Another amazing book by Kristina Forest! I loved seeing the Violet put down her walls and get everything she deserved. I enjoyed seeing both her and Xavier thrive in their own lanes while also coming together! This book displayed both love, following passions and never giving upin yourself and what your heart desires

This novel is such an adorably sweet Second Chance At Love Romance

As a life long devote of romance novels, I have always had a soft spot for small town, second chance at love romance novels. Kristina Forest gave me everything that I love with The Partner Plot. This novel is the story of High School sweet hearts Xavier and Violet that broke up their freshman year in college. Both have moved on to careers that they love and are living separate unique lives when a little white lie spirals out of control and they are forced to pretend to be a happily married couple. This arrangement is so that Vi can land the interview and magazine feature of her dreams. Xavier on the other hand has his eye on an assistant coaching job that hinges upon his having a spouse. The two agree to look out for each other and carry out the lie not realizing that being around each other for such an extended period of time would cause them to call in love with each other all over again.

Without giving away too much of the plot Ms. Forest has created a world and collection of characters that feel grounded while giving you that sweet happy feeling one gets from reading a great romance novel.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity!


It is a ‘high school sweethearts, second chance, marriage of convenience’ romance novel. And as soon as i saw that synopsis i was like gimme it pls.
It was soo fun omg. I loved that this did not disappoint one bit.
4/5

This book exemplifies why people say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Violet Greene and Xavier Wright were high school sweethearts who experienced a bad breakup. Violet is bouncing back after a scandal with her ex-fiance when she runs into Xavier in Vegas. After a night of partying, they find themselves married. Realizing their "marriage" could benefit them professionally, they decide to keep the charade going. I was hesitant when reading the plot summary if I would like this setup. The marriage of convenience aspect adds a plot point to the story that makes it enjoyable. Outside of that, I think this book compared to the first book in the series needed more plot points to bring the characters together. Xavier and Violet's romance heavily relies on their past together and I felt that they needed more present-day moments to bring it together. Overall, I think this book improves on the series as a whole and I can't wait to read the next book about Iris.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the e-book copy!

Kristina's romcoms are always adorable and fun to read. The setup of this - second chance romance and marriage of convenience between high school sweethearts, was well-crafted. Their relationship and world felt lived-in, and I loved the celeb stylist angle.

I'm not really a romance novel person but I occasionally pick one up that I enjoy. This book happened to be that one. I think that I have a hard time suspending my disbelief with romance and that always brings my rating down. There's no way you're trying to tell me that these two people who dated for like 2 years as teenagers are still madly in love with each other a decade later..... Otherwise, I still enjoyed their banter, seeing the characters just exist, and I was really excited that the third act conflict wasn't just some stupid form of miscommunication! I think I would be interested in reading more from this author but I would probably need to see positive reviews first. The writing was really good, I thought the characters had very distinct voices, and I thought this was really fun even though I really hate smut.

I don't consider myself a second chance romance girlie, but this was pretty cute (though I didn't like it quite as much as The Neighbor Favor). I'm very excited for The Love Lyric.

A fun premise that ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I kept feeling like we were on the edge of conflict or tension, and then the characters would have a mature conversation and resolve the situation instead (which is very healthy, but not necessarily engaging to read). Violet and Xavier both have the potential to be interesting characters but they needed to be a bit more flawed to add some real depth. The chemistry also felt inconsistent — one moment I really bought into them as high school sweethearts and the next they felt like strangers. Overall, this had a lot of great pieces that felt too surface level to really pull me in.

I absolutely adored this second-chance romance/marriage of convenience!! This was my first ever Kristina Forest novel but I 100% plan on reading more.

This book follows Violet and Xavier who were high school sweethearts but fell apart in their college years when life seemed to be pulling them in different directions. Now, Violet is living her dream as a celebrity stylist while Xavier works at the high school in their hometown. They bump into each other in Vegas and end up reconnecting for a night. But, after a little white lie from Violet, the two have to pretend to be married.

