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It's All Sun and Games
Pre-order the BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, love triangle summer romantic comedy from MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Portia MacIntosh! When Robin finds out she's going on a work trip to Italy she can't wait for a week away in the sunshine, away from the daily grind. So what if there's a client pitch to do while they're there? The thing Robin is most excited about is the chance to show her work crush, James, what she's really like outside of work, and divert his attention from Liz, her work rival.
To make things even better, Robin realises that the town they're going to in Italy is the same place that her childhood penpal, Andrea is from. So it's the perfect time to re-connect and finally meet her old friend over some delicious Italian food and wine (between work obviously...) But when Andrea doesn't turn out to be the person Robin thought, things get a little complicated...
So it's set to be a week of all sun and games... Until someone falls in love of course!
A friends-to-lovers, only-one-bed, fake dating romance from million-copy bestseller Portia MacIntosh.
Praise for Portia
'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite rom com.' Shari Low
'I laughed, I cried - I loved it.’ Holly Martin
'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin
‘This book made me laugh and kept me turning the pages.' Mandy Baggot
'A fun, fabulous 5 star rom com!' Sandy Barker on Your Place or Mine?
'Loved the book, it's everything you expect from the force that is Portia! A must read' Rachel Dove on Your Place or Mine?
'Fun and witty. Pure escapism!' Laura Carter on Fake It Or Leave It
'A hilarious, roaringly fun, feel good, sexy read. I LOVED it!' Holly Martin on Honeymoon For One
'A heartwarming, fun story, perfect for several hours of pure escapism.' Jessica Redland on Honeymoon for One
'A feel good, funny and well written book. I read it in 2 days and enjoyed every second!' A.L. Michael on Honeymoon for One
'Super-romantic and full of festive spirit. I loved it!' Mandy Baggot on Stuck On You
To make things even better, Robin realises that the town they're going to in Italy is the same place that her childhood penpal, Andrea is from. So it's the perfect time to re-connect and finally meet her old friend over some delicious Italian food and wine (between work obviously...) But when Andrea doesn't turn out to be the person Robin thought, things get a little complicated...
So it's set to be a week of all sun and games... Until someone falls in love of course!
A friends-to-lovers, only-one-bed, fake dating romance from million-copy bestseller Portia MacIntosh.
Praise for Portia
'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite rom com.' Shari Low
'I laughed, I cried - I loved it.’ Holly Martin
'The queen of rom com!' Rebecca Raisin
‘This book made me laugh and kept me turning the pages.' Mandy Baggot
'A fun, fabulous 5 star rom com!' Sandy Barker on Your Place or Mine?
'Loved the book, it's everything you expect from the force that is Portia! A must read' Rachel Dove on Your Place or Mine?
'Fun and witty. Pure escapism!' Laura Carter on Fake It Or Leave It
'A hilarious, roaringly fun, feel good, sexy read. I LOVED it!' Holly Martin on Honeymoon For One
'A heartwarming, fun story, perfect for several hours of pure escapism.' Jessica Redland on Honeymoon for One
'A feel good, funny and well written book. I read it in 2 days and enjoyed every second!' A.L. Michael on Honeymoon for One
'Super-romantic and full of festive spirit. I loved it!' Mandy Baggot on Stuck On You
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2024
About the author
Portia MacIntosh
40 books1,510 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 133 reviews
June 23, 2024
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (3.5/5)
Read the full review on my blog!
Robin works at an advertising agency, which is planning a trip to Italy to pitch to a new client. She decides to reach out to her old pen pal, Andrea, and through a series of movie-perfect events, they end up fake dating for mutual benefit. Andrea wants to appease his parents, who are concerned about his long-time single status, and Robin hopes to impress her boss and secure a promotion.
It’s All Sun and Games is the perfect breezy beach read, keeping you hooked with the question, "Will they or won't they?" in a delightful fake dating romance.
The Characters are Cute - Andrea is the quintessential Italian romantic, impossible not to fall for. Robin, while not your typical fearless FMC, is entirely relatable. James and Liz are classic nemeses, though I wish their characters had a bit more depth.
A Classic Fake Dating Story - The book follows a typical fake dating plot with a touch of the childhood friend trope. The plot is predictable, but sometimes that’s the perfect palate cleanser!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. The plot and characters are a bit one-dimensional, but that can be perfect if you’re looking for an easy read with a heartwarming ending!
Read the full review on my blog!
Robin works at an advertising agency, which is planning a trip to Italy to pitch to a new client. She decides to reach out to her old pen pal, Andrea, and through a series of movie-perfect events, they end up fake dating for mutual benefit. Andrea wants to appease his parents, who are concerned about his long-time single status, and Robin hopes to impress her boss and secure a promotion.
It’s All Sun and Games is the perfect breezy beach read, keeping you hooked with the question, "Will they or won't they?" in a delightful fake dating romance.
The Characters are Cute - Andrea is the quintessential Italian romantic, impossible not to fall for. Robin, while not your typical fearless FMC, is entirely relatable. James and Liz are classic nemeses, though I wish their characters had a bit more depth.
A Classic Fake Dating Story - The book follows a typical fake dating plot with a touch of the childhood friend trope. The plot is predictable, but sometimes that’s the perfect palate cleanser!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. The plot and characters are a bit one-dimensional, but that can be perfect if you’re looking for an easy read with a heartwarming ending!
June 4, 2024
Title: It's All Sun and Games by Portia MacIntosh
Release Date: July, 11th, 2024
3.5 Stars
"It's All Sun and Games" by Portia MacIntosh is a delightful, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that promises a summer filled with sunshine, romance, and a touch of intrigue.
This book is a perfect escape for readers looking for a light-hearted and entertaining story, set against the picturesque backdrop of Italy.
Robin is thrilled when she learns she's going on a work trip to Italy, seeing it as an opportunity to escape the daily grind and show her work crush, James, her true colours away from the office. Her excitement grows when she discovers that the town they're visiting is where her childhood penpal, Andrea, lives, giving her the chance to reconnect with an old friend.
However, things take an unexpected turn when Andrea turns out to be not quite what Robin had imagined, leading to a series of comedic and romantic entanglements.
The novel is a masterful blend of a friends-to-lovers trope, a fake dating scenario, and the classic only-one-bed situation, all of which add to the charm and humour of the story.
MacIntosh's writing is both funny and heartwarming, with a knack for creating relatable characters and engaging storylines. The setting in Italy is vividly described, making readers feel as if they are experiencing the trip alongside Robin. The inclusion of travel, vacation, weddings, and a fake relationship adds to the book's appeal, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable read.
The family dynamics and the quirky side characters bring an added layer of depth and humour to the story, while the flirtation and the romantic tension keep the pages turning. Despite being a closed-door romance, the book is rich with emotion and the promise of love.
"It's All Sun and Games" is the perfect beach read, offering a feel-good story that is both funny and well-written. It's a quick, light, and enjoyable read that is sure to brighten any summer day.
Whether you're looking for a romantic escape or a good laugh, this book has something for everyone.
