Book Review: Your Place or Mine?

By Sara Steven

Two reluctant housemates. One question: Is this your place or mine...?

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… (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

The reasons behind Serena’s need to find a new place to live really tugged on my heart. I can’t even imagine finding myself in a similar situation, and I really wanted to rage on a couple of characters who seem intent on making Serena’s life as hard as possible. Serena takes it in stride, and when her friend Taylor offers a lifeline by suggesting Serena move in and house sit, it felt like things were lining up well for her. But the introduction of Ziggy was the definite wrench in all of her plans! 

The bickering, the little pranks, the undercurrent of resentment–it was all very The Odd Couple, and in the best of ways. Both characters are complete opposites from one another, and while Serena seemed content to try to make the best of the situation, Ziggy seems to try to get Serena to leave at every turn. Reading about the various scenarios with Ziggy, how he’d leave messes or invite friends over for parties, or would totally hog the television even when he knew it was her day to have access to it, made my own blood boil. I could see why it drove Serena mad. 

There are two other situations that Serena is having to deal with, too. One being the man she’s been dating, a guy who has a few secrets–and a good friend of hers (Diana) who has potentially changed the course of Serena’s life, should she choose to accept the challenge. It was nice to see how there is a lot of character evolution for Serena, particularly when it comes to doing what she thinks is the “right” thing to do, and potentially going with something that, while it might be less conventional, could be just the right thing and what she needs. That applies to all areas of her life–work, boyfriends, and roommates, notwithstanding.

Your Place or Mine? was such a fun read! It was unexpected and surprising, much like what Serena experiences, and worthy of the five-stars I’ve given it!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels. From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

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