Fun at Parties is a swoony estranged friends to lovers romance that mixes humour, heart and just the right amount of chaos. Quinn Ray is a celebrity spin instructor whose on-camera positivity crumbles after a painful breakup. Ordered to take time off, she plans a quiet and restorative road trip. That is until Nate Reed, the former best friend she has barely spoken to in two years, asks for a lift.

Nate is trying to track down their mutual friend Logan, but Logan seems to be actively avoiding them. As they follow him across the country, Quinn’s boss seizes the opportunity to rebrand her as the nation’s favourite symbol of fun and empowered single life. This leads to a whirlwind chase through a Las Vegas nightclub, a rooftop baby shower in Denver, a rain soaked country music festival in Kansas and a wild Nashville bachelorette party.

Quinn is wonderfully relatable with moments that make you wince and cheer for her in equal measure. Nate’s quiet yearning and steady devotion add a romantic depth that runs through every scene they share. Their chemistry builds naturally, turning awkward silences into sparks and unexpected detours into a journey of rediscovery.

With its blend of laugh out loud moments, heartfelt connections and lively settings, Fun at Parties is a joyous and uplifting read from start to finish.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Living with a mountain of debt due to her parents financial mistakes Quinn is spiraling.
Having taken her dream job and living in la but a relationship break up makes her stop and reassess.
Driving across country to deliver a car and go to her best friend 30th birthday party.
Along for the ride is her old crush Nate. He rejected her before and it ruined the friendship.
Both at crossroads in their lives and careers. Can to they rescue the friendship? Become more than friends?Make life changes and still be friends?
Letting outside forces make decisions and how they make you feel.
A book about friendship and being true to yourself

I didn’t expect a book called Fun at Parties to make me tear up but part of this really tugged at my heart strings. This estranged-friends-to-lovers romance had me hooked from the first chaotic road trip scene. Quinn Ray, a sunshiney spin instructor fresh off a very public breakup, is the kind of heroine you root for instantly. And Nate? The quiet, brooding friend from her past? Let’s just say I was fully invested in their slow-burn reconnection.

The party-hopping premise, from Vegas nightclubs to Nashville bachelorette madness, was hilarious and surprisingly moving. Each stop brought new layers to Quinn and Nate’s relationship, and I loved how the story balanced laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional growth. I loved the back story of Jolene and Quinn unpacking the baggage that came from growing up with a mother who was willing to throw her under the bus on more than one occasion. It was really interesting to see the parallels between the pedalling of the pyramid scheme and the pedalling of a certain life image by soul cycle.

This is a roller coaster of a read. Quinn is a hit of an online cycle class leader and all caught up in making it to the top and staying there. Only the pole is greasy and run by commercial people who don’t see her. After an implosion after an ex trashes her she takes a road trip. Two private people with tough backgrounds in a car for days. The book is full of great conversations and worry about not being good enough and looks into what being worthy means with care and kindness. The romance is lovely, if tinged at times with sadness and Quinn’s mother is given a pivotal role too.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Quinn is in freefall after a disastrous end to her relationship. Work pressures aren't helping and social media fame is the last thing she needs. When offered some time off from work, she jumps at the opportunity to visit her best friend and try to restore their relationship. She really wasn't counting on an old almost-flame, Nate, asking to join her.

Slow-burn, will-they-won't-they as the travel across the country. The tension between Quinn and Nate was very believable as was the pressure put on Quinn by her boss to be something that she isn't, all for the social media feeds.

What a cute read, just what I needed after some pretty dark reads.

This book is for everyone out there who is struggling to balance work, family, friendships and love, who is scared to go after what they want (and maybe don’t even know what they want).

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!


Quinn Ray, a spin-instructor, who has just been through a public break-up, takes a much needed break from work. A roadtrip from LA to the Jersey shore sounds like the perfect plan to find back to her old cheery self and make things right with her best friend on the East coast. But can she really enjoy this trip when Nate Reed, an old friend but someone who she has barely spoken to after said friendship imploded, asks to join so he ca meet up with a mutual friend?



Quinn, who you think is sunshine personified, carries deep scars with her after her mother’s involvement in a pyramid scheme. Her need for security and financial stability were so relatable, her concerns and fears very realistic. You could not help but feel for her.
Nate is an equally relatable character. His insecurities and self-doubt run so deep, he is constantly self-sabotaging. So when he finally decides to go after something you can’t help but root for him.


