What an absolutely brilliant rom-com!! I loved Work Trip, but House Party is even better. I was invested from the first chapter. Hattie is such a likeable FMC, and she's absolutely hilarious. Not to mention the dual timeline aspect that was so unexpected but a huge draw here. Chloe managed to create a real depth of character and establish the relationships by revisiting them over a number of previous New Year's—it was so well done! I also appreciated that this was a single POV, despite the dual timeline, it made it all the more romantic because you never really knew where Freddie's head was at. And Freddie, ah! The ultimate MMC. This book was giving me serious The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes but with that snarky, witty humour you're searching for. Honestly, I was so impressed and I absolutely adored all the characters in this book. What a guy Sam is! I cannot wait for Chloe's next book, she's definitely a new favourite.

🎉 I firmly believe that there are books that choose you, rather than the other way round. Such is the case with this one for me! I can spend ages reading blurbs & picking what to read, but something about this one jumped out at me!

🍾 There was definitely a reason for that because I absolutely devoured every bit of this book & Hattie was everything!!! It was a hard relate from me with SO many things about her, as well as the fact that I just found her really cool!

🎉 I loved the flow of the story, all of the characters & the obvious chemistry & flirting between Hattie & Freddie. It was cute, spicy & totally swoonworthy.

🍾 I'd literally read this book again, if I wasn't going to go right now & get Chloe's other book! I loved her writing style & again, can't say enough about how this one got me good. I was meant to read it!

🎉 I know this is short & sweet but I'm basically just saying that you need to read it!!!

Kelly

“𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌.”

I was a little nervous diving into this second book from Chloe because I adored Work Trip, and let’s be honest..follow-ups can be hit or miss. But House Party completely won me over from start to finish, It had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. The Bluetooth mishap? Absolutely hilarious. And that wild bacon moment? Pure comedy gold. I’m still cracking up thinking about it. Chloe’s humor shines and kept me fully entertained throughout. And even though I’m usually hesitant with the “best friend’s brother” trope and stories that use flashbacks or dual timelines, Chloe handled both with such care that they enhanced the story instead of feeling cliché or boring.

The setting of the story is vivid and cozy, making it easy to picture every scene. As for the characters, Hattie and Freddie are both likable and relatable. I loved their dynamics, especially the chemistry and forbidden romance. To be honest, I’m just grateful Chloe didn’t make me dislike Sam. Plus, I’m now super curious about Sara and Dylan. I really hope Chloe writes another book set in the same world.

You don’t need to have read Work Trip to enjoy House Party, it stands perfectly well on its own. But if you have, the cameo got me so excited I had to reread her debut book.

Overall, what I loved most is how this story balances humor, charm and heart without ever feeling heavy or overdone. It was the perfect palate cleanser for me, funny, warm and easy to get lost in.

If you enjoy slow-burn romances, forced proximity, dual timelines or the best friend’s brother trope, this is definitely a book to check out. It’s one of those stories that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished.

House Party releases October 23, mark your calendars!

Thanks to the author, publisher Head of Zeus and Netgalley for the early copy.

*I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

“𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔.”

I devoured this book in a matter of hours it was SO GOOD. The angst in a dual timeline book is always delicious and this was full of it. The slow burn was so well handled and I found myself flying through the pages as I was desperate to find out when it finally ignited. Hattie and Freddie's chemistry jumped off the page and I loved it. It was funny and the side characters added so much to the story. A perfect winter read.

This swoon-worthy slow-burn romance follows Hattie, who's harboured a secret crush on her best friend Sam's gorgeous older brother Freddie for fifteen years, convinced he's never noticed the girl who became Sam's birthday twin one fateful New Year's Eve. When Hattie finds herself newly single just before the holidays, Sam, along with their 2 uni friends plan a trip to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean for some much-needed cheering up, complete with snowy views, crackling fires, and zero cell service. But when Freddie unexpectedly joins them at the isolated cabin, Hattie discovers he's been noticing her all along, and fifteen years of longing might finally combust in one unforgettable night. This perfectly paced romance delivers all the tension and payoff of a crush that's been simmering for over a decade, proving that sometimes the best things are absolutely worth the wait.

WOW. Just wow. I was NOT ready for the way I fell for this book, or more importantly, the MMC Freddie!
Hattie has been (secretly) lusting after her best friend Sam's brother since she was fourteen, and now fifteen years later and (slightly) more wiser, she finds herself in a luxury lodge in the woods with him (and his brother and all of her friends), and the chemistry between them is ELECTRIC.
Does Freddie feel it too? Has he always felt it? He's always cared about her, but is there more?
Over a weekend filled with too much Prosecco, emotional outbursts, snowstorms, and a very embarrassing hot tub incident, Hattie and Freddie bond, but can their relationship survive Sam's disapproval?
Could not put it down, want to read it again already. All of the secondary characters are absolutely top notch and it manages to be hilarious, spicy, poignant and fun all at the same time.

A fabulously well-paced rom com. I adored Hattie and her best friend Sam’s friendship as well as the slow-burn chemistry between Hattie and Freddie, Sam’s brother whom he shares a complicated relationship with.

Normally I’m not a fan of flashbacks with a second chance but it was so well-paced and helped to show just how slow their relationship has developed due to Sam’s rule that Hattie can’t get with Freddie. The sweetness and care Freddie held for the forbidden Hattie (in a horrible relationship) was just so well done.

A lot of fun. I can’t wait to read more from
Chloe Ford.

Thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love a good forbidden romance story and this one delivered!