Thank you to The Publisher Boldwood Books ,The Author Portia MacIntosh & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
June 14, 2024
If you're looking for a romance that is easy to read and is feel-good (aside from the main character's horrible work colleagues), then this is it.
It's a pretty one-dimensional book with the themes of mistaken identity, fake dating and work politics.
While I read it happily, I also think it lacked substance, was a bit too simple, and also missed an opportunity of describing beautiful Italy and the warmth of the people.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
It's a pretty one-dimensional book with the themes of mistaken identity, fake dating and work politics.
While I read it happily, I also think it lacked substance, was a bit too simple, and also missed an opportunity of describing beautiful Italy and the warmth of the people.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
August 9, 2024
3.5 rounded up
This was another fun British romcom from Portia MacIntosh that sees an English PR woman fake dating her Italian pen pal who turned out to be a man when she'd thought she was writing to a woman all along. Full of family, close proximity and food, this was good on audio and a quick, light-hearted, kissing only vacation romance.
This was another fun British romcom from Portia MacIntosh that sees an English PR woman fake dating her Italian pen pal who turned out to be a man when she'd thought she was writing to a woman all along. Full of family, close proximity and food, this was good on audio and a quick, light-hearted, kissing only vacation romance.
July 21, 2024
This was everything I needed, it’s all sun and games is the perfect title of this book because it was so much fun such a joy to read and it was just so full of humour. I laughed out loud so many times during this read. This is yet another wonderfully written book by Portia Macintosh, This isn’t my first read by Portia and it definitely won’t be my last, Portia’s books always manage to get me in all the right places, the emotion, the romance, the humour, it’s all done so well.
Lila wasa great character, so thoroughly relatable her story, the journey she is on and her romance will get you hooked and keep you engaged right til the very last page. It’s a well-paced read feel-good read with great community ,friendship and love woven throughout the story. If you’re looking for the perfect escapist read , look no further than It’s AllSun and Games.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lila wasa great character, so thoroughly relatable her story, the journey she is on and her romance will get you hooked and keep you engaged right til the very last page. It’s a well-paced read feel-good read with great community ,friendship and love woven throughout the story. If you’re looking for the perfect escapist read , look no further than It’s AllSun and Games.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 14, 2024
Vhen Robin and her colleagues get assigned a team trip to Italy, she is thrilled because she thinks it will be the erfect chance to escape the daily grind and also show her work crush James anew side to her. Shes doubly excited hen she realizes that she's going to be in the town where her childhood penpal lives, giving her the chances to connect with an old, long lost friend. However, things take a twist when Andrea turns out to not be a girl as she lought all these years, but a hunky Italian man whose family, through a series of miscommunications, thinks that obin is his fiancé when she arrives and they embrace her into the family with open arms. Robin and Andrea make a act to help each other out, and what follows is a series of comedic and romantic entanglements which had me ughing out loud
le story of both funny and heartwarming and a classic take on the friends to lovers trope and the setting of Italy is so vidly portrayed I felt like I was there taking part in the trip alongside the characters. ith quirky supporting characters, loads of humor, fake dating, one bed scenario, travel to exotic locale, weddings ere really is something for everyone in this book. Portia is quickly becoming a fav author for me. lanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
le story of both funny and heartwarming and a classic take on the friends to lovers trope and the setting of Italy is so vidly portrayed I felt like I was there taking part in the trip alongside the characters. ith quirky supporting characters, loads of humor, fake dating, one bed scenario, travel to exotic locale, weddings ere really is something for everyone in this book. Portia is quickly becoming a fav author for me. lanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
July 14, 2024
Robin and her co workers are headed to Italy for a wedding and to give a sales pitch.
While there she’s going to finally meet up with her old pen pal Andrea. There’s surprises galore and some funny spots in this book. It’s a fun RomCom and it made me wish I was in Italy too.
Definitely recommend!
While there she’s going to finally meet up with her old pen pal Andrea. There’s surprises galore and some funny spots in this book. It’s a fun RomCom and it made me wish I was in Italy too.
Definitely recommend!
July 14, 2024
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
It’s All Sun and Games is the perfect summer read! It’s mostly lighthearted due in large part to Robin, the plucky can-do protagonist who appears to face the daily grind with as much joy as she can–given she feels like she’s continually up against her work nemesis, Liz. I don’t know how Robin can stay as composed as she does, but she does it. The reader gets the impression that it’s par for the course for Robin. She doesn’t feel as though she’s appreciated at work, and it’s hard for her to get her boss’s attention with James and Liz at the wheel. I loved Robin’s approach to life, though, despite those circumstances.
Along with the bad, Robin will take the good where her work life is concerned. A work trip to Italy is just what she needs to break up the monotony of her world. I thought the introduction of Andrea and the background and story behind that friendship was very cute and a nice twist. It really added another layer of fun and potential, while also throwing a nice wrench into things for Liz. I found Liz to be annoying, but that made for the perfect antagonist.
Robin has vied for James’s attention for a very long time, yet he’s never reciprocated it. But when she has the chance to really see where that relationship might go, the line between what she really wants and more importantly, who she really wants, becomes incredibly blurry. It irritated me that James seemed to only step up when Robin appeared unavailable, making James look like he wouldn’t be a great choice where a romantic relationship is concerned. Yet Robin has a tough time seeing that. All she seems to focus on is that fact that he’s giving her what she’s wanted for so long, she might be willing to push aside the red flags she sees on the horizon.
Overall, Robin has to learn that she’s good enough–she’s an asset to her job. She is worthy of love. It felt like Italy really helped to open her up a lot more, changing her viewpoint on so many things! I thought this latest book by Portia MacIntosh was a really great addition to her ever-expanding list of romantic comedies, and worth the read!
It’s All Sun and Games is the perfect summer read! It’s mostly lighthearted due in large part to Robin, the plucky can-do protagonist who appears to face the daily grind with as much joy as she can–given she feels like she’s continually up against her work nemesis, Liz. I don’t know how Robin can stay as composed as she does, but she does it. The reader gets the impression that it’s par for the course for Robin. She doesn’t feel as though she’s appreciated at work, and it’s hard for her to get her boss’s attention with James and Liz at the wheel. I loved Robin’s approach to life, though, despite those circumstances.
Along with the bad, Robin will take the good where her work life is concerned. A work trip to Italy is just what she needs to break up the monotony of her world. I thought the introduction of Andrea and the background and story behind that friendship was very cute and a nice twist. It really added another layer of fun and potential, while also throwing a nice wrench into things for Liz. I found Liz to be annoying, but that made for the perfect antagonist.
Robin has vied for James’s attention for a very long time, yet he’s never reciprocated it. But when she has the chance to really see where that relationship might go, the line between what she really wants and more importantly, who she really wants, becomes incredibly blurry. It irritated me that James seemed to only step up when Robin appeared unavailable, making James look like he wouldn’t be a great choice where a romantic relationship is concerned. Yet Robin has a tough time seeing that. All she seems to focus on is that fact that he’s giving her what she’s wanted for so long, she might be willing to push aside the red flags she sees on the horizon.