My only issue was the amount of times the pyramid scheme was mentioned. I understand, that it an important plot point and the very reason for Quinn’s predicament but at certain points it felt like the whole purpose of the book is to warn the reader off pyramid schemes, which, fair enough, but isn’t why I read a romance.



That being said, the book was still very fun and emotional. The parties added a change of scenery and excitement and above all: Nate and Quinn’s yearning, love and support for each other was so palpable through the pages. The small gestures that showed how much attention they pay to each other made my romance-loving heart warm. It was beautiful to read about them figuring out what was holding them back, in life but also in starting a relationship.

„Fun at Parties“ is out September 16th 2025!



Thank you to Quercus Fiction and NetGalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a review copy of this book. I read Jamie Harrow’s previous book, One on One and enjoyed it very much so was delighted to be asked to read her next book. Harrow’s previous book used the professional sports world as a context for a warm romance but also to highlight the sexism embedded within it. In this book the commericalised exercise world with its subscriptions, endorsements and heightened pressure comes under scrutiny alongside the classic romance tropes of second chances, road trips and enemies to lovers. But like Harrow’s previous novel this romance provides rich characters with issues that are explored in depth, a plot that is just a bit more than high jinx and banter, though enjoyable and some really relatable exchanges and emotions.

After a meltdown following a bad public breakdown during her online subscriber spin class time slot Quinn Ray is ordered to take a break by her company’s boss. With her estranged best friend’s birthday party on the East Coast nearing fast, Quinn decides she will take a kind of ‘eat, pray, love solo road trip from her home in L.A. to the beach side town of her friend’s party. Along the way she will find glory in the landscape and meditate on her life. Quinn’s plans are soon derailed when her former friend and deep crush Nate for the initial short leg of the trip so he can hook up with their friend Logan. What began as a short uncomfortable ride to a cabin in Lake Tahoe becomes a ‘Where’s Waldo’ type of quest as the two of them hunt for Logan so that Nate can pin him down and hopefully enlist Logan’s support to achieve Nate’s dream to own a children’s camp. The long and winding journey provides challenges that go beyond just finding Logan and force the two to explore who they are now and who they were a decade ago when Nate broke Quinn’s heart.

This is a warm, absorbing romance that touches on the kinds of depth the likes of Emily Henry explore in novels. A good read to take to the beach or cosy up with for a weekend.

3.5 stars

Sometimes you find yourself at a similar place you tried to escape from.

Quinn is an online spin instructor for the cult-like CycleLove. When she’s dumped by a fellow instructor and has an online meltdown, she's put on leave. Having spent two years chasing success to pay off her debts her mother racked up in her name, she takes a road trip to clear her head and attend her neglected best friend’s birthday party. To her shock, estranged friend Nate, someone she held a flame for, wants to tag along to find their friend Logan.

This book was grower for me. It took a while to get a handle on Quinn, her backstory with Nate and their friendship group. But once it got going and the tension built, it got interesting to see Quinn’s sparkly and positive veneer slowly crack as she is forced to come to deal with her past and future. I loved the connection between the multi-level marketing schemes and Quinn’s employer's tactics. Nate was an utter sweetheart. Steadfast, patient, and gentle in the way he tried to get Quinn to confront how toxic her boss was and recognise that her upbeat positive way of dealing with things - thanks to her mother - was destructive. In contrast, Quinn helps give Nate the push he needs to make his dreams come through.

I think for me though, the pace, at times lagged and some of the road trip hijinks, such as the baby shower games was a bit much. I also wished that Quinn started to come to her realisations at least 10-15% earlier in the book because the end felt rushed, especially the romance. I’d also loved more of Nate. At times I wondered if he really did want to move back and run the camp, or it was because it was path of the least resistence, given he admitted that his post-high school decisions were based on the shame stemming from his father's actions.

A slow-burn and heartfelt road trip story about second chances in both life and love.

Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was absolutely gorgeous! A fun, lighthearted road trip that suddenly hits you deep in the heart. I love how Harrow writes such subtle, slow burn character development and how she manages to hit you with chemistry when you least expect it. Harrow writes romances where you feel like the characters really grow together and would actually last the test of time as a couple.

