I was so excited to read Violet's story after reading the first book that featured her sister (The Neighbor Favor). This was a cool second chance romance. and man Xavier ... sounds FIIIINE lol. I really enjoyed reading this book! would recommend to ANY ROMANCE LOVER!

I absolutely adored The Partner Plot!

Kristina Forest has roots in YA, and it shows in the best way—the plot of this story was very well developed, and the characters have the polish that is typically reserved for YA romances. These characters feel so realistic and human and flawed and dynamic that even in their most tense moments I never grew tired of the story. I do think that the book could afford to be about 50-80 pages shorter, however the overall flow and pacing of the story was perfect.

I haven't read The Neighbor Favor, which is somewhat of a companion novel to this one, but I absolutely will be reading it very soon. Forest's ability to write characters who ride the ebbs and flows of life and take care not to intentionally harm others in the process is magical.

4.5 ⭐️s
2 🌶️

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

This was such a fun read! I loved the second chance vibes, and who doesn't love a marriage of convenience? Mostly I loved how different Vi and Xavier's lives were but how much they supported each other and loved each other anyway.

A fun back and forth between two high school exes. We get a story that starts in high school. Their beginning (which is adorable) and their banter. Then we fast forward to 10 years later where they had a bad ending and haven’t talked to each other in years. By a chance meeting, a hilarious fake wedding, and sparks that will fly and sizzle, we get to see their HEA!

I actually dnfed this right before the third act breakup. I wanted to like this so much because I loved the neighbor favor but this one just didn’t work for me. Also the whole time I kept thinking “I wouldn’t get back with my high school boyfriend even if there was a gun to my head” so yeah

I love second chance romances and this one definitely hit all the right notes for me. Violet and Xavier are high school sweethearts who find each other again in that unlikely of places, Las Vegas, and get married. I don’t love the “marriage of convenience” trope but I think the plotline worked well enough for this book.

There was plenty of chemistry between Violet and Xavier. I enjoyed the dual POV. And major bonus: no third act breakup! They were busy navigating their lives and communicating.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC. The Partner Plot is out now.

Thank-you to NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing Group, and Kristina Forest for the eARC.

I must admit, I wasn't super into the first book in this series, but the premise of this one intrigued me enough to check it out. Another confession, I am not the biggest fan of second-chance romance.

HOWEVER.

I LOVED this book! Everything about it just WORKED for me, and I've been recommending it to everyone at work who I think would be even remotely into it. =P

This is my second book by Kristina Forest and I loved it! I loved Violet's character in The Neighbor Favor and I was so happy that she got her own story!

Second-chance romance is a trope that is very hit-or-miss for me, but it definitely hits in this book. Who can resist high school sweethearts who find each other later in life and end up entering a marriage of convenience??

Marriage of convenience has become one of my favorite tropes recently and I think that it was executed perfectly in this book.

I think this book does a great job of showcasing black love in a positive way, especially through healthy communication.

There's not much spice in this story if that's what you're looking for, but I believe that what we were given fits perfectly with the story.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely be reading more books by Kristina Forest!

When I read The Neighbor Favor, I knew I'd enjoy the rest of this series. This fake dating/marriage, second chance romance was done so well! I'm really becoming a fan of second chance romances, and this one won me over. I really liked how Violet and Xavier found each other again, and they were trying to figure out how to fit into each other's lives. Their age helped them when it came to communicating (I hate miscommunication tropes), because when problems popped up, they were able to work through them. I also enjoyed the little snippets we got into their high school relationship. Showing their history was important to their story because it makes them getting back together that much sweeter. I would definitely recommend this if you want a mature second chance romance with healthy communication!

3.5⭐️ I’ve really come around to the second chance romance trope, and Kristina delivered a story that felt so relatable. I loved that Violet and Xavier worked hard to communicate their needs with one another.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧
💍marriage of convenience
💕second chance romance
💒forced proximity
💍a strong FMC
💕high school sweethearts

*many thanks to Berkley romance and prh audio for the gifted copy for review

This is the first book where the characters careers trumped the romance but not in a way that bothered me like past books I have read.