What I loved most about this book is the ease of Violet and Xavier. They just fit together. Kristina Forest did a great job of making me believe that these two people are meant to be. I’m both the past and present, I understood the longing & the love between Violet and Xavier, but it was woven into the story so well. It all felt so natural, and it was incredible.

Another thing that Kristina Forest did so well is allowing both Violet and Xavier to grow without sacrificing their individuality for one another. There was growth as a couple, but also on their own, and that made it feel like an even healthier love story.

Violet’s job was a lot of fun to read about, and I loved the details Kristina Forest included about the different stylings & celebs!! It was fun to visualize in my head.

I loved the side characters and am so excited to hear that Violet’s sister Lily already has a book, and Iris’s is next!!

The only reason this book wasn’t 5 stars for me is because I would have liked to see a bit more tension in situations where they had to fake their marriage, but overall I loved it!!

🌸🌸🌸
📖Book Review📖
4.5🌟
📖Book 7/100

💫Genre:
Romance
✍️Author:
Kristina Forest

📝Synopsis 📝
Violet and Xavier are the cutest and most adorable high school couple you can think of. They have laid out their dreams and future plans. He will be in the NBA and she will be a fashion designer and when they are ready they’ll marry. They go on to college and start working on their goals until one of their dreams comes to an end. Hearts are broken and then fast forward 9 years later, and they run into each other in Vegas.

My thoughts 💭
Omg this was such a great second chance at romance story. I loved both Violet and Xavier and rooted for them all the way. I couldn’t put this one down and felt like a chismosa from their small town wanting to know how it would all pan out for them. In this case what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas, and I was all for it 😆🙌🏻 Read if you love reading about high school sweethearts, fashion, basketball, teaching, second chances, and small towns mixed with the busy world.

🌸Thank you so much @netgalley @berkleyromance @berkleypub
for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date:
February 27, 2024

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3.5 stars

I am a sucker for a fake relationship so that plot thread coupled with the cover had me really excited for this story.

I really liked Violet and Xavier. I loved their history and how that played out in the current versions of themselves. They’re both loyal and loving people who work hard and it was fun reading them find their way back to each other. I loved Violet’s sisters and Xavier’s mom was so sweet.

Plot wise, it was good. There are a lot a lot a lot of passages of inner monologues and descriptions of fashion choices for each character, so that did get a bit repetitious. I enjoyed how often Violet and Xavier had open conversations and admitted their actions were wrong. It really showed how they were growing, both as a couple, as well as who they needed to be in order to make the relationship work.

Overall, it was a cute read with a cute epilogue and characters who were easy to root for.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

"The Partner Plot" by Kristina Forest is a delightful blend of romance, second chances, and the unexpected twists life can throw at you. Violet Greene, a successful celebrity stylist, finds herself at a crossroads in her personal life after a public breakup. The story takes an exciting turn when she unexpectedly reunites with her high school sweetheart, Xavier Wright, during a birthday trip to Vegas.

What starts as a chance encounter leads to a night of celebration and a surprising twist the following day – they wake up married. The impulsive decision, initially seen as a complication, becomes an opportunity for both of them professionally. As they navigate the charade of a happily married couple, the novel explores the complexities of relationships and the blurred lines between reality and acting.

Forest crafts a story beyond the typical romance novel, delving into the challenges of balancing personal and professional lives. The characters, Violet and Xavier, are relatable and endearing, making it easy for readers to invest in their journey. The author's writing style is engaging, with humour and warmth sprinkled throughout the narrative.

"The Partner Plot" is a feel-good read that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last. It's a story of rediscovering love, taking chances, and finding unexpected joy in twists and turns. Kristina Forest beautifully captures the essence of romance and self-discovery, making this novel a delightful addition to the genre.

Cute story, high school sweethearts who break up and several years later unexpectedly hook up and after a couple of unfortunate incidents they end up pretending they got married. I liked the book, but it wasn't one that I just wanted to keep reading.

