Work Trip
by Chloe Ford
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Pub Date 24 Apr 2025 | Archive Date 24 Apr 2025
Aria & Aries | Aria
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Description
UNCORRECTED PROOF COPY
They say you should keep your enemies closer…
For Fliss, the prospect of a team building work trip fills her with dread. Mostly because she cannot stand her pushy colleague James, who often attempts to derail her brilliant plans. But when the two arrive in the Scottish Highlands, they find themselves facing a unique challenge: their boss has abandoned them in the middle of nowhere with only one tent, two sleeping bags and a few protein bars.
Cut off from the outside world, the pair are forced to put aside their differences to weather the unpredictable elements of the Highlands and get home. As they set out on a journey across miles of rugged wilderness - pushing each other to survive and testing their physical and emotional limits - they remain fully aware of their boss’s manipulative plan to orchestrate a hook up between them.
But even with only each other for company, Fliss and James stand firm in their resolve: they won't give in to any romantic notions. Or will they?
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781035913213 |
PRICE | £9.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 320 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
I love a good romcom with a lot of banter between the two main characters. I enjoyed this read and it was engaging. The story flowed. You can see the end coming but it wasn’t a bad thing haha. Loved this read. Thank you for an advance copy of this.
I sped through this super fun and flirty romcom! It fits the bill too: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and one absolutely outrageous work trip. Fliss and James had chemistry even before they found themselves shacked up together. And I enjoyed going along on their ride through the Highlands, from nearly drowning to nearly freezing to death. A real treat!
This book was everything! I loved the love/hate between Fluss and James. I thought they were both amazing characters who had great chemistry and I loved the premise of them being thrown out into nature to really have to deal with one another one on one! Talk about really getting to know someone. I was laughing, crying, and devouring every page! I highly enjoyed this book. I hope to review and acquire more from this publisher in the near future.
A fun summer romcom read - pack in your suitcase next to your beach towel. Perfect for the beach, light and entertaining.
This was very cute, and very much gave the hating game vibes I’ve been looking for, but with the forced proximity trope and also some lost in the wilderness survival stuff I always go feral for.
I loved the quirky main character, she was funny but also just infuriating enough to make it interesting. The only negative I can think of is that the writing was a little choppy toward the beginning however it progressively got better throughout the book, so it didn’t bother me much.
I really enjoyed how the main character’s struggles, anxiety and overall development was portrayed; it made her very realistic and relatable. And the romance plot made for a really fun and fast read. This is honestly an excellent debut. Chloe Ford will definitely be an author I keep an eye out for in the future. I basically inhale read this and was just the rom-com escape I was looking for.
“𝐼'𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒, 𝐼'𝑚 𝑛𝑜 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒.”
Are you a fan of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne or the film The Proposal?
If you love witty banter, steamy tension, and that delightful push-pull dynamic between enemies to lovers, then Work Trip by Chloe Ford is about to become your next obsession. This debut novel masterfully delivers everything we adore about forced proximity and the simmering tension that builds between two people who swear they can’t stand each other…until they can’t keep their hands off each other.
The story follows Fliss as she reluctantly embarks on a dreaded team-building trip to the Scottish Highlands, primarily because of her irritating colleague, James, who constantly challenges her at work. However, when they arrive, things take an unexpected twist, leaving the two coworkers stranded and forced to rely on each other for survival.
Set against the backdrop of the unpredictable wilderness, their journey pushes them both physically and emotionally, challenging their ability to work together. What begins as a frustrating situation soon evolves into something neither expected, testing their limits and perceptions of one another.
Beyond the laugh-out-loud moments, the book delves into deeper themes of trust, vulnerability, and self-discovery. The characters confront not only their attraction to each other but also their personal hang-ups, drawing you into a richly layered story that balances humor with heartfelt moments. This blend makes the romance not only engaging but also deeply relatable, ensuring you feel every emotion along the way.
Fliss' journey from viewing James as her greatest enemy to recognizing him as someone who truly understands and challenges her is as heartwarming as it is satisfying. Meanwhile, James’ gradual realization that Fliss might be exactly what he needs adds a rich emotional layer to the story.
The author's writing is sharp and witty, with dialogue that brings both humor and authenticity to the characters’ interactions. The balance between romance and adventure is well-maintained, providing a satisfying and enjoyable reading experience.
If this sounds like your kind of read, consider pre-ordering this heartwarming, swoon-worthy story, set to release in April 2025.
Thanks to author Chloe Ford, publisher Head of Zeus and Netgalley for granting early access to this book. Please note that this review is based solely on my personal thoughts and opinions.