We follow Hattie and her friend group, including best friend Sam and his brother Freddie (who Hattie has had a crush on since she was a teenager) as they embark on a cosy cabin trip over the twixmas period to coincide with Hattie and Sam’s New Year birthdays (it’s been a tradition to celebrate them together for years).

Freddie has always been off-limits to Hattie, as decreed by Sam when they first met as teens, but they’ve always been drawn to eachother, which we see in flashback scenes throughout the book. We know they are going to be end game, it’s just the how and the when we are waiting for.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and could clearly picture each of the main characters and side characters. The development of Hattie and Freddie’s relationship seemed natural. The angst and misunderstanding of Sam and Freddie’s relationship was sad but I was happy with how it ended up.

The setting was great, with plenty of snowy scenes and it would be perfect to read during the twixmas/New Year period.

Chloe Ford’s House Party is one of those romances that doesn’t just focus on the central love story—it thrives because of the relationships at its heart.
The premise is simple: Hattie, still recovering from heartbreak, heads to a snowy New Year’s getaway with her best friend Sam and their close-knit group. Enter Freddie, Sam’s older brother and Hattie’s long-time crush, and suddenly a weekend of friendship, laughter, and hot tubs becomes much more complicated.
What really stood out to me wasn’t just the romance (though the slow-burn tension between Hattie and Freddie is sweet and well-paced), but the friendships. Each of Hattie’s friends feels vivid and distinct—you almost feel as though you’re part of the group yourself. Ford gives them quirks, flaws, and moments of honesty that make their bond believable. It’s refreshing to see female friendships built on trust, loyalty, and honesty, while still acknowledging that nobody is perfect. That balance—between love, friendship, and personal growth—gives the novel its warmth.
As for the romance, it’s predictable in the way most rom-coms are, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t satisfying. Hattie’s inner strength, her insistence on sticking to her rules and self-discipline, makes the payoff more rewarding. Even when you know where the story is headed, you find yourself smiling as it unfolds.
Final Thoughts: House Party is a lovely, cosy, character-driven book. It’s not about dramatic twists or shock endings—it’s about believable people, messy friendships, long-time crushes, and the comfort of finding your way through both love and life. While the ending may not surprise you, it leaves you with the contented feeling that comes from spending time with characters who feel like old friends.

I am obsessed with this.

With Hattie and her best friend Sam, and how they always celebrate New Year’s Eve and their birthdays (his is on the 31st, hers on the 1st) together. With their friend group that stays strong from their uni years all the way into early career life when priorities shift and families are formed. With the cozy snowed-in feeling at the lodge that they’re renting in the present timeline, Chloe’s signature humour, and most of all with Freddie, Sam’s older brother, who should be off limits.

But those limits get blurrier and blurrier as the snow keeps piling up. Hattie and Freddie have been circling each other for a decade, which we get to witness through throwbacks to previous NYEs, and guys! The angst! The flirty tension! These two are the mayors of Yearntown, and I was eating it up.

If you’ve been obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty, but would like to skip the love triangle, and make it a bit more mature, you absolutely need to pick up this book. And if you don’t care about that series? Doesn’t matter, pick up this book anyway.

I adore Chloe Ford’s writing so much. She has a way to infusing humour and levity while also building deep and emotional characters. I couldn’t get enough of Freddie and Hattie’s slowburn romance. In fact, I need to steal Freddie for myself. I loved Hattie’s friend group, the growth of the characters over time through flashbacks was so well integrated and the antics of the story were hilarious. Run, don’t walk, to preorder this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC!

Many thanks to Shannon at Head of Zeus for providing me with a widget, and to the team at Aria and NetGalley for the complimentary e-arc of House Party. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

This was laugh out loud funny, bursting with British wit, and was the ultimate slow-burn, when it’s your best mate’s older brother, who you’re falling for! It was the perfect Chloe Ford read!

It was honestly such an absolute delight to read, I literally haven’t stopped grinning. I’m so sad that it’s over. When I say this had me giddy, I was so giddy over Hattie and Freddie’s interactions and their banter!

Hattie was so relatable; I adored her, I just wanted to give her a big hug, and shake, because hello, Freddie, he was such a dreamboat, I LOVED him!! Gosh, he was just so perfect, so perfect for Hattie, always attentive to her over the years, never wanting to overshadow her, but couldn’t act on his feelings because she was his brother’s best friend; it made for such a delicious slow burn forbidden romance. They were just so much fun, and very much idiots in love!!

I also loved the ending, it was so perfect for them, it didn’t feel rushed and Hattie was able to do everything that she wanted, while Freddie was just happy to bask her orbit.

Tropes

Brother’s best friend
Snowy cabin setting
Forced proximity
Only one cupboard
Dual timeline
Slow burn

A set of rules to get over a break up, set in stone on the back of a napkin… but what if one alcohol fuelled confession in a hot tub on New Years Eve threatens to derail everything?

Hattie has spent 15 years crushing on her best friends older brother, knowing that he will forever be out of bounds due to a promise to Sam - her lifelong best friend. But when Freddie joins Hattie, Sam and their friends on a New Year weekend away in a remote house in the middle of a snow storm, temperatures start to rise and the pair question whether they should stick to their guns and stay away from each other to protect Sam, or whether the chemistry is impossible to deny.

Great writing by Chloe Ford, hugely likeable characters, wonderful scene setting, and a slow burn romance that will have you shouting at Hattie and Freddie to give in to love!
Loved the New Years Eve and birthday themes running throughout the book.

This book was very easy to read and very difficult to put down! Highly recommend to romance readers, and look forward to future books by Chloe.

