Fun at Parties // Jamie Harrow
Publishes September 16th

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC.

I didn’t want this book to end. I loved it. I loved the main characters, the story, the secondary characters, the problems, and especially Jamie Harrow’s voice in the writing.

I absolutely loved One on One, and was excited to see Harrow’s second novel on Netgalley (and didn’t hesitate to request it without actually reading the description). Going in blind was so fun! I had no clue what I was getting into and let me tell you, there’s a lot going on.

**{If you want a bit of info before you decide to read, Quinn Ray is known as being a ray of sunshine. She’s a popular online spin instructor (but not the most popular) and she has a bit of a public meltdown that earns her a sabbatical. During this time, she decides to find herself again by driving across the country to reunite with her best friend. Bailey. It’s Bailey’s birthday and she’s been brushing her off for years. But when she announces it in her friend group text, her old crush, Nate, who jilted her, asks to ride along. And it is quite the journey.}**

I want this to be a movie. I’ve over simplified it in the summary, but the character growth is truly the star of the book while the humor and adventure support the story in the best way!

This book tried to do a lot of self growth and it didn’t quite land. It rushed by the end and I didn’t really find myself rooting for Quinn. The title also didn’t make a ton of sense. It was alright but I’d rather a book about Quinn’s move home than everything leading up to it like we got.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had no expectations that I would love this as much as One on One, but this was a solid follow up. I enjoyed seeing the gentle handling of toxic parents and a slowly unfolding second chance love story.

Quinn Ray loves her job as a cycling instructor. Helping people and motivating them to be their best selves is what she tries to accomplish. Then, her boyfriend and fellow instructor breaks up with her claiming there's nothing under her facade of cheerfulness. Sure, she believes that keeping up a cheerful appearance is the way to deal with negativity, but that doesn't mean she doesn't feel things. When she breaks down in a class, her boss gives her three weeks off to reorient herself. Quinn decides to take this time to do her friend a favor and drive a car from LA where they live to New Jersey, where her friend's husband works. That way she'll be on the East cost for her best friend's (who she's been neglecting a bit recently) birthday party. A road trip will be just what she needs to reconnect with herself. Then Nate, the guy who got away, asks to join her. Suddenly the trip goes from restful reconnect to chasing their friend Logan across the country. Along the way, Quinn starts to question what she wants and if she's as happy as she thinks. And Quinn and Nate finally get to have the talk about how they feel about each other. A nice story about figuring out what it is you want under your fears and accepting yourself as you are.

4.25 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the eArc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jamie Harrow’s "Fun at Parties" is an irresistible mix of slow-burn romance, emotional reckoning, and millennial messiness. At its core is Quinn Ray, a celebrity spin instructor whose glossy exterior barely conceals the internal chaos of heartbreak and unresolved feelings. Fresh from a relationship implosion, Quinn’s impulsive decision to road-trip across the country collides with her awkward history with Nate—her once-close friend turned romantic what-if.

🚗 **Road Trip Realness**
Their journey through a maze of parties and pop-culture-laced pit stops isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. Abandoned by Logan (their mutual friend and human chaos machine), Quinn and Nate have no choice but to confront years of tension, miscommunication, and buried affection. What unfolds is a heartwarming—and at times hilarious—ride through vulnerability, forgiveness, and rekindled intimacy.

💫 **What Makes It Shine**
- Quinn is delightfully complicated: she’s bubbly, wounded, witty, and layered, shaped by a childhood under the toxic glow of an MLM mom.
- Nate evolves gracefully, learning to trust his instincts and believe in his own quiet strength.
- The banter sparkles, the emotional beats hit hard, and the pop culture references? Chef’s kiss. Think "Southern Charm" drama meets "Summer House" redemption at Coachella, the Vegas Strip and Broadway St. in Nashville.

❤️‍🔥 **Final Thoughts**
If you love second chances, friends-to-lovers tension, or messy, magnetic characters on a journey of self-discovery (with plenty of cocktails along the way), this book hits every note. It’s charming, raw, and a reminder that sometimes the people who’ve seen you at your worst are the ones who’ll help you find your best.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I loved this read! I crushed it in a little more than a day. As a peloton rider, I loved the rider aspect of Quinn’s story and her character development. Her relationships adapting to change and her overall journey was a fun read. I enjoyed seeing her relationships adapting with Nate from past to present develop and how he helped to guide her towards acceptance on change.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read—it was equal parts entertaining and emotionally satisfying. As someone who’s always dreamed of a cross-country road trip from Los Angeles to the East Coast, this story felt like a vicarious adventure. Quinn and Nate’s chemistry was undeniable, but what stood out most was how organically it developed. There was no rushed “instalove” here; instead, the romance unfolded gradually through genuine conversation, shared memories, and honest self-reflection during their journey.

