Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was cute; really fun & lighthearted. The romance was just a no-go for me as it was very much in the insta-love category with no real chemistry or connection.

Wasn't perfect, but it was a really good book as a palate cleanser between heavier reads!

Setting aside the idea that every character in the book is supposed to be super good looking ( given the genre, it is almost always expected) , I had fun with it. The setup is different from the ones I have recently read and even with some emotional introspection, the overall vibe is a fun one.

The book begins in a manner that made me think that our lead protagonist might be in the business of curating proposals! That is not the case, she is part of the recruiting team at a biscuit company and is a workaholic. It’s only when he best friend’s wedding plans change that she takes a holiday. Although the reason she gets said holiday from work was actually funny and totally believable.

The wedding venue is in a remote area and the only house they get for the hen party has unexpected guests, or from another viewpoint, they are the unexpected guests. This unexpected turn of events leads to a clash more suited to reality tv, while being fun to read about. It would have made sense to talk it out in the beginning about sharing but the story might not have been as entertaining. I liked the change in relationships even among the ladies as they spend more time together.


Finally the happily-ever-after reminded me of the feeling of watching romcoms in that post college phase, where you know what’s coming but it’s comforting all the same.

On average, the author’s writing style is one I enjoy and this is probably the reason my reviews of her books tend to skew positive. I would definitely recommend this author and the book to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and other books by the author.

this is such a fun summery romance. i absolutely love all the banter in this, and i was all for the competition between boys and girls. absolutely recommend!

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Too Hot to Handle is exactly the kind of book I reach for when I need a fun, feel-good escape. Portia MacIntosh has a great knack for creating charming characters, witty dialogue, and just the right amount of romantic drama.

The story follows Honor, who finds herself caught up in a destination wedding filled with awkward family moments, old flames, and more secrets than you’d expect. The setting was sunny and lush—perfect for a bit of armchair travel—and I loved how the mix of humor and romance kept things light but engaging.

It’s not overly deep or unpredictable, but that’s part of its charm. If you’re a fan of British rom-coms or looking for an easy beach read, this one definitely delivers.

The queen of the rom-com has hit gold once again, with another hilarious and feel good story.

One villa in Spain, two bookings for it, one group of guys, one group of girls, and neither really wants to share, both need it as its nearby one member of their party's wedding venue, and everywhere else is booked.

This results in full blown gender wars while each group attempts to drive the other away.

All sorts of shenanigans are at play, and the more I read, the more I wanted to read on.

This is a pure joy to devour, and leads to all sorts of surprising revelations.

I loved Molly our main character, and the male in the group she is clearly attracted to is the one I would have fallen for too.

I can't get enough of this author and am already looking forward to her next book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I've enjoyed a lot of Portia's books but this one did not do it for me. It started so slowly that I really struggled to develop interest in Molly as the FMC, Louise or any of the remaining characters.

It was definitely my last try with Portia McIntosh - no matter how gorgeous the other covers are going to be, really. I am simply too old for her books - I love light - hearted and funny stories but I also need some depth and main characters that are not only gorgeous, that have brilliant bodies and long hair but that have personalities. And all McIntosh's characters are the same. I mean, her books always feel the same, as if a teenager has written them - as an author she diesn't mature and , consequently, her characters don't mature either.
The holiday vibes were there, I could feel the sun on my skin, that's for sure. The romance didn't feel real, more instlove and the highly promised competittions between the two groups felt really flat.
3 stars, because I'm feeling generous and well, it's probably me than the book - if you need a simple, quick read filled with sun and characters that don't know any problems, try this one.

This is a fun, quick read about a bachelorette party and a bachelor party from a different wedding who end up renting the same house at the same time. Initially both groups plan to harass the other group to leave, but when the singles in each group get together all bets are off.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read, I recommend this one, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This was a fun read, who doesn't love a battle of the wits and battle between the sexes. I especially loved the ending!
!

Portia MacIntosh's 'Too Hot to Handle' gives you just what you'd hope: a light, easy rom-com for a quick read. The idea of a double-booking in a Spanish villa that requires a stag party and a bachelorette to share quarters is ripe with comedic mayhem and romance. MacIntosh skillfully builds the laugh-out-loud scenes, especially from the early period of rivalry and sabotage tries between the two groups.
Where the story does ride familiar rom-com tropes, the interesting characters, particularly hard-working Molly and dashing Travis, keep you hooked. The sun-kissed Spanish background contributes to the escapism factor, making it a perfect beach read. Where some character detail may feel ever-so-slightly surface-level, the overall bright, feel-good atmosphere and undeniable chemistry make 'Too Hot to Handle' such a lovely, fun escape.

This book was a cute, sweet, fun, quick read. It was just what I needed and would be a perfect summer/beach read. I liked the enemies to lovers trope and the chemistry and silliness, even the cheesy but lovely ending. A happy and enjoyable read overall!