Perfect for fans of:
* Best friends older brother
* Forced proximity
* Forbidden romance
* Snowed in location
* Slow burn
* New Years Eve theme

Thank you to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for reaching out to see if I would like an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Another absolutely fantastic read by Chloe. I was literally obsessed with this, desperate to keep reading on.

I loved getting to know Hattie, Freddie and the whole gang. All the characters seemed lovely, genuine and part of a friendship group I wanted to be part of.

The book flips from present to past flashbacks which I loved. It showed the story and journey the friends had been on and also Hattie and Freddie’s past attraction. The writing is so well structured and fast paced. If you like slow burn and best friends brother then you have to read this.

Overall a throughly fantastic read. Chloe is fast becoming a favourite author of mine.

This was everything I hoped for and more: cosy winter holiday vibes from the very first page. This is my second book by Chloe Ford, and I’m definately hooked!

I adored the close friendship between Hattie and Sam, and the tight-knit group of uni friends who’ve stayed besties for many years, it was such a warm, nostalgic touch. The snowy cabin setting was magical, and the group dynamic brought so much heart and humour. The slow-burn romance between Hattie and Freddie was perfectly paced, full of tension, flirtation, and emotional depth.

There were laugh-out-loud moments, but also poignant reflections on how life doesn’t always go to plan. Hattie’s journey of breaking free from a gaslighting relationship was powerful and relatable, something far too common, and handled with care and authenticity.

If you love romance with slow burn, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, and the best friend’s brother trope then this one’s for you!

Huge thanks to Net Galley, Aria & Aries, and of course the wonderful Chloe Ford for the ARC in exchange for this honest review. I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

ARC - PUBLICATION DATE 23RD OCTOBER 2025

4.5 ☆

『 tropes 』
•best friend's brother
•slow burn
•forced proximity
•forest setting
•flashbacks
•new years celebrations

『 plot 』
hattie and sam were forced together on their 14th birthday (new years eve and new years day), and since then, they've been inseparable, the best of friends and have always always celebrated their birthdays together.

it's now their 29th birthdays, Hattie is single for the first time in 9 years and is rethinking everything about her life and her wasted years on someone who never really wanted her. she makes sure that the last year of her 20s are hers and hers alone, starting with a lodge getaway in a secluded forest with a hot tub. sam is there, helping her and cheering her on, with 2 of their other best friends.

what hattie was not expecting, was freddie coming along for the getaway. freddie, sam's older brother, who is brooding, off limits and who she has secretly been crushing on since she was 14 years old.

『 my thoughts 』
the present tense of this book spans over the christmas/new year period so is the perfect easy, fast paced, cosy read for the winter season!

i really enjoyed this book, hattie and sam's friendship is just genuine and wholesome, always there for each other. sam has a particularly complicated and hard life when it comes to his family and hattie has always been there to help him. sam was the first person to show up and help hattie with her break up.

the whole friendship group are sweet and a good mix of people, i love how in this book, chloe sheds light on being an adult with a friendship group that are all at different stages in life and how it can be hard to find time for each other

i love the dynamic between hattie and freddie. there are flashbacks within this story that helps further the story and adde depth to hattie and freddie's story. the chemistry between them was excellent, the tentative back and forth flirting and the mutual pining was very enjoyable to read.

-best friend's brother
-slow burn
-forced proximity
-forest setting
- snowed in
-flashbacks
-new years celebrations
-birthday celebrations

I absolutely loved this book. Cozy, wintery, holiday slow burn, best friends brother romance. I really enjoyed Chloe's writing style, I'll be adding her to my list of authors to keep looking for.

House party
A slow burn romance with a great cast of characters, humorous dialogue and real fun moments.
Hattie and Sam meet on their 14th birthdays (New year’s eve and New Year’s Day) they become best friends and celebrate their birthdays every year. Absolutely no romantic feelings for each other just a deep supportive friendship.
Hattie has always been attracted to Freddie Sam’s older hot brother but he and Sam do not get along and Sam warns Hattie she’s not allowed to fall for Freddie as it will destroy their friendship.
We travel back to their birthdays over the years until they reach 30. This is done seamlessly and there are some great moments and we feel the real attraction growing between Hattie and Freddie.
So 15 years in the making this slow burn romance delivers much emotional depth with entertaining, emotional and downright laugh out loud scenes. Highly enjoyable with a lovely finale though I’m greedy, I would have loved one more year.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Thank you to Chloe Ford, Aria and NetGalley for an advanced copy of House Party, releasing October 23rd October 2025.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a super quick, brother’s best friend novel! It wasn’t as spicy as I thought it might be but that wasn’t an issue as I enjoyed the writing style. I’ll definitely be going back for more of Chloe’s books!

This is a perfectly executed slow burn romance. Hattie has always had a crush on her best friend's brother, who has always been off limits! There is a cabin in the woods, a hot tub, a snowstorm and alcohol fuelled birthday celebrations. Alternating between past and present timelines, it manages to effectively develop the romantic tension: you’ll be cheering on Hattie and Freddie as the romance heats up. A wonderful addition to the rom – com genre

Unputdownable! I loved it! Rom Com at its best!
Hattie and Sam have been best friends for 15 years. Sam has always got Hattie to agree with him that his brother is a mortal enemy, but as the years creep by, at each house party for their birthdays, Hattie starts to change her views.
Full of sexual tension and friendship.

Chloe Ford’s House Party is a slow-burn delight that wraps you in snowy cabin vibes and forbidden longing. Hattie, newly single and rethinking her life choices, heads off for a New Year’s getaway with her best friend Sam—only to find herself snowed in with Freddie, Sam’s older brother and her long-time crush. What follows is a fifteen-year pining turned palpable tension, with flashbacks that deepen the emotional stakes and make every glance between Hattie and Freddie feel earned.

