Member Reviews
3/5 stars
After reading the Neighbor Favor, I wanted more of the series and was so excited to get to read this one early.
Its a cute slow paced romance that I felt needed to be a bit more fast paced for me. I loved Iris' journye of self discovery and where she wanted to be in life as well as Angel finding his footing in the music industry but I was too slow burn for me. It was a sweet romance but nothing really kept me wanting more like it did for the other book of the series. Something was defintiely lacking and I felt like I couldn't quite connect with the characters like I usually do. I still think its a decent read to close out the series.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.
The Love Lyric is a heartfelt and swoon-worthy romance that beautifully blends the worlds of music and corporate life, creating a story that sings with passion, healing, and second chances at love. Iris Greene, a driven corporate executive and devoted single mother, has her life seemingly under control after enduring unimaginable loss. But when R&B singer Angel Hughes enters the picture, the walls around her heart begin to crumble, and what follows is a slow-burn love story that will have readers rooting for this unlikely couple to find harmony.
Iris is a deeply relatable and likable protagonist. She’s smart, determined, and juggling the complexities of single motherhood while thriving in her career. Her vulnerability is skillfully woven into her character as she balances her professional success with the loneliness she still feels after the death of her husband. Her six-year-old daughter, Calla, adds an adorable and heartwarming layer to the story, showing Iris’s softer, nurturing side.
Angel Hughes, on the other hand, is the epitome of a soulful musician who, despite his fame and success, longs for something more. His struggle with feeling creatively unfulfilled and the pressure of living up to the industry’s expectations make him a compelling character. His quiet crush on Iris, simmering beneath the surface for years, adds a delightful tension to the story, and when they’re finally thrown together, their chemistry sparks beautifully.
The dynamic between Iris and Angel is electric yet tender, especially as they navigate the blurred lines between their professional and personal lives. Their romance is a gradual build, with both characters hesitant to open up to each other given their pasts and the complexities of their careers. The author does a great job of developing their relationship with just the right amount of push and pull, allowing readers to savor each stage of their growing attraction. Their connection feels organic, driven by shared vulnerabilities, mutual respect, and undeniable chemistry.
While the plot revolves around their romance, it also touches on the themes of healing, family, and personal growth. Iris’s journey from heartache to opening herself up to love again is incredibly moving, and Angel’s struggle to find passion in his music adds depth to his character. The balance between Iris’s life as a mother and her professional ambitions, along with Angel’s quest for artistic fulfillment, gives the story a realistic, grounded feel.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read is that, at times, the pacing slows down, particularly in the middle of the book where the focus on their professional obligations can feel a little repetitive. A few more emotional highs and lows could have heightened the stakes in their relationship. However, the well-drawn characters and the authentic chemistry between Iris and Angel more than make up for these slower moments.
Overall, The Love Lyric is a sweet, slow-burn romance that will tug at your heartstrings. The author's writing shines with warmth and emotion, delivering a love story that’s as much about personal growth and second chances as it is about finding the one who makes your heart sing. If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts soulful and satisfying, this one is sure to hit the right notes.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
A nice ending to this series, but unfortunately my least favorite of the Greene sister series! This felt almost like a carbon copy of the 2nd book in the trilogy - leaning heavily on the "our lives are too different to work" trope. I did enjoy the MMC, and the relationship the FMC had with her daughter!
I loved this so much! I'm so sad this series is ending because I loved following the Greene sisters and their love stories. I think this was the sweetest one just because of everything Iris has been through and the love felt well earned. Angel was a dynamic love interest who had an engaging plot outside of Iris as well. Their chemistry was amazing.
(2.5 Stars)
After loving the Neighbor Favor, I'm committed to finishing the journey of all the Greene sisters! However, I found this one to be a lack luster final book.
