I loved this 2nd chance lovers story! It was fun watching the fall in love as kids and all the nitty gritty that came with then, then seeing them as adults! I will say I loved the flashbacks as kids a little more than the present day love story. But I really liked the MMCs evolution and his story line. Excited to read more by this author!!

Partner Plot by Kristina Forest is an interesting, humor-filled second chance spicy romance between a celebrity stylist & her high school sweetheart turned high school teacher & basketball coach.

Partner Plot is great for fans of…
🩷 Second Chance Romance
🩷 High School Sweethearts Reunited
🩷 Fake Marriage of Convenience
🩷 Forced Proximity

The fake marriage of convenience created an almost miscommunication aspect that personally gave me some anxiety as I was reading, but that could be personal issue. I also am not the biggest fan of second chance romance as a trope. I didn’t love this one as much as the first book but I still enjoyed it. The chemistry between this pair was undeniable & I loved the easy rhythm they had with each other. The successful stylist career was a super interesting addition as it’s something I don’t know enough about but I loved learning more about it.

I love the trio of sisters & their bond & love for each other. I cannot wait to read the third sister’s story. The hints dropped in this book had me so curious to see how Iris’s story will turn out.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Because 3 stars is considered a negative rating, I don’t share them beyond Goodreads.

I wanted to love this book because it had all of my usual favorite things: fake dating, diverse characters, strong female MC, and dual pov. It also has second chance romance for all who enjoy that…

However, this one fell short for me!

While, I think the ideas and plot were great the execution didn’t hit home. I needed a lot more dialogue and, I can’t believe I’m saying this, tension building. I just didn’t feel the chemistry…MORE BANTER WAS NEEDED.

I did love the representation of Black and brown characters though, it made me feel seen and made me want to keep reading as so many things reminded me of my family. I also like the change in communication from being teenagers to adults!

Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but it’s not one I’ll really remember.

✨ Review ✨ The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest; Narrated by: Aure Nash, Benjamin Charles

Thanks to Berkely, PRHAudio and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

A second chance romance that brings together high school sweethearts in a surprising night in Las Vegas. Violet's a stylist to the stars at work in Vegas and Xavier's a high school English teacher and basketball coach. After they get fake married during a whirlwind night together, they find themselves brought back together to continue this fake marriage.

Second chance romances usually don't work for me, but the fake dating/marriage part of this offset the second chance parts for me. I liked the characters and the cinnamon roll high school teacher type, and it worked with Violet's styling fame. I do think the book dragged a bit toward the end, which was a similar critique that I had to Forest's last book, The Neighbor Favor -- both dragged out the middle to the point where I didn't really care so much about the end.

The audio narration was solid and when Nash voiced Violet's niece I was cracking up. Both narrators made the story come to life and made it a good listen!

⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.25)
Genre: contemporary m/f romance
Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
Setting: New Jersey, Las Vegas, etc. etc.
Reminds me of: Forest's last book The Neighbor Favor
Pub Date: Feb 27, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ second chance or fake dating/marriage tropes
⭕️ high school teacher romances
⭕️ fashion and clothes
⭕️ opposites attract

•second chance
•fake marriage
•opposites attract

I liked this book. But didn’t love it. Yes these two dated in high school, but I feel it was brushed over to get to the future. These two were so future-driven that the writing didn’t allow us to see the true relationship development or even believe they had a true connection as adults

Xavier had dreams to make it in the NBA. But when he tears his Achilles his career is basically over (um…Kobe Bryant went on to finish playing with Lakers after tearing his Achilles and with extensive rehab, so this could have been researched more) he goes to a smaller university to still play, but at a less competitive level

Violet has dreams to becoming a fashion designer. That’s all her life was about. As readers, we don’t see any true depth to her. Fashion, workaholic, not a great relationship with her mom (her mom tried and Violet didn’t), and a bad relationship with her ex

After seeing each other for the first time in ten years, they drunkenly get married. I normally don’t have an issue with 3rd POV, but I couldn’t connect with either of these characters. Xavier was chasing a dream that wasn’t right for him. Violet was continually burning out to run from her life. This was also very name brand heavy and it threw me out of the book a bunch of times. If it was a way to show how classy Violet’s life was, it made me as a reader feel like that’s all she was after: a label

If I had to place a bet on these two lasting after the book ends, I’d vote no in that they wouldn’t last.