Overall, Robin has to learn that she’s good enough–she’s an asset to her job. She is worthy of love. It felt like Italy really helped to open her up a lot more, changing her viewpoint on so many things! I thought this latest book by Portia MacIntosh was a really great addition to her ever-expanding list of romantic comedies, and worth the read!
June 26, 2024
3.5 stars
It’s all sun and games by Portia MacIntosh is a catchy, fast paced, short story about Robin and her pen pal Andrea. Robin works in advertising and her firm has a new client in Italy so they go on a work trip there, in Andrea’s home city. They meet for the first time on this trip and Andrea is not the person she expected.
The book had a promising start, but in the beginning the writing became confusing and a bit childish at times. It definitely got better once Andrea was introduced.
James was a really weird character and his behaviour seemed overmuch. Andrea was nice, but his reaction to her not coming to nonna’s party was a bit exaggerated.
I felt like we weren’t told much about Robin and the fact that they were pen wasn’t really exploited. I would’ve liked more if we could see what they talked about and how their relationship as friends developed hence I think it would’ve helped the story. However I liked their relationship in the present and their dinamic.
I also loved how the author included different traditions for the weddings and overall the italian culture.
It’s all sun and games is the perfect beach read, friends to lovers, fake dating romance full of charm and humor.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early.
It’s all sun and games by Portia MacIntosh is a catchy, fast paced, short story about Robin and her pen pal Andrea. Robin works in advertising and her firm has a new client in Italy so they go on a work trip there, in Andrea’s home city. They meet for the first time on this trip and Andrea is not the person she expected.
The book had a promising start, but in the beginning the writing became confusing and a bit childish at times. It definitely got better once Andrea was introduced.
James was a really weird character and his behaviour seemed overmuch. Andrea was nice, but his reaction to her not coming to nonna’s party was a bit exaggerated.
I felt like we weren’t told much about Robin and the fact that they were pen wasn’t really exploited. I would’ve liked more if we could see what they talked about and how their relationship as friends developed hence I think it would’ve helped the story. However I liked their relationship in the present and their dinamic.
I also loved how the author included different traditions for the weddings and overall the italian culture.
It’s all sun and games is the perfect beach read, friends to lovers, fake dating romance full of charm and humor.
Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early.
August 15, 2024
Sweet and fun as always 😊 I can't imagine anyone better than Karen Cass to read these books to me!
The co-workers and boss were getting on my nerves but the love interest and his family were charming to the max. And we get our usual fairytale ending ✨
Overview Portia MacIntosh (audiobooks):
Just Date and See
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐,5 /5
Faking It
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
Your Place or Mine?
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Life's a Beach
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
The Meet Cute Method
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Stuck on You
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
No Ex Before Marriage
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
The Plus One Pact
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Will they, won't they?
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
Better Off Wed
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
Honeymoon for One
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Single All the Way
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐/5
My Great Ex-Scape
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
The Faking Game
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐/5
Long Time No Sea
protagonist ⭐⭐,75 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Ex in the City
protagonist ⭐⭐,75 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐,75 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
It's All Sun and Games
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5/5
The co-workers and boss were getting on my nerves but the love interest and his family were charming to the max. And we get our usual fairytale ending ✨
Overview Portia MacIntosh (audiobooks):
Just Date and See
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐,5 /5
Faking It
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
Your Place or Mine?
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Life's a Beach
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
The Meet Cute Method
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Stuck on You
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
No Ex Before Marriage
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
The Plus One Pact
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Will they, won't they?
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
Better Off Wed
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
Honeymoon for One
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Single All the Way
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐/5
My Great Ex-Scape
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
The Faking Game
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐/5
general plot ⭐⭐,5 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐/5
Long Time No Sea
protagonist ⭐⭐,75 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5 /5
Ex in the City
protagonist ⭐⭐,75 /5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐,75 /5
final conflict ⭐⭐⭐/5
It's All Sun and Games
protagonist ⭐⭐⭐/5
couple's chemistry ⭐⭐⭐,5 /5
general plot ⭐⭐⭐/5
final conflict ⭐⭐,5/5
September 10, 2024
Ugh, this book was so hard to get through. After devouring Portia MacIntosh's The Suite Life—which had me giggling the whole way through—I was excited to pick up another one of her books. Spoiler alert: bad call. The main character, Robin, made this a chore.
Robin was such a bore! Insecure about her body, insecure about her job, and constantly dropping self-deprecating comments. Girl, do you not realize how exhausting it is to be around someone like that? At one point, she even gets low-key fat-shamed by her boss, and while I should have been outraged on her behalf, I was more irritated for the wrong reasons. Robin, you talk about how "fat" you are on repeat, but the second someone else hints at it, you’re offended? Come on, hold yourself to the same standard, please!
And then there’s Liz, her so-called "work nemesis" who always tries to one-up her. But honestly, does she? Liz seems more like she’s just confident and knows what she wants. Let’s be real—Liz sounds kinda hot and like she’d be way more fun to hang out with than Robin. I didn't believe for a second that Liz felt threatened by Robin, the wallflower extraordinaire.
Oh, and Robin’s obsession with a co-worker who’s been clearly uninterested in her for years? Cringe city. I wanted to shake her and say, "Girl, move on!"
Unlike The Suite Life, this book was not funny at all. It did have some heartwarming moments in the final stretch, and Andrea (a.k.a. the "Italian Stallion") was the saving grace of those last few pages. I needed more Andrea to cleanse my palette, but Robin was too busy lying, scheming, and chasing validation from a boss and a guy who barely knew she existed to even notice Andrea.
This was my first-ever one-star rating because, frankly, I was bored stiff until the final quarter.
July 9, 2024
Another fun, charming, rompy romcom from Portia MacIntosh filled with hilarious dialogue and funny, memorable moments!
Robin works for a Manchester based PR firm. She’s part of the team who works under their boss Rick, along with single, flirty, hunky James, her best friend Priya, and her work nemesis Liz.
In light of Robin’s boss telling her she needs to up her game, and being sick of Liz always trying to one-up her, Robin tries to impress the team (especially James) when she states she studied Italian culture which may prove helpful as they travel to Italy in hopes of landing a new client.
When Robin goes home and tells her parents of the upcoming Italy trip, and her subsequent stretching the truth of her Italian cultural studies, her mom helps dive into Robin’s old school files to see if anything might help her. While digging through things, her mom comes across letters from Robin’s school pen pal, Andrea, who lived in Italy. And small world, Andrea lived in the same area Robin will be traveling to. Robin decides to email Andrea and see if she still lives there. And guess what - she does!
When Robin gets to Italy, both her and Andrea are in for a huge shock! Andrea is actually a man and a gorgeous one at that! Andrea thought he had been writing to another male student, named Robin. And Robin is mortified when she reflects back on all the girlie filled letters she sent to Andrea as a teenager believing Andrea was a female student!
After getting over their shock, they realize they could actually help one another out. With his sister’s upcoming wedding, Andrea’s big Italian family is anxious and excited to meet Andrea’s (nonexistent) fiancée. Robin agrees to step in and play the part assuming Andrea will help her impress her team with all her (fairly nonexistent) knowledge about Italian culture which will wow the Italian based company they’re trying to land a deal with. He is happy to help!