Overall, the story was slow paced and relatively boring. Understood Iris is a widow, single mom so expected a slow burn, but also given Angel's celebrity status, expected kind of whirlwind romance. But instead, the romance is very grounded and quiet. I didn't necessarily buy into their romance but rather enjoyed their friendship. I appreciate Angel's struggles with fame and his family and his steadfast way of loving Iris, but Iris's personality was mostly driven by her roles as older sister and mom. I wanted so much more.
And did it need all 400 pages? Definitely not.
While sweet, this quiet romance didn't work for me, but I'm sure fans of the Greene sisters might like this slow paced, celebrity romance.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you Berkley for this eArc!
I love this book and series so much! I'm so sad that it's over now. Iris and Angel's story was so sweet. Angel was so enduring and he's definitely one of my new favorite MMCs of the entire series. I was so obsessed with Iris, but not in a way that's uncomfortable. He just really wanted to get to know her and was so understanding of her concerns. And then we have Iris the working woman and single mom trying to keep everyone together after all these years while navigating her own grief! Getting back out in the dating pool is tough and you first experience with it being with a major celebrity had to be scary! But I loved how she let loose a lot more with Angel. They were able to just be who they truly are together and love them for that. They also had each other's backs relentlessly. They were so much fun to read. I also felt like this felt a little more mature than the other books somewhat. This might be due to Iris being the oldest and some of the battles she was dealing with. I know she's not much older than her sister and she's not even much older than Angel, but something about it felt a lot more mature and I really enjoyed that.
I know this is Kristina Forest's first adult romance series and I really enjoyed all three books, but what I loved the most is the growth in the way she tells each sister's story. The series was good from the jump, but it just kept getting better and better. I'm not one to determine if a book is good based on how relatable it is, but I'm definitely gonna hold this series close to me because I feel like I see myself in each sister and I really cherish their stories.
Kristina Forest has written another incredible romance with "The Love Lyric". This is the last of the Greene sister's stories and it might be my favorite ("The Neighbor Favor" is a tough one to beat).
I always love how the couples are realistic and communicative and Iris and Angel are no different. Their struggles and resolutions are realistic and fun to read. Their relationship had a great build up.
I really hope the author continues to write romances like this. I'd recommend "The Love Lyric" to anyone that has enjoyed Kristina Forest in the past or to any contemporary romance reader.
Rated 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.
This is every bit the sweet and spicy love story that The Partner Plot was with a similar emotional depth. The Love Lyric is the last in the Greene sisters trilogy, and I find I hope the author finds a way to continue writing in the same universe, so these characters can be revisited on occasion. If you like your romance full of loving families and emotional growth, these are a solid recommendation. My only quibble is that the idea that at the family dinners the women do the cleaning after they prepared the food while the men watch sports; while this may be realistic to the experience of many, it does make me slightly uncomfortable in a book that is otherwise excellent.
For sensitive readers, this book contains depictions of grief, death of loved ones, trauma, abusive parenting, religious abuse (the book does not contain a negative depiction of religion in general), and graphic sexuality.
Ugghhhh I am so sad that this series had to end! I loved all of these sisters. I think Angel is my favorite boyfriend of all the characters. The purity of his love was everything. Normally we are rooting for the FMC to find her happily ever after. This time it was beautiful to watch our MMC find the love he deserves. This is definitely now one that I will include in my top 10 second chance romances
Friends to lovers and a (kind of) forbidden romance at the same time? Say less.
This was objectively very well-done. We have two emotionally mature characters, an entertaining plot, a solid friends to lovers relationship... and yet, I found myself to be completely disconnected from the story. I don't know what this was about, because I absolutely loved Iris and Angel. I feel like the writing created a distance that prevented me from bonding with the characters or the story.
However, I still believe this was a solid romance and would totally recommend it!