(3.5 Stars)

"Partner Plot" by Kristina Forest serves up a delightful blend of romance and second chances that had me hooked from the first page. Violet Greene and Xavier Wright's unexpected reunion in Las Vegas sparks a whirlwind marriage of convenience that neither saw coming! What follows is a roller-coaster of emotions as they navigate the complexities of their past relationship and the newfound dynamics of their present situation.

Forest's characters are refreshingly real, each grappling with personal and professional struggles that add depth to the story. I appreciated Violet's resilience in the face of a very public breakup as well as Xavier's dedication to his students and community. I really found myself rooting for them as they grew into a more mature relationship!

While the initial premise sets the stage for an engaging romance, I found myself wishing for a bit more tension and conflict in the latter part of the book. In addition, the small-town setting adds an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the story, making it feel like a cozy escape into a world where everyone knows everyone else's business.

Even with it's small quirks, "The Partner Plot" is a heartwarming and engaging read that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page. Kristina Forest's writing sparkles with wit and warmth, making this a fun read for fans of contemporary romance.

There wasn’t a question on whether or not I would like this…. It was more of a how much. And this one ended up being a whole helluva lot. So much so that I think I liked this one more than the first. And I didn’t think that could happen.

When I read the first one, it was a book about books with an epistolary, secret identity type vibe. And if you know me, you know I feel just about books about books alone. So finding something that I like more was mind boggling lol But the fake dating alongside a marriage of convenience was so good. And to put the icing on the cake, it was also had a second chance romance too. All of these are my favorite tropes. And yes I know that tropes don’t matter, it’s how the story is written, but still, it worked for me because Forest is one of my all time favorites and I knew that whatever it was she wrote, I’d be good with it lol

And of course, I was right. The journey between Violet and Xavier was such a sweet one to watch. Tho some might call it repetitve, I loved seeing them fall in love over and over again. Especially since they were falling for each other as teens. That’s how they really are, so it really felt like accurate representation. The main characters were really great together and I LOVED how they allowed each other grace to do what they wanted, but also still made sure to take care of each other when they needed. Xavier had a bad habit of always giving Violet what she wanted, and I adored it lol

The characters were cute together, but one thing that will make or break a romance is how the characters are apart. And Violet is one of my favorite characters so far. She was driven and knew exactly what she wanted to do since her beginning and I admired that. I also thought Xavier’s character was pretty realistic with the way his life turned out. I admired that he was most upset about the fact that she was always busy, not the fact that she made more than him. Because let me tell you, I was expecting that to be the reason they weren’t going to make it. And since that never crossed his mind, I fell for him even more. He did think it, but that wasn’t what almost ended them.

The plot was cute, but I thought it was so dumb lol Like girl you lied to a magazine and thought no one was going to know?! Seriously? Like at the very least you could have used less details. But no, you had to do too much lmao No it wouldn’t have made a great book, but it would have shown that Violet had common sense lol I also thought Xavier needed a smack upside his head because of the way he wasn’t listening to anything or anyone when they were telling him about that job. I wanted to shake him. He had to know why they were going through so many of them,

This was so cute! I already want to read both of them all over again. They both bring cool things to the table and I enjoyed seeing them realize this and bring their coolness together. They had me swooning from small things like tattoos, they had me laughing from small things like talking to their parents, and so much more. I also enjoyed that we are given a small glimpse into who the last sister will be with. i hope it ends up something like this one.

Thank you Berkley for my copy of The Partner Plot! All thoughts are my own.

One of my favorite books from last year was The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forrest so I couldn’t wait for the next book in this interconnected series! I thought the set up for this book was so cute and I absolutely LOVE the cover. The pink pops off the page and made me even more excited to read it.

I didn’t love this book as much as the Neighbor Favor, but it is still a great read that explores second chances, changing dreams, and forgiveness.