One of the book’s strengths was its emphasis on communication. Quinn and Nate consistently engaged with each other—sometimes awkwardly, often playfully, but always with an underlying respect and emotional openness. The only real tension came from their friend Logan, whose own arc felt slightly underexplored compared to the richness of the main duo.

My only critique lies in the ending—it felt somewhat abrupt. An epilogue would have been a welcome addition, offering closure and a glimpse into what comes next for these well-drawn characters. Still, the journey itself—both literal and emotional—made this a rewarding read I’ll be recommending often.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this ARC.

Quinn Ray is a rising star spin instructor living her wildest dreams in LA—until a video of her breakup with a fellow spin celeb goes viral, and she has a minor post-breakup meltdown during a live class. When her boss mandates that she take her vacation time to “heal,” Quinn reluctantly agrees and sets off on a cross-country road trip for her best friend’s birthday.

What she didn’t count on? Her ex-friend Nate hitching a ride, or the chaotic goose chase that follows as they track down their mutual friend Logan, who’s partying his way across the country. And while Quinn’s rant keeps gaining traction online, her boss Tracy—who ordered the vacation in the first place—won’t stop interfering to capitalize on the new viral fame.

Now Quinn’s not just sorting through her feelings for Nate, but also re-evaluating her job, her priorities, and whether she’s actually happy.

This might be the first book where I didn’t hate the miscommunication trope. This “friends to lovers, second chance” romance had everything I’m looking for in a contemporary love story.

I loved the depth in both the characters and their relationships. Honestly, there’s so much packed into this book it’s hard to unpack it all—but I’ll stick to the highlights. Like Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, I really appreciated the honest and layered portrayal of Quinn and her mom’s relationship. I LOVE that we’re getting more stories that normalize mom drama and unhealthy maternal dynamics. It can feel so alienating to have a manipulative or strained relationship with your mother, and it’s genuinely validating to see that explored more in fiction.

Weirdly, the actual premise of this book doesn’t totally hold up—but I didn’t care at all. Every time I started to feel a little annoyed that Logan was, once again, not where he was supposed to be, something adorable happened and I forgot all about it. The pacing of the romance really helped carry the story forward.

My one gripe? I just wanted more at the end. A 10-years-later epilogue to show where Quinn and Nate ended up would have absolutely done me in. When characters are this well-written, it’s hard not to want every single detail of their future.

If you're a fan of People We Meet on Vacation or Happy Place, you’ll love Fun At Parties by Jamie Harrow. This is a charming, vulnerable, deeply enjoyable story—and I’ll absolutely be watching for whatever Harrow writes next.

Review scheduled for Blog and Tiktok 9/9 a week before release.

This is a vividly written second chance romance by Jamie Harrow that gives everyone a deserved second chance: not just the couple in question, but each half also gets a great redemptive arc about personal growth. Quinn is a cycling class instructor whose post-breakup class rant gets broadcast and goes viral, landing her both online notoriety and a corporate-mandated vacation. Nate is the boy from back home whose what-if has haunted his and Quinn's friendship for almost a decade. Quinn decides to use the break to drive cross-country and reconnect with her best friend, who she feels like she's losing touch. Then Nate invites himself along for the ride, desperate to get in touch with their other mutual friend who's become a reality show star. Forced proximity, sharing a bed, and tailing Logan around the country from influencer party to influencer party ensue. Throw in Quinn's shady family history with MLMs, her current pushy boss, Nate trying to break free of his underachieving persona, and years of repressed feelings. What I really appreciated about the writing was how even though social media personas play a big part in how our main characters got there, the growth is represented by what happens offline. This book has a lot of plot, and Harrow is extremely skillful at distilling the beats and histories of each character without getting bogged down in unnecessary details. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was quite literally a ton of FUN! I love a book with a road trip, and the unpredictable chaos of this one was a great time. I couldn’t wait to see where these characters would end up next. There were so many relatable aspects to Quinn’s “Ray of Sunshine” persona. I loved her inner monologue and also all of the lessons she learned along the way. Despite a bit of miscommunication, the romance between her and Nate was sweet…so much pining!!!! I enjoyed not only watching their relationship (finally) develop but it was also nice to see Quinn repair and deepen her friendships with Bailey and Michelle.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC!

⭐️ 3.5 Stars, Rounded Up to a Sparkly 4 — A Feel-Good Romcom Full of Parties, Pit Stops, and Personal Growth!

Okay, I need to start with this: if you’ve ever daydreamed about dropping everything for a spontaneous road trip just to figure your life out (while maybe also chasing down a slightly chaotic friend and rekindling an old crush?), Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow is calling your name loud and clear.