A work trip to Italy, a handsome man to spend the days with to impress her colleagues, and hunky James suddenly flirting opening with Robin now that she’s “engaged” - nothing can go wrong! Right?!
Portia MacIntosh has quickly become one of my favorite romcom authors! I know I’m always in for a good time with great characters, hilarious banter, and the awkward, yet humorous, thoughts, feelings, and actions some women always seem to have. She will always be an absolute must-read for me!
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood, and Portia MacIntosh for providing an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a candid review. It’s always a pleasure!
Robin works for a Manchester based PR firm. She’s part of the team who works under their boss Rick, along with single, flirty, hunky James, her best friend Priya, and her work nemesis Liz.
In light of Robin’s boss telling her she needs to up her game, and being sick of Liz always trying to one-up her, Robin tries to impress the team (especially James) when she states she studied Italian culture which may prove helpful as they travel to Italy in hopes of landing a new client.
When Robin goes home and tells her parents of the upcoming Italy trip, and her subsequent stretching the truth of her Italian cultural studies, her mom helps dive into Robin’s old school files to see if anything might help her. While digging through things, her mom comes across letters from Robin’s school pen pal, Andrea, who lived in Italy. And small world, Andrea lived in the same area Robin will be traveling to. Robin decides to email Andrea and see if she still lives there. And guess what - she does!
When Robin gets to Italy, both her and Andrea are in for a huge shock! Andrea is actually a man and a gorgeous one at that! Andrea thought he had been writing to another male student, named Robin. And Robin is mortified when she reflects back on all the girlie filled letters she sent to Andrea as a teenager believing Andrea was a female student!
After getting over their shock, they realize they could actually help one another out. With his sister’s upcoming wedding, Andrea’s big Italian family is anxious and excited to meet Andrea’s (nonexistent) fiancée. Robin agrees to step in and play the part assuming Andrea will help her impress her team with all her (fairly nonexistent) knowledge about Italian culture which will wow the Italian based company they’re trying to land a deal with. He is happy to help!
A work trip to Italy, a handsome man to spend the days with to impress her colleagues, and hunky James suddenly flirting opening with Robin now that she’s “engaged” - nothing can go wrong! Right?!
Portia MacIntosh has quickly become one of my favorite romcom authors! I know I’m always in for a good time with great characters, hilarious banter, and the awkward, yet humorous, thoughts, feelings, and actions some women always seem to have. She will always be an absolute must-read for me!
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood, and Portia MacIntosh for providing an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a candid review. It’s always a pleasure!
September 3, 2024
Robin is thrilled when she learns she's going on a work trip to Italy, seeing it as an opportunity to show her boss and work crush, James, her true colours away from the office. She is worried about her job and tired of the constant competition between her and the other female in the office. When she finds out that the town they will be staying in, is where her childhood penpal, Andrea lives, she hopes to reconnect with her old friend. Andrea's parents are there to pick her up, but things go wrong from the start. With fake fiancés, mistaken identity, a Romeo who I was not impressed with, a couple of weddings and a missing interpreter, this is a fun romcom.
I enjoyed this fun and entertaining story. Although it was pretty predictable, there was a lot to love and laugh at. I really liked Robin and wanted her to be more self-confident. She was smart enough, but always felt her pitches were second rate. When it really counts, she holds her own. I don't want to give anything else away, so won't way much more. If you enjoy a fun romcom, one with interesting characters, friends, a great setting and a happily ever after, then I recommend It's All Sun and Games.
I enjoyed this fun and entertaining story. Although it was pretty predictable, there was a lot to love and laugh at. I really liked Robin and wanted her to be more self-confident. She was smart enough, but always felt her pitches were second rate. When it really counts, she holds her own. I don't want to give anything else away, so won't way much more. If you enjoy a fun romcom, one with interesting characters, friends, a great setting and a happily ever after, then I recommend It's All Sun and Games.
July 12, 2024
Whenever I pick up a book by Portia MacIntosh, I know I’m in for a funny book with a cute storyline and a host of interesting characters. I loved getting to know Robin and Andrea as they reconnected after years apart and the added bonus of being penpals when they were in school was a special treat. There are so many humorous moments and other than a few not-s0-nice coworkers, all the characters are fun and lovable. Can’t wait to read more by this author!
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
July 6, 2024
A fun easy summer read. I am always a sucker for a good fake dating trope and Robin and Andrea were the cutest. Robins lack of Italian skills also had me cracking up the entire book
September 23, 2024
Quick and easy book to read for summer. It kind of reminds me of Emily in Paris show.
August 30, 2024
Probably my least favorite by this author. I did not care for the main character.
August 30, 2024
4.5 🌟 Super cute, funny storyline! Had me laughing out loud at times and just enjoying the change of venue from Manchester to Italy. Worth the read
June 19, 2024
“It’s All Sun and Games” by Portia Macintosh is a fun-filled, sunny and bright vacation read. I was hooked by the fun, summer vibe and exciting plot.
But some of it fell a little flat. The stakes didn’t seem very high for their relationship (despite the distance) because the conflict was too polished. The characters (especially Andrea) weren’t complex… they were very classic archetypes. I didn’t really have any strong feelings towards any of the characters, especially the FMC Robin, because I feel like I didn’t have any backstory. Her personality didn’t really shine through or stick out to me— all I gathered was she didn’t like the gym and she was generally disinterested by her job.
Overall, it was an easy read for the summer, and I’ll probably recommend it, but I wanted more depth!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
But some of it fell a little flat. The stakes didn’t seem very high for their relationship (despite the distance) because the conflict was too polished. The characters (especially Andrea) weren’t complex… they were very classic archetypes. I didn’t really have any strong feelings towards any of the characters, especially the FMC Robin, because I feel like I didn’t have any backstory. Her personality didn’t really shine through or stick out to me— all I gathered was she didn’t like the gym and she was generally disinterested by her job.
Overall, it was an easy read for the summer, and I’ll probably recommend it, but I wanted more depth!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
August 20, 2024
I usually enjoy Portia MacIntosh's books, so I was excited to see that she had a new book coming out! "It's All Sun and Games" centers around Robin, a workaholic determined to win a client pitch on her work trip to Italy. Not only does she want to win the client's attention, but she also wants to win the affection of her coworker James. In anticipation of her travels to Italy, she reaches out to her childhood penpal/friend, Andrea. However, her trip to Italy doesn't go at all like she expects. Andrea totally doesn't meet her expectations, and James seems to be a complete waste of time. How will this trip conclude? Read more to find out!
I didn't really care for Robin and had a hard time rooting for her. I also found myself skimming through parts of the book. This wasn't MacIntosh's best book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I didn't really care for Robin and had a hard time rooting for her. I also found myself skimming through parts of the book. This wasn't MacIntosh's best book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 7, 2024
5 Italian Stars for this one. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but this was so fun that I was laughing out in multiple scenes.
Advertising exec Robin wants to prove herself in her job. She also wants a relationship with her co-worker James, but both seems inattainable because of Robin's work rival, Liz. Robin's boss wants to make a new deal with an Italian brand, so she thinks that would be the ideal time to show everyone what she is made of. She is also supposed to attend the boss' wedding there in her single glory.
