This book really exceeded my expectations. This is the second book in a series. I definitely enjoyed Violet’s story more than Lily.

A Second chance romance with high school sweethearts?Yess pls. I can see this being Rom Com movie for sure. They got fake married in Vegas after being apart for 10 years, & Had to keep up the lie. They ended up rekindling. The chemistry and love between Violet & Xavier had me blushing and swinging my feet. ☺️

I wanted them to win sooo bad. @ one point in the book I was a little worried but it wrapped up so nicely omg. 🥹 Not much spice but I’m not even mad about it.
I can’t wait to read Iris’s story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you for allowing me to read this arc - I fell in love all over again with Kristina Forest! She is that girl for this one! I truly enjoyed reading about Violet! I was a bit worried about my girl after reading Lily’s story, but she came back strong and on top! I love fashion, basketball and I love being a teacher so I have a personal connection to both characters! The fake marriage, second chance love romance was top tier and I really enjoyed it. Kristina gave enough details but not too many to drag the book down. The build up of their history as teenagers was chef kiss and the night they randomly ran into each other in Vegas was everything! I was rooting for them to keep pushing through all weapons formed against them, especially Shelia! I will be purchasing this book when it release so I can have it on my self! Releasing 2/27/24 and I can’t wait for Iris’ story to drop!!

Enjoyed this light read. Interesting characters and careers, second chance love story. Enjoyed the previous book, focusing on sister Lily, a bit more, perhaps I just related to Lily’s interests more. Fashion and basketball aren’t as relatable to me, but I did enjoy Xavier finding a love of teaching. Liked that we got a bit more of Dahlia’s character here. Looking forward to the next story about Iris.

Once again, thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Kristina Forest did a fantastic job of quickly building the history of the two characters and making their feelings and relationship believable without bogging down the book with unnecessary details.

The two main characters were former high school sweethearts, and the prologue was done extremely well.

I really enjoyed the depth of the characters, the believable chemistry, and of course, the fake marriage. Who doesn’t love a good fake relationship?!

The pacing at the end felt a bit long, and I struggled with the resolution of their relationship troubles. It felt like the struggles they were having were glossed over, and the answer was, “we love each other enough to just deal with it.”

We never got to see that truly resolved, as the main characters just kind of tolerated the distance and the lack of communication. Love conquers all?

For that, I did lower the rating to four stars, but I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed contemporary romance, fake marriages, and Vegas mistakes!

--To Violet Greene, fashion is everything. As a successful celebrity stylist, she travels all over the world, living out her dreams. Professionally, she’s thriving, but her personal life is in shambles. Xavier Wright did not expect to run into his high school girlfriend Violet—the girl he once thought he’d marry—on a birthday trip to Vegas. They feel young and reckless as they party the night away—and reckless they clearly were when the following morning, they wake up beside each other with rings on their fingers.--

I enjoyed The Partner Plot for what it was. This was a second chance romance that many people will love, and it included different emotional factors that I love in a romance book, such as the feeling of nostalgia and communication that evolved throughout the book. Although I fell in love with Violet and Xavier, I do not think that this is the romance for me. I did not feel a deep connection towards the two characters while they were in a relationship, and the book focuses a lot more on the careers and failures of the two characters instead of the characters falling in love for the second time. However, if you do like romances that feature a realistic relationship, I think you will adore this one. Personally, I prefer a little more escapism. Also, I really wish the members of their small town community knew how to mind their own business 😆

Thank you so, so much to Kristina Forest and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC. This title is expected to be released in March of 2024!

Kristina Forest really is that girl.
This book had ALL OF MY FAVORITE TROPES and it had them so effortlessly. Not once did it feel forced. I love every single second from start to finish. She truly did her big one with this.

PS, don’t go and call your high school sweetheart after reading this. DON’T DO IT!!

I am such a sucker for these types of books now.
I LIVE for the romcom style contemporary books. This second chance, accidental marriage was TOP NOTCH.
Violet and Xavier truly complimented eachother well and I would actually really love for this to become a movie. It absolutely should be.

Violet and Xavier met in high school and were immediately drawn to one another. They shared an instant connection. (think, Alicia Keys - Teenage Love Affair vibes.✨)

Years later Violet has accomplished her childhood goal of becoming a stylist to the stars. She works extremely hard and while that has done wonders for her professionally, her personal life is lacking. She’s bouncing back from heart break and coming dangerously close to professional burnout.