The chemistry is electric, the banter is sharp, and the setting—complete with hot tubs, wild boars, and zero cell service—is the perfect backdrop for a romance that simmers before it sizzles. Ford’s writing is witty and warm, and she nails the group dynamics, making you wish you were part of their friendship circle.

If you love tropes like best friend’s brother, forced proximity, and dual timelines, this one’s a must-read. It’s not just a romance—it’s a celebration of friendship, growth, and the kind of love that’s worth the wait.

Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Emily Henry, and anyone who believes New Year’s Eve is made for second chances.

With thanks to Chloe Ford, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

House Party singlehandedly got me out of a reading slump. I'm pretty sure it cleared up my skin, too.

I loved Chloe Ford's debut, Work Trip, so I entered House Party with extremely high expectations, and it did not disappoint. House Party is a whip-smart, incredibly fun book, saturated with simmering tension and *all* the pining, while also drawing a sharp depiction of a relationship that skirts just shy of abuse, and the slow process of healing. And while Work Trip was essentially a duet (unless you count the boss, which I most certainly do not), this one is a symphony, with a full cast of characters, tensions, and relationships.

Chloe Ford is now officially one of my favorite romance writers, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.

4.25⭐️/5

I would recommend this if you enjoy:
- Slow burn romances
- Best friend's brother
- Forced proximity
- Forbidden love
- Spicy scenes

Thank you for the ARC Netgalley and Aria & Aries and Aria - all opinions are my own.

This book follows Hattie, an artist that works in an art gallery, who has had a crush on her best friend Sam's older brother Freddie since she saw him as kids. Sam has always forbade the two of them having feelings for each other so when they go on a trip, they have to stay away from one another even if all they want to do is be in each other's arms.

This had everything I love in a book and it was well written which made it one of my new favourites. I liked how the author included flashbacks in between some chapters so we could see the bond between the characters growing as well as how strong the friend group was. They weren't boring which I appreciated. The way the author portrayed the brother bond between Sam and Freddie was done well as I could feel the emotion through the words.

I liked the British humour and how much I related to Hattie as I don't often feel that way about MCs. I enjoyed the seaside appreciation and that there wasn't an over abundance of spicy scenes. I also liked that Freddie didn't push Hattie to do anything she didn't want to do and that he was both respectful and romantic with her.

Overall, I would recommend this book for a cosy, fast-paced read with plenty of laughs and love. The writing was great and I would pick up another of this author's books.

This was such a perfect cosy contemporary romance for the cooler season. 🥰

What I loved:
💖 Hattie, our FMC was awkward and relatable
🔥 FREDDIE OMG
✨ Best friend's brother, but the best friend is a straight guy which was a great twist on this trope!
💕 Found family, best friends
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
❄️ Cosy wintery vibes
💞 HEA!


The only thing I wanted more of was a little more spice. I'd give this maybe a 2.5 spice rating. We get a nice and spicy scene but right near the end, lots of "almost" moments. I think for this book it did work really well and was exactly right for the characters, but I would have personally preferred a little more heated moments earlier on. This is absolutely just a personal preference though and I'm not giving this less than 5 stars because it was still absolutely CHEF'S KISS!

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a super cute and life-affirming read! Hattie is newly single, out of a long term relationship and committed to prioritising herself and her space. Her uni friendship group (bestie goals), each at different turning points in life, reunite to destress at a remote snowy cabin. Whilst we watch the chaotic week unfold, the dual timeline shows us snippets of past interactions between Hattie and Freddie, her childhood best friend’s older brother - their past moments of kindness, care and chemistry at odds with her sworn hatred of him. Surfacing feelings and honesty between characters transforms this from a sweet slow burn to a story that also explores life’s pressures, evolving friendships and family dynamics. I have enjoyed both of Chloe Ford’s releases so far and can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

House Party doesn't just follow a couple, it follows a whole friendship group through teens and twenties. It's so wholesome and fun with it's timehops back to NYEs over the last 15 years.

Hattie is such a fun, sarcastic and nerdy character. After a break-up from her 9 year relationship, she and her friend group decide on a whim to book a getaway (hot tub mandatory) for their celebration, only to find that her best friend's (very hot) brother has tagged along for the festivities. Said best friend (Sam) made a pact with her when they were teenagers, that his brother is off-limits because he is an idiot and they hate him. But Hattie doesn't hate Freddie. And Freddie doesn't hate Hattie. But Sam doesn't know that.

It's an adorably light hearted, funny read with diverse characters and giggle-worthy memories scattered throughout. I loved the chemistry between Hattie & Freddie but I also had so much affection for her friendships with Sam, Sara and Priya too.

Highly recommend this if you're looking for something easy, fun and full of embarrassing antics to giggle over!

Having enjoyed Chloe Ford’s earlier novel Work Trip, I was eager to dive into House Party — and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Ford has a talent for creating stories that feel both effortless to read and completely addictive.
The novel blends the warmth of a festive setting with the tension of long-held feelings resurfacing. At its core is the slow-burn romance between Hattie and Freddie, her brother’s best friend. Their dynamic is engaging, full of witty exchanges and playful banter that gradually deepens into something more heartfelt. The romantic payoff is worth the wait, especially as glimpses into Freddie’s past reveal a softer side beneath his guarded exterior.
The flashback sections add depth to the characters, and the story shines in its exploration of friendship and unspoken longing. The chemistry keeps the narrative moving.
House Party isn’t overly steamy, but that actually suits the tone — it’s cosy, charming, and perfect for a seasonal read. The pacing makes it ideal to finish in a few sittings, and the combination of humour, tenderness, and holiday sparkle leaves you with a warm, satisfied feeling.
In short, this is a delightful “brother’s best friend” romance with just the right amount of drama and charm. Fans of slow-burn love stories will find it especially rewarding.

