📚ARC Review 📚

It’s All Sun and Games ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Robin and her colleagues are taking a work trip to Italy to land a new client. While she’s excited to go and hoping to spend more time with James, her work crush, she isn’t excited about having Liz around. Liz is Robin’s coworker who always tries to one up her and is also trying to get James attention as well. Trying to impress her boss, Robin reaches out to her childhood penpal that lives in the city they will be visiting, hoping that Andrea will help show them around. Andrea agrees and when they meet, they both are in a shock. Now Robin finds herself in the middle of a love triangle between her work crush and her new Italian crush.

This was such a fun, lighthearted summer read. Andrea and Robin had great chemistry and were perfect for each other. Their banter was cute with the language barriers and made for laugh out loud moments. This is a closed door/fade to black type of romance, told in Robin’s point of view. I loved how the author described Italy and their traditions within the book. My only dislike would be James’s character, he was cringy but I think that’s what the author was going for. Overall, it was a good book and perfect for a summer read!

This book will publish on July 11, 2024. Be sure to add to your TBR! Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

A cute summer read that flowed well. There is laugh out loud moments and moments that will completely capture your heart.

I want to thank Netgalley and author for gifting me the ebook. Once again Portia MacIntosh delivered a great fun novel! Perfect for summer time! This novel was so funny and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend this book! If you are a fan of Sophie Kinsella type style of writing you will love this author! Check out all her books! You will not be disappointed!

A great beach read.

This is such an easy, fun read. I genuinely laughed out loud on several occasions.

However, the love interests lacked serious chemistry, and the one (behind closed doors) intimate scene escalated way too fast. They went from their first kiss - lasting "only a few seconds," - to him kissing her thigh! Where is the build up? I live for the angst building! I also found the phrase "grabbing me by the bum, picking me up," a serious mood killer. Perhaps he could pick her up, or lift her, without using the word my five-year-old uses to reference his bottom.

This being said, I still wanted to read on. The descriptions of Italy and the traditions were fantastic! Serious escapism for those who can't hit the beach with this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for my ARC of this book. I’ve read a couple of Portias books but this has to be one of my favourites.

Robin works in advertising with some obnoxious work colleagues, but it shows what real life work places can be like. On a work trip to Italy Robin contacts an old pen pal who lives out there. I remember my pen pal I had back in the 90s so gave me nostalgia vibes.

I loved Robin and Andreas chemistry bubbling under the surface and also her friendship with Priya. We all need that friend that’s got our back.

There was the fun element in the book in the “away day activities” in Italy. Overall it was sunshine in a book. A quick, easy read and definitely a holiday read. Out on the 11th July.

When Robin finds out she's going on a work trip to Italy, she is doubly excited that she gets a week away in the sunshine with her work crush, James. She is also determined to get his full attention away from Liz, her work rival. To add to it, she realises that this holiday will give her a change to meet her childhood pen pal, Andrea. However, Robin is completely thrown when Andrea doesn't turn out to be the person Robin thought, making things very interesting.
I so enjoy Portia Macintosh and I really enjoyed seeing how Robin and Andrea grew as a couple, having not met prior. The character of James was not the most likeable so I found it difficult to see him and Robin together, nor could I understand Robin’s feelings for him. Overall, a great backdrop to an entertaining romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I really enjoyed “The Suite Life” by Portia MacIntosh and this one gave me similar vibes. I did think she let her Red Flag men (James & Rick) off the hook a little too easy but the book isn’t that deep so I’ll forgive it.

The book is under 300 pages and easily readable in an afternoon so it’s the perfect book if you’re in between reads or traveling and won’t have a ton of time to devote to a story. The relationship between Andrea and Robin was a little tame for me. I felt that she could’ve used the pen pal aspect to explain why they connected so quickly but it seemed more like a cliff note and without that I would never have expected them to fall in love.

All that aside, it’s a cute little romantic romp of a book. Very closed door so if you like romance without any spice this is a safe bet.

In "It’s All Sun and Games," Robin, an advertising agency employee, plans a work trip to Italy where she contacts her childhood pen pal, Andrea. Surprised to discover Andrea is male, they end up fake dating due to a series of events. Their relationship evolves through humorous and heartwarming interactions. Robin's family, Andrea's family, and well-developed characters enrich the story. The Italian dialogue adds charm, especially when translated. The book is a fun, fast read, ideal for fans of Portia MacIntosh, with an engaging romance and delightful setting.

