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Just Date and See
'Smart, funny and always brilliantly entertaining, every book from Portia becomes my new favourite romcom.' Shari Low
Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas. It’s just a shame her family doesn't feel the same way…
With a house full of unexpected (and unwanted) guests, Billie needs to find the perfect escape to get away from the chaos.
So when her dating app recommends a week of singles nights in her area, Billie decides that braving these events has to be better than making conversation with her dad’s new wife, dealing with her mum's mid-life crisis or witnessing her sister flirting with her insufferably arrogant next-door neighbour.
While this is definitely not the festive season she had planned, between disco bowling and boozy bingo, little does Billie know that she may find love this year after all - she'll just have to date and see...
Join MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Portia MacIntosh for a laugh-out-loud, blind dating, close proximity romance, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas. It’s just a shame her family doesn't feel the same way…
With a house full of unexpected (and unwanted) guests, Billie needs to find the perfect escape to get away from the chaos.
So when her dating app recommends a week of singles nights in her area, Billie decides that braving these events has to be better than making conversation with her dad’s new wife, dealing with her mum's mid-life crisis or witnessing her sister flirting with her insufferably arrogant next-door neighbour.
While this is definitely not the festive season she had planned, between disco bowling and boozy bingo, little does Billie know that she may find love this year after all - she'll just have to date and see...
Join MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Portia MacIntosh for a laugh-out-loud, blind dating, close proximity romance, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
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First published September 19, 2022
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About the author
Portia MacIntosh
49 books1,970 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 353 reviews
August 13, 2022
Who doesn’t love a Christmas comedy in the middle of summer (and a heat wave to boot)?
Billie is planning a quiet Christmas in her newly renovated house. However as more and more unexpected visitors start crowding her space, she is desperate for a way out. So she signs up for a series of dating events in her town.
There she meets Rocco, who she tries to friend zone for absolutely no good reason. Luckily not much success there, cause c’mon, you don’t friend zone a hot dude you met on an event for singles!
What I really loved about this story was the witty writing and a lot of good comedy. The dating events were a perfect basis for awkward moments and situational humor and it was brilliantly executed. I was laughing out loud and that’s what I need from my books.
The love story is sweet, so no spice. Still nice, but the “com” part of “rom-com” is what steals the show.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Billie is planning a quiet Christmas in her newly renovated house. However as more and more unexpected visitors start crowding her space, she is desperate for a way out. So she signs up for a series of dating events in her town.
There she meets Rocco, who she tries to friend zone for absolutely no good reason. Luckily not much success there, cause c’mon, you don’t friend zone a hot dude you met on an event for singles!
What I really loved about this story was the witty writing and a lot of good comedy. The dating events were a perfect basis for awkward moments and situational humor and it was brilliantly executed. I was laughing out loud and that’s what I need from my books.
The love story is sweet, so no spice. Still nice, but the “com” part of “rom-com” is what steals the show.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2023
Funny and entertaining! To stay away from her unwanted guests, Billie signed up for daily social events on a dating app. I loved it all 😁.
Blog: LucyKnowsThings.com
Blog: LucyKnowsThings.com
March 9, 2023
*Festive Fun*
Billie is reeling after working out her future, buying the house of her dreams and getting to work on the renovations with her now ex boyfriend deciding to leave her to it and walks out of her life. She has spent a lot of time getting it to just how she likes it and will finally be spending it Man free.
Well her mother is now single as her husband Billies’s Dad has remarried. So she is packing up the family home and staying with Billie until her new home is ready to move into. Billie can just about cope but her mother has had cosmetic surgery and looks more like her sister than her mother. Then her sister Jess wants to stay until she decides what to do next. Billie can still cope as it’s only for Christmas. Next her Dad phones her mum and the next thing he and his new wife who no one has met are going to be staying. This is not the Christmas Billie wanted.
Fed up with the conveyor belt of people in her house Billie decides she will tap into her dating app and she blindly accepts everything going on for a week of singles nights in her area. Maybe this will be the perfect distraction but things take a hilarious turn with the different events and it does have some silly moments but great escapism and misunderstandings too
Billie is reeling after working out her future, buying the house of her dreams and getting to work on the renovations with her now ex boyfriend deciding to leave her to it and walks out of her life. She has spent a lot of time getting it to just how she likes it and will finally be spending it Man free.
Well her mother is now single as her husband Billies’s Dad has remarried. So she is packing up the family home and staying with Billie until her new home is ready to move into. Billie can just about cope but her mother has had cosmetic surgery and looks more like her sister than her mother. Then her sister Jess wants to stay until she decides what to do next. Billie can still cope as it’s only for Christmas. Next her Dad phones her mum and the next thing he and his new wife who no one has met are going to be staying. This is not the Christmas Billie wanted.
Fed up with the conveyor belt of people in her house Billie decides she will tap into her dating app and she blindly accepts everything going on for a week of singles nights in her area. Maybe this will be the perfect distraction but things take a hilarious turn with the different events and it does have some silly moments but great escapism and misunderstandings too
October 21, 2024
4 Stars!
I'm on a Christmas rom-coms roll.
I'm on a Christmas rom-coms roll.
September 11, 2022
Cute.
I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about the beginning or end… but I loved the middle, The characters were fun and I loved her crazy family!! I personally would have liked to see a little more to the y ending. Such as, what was her Christmas gift and what does he need to give it to her early? I want my full and complete HEA people!
Overall, however, it was a cute story and would make a great holiday read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts expressed are mine alone.
