Review Tour: The Houseguest: Penelope Ward
The House Guest
Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…
The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.
I was falling in love with him.
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.
Spoiler Free
Wow! This book pulled me in, broke my heart and slowly repaired it, and had me flipping pages to see how it would all turn out. The storyline had some unique elements and surprises, and was not a cookie-cutter romance.
Primrose Gallagher is a vibrant, bold, sweet young artist who had lost everyone in her family but was still living in the house that her now late Aunt had invited her to stay at. Eventually, the late owner's son returns to the mansion to oversee things. Dorian Vanderbilt is handsome, charismatic, rich, mysterious, and a bit judgmental.
They do not start on the right foot, but through a series of unexpected home encounters, they find themselves enjoying each other's company and becoming close both physically and emotionally. They both have trust issues and different approaches to the idea of relationships. They are opposites in some ways but alike in others, and they complement each other well. Things seem perfect for a while...until they don't. And that's just the beginning of their journey.
This is an angsty, emotional, unexpected roommates, opposites-attract, second-chance romance with some interesting twists. My heart broke for these two, and I was so invested in their story even as I was frustrated with circumstances and surprised along the way. I love it when a story can truly shock and surprise me, and keep me guessing about what is going to happen. There were times I was really NOT okay! But other times had me swooning. It hits all the feels and kept me enthralled. I loved these two together and the realness and intensity of their connection. The side characters added so much depth.
It was a unique and captivating story about soulmates, timing, fate, and the power of true love that I will not soon forget. I wanted to scream and yell at this author for putting me through so much, but she honestly did an amazing job with this story and characters, and I think it is my favorite book of hers to date.
It was a unique and captivating story about soulmates, timing, fate, and the power of true love that I will not soon forget. I wanted to scream and yell at this author for putting me through so much, but she honestly did an amazing job with this story and characters, and I think it is my favorite book of hers to date.
Primrose is an artist and student, working to build her portfolio and put herself through school. Living with her aunt to save money, she never expected her aunt to pass away suddenly leaving Primrose’s future living arrangements in jeopardy and in the hands of a stranger, her aunt’s husband’s son.
When Dorian returned to his father’s house, he did not expect to find a woman painting in the living room of what he thought was an empty home. After the surprise wears off, he decides to let her stay while he sorts out his father’s business and decides what the next steps for the house are. As they live together, they slowly get to know each other and the interest between them grows. They grow closer until something happens to shatter their peace.
I love Dorian so much. He started off distrustful of Primrose’s motives, but quickly fell to her charms. He was everything that makes a hero. I struggled with my feelings for him a little bit in the middle, but by the end I had forgotten any frustrations and loved him again.
Primrose is a strong, vibrant personality. I hated to see those moments when her vibrancy was dulled and loved watching her come back into herself in a whole new way.
I listened to the audio and Teddy Hamilton was perfect as Dorian. The duet narration with Savannah Peachwood added an additional layer to Dorian and Primrose that kept me fully immersed in the story.
This has elements of strangers-to-lovers, second chance, and found family with so many great surprises throughout. It kept me guessing, genuinely surprised (and shocked) me, and had me swooning as well. It’s been a while since a contemporary romance has so thoroughly pulled me in and swept me away. This was a fantastic read!
PENELOPE WARD
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
1 comments
Nice reviews. I just adored this book too!
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