I loved that despite it being a road trip about parties, she managed to make each party a fun new experience and she's set herself up beautifully for about a thousand spinoffs- I'd read about any of these characters for days on end! Harrow's writing flows so beautifully you feel like you know the characters instantly- her first chapter is always like sinking into a hot bath after a long day.

3.5 stars
Quinn is an online spin instructor, who is given an extended holiday after a very public break up. She ends up on a road trip with her longtime friend and unrequited crush, Nate. They both have to explore what they want for their futures, which reads like a late 20s coming of age story. The strength of the narrative lies largely in this soul searching. I particularly enjoyed the character of Nate as he was so understateted, which when you've read a lot of outrageously showy male romantic leads was a total balm. The encounters the duo have with each other and people they meet along the way felt heavy of the pop psychology at times, but there is some poignant exploration of difficult parental relationships.

After being publicly humiliated by her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, Quinn hits her breaking point at work and is told to take a break. With time on her hands, she decides to drive cross-country for her best friend’s birthday party. What she doesn’t expect is Nate—her estranged friend—asking to join the trip. Despite her reluctance, she agrees, and the two set off on a journey that becomes much more than just a road trip. As they travel, Quinn and Nate are forced to confront their fractured friendship, unresolved feelings, and the people they’ve become since things fell apart.

I loved this book. After falling in love with Jamie Harrow’s debut, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one—and it did not disappoint. With just two novels, Harrow has already secured a permanent spot on my auto-buy list. Her writing is heartfelt, emotionally resonant, and incredibly engaging.

The dynamic between Quinn and Nate was beautifully done. Once close friends, their relationship unraveled when unspoken feelings came to light. Watching them navigate the fallout and slowly reconnect was both moving and authentic. Yes, the ending might have been somewhat predictable, but the emotional journey that got us there was what made it so satisfying.

Logan, though not often physically present in the story, played a crucial role in anchoring both characters. His presence—however subtle—gave depth to their shared history and provided a meaningful reason for Nate to stay in the picture.

One of my favorite elements of the book was Quinn’s personal growth. I’m always drawn to stories where the female main character learns to recognize her flaws, take accountability, and realize her worth—and Quinn’s journey absolutely delivered on that front. The friendships portrayed throughout the book, especially the bittersweet experience of growing apart from people you once felt close to, were handled with nuance and honesty.

Jamie Harrow has a real gift for emotional storytelling. Her writing is rich with feeling but never overly dramatic, striking the perfect balance between heartwarming and raw. I finished this book in under 12 hours because I simply couldn’t put it down.

If you’re looking for a book that captures the complexities of friendship, healing, and second chances—with just the right amount of angst and warmth—then this one should be at the top of your list.

Tropes:

Estranged friends

Road trip

Party vibes

This was cheesy in a way that bordered almost on sickly sweet (but in a good way). I enjoyed following Quinn's development and her road trip with Nate was sweet and thoughtful. At times I found the fitness influencer storyline a bit corny and overdone, but overall it didn't detract too much from the overall plot.

If you’ve ever wanted your heartbreak to result in a rebrand and a road trip, Fun at Parties is your next read.

Meet Quinn Ray: sunshine-in-human-form and top-tier spin instructor who spirals mid-class after a very not-sparkly breakup. (Honestly, relatable.) Her boss benches her, and she plans a quiet soul-searching road trip... until Nate (the estranged bestie with major emotional whiplash potential) asks to tag along. Cue the tension…..

What starts as a low-key cruise turns into a party-hopping journey featuring everything from a Vegas nightclub to a Kansas country-western fest to a literal baby shower that somehow gets wild (don’t ask, just read).

Oh, and did I mention there's a slow-burn rekindling of feelings that will have you yelling JUST KISS ALREADY?!

From awkward reunions to flirty banter that had me giggling into my iced coffee, this book is one big serotonin hit wrapped in glitter and fuelled by karaoke, cocktails, and chaos.

Underneath the fun, though, Jamie Harrow sneaks in a genuinely sweet story about friendship, healing, and realising that the best kind of love might just come with a side of tequila shots and emotional growth. Loved it!

I loved Fun at Parties! I thought Nate & Quinn had great chemistry and it was so fun reading all the fun shenanigans they get up 2 along the way! Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun lighthearted read with romance sprinkled in! Nothing beats a good road trip novel especyduring the summer time. I was also intrigued by the bit of mystery as well wondering why Nate’s friends didn’t want to be found and I was not disappointed.