I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about the beginning or end… but I loved the middle, The characters were fun and I loved her crazy family!! I personally would have liked to see a little more to the y ending. Such as, what was her Christmas gift and what does he need to give it to her early? I want my full and complete HEA people!
Overall, however, it was a cute story and would make a great holiday read.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts expressed are mine alone.
October 5, 2022
After reading eleven of her books it’s not a secret how much I love Portia MacIntosh’s stories, and with Just Date And See she may have outdone herself! I just adored every single thing about it! A rom-com, relying heavily on the -com, set during Christmas? What’s not to love? It was just the perfect Santa’s early present.
Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas, but her family have other plans for her. With her house full of unwanted guests she will look for an escape in the form of a series of singles nights events sponsored by a dating app. These events will make her Christmas everything but quiet, and her resolve to have a man-free holidays will prove a hard one to achieve.
I fell in love with everything about this book. From the plot, full of hilarious, laugh out loud situations, to the characters, and I mean every single one of them, cause even the jerks turned out to be adorable! Must be a Christmas miracle!
Billie was such a lovable and relatable character. I could see myself completely reflected in her wish for some alone, quiet time being thwarted by everyone else, although I’m not sure I would have been so generous. All the characters were really well developed and had some depth, and the chemistry between all of them was fantastic. And Billie and Rocco? Their chemistry was off the charts! They were so cute together! The witty banter was there from the first pages and made of this such a fun read.
The events Billie goes to made the perfect setting for the comedy to shine. From the Scone Wars to the Eiffel Tower party (yes, my mind went there immediately), there were so many cute and hilarious moments you’ll wish Billie won’t stop going to them.
I loved how the romance was not the typical back and forth, he loves me/he loves me not, will they/won’t they kind of story, but just a beautiful friendship that evolved organically. Yes, there was a small hiccup I did not see coming at all that ensued some funny moments as well, but you’ll have to read it to find out about it.
With her trademark engaging and humorous style, Portia MacIntosh delivers a brilliant and sweet Christmas story full of charming characters, perfect for the holiday season (and the un-holidays season too) so READ IT!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas, but her family have other plans for her. With her house full of unwanted guests she will look for an escape in the form of a series of singles nights events sponsored by a dating app. These events will make her Christmas everything but quiet, and her resolve to have a man-free holidays will prove a hard one to achieve.
I fell in love with everything about this book. From the plot, full of hilarious, laugh out loud situations, to the characters, and I mean every single one of them, cause even the jerks turned out to be adorable! Must be a Christmas miracle!
Billie was such a lovable and relatable character. I could see myself completely reflected in her wish for some alone, quiet time being thwarted by everyone else, although I’m not sure I would have been so generous. All the characters were really well developed and had some depth, and the chemistry between all of them was fantastic. And Billie and Rocco? Their chemistry was off the charts! They were so cute together! The witty banter was there from the first pages and made of this such a fun read.
The events Billie goes to made the perfect setting for the comedy to shine. From the Scone Wars to the Eiffel Tower party (yes, my mind went there immediately), there were so many cute and hilarious moments you’ll wish Billie won’t stop going to them.
I loved how the romance was not the typical back and forth, he loves me/he loves me not, will they/won’t they kind of story, but just a beautiful friendship that evolved organically. Yes, there was a small hiccup I did not see coming at all that ensued some funny moments as well, but you’ll have to read it to find out about it.
With her trademark engaging and humorous style, Portia MacIntosh delivers a brilliant and sweet Christmas story full of charming characters, perfect for the holiday season (and the un-holidays season too) so READ IT!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2022
I went into this super excited for a holiday romantic comedy and it unfortunately just did not deliver that for me. The writing was perfect but the way things were repeated over and over again over multiple chapters was overkill. Not sure how many times in two pages I need to be reminded the mc wants a quiet Christmas. Given the departure of her free loading boyfriend, her completing her home and making a life perfect for herself, and her resolve I thought mc was going to be a awesome independent woman who happened to find love. Instead she was a complete push over, she literally let everyone in her family and her ex use her, treat her like crap, and walk all over her. I finished the book hoping that at some point she would put her foot down and stand up for herself but that never came to fruition. I did like Rocco and wish this had been an actual romance focusing on them and not her horrid family. This just really missed the mark for me unfortunately.
September 5, 2022
Just Date and See
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/19/22
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Goodreads Rating: 3.78
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas, then her family arrives unexpectedly. So when her dating app recommends a week of singles nights in her area, Billie decides that braving these events has to be better than making conversation with her dad’s new wife, dealing with her mum's mid-life crisis or witnessing her sister flirting with her insufferably arrogant next-door neighbour. While this is definitely not the festive season she had planned, between disco bowling and boozy bingo, little does Billie know that she may find love this year after all - she'll just have to date and see...
My Thoughts: I love Christmas Books and Movies (Hallmark). This book stole my heart. It is the perfect read to gear up for the festive season. Cute, light-hearted, quick read. The humor in this book was off the charts, it really did put the comedy into Rom-Com. I literally laughed out loud several times while reading, I love those type of books, that just put you in a good mood. The characters were divine and well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and creatively written. The characters were likable and relatable. The author does such an amazing job at describing the tension Billie experienced that you could feel it. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, intriguing, engaging, and brilliant. This book releases on 9/19/22 and I would highly recommend preordering from Amazon for only $2.99!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/19/22
Author: Portia MacIntosh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Goodreads Rating: 3.78
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Billie is looking forward to a quiet, man-free Christmas, then her family arrives unexpectedly. So when her dating app recommends a week of singles nights in her area, Billie decides that braving these events has to be better than making conversation with her dad’s new wife, dealing with her mum's mid-life crisis or witnessing her sister flirting with her insufferably arrogant next-door neighbour. While this is definitely not the festive season she had planned, between disco bowling and boozy bingo, little does Billie know that she may find love this year after all - she'll just have to date and see...