This book is a delightful and carefree romantic adventure that comes to life on the pages. It’s a lighthearted read filled with sunshine and fun. The characters are well-developed and engaging, providing ample drama and romance. It’s an easy and enjoyable read that lifts your spirits with every turn of the page.

Thank you, Netgalley, for sharing this wonderful book with me

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars)

*Sun, sass, and sizzling tension—*Too Hot to Handle* is the ultimate vacation romcom you’ll want to pack in your beach bag!* ☀️🍹💕

Molly is the queen of control—until her dream bachelorette getaway in Spain turns into a hilarious chaos fest when the villa is double-booked with a stag party. Enter Travis: charming, competitive, and very much off-limits. With a "winner takes all" competition as the only way to settle things, it’s girls vs. boys in a sun-soaked showdown full of banter, sabotage, and unexpected sparks. 🏖️🔥🤭

Portia MacIntosh delivers laugh-out-loud moments, sweet romance, and just the right amount of steam. Molly and Travis’s enemies-to-lovers dynamic is a total slow-burn treat, and the forced proximity? Chef’s kiss. 💋💥

This book is a romcom lover’s dream—perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Christina Lauren. If you’re looking for a feel-good, sun-drenched escape with heart and humor, *Too Hot to Handle* totally brings the heat. 🌶️📖💕

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the free copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Too Hot to Handle follows Molly and her 3 friends to a villa in Spain for Lou’s hen party. When they show up they realize the villa had also been rented to a group of 4 guys for the same 2 weeks. They create a competition to decide who gets to keep the villa and who has to find a new place to stay.

This book started off strong for me. It was fun and witty. I was enjoying the banter and the plot of the book. But once the competition started it all went downhill for me. It got too unrealistic, too cheesy. I’m sorry but a group of straight men would not beat women in a quiz on Sex and the City!

I also thought it was pointless to have us think the groom was someone else. Why would the guys lie about who the groom was & why would the author then make us believe it was someone else yet again. It didn’t add to the plot and just made the book a couple chapters longer and it just wasn’t necessary.

I’d say for me this was 2.5 stars rounded down to 2. It was still an easy read but I rolled my eyes a lot & ended up being a miss in the end.

I am a huge Portia MacIntosh fan because I know when I pick up one of her books, I am in for a humorous read with a cute romance and the perfect HEA. This was exactly what I wanted. I found the competition between the boys and girls hilarious, particularly their card game, and the romance(s) that crop up between the two groups were cute with great banter and the typical misunderstandings that eventually bring them closer. Highly recommended for a great beach read or when you need a good laugh with fun characters.

Rom-com beach reading at its finest!

If you want to plop yourself down and get lost in a book with fun girlfriends and witty banter. This one is it!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Molly's best friend gets engaged and her boyfriend is shocked that Molly might be interested in the same future. Months and a break up later, Molly joins her best friend's wedding party for a hen do in Spain. They show up to the house only to find a bachelor party has already made themselves at home and they have to sort out who gets to keep the house for the week. A proposal for a winner takes all is agreed upon and the antics begin.
Portia's writing is always a delight to read. This is one of my new favorites! It's lighthearted with a fun cast of characters and who doesn't want to travel to Spain within the pages of a book? I loved how Portia pitted the bachelor and bachelorette parties - from different weddings - against each other through a series of games and tricks to beat out the others. Even thought the book spanned a short amount of time, the chemistry and time spent made Molly's romantic journey one that I was completely satisfied with.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Too Hot to Handle was one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. Just dry humour that doesn’t feel oppressive, just comes out of left field.

The friendships were fun! Loved all of the women and all of their dynamics. They were all really fun characters. The romance wasn’t fantastic, very instalove and while the book was interesting, the romance didn’t really add to that.

Thank you so much netgalley for my ARC! <3

I quite honestly could not get enough of this book. I genuinely felt like I was watching my favourite reality dating shows. The slow burn, the teasing of a twist that turns into something else entirely and then that ending….this book was amazing. You could feel the sun and smell the chlorine. The perfect read for summer and I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can reread this again in the sun.

Molly and her girlfriends head to Spain for a pre-wedding holiday for her best friend. When the girls get to the villa, they discovered that the villa has been double booked with a bunch of bachelors who are there for a wedding as well.

Of course, what else would ensue but both groups declaring that they are the rightful renters to stay at the Villa. The groups then decide to split the Villa for the first week, girls upstairs and boys downstairs, sharing the common areas of the pool and yard. They then decide a friendly competition is in place to declare a winner of who will stay the second week .

Of course, hilarity and fun competetions are in order, and a little romance sneaks in there too . This was such a cute book to read and really enjoyable. I recommended if you’re looking for a fun summer read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.