When things get heated over a villa…

Synopsis

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 compromising fail instantly, so their only option is to have a winner takes all competition. Battle lines are drawn and it is girls v boys – but will the competition be too hot to handle?

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

My review

Molly is a passionate recruiter that goes lengths to find the perfect man for the perfect job. But when her relationship ends unexpectedly, and even turns out in her making a professional error, Molly realizes that perhaps it’s time for a break. Luckily, her best friend is getting married, and not only the wedding itself but also the bachelorette party will be taking place in Spain. An amazing villa, sun, sea and lots of cocktails, there couldn’t be anything better, and what could possibly go wrong?
A lot, as it appears that the villa has been double booked, by a group of stags, on a bachelor party and wedding too.
As nobody wants to leave the villa, also as there is no other option available, it’s the start of a boys – versus – girls war, where the winners get to stay and losers will have to leave. But with stakes so high, and fraternizing with the enemy is out of the question, Molly finds herself drawn to one of the men, Travis. With games that are on, who will be the final winner? And of what exactly?

Another Porta Macintosh book that I just had to read! Everything written in the blurb was just so appealing, that if I would skip the chance to read it, it would be a clear sign that I am not feeling well!😊

I cannot say that I have been on a bachelorette party, at home or even abroad. So all I know about it, is what I have read in books or seen in films or television. And we all know that fiction isn’t the reality, so I all take it with a grain of salt. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading and seeing how things go terribly wrong, one way or another.

When we first meet Molly, it isn’t that she is in a bad place, but we know things are going to change. And I have to admit, that I didn’t know what to think about her relationship with Dean… Their vibes, and just Dean’s vibes were just not right. So when Dean breaks up with Molly, for the strangest reason, at the strangest moment ever, I dare to say that I wasn’t sorry for it. Of course my heart went out to Molly, as she doesn’t deserve to be treated that way. But we also know that each story has to start somewhere…

I have to say, before I start telling my thoughts about what is taking place at the villa in Spain, that I liked how Molly’s boss is acting towards her. He sees that one of his best forces is not herself, and while many in his position would find it easy to let Molly go, he gives her not only another chance to come to herself again, but also ‘forces’ her to take some time off. And that is of course perfect for Molly! 🙂

Molly and her friends are very different kind of characters. Yet I liked it how these different women have bonded in the past, a few closer than others, yet there is genuine love and care between all of them. They are all four of them adamant of not only having the best bachelorette party, but also the best wedding, and while the bride will be on a honeymoon, Molly and the rest will enjoy an extra week in the villa.

I was initially a bit afraid that the stags our lovely friends are meeting at the airport, would be the same guys they would be ending up sharing the villa with. I just didn’t feel how any of those guys would be interesting or attracting enough for Molly. So I was happy that those guys just made a brief appearance! 🙂

The villa for sure sounds like an idyllic place, even if it is rather secluded. But I myself wouldn’t care about the place not being in a busy city or town, it even adds extra to the charm of the villa!

The first encounter with the men for sure was a hilarious one. I cannot say that I would have the courage to go jumping naked in the pool like Molly’s friends do, no matter how close I am with my friends. But I cannot blame the girls, because, why not? And I for sure didn’t expect that this moment would be where the men would make their first appearance. As a reader, I had to laugh out loud, but if I were in that same situation, I would have died of embarrassment. 

Discovering that the place you are staying is double booked is on itself already a terrible discovery. But to realize that it is for the exact same time, exact same reason and there is absolutely no other possible arrangement available, can it be even more terrible? Of course I was in the girls’ corner, but I could also understand why the guys weren’t willing to move out of the place.

And that means only one thing… war! 🙂

Now, I need to say one thing.. perhaps I would have made better arrangements. Because no matter how lovely it sounds to have a  bedroom and also a bathroom, having no kitchen at your disposal, for a foody like me, that would be a bigger hell than having to sleep on a couch!

But war is war, and no concessions can be made! And the acts of war were just so funny to read! From shampoo, to tampons, to periods, everything is allowed during a tough battle! And I liked it how some clichés were completely discarded and proving us wrong in some aspects. And It was also extremely funny to read how when the battles are being played, it takes each time an unexpected turn.

However, what I liked the most was how Molly finds herself suddenly drawn towards Trevor, her ‘enemy’. Yet it was just sweet to see how they find themselves stealing moments, bending the rules, to just be kind and nice towards each other. And reading how they are growing  closer, getting to know each other and even trying to keep the peace, making sure that things don’t escalate too much.

There are several moments that made me truly laugh out loud, but also that warmed my heart. And yes, a few moments that angered me or even saddened me. But that is the price we pay when we read a book, isn’t it? It cannot all be happy – happy – joy – joy. 

I absolutely devoured this newest book of an author that keeps on being amazing! She once again wrote a marvellous story, filled with laughter, fun, teasing and a healthy dose of rivalry. But most of all, it has wonderful characters that find each other in the most peculiar of situations and slowly learn and understand that all is fair in love and war 🙂 .