I have been waiting for this book the moment I finished The Neighbor Favor! I love that she is giving all of the sisters their own books. I fell in love with Violet's confidence and reliance after such a big betrayal of her ex. This was a fun read and I loved the second-chance romance trope of this one. However, I didn't feel as connected to this couple as I did in the first novel. I feel that Violet didn't try once she was better, and at times the relationship felt very one-sided for the second half of the book.

Thanks Berkley for this ARC! I really enjoyed the concept of this book, I just wish Xavier showed more confidence. I get that it was part of his story but I think one can still be confident yet humble.

I'm a huge fan of Kristina Forest's YA work and it's nice to see her transitioning into the Adult Romance. I look forward to reading the third in the series!

A high school sweethearts romance with a high achieving career driven lead reconnecting with her high school boyfriend.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

Loved it! It's a bittersweet story of two high school sweethearts who come back together after years apart only to find themselves entangled in each other's lives all over again. The two main characters are fleshed out in terms of their strengths and flaws as well as in how their two personalities work together in harmony AND how they clash. The supporting cast is colorful and memorable as well. I only realized fairly late in the book that it is in fact the second of a trilogy, and I now definitely want to check out the first entry as well as read the third when it comes out!

For sensitive readers, there are descriptions of sexuality and dysfunctional family relationships. Other triggers may exist that I am just not recalling at the moment.

I was super excited to return to the world and characters that Kristina Forest started in The Neighbor Favor.

I really enjoy the way that the author writes her characters and conflict. It never feels drawn out or unnecessary and there is always some good communication that follows. That being said, I feel like this book focused too much on Violet and Xavier's separate problems and I felt like their time together was a bit lacking for it. We did get some really good scenes with them together but I wanted more.

Overall I did really enjoy reading this book. I hope the author continues writing for these character and we can get a story with Iris next. If you enjoyed The Neighbor Favor (one of my favorite books of 2023) then it's completely worth picking up The Partner Plot.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

It pains me to not give this a 4 or 5 star rating. I really enjoyed The Neighbor Favor and I was looking forward to The Partner Plot. Although I enjoyed this book, I have some mixed feelings on it.

My main criticism was that I felt like the book focused too much on Violet's drama, Xavier's drama, and all the drama because of their situations instead of focusing on them as a couple. I wanted more scenes of the two of them building their chemistry and rekindled love. All the other stuff was just distracting noise to me.

There were a lot of things that I thought were done really well in this book. All of those conversations they had about their breakup and where their relationship would now go broke my heart. There are so many more things to love than just two people loving each other. All the complications of life can get in the way. I loved that their relationship came full circle in the end and they got their HEA.

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥

3.5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 🫶🏾
This was my first read by the author, but it won’t be my last.

Usually I eat up second chance romances. But with The Partner Plot, I didn’t fall in love with the characters as I usually do with second chance romances.

The Partner Plot follows Violet & Xavier who were high school sweethearts. Xavier broke Violet’s heart in high school and so she promised to never let it happen again! They run into each other while they are both in Vegas. After a wild night, they wake up “married.” They decide to take advantage of it and keep it going for their friends, family, and the public eye. But when feelings starts to come back, will the two plan work?

Overall, I enjoyed it. Took me about 2 weeks to read it, but still a good book. Little to no spice, so if that’s what you’re looking for, look elsewhere. Would recommend! Can’t wait to read more by the author!

- second chance romance
- high school sweethearts
- marriage of convenience

this book easily flows between a 3.5 and 3.75 but not strongly enough for me to round up.

just like the neighbor favor, this book is adorable. i really enjoy the greene sisters and i was pleasantly surprised when i saw that forest was going to continue their individual stories! both books are sweet, easy reads. easy in the sense that they're not too heavy. they're almost cozy to me.

however, just like the neighbor favor, there are some... technical issues. to me, forest relies a bit too much on TELLING the reader what is going on, especially when it comes to setting up why a character is how they are now. there are a lot of what i'll call asides where the narrative steps back from the present and tells us, point blank, what happened in the past to get us here. its an interesting narrative structure, but not one i really jive with, especially when they happen as frequently as they did in this story. they're necessary, sometimes, but felt overly long.

there was also a bit too much reliance on miscommunication, omission of communication, and assumption. i get it. if every character communicated perfectly the book would be 2 pages long. but this felt unnecessary and like we were going in a circle. did our characters learn nothing from the past? yes, but it takes one or two more steps back before they can finally fess up and talk like adults.

speaking of talking like adults... there were a couple of swaths of narrative where the characters talked at each other a lot. it felt, in certain points, like they talked like no one has ever talked before. just overly verbal, in a sense.

and yet! this book is cute! look beyond the technical issues and you've got an adorable marriage of convenience story, second chances, and just... a very cute couple in violet and xavier.

