🏡Your place or mine by Portia Macintosh 🏡

📖 Synopsis
Serena loses her job and gets kicked out of her flat. Luckily her friend Taylor and her husband are going off travelling for a couple of months and they need a house sitter, solving her living situation. The problem is this offer is also made by Taylors husband to Ziggy who turns out to be arrogant, annoying, messy and loud. He also claims the best room for himself. Living with him isn't ideal so Serena decides to drive him out, but Ziggy catches on and so begins the games....

Thoughts 💬

I have previously read another book by Portia Macintosh and absolutely loved it so I had high hopes for this one. Plus enemies to lovers is one of my favourite tropes.

This was a really quick, light romance read. However, I had some issues with the book. One of which there is a secondary romance storyline in this that isn't mentioned in the synopsis. The book just had too much going on because of this and I didn't like the resolution of that storyline. I felt that it took away from the Serena and Ziggy's storyline which meant that we didn't get a fully developed storyline for them and their ending felt quick and rushed. The enemies to lovers element to this was lacking and you never that hatred that you usually get and their 'waring' was just a couple of things and they were childish. I also found that the characters weren't developed enough.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for my ARC in exchange the review.

The Blurb :
When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit for her while she and her husband go travelling could not be better timing. But unfortunately for Serena she’s not the only one to have received this offer…
Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor’s husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties - and the least said about his kitchen manner the better...
There's just one solution for Serena – drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with than he is! But Ziggy knows Serena's game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences...

My Thoughts :
A huge fan of Portia MacIntosh and was excited to get stuck into her new release Your Place or Mine.
We meet Serena, who seems to have it all that is until her boss Diana suffers a heart attack and passes away.
Left out in the cold with no job and no home and not knowing what to do next, Serena is asked by her friends to housesit for them whille they go traveling.
Serena is happy to do this, until she finds out that her friends husband has also asked his friend Ziggy to stay aswell.
Ziggy, who is a musician in a band and isnt what Serena would call ideal, he is arrogant and messy and not a very nice person. With both of them wanting to stay they try to make each other want to leave by playing pranks on each other and generally trying to make each others lives difficult to see who will crumble first.
There does seem to be some chemistry between them, but is that enough to set the couple on fire or will they succeed in driving each other crazy!?.
Portia MacIntosh’s writing style always captivates me and this story was once again full of laugh out loud moments. She gets the reader invested in whats happening and we always have a little romance thrown in for good measure. Seeing these Characters develop was heart warming in many ways.
Such a feel food story and one that leaves a smile on your face.
Cant wait for more from this Author.

After her boss dies Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend to house sit while she and her husband go travelling is the break Serena needs right now.
The only downside is Serena is not the only one to get this offer.
Ziggy, annoying, arrogant and messy was asked to house sit as well.
Serena just wants the place to herself but so does Ziggy. The pair declare war and is determined to get the other one out of the house for good.
This was a fun light read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My only objection to the book was the romance between Ziggy and Serena. I feel it came on suddenly and I would have preferred more of a slow burn.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

This book was the perfect romance read for getting out of that post-Christmas reading slump! The main characters were loveable and the author’s writing was easy to read! This book is perfect for typical romance lovers, or those just trying out the genre, you will not be disappointed!

Your Place or Mine is my absolute favourite of Portia's novels. I've now read quite a few of the and they're always such a joy to read.

The characters are real, fun and although the outcome was predictable, it didn't distract from it being enjoyable and entertaining.

If you were a lover of Flatshare by Beth O'Leary you'll fall in love with Serena and Ziggy, or maybe you're an enemies to lovers or forced proximity trope lover?

A lighthearted, fun romcom perfect for lifting your spirits during the January blues.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

#blogtour #januarytour

Another hilarious story from this author, I hope you'll agree,
It had me laughing all the way through, you see.
With a couple each arranging a friend to house-sit
You have to wonder how their friends will fit!

Take two people who enjoy plotting a scheme,
Declaring war on each other - this isn't a dream!
But let battle commence and may the best house sitter win
Will their antics make one of them give in?

There's also life drama, full of surprises
And an inherited business its potential to ensure it realises!
How will the house sit scenario unfold now
Can they work together in the end somehow?

With drama and fun, revenge and much more
This is the kind of fun read that I adore.
There's heartbreak and betrayal, that isn't much fun
But things will work out when all is done!