Robin had a panpal since childhood. What a coincedence that the panpal, Andrea is also Italian, and they had this dream as kids that they would see each other one day. Well, today is the day. Robin lets Andrea know that she will be coming to Italy, and she would love to see her.
One little hiccup, though. Despite the name, Andrea isn't a young woman. HE is one heck of a Italian stallion.
Through a series of misunderstandings, Andrea's family think that Robin is Andrea's date for his sister's wedding. After a brief shock that Robin is a woman (Andrea didn't know that before because the only Robin he knew was Batman's Robin, and he is a boy), Andrea admits that he lied to his family, saying he has a date for the wedding, even though he is gloriously single, just like Robin. Robin, on the other hand, sees that her boss in nicer to her when he is around Andrea (he even asked Andrea to be their traslator), and that James flirts with her, knowing that she is taken.
Robin wants to keep the lie going for a little longer, and Andrea is just fine with that idea.
I think I said this before but MacIntosh is excellent at the fake-relationship trope.
Andrea and Robie start to act like an engaged couple, falling in love for real in the process for real. Robin was a lovely heroine, and it was no surprise she chose Andrea instead of James, not just because Andrea is the MMC, but also because, could she find anyone better? Andrea was funny, friendly, loving with his family, and incredibly sexy; overall the perfect character. And did I say he is a chef, too? I especially loved how he went "Robin,no!" with his sexy Italian accent, every time Robin did something that she thought was very Italian, but had no place in Italian culture in reality.
In the end, Robin and Andrea ended up getting engaged for real, and they opened up a restaurant, making some big and long overduechanges in Robin's life, and making Andrea's dream of having his own restaurant come true. Such a sweet, romantic, and wholesome read. It would be the perfect read for the summer, but I am just as sure that it would make you feel all warm and tingley inside, no matter when you read this.
Advertising exec Robin wants to prove herself in her job. She also wants a relationship with her co-worker James, but both seems inattainable because of Robin's work rival, Liz. Robin's boss wants to make a new deal with an Italian brand, so she thinks that would be the ideal time to show everyone what she is made of. She is also supposed to attend the boss' wedding there in her single glory.
Robin had a panpal since childhood. What a coincedence that the panpal, Andrea is also Italian, and they had this dream as kids that they would see each other one day. Well, today is the day. Robin lets Andrea know that she will be coming to Italy, and she would love to see her.
One little hiccup, though. Despite the name, Andrea isn't a young woman. HE is one heck of a Italian stallion.
Through a series of misunderstandings, Andrea's family think that Robin is Andrea's date for his sister's wedding. After a brief shock that Robin is a woman (Andrea didn't know that before because the only Robin he knew was Batman's Robin, and he is a boy), Andrea admits that he lied to his family, saying he has a date for the wedding, even though he is gloriously single, just like Robin. Robin, on the other hand, sees that her boss in nicer to her when he is around Andrea (he even asked Andrea to be their traslator), and that James flirts with her, knowing that she is taken.
Robin wants to keep the lie going for a little longer, and Andrea is just fine with that idea.
I think I said this before but MacIntosh is excellent at the fake-relationship trope.
Andrea and Robie start to act like an engaged couple, falling in love for real in the process for real. Robin was a lovely heroine, and it was no surprise she chose Andrea instead of James, not just because Andrea is the MMC, but also because, could she find anyone better? Andrea was funny, friendly, loving with his family, and incredibly sexy; overall the perfect character. And did I say he is a chef, too? I especially loved how he went "Robin,no!" with his sexy Italian accent, every time Robin did something that she thought was very Italian, but had no place in Italian culture in reality.
In the end, Robin and Andrea ended up getting engaged for real, and they opened up a restaurant, making some big and long overduechanges in Robin's life, and making Andrea's dream of having his own restaurant come true. Such a sweet, romantic, and wholesome read. It would be the perfect read for the summer, but I am just as sure that it would make you feel all warm and tingley inside, no matter when you read this.
June 12, 2024
A must read rom com to put you in the mood for summer full of fun, laughs and swoon worthy romance.
Robins work and love life isn't going the way she wants it to but when an opportunity to travel to Italy with her team - and crush for her boss's wedding and a work campaign arises she decides this is the time to show them all what she is really made of. Coincidentally her childhood pen pal lives where she is travelling to so it seems like the perfect time to finally meet them in real life, but her pen pal isn't at all what she expected.
This book includes -
- fake dating
- mistaken identity
- one bed trope
- friends - to - lovers
Portia Macintosh is one of my top go to authors when I need a book that will make me laugh, has amazing romance stories and makes me repeatedly kick my feet and this book was no different. Throughout the book I laughed multiple times, this author has an amazing way of making you feel everything that the FMC feels, you get angry on her behalf, cringe when she finds herself in an embarrassing situation and swoon alongside her when the MMC does something particularly romantic.
I did however find myself getting frustrated whenever Robin interacted with her work crush (James) although she was in no way cheating I couldn't help but feel angry that she was given him the time of day when she had someone so perfect already at her side and couldn't see through the mans façade and see that he just wasn't a very nice person.
Throughout the book the boss made robin and her colleagues do team building tasks and this in particular made me laugh they were written so well and the banana boat scene was brilliant, as someone who has personally come off a banana boat and broke there ribs I could picture the scene so easily.
The easy relationship between the two main characters was a joy to read, the way that they made each other comfortable and more confident was an amazing show of 'true love' and 'right person'. and as a bonus every time Robin got something wrong in Italian I couldn't stop grinning.
I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves an easy and funny read. Portia Macintosh does a brilliant job at writing something beautifully romantic with lots of hilarious real life faux pas. Thank you for my copy of it's all sun and games
Robins work and love life isn't going the way she wants it to but when an opportunity to travel to Italy with her team - and crush for her boss's wedding and a work campaign arises she decides this is the time to show them all what she is really made of. Coincidentally her childhood pen pal lives where she is travelling to so it seems like the perfect time to finally meet them in real life, but her pen pal isn't at all what she expected.
This book includes -
- fake dating
- mistaken identity
- one bed trope
- friends - to - lovers
Portia Macintosh is one of my top go to authors when I need a book that will make me laugh, has amazing romance stories and makes me repeatedly kick my feet and this book was no different. Throughout the book I laughed multiple times, this author has an amazing way of making you feel everything that the FMC feels, you get angry on her behalf, cringe when she finds herself in an embarrassing situation and swoon alongside her when the MMC does something particularly romantic.
I did however find myself getting frustrated whenever Robin interacted with her work crush (James) although she was in no way cheating I couldn't help but feel angry that she was given him the time of day when she had someone so perfect already at her side and couldn't see through the mans façade and see that he just wasn't a very nice person.
Throughout the book the boss made robin and her colleagues do team building tasks and this in particular made me laugh they were written so well and the banana boat scene was brilliant, as someone who has personally come off a banana boat and broke there ribs I could picture the scene so easily.