Kristina Forest’s books are an absolute delight. I was a huge fan of The Neighbor Favor and was so excited to read Violet’s story after meeting her in that book. I was even more excited when I learned this book had the “waking up married in Vegas” trope. This trope is a little bonkers, and for that reason it can be hard to pull off in a believable way. However, Forest excels at having fun with it while still grounding the story with her realistic characters as they navigate their second-chance romance.

If you’re looking for a cute romance that’ll put a smile on your face, look no further!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book hardly felt like a romance to me. The romance felt very underdeveloped, with insufficient depth.

There are quite a few things this book does incredibly well that we don’t see in other romances.

For example, there are small depictions but meaningful conversations on boundaries and consent. We see Violet and Xavier have some necessary dialogue on boundaries and consent related to what is okay to do and what is not. Things like holding hands or giving hugs, which might seem superficial to some but I think is necessary. Just because they pretend to be married doesn’t mean they can do anything and everything with each other if the other is uncomfortable. I appreciated this, as it’s not as common as I wish it were in romances. Second, I always appreciate it when there isn’t a third-act conflict, which seems to make up most romance books, adding nothing but drama, pettiness, childish behavior, and conflict that could have quickly been resolved or avoided had the characters simply conversed. There’s also how Violet and Xavier are both people with aspirations and dreams, with Violet wanting to be a celebrity stylist and Xavier pursuing a basketball journey to go into the NBA. While Violet succeeds in her field and pursues her dreams, Xavier’s dreams are cut short due to a broken Achilles. Yet, this is a little more refreshing because he doesn’t give up and continues finding ways to make up for what he lost. He doesn’t dwell on what could have been the past but instead focuses on what could be the present. On the other hand, Violet continues moving forward, ensuring she has a big reputation for herself. Seeing a confident black woman succeed in the fashion industry in a romance novel is empowering. I loved the author’s addition of feminism shown this way. Violet doesn’t forget where she comes from and acknowledges those who have helped her make a name for herself. There’s also great honesty in becoming highly involved in “hustle culture,” showing the pros and cons of giving it your all only to fall behind when you’re too tired. Still, the author shows her female main character as positive, always finding ways to compensate for her losses, keep moving forward, and not letting herself be talked down.

However, while this book provides new and necessary themes that other novels don’t, it fails to give us a successful execution of a romance, which I would say is more of this novel's primary and center point.

There’s potential, not just with the second-chance but with the good ol’ marriage of convenience. In this case, the marriage stems from a lie our famous stylist made up, which is a little flimsy, but it can still manage to capture one’s attention considering the opportunities it presents to both characters. Done out of panic and unprovoked thoughtfulness, Violet lies in an interview and states she recently got married to her high school sweetheart, who happens to be an English teacher and basketball assistant coach. Everyone knows it’s Xavier, especially those from their small town. And Xavier is quick to accept this as not only something helpful for his sake–to become an assistant coach at Riley University because, for some reason, he wasn’t able to before because he wasn’t married, and so therefore his unsettled life was an obstacle?–but also because it’s allow him to get a second chance with Violet, which is all he wants.

Yet, for a second-chance romance, the second chance felt irrelevant. If I hadn’t been reminded and knew beforehand that Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts, I would have assumed they were strangers first who simply connected on a basis related to attraction. This only further proved why second-chance romances aren’t easy to execute. In my opinion, second-chance romances are unsuccessful without some sort of conflict or drama. You can keep your story low angst, and I’m not saying I want some childish third-act breakup that doesn’t help the cause, but the story feels a little pointless if it’s too fluffy. The way I saw it, the second chance was too…easy.