THE PARTNER PLOT - Kristina Forest

CUTE! - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - As a successful celebrity stylist, Violet Greene travels all over the world, living out her dreams. Professionally, she’s thriving, but her personal life is another story. Xavier Wright did not expect to run into his high school girlfriend Violet—the girl he once thought he’d marry—on a trip to Vegas. As a high school teacher and basketball coach, he rarely leaves his New Jersey hometown, so what were the chances? Their impulsive wedding might work in their favor, though, when they realize that both of their careers could benefit from the marriage. But are their lives too different to stick it through or will they finally get a happy ending?

Writing - 4 stars - I jumped right into this story and found it very easy to read and to feel comfortable with the characters and the setting.

Characters - 4 stars - Violet is driven by her passion for her career, but she's still very approachable. I actually liked her vulnerability about Xavier, and her lack of confidence about her personal life made her very relatable. Xavier, for his part, feels out of his league with Violet, especially with their totally differing careers and his feelings of unfulfilled potential. But the intensity of their past relationship and their current feelings gives him confidence in what might still happen between them. I liked that they worked so well together and were supportive of each other, even if they couldn't completely understand their career decisions.

Title - 3 stars - I'm not quite sure I understand the title. Yes, they've decided to pretend to be married, but is that the partnership the title is referring to? And I wouldn't really have thought of it as a plot since it resulted from a misunderstanding in a magazine article. But it caught my attention, so I guess it works.

Cover - 4 stars - Although I'm not a big fan of the current trend for cartoony covers, this one is a bright attractive color that catches the eye.

Overall - 4 stars - This was a fun and easy-to-read romance that ticked all the boxes. The story was a bit unusual and kept my interest throughout. The setting varied from small-town to big-city, and Forest did a good job with both venues. The characters are fun and friendly and would be people I'd like to hang around with. Of course, the problems they faced were self-inflicted, which could have caused some frustration for the reader. It all started when Violet lied in the magazine article, then when Xavier compounded the lie, but their actions made a lot of sense when they made those choices, so I could understand how it all became so tangled. I might have found myself doing the same things, so I could definitely relate. A quick and entertaining read. I will definitely look for more from this new-to-me author. This book contained an excerpt from an upcoming book about Violet's sister, so I suspect (and hope) this is the first in a series.

This book combined a couple of my favorite tropes, second chance romance and fake relationship, with a fresh take on each -so what a winner!
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This was refreshing because the two main characters, Violet and Xavier, truly like each other in addition to falling back in love. There is no animosity between them and they really work well together, in addition to the chemistry. That is a welcome change from so many romance books.
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These two were high school sweethearts who hadn’t seen each other since their break up years ago. After a drunken night in Las Vegas they wake up together with rings on their fingers! When they discover that being married to each other does great things for each of their careers, they decide this Vegas marriage might be worth keeping for awhile.
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A strong woman, good communication, and a whole lot of fun make this one a book that romcom lovers should be sure to grab. If you enjoyed the author's previous book, The Neighbor Favor, you will enjoy this one. I actually think I like this one better!

So much love for this book. I love a book with high school sweethearts and in this one Violet and Xavier get a second chance at love. They loved big and fought big in high school and they just weren’t mature enough to make it work. When they run into each other in Vegas their lives are thrown off the rails a bit and they decide to go with it.
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This one has marriage of convenience, forced proximity and second chance romance. I really rooted for Violet and Xavier and I already can’t wait to get to the next book to read Iris’ HEA.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun book! It had some troupes that I was worried about but I think they were so well done and I really really enjoyed it.

adored this second chance romance under the lights of Vegas and totally want a physical copy! In "The Partner Plot" by Kristina Forest, readers are given a serendipitous reunion that leads to unexpected consequences.

Meet Violet Greene. She’s a jet-setting celebrity stylist whose life revolves around fashion and red carpets. She's living her dreams, but her personal life is a different story. After a very public breakup with her ex-fiancé, Violet is determined to focus solely on her career.

Meet Xavier Wright. He’s a high school teacher and basketball coach from New Jersey. Xavier never expected to run into his high school sweetheart during a birthday trip to Vegas. Yet fate has other plans. Will their chance encounter sparks memories of their past… a love that once burned bright?

Forest weaves a tale of passion, ambition, and vulnerability. Her characters leap off the page as we go on their journey. Readers explore the complexities of relationships, the allure of Vegas, and the magic of second chances. Forest's prose is as vibrant as the neon lights illuminating the Strip.