A brilliant, engaging story with great characters, too,
A book I have no hesitation in highly recommending to you.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I was very excited when this landed in my inbox as I've heard good things about Portia MacIntosh but was yet to read any of her novels.

I'm on the fence with this one - it was a quick, light and easy read but I just felt that something was missing. The characters didn't feel fully developed, they came across as caricatures rather than living human beings and maybe too stereotypical. The plot developed at a good pace and it did keep me interested but it fell slightly flat for me.

I'm also not a big fan of the enemies to lovers theme (its far too overdone/predictable) , but this is maybe more due to personal preference than a comment on the writers skill.

Overall, enjoyable and worth a read.9

I’m a massive fan of Portia MacIntosh and that always brings the dread of “what if I don’t love the next one?” Fortunately this is another cracker, humorous, adventurous and delightful. Grab it now.

"I've never disliked someone, been so mad at them, and yet wanted them so badly at the same time."
When Serena is kicked out of her flat, an offer from her friend, Taylor, to house sit could not be better timing. But unfortunately she's not the only one to have received this offer... Enter Ziggy: arrogant, messy (and annoyingly handsome) musician, and friend of Taylor's husband. Living with him is far from ideal, especially when he claims the best room, has loud parties and horrible kitchen manners. There's just one solution for Serena- drive him out of the house by being twice as difficult to live with! But Ziggy knows her game and as war ensues between them, being forced together under one roof may result in some unexpected consequences.
Alright so this one was a light and fun read for sure it. It had a lot of unexpected moments that made me laugh. A lot of the book was a very typical romantic comedy with plot points and stereotypical characters. I have to admit that I would have enjoyed the book more if the two main characters had not been the main characters as I was not a fan of either of them. Give me more characters like Al!!! Serena in this story has a horrible boyfriend, who she quickly learns has some secrets. Her solution to the problem didn't feel very mature, but did provide some comedy to the narrative.
I think the concept of the book was very cute and its a quick lighthearted read, I just would have preferred different main characters, or less stereotypical characters. I did enjoy the surprises the author threw in, like the surprise business and a character who knew far more than she was given credit for. I also would have liked if the tension and banter was more intense between the Serena and Ziggy instead it just felt like two teenagers. However, if you want a fun romantic comedy give this one a shot.

Thank you for letting me read this ARC.
What a great story that kicks off when Serena loses her job and has to move out of the place she has been staying. The loss of her boss Diana, who was also a mentor, saviour and motherlike figure, leaves her with a life that needs rebuilding, but also gives her something buzzy to ponder. Her friend Taylor offers her the opportunity to housesit with a chap called Ziggy who rubs her up the wrong way. Her boyfriend Dean isnt really that helpful and it soon transpires he has his own secrets. An absolutely gorgeous and even paced read with some twists, turns and a level of naughtiness. A great page turner.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for access to this wonderful book in exchange for my honest opinion! This was such an entertaining book. Portia MacIntosh continually delights me when I read her books, and I find I can't wait for the next one. Serena and Ziggy were such well-developed characters, I felt as though I was there with them. I was disappointed to finish the book. Can't wait for her next one!

Do you have a trusted author whose books always manage to uplift you no matter what so, when you’re in the mood or in need of some uplifting you know one of their books will not fail you? Well, Portia MacIntosh is that author for me. I’ve read several of her books (quite a lot, in fact), and I still have to find one I don’t like. Your Place Or Mine? is the last addition to her fantastic list of rom-coms.

When Serena suddenly finds herself with no job and no home, she jumps at the chance to house sit for a friend while she and her husband go travelling. But the husband has also offered the house to one of his mates, so Serena will have to live with Ziggy, her complete opposite. The clash of the house sitters will start a war to drive the other one out of the house, but their cohabitation will have unexpected consequences.

This was such a fun book I read it in one sitting. If you’re familiar with Portia’s work you know what to expect, and if not just tell you that you will find an easy read with an engaging and humorous style, that will draw you in right from the start, making you fall in love with some charming characters that will win you over.

Serena and Ziggy were both great characters, and they both showed some good development, especially Serena. I liked how much she grew out throughout the story and how she slowly started to come into her own while gaining some confidence in herself. I also loved her relationship with her mentor Diana and how she believed in her and saw Serena’s full potential before she even realized it herself.