Such a fun summer read for all the fake dating trope lovers out there. Andrea is a sweet and sexy Italian man who is so easy to fall in love with, and Robin will have you laughing (and sometimes feeling second-hand embarrassment) throughout the whole book while she tries a little too hard to win over her boss and work crush and constantly messes up her Italian. I also loved the little glimpses of Robins body positivity and confidence throughout the book.

I loved the Andrea twist! No spoilers, but it was extremely enjoyable, and the banter between them made the book perfect.

I thought the childishness of the conpetitiveness between Liz and Robin was a bit unrealistic until I remembered an old colleague who was a bit like that, you know, if i had a cold she had pneumonia, that kind of thing. I guess some people are just built that way!

I wasn't a fan of James. I think I've known so many James's that the red flags were flying like bunting.

Like all of Portia Macintosh's books, this was a great summer read.

I’m a big Portia MacIntosh fan - slowly but surely making my way through her entire back catalogue, though I make sure to one-click all of her new releases! It’s All Sun and Games is yet another shining example of why I am such a big fan and supporter of her books.

This is another travel romance, which I love (being in the travel industry myself, and it’s off to Italy, a fave destination of mine), where Robin tries to make a good impression on her coworker James in their new environment. James doesn’t have the time of day for her in the office, and Liz, her work rival, seems to have his attention, though unwanted, but Liz thrills in doing things to upset Robin. They’re off to Italy to pitch to a local client, while at the same time the workaholic boss decided it would be a great time to have his wedding and invite the staff….

Robin realizes the town is the same place as her grade school penpal, so she gets in touch with Andrea, who is going to be home from Rome and it’s a perfect time to meet. A timing issue means Andrea’s parents are at the airport to greet Robin, and thus starts a whole whirlwind of confusion, and a fantastic plot with a lifelong mixup that leads to such a brilliant storyline. The pair use this to their advantage in every single way.

I loved it and know all of my fellow romantic lovers will too - I highly recommend it and can’t say anything more without giving away the whole thing (you have to read it so the plot isn’t spoiled)! 4.5-stars for the brilliance of this one and the twist is perfection! So well done. It’s clean/closed door so good for all romance readers.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and this is my honest feedback.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Robin, and her colleagues are going to Italy to pitch for a client. She she’s this as an ideal way to meet her long ago pen pal. But, when she arrives, the person she meets isn’t who she expected.

Her colleagues are eager to win the pitch and try their best to undermine what she does.

I loved Robin, Priya as well as all the characters. The setting, as well as the food, which made your mouth water had you wishing you was there in Italy.

I recommend this book.

I loved the way that the setting in Italy was painted to be so dreamy, because everywhere in Italy is such a dream, especially to those of us stuck in dreary England, like Robin was!

The jealous workmate trope
The fake romance trope
The sexy, all round amazing MMC trope
The just your average joe FMC trope

I LOVED IT ALL AND I WANT MORE! Absolutely exhausted from work at the moment and found that this was easy to pick up and read again in the evenings, then got to Friday and I just had to keep going! Can't wait to make some pizza tomorrow night, inspired by the Italian themes of this book alone!

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

If you find yourself in a bit of a reading slump or unable to find something in your never ending tbr to read, I recommend picking up one of Portia’s books. I’ve read a few now and being set in Italy, this one grabbed my attention straight away. Robin works as a marketing executive and has to go to Italy for a work meeting - oh how awful! Unfortunately, it’s with her work colleagues - Liz, who is always trying to show her up and get the better of her, and James, her love interest who shows absolutely no interest in her!

Robin remembers she had a penpal at school in Italy so decides to email her and see if she’ll be their guide for the week. However, this doesn’t quite work out how she thought it would….(not saying more - spoilers!) This is where the fun starts, and not just the activities Rick has lined up!

I really enjoyed this one, there were some bits where I thought there was a bit too much chat and information that we didn’t need as it didn’t add anything, just seemed like Robin rambling on, but overall it was fun and hilarious. There was a lot of Italian wedding traditions included which was really interesting and sounded like a great time. After reading this, I want to go to Italy again!

I’m a sucker for books set in Italy, and “It's All Sun and Games” hit the spot!

Robin is so excited about her work trip to Italy. Sunshine, a break from life, and a chance to show her work crush, James, what she’s really like outside the office?!Yes, please! Plus, it's the perfect opportunity to make him forget all about Liz, her annoying work rival.