My Thoughts: I love Christmas Books and Movies (Hallmark). This book stole my heart. It is the perfect read to gear up for the festive season. Cute, light-hearted, quick read. The humor in this book was off the charts, it really did put the comedy into Rom-Com. I literally laughed out loud several times while reading, I love those type of books, that just put you in a good mood. The characters were divine and well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and creatively written. The characters were likable and relatable. The author does such an amazing job at describing the tension Billie experienced that you could feel it. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, intriguing, engaging, and brilliant. This book releases on 9/19/22 and I would highly recommend preordering from Amazon for only $2.99!
April 20, 2023
A wholesome and funny story until it's fucked-up plot twist. Technically, it isn't that bad but it's just too weird. I was waiting for a solution, a consequence, anything!
But I guess we're just gonna leave it like that.
3.25 stars, rounding down.
But I guess we're just gonna leave it like that.
3.25 stars, rounding down.
December 17, 2022
A quick read, but not a good one.
If pathetic heroines are your thing, you might enjoy this.
If pathetic heroines are your thing, you might enjoy this.
August 22, 2022
Full Review: https://clife.blog/2022/08/22/book-re...
Love love love it!
The main character Billie is looking forward to a peaceful man-free Christmas. It begins with her mum staying with her, and ends with having a very long list of people to even her neighbour she barely knew or liked at the beginning all at the Christmas table by the end!
So of course to get away from this maddest she says she has so many plans. It just so happens that the dating app she is on, recommends a week of singles nights in her area. So she is very desperate to get away from everyone including her immature ex.
With all the drama going on and non-parent-traps, a neighbour having a thing with her sister, her divorced parents under the same roof alongside his new wife and both of them seeming to get on better than ever it is no wonder she takes a leap on the singles events.
Oh my god. The adventures they go on and some of the hilarious laugh-out-loud moments that occur on these events had me physically laughing and smiling. As well as guessing what is about to happen just by the title of some of the later on events where just hilarious!
It does not matter if it is currently not Christmas this novel will have you in the mood for a light hearted funny read.
This may not be the exact quiet lonesome Christmas Billie had planned from events such as the Disco bowling, Boozy Bingo, Eiffel Tower events but she most definitely has romance on the horizon whether she admits it to herself or not.
The only, and only element i disliked was Billie’s denial towards her feelings of Rocco. She kept saying she has no feelings and then inside her thoughts she shows she does have feelings. Just, why lie?
She put it out there they are buddies so of course he will follow her lead.
Overall, excellent writing style with loving characters full of personality.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Love love love it!
The main character Billie is looking forward to a peaceful man-free Christmas. It begins with her mum staying with her, and ends with having a very long list of people to even her neighbour she barely knew or liked at the beginning all at the Christmas table by the end!
So of course to get away from this maddest she says she has so many plans. It just so happens that the dating app she is on, recommends a week of singles nights in her area. So she is very desperate to get away from everyone including her immature ex.
With all the drama going on and non-parent-traps, a neighbour having a thing with her sister, her divorced parents under the same roof alongside his new wife and both of them seeming to get on better than ever it is no wonder she takes a leap on the singles events.
Oh my god. The adventures they go on and some of the hilarious laugh-out-loud moments that occur on these events had me physically laughing and smiling. As well as guessing what is about to happen just by the title of some of the later on events where just hilarious!
It does not matter if it is currently not Christmas this novel will have you in the mood for a light hearted funny read.
This may not be the exact quiet lonesome Christmas Billie had planned from events such as the Disco bowling, Boozy Bingo, Eiffel Tower events but she most definitely has romance on the horizon whether she admits it to herself or not.
The only, and only element i disliked was Billie’s denial towards her feelings of Rocco. She kept saying she has no feelings and then inside her thoughts she shows she does have feelings. Just, why lie?
She put it out there they are buddies so of course he will follow her lead.
Overall, excellent writing style with loving characters full of personality.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me this novel in exchange for my honest review.
dnf
February 13, 2023dnf @ 49%
How did I make it halfway through without even knowing who was meant to be the love interest? It was easy to read and I liked the writing style so that was a positive, but then there were weird digs at and a massive understanding of feminism which was just a bit strange - I was getting lots of undertones that make me think this author is very conservative. Enough about the book was starting to give me bad vibes, and I just didn't care enough to keep reading.
How did I make it halfway through without even knowing who was meant to be the love interest? It was easy to read and I liked the writing style so that was a positive, but then there were weird digs at and a massive understanding of feminism which was just a bit strange - I was getting lots of undertones that make me think this author is very conservative. Enough about the book was starting to give me bad vibes, and I just didn't care enough to keep reading.
April 21, 2023
I always love picking up a Portia MacIntosh book, knowing that I am in for a good time. Whilst I did slightly baulk when I realised this was a Christmas book, I decided to dive straight in and see what it was all about.
For the most part, this is all about Billie escaping into the world of mass dating: social meet-ups for singletons in her area. Desperate to escape the house invasion after she had envisaged a quiet Christmas in her new home, pyjamas and all, Billie jumps in with both feet and figures hanging out with those looking for love is a far better option than being stuck in her now mad-house. I loved the different scenarios that MacIntosh describes and found the bingo hall particularly entertaining – and toe-curling too! From cooking to a strange house party, Billie certainly has adventures far beyond what she was expecting, making this a really fun read.
