Although it feels odd to read a Christmas themed novel in August, I am such a fan of the author that I couldn’t resist! The small town setting was wonderful and I found the main character very likeable. As always with this author, there are some very amusing moments and lighthearted banter throughout. It left me smiling and wanting more. I think my only criticism would be that the first quarter of the book was a little slow going, until the party planning started. All in all, though, a fun Christmas rom com that I’ll definitely be rereading in the future.

Set over Christmas Dani is home alone after turning up at her parents house and finding out they have gone on holiday. She decides to throw a Christmas party after she's backed herself in a corner with the web of lies she's been telling. I enjoyed the fake boyfriend troupe I just wished he was in the story more.

Such a fun story. Life looks so dismal for Dani…. Holidays are coming and she’s lost her boyfriend and her job so she does what the inner girl in all women does…. She goes home to mom, but even that doesn’t go as planned. Such a fun way to start off the holiday season.

Did not finish this book.

I got over 25% in and, ultimately, the repetitiveness of the author and seemingly immature narration is what made me stop reading. I think the story has a lot of potential to be a fun cheesy Christmas book with hallmark movie vibes, but the writing style was difficult to read. Thank you for the ARC!

It was a light and easy read, but it was not my favourite Portia McIntosh's novel. Actually, it was not my favourite novel at all, period. The whole plot was about a party, organizing a Christmas party, and it felt So. Repetitive. And. Slow. The main character was füll of self - pity and let things happen and being said to her that normally nobody would allow. She was very self - centred, not very likeable and too childish for her age and Well, I couldn't warm to her and any of the other characters. Sadly, it was not my favourite book by this author, I have hoped for much more from her, the book simply felt too forced, aß If she herself was not too convinced with what she was writing. Pity, really.

Dani, recently having been dumped by her boyfriend/boss, travels to Marram Bay to spend Christmas with her parents. But they are on holiday. So Dani has to contend herself with a Home Alone Christmas, which is doubly hard when she bumps into old friends and love-interests.

A holiday romcom to enjoy by the fireplace, once summer has turned it down a notch.

This was a cute, wholesome, lovely Holiday read. I would recommend it to anyone looking too cozy in with a good, funny Christmas read this Holiday season. The characters and the story were such fun

Single All The Way by Portia MacIntosh

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Will Dani find love this Christmas? Or will she be Single All The Way...?

When Dani's boyfriend (and boss!) dumps her for a younger model, the only silver lining she can see is to be able to spend Christmas at home with her family after years away.

Determined to surprise them, Dani turns up unannounced in her hometown, excited to see that the festive season in Marram Bay is in full swing with Christmas lights twinkling on every corner. But disaster strikes when she finds her parents' house is empty and they appear to have gone away on holiday!

Christmas alone and single is not ideal, and when Dani starts bumping into old friends, neighbours and potential love interests, she can't face telling them the truth. So in a panic she claims to be home to throw a Christmas party for the whole town - easier said than done with 12 days to go before Christmas...

A Christmas book in August - it was needed. A highly entertaining read, that will keep the reader guessing what is going to happen next. A catchy title and a great cover are sure to draw in the readers, but the characters will make the reader stay until the end. A quick read to get you into the festive spirit.

Rating 4/5

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who else loves to read Christmas stories in the middle of August? I don't know if it's normal or not, but in the summer I feel like reading more novels and seeing more Christmas movies so when I saw this book I couldn't resist giving it a try. And in a way it helps to cool us a little with the temperatures we have right now in Spain.
Something I really liked about this book is that it's like watching one of those romantic Christmas movies, but better. It has clichés, yes. But it doesn't matter. The atmosphere that this novel creates for me has made it feel like a new book, different from what I have read this year, and has made me enjoy it very much.
Building the female character helped that a lot. I think he's a character that's very easy to empathize with, that's very easy to connect with and that, in the end, makes reading better.
In the end it is still a book set at Christmas so we can not assume that it is a super original reading, but really I have been excited to read it and I think that just because of the story it tells and the way it tells it, it is worth reading.
It's the first thing I read from the author, but I don't think it will be the last thing she reads. I really liked his way of writing and his way of transmitting history. I think that's also helped me like it so much and get so into the story, because I've really felt the story like I'm watching it in a movie and I think that's hard to come by.

ALERT: RomCom lovers come right this way.

I wasn’t sure which copy of this novel it was as it wasn’t too clear to clicking to add it!

Turns out this story was originally a novella. So basically the same title and plot style just with different characters.

I found this novel to be very entertaining.
The main character Dani is not so lucky in work and in her personal relations. Falls in love with the player of the office. The games they play. Her ex Rex I just wanted to ask her Why? Why did you go out with him if you had to keep it a secret which didn’t even make 100% sense with how he acted.

Anyway, the plot of the whole Christmas party doesn’t happen until 30% in. Until then, there is banter between the main character and player of the office.
This novel is suitable for any time of the year. Christmas novels get me in the mood for autumn which is my most absolute favourite time of the year.

It’s weird, even when things aren’t gong too well for Dani you still have positive vibes going on in this novel. Dani remained hopeful.

I loved the Michael Buble references as well it was very fitting for this novel.

Hilarious, heart-warming romance that is full of cosy vibes.

Overall, definitely recommend this novel. I think this is the first novel by Portia I have read and it won’t be the last.

