sairc's review
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I wanted a silly Christmas romcom and this is what I got. Incredibly predictable and not super well written but a bit of fun
riku_piku's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katiya014's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Cute follow-up to the Plus One Pact. It was fun to revisit these characters, but definitely not as good as the first book. It started out a little slow, got funnier as the storyline continued but was frustrating at times. Still enjoyable, light fluffy read!
jamiejanae_6's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
stacyreadsalot's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
sandysmith's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fake dating rom com. An easy quick read, no substance but perfect for a quick fluffy, leave your brain in a box read and perfect timing for me. Misunderstandings abound, but the basic premis is they break up neither of them wanting it but not wanting to lose face, but agree to a joint family Christmas making a pact that they get through the festivities and break up in the new year. Faking it until they make it. A good old-fashioned chick lit read.
laura_elise_bishop's review
5.0
Portia has written another banger!! But this one is so bittersweet. Joe and Cara have split up....but no one else knows . And they need to keep it quiet so that they don't ruin their joint family Christmas.
But as the festive season starts and Cara goes on one disastrous date after another she starts to think that she might not actually be over Joe.
When Christmas involves your racist brother in law, your sleazy step brother in law and your terrible aunt, there's bound to be trouble..
Add to that the fact that Cara and Joe seem to invite chaos wherever they go (like Santa's grotto). The more they bon, the more they question whether they're ready to give up on their relationship.
I loved this and blitzed it in a couple of days!
But as the festive season starts and Cara goes on one disastrous date after another she starts to think that she might not actually be over Joe.
When Christmas involves your racist brother in law, your sleazy step brother in law and your terrible aunt, there's bound to be trouble..
Add to that the fact that Cara and Joe seem to invite chaos wherever they go (like Santa's grotto). The more they bon, the more they question whether they're ready to give up on their relationship.
I loved this and blitzed it in a couple of days!
sikonat's review
4.0
My first Portia Macintosh book was 'The Plus One Pact', so it was a welcome return to catch up with Cara and Millsy. When we last saw them, these two 'plus ones' caused unintended mischief at each other's family events before realising they wanted to be each other's permanent plus ones.
Three years on however, the fun has gone, and they've secretly broken up to get through upcoming family holiday events. Adding to complications is Millsy has been cast in his acting big break, but needs to be accompanied everywhere by his voice coach Tally.
Millsy and Cara are fantastic characters who still have a lot of love and chemistry with each other. It's clear that their breakup took them by surprise. There's also a welcome return to some welcome characters (yay for Millsy’s gran) while others make an unwelcome return (boo to Millsy’s stepbrother and Cara’s aunt and cousin).
At times I did find this book a bit frustrating plotwise. Tally seemed shoehorned in with a flimsy reason for her presence. Also, the resolution to Cara’s aunt and cousin just seemed to be ‘oh well just grin and bear it’ instead of any consequences or character growth. My biggest issue was that heart of this story was centred on their sudden break-up but we never really learn why, its just explained as calling the other's bluff. I’d have liked to have seen Cara and Millsy examine this and how to make a reconciliation to stick.
This book was a such a fun treat and I couldn’t put it down, wondering what shenanigans Cara and Millsy would get themselves into. Macintosh knows how to write two characters who bring out the best in each other and know how to have fun together.
Thanks to Boldwood and NetGalley for the ARC.
colleend's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
meganmatt's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5