Although set at Christmas, I think the emphasis was more on the dating than the festive time of year. True, there are descriptions of supermarket madness (so very true!), the decorations and excessive foods that apparently must be purchased at this time of year, but I think this all added to the atmosphere of the story and I found I didn’t really mind reading this Christmas book so early in the year. (Or maybe I am late for last year?!)
Not only do we watch Billie and her fun dates with Rocco and her new friends, I liked how the subplots were equally entertaining. The battles she has with her neighbour take a different turn when her sister shows an interest in him; Billie just cannot fathom why there is a romantic connection. There’s also the strange relationship occurring between her divorced parents and then when Declan, Billie’s ex-boyfriend, arrives at the house, I could completely understand her frustration and desperation to escape! Furthermore, when Christmas day arrives and everyone gathers together, I knew there would be fireworks – just not the ones that MacIntosh delivers as the plot twists were definitely unexpected.
I loved this quick, fun read that is definitely MacIntosh true to form. The characters and scenarios were entertaining and I found I could not put the book down, desperate to see what would happen next in Billie’s mad-cap life.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, this is all about Billie escaping into the world of mass dating: social meet-ups for singletons in her area. Desperate to escape the house invasion after she had envisaged a quiet Christmas in her new home, pyjamas and all, Billie jumps in with both feet and figures hanging out with those looking for love is a far better option than being stuck in her now mad-house. I loved the different scenarios that MacIntosh describes and found the bingo hall particularly entertaining – and toe-curling too! From cooking to a strange house party, Billie certainly has adventures far beyond what she was expecting, making this a really fun read.
Although set at Christmas, I think the emphasis was more on the dating than the festive time of year. True, there are descriptions of supermarket madness (so very true!), the decorations and excessive foods that apparently must be purchased at this time of year, but I think this all added to the atmosphere of the story and I found I didn’t really mind reading this Christmas book so early in the year. (Or maybe I am late for last year?!)
Not only do we watch Billie and her fun dates with Rocco and her new friends, I liked how the subplots were equally entertaining. The battles she has with her neighbour take a different turn when her sister shows an interest in him; Billie just cannot fathom why there is a romantic connection. There’s also the strange relationship occurring between her divorced parents and then when Declan, Billie’s ex-boyfriend, arrives at the house, I could completely understand her frustration and desperation to escape! Furthermore, when Christmas day arrives and everyone gathers together, I knew there would be fireworks – just not the ones that MacIntosh delivers as the plot twists were definitely unexpected.
I loved this quick, fun read that is definitely MacIntosh true to form. The characters and scenarios were entertaining and I found I could not put the book down, desperate to see what would happen next in Billie’s mad-cap life.
With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and boldwood books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
First of all this book made me so fucking frustrated. Why the hell this book was not focused on romance when the title is 'just date and see'
I didn't gave a damn about her stupid family. I'm so fucking dissapointed!!! And she let her ex stayed in her with her? Wtf girl? Stop playing like a puppet. She should have kicked him out of the house! Her kindness made me so fucking frustrated and yeah Her mom and dad can go to hell!
Anyways Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
First of all this book made me so fucking frustrated. Why the hell this book was not focused on romance when the title is 'just date and see'
I didn't gave a damn about her stupid family. I'm so fucking dissapointed!!! And she let her ex stayed in her with her? Wtf girl? Stop playing like a puppet. She should have kicked him out of the house! Her kindness made me so fucking frustrated and yeah Her mom and dad can go to hell!
Anyways Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
November 8, 2022
Ugh. Mad at myself for even finishing this one. It wasn't cute or funny.
January 4, 2023
I was enjoying this until they made the love interests fucking step siblings. NOPE.
October 21, 2025
Plot- Very fun chick-lit. Completely engaging and entertaining.
Characters- I loved the FMC. She was completely put together and motivated in life, and also really kind, patient, and selfless. I love how she opened her home up to all these pseudo-enemies and learned to appreciate them all. She was a great example!
Rocco, the love interest, was awesome! I was totally into him.
All of the side characters are great. Even the loony ex-boyfriend grows on you in a way.
Romance- The romance had great potential, but I was bummed at how it was wrapped up so quickly at the end. I mean, they hardly kissed before the curtain was pulled and they were awake the next morning. Then they had a funny and short-lived 3rd act misunderstanding that I actually loved, but we didn’t get the kiss-and-make-up scene afterward. It was completely missing!!! There was a semi-cute and funny (and short) epilogue, but I ended up feeling like I had been robbed of a swoony climax and romantic closure. I wanted some good kissing and chemistry that I could relish, I guess. Haha.
The rushed romantic ending is the only reason it wasn’t 5 stars.
Writing - Fantastic! Witty and funny. Thoroughly enjoyable. And the narrator NAILED IT. The phenomenal voice performance was half the fun.
I was confused by a few things that seemed to build up just to end in nothing. For example, the sleazy wall that the ex-boyfriend painted. I thought for sure that Rocco was going to find it before he found out they weren’t a couple anymore. And she never told the friends that she was two-timing everyone at the restaurant. I thought for sure she’d get found out and come clean.
Content-
Language- I don’t recall any f-words, or much of any swears actually.
Spice- the couple sleeps together but it felt like the curtain was pulled very quickly. Cheating is definitely denounced, and I loved how everyone felt about that, as well as being promiscuous. (That it’s a red flag/turn-off.)
