Lou is getting married, so Molly, who is always work gin by the way, as a maid of honor organized the bachelorette party in a villa in Spain. The four fiends are all excited to the two weeks they will be spending there only to find that the place is doubled booked. They are forced to share the place with four male fiends who will also be attending a wedding on the same weekend.
Who gets the place? They decide to make each other annoyed, when that doesn’t work, they settle for a competition with a series of games. The one rule is to treat the boys as enemies: no sharing, no talking, no flirting, no nothing. It’s a fun read to discover who will win in the end.
Thank you for the advanced copy. Always enjoy the author’s books

Sometimes, mix ups can lead to the best results. This book was such a fun read, I enjoyed the plot, which was so well written and how it developed so well. I enjoyed the build towards the final scenes and how Molly and travis come together to realise what they really felt. These two characters were brilliantly written and I loved their connection.

Thank you to netgalley and Portia for the ARC.

Blurb

One bachelorette party. One stag do. One double-booked villa and only one way to decide who gets a competition.

Workaholic Molly is buzzing when her best friend tells her she’s getting married. As maid of honour Molly can’t wait for the perfect bachelorette party in Spain. What could be better than a week in a stunning villa? Sun, sea, cocktails and gossiping – and best of all, no boys allowed. But when the hens arrive they discover that they are not alone. The villa has been accidentally double booked by a group of stags who make it very clear they’re not leaving!

It’s a disaster, and no one wants to give up their place in paradise. Attempts at compromising fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner takes all competition. Battle lines are drawn and it is girls v boys - but will the competition be too hot to handle?

As their rivalry heats up, and Molly finds herself gravitating towards stag Travis, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the attention - but Molly can’t let herself get distracted, and under no circumstances can she fall for the enemy.

My thoughts

Too hot to handle is a nice, easy read. The book started off slow, but once it got going, I enjoyed it.
Portia had me laughing throughout the book. I loved the competitiveness, banter, friendships, and developing romances throughout.

If I had been in their situation, I don't think I would have handled it as well to begin with 😂

I loved how they started out hating each other, then became competitive to stay at the luxury villa to become engrained in each other's lives.

Molly and Travis's scenes were a highlight of the book. Travis was so sweet and caring towards Molly, and Molly let her guard down and became more playful. You could feel the attraction between them 🔥

It was great to see northerners as the main characters, and you came to love them all ❤️

Too Hot To Handle had me imagining I was sitting in the sun, by a pool reading the book. It is the perfect fun, summer read 🌞📚

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📚ARC REVIEW 📚

Too Hot to Handle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Workaholic Molly is happy when her best friend tells her she’s getting married. As maid of honour Molly can’t wait for the perfect bachelorette party in Spain. What could be better than a week in a stunning villa? Sun, sea, cocktails and gossiping – and best of all, no boys allowed. But when the girls arrive they discover that they are not alone. The villa has been accidentally double booked by a group of guys who make it very clear they’re not leaving! It’s a disaster, and no one wants to give up their place in paradise. So bring on the competition.
As their rivalry heats up, and Molly finds herself gravitating towards Travis, it’s clear that he’s enjoying the attention - but Molly can’t let herself get distracted, and under no circumstances can she fall for the enemy.

I loved all the competitions and pranks that were pulled on the guys/girls. I laughed so hard several times. Their group dynamic was funny. I also loved slow burn between Molly and Travis. A little enemies-to-lovers tension, with forced proximity and forbidden moments. Overall, this was a perfect, light- hearted read.

This book will publish on April 8, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and for an advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

Two parties, one villa, a double-booking disaster. This book is summer in a story. Think sun, sea, and a competition to win paradise. Molly, the workaholic maid of honour, just wants a perfect girls' trip, but then Travis and his stag party show up. It's instant rivalry, and I was hooked.
What I loved? The slow burn between Molly and Travis. It's that delicious enemies-to-lovers tension, with all those close encounters and forbidden moments. The characters are complex, you'll flip from loving to hating them, and back again. The loyalty within the groups, even with the drama, felt real.
If you want a fun, light read with a touch of romance and a lot of playful competition, this is it. Perfect for a beach day or a lazy afternoon. Trust me, you'll be rooting for someone by the end.