This story is both heartwarming and tumultuous. It’s a rollercoaster ride of love, secrets, and unexpected alliances I will read again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

REVIEW: Second chance romance

Thank you #partners @berkleyromance for my #gifted copies. #penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyromancepartner #berkleyIG

The Partner Plot
Kristina Forest

📖 Violet and Xavier were highschool sweethearts, but their relationship ended abruptly and left them both with unresolved feelings. So a decade later, when they run into each other in Vegas, and subsequently enter a fake marriage to benefit their individual careers, they're not exactly surprised to realize their feelings didn't end after high school. But Violet is a celebrity stylist, living a high profile life of glitz and glamour, while Xavier is a teacher and coach, and according to his students, very unfashionable. Will these two be able to have a second chance at love, despite their drastic differences?

💭 Something I've learned about myself as a reader, is that I like being impressed. As someone who reads 300+ books a year, it takes quite a bit to *really* impress me. But within the first few chapters of The Partner Plot, I was impressed by Forest's writing, her characterization, and her ability to so completely pull me into this story.

The Partner Plot has oodles of depth, high stakes, crackling chemistry, well-written steam, and fantastic humor. The characters are mature, the plot felt realistic (which is something I sometimes struggle with in fake dating books), and I really appreciate the immense character growth. This book made me happy, and any book that makes me smile this much gets my full recommendation. 💕

📌 This can be read as a standalone, but is a continuation of the world created in The Neighbor Favor. I haven't read that one yet, but it didn't impact my enjoyment one bit.

📌 Available now!

Rating: 4.5 rounded to 5.

Accidental Vegas wedding between highschool sweethearts getting their second chance at love 🤭

This was so cute! I loved the cast of characters and romance between Violet and Xavier! They had great communication (and no third act breakup) which made the romance feel mature and easy to read. The setting of fashion design and high school teacher/coach was refreshing and not something I’ve read a lot of.

The tattoos?? Him keeping a photo of her in his wallet?? OBSESSED 🤭

Everything I love about a man obsessed!!

Thanks Berkley publishing for the ARC

The Partner Plot is a fake dating romcom about high school sweethearts (Violet and Xavier) reunited for a drunken night in Vegas, only to have the story of their marriage (all fake) released into the world. But of course, it is a romcom so they let it ride as the rumor was helping both of them professionally. What I really loved was watching Violet try and juggle her high power career with being there for Xavier and her family and friends. It was a more realistic look at what women face in the real world when they are pursuing their career ambitions. Violet was a strong, driven woman and so likable. The romance was very sweet, the side characters were entertaining (especially Violet’s clients and co-workers), the glimpse into the high fashion/music world was fun and overall just a frothy and fluffy read that I flew through. If you read the Neighbor Favor,

im loving this series so far! I had a feeling I was going to enjoy Violet's story quite a bit. There are so many classic story lines here (getting married in vegas, high school sweethearts, etc) but I really enjoy how Kristina Forest writes. I'll definitely be following her work in the future and am excited for Iris' story!

This was sweet. It acted as a sort of palette cleanser of sorts for me. Nothing to dramatic happened and it was low angst. Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts that broke up in college and hadn't seen each other for 10 years. Until they happen to run into each other in Vegas one night. They have a wild night and end up "married". Thinking that was it and they'd part ways again, they both realize that they could benefit from the marriage. So they act like their fake marriage is real in hope of getting what they both want in their careers.

I liked Violet and Xavier. They both were relateable and very career focused. Xavier felt like he was stuck and needed to take another step to feel fufilled while Violet was thriving in her career, but working a bit too hard. They balanced each other out and it added to the believability of their connection since they knew each other from the past. There were moments when I got a little frustrated cause they both clearly had feelings for each other, but would only say it internally and be too scared to actually address it.

There was a little ex drama but it was handled well and finally lead to some conversations that needed to be had. I was expecting there to be a third act breakup and was pleasently suprised there wasn't one. Things were a little shakey and they desperately needed to have a long conversation, but things all ended up working out for them. Again, just a cute and feel good palette cleanser for me.

I'll need to go back and read The Neighbor Favor soon since it's techinically the first book in the series and follows Violet's sister.

💍 fake marriage
💕 second chance
🥰 high school sweethearts
👏🏼 no third act breakup
👥 close proximity
🤒 he takes care of her when she's sick

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️

This was a fun second chance, dual POV, fake marriage romance from a fav author that was utterly delightful to read. I really loved both the main characters in this story! High school sweethearts, Violet and Xavier had a bad break up in senior year and are reunited nine years later on a random drunken night in Las Vegas.