The FMC and the love interest accidentally go to a swingers’ sec party, and leave as soon as they realize. The FMC lived with her previous boyfriend. Sex is mentioned in passing but it’s not crude.
Violence- none
Substance abuse- the FMC gets super drunk one night. Thankfully the love interest thinks she’s cute.
Cover- fine
POV- single POV, first person
Cliffhanger- no
Format- audiobook via Hoopla app thru public library
Narration- awesome!!
Characters- I loved the FMC. She was completely put together and motivated in life, and also really kind, patient, and selfless. I love how she opened her home up to all these pseudo-enemies and learned to appreciate them all. She was a great example!
Rocco, the love interest, was awesome! I was totally into him.
All of the side characters are great. Even the loony ex-boyfriend grows on you in a way.
Romance- The romance had great potential, but I was bummed at how it was wrapped up so quickly at the end. I mean, they hardly kissed before the curtain was pulled and they were awake the next morning. Then they had a funny and short-lived 3rd act misunderstanding that I actually loved, but we didn’t get the kiss-and-make-up scene afterward. It was completely missing!!! There was a semi-cute and funny (and short) epilogue, but I ended up feeling like I had been robbed of a swoony climax and romantic closure. I wanted some good kissing and chemistry that I could relish, I guess. Haha.
The rushed romantic ending is the only reason it wasn’t 5 stars.
Writing - Fantastic! Witty and funny. Thoroughly enjoyable. And the narrator NAILED IT. The phenomenal voice performance was half the fun.
I was confused by a few things that seemed to build up just to end in nothing. For example, the sleazy wall that the ex-boyfriend painted. I thought for sure that Rocco was going to find it before he found out they weren’t a couple anymore. And she never told the friends that she was two-timing everyone at the restaurant. I thought for sure she’d get found out and come clean.
Content-
Language- I don’t recall any f-words, or much of any swears actually.
Spice- the couple sleeps together but it felt like the curtain was pulled very quickly. Cheating is definitely denounced, and I loved how everyone felt about that, as well as being promiscuous. (That it’s a red flag/turn-off.)
The FMC and the love interest accidentally go to a swingers’ sec party, and leave as soon as they realize. The FMC lived with her previous boyfriend. Sex is mentioned in passing but it’s not crude.
Violence- none
Substance abuse- the FMC gets super drunk one night. Thankfully the love interest thinks she’s cute.
Cover- fine
POV- single POV, first person
Cliffhanger- no
Format- audiobook via Hoopla app thru public library
Narration- awesome!!
September 17, 2022
Well, I've got my first Christmas book of the year on the books, even earlier than normal.
And it's my first Portia MacIntosh book. What the what? How is it possible? I'm a disgrace to rom-com fans everywhere.
Billie wants a quiet Christmas, preferably man free since getting dumped a year ago. Unfortunately, her mom needs a place to stay for the holidays, but Billie is still optimistic for her planned Christmas. And then her sister shows up. OK so maybe not quiet but man-free is still possible. And then her dad and step mom beg for a place to stay. Quiet is gone and so is man free.
To survive, Billie tries to be out of the house as much as possible, and signs up for all these events for singles from her dating app.
What ensues is miscommunications and hilarity galore. This book was so funny, I was literally "laughing all the way ha ha ha" (yep I'm singing Jingle Bells)
I absolutely loved this fun book. It was so perfect for me.
And it's my first Portia MacIntosh book. What the what? How is it possible? I'm a disgrace to rom-com fans everywhere.
Billie wants a quiet Christmas, preferably man free since getting dumped a year ago. Unfortunately, her mom needs a place to stay for the holidays, but Billie is still optimistic for her planned Christmas. And then her sister shows up. OK so maybe not quiet but man-free is still possible. And then her dad and step mom beg for a place to stay. Quiet is gone and so is man free.
To survive, Billie tries to be out of the house as much as possible, and signs up for all these events for singles from her dating app.
What ensues is miscommunications and hilarity galore. This book was so funny, I was literally "laughing all the way ha ha ha" (yep I'm singing Jingle Bells)
I absolutely loved this fun book. It was so perfect for me.
March 16, 2023
Geee how I love this author! This was another fun, good-time charming read! I actually LOL a few times which is rare for me. The narrator, as always, is perfect
SUMMARY: Billie recently finished renovating her house. She, a school teacher, is looking forward to a quiet Xmas break, but her mom ans sister have come to stay. Then her dad and his new wife also need to come stay. This is too much family for Billie so to escape, she starts going to dating meetups…
Read on hoopla
SUMMARY: Billie recently finished renovating her house. She, a school teacher, is looking forward to a quiet Xmas break, but her mom ans sister have come to stay. Then her dad and his new wife also need to come stay. This is too much family for Billie so to escape, she starts going to dating meetups…
Read on hoopla
August 2, 2022
This book starts with the female main character’s house being unexpectedly filled with family members during the holidays. As an opportunity to get out of the house and a break from her family she agrees to attend a bunch of local events through a dating app. I thought the author did a great job in the beginning of the book of describing the tension in the house, I definitely could feel the main character’s anxiety about so many family members in her home. I thought this was really good and funny, lots of little twists and turns. Now only if the ending could’ve been five more chapters so I could see how the rest goes. Overall I thought this one was great and an easy, light read. I received a complimentary copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Pub date 9/19/2022
September 21, 2022
Just Date and See by Portia McIntosh
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Portia’s writing expertly strikes a brilliant balance of cheeky, comical, cute and charismatic every 👏🏻 dang 👏🏻 time 👏🏻 .
