Too Hot to Handle is the perfect feel-good read with a humorous twist for anyone who wants to escape into the world of romance for a few hours.
The Synopsis of Too Hot To Handle
One bachelorette party. One stag do. One double-booked villa and only one way to decide who gets it: 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 compromise fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner-takes-all competition. Battle lines are drawn, and it is girls vs. 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.
Too Hot to Handle by Portia MacIntosh
More about Too Hot to Handle
Too Hot to Handle opens with what can only be described as the perfect proposal for Molly’s best friend, Lou. Unfortunately, the success of this relationship doesn’t rub off on Molly when, on the same night, she and her arrogant boyfriend, Dean, decide to call it a day.
After a night of crying, Molly meets the rest of the girls, all chosen to be bridesmaids, to be told that the wedding will take place at an exclusive hotel in Spain. So, preparations, including a hen do in Blackpool, begin. However, as is typical of stories like this, the best-made plans never run smoothly, and when the hotel decides to close down, the wedding has to be pushed forward.
Molly and her friends jump into action, securing a villa for two weeks—the week before the wedding, where they plan on celebrating in style, and then for a week afterwards, where the bridesmaids are planning a relaxing week in the sun before they all head back to work.
Arriving at the villa, they are all blown away and cannot believe their luck that they managed to secure something so idyllic at such short notice. However, this glee is short-lived when they realise that the villa has accidentally been double-booked by a group of lads who are also there for a wedding, albeit a day earlier.
What unfolds is a hilarious story about two groups of friends trying to live alongside one another as neither group is prepared to leave. They take turns trying to irritate one another in the hope that they will give in, but all that happens is that they end up in a competition, vying for complete control of the villa.
It’s during this time that Molly finally begins to unwind and actually starts to enjoy herself. She realises that the lads, especially Travis, are not quite as annoying and immature as she first thought. But is she willing to trust in someone again?
My Thoughts on Too Hot To Handle
Too Hot to Handle is ideal for readers looking for a bit of rom-com escapism, and if you have a few hours to spare, it can easily be consumed in one sitting. As with any good romance, there needs to be heartbreak before true love is found, and Portia MacIntosh doesn’t fail to deliver in this novel.
As for Molly, the protagonist of this romance novel, I really struggled with her character. I understand that anyone who has ever had their heart broken may be a bit jaded, but she came across as so judgmental of everyone. It made it easy to see why she struggled in love, and perhaps that was the point. However, as the story between her and Travis evolved, she did begin to grow on me, so that in the end, I was praying she got her happy ending.
I found that the further into the story I went, the quicker I consumed the pages, wanting to know what happened next. I was transported to Spain and could envisage the girls heading off for tapas before enjoying an evening under the stars.
I read Too Hot to Handle after a hard-hitting crime novel, and the absence of needing to really think about the plot, which I find is often the case with this genre, was very welcome.
About Portia MacIntosh
Portia MacIntosh has penned over 30 romantic comedy novels, covering everything from disastrous dates to destination weddings and provides the perfect escape from day-to-day life.. One day you could find yourself in Italy, while the next day you might be heading for Yorkshire.
To keep up to date with future novels and events you can follow Portia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or sign up to her newsletter.
Have you read To Hot to Handle or any other novels by Portia MacIntosh? What other Rom-coms would you recommend I should read?
I was gifted a copy of this novel as part of a ‘Rachel’s Random Resources‘ book blog tour, but as always, all views are my own.
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