Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Photographer: Evgeniia Bezruk
Model: Sergey Multakh
Wardrobe: Tryyt
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.

Add to Goodreads

• BILLIONAIRE HERO
• ROOMMATES
• TWIST
• SLOW BURN
• ANGSTY
• OPPOSITES ATTRACT

Review

NO SPOILERS!

Penelope Ward’s storytelling is on another level, and her stories never cease to blow me away and leave me in awe. The House Guest was no exception!

  Steamy, funny, emotional, swoony, romantic, entertaining, and perfect in every way, I absolutely LOVED Dorian and Primrose’s story with all of my heart and adored every moment of their journey to happily ever after. The epic jaw-dropping plot twists were fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was riveted and addicted from start to finish. The House Guest has been one of my favorite standalone romances from Ms. Ward to date, and I was completely ecstatic with the conclusion. As usual, absolutely chef’s kiss all around and a MUST READ!!!

Proofread for author.

5 STARS

About 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 thirty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

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