Really enjoyed this. An easy read - a lovely rom com, that doesn't take much thinking about, but will leave you feeling in a good mood. And it keeps you interested right to the end, even if it is fairly easy to work out from the beginning, what is going to happen.
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a cute read. It was easy to follow, had a good cast of characters and good pacing. I recommend it to other readers.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in Work Trip and relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.
This book was too much fun! The dialogue between Fliss and James was witty and sharp, but there were moment where they both shared a bit more about themselves and you could see their bond and connection deepening. Obviously it's a crazy professional situation to be in! But that's why it's so funny. I really enjoyed the setting, especially the ruined castle! This book was spicier than I anticipated and I loved that!
What a fun and indulgent rom-com this was! I absolutely loved the premise—two work nemeses who are forced into the wilderness together, only to discover that actually they have more in common than they ever thought! But also, there is plenty of arguing and tension! Thought the dialogue was super witty and and witty, it was a real treat! Highly recommend!
First of all thank you for approving my request!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.
I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.
This book is a perfect escape filled with warmth and laughter, and I found myself rooting for Fliss and James every step of the way. If you enjoy a romantic adventure with a dash of rivalry and a whole lot of heart, this is a must-read!
I devoured this book in under 24 hours!!! 🫶🏼
WORK TRIP - 4.5 ⭐️'s
From the first chapter I was hooked! The work enemies storyline, the banter, the chemistry & the chaotic camping (which was giving me serious survivor vibes 😂)
This book was so much fun, I loved the concept & Chloes writing had me laughing and falling in love with these characters! As a corporate girly myself I related soooo much to Fliss! The imagery and references throughout the story were so great and the pace was perfect, the plot never felt rushed and it also never dragged on! The perfect Rom-Com 💖
I just finished Work Trip by Chloe Ford, and I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters! I want more! Sequel, please? Bonus chapter? I’ll take an email from James, at the very least.
I adored this debut from Chloe and fell in love with Fliss and James. I didn’t know the One Tent trope was something I was missing in my life until I read Chloe’s book! From the gorgeous Scottish Highlands setting to witty banter and crackling chemistry, I devoured this book.
It’s a perfect enemies-to-lovers rom-com that includes real issues, and Fliss’ work situation will feel relatable to many women.
If you’re in the mood for enemies to lovers, forced proximity, a sweet MMC hiding under a suit, a loveable and relatable FMC, and cuddling in a sleeping bag, this rom-com is a must-read! I can’t wait to read what Chloe writes next!
4/5 Stars!
"Work Trip" by Chloe Ford is a fun rom-com that I could barely put down. Fliss and James are fierce work rivals, unexpectedly stranded in the Scottish wilderness during a team-building exercise. With only one tent, limited supplies, and quick thinking to get them home, they must put aside their professional differences to navigate the challenging but beautiful landscape.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Beautiful Scottish Highlands ⛰️
Enemies to Lovers 🙅♂️🙅
Forced Proximity ⛺
Ford's clever dialogue (very back and forth) and the chemistry between the characters make for an excellent read. The vivid descriptions bring the breathtaking Highland scenery to life, and the growing understanding between Fliss and James builds the romantic tension quickly. In my opinion, the turn from enemies to lovers happens quite quickly, but this book is only 200 pages, so it was never going to be a true slow burn. I love that Ford showed that both characters were rightfully annoying to each other and that they each had to grow to be better people.
"Work Trip" is a fun escape for romance lovers who appreciate a mix of humour, adventure, and genuine emotions. It strikes a lovely balance of spice and plot without being too intense. Fans of Emily Henry and Sally Thorne will be excited by this refreshing new voice in the romantic comedy genre.
Thank you to Aria and NeyGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, and Aria & Aries for allowing me to read this romantic comedy from Chloe Ford.
I had such a good time reading this book! From the picturesque scenery, to the thoughtful private contemplations of the main character, Fliss, I found this romance to be such an enjoyable read.
The enemies-to-lovers trope was executed perfectly... with authentic frustration and antagonisation on both sides of the pair: Fliss and James, which made their connection all the more convincing and emotional.
Filled with hilarity, miscommunication, and gentle yearning, this story is sure to delight its readers!
🏕️ Work Trip 🏕️
Blurb:
Fliss and James cannot stand each other. He thinks she’s the most annoying person alive, and she thinks he’s the definition of arrogance. But when their boss drops them in the middle of Scotland for a week-long team-building retreat, sparks are bound to fly—and not just from the campfire! 👀🔥
Review:
I was so lucky to be approved as an ARC reader for Work Trip by Chloe Ford, and let me just say—I loved it!