I was rooting for Violet at the beginning. I was ready for her to make Xavier fight for her once again after what he did. While their circumstances and reasoning for the breakup are the usual kind (the kind where character A–in this case, Xavier–breaks up with character B–in this case, Violet–because character A believes character B deserves better. You know how it goes), but even with that, I had hoped the author would take the route of a more complex second-chance. For me, a second chance doesn’t work if no persuasion is involved, and I never felt like this had it. Violet tells us, the readers, repeatedly that she’s not going to give in to Xavier easily, but, surprise! She does. She never made him fight for her. She never made him find different ways to make him trust him. He’s trustworthy, but just because we know that doesn’t mean she does. I never saw how or why Violet was in love, or at least developed feelings, for Xavier again besides their past. This structure is so lazy to me. It doesn’t give me enough to root for the characters when their love is based on the past and not the present. It’s evident that love stems from the past for most of the feelings. While some moments between them in the present time can add to their past love and current feelings, there wasn’t enough depth and substance. I thought the author lacked the substance necessary to make the relationship more believable, as if it wouldn’t stand tall if it weren’t for the past. I can easily say that Xavier’s point of view was more favorable than Violet’s, mostly because we know he regrets breaking up with her and never offering her an explanation, so seeing his regret and feelings for her are more obvious compared to Violet’s contradictory attitude. Violet simply gave in too easily, and I had hoped she’d put up more of a fight, especially with who she was when they were kids. Xavier described her a spitfire, and it felt like she was much more like that when they were kids than now as adults.

Adding on to that, I don’t consider this a romance like others because of the focus on Violet and Xavier’s careers and personal lives. It’s entirely realistic, which I can easily say is are bonus point to the author. Yes, romance doesn’t cure all. Yes, a relationship and a full-time career make juggling the two difficult. Yes, it’s difficult to always be on board with what your partner wants. The romance doesn’t fail to provide realisticness, which I always appreciate. However, I guess the realistic part of it is also what makes the story less succulent. There isn’t enough page time between Violet and Xavier that makes the relationship stand out, much less the development I thought was missing. A lot of time is given to their careers, such as the basketball games of Xavier’s students or Violet’s styling job with Karina (although I did love her as a side character, don’t get me wrong). Due to that, it is even more challenging to see where the romantic feelings between both leads come from. The writing also had a very back-and-forth feel to it. Sometimes the story focuses more on Violet’s and Xavier’s emotional journey and then focuses on their romantic journey, causing a contrast to the writing, It’s difficult to pinpoint a genre, as it felt like a mix of romance and women’s fiction, yet neither genre suits it. While romance may be appropriate, I thought it was missing parts of its strength, especially as it’s a second-chance romance following two high school sweethearts.

I feel like I wasn’t the right audience for this, or perhaps my expectations differed. I think anyone who goes into it with a different mindset would be able to enjoy it much more than I did.

High school sweethearts Violet and Xavier get a second chance with a drunken one-night stand in Vegas-- including a fake marriage! It's convenient for them both to keep up the sham, but can they rekindle their lost love? As teens, they made decisions about they thought would be best for the other and now have to decide if their adult lives still work together. While the prose is a bit clunky, Forest's characters do a good job of pushing each other to questioning their lives and what they want in a satisfactory way.

Look, second-chance fake-marriage just seemed like something I’d eat up. And I did. Sue me.

Violet and Xavier were the ambitious couple, one an aspiring basketball star and one an aspiring fashion designer. She made it, with a career supporting famous stars across the globe. He didn’t. His insecurity predicated their breakup. In this current world, Xavier is insecure about not being impressive enough for his superstar girlfriend; meanwhile, Violet is insecure about being too busy for someone she’s missed for years. It’s an incredibly well-built conflict.

But what I really appreciated is that… the angst is so un-manufactured. Violet and Xavier work so hard to communicate with each other… but they have some serious reasons to be worried about the future. When they mess up, it feels real, true to their characters rather than contrived. Love is not always going to be enough to stop every bit of insecurity–but they value each other enough to fix it.

(Also, I am such a Violet.)

I have one or two quibbles. One super strange section in the back half where Violet’s POV contains a flashback of the prior day should not have made it through edits. (I’ve noticed this in a couple of fantastic romances I’ve read in the last couple years and will only say—romance editors, this is your job!) And I think the Dahlia and Violet conflict gets wrapped up waaaay too quickly.

But overall? Just delicious. I loved this romance and these characters so much, and will be buying a copy for my own rereading purposes ASAP.

This novel is not only a second chance romance for this couple but a second chance at making choices not to rewrite the past but to write and move forward into the future individually.