After a year of dedication and hard work renovating her beautiful new home, Billie yearns for a quiet Christmas enjoying the immaculate space of her creation (read: blood, sweat, manual labour and tears) — surrounded by decorations, decisions and schedules that are blissfully and decidedly 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.
However, like teetering dominos, Billie suddenly watches her entire family, one by one, descend on her elegant place — including her free-spirited and spoiled younger sister, long-divorced parents, father’s new wife and nosey neighbour — kicking off their boots and adorning her house with their own decorations as they settle in for the season.
When her calm holiday plans quickly deteriorate to cacophonous chaos, Billie finds herself desperate for some time away from her haven-turned-hectic and impulsively accepts an invitation from her dating app to participate in a week of singles’ nights.
The singles events are hilarious and provide engaging and enjoyable scenarios in the midst of which Billie is forced to explore her healing heart, vulnerability, step out of her comfort zone and face her trust issues.
In addition to Portia’s writing style of which I am an enormous fan, I adored the setting, eclectic characters, dynamic personalities, unique plot and immensely lovable main character.
Caretaker of the family, Billie is charmingly self-depreciating, mature, loving, compassionate, self aware, relatable and fantastically funny. You will whole-heartedly root for her and deserved her happily ever after.
Like a perfectly wrapped present, Portia pulls together hilarious banter, endearing familial dynamics, relatable dating struggles and the pursuit of true love, tying it up with a beautiful ribbon of personal exploration and growth.
Packed with personality, this novel is an easy recommendation for anyone in the mood for a little bit of sweetness, silliness, levity and lighthearted soul searching this holiday season.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Portia and Boldwood Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Portia’s writing expertly strikes a brilliant balance of cheeky, comical, cute and charismatic every 👏🏻 dang 👏🏻 time 👏🏻 .
After a year of dedication and hard work renovating her beautiful new home, Billie yearns for a quiet Christmas enjoying the immaculate space of her creation (read: blood, sweat, manual labour and tears) — surrounded by decorations, decisions and schedules that are blissfully and decidedly 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔.
However, like teetering dominos, Billie suddenly watches her entire family, one by one, descend on her elegant place — including her free-spirited and spoiled younger sister, long-divorced parents, father’s new wife and nosey neighbour — kicking off their boots and adorning her house with their own decorations as they settle in for the season.
When her calm holiday plans quickly deteriorate to cacophonous chaos, Billie finds herself desperate for some time away from her haven-turned-hectic and impulsively accepts an invitation from her dating app to participate in a week of singles’ nights.
The singles events are hilarious and provide engaging and enjoyable scenarios in the midst of which Billie is forced to explore her healing heart, vulnerability, step out of her comfort zone and face her trust issues.
In addition to Portia’s writing style of which I am an enormous fan, I adored the setting, eclectic characters, dynamic personalities, unique plot and immensely lovable main character.
Caretaker of the family, Billie is charmingly self-depreciating, mature, loving, compassionate, self aware, relatable and fantastically funny. You will whole-heartedly root for her and deserved her happily ever after.
Like a perfectly wrapped present, Portia pulls together hilarious banter, endearing familial dynamics, relatable dating struggles and the pursuit of true love, tying it up with a beautiful ribbon of personal exploration and growth.
Packed with personality, this novel is an easy recommendation for anyone in the mood for a little bit of sweetness, silliness, levity and lighthearted soul searching this holiday season.
Special thanks to Netgalley, Portia and Boldwood Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 25, 2022
Oh, I’m so disappointed that this was only a 3 star read for me. This is the 9th book I’ve read by Portia MacIntosh, so clearly I’m a fan of her writing. I know that her writing style is never going to let me down, so that was lovely.
The romance in this - top tier. If every chapter were the fun activities and the two characters together, this would be an easy 5 stars. Where it lost me was Billie’s family. I didn’t like any members in her family, and they were a major focus in this book. Usually one thing I love the most that this author does is her inclusion of family, so it’s disappointing that that aspect did not work for me at all. The story itself involving them was okay, but I really didn’t like the way any of them treated Billie. She was a great character, and seemed like a really kind, caring person who just wants to make other people happy, and that got taken advantage of a lot.
I don’t have too much else to say. This certainly hasn’t deterred me from wanting to continue to read anything and everything Portia MacIntosh writes. I love that she wrote two Christmas-y books for 2022, and while the other one (Single All The Way) was a 5/5 for me and I’m bummed this one wasn’t, not every story is going to connect with every reader. And by no means does my 3/5 rating mean that I wouldn’t recommend this book. The chapters where Billie, Rocco, Tobias, and Leila were together had me laughing out loud, and more than made this book worth reading.
(If you happen to have read my review for Single All The Way, and my mention of needing to count how many of Portia MacIntosh’s novels mention Michael Buble, this one gets added to that list!)
Thank you to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!
The romance in this - top tier. If every chapter were the fun activities and the two characters together, this would be an easy 5 stars. Where it lost me was Billie’s family. I didn’t like any members in her family, and they were a major focus in this book. Usually one thing I love the most that this author does is her inclusion of family, so it’s disappointing that that aspect did not work for me at all. The story itself involving them was okay, but I really didn’t like the way any of them treated Billie. She was a great character, and seemed like a really kind, caring person who just wants to make other people happy, and that got taken advantage of a lot.
