Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025
BLURB
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romanceโฆ
The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadnโt inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised Iโd 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.
Iโd 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 Dorianโthe late billionaireโs only sonโshowed up.
Iโd never met Dorian Vanderbilt. Heโd been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his fatherโs legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didnโt seem to like meโat first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didnโt kick me out.
We stayed out of each otherโs 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 Iโd ever loved.
The House Guest by Penelope Ward
Tanya’s rating: 5 of 5 stars
ebook/audiobook review:
The House Guest is a standalone, contemporary romance. This is Dorian Vanderbilt and Primrose Gallagherโs story.
I didnโt care for Dorian at the very beginning, but it was mainly because he was so cavalier about kicking Primrose out of the house he had inherited.
There were a whole lot of mixed signals happening. I did fall in love with this book! And for this story to be read to me by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood, was such a treat! They are both great narrators and with their voices they kept me focused on Dorian and Primrose’s story. Teddy and Savannah were perfect for the parts as Dorian and Primrose.
For a while I didnโt see how either Dorian or Primrose was going to have a happily ever after. The angst is real, yโall! I felt it as I was listening to the story told. The journey to get their HEA was difficult and beautiful!
Penelope Ward is a great storyteller. I have never been disappointed with any of this authors’ books. I canโt wait to see whatโs next. 5 STARS from me!
Lita’s Book Review: 4.5 Stars
The House Guest by Penelope Ward. Primrose is in art school living with her aunt and her wealthy husband.ย When they are killed in a freak accident while on vacation, Primrose finds herself living in the house after their death.ย Dorian is shocked when he comes back to his childhood home months after his father’s death to find a beautiful woman in a crop top using his living room as an art studio.ย From the beginning, I knew I was in for a treat. This author never disappoints anytime I read one of her books. Dorian and Primrose initially get off on the wrong foot but eventually find out they really enjoy each other’s company. When that line is crossed from good friends to something more, I knew that was their happily ever after. Boy, was I wrong.ย I certainly did not expect the monkey wrench that happened. This only heightened the story, and I had to continue reading like a mad woman in order to find out the conclusion to their story. Quite the interesting twist. That certainly wasn’t on my bingo card. I could have continued to have read more about Dorian and Primrose. 4.5 stars for me.
PURCHASE LINKS
$3.99 for a limited time!
Free to read in Kindle Unlimited
ย
ALSO AVAILABLE
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
BILLIONAIRE HERO
ROOMMATES
TWIST
SLOW BURN
ANGSTY
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
AUTHOR BIO
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.
AUTHOR LINKS
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD
TaSTy WordGasms 