With thanks to NetGalley For the advanced copy.

- ARC REVIEW -

Thank you to Head of Zeus Publishing, Netgalley & Chloe Ford for allowing me to read the arc of this book in return for an honest review.

This book is the perfect autumn/winter romcom! I chuckled, I swooned and I LOVED IT!

I got so into this book I was genuinely surprised when I looked outside and it wasn’t snowing! Definitely the perfect book to cosy down with as the weather starts to turn!

Best friends brother, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, forbidden love… the tropes are TROPING! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

This is definitely a slow burn, and less spicy than I was expecting but a brilliant read nonetheless!

I also love the fact that this book loosely interconnects with ‘Work Trip’! We love an interconnected standalone, even when the connections aren’t major to the storyline 😍 I squealed with excitement when Hattie mentioned her friend ‘Fliss’ 🙈

A perfect slow burn romance that’s in a cosy winter setting in the forest. Hattie who’s newly single goes away on a new year/ birthday get away with her best friend ‘Sam’ and few other friend. Sam invites his older brother Freddie, who Hattie has spent half her life secretly crushing on. This book contains flashbacks over the 15 years which adds to the story and chemistry.
I really enjoyed this book! Loved Hattie and Sam’s friendship as well as the dynamic between Hattie and Freddie!! Also loved the friendship group Hattie has!! Cosy winter forest setting. A perfect winter cosy romance book!! Would 100% recommend!

i really enjoyed this book. The relationships between the main characters were really well written. I loved the setting in the cabin and the flashbacks to the relationships through the years. Recommended.

I just loved this warm and cosy read. It had all the makings of a great rom com, with being snowed in, forced proximity, brothers best friend, but delivered so much more with its slow burn and beautiful friendships.

I loved the way the book was centred around Hattie, her coming to terms with the end of her 20’s and recent breakup, and her close friendships. Her relationship with Freddie unfolds gently, and I love the way readers are invited in through different snippets of their history. Their chemistry was sweet and thoughtful, and coincided well with Hattie’s growing awareness of her personal boundaries in relationships.

I’d happily watch this as a movie. Most of all I loved how refreshingly uncontrived the conflict was, which just made Harris and Freddie’s relationship, and her relationship with Sam, feel all the more authentic and respectful.

I’d highly recommend for anyone looking for a bright, fun, and romantic read. 4.5⭐️.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

A slow burn that spans FIFTEEN YEARS? Sign me up. I loved how this jumped back and forth from present and past so we got to see how their relationship evolved over the course of the many years. The pining was perfection and the chemistry was chef’s kiss. The ideal cozy wintertime read. It makes me want to book a cabin in the woods and read next to the fireplace!

I requested this on a bit of a whim and actually really enjoyed it! It's set at New Year, flitting between past celebrations and a house party in a nice cabin in the present day, and I was glued to it for a whole evening. Will definitely be adding Chloe Ford to my roster of rom-com authors to read!

Hattie’s spent half her life crushing on Freddie, her best friend Sam's irresistibly gorgeous older brother. He’s never looked twice at her… until now.
Freshly single and whisked off by Sam for a cosy holiday getaway in the Forest of Dean, Hattie’s bracing for snowy walks, crackling fires, and the hot tub. She didn't plan on Freddie crashing the trip.
Suddenly, the boy she could never have is very much paying attention, and maybe he’s been noticing her all along.

I really enjoyed the characters, the setting and the will they or won't they. It contained all my favourite tropes with a little bit of spice:
Slow burn
Best friends brother
Forced proximity
Forbidden romance

I would have devoured it in one sitting but I had to be an adult (rude).

Such a wonderful read!

This was my first time reading this author, and I absolutely loved her writing style.

The dynamic between Hattie and Freddie was captivating, and the use of flashbacks made their story even more engaging. I really enjoyed getting to know not only Hattie and Freddie, but the entire group of friends—each character felt warm, genuine, and like someone you’d love to hang out with.

I turned the last page with a big smile on my face and can’t wait to pick up more of this author’s books.

Thank you for the arc!

4,5⭐️

Si L’été où je suis devenue jolie avait gagné en maturité et que Jeremiah s’était contenté d’être l’ami de Belly, alors on obtiendrait quelque chose de très proche de ce roman. Freddie, c’est un peu le Connie, mais version trentenaire.

Le livre commence fort : on fait la connaissance de Hattie, 28 ans, qui retrouve son petit groupe d’amis pour fêter le Nouvel An (et son anniversaire) dans un chalet isolé en pleine forêt. Il y a là Sam, son meilleur ami (et né un jour avant elle), Pryia et Sara. Mais surprise : Freddie, le frère aîné de Sam, est aussi de la partie. Une seule règle existe entre Hattie et Sam depuis toujours : interdiction formelle de toucher au grand frère. Le soucis ? Hattie est attirée par lui depuis quinze ans …

Le cadre du chalet dans les bois est parfait. L’ambiance y est cosy, bien rendue, immersive. J’ai adoré ce décor et l’énergie qui se dégage du groupe. On retrouve une belle dynamique de "found family", qui m’a rappelé Happy Place, avec ce qu’implique la vie adulte : les retrouvailles, les blessures qu’on cache, les chemins qui se séparent parfois. Chaque personnage traverse quelque chose, et c’est ce qui rend le tout si touchant. Mention spéciale à Sara : j’espère vraiment qu’un tome lui sera consacré, parce que j’ai envie de savoir ce qu’elle devient à la fin.

