I picked up House Party and was immediately drawn into the story. Reading about Hattie’s tween and teen hood felt like I was reminiscing about my own: the clothes, Black Parade, Tracy Beaker references, live action Peter Pan (!). Her character brings this story joyously to life as we see her meet her best friend Sam and his gorgeous and completely off limits older brother Freddie.
In the present timeline Hattie is 28 and trying to move on from a breakup, determined to reclaim the rest of her twenties for herself, which includes being single for a whole year. First on the agenda? Gathering all her friends together for her and Sam’s annual birthday celebrations. This year they plan a last minute trip to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean but Freddie is unexpectedly included and there's a massive snowstorm on the way. What better setting, for Chloe and her friends to reconnect and for fifteen years of pining to finally boil over, than a snowbound cabin in the woods? Perfectly paced, we have a dual timeline that shows that there is more to Hattie and Freddie’s history than meets the eye as their teasing and flirty banter intensifies.
It was sweet, it was sexy, it made me laugh out loud and there were three failed attempts to put it down in order to go to sleep. This is a perfect winter romance to curl up with in front of a log fire - or in a hot tub.
A slow-burn romance fifteen years in the making...
Hattie has spent half her life secretly crushing on Freddie - her best friend Sam's irresistibly gorgeous older brother. But Freddie? He's barely spared a glance for Hattie, the girl Sam befriended one fateful New Years' Eve when they discovered they were birthday twins.
Fast-forward to now: Hattie finds herself single for the first time in years - just before the holidays. Enter Sam, who, in classic best-friend fashion, whisks her away to a remote cabin in the Forest of Dean to cheer her up. Snowy woodland views? Check. A crackling fire and a steamy hot tub? Check. Zero cell service, ravenous wild boars, and an incoming snowstorm of apocalyptic proportions? Also check.
And to make matters even more intense, Freddie joins them, unexpectedly. Still infuriatingly gorgeous, and still ridiculously off-limits. Except this time, he's actually noticing Hattie. But then again, maybe he's been noticing her all along.
Fifteen years of longing. One night to change everything. This New Year's Eve, they're playing with fire.
*** Perfect for fans of: Slow burn Best friend's brother Forbidden romance Spice Forced proximity
'A slow burn romance with multi-layered characters and sizzling chemistry, House Party left me absolutely breathless. Clear your schedule to read this in a single sitting' - Annabel Monaghan
Praise for HOUSE PARTY:
'Such a fun, sparkling, swoonworthy romance full of memorable moments' - Cressida McLaughlin 'HOUSE PARTY is dazzlingly electric! Chloe is a master of the romcom and this is an exquisite slow burn full of heart, friendship, and a brilliantly steamy romance that will keep you hooked at every page!' - Beth Reekles 'Funny and charming, with plenty of steam to warm you up on those cold winter nights... the perfect winter escape!' - Catherine Walsh 'House Party is everything I want in a romance - emotional, gorgeously written, and utterly addictive' - Carrie Elks 'Trust me, this is one HOUSE PARTY you'll want to attend! Ford is a master of the slow burn. This book had me grinning from ear to ear' - Carlie Walker 'So funny, so witty, so romantic - HOUSE PARTY is simply a gorgeous, sparkling delight. Best read in a hot tub with a glass of fizz during a snowstorm.' - Eleanor Vendrell
Author
About Chloe Ford
Chloe Ford grew up in rural Sussex but is now based in South Gloucestershire. She has an affinity with all things country, from riding horses to muddy walks. Her love for writing began at secondary school when her English teacher would set a writing task for the whole hour. An avid reader, she started sneaking Mills & Boon books out from under her mum's bed as a teenager and hasn't stopped devouring romance books ever since.