First of all, this is a real enemies-to-lovers story. None of that “secret attraction” nonsense—they genuinely hate each other at first, and it adds such a hilarious dynamic to their interactions. The witty banter and snappy dialogue had me turning pages like crazy. 🗣️✨
The stunning Scottish backdrop made the story even more immersive. Chloe Ford does an amazing job of painting the rugged beauty of Scotland, making you feel like you’re right there with Fliss and James in the Highlands. 🏞️🏕️
Their misadventures and growing relationship felt so natural, and I loved how both characters were forced to not only get to know each other but also explore their own personal growth. It’s the kind of rom-com that has just the right amount of heart. 💖
Work Trip will be released in April 2025, and I can’t recommend it enough! Big thanks to @headofzeus, @netgalley, and @chloeford for letting me meet these two wonderful characters. 🥰
I loved the tension between Felicity and James from the beginning of the book until the end.
The story is told from a single point of view, Felicity’s, who harbors a deep hatred for James, her work rival and competitor for the promotion to director.
I really liked James as a character, as well as his backstory; you understand his motivations and behavior.
On the other hand, I didn’t connect with Felicity at all; I found her really moody and quite annoying. And even though you can understand her a little, she got on my nerves until the very end.
I didn’t like the way the story ended because the romance aspect was barely explored; 1 or 2 more chapters would have been perfect, or even an epilogue would have sufficed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
What a debut! Another book read in a day 👏🏻 I loved this - the setting in the Highlands; the banter between Felicity and James; the enemies to lovers dynamic; the ‘only one tent’ trope 🤭⛺️.
Felicity works in marketing in London and James is her office nemesis who works in Sales. They’re both up for promotion and there is only one role available 👀. Cue snarky office enemy banter. Their boss decides they need a team building weekend and after some misdirection, they end up stranded in the Scottish Highlands with one tent, hiking gear and just £50. Their goal? Reach civilisation before the end of the weekend and learn to work together. Will they? Won’t they? Who’ll get the promotion that rests on the outcome of the exercise? Will they realise that they don’t hate each other after all? 😏🥰
If you love Emily Henry, Lindsey Kelk and Paige Toon then you’ll adore this. A stunning first novel from Chloe and I can’t wait for future novels.
Thank you to Chloe Ford and Aria fiction for the opportunity to read this ARC ✨
I really enjoyed this. Two work colleagues, who literally cannot stand each other and are both up for the same job; are forced to go on a work trip to boost the team’s morale— only for them to realise that they’ve been set up by their boss, and it’s only just the two of them going on the trip. Honestly, it sounds like my kind of personal hell lmao 😂
Felicity “Fliss” and James were both unequivocal British and so dramatic, I did think to myself at times, how are they both adults, but they had great banter, and James being able to read Fliss, whenever she was freaking out, was actually rather cute.
I did think that it was overly dramatic in some scenes that they had together, they didn’t have anything else to talk about asides from work; though in saying that, things did pick up, as they got to know each other at the end.
The ending reminded me similarly of a scene from a book I read years ago, by Julie Johnson; where the guy turns up at the girl’s parent’s house, because the girl isn’t talking to him, so obviously takes matters into his own hands, and what better than turning up at her mum’s house; so she’s forced to talk to him. I did like that. James seemed to have realised that money isn’t everything to be driven by; something he had learned whilst on the trip with Fliss.
Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the e-arc!
Tropes
forced proximity
enemies to lovers
rivals to lovers
only one tent
I read this book in just 8 hours and had a blast! It's a rom-com that explores workplace and childhood issues, with witty banter, a lovely couple with great chemistry, and a beautiful backdrop.
What you need to know:
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Great banter (especially if you're a Millennial)
- Good spice
- Set in the Scottish Highlands
The fact that the story is based in Scotland and England was perfect for me, I was craving a fresh setting.
Fliss and James had moments that made my heart race. Every time I picture James in his "Darcy standing style", I can't help but laugh out loud. The sequence towards the end of the story was lovely too.
I did have some issues with Fliss at times (though, to be fair, her insecurities are understandable). This said, I totally recommed this book if you're looking for a cute and fun rom-com.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I read this one in ONE SITTING. I have not enjoyed a romance in a long time! This book was ace.
- Enemies to Lovers
- Workplace Romance
- One Bed (or rather sharing sleeping bags to keep each other warm)
- He Falls First (Im pretty sure he liked her for a while)
Flissy and James are both managers at Starr, an events company. They bicker, and quite frankly, do not get along. Their manager, Michael, decides to take everyone on a work trip to Scotland to calm the vibes and destress the employees. However plot twist, only Fliss and James have been invited, and oh, they have been stranded in Scotland with 2 camping bags and they have to find their way back to the hotel in 3 days with only a £50 note.