Côté romance, ça fonctionne aussi. Le récit alterne entre le présent et les Nouvel An des années passées, ce qui permet de suivre l’évolution de la relation entre Hattie et Freddie. On comprend d’où vient cette tension entre eux, ce jeu d’attraction-répulsion qui rend leur lien si addictif.

En bref : une très jolie lecture, parfaite pour les fans de romances à double temporalité, avec une bonne dose de tension, de secrets et d’émotions, le tout dans une ambiance enneigée et festive.

Pourquoi lire ce roman ?
🍾 Parce que c’est un best friend’s brother
🍾 Pour l’ambiance chaleureuse du Nouvel An
🍾 Parce que le chalet en hiver, c’est un setting qu’on ne refuse jamais
🍾 Et parce que les romans en double temporalité sont souvent les plus percutants

A delightful read from Chloe, which I loved how she formed the relationships between Hattie and Sam and Hattie and Freddie, and of course the rest of friendship group as a whole.

Loved how Freddie looked out and looked after Hattie over the years, no matter what the circumstances, and you could see he was smitten with her so early on, but never wanted to take the next step, as he never wanted to destroy the fragile relationship with Sam. And of course there was Hattie's relationship with her Ex.....

This story flowed so well and I really enjoyed it.

💕 Slow Burn
💕 Best Friends Brother
💕 Forbidden Romance
💕 Forced Proximity

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This has a cheesy cover (sorry 😬) and the tsgline is meh but I loved the forced proximity and the obvious hea!

I thoroughly enjoyed every single word of this story. I was gripped from the first few pages, and by a part way through I was oblivious to the outside world as I was reading, as I was just enjoying it so much.

This is an big love story, between Hattie and Freddie. They have known each other for many years, as Hattie is best friends with Sam, and Sam is Freddie's brother. And Sam made Hattie swore when they were teenagers that they both hated Freddie and that she was never to go there.

So in between the present day action of their annual party for their practically joint birthdays, we get flashbacks to New Years Eve for most of the years since they met, where we get to see fleeting glances and snapshots into the lives of these friends, in addition to Hattie's previous interactions with Freddie.

It's clear there is a connection between them, but whether they can overcome the possibility of upsetting Sam who they both care about is another question.

I really enjoyed all of the various parties Hattie and Sam have had over the years, as well as Hattie's determination that her 29th year will be her own, after she broke up with her boyfriend that stole most of her 20s.

Set predominately in a gorgeous remote location, full of snow and a hot tub, this was a wonderfully cosy story that was a pleasure to read.

This may be my first book from this author, but I would be shocked if it turns out to be my last.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I absolutely devoured House Party. Honestly, this was one of those books where I kept telling myself “just one more chapter”.

It’s such an easy, fast-paced, cosy read, perfect for curling up with during the darke colder nights when you want something heartwarming and fun.

The story follows Hattie, an artist working in a gallery, who’s secretly fancied her best friend’s older brother, Freddie, for what feels like forever (fifteen years, to be exact!).

Of course, Sam—her best friend—has always put his foot down about the two of them being anything more than friends.

But when a snowy getaway to the Forest of Dean throws them all together: Hattie, Sam, Freddie, and their wider friendship group, old feelings resurface, sparks fly, and the question becomes: will Hattie and Freddie finally get their happy ending?

I really loved how Chloe Ford captured the messy joy of adult friendships. The group dynamic felt so real - different people at different stages of life, sometimes struggling to find time for each other, but always managing to come together.

Hattie and Sam’s friendship was one of my favourite parts, genuine, supportive, and so wholesome.

Sam’s complicated family background is explored with sensitivity, and the way Hattie has always been there for him made me love her character even more.

The romance between Hattie and Freddie was a brilliant slow burn.

The chemistry was chef’s kiss all the mutual pining, the tentative flirting, and the swoon-worthy moments had me grinning like a fool.

I also appreciated how respectful and kind Freddie was as a romantic lead; supportive without being pushy, and funny without being over the top. Some of his lines? Melt-worthy.

The dual timeline, with flashbacks to their younger years, added such lovely depth to their story. It gave me that nostalgic, coming-of-age feel while also making the present-day moments hit even harder.

And can we talk about the setting? Snowy cabins, roaring fires, hot tubs, and even a few woodland misadventures - it had all the makings of the perfect winter romcom.

I laughed, I swooned, and I even teared up a few times. There’s plenty of British humour woven in (always a win for me), and the writing never dragged. Chloe Ford strikes a great balance between romantic and heartfelt, without being heavy or overly “spicy.”

If you’re after a cosy, heartwarming, slow-burn romance with strong friendships, a relatable main character, and a swoony best friend’s brother trope, then House Party is for you. It’s fun, funny, and the perfect winter escape. Highly recommended and I’ll definitely be picking up more from Chloe Ford.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I ADORED this book so much

The dual timeline was done so well, and i loved the characters and the struggle of the family relationship. I could have fully read an extra 300 pages between the last chapter and the epilogue.

This is a cute cozy read about a friendships and lust.. Hattie is best friends with Sam, but he’s got a gorgeous brother Freddie. The university friends all book a cottage in the Forest of Dean for a party, it’s not like the party they had fifteen years ago though. When Freddie appears what will happen? I liked the back story that made them friends and about both house parties. It’s an easy 4 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Hattie and Sam have great friendship chemistry anda definite "wont go there" non romance vibe. However Sam's brother is a different kettle of fishand this story captures several moments in Hatties life where her promise to SAm to always hate his brother become increasingly difficult over the 15 years or so the story covers.
Everything you could want and more in a romance!