Now a stylist to the stars, Violet is an in-demand, workaholic who ends up forced to slow down when she breaks her foot. When she accidentally implies that her and Xavier are married in an interview, the two decide to keep up the charade in order for Xavier to have a better shot at landing a new high school basketball coaching job.

Heartwarming with a bit of spice, this was an lovely opposites attract romance that involved lots of compromises as the two try to figure out how they can make a life together work. Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Denise Williams or Jasmine Guillory. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: some open door scenes

I've been excited for this book since I read The Neighbor Favor, and let me tell you, this second chance romance between. high school sweethearts did not disappoint!

This was absolutely everything I wanted from a second chance romance, combined with the fake marriage and "it's always been you vibes" making Violet and Xavier's love story an absolute delight from start to finish. I've read plenty of fake relationship books, but I loved the way the scheme unfolded in this book. What could be a seemingly outlandish scenario unfolded in such a natural way over the course of the story, not to mention it was absolutely hysterical how quickly the news spread like wildfire throughout their hometown. And don't even get me started on how much I loved the forced proximity and caretaking scenes.

Something I appreciated about this book when it comes to Xavier and Violet's relationship is that the prologue shows the beginnings of their relationship from when they were high school students. Not only does it establish the "it's always been you" dynamic, but it also allows you to see how much they have developed and matured in the present day, in a way that allows their relationship to last. I loved watching them relearn each other as mature adults and working through their issues. I also can't say enough how much I loved that, although they go through their fair share of struggles once they finally decide to officially get back together, there was no third act breakup (yay communication and maturity).

I loved how passionate Violet was about her career. At the same time she dealt with very real insecurities regarding her ability to have a functional personal life, and I loved watching her find the middle ground between maintaining her love of her job while also taking care of herself. I enjoyed the dynamic she had with her clients, particularly Karamel Kitty and Angel, as well as her assistant, but a true standout regarding Violet's development is her relationship with her mom. I loved seeing the pair resolve to meet in the middle when it comes to the tensions that they have struggled with.

One of my absolute favorite parts of this book was Xavier's interactions with his students (as well as Violet's brief interactions with them as well), both in the classroom and on the basketball court. I was so happy with the decision he settled on with his career path by the end of the story, and how he finally reached a place where he felt satisfied with the direction his life took.

All in all, I highly recommend this book! It gives all the classic rom-com swoon-worthy vibes, and I am so unbelievably excited to read Iris's book!

Violet Greene and Xavier Wright were high school sweethearts with big dreams. Xavier was on track to play for the NBA, while Violet dreamed of being a celebrity stylist. They also both assumed that they would always be together. When Xavier suffers a career-ending injury, however, he pushes Violet out of his life without explanation. He has no idea what his future will look like, but he can’t stand the thought of possibly holding her back from her own dreams.

Years later, a chance meeting between Violet and Xavier in Vegas starts off awkwardly but then turns into a drunken night of fun that includes the purchase of a pretend wedding package from one of the many Vegas chapels. What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas though and word gets back to their small town that these high school sweethearts have tied the knot. Everyone is so happy for them and when they realize this could benefit both their careers, Violet and Xavier decide to go along with the charade.

I really enjoyed this one! Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes anyway and Forest adding in this fake marriage of convenience just really kicked this story up a notch for me. I wanted to smack young Xavier for booting Violet out of his life. I understood his reason and thought it was noble of him but also stupid since it was clear even back then that they were soulmates. I loved seeing those flashbacks to their younger days and then watching them reconnect in present day. All of the love and chemistry is clearly still there and it was impossible not to root for them to embrace the second chance they have been given.

Thank you PRH Audio and Berkley Romance for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own. I enjoyed The Neighbor Favor, but I liked the Partner Plot even more.

Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts but their future didn’t work out as they planned. They reunite one weekend in Vegas and get fake married. When she’s cornered about her ex-fiancé in a magazine article, she says she and her high school ex recently reconnected and married. Violet is surprised when her hometown finds out about the obscure article and she and Xavier continue to be fake married to benefit both of their careers.

I really enjoyed this! Violet and Xavier have to learn about each other as adults. Xavier’s career did not end up where he thought and he has to figure out where he wants to be. They had great chemistry and seemed to pick up where they left off. I liked that they seemed very adult about their relationship. I mostly listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration. I’m excited for more books from this author!

I really enjoyed the Neighbor Favor last year so I was really looking forward to this year. I like second chance romances so this really worked for me. Violet and Xavier were great characters and their romance felt real to me. I appreciated how their new relationship developed even with the fake marriage. Definitely would recommend and I’m looking forward to Iris’ book!