Xavier is a high school english teacher and basketball coach. While on a birthday trip in Vegas he runs into Violet and sparks fly. They have a reckless night celebrating their reconnection. When they wake up with rings on their fingers they are both left with feelings and questions that need answers.

I truly enjoyed my time with these characters. I love Kristina’s ability to evoke so much nostalgia from me when reading her books. From the fashion described, the slang used at times and even music choices she always brings me back to my adolescent years in the best way possible. I loved that we were able to get Violet and Xavier’s story both in the past and in the present. It made their romance so much more believable.

The side characters were just as intriguing. Karina aka Karamel kitty is hilarious and anytime she’s on the page it’s a good time.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and thank you to netgalley for gifting me this ARC.

Movie worthy plot! This book was great! A fun, banter packed book for rom-com lovers. A second chance romance, with will they/won’t they vibes is how I would describe it. The characters both learn self love and growth throughout their journeys so it was nice to see character development. It’s honestly just such a fun read! Something I can see giving as a gift!

I received this ARC via NatGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

A second chance romance loved you since forever story? Plus a fake marriage???? Sharing one bed??? I mean can the plot get any better! This book was troppin’ and I was here for it. Violets story was everything! If you read the first book in this world you know she had a wild ending in the last book. I was so happy to read her story and that of Xavier. I think this book will tug at all your heartstrings.

I once again loved the sister and friendship relationships in this book and I really hope we’re getting a book about the third sister because I need to know about Iris’ happily ever after.

Kristina Forest knows how to bring you into a story and not want to put the book down. This is a sensational book and I think will be perfect for winter!

Kristina Forest continues to write stories that are thoroughly charming and delightful! While the “accidentally married in Vegas” trope isn’t one of my personal favorites — it trips my personal nightmare wire — Forest’s fresh voice and deft characterization work really made that trope sparkle here. The humor, romance, and plot weave together brilliantly for a thoroughly entertaining read.

AHHH Amazing job again by Kristina Forest!
I fell in love with Kristina's first adult romcom The Neighbor Favor, earlier this year, and I will definitely recommend THE PARTNER PLOT to everyone. A wholesome second chance story between Xavier and Violet, high school sweethearts who find themselves again in Las Vegas and their fake marriage turns into something real, both for their own professional careers, but melds into something more.
Kristina Forest writes really feel good romances, and I loved this one so much. I'm excited to see how the next book centering the last Greene sister, Iris, plays out!

When Violet and Xavier, two former HS lovers, run into each other in Vegas after not speaking for years, they did not expect to wake up the next morning with rings on their fingers. Using this opportunity to their advantage, they decide to play the fake marriage game in the public, but when real feelings resurface, can the two make it work despite living very different lives.

Kristina Forest has a very natural way to writing where I feel like this story could have unfolded in real life. I loved the second chance storyline, which was set up perfectly in the prologue. Also, the fake marriage trope allowed for great forced proximity and I appreciated how Violet and Xavier chose to be open about their feelings rather than avoid difficult conversations. If you are into fashion, Violet’s job as a celebrity stylist was also a fun bonus.

Read if you like:
-Second chance romance
-HS sweethearts
-Vegas marriage of convenience
-Forced proximity
-Only one bed
-Fashion
-BIPOC rep

Thank you Berkley Romance for the ARC!! Pub 2/27!

The Partner Plot was a lot of fun! I am a total sucker for a marriage of convenience and this book had the bonus perk of telling a second chance love story, as well! While I enjoyed this even more than Forest's debut I didn't get the overwhelming hit of romance that I crave. The plot is very heavily focused on Violet and Xavier's careers and they spend a lot of time figuring out what they want individually. While this is great in theory, I feel like the love story very much took a back seat as a result. I think I've realized one of my (many) personal pet peeves is reading a book that relies heavily on details of the character's job. Violet's fashion career was fun and intriguing but I read to escape my own job, not hear about other people's!

One thing I did really like was the glimpse of Violet and Xavier's high school relationship. It felt so real and dramatic in your typical teenage way. I enjoyed that it wasn't a perfect relationship, because what 16-year-old couple's is? It was really sweet to see both of these kids grow up and learn to communicate and be vulnerable with one another.

It was also fun to see the Greene sisters again and I will definitely be continuing this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!

Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts with big dreams for the future. When Xavier suddenly broke up with Violet, she vowed not to let herself get a broken heart again. Years later, she is a successful Hollywood stylist and runs into Xavier in Vegas. They share a night and a fake marriage together, which leaves both wondering if they could have another chance. A little white lie leads to a marriage of convenience and the two of them sharing an apartment and their lives with one another. The marriage might be fake, but are there real feelings involved?

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! There were so many tropes I love: second chance romance, only one bed, forced proximity, caring for the other when they’re sick, and marriage of convenience. The Vegas pretend marriage was a fun backdrop for their reunion. The beginning started off a bit slow for me, but once I got into it, the story flew by. I appreciated how both characters had to find themselves and learn how to get past their personal flaws. Both were flawed, realistic characters that you could root for and empathize with. I’d definitely recommend this fun lighthearted read to my fellow rom com lovers.

Thank you to Kristina Forest, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The book points out being bored, which reminded me that there wasn’t anything particularly interesting or gripping or unique that it offers the genre. I stopped after the prologue, which actually was 7% of the book. Feels like the pacing is off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

If there is an "accidentally married in Vegas" book, I am going to read it. I absolutely loved that this was a second chance for these soulmates too.
Violet and Xavier were ment to be, until they weren't. Violet was off living her dream as a stylist to some of the most famous people, and Xavier has lost all of his dreams. His injury prevented him playing basketball and his pride cost him the one girl he loved the most. He didn't want her to give up her dreams for him, so he let her go and has regretted it ever since.
One chance meeting in Vegas and he knows he can't live without her in his life anymore. He has lived the last ten years trying to fill the Violet sized hole in his heart and no one will replace it but her. Their lives are so different now though, with her traveling and him being in one place all the time, could this even work?
Finding true love is rare, but it's even more rare to have someone who will fight to be with you and never give up. I feel like that is what these two have and I really enjoyed their journey.
Thank you to Berkley, Netgalley and Kristina Forest for an early copy.

Kristina Forest's writing was so wonderful! This book was filled with humor, romance, and amazing banter! I really enjoyed this story!!

Once upon a time, Violet Greene adored her high school boyfriend Xavier Wright. The two of them had big dreams of fame: Violet as a celebrity stylist, Xavier as an NBA star. And despite the drama, the fights, and the making up again, they both knew that ultimately they wanted to marry and have their happy ever after. But their final breakup in college sent them in different directions with broken hearts.

Fast forward 11 years, and Violet has recently dumped her cheating fiance. She's off to Las Vegas with her best friend and top client, Karina (or rap star Karamel Kitty), who is opening a new casino. Violet has been moving up steadily in her business and has a busy schedule even after the whirlwind Vegas trip, but everything skitters to a halt when she runs into Xavier, now an English teacher and assistant coach at their old high school, who is in town to celebrate his cousin Raheem's birthday. And after a night of drinking, talking, and dancing at the casino's club, Violet and Xavier wake up together -- naked, in the same bed, with rings on their fingers.

Though they both realize that their Vegas wedding was fake, they both find reasons to keep up the pretense of being married. For Violet, announcing herself as married in a big magazine article takes the spotlight off her recently failed relationship, and Xavier needs to appear married and settled in order to be considered for a college coaching position. But when their fake marriage throws them into closer proximity and causes them to share more about their lives, that first love returns full force.

This book follows up with the Greene family after the events of The Neighbor Favor. In that book, Violet had thrown an anti-wedding celebration after the breakup with her fiance, so to see her find true love in the mature version of her first love is rewarding. Violet carries herself with so much confidence, even from an early age and even knowing that many people would think her passion to be superficial, but she also reveals her exhaustion with the ongoing hustle her work demands -- something that also helps her open herself to what she really wants in life. Xavier has struggled with his own confidence and still doesn't quite recognize the value of where he is now, but having Violet back in his life helps him recognize his priorities much more clearly. I loved how they learned to communicate more honestly and openly with each other and how that in turn influenced how they saw themselves. Another solid turn from Forest. 4 stars.

Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

i’m debating between a 3.5 star and a 4 star because i’m the beginning i was bored but i ended up being won over by the characters. i thought it was super funny and i enjoyed karina as a side character. i thought the romance was cute but it was like so fluffy? there was smut but it was over so quickly. i guess i just expected more angst? also i’m just not in my romance era so that might also play a part idk.