I don’t have too much else to say. This certainly hasn’t deterred me from wanting to continue to read anything and everything Portia MacIntosh writes. I love that she wrote two Christmas-y books for 2022, and while the other one (Single All The Way) was a 5/5 for me and I’m bummed this one wasn’t, not every story is going to connect with every reader. And by no means does my 3/5 rating mean that I wouldn’t recommend this book. The chapters where Billie, Rocco, Tobias, and Leila were together had me laughing out loud, and more than made this book worth reading.
(If you happen to have read my review for Single All The Way, and my mention of needing to count how many of Portia MacIntosh’s novels mention Michael Buble, this one gets added to that list!)
Thank you to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!
August 10, 2023
Thanks to all the recent leaps and bounds in AI development, tech workers are up-in-arms about AI replacing them and taking their jobs. But you know who should be really worried: Romance authors.
For too long they have churned out saccharine garbage and profiteered from lovelorn suckers looking for lovey-dovey escapism and getting this formulaic rot instead. This so-called comedy-of-errors was cringy, torturous and worse than a Hallmark Christmas movie. I look forward to the day when the publishing industry is invaded by our Robot Overlords.
I forced a bot to watch over 1000 hours of Hallmark Christmas movies and then asked it to write a Hallmark Christmas movie of its own.
Buddy read with a friend on the other side of the world with very different taste in books. Soon it will be my turn to choose the book read and I can't wait to introduce her to Murderbot.
For too long they have churned out saccharine garbage and profiteered from lovelorn suckers looking for lovey-dovey escapism and getting this formulaic rot instead. This so-called comedy-of-errors was cringy, torturous and worse than a Hallmark Christmas movie. I look forward to the day when the publishing industry is invaded by our Robot Overlords.
I forced a bot to watch over 1000 hours of Hallmark Christmas movies and then asked it to write a Hallmark Christmas movie of its own.
Buddy read with a friend on the other side of the world with very different taste in books. Soon it will be my turn to choose the book read and I can't wait to introduce her to Murderbot.
August 30, 2022
I absolutely loved this so much. I was not expecting a holiday romance couse I went to this blind but was so trascinated to read this. I live Portia MacIntosh romances and this was a great one.
Dating after a while and after having a serious realtionship is not easy in your 30s but this was so fun. I loved the family that was disfuncional that I usually do not. I liked also the neighbour that in mc eyes was not nice. And then having a full house before christmass it was logical move to escape that. And that escaped were dates and I loved eachone of them.
Everything is not like it seems. I reccomend this friends to lovers holiday romance.
Thank you Boldwood books and Netgalley for this opportunity.
Dating after a while and after having a serious realtionship is not easy in your 30s but this was so fun. I loved the family that was disfuncional that I usually do not. I liked also the neighbour that in mc eyes was not nice. And then having a full house before christmass it was logical move to escape that. And that escaped were dates and I loved eachone of them.
Everything is not like it seems. I reccomend this friends to lovers holiday romance.
Thank you Boldwood books and Netgalley for this opportunity.
January 26, 2023
I had so much fun reading this book by Portia MacIntosh! Oh yes, I really enjoyed myself all throughout the book! This book is full of goofy situations, funny misunderstandings, and the main characters are really likeable! If you are looking for a fun read to light up your days, this will be the perfect book! Also, I have to add that up until the end, many events that you would not see coming are taking place! Loved that! 4 stars out of 5 for this story!
November 3, 2022
Uninspiring and unfunny. One of her duds.
September 5, 2022
*I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"Quiet Christmas" turns into "Chaos Christmas" with this funny holiday romcom. When Billie goes from a quiet Christmas with her mum to a chaotic house full of people who only sometimes get along, she opts into every mix-and-mingle event available on a dating app. From a disastrous Bingo mix up to an accidental sex party, Billie is in way over her head, but at least she has Rocco to accompany her. But will her friendship with Rocco turn into something more? And when an unexpected twist brings him into her home life, will the two make it out with their holly jolly feelings intact? Or will it go up in festive flames?
There were a few things I really liked about this book. Most importantly, it was FUNNY. I loved the chaotic dates, Billie's humour, and her banter with Rocco. I loved her and Kenny sniping at each other over the fence, and in general loved how her relationship with Kenney changed over the course of the novel. And, of course, we can't forget the too-good-to-be-true Rocco!
Unfortunately there were a few things that definitely took this book down a few stars for me. I didn't really love the writing, although it did help to emphasize the overall chaotic nature of the book. I also DESPERATELY wanted Billie to grow a spine throughout most of this book. She was borderline too nice, to the point she was a bit of a doormat.
That said, the ending of a book is extremely important to me and this one wrapped up SO nicely! It was just a bit of a bumpy journey to get there, hence why this is getting 3 stars. It was good, and I enjoyed it, but I wasn't overwhelmingly impressed. If you're looking for a funny, cozy, holiday romcom then you will absolutely enjoy this book!
"Quiet Christmas" turns into "Chaos Christmas" with this funny holiday romcom. When Billie goes from a quiet Christmas with her mum to a chaotic house full of people who only sometimes get along, she opts into every mix-and-mingle event available on a dating app. From a disastrous Bingo mix up to an accidental sex party, Billie is in way over her head, but at least she has Rocco to accompany her. But will her friendship with Rocco turn into something more? And when an unexpected twist brings him into her home life, will the two make it out with their holly jolly feelings intact? Or will it go up in festive flames?
There were a few things I really liked about this book. Most importantly, it was FUNNY. I loved the chaotic dates, Billie's humour, and her banter with Rocco. I loved her and Kenny sniping at each other over the fence, and in general loved how her relationship with Kenney changed over the course of the novel. And, of course, we can't forget the too-good-to-be-true Rocco!