However, Violet did get to the point I just saw her as a selfish partner. If you are choosing your career don’t dangle him in the mix and hope he understands you ghosting and intentionally ignoring him and to blame it on something he did when he was 19 and fear (she says this multiple times like it will justify her behavior)

Also, I was kind of disappointed with the small conversation with her mother. I wish she would have really let her mom know all the things she felt about their relationship. I wanted her to go back to those high school days and explain how she felt compared to her “perfect” sisters and Not feeling enough, or feeling like her job was never important enough for her mom to care about. It just seemed like she said oops didn’t think you would care mom but didn’t explain how she got to the point of not involving them in her life. Overall I did enjoy the story. I’m not usually a small town romance girlie but this worked with the back and forth in the city

This book has some of my favorite tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Second Chance Romance
High school sweethearts
The accidentally getting married in Vegas part of it reminded me of Ross and Rachel in Friends!
I loved the character development and seeing both our MMC and FMC grow!
I didn't really love the miscommunication part ( why they broke up ) and the pacing could be a little more faster ( at least for me! ) but overall this was an enjoyable read!

This was cute! I’m not convinced they’ll be able to make it work in the long run — bc Violet and Xavier’s jobs are so different — but I liked it. And it was a happy-enough ending. If you’re looking for a cutesy POC romance, this might fit the bill for you.

The Partner Plot is a fun second-chance romance between two high school sweethearts who end up trapped in a fake marriage (as you do) after a fun night in Vegas. I enjoyed this book immensely. I see a lot of potential in the author, Kristina Forest, and I will be on the lookout for Iris and Angel’s sequel, which should be in the works!! The beginning felt a little clunky, but I think the story would have benefitted from more flashbacks later on instead of the long setup at the beginning. It felt almost like a YA book for a while due to the extended flashback at the front. Still a solid book, but I would have preferred the story to be structured that way.

Regarding steam levels, there are multiple spicy scenes (relatively short) with descriptive but nothing extremely graphic, so I’d give it 3 out of 5 spicy peppers if you are experienced in reading spicy stuff but could see it being closer to 4 out of 5 for those not accustomed to spice. Overall, I highly recommend trying this book and will be waiting for Angel and Iris’s sequel. I mean, a brainiac Single Mom living in the suburbs and an upcoming R&B Star? The story writes itself!

After reading Forest's last romance The Neighbor Favor, I was excited to read Violet's story. This was a great second chance romance between high school sweethearts Violet and Xavier. Who doesn't love a Vegas wedding/marriage of convenience trope? I loved seeing how they navigated their relationship and got over the hurt from their college breakup. Another winner from Forest and I can't wait to read Iris's story next!

I'm typically not into friends to lovers, but this high school sweethearts to enemies-to-lovers back to lovers, really hit the spot for me!

I was obsessed with THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR and was excited to read the remaining sisters' love stories and Kristina knocked it out of the park!

After surviving a public breakup, Violet, a celebrity stylist, runs into Xavier, her high school sweetheart and former basketball star aka the one that broke her heart. A night of reckless fun finds them both in bed the next morning with wedding bands on their fingers. Once the initial shock wears off, they realize this situation could help both of their careers. So they decide to play the role of happy newlyweds.

There is so much to love in this story. To really give the reader the context into Violet and Xavier's relationship, Kristina gives the reader a prologue that gives flashbacks to their relationship in high school. This is essential to understanding what went wrong and the connection they shared in high school. Violet is determined not to fall in love with Xavier again, but of course, the more time they spend together, they can't help but have all of their feelings for each other rekindled.

Violet and Xavier's story is grounded and real. I think their relationship and its progression is very relatable and you can't help but root for them.

If you want a BIPOC contemporary romance with depth, you'll love this one!

Thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Romance for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Partner Plot" by Kristina Forest left me feeling conflicted with a rating of 2.5 stars. While I struggled with the second chance romance aspect of the story, I can't help but feel that my experience might have been influenced by my mood at the time of reading. I would definitely consider giving this book another chance in the future.

The novel follows two former high school sweethearts, Violet and Xavier, who unexpectedly reunite during a birthday trip to Vegas. After a wild night of celebration, they wake up to find themselves married. Despite the initial shock, they decide to make the most of their impulsive nuptials and agree to a marriage of convenience to benefit their respective careers.

While the premise held promise, I found myself grappling with the execution of the romance plot. Despite the chemistry between Violet and Xavier, I struggled to fully connect with their relationship dynamics. However, I appreciated the exploration of their individual career aspirations and how their marriage impacted their professional lives.

An upbeat and heartwarming romantic comedy! Especially enjoyed the rich character development and how good the two are as a couple. They actively make each other better.

Violet Greene is a successful celebrity stylist, living her dream in the fashion world. Xavier Wright, on the other hand, feels a bit stuck in his career as a teacher and coach. When the former high-school sweethearts power couple cross paths again years later, the chemistry crackles and the fuzzies warm, leading to a whirlwind romance filled with ups and downs.

I adored Violet and Xavier's dynamic – they're both career-driven, relatable and downright lovable. Their balance and mutual respect make their connection feel genuine and endearing, and you can’t help but root for them. And can we take a moment to appreciate the maturity and communication between them? Love. It.

What sets this book apart is its refreshing lack of the dreaded third-act breakup. Which we * are * here * for *. You might be wondering, what even is the point of a romance with no drama-filled escalation of conflict in the form of a heart-wrenching “we just don’t work” moment? Fair thought. But unwarranted. The author didn’t need to rely on that cliched formula (no shade, we love cliches and formulas!!). Forest paints a picture of a real, everyday, romance. Where love and romance are put to the test by the conflicts we’ve all had to face at one point or another: navigating friendships, hustling for the career you want, setting familial boundaries, literally just figuring out where to live, etc. The kind of stuff that can lead to death by a thousand cuts for couples who are unable to figure out how to be lovers and partners.

So, no, there’s no moment where they call it quits because some crazy shit happened. There isn’t a second shoe waiting to drop. It’s just two people navigating adulthood and choosing to be partners every day, especially in the face of life’s beauty and everyday bullshit.

Overall, this was a blend of second-chance romance, fake dating, and lifelong dreams. If you're in the mood for a feel-good love story with characters you'll fall head over heels for, grab a copy of The Partner Plot ASAP!

I really enjoyed The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest. I like that we get a glimpse into Violet and Xavier's past with them first meeting and dating in high school. I'm a big fan of showing rather than telling and I feel that the start of this book really succeeded with that. The chemistry between the MCs is there from the start and I love the tattoos that link them together, suggesting to the reader from the start that their story isn't over. After being absent from each other's lives for 9 years, Violet and Xavier run into each other in Vegas of all places. A night out with lots of drinking and dancing leads to drunken shenanigans and sets the two on a path of fake marriage and forced proximity in the town where they first met -- where Violet's whole family still lives and Xavier is now a beloved fixture as a high school teacher/assistant basketball coach. Both characters have found success in their adult lives but only one is on the path they were aiming for as kids and that becomes a big part of the story. It's not only a romance but a story about dreams and success, showing that the path to success takes many different forms and that dreams can grow and change. There are a bunch of fun side characters and I especially love how invested Xavier's students are in his life. This is a fantastic second chance romance that really delves into topics like burnout, feelings of unworthiness, difficult parental relationships, and balancing your career with romance and life outside of work.

Read if you like:
- high school sweethearts
- second chance romance
- fashion
- fake relationships
- forced proximity
- dual POV
- only one bed

I was very excited to hear that Kristina Forest will writing a book about Iris and Angel! She gives the reader a hint that they would be next towards the end of this book.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the advance digital copy via NetGalley that I have voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is out now.