The easy relationship between the two main characters was a joy to read, the way that they made each other comfortable and more confident was an amazing show of 'true love' and 'right person'. and as a bonus every time Robin got something wrong in Italian I couldn't stop grinning.
I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who loves an easy and funny read. Portia Macintosh does a brilliant job at writing something beautifully romantic with lots of hilarious real life faux pas. Thank you for my copy of it's all sun and games
June 7, 2024
I loved this. Oh, my god I loved this so much. This is the 16th book I’ve read by Portia MacIntosh (which feels crazy to type, especially because I know she has many more that I haven’t gotten to) and I didn’t think anything would top my love for Stuck On You but I’m obsessed with this. Easy 5 stars.
Let’s start with what I loved the most: Andrea. I am so in love with Andrea. Top tier love interest. I also really liked Robin, but Andrea? Robin really is right when she calls him perfect. They are both such good characters, by themselves but even more so together. Their interactions were the perfect mix of funny and friendly yet the romance was just so good and so clear to see how it developed. Him saying ‘Robin, no!’ in relation to food was so cute and funny, every single time.
I wanted to see even more of Robin’s parents because I adored them. The ‘push her in the sea’ conversation literally made me laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the inclusion of family in general - Andrea’s family was also great to read about. The story was fun, the setting was great, and all of the characters were so well developed. I didn’t like Robin’s coworkers but tbh they weren’t written to be likeable, so that’s understandable.
Towards the end I got curious what Andrea was saying when he was speaking Italian, and pulled out Google translate. At first I thought it was fun to just read it and not know the meaning, like Robin didn’t when he spoke, but wow is it worth translating. You’ll fall even more in love with Andrea (like I did!) if you do.
I already know that I’ll be rereading this. I’m intrigued to do so via audio (because Karen Cass always does amazing) to hear the Italian parts, just because that sounds fun. Obviously I cannot recommend this enough. It’s a fast and fun read, and very reminiscent of other Portia MacIntosh books. I think if you’ve read and enjoyed books by her before, you’ll do so again with this & if you haven’t, it will make you want to pick up more.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Let’s start with what I loved the most: Andrea. I am so in love with Andrea. Top tier love interest. I also really liked Robin, but Andrea? Robin really is right when she calls him perfect. They are both such good characters, by themselves but even more so together. Their interactions were the perfect mix of funny and friendly yet the romance was just so good and so clear to see how it developed. Him saying ‘Robin, no!’ in relation to food was so cute and funny, every single time.
I wanted to see even more of Robin’s parents because I adored them. The ‘push her in the sea’ conversation literally made me laugh out loud multiple times. I loved the inclusion of family in general - Andrea’s family was also great to read about. The story was fun, the setting was great, and all of the characters were so well developed. I didn’t like Robin’s coworkers but tbh they weren’t written to be likeable, so that’s understandable.
Towards the end I got curious what Andrea was saying when he was speaking Italian, and pulled out Google translate. At first I thought it was fun to just read it and not know the meaning, like Robin didn’t when he spoke, but wow is it worth translating. You’ll fall even more in love with Andrea (like I did!) if you do.
I already know that I’ll be rereading this. I’m intrigued to do so via audio (because Karen Cass always does amazing) to hear the Italian parts, just because that sounds fun. Obviously I cannot recommend this enough. It’s a fast and fun read, and very reminiscent of other Portia MacIntosh books. I think if you’ve read and enjoyed books by her before, you’ll do so again with this & if you haven’t, it will make you want to pick up more.
Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 25, 2024
Recommended: sure
For a fake dating in Italy story, for low-stakes conflict, for silly language barrier mishaps
Thoughts:
It's pretty much exactly what you expect! The setting is fun and their chemistry is entertaining. The conflict is handled quickly, though that also served to make me feel like it was a huge waste of time when the resolution was apparently so simply achieved. Still, that did give it a more adult feeling, like it wasn't just two young idiots being stubborn and refusing to fix the problem.
The biggest issue I had in this story was how the main character is still harping on her work crush for most of the book despite SO MANY RED FLAGS and just a general ickiness about the guy. He's clearly a sleaze and has no redeeming qualities that I could see. Genuinely, what the fuck is she so into him for? I don't want to yuck anyone's yum, but this guy was just every gross and bad thing available. She even saw and acknowledged those things and was still like "oh boy maybe he'll love me soon!" and , uh, gross no.
I was surprised that the initiation of the fake dating was by the man! That's pretty unusual in the trope, so it was fun to see that turned around a little bit. And of course there is miscommunication, but in this story it's more about the fact that she doesn't speak Italian rather than people just being unwilling to have honest, hard conversations.
The setting is very fun and there's a lot of family involvement as is probably expected for a cliche Italian man as the main romantic interest. Overall I enjoyed this one and it delivered just what I expected, albeit with a little more ick towards the MC for her apparent love of red-flag-laden men.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review!
For a fake dating in Italy story, for low-stakes conflict, for silly language barrier mishaps
Thoughts:
It's pretty much exactly what you expect! The setting is fun and their chemistry is entertaining. The conflict is handled quickly, though that also served to make me feel like it was a huge waste of time when the resolution was apparently so simply achieved. Still, that did give it a more adult feeling, like it wasn't just two young idiots being stubborn and refusing to fix the problem.
The biggest issue I had in this story was how the main character is still harping on her work crush for most of the book despite SO MANY RED FLAGS and just a general ickiness about the guy. He's clearly a sleaze and has no redeeming qualities that I could see. Genuinely, what the fuck is she so into him for? I don't want to yuck anyone's yum, but this guy was just every gross and bad thing available. She even saw and acknowledged those things and was still like "oh boy maybe he'll love me soon!" and , uh, gross no.
I was surprised that the initiation of the fake dating was by the man! That's pretty unusual in the trope, so it was fun to see that turned around a little bit. And of course there is miscommunication, but in this story it's more about the fact that she doesn't speak Italian rather than people just being unwilling to have honest, hard conversations.
The setting is very fun and there's a lot of family involvement as is probably expected for a cliche Italian man as the main romantic interest. Overall I enjoyed this one and it delivered just what I expected, albeit with a little more ick towards the MC for her apparent love of red-flag-laden men.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review!
June 22, 2024
📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚
It's All Sun and Games
By Portia Macintosh
Publication Date: July 11, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)
📚MY REVIEW:
The latest rom-com from Portia Macintosh was absolutely adorable! I was immediately pulled into this story because of its female main character, Robin. Robin was intelligent, independent, sarcastic, and just self-deprecating enough to be funny. Honestly, she totally gives off that "are you my best friend?!" kinda vibe.
This story was cute and there were a couple unique twists in the plotline that I didn't expect, but which really added to my enjoyment of the story. While the plot surrounding a "fake fiancee" sounds familiar, this book didn't just hit repeat on the same ol' storyline... The romantic aspect of the story felt different and the comedic happenings in the plot felt surprising. The supporting characters were either fun, loveable, or completely cringy -- and the ensemble of the combination of characters worked really well. The story was well-written and really kept my interest -- it was a quick read that worked fantastically as a palate cleanser.
Again, as we expect with every rom-com, we know how this one is going to turn out by about a third of the way into the book... But the story was just so cute and made me smile so much as I read it.