Serena and Ziggy’s chemistry was there from the start even though they didn’t know it. Their “house war” was responsible for some great pranks, banter and laugh out loud moments.

They were accompanied by a wonderful cast of supporting characters, and I wouldn’t mind to read a spin off involving some of them (I’m looking at you, Al!).

Light hearted and funny enemies to lovers story with some heartfelt moments, that was a really enjoyable entertainment. If you’re read her previous books you will love this, and if not this is such a great start.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review and to Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour.

This was a cute RomCom story where there was a lot going on. There's Serena's job and living situation after her boss Diana dies, then there's the men in her life. Basically there is a whole lot of drama, but also a lot of fun and adventures.
Some readers may have liked the focus to just be on the enemies to lovers trope going on between Serena and her roommate Ziggy like the synopsis suggests, but I found the whole getting back/revenge on Dean her boyfriend to be super entertaining, constantly waiting for what she would try next. I also loved seeing what would happen with Serena's job situation. Overall this was just a really fun read with some fun characters and som crazy events that made me really happy to have a dull life in comparison.

This story is the ultimate love letter to Leeds. After being forced out of her flat, Serena finds herself moving into her friend’s house to house-sit. The only issue is… Ziggy, who is also house-sitting, and is determined to push Serena out.

I enjoyed reading Serena and Ziggy’s story. I was slightly disappointed as there was very little built up to their first romantic interaction, they were very much enemies and then boom lovers. As the narrative explores Serena’s reason for requiring the house share and explores her grief, I felt their relationship somewhat suffered and as I reader I was constantly wanting more from them. I did thoroughly enjoy the ending and the epilogue. There are many subplots within the story which kept be engaged throughout.

Read if you enjoy.
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
House Share
Slow Burn

When Serena finds herself jobless as-well-as homeless at the same time, things aren't looking good, but when an opportunity arises to house sit for a friend things are looking up; until her housemate does all he can to drive her out.

It isn't long before an accident causes them to have a truce, but now they must work together to fix the damage and fix their lives, but maybe they got more out of it than just house mates,

I felt Serena's emotions and wanted to be her friend throughout the novel. Standing next to her when she lost Diana, tell her how awful Dean was and win back the vase; it also would have been fun to help her drive out her house mate.

But as Serena and Ziggy developed into more than just friends I was excited for them and enjoyed then working together on different schemes.

This was a really enjoyable read and an author I have read a few times now that when I see their name I know I can't go wrong.

What would it be like when two people are forced to live under one roof to watch over a newlywed couple’s house while they are away traveling for their honeymoon?

This is my second book read written by Portia Macintosh.. I always find her rom-com books light-hearted, fun and easy to read.

In between the two MC’s, there are fair share of fight and sweet moments. They have shown their flaws and imperfections, too. Having said that, they are still both fun and entertaining book characters. The author is able to develop a slow burn, because there’s a “will-they-won’t they” energy that has kept me hooked in their love story.

The book has conveyed deeper themes. It addresses the importance of embracing and expressing sexuality, business succession arrangements, grief and showing values to employees. There are a lot of inspirational quotes that I loved, too. I write them down in my notebook journal.
All in all, I would recommend this book who’s up to read a good and light-hearted rom-com genre with closed proximity and enemies-to-lovers trope.

This enemies to lovers troupe is a wonderful read. Serena and Ziggy are literally thrown together when they are both asked to house sit for friends. Serena is the star of the story and has a lot going on. I loved her adventures and her sense of self. This is a perfect escape read that I read in one sitting.

A fun, fast paced read.
Serena ends up sharing a house with Ziggy when they both have no where to stay. They don't get off to the best start, and soon are trying to force the other to leave the house, but will they realise that the other isn't as bad as they think?

A rom-com that had my heart beating from the first page until the last. Serena and Ziggy are both housesitting for there friends with hilarious consequences a rival begins, they are both trying to get the other to move out of the house. The characters are unique and surprisingly strong. I loved the narrative of the plot particularly between Serena and Ziggy and there antics of trying to get the other to leave. I belly laughed through this one and it made my heart hurt. One of the best rom-com's I have ever read. I love Portia's novels they are highly addictive.

This was the perfect contemporary Rom-Com that had my heart from the first page. I love enemies to lovers, not my type on paper tropec through this book. The quirky characters sell the narrative of this book and their chemistry is so obvious and jumps off the page. I will definitely read more Portis Mackintosh ASAP.