Portia has done it again with a fun beach read which had me laughing out loud! When Molly and her friends find out that their villa is double booked, chaos ensues!
I loved all the silly games that the girls and boys played and the subtle flirting between them all. This was fast paced, fun and enjoyable.

I have read many of this author’s previous books, and Too Hot to Handle is pure Portia!

Set in a sultry Spanish villa this easy to read romcom provides a perfect getaway, whether you are on holiday or just in need of some me time. The storyline had a reality show flavour, with a little sprinkle of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Having eight characters in forced proximity for a week was an interesting twist on the standard tropes for this genre.

I did have to suspend disbelief in some parts – I’m still not sure how the girls managed to jump into the pool without noticing the boys underwater. And my low-level OCD had me concerned about how they would get through eight challenges in less than a week. But after I told myself to sit back and relax, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I always expect to laugh aloud while reading a Portia MacIntosh book, but this one had me snorting with laughter.

Thank you to Portia MacIntosh, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy.

Four women set out to a villa in Spain for a weeklong hen party only to find the villa has already been rented out to a bachelor party. The two groups decide to compete against each other for the extra weeklong vacation after the weddings. The premise was pretty fun, and the book was fine. Not a lot of tension. No real character building. It was neither bad not great, but it was a super fast read. Happy ever after for everyone involved.
3 stars.

This book was so funny, leave it up to this Portia for always making us laugh with her books. We have Mollie is newly single, and her best friend is getting married, and her best friend is getting married sooner than anticipated. So now they are on their mini vacation before the wedding and the villa they rented out was double booked, with guys, who are doing the same things they are doing, their best friend is getting married. And I will say this, the girl’s vs boy’s drama was funny, they are so competitive, and it’s so funny to see what they come up with. At times it was really immature and I was a little over it, but the romance in this book was too cute!!!!

My 2nd Portia MacIntosh novel but not my favourite thankfully it is a short book.
The story is simple. Best friend getting married, main character is maid of honour, wedding is abroad, girl gang go abroad for wedding hire a villa which has been double booked by a group of guys also here for their own wedding and end up sharing the villa. Competition and shenanigans arise and eventually romance. The end.
I felt like the writing style, plot and execution was written by a teenage girl. In fact it very very much felt to me like something I definitely would have written when I was 16. That's not to say it was bad, but it did feel very imature and I just didn't buy it completely. I unfortunately didn't find myself reaching for this book and it took me a lot longer to get through it than it should have. The last 30% of the book is a little better but the ending was 100% rushed.
I had really liked this author's previous book so was a little disappointed in this one.

I'd like to thank Boldworld books for providing me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
"Too Hot to Handle" by Portia Macintosh is an absolute treat for fans of rom-coms with a heavy serving of comedy. This book had me LMAO! The setting, full of vibrant energy and fun dynamics and the entertaining cast of characters, adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the plot.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Portia Macintosh for the opportunity to review this fun, feel-good ARC, perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable and lighthearted romance.

Thank you for the ARC version in exchange for my honest reviews of this story. This one was light, bubbly, funny, and quick to read, enjoy and devour. Parts of it where predictable but isn't any novel predictable in its own ways. Portia MacIntosh has a way of pulling you into the story and making you wish you got to be a part of the characters joy also.

When two groups of people get double booked on their own vacations, they have to get creative and find a way to make it work for everyone. Molly and Travis start seeing sparks fly and even when trying to avoid it felt, inevitable. There is enough tenison but also connection that helps attract readers to their sparks and helps to draw them in.

If you need a book to draw you out of a reading slump I highly recommend picking this one up!
I read this book in maybe three sittings, which is unusual for me as I am often a slow reader. I just could not put this down. I loved all of the characters, I loved the dynamic between the stag party and the hen party and I often found myself laughing along to their pranks and banter.