Thank you to the publishers for sending me this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Single All the Way by Portia MacIntosh
Mon: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portia has perfected intimate and hilarious stream of consciousness style narration providing a charmingly self depreciating and remarkably relatable look at Dani’s life and the combination of missteps and misfortunes that have lead her to holiday singledom. It is a joy to grow alongside Dani as her inner dialogue becomes self assured, confident and courageous throughout the novel.

❤️‍🔥 Pros
Dani and Rex were immensely lovable, unique and so charming individually and as a couple with fiery chemistry and sweet intimacy. I thoroughly adored the humour, cleverness, playfulness and compassion on which the couple builds a solid friendship and meaningful relationship — this is characteristic Portia and I am all for it.

❤️‍🩹 Cons
The beginning reads a little bit less finessed than some of Portia’s previous works. While it could use a smidge of fine-tuning, it did not detract from my interest in the story and the pace picks up quickly.

❣️ Overall
Portia does a fantastic job creating several realistic prospective outcomes for Dani’s life in terms of career and love to keep you engaged and entertained. Witty and warm, cute and cheeky, quirky and quaint — in all of the best ways, this quintessentially English rom com with a dash of holiday spirit is inviting and intriguing from start to end. Prepare for inelegant snorts of laughter punctuated by audible awwwws because Portia writes the perfect balance of 𝒓𝒐𝒎 and 𝒄𝒐𝒎. I highly recommend this rapturous read!

𝑮𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒚, 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒔𝒉’𝒔 𝒇𝒖𝒏, 𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚, 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔, 𝒔𝒐 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 — 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚, 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒘𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔.

#SingleAllTheWay #PortiaMacIntosh #BoldwoodBooks #HolidayRomCom #HolidayRomance #RomCom #booksbooksbooks

My first Christmas story this year and I enjoyed every minute, such a treat to return to Marram Bay for a festive delight

This book was very entertaining! Lots of potential boyfriend prospects, job prospects and situational prospects to keep the reader on their toes and wondering where things with the story are headed next.
There were a couple of characters who really stood out as very fun and helped me enjoy the story more with such light-hearted characters.
The references to hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and Christmas music made me kind of excited for the Christmas season! I say ‘kind of’ as Halloween is my favorite holiday and fall is my favorite season. I’m excited for Christmas but not that excited to skip the best season of year. 🤣
With a catchy title and cute cover, this book is bound to get you in the merry spirit no matter what time of year!
A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book.
4⭐️

In this Hallmark Christmas style romance you will swoon!

No really, the little Christmas rom-com was so fun and had me hooked from the beginning. Dani has just gone threw a break up from a 2 year long relationship. If that isn't bad, her Ex is still her BOSS! Now she has to figure out how to be single and find a job where her ex wont be there every minute of every day.

This book has fake dating, small town romance and a female lead who learns that you don't need a man but there fun to have around ;)

This was my first Portia book and I am sooooo happy I found her!! Can't wait to read more by this incredible author!!!

This is a must add to your Christmas time TBR!!

This book was a great Christmas themed romance read! I really enjoyed reading it. Portia MacIntosh really knows how to keep a reader entertained. The protagonist Dani was very relatable with her awkwardness & self consciousness. This book has fake dating and enemies to lovers tropes in it which are some of my favourites. Overall, this book was a fun, quick and cute Christmas romance read. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie! (in the best possible way) Looking forward to reading more Portia MacIntosh books now!

Yes! Just, yes!!! This book is everything I want in a Christmas Romance, and more!

Portia MacIntosh captured my attention from page one and held it until the very last sentence. I literally devoured this book in less than a day. If you are a fan of Christmas Romances, this is a must!

I am such a fan that I already signed up for her newsletter, made a copy of her book catalog, and have a second book of hers ready to read!

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

It took a good 20 to 25% for me to get into this story and even then, I didn’t feel like I was fully immersed in Dani and Rex. I can’t put my finger on what was missing, but it just didn’t pull me in.
It’s probably a language barrier, but the repeated ‘erm’ would throw me out of the story,
I enjoyed the plot. The whole premise of a fake relationship is a trope I really enjoy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Dani’s boyfriend is also her boss and he ends their relationship for someone who is younger than her. She feels that the only good thing to come out of this, is that now she’s able to spend Christmas with her family after so long of not doing so.

Wanting to give her parents a surprise, she arrives in her hometown, looking forward to spending the festive season in Marram Bay, which is twinkling already with fairy lights.

But on reaching her parents house, she sees it’s empty and they are on holiday.

Being home alone and that too at Christmas is not a happy feeling. When Dani begins to meet her old friends, neighbours, and a love interest, she doesn’t want to tell them she’s on her own at home, so she tells everyone that she’s home so that she can hold a Christmas party for the town, with only 12 days before Christmas, that’s not an easy task.

But, as the sham party gets nearer, maybe there will be something special for her under the mistletoe, she needs to bring the walls down that she’s built around her to see who that is…….

I recommend this book.

Bad mood? Read a Portia MacIntosh book… bish bosh bash, happy feelings restored!

This is the fifth book I have read by Portia Macintosh this year. I think she has 25 books either out or coming soon, so I still have a way to go for a full house, but I am on my way.

One of the things I realised makes me love her books is the language and world that Portia MacIntosh has created. If you read her books, you will suddenly know what a Smarty is, or perhaps a Simple Simon if a Smarty is too high tec! Maybe you will find yourself downloading Matcher…. She has created this little world and lets us in through the stories she writes.

One thing I try to think about when I finish a book is how I feel. At the end of this, I felt happy and content with another happy ever after. Portia MacIntosh has the genre nailed. A quick easy read.