I highly recommend this book if you're a fan of rom-coms -- it's a really fun read that makes for a perfect companion to a summer day. A huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
#ItsAllSunAndGames #PortiaMacintosh #NetGalley #ARC #BoldwoodVIPs #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #romcomreads #romcoms #bookcommunity #booklover
It's All Sun and Games
By Portia Macintosh
Publication Date: July 11, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)
📚MY REVIEW:
The latest rom-com from Portia Macintosh was absolutely adorable! I was immediately pulled into this story because of its female main character, Robin. Robin was intelligent, independent, sarcastic, and just self-deprecating enough to be funny. Honestly, she totally gives off that "are you my best friend?!" kinda vibe.
This story was cute and there were a couple unique twists in the plotline that I didn't expect, but which really added to my enjoyment of the story. While the plot surrounding a "fake fiancee" sounds familiar, this book didn't just hit repeat on the same ol' storyline... The romantic aspect of the story felt different and the comedic happenings in the plot felt surprising. The supporting characters were either fun, loveable, or completely cringy -- and the ensemble of the combination of characters worked really well. The story was well-written and really kept my interest -- it was a quick read that worked fantastically as a palate cleanser.
Again, as we expect with every rom-com, we know how this one is going to turn out by about a third of the way into the book... But the story was just so cute and made me smile so much as I read it.
I highly recommend this book if you're a fan of rom-coms -- it's a really fun read that makes for a perfect companion to a summer day. A huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
#ItsAllSunAndGames #PortiaMacintosh #NetGalley #ARC #BoldwoodVIPs #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #romcomreads #romcoms #bookcommunity #booklover
September 23, 2024
It’s All Sun and Games is the latest hilarious romantic comedy from one of the genre’s brightest shining stars – Portia MacIntosh.
Robin cannot believe her luck! She’s going on a work trip to Italy for a whole week and she cannot wait! Sure, there’s a work pitch to think about, but Robin is too busy planning which swimming costume to pack, the beaches she will visit, the sights she will see and the delicious food she will consume to worry about her career. With her work crush James to impress, Robin is determined to show him what she’s like outside of the office and put her work nemesis Liz firmly in the shade. However, Robin soon realises that the best laid plans do have a habit of going seriously awry…
When Robin discovers that the town she will be visiting is the same one her childhood penpal Andrea used to live in, she decides to do her utmost to reconnect. Only, Robin quickly realises that Andrea hadn’t been entirely honest with her and that the person she thought her penpal was was in fact a complete illusion. Things are complicated enough, however, when somebody falls head over heels in love as it looks like Robin’s dream holiday has turned into a complete and utter nightmare!
Portia MacIntosh’s sun-drenched escapist romance is the perfect summer read. It’s All Sun and Games is a fun, hilarious and feel-good charmer with characters you will love, side-splitting humour and sizzling romance. Guaranteed to keep you glued to your sun-lounger, It’s All Sun and Games by Portia MacIntosh is an enjoyable romantic comedy that should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Robin cannot believe her luck! She’s going on a work trip to Italy for a whole week and she cannot wait! Sure, there’s a work pitch to think about, but Robin is too busy planning which swimming costume to pack, the beaches she will visit, the sights she will see and the delicious food she will consume to worry about her career. With her work crush James to impress, Robin is determined to show him what she’s like outside of the office and put her work nemesis Liz firmly in the shade. However, Robin soon realises that the best laid plans do have a habit of going seriously awry…
When Robin discovers that the town she will be visiting is the same one her childhood penpal Andrea used to live in, she decides to do her utmost to reconnect. Only, Robin quickly realises that Andrea hadn’t been entirely honest with her and that the person she thought her penpal was was in fact a complete illusion. Things are complicated enough, however, when somebody falls head over heels in love as it looks like Robin’s dream holiday has turned into a complete and utter nightmare!
Portia MacIntosh’s sun-drenched escapist romance is the perfect summer read. It’s All Sun and Games is a fun, hilarious and feel-good charmer with characters you will love, side-splitting humour and sizzling romance. Guaranteed to keep you glued to your sun-lounger, It’s All Sun and Games by Portia MacIntosh is an enjoyable romantic comedy that should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 13, 2024
Portia MacIntosh has done it again with her latest novel, It's All Sun and Games! This delightful, sun-soaked romantic comedy is the perfect escape, brimming with humour, heart, and a touch of mischief that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
The story follows marketer Robin, a woman who has her eyes on colleague James and is always in competition with another woman in the office – Liz. During a trip to Italy, Robin connects with former pen pal and is has a (pleasant) surprise when it turned out it was a male pen pal all this time. Following a series of events, Robin finds herself in a fake engagement and a competition to create the best pitch. On top of this her new fake romance seems to have caught the attention of lothario James. Is Robin about to get everything she’s wanted?
What starts as a fun, carefree adventure quickly turns into a whirlwind of unexpected romance, hilarious misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments that will make you laugh out loud and root for the characters.
MacIntosh excels in creating vibrant, relatable characters who leap off the page. It's the perfect book to transport you to a holiday destination, even if you're just reading it from your couch.
But beyond the humour and the romance, It's All Sun and Games also touches on themes of self-belief and the importance of staying true to oneself. MacIntosh has a way of weaving deeper messages into her stories without ever losing the light, breezy tone that makes her books so enjoyable.
If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face, It's All Sun and Games is the book for you. Portia MacIntosh has crafted a delightful romantic comedy that is as refreshing as a summer breeze—perfect for fans of light-hearted, fun-filled fiction. This is one book you won't want to put down!
The story follows marketer Robin, a woman who has her eyes on colleague James and is always in competition with another woman in the office – Liz. During a trip to Italy, Robin connects with former pen pal and is has a (pleasant) surprise when it turned out it was a male pen pal all this time. Following a series of events, Robin finds herself in a fake engagement and a competition to create the best pitch. On top of this her new fake romance seems to have caught the attention of lothario James. Is Robin about to get everything she’s wanted?
What starts as a fun, carefree adventure quickly turns into a whirlwind of unexpected romance, hilarious misunderstandings, and heartfelt moments that will make you laugh out loud and root for the characters.
MacIntosh excels in creating vibrant, relatable characters who leap off the page. It's the perfect book to transport you to a holiday destination, even if you're just reading it from your couch.
But beyond the humour and the romance, It's All Sun and Games also touches on themes of self-belief and the importance of staying true to oneself. MacIntosh has a way of weaving deeper messages into her stories without ever losing the light, breezy tone that makes her books so enjoyable.
If you're looking for a feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face, It's All Sun and Games is the book for you. Portia MacIntosh has crafted a delightful romantic comedy that is as refreshing as a summer breeze—perfect for fans of light-hearted, fun-filled fiction. This is one book you won't want to put down!
August 20, 2024
It’s All Sun and Games is a romantic comedy, fake dating book by Portia Macintosh. This is my first book by this author.
Robin is in a bit of a rut. She works in advertising and can’t quite seem to catch her bosses attention with her work ideas or catch the eye of her work crush James.