The perfect summer read that you do not want to miss!

This is 3, maybe 3.5 starts for me. I enjoyed the idea of this story - a group of friends from a bachelorette and bachelor party end up being stuck at the same accommodations - and I liked the characters but something was missing. There were some parts that were funny and I did laugh out loud but something was off. There were a few times where I was just like “meh” - I think maybe there was too much going on with the friends, the other party at the villa and the romantic interests. If there was a focus on just one area, I think it would have been really good. More focus on one thing versus a little focus on everything kind of thing. But not a bad read, I still enjoyed the book.

A rom-com delight—full of laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of chaotic fun that makes you wish you were part of the story. From the first page, I was completely hooked, grinning like an idiot at the witty banter and ridiculous (yet totally relatable) mishaps.

The romance? Flirty, fiery, and so much fun to watch unfold. The humor? Absolutely spot-on. And the overall vibe? Pure, feel-good escapism at its finest. MacIntosh knows exactly how to write a rom-com that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, making this one an instant favorite.

If you love quirky, fast-paced romances with sharp wit and all the swoons, Too Hot to Handle is a must-read. Prepare to laugh, swoon, and fall head over heels! 💕🔥😂

I enjoyed this read, full of fun, parties and friendships. When a stag and hen party end up at the same rental house, who’s going to win the 2 weeks at it. They finally come up with a plan, but relationships are for,in between them. A fun, easy read. The characters are enjoyable to read about and are perfect for this book. A great 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read quite a few of Portia’s books and unfortunately this was my least favourite. I’d read a number of reviews on Goodreads and have to agree with them, this was very slow to get going and once it did, it was over. I also found it was a bit repetitive in places and overall, felt rushed.

It was an interesting concept, a competition to stay in the villa that had accidentally been double booked, but the execution of this was quite lacklustre. There were some funny bits and some cute bits too, and some good fun when the competitions were going on.

Overall, a good read that kept me entertained once it got going but it just took too long.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 (3.5/5 rounded up to 4 for Amazon & Goodreads)

Okay, so I loved this book. Like, instantly. It’s the perfect mix of sunshine, romance, and hilarious chaos—exactly what I needed for a light, fun read. The whole premise? A villa in Spain accidentally double-booked for a bachelorette party *and* a stag do? Genius. Neither group wants to back down, so they start this ridiculous competition to decide who gets to stay. And of course, sparks fly between Molly (the maid of honor) and Travis (one of the stags).

First off, the vibes are immaculate. The setting is gorgeous—think cocktails by the pool, beach days, and all the holiday energy. The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud, especially the girls’ dynamic. Molly’s friends are hilarious, and even though she starts off a little uptight (thanks to her lame ex), watching her loosen up is so satisfying. And Travis? Total charm. Their chemistry is chef’s kiss—flirty, fun, and just the right amount of tension.

Now, I’ll be honest—some parts were predictable, but in the best way. This isn’t the kind of book that’s trying to shock you; it’s pure, feel-good escapism. The competition scenes are ridiculous in the most entertaining way (think stupid challenges and over-the-top sabotage), and even though the guys start off kinda obnoxious, they grow on you.

A few tiny gripes: The beginning felt a little slow with Molly’s pre-holiday life, and I wish we’d gotten more scenes exploring the town instead of just the villa. But once the games started? Couldn’t put it down.

Overall, this book is like a vacation in paperback form. It’s sweet, funny, and the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads. If you’re looking for something lighthearted with great banter, a cute romance, and a happily-ever-after that’ll leave you grinning, Too Hot to Handle is it. Portia MacIntosh does it again—her books are always a guaranteed good time.

4.5/5 stars. Would 100% recommend for your beach bag, poolside lounging, or just when you need a serotonin boost.

OMG THIS BOOK! I fell in love instantly! I will definitely be reading more by this author. I loved the characters and their relationships and the banter! It was a bit predictable at times but it was such a cute easy read!

This was ok. A fun light hearted rom com with some laugh out loud moments. I think it would be great read on the beach on vacation.