House Party was a fast and addicting read. I flew through it! I really enjoyed the dual timeline and watching Hattie and Freddie’s relationship develop over the years. Their chemistry and tension were spot on. Ford did a fantastic job with the best friend's brother trope. Hattie and Fred were adorable together! All of the characters felt developed and interesting. I liked that the friend side characters were at different stages in life. It gave the story some nice variety. I appreciated Sam and Hattie's friendship. Their relationship felt genuine and wholesome. The romantic comedy elements were sprinkled in perfectly. The wild boar scene and Dylan randomly showing up made me laugh. The pacing was solid, and the plot was fun. My only critiques were some choppy sentences here and there, and that Freddie’s breath got mentioned a few too many times. Shoutout to Heather McBreen (go read her books!) for recommending this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the ARC.

4.5 stars
I absolutely loved Chloe Ford's debut Work Trip, so I was incredibly eager to read her newest book, House Party, which has solidified Chloe Ford as an autobuy author. I absolutely loved this book and ended up staying up into the early hours to finish it as I was hooked.

Chloe writes amazing, realistic, and relatable characters who you can't help but love and root for. I loved Hattie and getting to watch her grow as a character as we get flashbacks of her friendship with Sam and her early interactions with Freddie.

Her friendship with Sam is just so wholesome, and I honestly loved it so much. I also loved the rest of the friend group who joined them on this trip amd I also liked that there was depth to these characters, who are each dealing with their own personal struggles and the discussion about how friendships can change as we get older and end up in different stages of life. Also, I squealed seeing Fliss and James from Work Trip in this one and how Fliss played a part in this, as I adored them so much!

I adored Freddie, and his chemistry with Hattie was off the charts. There is something about the best friend's brother/forbidden romance trope that I just adore, and Chloe Ford does such a phenomenal job of it in this book. I was absolutely here for the slow burn and yearning from both our characters and just loved when it all came together.

This is the perfect book for this time of year, especially with the winter vibes and being set around New years! House Party is a fantastic rom-com, with swoon-worthy romance, wholesome friendships, and amazing banter! I absolutely recommend picking this one up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

ARC review

"House Party" by Chloe Ford

Thank you Aria & Aries for the digital copy of the book (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
- slow burn
- best friend's brother
- forbidden romance
- forced proximity
- spice
- flashback chapters

The slow burn in this story started 15 years ago when Hattie met Freddie.
He was forbidden to her, as her best friends brother (and the brothers did not get along).
I liked a lot the style of the story.
Hattie and her best friend Sam celebrate their birthday together every year as they were born a day apart (on New Year's Eve and New Year).
We get flashbacks chapters from the parties and the present.
Hattie was in along term relationship that was not good for her and this year she and Freddie are both single.
The party this year takes place in remote cabin (with a hot tub) and there is only a small group of friends.

The characters are all likable and you can tell that they were all friends for some time.
There is a lot humour, banter and tension.
The forbidden side of the relationship adds to the tension, but it is well written.

If you read "Work Trip" before, you will be glad to find that Hattie and Fliss are friends, so she and James make an appearance.

I had a good time reading this book and I recommended it as a winter read.

I absolutely loved this book. It has all of the cosy slow-burn flirty vibes you could possibly want!

Chloe does an amazing job of holding the heart of the story while alternating between the past and the present.

As someone in their late 20s I especially enjoyed seeing the friendship dynamics between Hattie and her friends. Everyone is at a different stage in their life and juggling their careers, their family and their relationships. It's messy and real and I really hope we get to see more of these side characters in future stories!

Highly recommend 😍

Hattie has been crushing on her best friend's brother for fifteen years and finally gets her wish of being noticed when they find themselves on a trip to a remote cabin with friends. Told in dual timelines we get to see the past leading up to the present and the way the story comes together. This was another winner by Chloe Ford. I love her writing style and couldn't help getting emotionally involved in the character's situation. Easy to read and hard to put down, I'm excited for what the author will write next.

Love, love, love this book. A perfect light holiday read. Based over several years, the author manages to keep hold of the thread of the story and keep it consistent. An uplifting read.

House Party by Chloe Ford is a cosy, romantic winter read filled with friendship, longing and the chaos of being snowed in with the one person you have loved in secret for years. Hattie has spent half her life quietly in love with Freddie, her best friend Sam’s older brother. He has never seemed to notice her, beyond being Sam’s friend and the girl he grew up around. But everything changes when Hattie finds herself newly single just before the holidays.

To cheer her up, Sam takes her to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean. Snowy forests, a crackling fire and a hot tub make it the perfect escape, until a storm hits, the phone signal disappears and Freddie unexpectedly turns up. Suddenly Hattie is trapped in close proximity to the one person she has never stopped caring about. And this time, Freddie is definitely paying attention.

The book blends humour, gentle tension and a lot of heart. The flashbacks to childhood and teenage years are a lovely addition, showing how Hattie and Sam’s friendship began and how Hattie’s feelings for Freddie slowly grew. It makes the romance feel rooted in history and emotion, not just sudden attraction. The forbidden romance element, especially falling for your best friend’s brother, is done in a sweet and relatable way.

Beyond the romance, the book also explores friendship in your twenties. Each character is at a different stage in life, facing messy relationships, career pressures and uncertainty. Being snowed in forces them to talk, reconnect and work through what has been left unsaid.

With snowstorms, simmering emotions and the magic of New Year's Eve, House Party is a heart warming and charming book perfect for that quiet week between Christmas and New Year.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Hattie has spent half her life secretly crushing on Freddie – her best friend Sam’s irresistibly gorgeous older brother. From the snowy cabin setting to the crackling tension between Hattie and Freddie, this book delivers a cozy, feel-good romantic read. It’s a blend of enemies-to-lovers and best friend’s brother tropes, full of charm, laughter, and that slow-burn frustration that keeps you flipping pages.