When a new client pitch gives the small work group an opportunity to come to Italy for a couple of weeks to try and secure the business Robin jumps at the chance to spend time with James.
Robin realizes that where they are staying in Italy is the same small village her penpal from school lives and decides to reconnect with Andrea while in town.
An-dreea turns out to be An-draah who is most definitely not the awkward girl Robin thought she was writing to. Andrea is not only gorgeous but incredibly sweet and kind.
Andrea and Robin decide to fake date during her time in Italy. Not only to make James jealous but to prove to Robin’s boss she is a valuable member of the team, Andrea agrees to be their translator as well.
As Robin and Andrea spend more time together she realizes that James only wants what he can’t have. Robin begins to reevaluate what she wants in life and realizes that her time with Andrea is unforgettable. Can she figure out a way to make things work with him?
This was a cute story. There were a few things that didn’t sit well with me like, the boss suggesting how Robin dressed or encouraged her to be a married woman. That was icky. James’ character was awful and the fact that Robin was swooning over him for so long didn’t work for me either. Andrea was awesome and so was the Italian culture thrown in. This is a 3 star read for me.
Robin is in a bit of a rut. She works in advertising and can’t quite seem to catch her bosses attention with her work ideas or catch the eye of her work crush James.
When a new client pitch gives the small work group an opportunity to come to Italy for a couple of weeks to try and secure the business Robin jumps at the chance to spend time with James.
Robin realizes that where they are staying in Italy is the same small village her penpal from school lives and decides to reconnect with Andrea while in town.
An-dreea turns out to be An-draah who is most definitely not the awkward girl Robin thought she was writing to. Andrea is not only gorgeous but incredibly sweet and kind.
Andrea and Robin decide to fake date during her time in Italy. Not only to make James jealous but to prove to Robin’s boss she is a valuable member of the team, Andrea agrees to be their translator as well.
As Robin and Andrea spend more time together she realizes that James only wants what he can’t have. Robin begins to reevaluate what she wants in life and realizes that her time with Andrea is unforgettable. Can she figure out a way to make things work with him?
This was a cute story. There were a few things that didn’t sit well with me like, the boss suggesting how Robin dressed or encouraged her to be a married woman. That was icky. James’ character was awful and the fact that Robin was swooning over him for so long didn’t work for me either. Andrea was awesome and so was the Italian culture thrown in. This is a 3 star read for me.
June 5, 2024
It’s All Sun and Games by Portia MacIntosh
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 11 July 2024
When Robin learns she's going on a work trip to Italy, she's thrilled about the break from routine and the opportunity to impress her work crush, James, away from the office and outshine her rival, Liz.
The trip becomes even more enticing when Robin realises the destination is the hometown of her childhood penpal, Andrea, providing a chance to reconnect. However, Andrea isn't who Robin expected, complicating matters. Amidst delicious Italian food and work obligations, the week promises sun, games, and unexpected romance.
This book was a quick read, typical of Portia MacIntosh's work. It's a perfect beach read, featuring travel, vacations, weddings, a fake relationship, and the classic 'one bed' scenario.
MacIntosh's descriptive writing immerses you in the setting, and the charming family dynamics and quirky side characters enhance the experience. The flirtation and humour are on point, reflecting MacIntosh's signature style. The Italian translating provided perfect comedic relief.
However, I felt the male lead's reaction to the female lead's work requirements was overly dramatic and could have been toned down.
Although the romance is closed-door, a bit more spice would have been appreciated.
Overall, it's an enjoyable summer read that I highly recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Portia MacIntosh, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 11 July 2024
When Robin learns she's going on a work trip to Italy, she's thrilled about the break from routine and the opportunity to impress her work crush, James, away from the office and outshine her rival, Liz.
The trip becomes even more enticing when Robin realises the destination is the hometown of her childhood penpal, Andrea, providing a chance to reconnect. However, Andrea isn't who Robin expected, complicating matters. Amidst delicious Italian food and work obligations, the week promises sun, games, and unexpected romance.
This book was a quick read, typical of Portia MacIntosh's work. It's a perfect beach read, featuring travel, vacations, weddings, a fake relationship, and the classic 'one bed' scenario.
MacIntosh's descriptive writing immerses you in the setting, and the charming family dynamics and quirky side characters enhance the experience. The flirtation and humour are on point, reflecting MacIntosh's signature style. The Italian translating provided perfect comedic relief.
However, I felt the male lead's reaction to the female lead's work requirements was overly dramatic and could have been toned down.
Although the romance is closed-door, a bit more spice would have been appreciated.
Overall, it's an enjoyable summer read that I highly recommend.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author, Portia MacIntosh, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
July 3, 2024
ITS ALL SUN AND GAMES by Portia MacIntosh
⭐️ rating: 6/10
read if you like:
👩❤️👨 romcoms
✈️ travel
💁🏻♀️ fake dating tropes
summary:
This book is about Robin, a 31 year old working for a marketing agency, who is sent with her team to Italy to wine and dine a new client. The trip is a chance for her to impress her boss and her work crush, James, while getting a taste of Italy. Coincidentally, the country is also home to Andrea, Robin’s childhood penpal who she was never able to meet in person. When Robin finds out Andrea isn’t exactly the person she thought they were, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between her work and her new Italian romance.
The premise of this book is fun, cute and light, with a touch of humor. The story is pretty predictable in of itself, but the Italian landscape adds a beach theme that makes you want to travel. Robin is also a character we all can relate to — a 30-something year old juggling work, love and life and trying to succeed at all three. It leans heavily into the fake dating trope, so if that’s your thing, you’ll LOVE this story. The rest of the characters are cute and entertaining, and even with a simple plot line, it’s hard not to get sucked into this.
I’ve been wanting to go to Italy and this book made me want to go even more. If you want a fun and light escape in a beautiful setting with some amusing characters, check out this book when it releases on July 11! Thanks to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for the ARC!
What’s your favorite beach read?
⭐️ rating: 6/10
read if you like:
👩❤️👨 romcoms
✈️ travel
💁🏻♀️ fake dating tropes
summary:
This book is about Robin, a 31 year old working for a marketing agency, who is sent with her team to Italy to wine and dine a new client. The trip is a chance for her to impress her boss and her work crush, James, while getting a taste of Italy. Coincidentally, the country is also home to Andrea, Robin’s childhood penpal who she was never able to meet in person. When Robin finds out Andrea isn’t exactly the person she thought they were, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between her work and her new Italian romance.
The premise of this book is fun, cute and light, with a touch of humor. The story is pretty predictable in of itself, but the Italian landscape adds a beach theme that makes you want to travel. Robin is also a character we all can relate to — a 30-something year old juggling work, love and life and trying to succeed at all three. It leans heavily into the fake dating trope, so if that’s your thing, you’ll LOVE this story. The rest of the characters are cute and entertaining, and even with a simple plot line, it’s hard not to get sucked into this.
I’ve been wanting to go to Italy and this book made me want to go even more. If you want a fun and light escape in a beautiful setting with some amusing characters, check out this book when it releases on July 11! Thanks to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for the ARC!
What’s your favorite beach read?
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