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.

Fun, fun ,fun. A lighthearted beach read. Harriet and Sam have been firm friends from fourteen years of age, with Sams older brother Oliver being the agreed enemy. Harriet has always had a frisson of interest in Oliver nevertheless. Sparks fly from the very beginning of the House Party

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.

- 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.

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.

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.

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.

-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!