This was cute! A second chance romance with witty banter and feel good laughs. Definitely something o would love to see on television. I love reading about Black people who learn to love themselves and then love others.

Rating: 4.25 stars

Violet Greene is a celebrity stylist and fashion is her life. After a messy public breakup, she’s focused on her career and trying to ignore that her personal life is in shambles. That is until she runs into her childhood sweetheart, Xavier Wright. On a birthday trip to Vegas, the last person Xavier expected to see was Violet. It’s obvious the love is still there, and after a wild night together, some would call it fate. Will they get a happily ever after?

Kristina Forest does it again! I love the happy feeling I get reading her books. I’m excited I got to read this next installment of the Greene sisters because it keeps getting better! Violet is the middle child and a force to be reckoned with. I admired her love for her career and aspirations to be one of the best in her field. I also loved Xavier’s character just as much and related to him a lot. Trying to bounce back after your first dream doesn’t work out is hard, but Xavier was resilient. I loved his relationship with his students, which made me miss teaching.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story! Special mention to Karina, because she is hilarious and a good friend. This book can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend checking out The Neighbor Favor, which focuses on Lily and Nick’s love story, especially since they are mentioned in this one, too, as the sisters have such a close bond. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for the next Greene sister. I’m sure Iris’s love story will be just as good!

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

This month was very special because I received my first ARC (Advance Reader Copy). I was so excited to receive an ARC for The Partner Plot, because I read The Neighbor Favor back in September and I absolutely loved it.

One thing @kristinaforest_ is going to do is write tf out of a prologue to hook you right in and leave you with an epilogue that makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Just like The Neighbor Favor, I finished The Partner Plot in a couple of days! Can’t wait to add this one to my bookshelf when it releases February 2024 and I’m so grateful I got to read the ARC for The Partner Plot. I literally cannot wait for The Love Lyric!!!

I really enjoyed Violet's story! I was introduced to her in the first book of the series and new I wanted more.

This is a second-chance / fake marriage trope done RIGHT!

What I loved:

<3 The chemistry between Violet and Xavier
<3 The way they both supported each other through everything
<3 Communication was *chef's kiss*
<3 No third-act breakup!!!!!


We got to see the MCs mature from adolescence to adulthood and address tough situations with class. From the first page, you know that these two were always meant to be and Kristina did an amazing job with keeping that momentum up throughout the entire book!

I absolutely HATE second chance romance so I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. have never wanted a couple to get back together so bad. I loved both Violet and Xavier as individuals and together. The backstory of how Violet and Xavier met and fell in love was so cute and enjoyable to read. I appreciate the reason the couple broke up was "light" and not because of some big betrayal. It was a breath of fresh air to read a third act where there was no break up and the conflict was something they as a couple faced together rather than the conflict being "Violet vs Xavier". I appreciated that the smut scenes were short and sweet as a smut girly thats saying something. Overall a fun and wholesome read!

Following The Neighbor's Favor, we follow Violet Greene who is a celebrity stylist who travels the world living her life dreams. But, after a public breakup she just wants to focus on her career. She runs into her high school boyfriend Xavier Wright and they party and then what happens in Vegas happens of course. They wake up and they have wedding rings on their fingers. 
At first they are nervous but then come to realize that they both could benefit from the marriage in regard to their careers. So they decide to play a wedded couple for everyone and they start to realize that the feelings they had are still there. 

tropes:
second chance romance (dual timelines and dual pov's)
fake marriage
high school sweethearts 

:I LOVED this book so much and I will probably never stop talking about it. I savored this book because I just did not want it to end. As you can see from these photos I brought it with me everywhere I could. I usually never pick up second chance romances because I hate the trope. I feel that it is never done well because we don't get enough of the history between the main characters. But this was the complete opposite. The dual time line worked so well. It felt so effortless. 

:Violet and Xavier are the best pair ever. I loved how the book was balanced in that not only did it focus on Violet's struggles but Xavier's as well. I also loved Xavier being from Philly (it made me love him more lol). Through the book as well it did not feel forced at all. And my favorite thing of all was that there was NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP!!!! I was so happy about this because it was not necessary and it really showed how Violet and Xavier work through everything together. from the references of James Baldwin to The Real Housewives of Potomac I was living!

: I highly recommend everyone to read and support this release because it truly will not disappoint. I will be sure to beg the publisher for the next book in this series.
 
Thank you so much to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.