I think this may be my favorite of the series 😍 I knew Iris would be my favorite sister because even though I’m not the oldest (middle child here 👋🏾) I have eldest sister tendencies lol. This series has been so fun for a few different reasons but I absolutely love the family and friend dynamics. The side characters really shine. This is a slow burn but when I tell you I was swooning. 🥰 Angel is so sweet and like Iris, I just wanted to protect him. This book has a little bit of everything. There’s great banter and healthy communication! A little drama and a little heat 🔥 Iris and Angel are such relatable characters, it made their love story that much more believable. I highly recommend! And read through other Greene sister installments if you haven’t already!
This was my favorite of the three so far, I hope there’s a billion more. Kristina has such a beautiful way of writing and creating her characters that feel SO real and dear to me.
Love love love.
This was a slow burn romance. It made me smile, tear up, and more. The chemistry is undeniable, and I have been waiting since the first book for this to happen!!
I have loved this book for over a year and it doesnt come out until February. Dont get me wrong Lily and Violet's stories were so adorable. I recommend reading them by the way. But ever since Iris & August were introduced in the 'Neighbor Favor', I've craved their happy ending!! From Book 1 in this series I knew I related to Iris in may ways including our parenting journey, work ethic, and family dynamic (the eldest daughter syndrome is a real thing). So reading her story unfold was a true delight. Now were Iris and I differ is a choice she made that I wouldve not! I have strong work ethic but I also have big F this job energy! My choice wouldve had this book wrapped up many chapters earlier. Lol. But Kristina you concluded this series nice and tight and gave some hope to all of us "Irises" out there. Thank you NetGalley for the eArc. Thank you KF for sharing your art!
In the third installment of the Greene sisters series, we follow Iris Greene, a widowed mother juggling the responsibilities of raising her six-year-old daughter Calla and excelling in her corporate career. As the eldest of three daughters, Iris is used to taking care of others, but since her husband's death, loneliness has crept in, even though her focus remains on providing for her family.
Angel, a famous singer, has crossed paths with Iris a few times, piquing his curiosity. He's captivated by her, but circumstances always seem to keep them apart. That is until fate steps in—Angel becomes the brand ambassador for Save Face Beauty, the very company where Iris works. When Iris is tasked with leading the promotional tour, she and Angel are thrown together once more, traveling across the country. The more time they spend together, the stronger their chemistry becomes. However, Iris can't help but question what a global superstar could see in someone as down-to-earth as her.
I absolutely loved this book! Watching Iris and Angel's relationship unfold felt like witnessing a real-life romance. Their communication and ability to navigate the challenges they faced made their story both relatable and refreshing. The maturity with which they handled their obstacles brought a sense of authenticity, and I was completely immersed in watching their love blossom.
A fun romcom about a famous RNB singer and single mother who is determined to rebuild her life after the loss of her husband. This book was so fun, and easy to read. I flew through the pages and thought the love story was endearing.
If Kristina Forest writes a book, I’m reading it! I absolutely love this series, especially how it centers on a group of sisters. As the oldest girl in my family, I really relate to the main character, Iris, and was excited to dive deeper into her story. Iris is navigating grief after losing her husband at a young age while raising their daughter. She’s not ready to date, but a charming singer, Angel, has his eye on her.
The relationship between Angel and Iris felt refreshing. I loved how down-to-earth Angel was, even as a celebrity, and he never pressured Iris into anything. Both characters had compelling personal journeys, and I appreciated Angel’s growth in establishing healthy boundaries for his mental health. Most of all, I was happy to see Iris come out on top.
I highly recommend this series to contemporary romance lovers!
This was one of the best romances I read all year! I don’t think Kristina Forest is capable of writing a bad book! 😭 the way she just makes you fall in love with her characters is a true talent! I love the Greene sisters, following their love stories has been an absolute pleasure. I am so sad to see it come to an end
This was very cute. A story about falling in love after grief and after so many years. It was a good friends to lovers. Unfortunately what I couldn’t get into was the writing.
This is the third and I think final entry in Kristina Forest series. I loved the Partner Plot more than the first book honestly... and this one was just OK but I really ejnoyed the romance. The FMC was a touch annoying though