Even better, she finds out the trip is to the hometown of her childhood penpal, Andrea.

Andrea turns out to be TOTALLY different than she remembered.

This book truly has everything a summer read needs: sunshine, humor, romance, and CHEMISTRY.

Andrea and his family are absolute gems too!

This book has great characters with lots of funny and sweet moments!

Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story was super swoony and it took place in Italy, so that’s a win! I loved Robin, her family, and Priya. I also loved Andrea and his family. There were so many great and lovable characters. Watching them fall for each other was sweet and their chemistry was 🔥! Plus the descriptions of all of the yummy food just makes me want to hop on a plane and vacation in Italy for a few weeks! The conflicts and rivalries with Robin’s co-workers added to the story and overall, it was just a lot of fun!

This is the cutest summer beach read!
It’s fast paced and an easy read. I laughed out loud and smiled throughout this book.
Ok so.... We meet Robin, who works for an advertising firm. She works with some super awful people. Robin wants to prove to her boss that she’s got what it takes!
Her firm has a new client in Italy so Robin and her team decide to go there and meet their client.
This is the cutest part: Robin has a childhood pen-pal, Andrea who lives in Italy. They’ve kept in touch off and on over the years and Robin decides to reach out so they can meet for the first time while she’s in Italy. So fun
BUT...Andrea isn’t really what Robin is expecting. In fact Andrea is probably the best surprise of the trip!
Next trip...Italy and I definitely want some Bruschetta!!

Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Robin and her co workers are headed to Italy for a wedding and to give a sales pitch.
While there she’s going to finally meet up with her old pen pal Andrea. There’s surprises galore and some funny spots in this book. It’s a fun RomCom and it made me wish I was in Italy too.
Definitely recommend!

With her talent for interesting and fun plots and light-hearted banter, I've been a big fan of Portia Macintosh for a while now, so I was eager to read 'It's All Sun and Games'. Advertising rep Robin and her colleagues - including crush James and nemesis Liz - is sent to Italy to secure a big account. To her delight she's going to Bari where her teenage pen pal Andrea lives. Throw in language barriers, name mix-ups and you have the recipe a fun rom com.

However, I think this book needing tightening. I found the pace slow-going at times with a lot of long-winded inner monologues and no real character development. I skimmed the first eight chapters to skip ahead to Italy because it was excruciating waiting to get to the main action in Bari. Also there was no real chance for Robin and Andrea to really get to know each other and bond so I felt I was told more than saw their romance develop. The villians were pretty pastiche and frankly James was a sexual harasser so I was stunend why Robin was falling for his nonsense despite saying she knew he loved the chase. I also could've done with less of Rick's team bonding games.

Overall, this is a solidly, a light escapist fun for a beachside (or fireside) read.

Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.

LOVED. I was cheesin so hard as I read this, once I really got into the meat and bones of the story. The MMC was perfect and the two of them together -chefs kiss- so much chemistry. Swwwwwoooon.

I need this to be a movie now. Definitely recommend for a Summer, vacation read if you want happy, fuzzy, adorable and no smut. If you’re looking for funny and light hearted, and have ever dreamed of Italy and Italian men, you’d like this for sure. The scenery of this book is beautiful. I ate it up in one sitting and feel no shame about it haha.

About: Robin works in marketing and is going on a big work trip to Italy, where the team will fight to stand out and become the boss’s favorite. Robin might also be able to win the heart of her co-worker James and win against her work rival. Coincidentally, they’re going to the city in Italy where her old, childhood pen pal lived and still lives. Except Andrea isn’t the person she thought he was.

Tropes:
* Fake dating
* Childhood friends
* Closed door/fade to black

Notes:
* Liking the opening immediately
* And now I hate boss
* Ouch
* “Push them in the sea” dad gives Ron Swanson vibes in my head when he giggles
* Not the spaghetti straps!!
* James sucks
* Fake dating to get family off your back isn’t original, but the scenes and the activities in this book are + they’re delicious.
* I want a hot Italian chef to suddenly fall in love with me
* I’m 100% translating these Italian lines and dying inside at how cute and also hot

Feedback: I couldn’t give it a 5 because of how much I didn’t like James and wished the story moved a little more quickly in the beginning. I almost wish he was somewhat likable first and I wish the big issue was a little more fleshed out to feel appropriately dramatic and then get some resolution.