Unfortunately there were a few things that definitely took this book down a few stars for me. I didn't really love the writing, although it did help to emphasize the overall chaotic nature of the book. I also DESPERATELY wanted Billie to grow a spine throughout most of this book. She was borderline too nice, to the point she was a bit of a doormat.
That said, the ending of a book is extremely important to me and this one wrapped up SO nicely! It was just a bit of a bumpy journey to get there, hence why this is getting 3 stars. It was good, and I enjoyed it, but I wasn't overwhelmingly impressed. If you're looking for a funny, cozy, holiday romcom then you will absolutely enjoy this book!
September 24, 2022
While I didn’t love this as much as the other book I read by this author, it definitely had a cute story that I enjoyed! I love how Billie’s quiet Christmas kept getting louder and louder as more and more people showed up as unexpected, and even uninvited house guests. Her family was fun, they each had personalities that made for some different drama to add to the whole craziness of the holidays. Her ex was a piece of work that in the end while he redeemed himself a bit, still that was crazy!
I was a little unsure about who was going to be the love interest for Billie at first. When the story started she was helping her mom pack up her old house and there was one of the moving guys it seemed like her mom might invite over, and there might have been a tiny bit of a spark there. Then I wondered if it would be an enemies to lovers story with her neighbor. And once she started going to the dating app events, the guy that seemed like he might be her match, well I doubted it because of how things had been going so far with the other guys!
But I ended up enjoying reading about the different dating app events, and I kind of wondered if I should maybe sign up and go to some. However my introverted self would probably hate every uncomfortable minute. I have tried speed dating in the past, never had any matches really.
My issues had to do with some of the writing towards the beginning. There was more of the telling than the showing and that bogged me down and made the beginning so-so for me. However as I got into the story, I began to just really have to know what was going to happen next and how Billie and her family would actually end up after the holidays. So overall it was a pretty cute story!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
I was a little unsure about who was going to be the love interest for Billie at first. When the story started she was helping her mom pack up her old house and there was one of the moving guys it seemed like her mom might invite over, and there might have been a tiny bit of a spark there. Then I wondered if it would be an enemies to lovers story with her neighbor. And once she started going to the dating app events, the guy that seemed like he might be her match, well I doubted it because of how things had been going so far with the other guys!
But I ended up enjoying reading about the different dating app events, and I kind of wondered if I should maybe sign up and go to some. However my introverted self would probably hate every uncomfortable minute. I have tried speed dating in the past, never had any matches really.
My issues had to do with some of the writing towards the beginning. There was more of the telling than the showing and that bogged me down and made the beginning so-so for me. However as I got into the story, I began to just really have to know what was going to happen next and how Billie and her family would actually end up after the holidays. So overall it was a pretty cute story!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
September 16, 2022
*I received this ARC from NetGalley*
This book was pretty funny- there were a lot of moments I found myself laughing out loud and bearing secondhand embarrassment for Billie in her escapades. I also really enjoyed the banter/flirtations she had with Rocco. The book overall was good, but I also felt like some chapters could've been cut down or even that we didn't need as much inner dialogue.
I also somewhat felt that there wasn't a lot of chemistry between Billie and Rocco. I'm all for a slow burn, but it almost felt like their relationship went from meh to "I think I really have feelings for him!" I didn't really feel any sparks between them until much later and even then, some of their romantic "will they, won't they" moments were slightly underwhelming. Almost as if they went from 0 attraction to very strong feelings with little build-up?
It was a cute story, but I think maybe if the relationship was given a little more substance/time or sweet moments, rather than a ton of inner dialogue, I probably would've felt a lot more excitement over their relationship and rooting for them sooner.
This book was pretty funny- there were a lot of moments I found myself laughing out loud and bearing secondhand embarrassment for Billie in her escapades. I also really enjoyed the banter/flirtations she had with Rocco. The book overall was good, but I also felt like some chapters could've been cut down or even that we didn't need as much inner dialogue.
I also somewhat felt that there wasn't a lot of chemistry between Billie and Rocco. I'm all for a slow burn, but it almost felt like their relationship went from meh to "I think I really have feelings for him!" I didn't really feel any sparks between them until much later and even then, some of their romantic "will they, won't they" moments were slightly underwhelming. Almost as if they went from 0 attraction to very strong feelings with little build-up?
It was a cute story, but I think maybe if the relationship was given a little more substance/time or sweet moments, rather than a ton of inner dialogue, I probably would've felt a lot more excitement over their relationship and rooting for them sooner.
June 4, 2024
Contains: fade to black scene, a few instances of strong language, mentions of cheating
I hate it when people lie. It seems like so much could have been solved by just telling the truth. I really hated the bar scene. Why not just come clean to one of the groups that your friends/family were there? Also, if Billie spends so much time with Rocco I wonder why she didn’t tell him about all the people staying with her or that her ex painted a mural. It seems like that would be something you’d share with friends. Billie was a bit too much of a push over for my liking. And there wasn’t much as far as a relationship goes. They spend time with each other at a few events and go on one date but we don’t get more than pretty surface level conversation from them.
I hate it when people lie. It seems like so much could have been solved by just telling the truth. I really hated the bar scene. Why not just come clean to one of the groups that your friends/family were there? Also, if Billie spends so much time with Rocco I wonder why she didn’t tell him about all the people staying with her or that her ex painted a mural. It seems like that would be something you’d share with friends. Billie was a bit too much of a push over for my liking. And there wasn’t much as far as a relationship goes. They spend time with each other at a few events and go on one date but we don’t get more than pretty surface level conversation from them.
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