Synopsis:

“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. After surviving a very public breakup with her ex-fiancé six months ago, Violet is now determined to focus on her career. But life hands her something—or rather, someone—that might derail everything…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. As a high school teacher and basketball coach, he rarely leaves his New Jersey hometown, so what were the chances? But when the initial shock wears off, they decide to celebrate together. 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.Their impulsive nuptials might be a blessing in disguise, though, when they realize that both of their careers could benefit from the marriage. So they play the part of a blissfully wedded couple. Yet when their passion comes hurling back, they realize their feelings are just as real as they were back when they were teens. But are their lives too different to stick it through or will they finally get a happy ending?” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Set Up—I love a book that starts in Vegas. Have I been to Vegas? No. But the stakes are always quite high! I also loved how the book started with a prologue of sorts, featuring the characters when they were younger.

The Characters—Xavier and Violet were a delight to spend time with, but I love all the side characters in this series!

The Tropes—Second chance romance and fake dating? High! Stakes!

What Didn’t Work For Me:

The Pacing—This book had all the ingredients to make me fall in love with it, but there was something with the pacing that just missed the mark for me.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 3.75/5

Content Warnings:

infidelity

Yet again, Kristina has done it! Making me swoon over a couple just wanting them to be together! I really enjoyed reading this book and I am invested in the lives of these three sisters! Violet and Xavier just belong together. You will never forget your first love! I am so happy to have gotten an arc of this even though I read it late but am very happy with it.

2.5 stars. The Partner Plot is a second chance romance between highschool exes! And while this is described in the blurb as a marriage of convenience, it isn’t at all. They do run into one another in Vegas, and they do wake up finding wedding rings on their fingers the next morning, but immediately after that they realize they did a fake wedding ceremony. After going their separate ways they realize if they pretend they really did get married, it would help out both of their careers. So it’s a fake relationship and not a marriage of convenience at all.

I loved the first book in this series, The Neighbor Favor was even one of my fav reads of 2023, so I fully expected to love this one as well. And this book just didn’t live up to that at all sadly. This book took me soo long to get through and I kept moving on to other books instead and coming back.

Basically we see Violet and Xavier when they first meet in highschool and hit it off, we see the ups and downs of their budding romance, lots of breakups and silly fights, but a lot of love. Violet was always seen as “too much” by adults and couldn’t wait to live town, move to the city, and become a celeb fashion stylist. Xavier dreamed of leaving town and becoming a NBA player but when real life steps in and shook up their lives in college, they split. Now they run into one another almost a decade later in Vegas, where her dreams have come true and he’s a teacher and basketball coach at their old highschool.

I just kept waiting to fall in love with this book and characters and it never happened. We get a lot about Violet and her career and thoughts and I felt like we needed more from Xavier or maybe even more time with them together. Like we get a lot of time with both of their careers and I just wanted more of why they wanted to be together. I guess I just didn’t get what they liked about one another. And the reasons for them wanting to pretend to be married and how it all went about just didn’t hit right for me.

We do get a bit of the setup for the next book in the series, so I might still check that out since the first book worked so well for me and just lower my expectations.

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

Y’all know I’m a huge second chance romance fan so The Partner Plot was just the book I needed.

Briefly…two former high school sweethearts get a second chance in this marriage of convenience romance.

First of all this cover is just gorgeous and fun! I just could not pass it up. The author did a great job with setting up the backstory romance which is soooo important. You could feel the spark of first love. It kind of reminded me of the movie Love & Basketball. Cue the marriage of convenience and I am here for it. Seeing Xavier and Violet rekindle their love was just the sweetest. I really enjoyed the character arc for Xavier and how he grew professionally. Loved it!

If you are looking for a sweet second chance romance you definitely should check out The Partner Plot!

Thank you NetGalley & Berkeley for the ARC

First the cover. I saw the cover and had to get the ARC. So colorful.

The MCs were likable. I was concerned there was going to be an unnecessary third act break up but was pleasantly surprised. The story was entertaining. I was expecting Iris story next since I peeped the vibe between her and Angel at Violets anti wedding party. But this second chance/ fake marriage was a nice surprise. I was hoping for a little more angst between Vi & X; he did break her heart after all. Their high school to early college history was very well developed though. The mystery of their drunken night in Vegas should've played or longer man's more unbeknownst to them that it was a pretend marriage. But overall good read. Can't wait for Iris story!