assume their marriage ended poorly. I was annoyed at how Poppy’s friends were treating her but appreciated that she was trying to make the most of the situation. I think her friendship with Kat was fun.
While this story is supposed to be about Poppy and Zac, we don’t meet Zac until the almost halfway point of the story. It’s hard for me to like him, given his current situation, and the way he handles the situation. I can’t say more than that without giving away spoilers.
I prefer clean reads, and not knowing this author, did not realize profanity would be in the book. That is on me. However, even without that, this was not my kind of story. I did not find it humorous, and it read more like a drama than a romantic comedy.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
First, I like Poppy and could only imagine her shock and horror at finding out that she was still married. We are not told at the beginning why she and Zac divorced, so you assume their marriage ended poorly. I was annoyed at how Poppy’s friends were treating her but appreciated that she was trying to make the most of the situation. I think her friendship with Kat was fun.
While this story is supposed to be about Poppy and Zac, we don’t meet Zac until the almost halfway point of the story. It’s hard for me to like him, given his current situation, and the way he handles the situation. I can’t say more than that without giving away spoilers.
I prefer clean reads, and not knowing this author, did not realize profanity would be in the book. That is on me. However, even without that, this was not my kind of story. I did not find it humorous, and it read more like a drama than a romantic comedy.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 3, 2022
I found this book to be cute and I couldn’t put it down. I love having the accessibility on my phone to read whenever I want to. I’ve never read this author before and it has been a pleasure to be introduced to Portia Macintosh’s style. I have grown to love British novels and their landscapes. Macintosh does a great job describing the landscape for the person who is not necessarily familiar with the area. She has great character development. The one criticism I have is that she doesn’t right away have flashbacks to the past, so when it is introduced, it is a bit of a surprise. Five stars from this book lover.
November 25, 2021
This was FUN, it was such a cute feel-good book! I almost stayed up to finish it as it was a quick book. Poppy is so funny that I was laughing throughout. Without saying too much Poppy finds out that she’s still married to her ex, Zac and that the divorce wasn’t finalised 6 years ago, so what does she do? She tracks him down to his wedding weekend and gets stuck there while trying to get him to sign the papers before he gets married. The bride and her family also have no idea who she really is.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
ARC provided by Netgalley.
January 1, 2023
Well this was just adorable!
This had some hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments. It had some heartbreaking moments. And it had some heartwarming moments.
This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’m excited to see what else she has written.
Poppy was such a fun and enjoyable character, and Kat is an absolute wild card. The two together are just an absolute joy!
It’s a very sweet story. It doesn’t just focus on the romance, it focused on growth and friendship too.
This book was 100% the book that started my binging of all things Portia MacIntosh. Book one of many to come!
This had some hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments. It had some heartbreaking moments. And it had some heartwarming moments.
This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’m excited to see what else she has written.
Poppy was such a fun and enjoyable character, and Kat is an absolute wild card. The two together are just an absolute joy!
It’s a very sweet story. It doesn’t just focus on the romance, it focused on growth and friendship too.
This book was 100% the book that started my binging of all things Portia MacIntosh. Book one of many to come!
June 25, 2022
This story was refreshing. Hilarious Book! Though had many unbelievable parts, I reminded myself " I'm here for the laughs and to read a feel good book that does'nt require me to rake my brain ;)
The one fact I loathed in this book is that the Heroine was embarrassed about her family frame business. I cannot imagine what is embarrassing about it. This fact was stressed from page 1 till climax for 5 to 6 times! By grace she was okay with her business in the climax stages. AND she kept referring to herself as BORING! Well the heroine definitely had self image issues. Can't say I liked her.
The hero is a side kick in this book. Not much depth about him. But an overall good person.
Now coming to the secondary and tertiary characters : Kat,Heroine's dad, late mom, Sally, Rachel, Sonny,Farell. Loved them all! They rocked this boat!
Especially Loved the character of Kat. If a book with her as the side kick rocks this much, then I definitely want a book for her.
The one fact I loathed in this book is that the Heroine was embarrassed about her family frame business. I cannot imagine what is embarrassing about it. This fact was stressed from page 1 till climax for 5 to 6 times! By grace she was okay with her business in the climax stages. AND she kept referring to herself as BORING! Well the heroine definitely had self image issues. Can't say I liked her.
The hero is a side kick in this book. Not much depth about him. But an overall good person.
Now coming to the secondary and tertiary characters : Kat,Heroine's dad, late mom, Sally, Rachel, Sonny,Farell. Loved them all! They rocked this boat!
Especially Loved the character of Kat. If a book with her as the side kick rocks this much, then I definitely want a book for her.
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