This book was cute, and the camping trip was funny. I was smiling at their dysfunctional relationship. I desperately wanted more though!
4.75 stars
Take two rival managers from one events firm and drop them in the Scottish Wilderness with one tent, two sleeping bags, a whole heap of stubbornness, and wait for the fireworks. That’s exactly what Felicity and James get in this great romcom book. With enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes running through this story, it is do hard not to love these characters. The emotions are relatable, the situation humorous, and the outcome inevitable. Ford has written a great romcom in a wonderful backdrop - I found it difficult to put down.
Thank you NetGalley, Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus for this electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading books set in Scotland, even though I'm scottish and live there I love seeing it through the eyes of others.!
Work Trip is a funny enemies to lovers rom com, full of Banter, wit, arguements and more! I mean what could go wrong being stuck in Scotland with a tent and fifty quid - the answer to that is a lot! Then add in the close proximity, work place/personal problems and the chemistry between Fliss and James, we were in for a heck of a read.
The only thing I would have wanted was another chapter or two to see what happened next for Fliss and James
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. Work Trip is funny, steamy and a fantastic enemies to lovers read. It ticks all the boxes for me. Five stars.
After finding this book through NetGallery and loved the description, particularly as I love a good enemies to lovers story. So I was glad I was given the chance to be an ARC Reader, as it is was such a great read and truly sucked me into Felicity and James's lives.
Felicity and James are work colleagues that have pure hatred for each other (gives off 'The Hating Game' vibes) - she works in Marketing and he works in Sales and they are very competitive towards each other and don't they know it.
The CEO of the Company decides that a team building exercise is required and this is why they both, out of the blue, end up in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, with only backpacks, two sleeping bags and one tent. Their mission... to get back to civilisation with only the contents of their backpacks and £50 cash and to not kill each other in the process.
This begins a journey where initially they despise each other, but through their close proximity they discover things about each other, and begin to see each other in a different light and soon they are sharing more than just their life stories....
But in all good enemies to lovers stories, a secret comes to light that James has been hiding from Felicity, which ends up destroys the connection between them. Can James do enough to win Felicity's trust and take the next step, or is it too late?
The story was so beautifully written and I absolutely loved the initial banter between Felicity and James. Enjoyed how they developed throughout the story, through learning to trust each other and help each other to get them through the task in hand, and eventually showing themselves in a different light.
❤️Work Place
❤️Enemies to Lovers
❤️Forced / Close Proximity
❤️Sharing One Bed
❤️Slow Burn
❤️Heartbreak
My only negative point of this review is there is no epilogue as I would like to have known what happens with James and Felicity, after the main events of this story.
Definitely a 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 read, and would definitely read again.
Many thanks to Aria & Aries for letting be an ARC Reader for this story.
What a gem! This is not your typical enemies to lovers romcom, it is so much more. The main characters develop beautifully as the story progresses. Not only do they discover more things about each other, they also discover self. Couldn’t put this down. 5 stars from me
4.5 🌟 I really enjoyed this one! A lot of rom-coms aren’t that great for me but this one I genuinely felt like these characters would act the way they did throughout the book annd it was funny - and I personally loved the ending!
Fliss & James were great together and I love the forced proximity trope. Enemies to lovers done really well, I would definitely recommend!
I absolutely ate this book up! It was INCREDIBLE! I was hooked from the first chapter and finished the entire book in one sitting. Honestly haven’t read anything like this before it was such a fun and easy read! Would definitely recommend to someone if they were looking to get into reading or to get them selves out of a reading slump! Plus I read this on a road trip to Scotland which made the whole thing SO much more exciting!
Gorgeous, funny British romance com.
Things I loved about this book:
❤️ Solid work rivals. No denying the hate
♥️ Setting - really well described and I could envision every comedic moment!
♥️ Two lovely back stories
♥️ A real sense of will they/won't they
♥️ Some slowburn spice 🌶️
Wow! This was sensational, I read it in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. It hooked me from the start, the banter, the humour, the sass and the dialect. Super funny, a few true “gasp!” moments and two leads who aren’t perfect. Work Trip is a first person story written solely in Felicity’s POV. Her journey of self-realisation, as well as realisations about Gloatman, are throughly enjoyable and it is refreshing to have a character who isn’t perfect and realises maybe they’ve made some mistakes and been wrong. I laughed out loud, truly entertained and very much enjoyed this forced proximity, workplace enemies to lovers.
This was such a pleasant and enjoyable read. I follow Chloe Ford, the author on TikTok and felt so lucky to be able to read Work Trip via netgalley as she had been posting about the book. The characters were easy to love and I enjoyed the read the entire way through!
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Hazel Gaynor; Heather Webb
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