The characters are warm and endearing — even the side ones — and the banter feels genuine and fun. The chemistry between Hattie and Freddie practically jumps off the page, with plenty of steamy moments and an almost comical amount of “will-they-won’t-they” tension before they finally get together.

A fun, easy read that delivers heart, heat, and holiday vibes in equal measure. Perfect for anyone who loves a slow-burn romance with a festive twist.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review

What a wonderful story.

This is the one of the best and freshest romance stories I have read in a long time.

I really enjoyed the multi timeline aspect, with the flash backs fleshing out what was happening in modern day.

I also loved the characters. They were complex and interesting and brought out so many emotions.

Hattie would be such a wonderful person to know and I enjoyed how real and relatable her character was. The dynamic between her and the other characters in the book was fun to follow and their antics made me laugh so many times. There is also depth to her character and she showed great strength with the difficult things that happened, making me cry more that once.

For how infrequently their paths crossed, the story between Freddie and Hattie truly was beautiful!

I’m hoping with the vagueness about Sara at the end that we will see these characters again in another book.

Themes/Tropes:
Contemporary Romance, Festive, Emotional Scars, Slow Burn, Age Gap, Best Friend’s Brother, Forced/Close Proximity, Mental Health Rep, LGBTQIA+ & Multi timeline.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2/5 🌶

This was an engaging and heartfelt read that kept me invested from the very beginning. I especially loved the flashback chapters-they added emotional depth and helped me connect more deeply with the characters. Freddie and Hattie's slow-burn connection was well developed, and their chemistry felt genuine throughout.
However, the pacing toward the end felt a bit rushed. After spending most of the book building up their relationship, the final conflict with Sam resolved too quickly, leaving me wishing for a bit more development in that section.
Overall, it's a well-written, emotionally satisfying story that thoroughly enjoyed. A strong 4-star read.

A cozy read for Winter, definitely slow burn but I enjoyed the writing style of this book; great characters and loved the setting throughout the book, really getting you ready for the cold months ahead as I was picturing the snow outside whilst reading. Looking forward to reading more by Chloe Ford.

4.5 ⭐ rounded up.

Hattie and Sam have been best friends since they were 14. Sam's one friendship rule has always been that his older brother Freddie is an idiot and Hattie is absolutely not allowed to like him.

Unfortunately Hattie has absolutely broken that rule because while maybe an idiot Freddie is also undeniablely gorgeous.

And now at almost 30, newly(ish) single Hattie finds herself wondering if Freddie could actually be interested in her when he tags along on her & Sam's trip away.

I loved this so much.

I thought Hattie was such a relatable main character and I loved getting to know her and Sam and their friendship throughout the years.

I really the dual timeline. I thought it was a fun way to break the book up and get all of the background information.

I would have really liked a second POV - maybe from Sam or Freddie? But I didn't find myself missing it as much as I usually would in single POV books.

Overall a really great time!

Wow, I honestly don’t even know where to start with how much I loved this book. This is my second read from Chloe (the first being Work Trip), and honestly, they’re both equally amazing in their own ways.

This time, we’re following Hattie, who’s having a bit of an existential crisis. Her birthday’s coming up (which also happens to be New Year’s Eve), she’s on the edge of her thirties, and she’s wondering what she really has to show for it all. So, what’s a girl to do? Naturally… book a cozy lodge, invite her old college friends, and, well… you’ll have to read it to see what happens next.

This story is such a beautiful, slow-burn romance, the kind that makes your heart ache a little and your toes curl at the same time. I like to think of it as a second chance love story (though that might be up for debate). If life had played out differently, maybe things would’ve gone another way for these two.

Chloe does such an incredible job weaving the present with flashbacks to the past. It gives you such a clear picture of how far these characters have come despite all the baggage they both carry, it also helps us understand why they are the way they are now and I really loved that. Writing like this is not always easy to pull off, but she makes it feel effortless and definitely deserves a round of applause as far as that’s concerned.

The writing is also funny, emotional, and so full of heart, it hits that sweet spot between nostalgia and real, grounded emotion. There’s so much depth and character growth in this novel that for me it stands out from a lot of the romances that fill the shelves currently. Honestly, we need more stories like this.

Chloe has definitely cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me, no question. If you’re only going to pick up one romance this year, make it this one, it’s got all those important feels.

I seriously can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I do appreciate a dual timeline, and this book is a fantastic example of that. Sam and Hattie have birthdays on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, a link which is the initial impetus for their friendship, and the plot alternates between a present-day New Year trip and several New Years past to build up the relationships between Hattie and her friends, and also between Hattie and Freddie, who she is categorically Not Allowed To Fancy. The present-day New Year is a time of change for Hattie, and that covers a lot of very relatable themes: being newly single and slightly adrift after a long-term relationship which perhaps wasn't as great as you tried to make out, the worry that you've wasted your twenties, the difficulties of your friends being at different stages of life. I loved the dynamics of the group: Hattie and Sam's friendship feels very realistic, Priya is an absolute scene-stealer, and then there's Freddie - good grief, the tension between him and Hattie is so well done. It was also nice to get a glimpse of Fliss and James from Work Trip, and I'm going to assume Sara has a story in the works because she was the epitome of mystery throughout. I've definitely become a fan of Chloe Ford's writing, which flows beautifully and contains the perfect mix of humour (wild boar, anyone?), emotion and depth. More please :)