Meet Quinn Ray—online cycling instructor, certified bringer of sunshine, and recently dumped in the most public and cringe way possible. After an on-camera meltdown that goes viral, her boss tells her to take some time off. And Quinn’s like, “Cool, I’ll just take a quiet cross-country trip and clear my head.” But… nope. Enter Nate—her ex-best friend (who may or may not have broken her heart two years ago)—who just so happens to need a ride.

Let the awkward, hilarious, emotionally loaded road trip begin.

What starts as a solo soul-searching journey quickly spirals into a wild goose chase full of glitter, baby showers, rain-soaked music festivals, and rooftop dance floors—because their mutual friend Logan is on the run (emotionally, not legally... we think). Meanwhile, Quinn’s boss suddenly wants her to lean into the “fun single girl” rebrand. So now she’s not only trying to navigate past feelings and friendship wounds, but also filming content, posting happy vibes, and avoiding emotional breakdowns. Casual.

I laughed, I cringed (in the best way), and I found myself rooting hard for Quinn—even when the romance took a bit of a backseat. Don’t get me wrong, Nate has his moments, but he’s quiet quiet, and I kind of wanted him to shout his feelings from the rooftop once or twice. Still, their little game where she had to complain and he had to hype himself up? Adorable. Also, her friends? Amazing. Logan’s chaos? Iconic.

And Quinn’s journey of slowly shedding the pressure to be perfect? That hit. The storyline with her mom’s shady MLM vibes and her job stress added just enough real-world tension to balance out the fun. She’s not just driving across states—she’s driving toward herself. And that’s what kept me turning the pages.

Do I wish there was a tiny bit more romantic tension and maybe a peek inside Nate’s brain? Yes. But as a messy, sweet, slightly sparkly story of second chances and self-discovery, it still totally worked for me.

Bottom line: If you like your romcoms with heart, humor, party-hopping detours, and a side of emotional truth bombs, Fun at Parties is totally worth the ride.

🚗💫💃

Huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Dutton for the digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. This one made me smile, reflect, and maybe even look up cheap flights to somewhere fun—just in case I need a little reset of my own.

I liked this story and had a fun time reading it. It was easy to enjoy the fast-paced setting and crazy antics of the characters. I laughed a lot and thought Harrow did a good job with this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this! Jamie Harrow is such a funny, witty author. Quin and Nate's love story is the perfect second chance friends to lovers road trip romance that everyone needs to read!

This had all the elements I love in a romance novel. I love second chance and I love a road trip. There’s also incredible yearning and pining which is super important. The physical and emotional journey the characters take is engaging and keeps you invested in the story.

I had fun reading this! I've always to do a road trip from Los Angeles to the East Coast! Quinn and Nate had great chemistry, and I liked how it wasn't instalove. They spend the road trip communicating, learning new things about each other, and revisiting old feelings. The constant communication between the two characters was great! The only miscommunication was with Logan, the friend they were chasing after across the US. My issue was the ending felt incomplete. I wished there was an epilogue to tie-up loose ends.

With all honesty, I loved One On One more than I should have -- I've never been a big romcom/sports reader, but it was recommended by a friend and by the end I was like, yeah, I could do more sports stories. So, when I saw that Jamie Harrow had a new book available on Netgalley, I had to request it. And let's just say, it was good, but it was not One On One level good. Maybe I compared it a little too much, but for what it's worth, I did like it and I think others would as well!

Fun at Parties is an easy, fun read about Quinn, a spin influencer living in LA, and her changing relationships with her friends back on the East Coast. While the main storyline was the romance between her and Nate, I enjoyed that there was still a big focus on her other friendships.

I appreciated that there were a lot of realistic issues addressed in this book. Even though it's not always fun to read about money troubles and the logistics of moving across the country, it made Quinn feel more real and relatable. Usually I get frustrated with the miscommunication between the leads, but in this book the most frustrating miscommunication was between Nate and Logan. It didn't make sense to me that they were chasing their friend across the country who kept dodging them for seemingly no reason. I was able to get past that because it did keep the storyline fun and of course kept Nate and Quinn stuck together.

I received Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow for free through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion on it. I wasn't sure what to expect while going into it, but I really enjoyed it and was glad to have chosen it to read. I read it over the course of two days. I really enjoyed the characters and the slow burn romance was good as well. I like damaged characters, and this one showed two vulnerable characters, who brought out the best in each other and supported each other. It was a great story and I look forward to reading more by Jamie Harrow!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun romance novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Holy cow, this book is so good! I loved Jamie Harrow’s debut, One on One, so I knew I’d be reading this one. But what I didn’t expect was to love it this much! Quinn goes through quite the self-discovery journey, and I could feel her exhaustion, feel her anxiety, feel her red and green emotions. The writing really is that good. Thanks to Dutton for the ARC.