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The Greene Sisters #2
The Partner Plot
Two former high school sweethearts get a second chance in this marriage of convenience romance by Kristina Forest, author of The Neighbor Favor.
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?
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?
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2024
About the author
Kristina Forest
9 books1,847 followersKristina Forest is the USA Today bestselling author of romances for both teens and adults. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,081 reviews
December 12, 2023
This book hardly felt like a romance to me. The romance felt very underdeveloped, with insufficient depth.
There are quite a few things this book does incredibly well that we don’t see in other romances.
For example, there are small depictions but meaningful conversations on boundaries and consent. We see Violet and Xavier have some necessary dialogue on boundaries and consent related to what is okay to do and what is not. Things like holding hands or giving hugs, which might seem superficial to some but I think is necessary. Just because they pretend to be married doesn’t mean they can do anything and everything with each other if the other is uncomfortable. I appreciated this, as it’s not as common as I wish it were in romances. Second, I always appreciate it when there isn’t a third-act conflict, which seems to make up most romance books, adding nothing but drama, pettiness, childish behavior, and conflict that could have quickly been resolved or avoided had the characters simply conversed. There’s also how Violet and Xavier are both people with aspirations and dreams, with Violet wanting to be a celebrity stylist and Xavier pursuing a basketball journey to go into the NBA. While Violet succeeds in her field and pursues her dreams, Xavier’s dreams are cut short due to a broken Achilles. Yet, this is a little more refreshing because he doesn’t give up and continues finding ways to make up for what he lost. He doesn’t dwell on what could have been the past but instead focuses on what could be the present. On the other hand, Violet continues moving forward, ensuring she has a big reputation for herself. Seeing a confident black woman succeed in the fashion industry in a romance novel is empowering. I loved the author’s addition of feminism shown this way. Violet doesn’t forget where she comes from and acknowledges those who have helped her make a name for herself. There’s also great honesty in becoming highly involved in “hustle culture,” showing the pros and cons of giving it your all only to fall behind when you’re too tired. Still, the author shows her female main character as positive, always finding ways to compensate for her losses, keep moving forward, and not letting herself be talked down.
However, while this book provides new and necessary themes that other novels don’t, it fails to give us a successful execution of a romance, which I would say is more of this novel's primary and center point.
There’s potential, not just with the second-chance but with the good ol’ marriage of convenience. In this case, the marriage stems from a lie our famous stylist made up, which is a little flimsy, but it can still manage to capture one’s attention considering the opportunities it presents to both characters. Done out of panic and unprovoked thoughtfulness, Violet lies in an interview and states she recently got married to her high school sweetheart, who happens to be an English teacher and basketball assistant coach. Everyone knows it’s Xavier, especially those from their small town. And Xavier is quick to accept this as not only something helpful for his sake–to become an assistant coach at Riley University because, for some reason, he wasn’t able to before because he wasn’t married, and so therefore his unsettled life was an obstacle?–but also because it’s allow him to get a second chance with Violet, which is all he wants.
Yet, for a second-chance romance, the second chance felt irrelevant. If I hadn’t been reminded and knew beforehand that Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts, I would have assumed they were strangers first who simply connected on a basis related to attraction. This only further proved why second-chance romances aren’t easy to execute. In my opinion, second-chance romances are unsuccessful without some sort of conflict or drama. You can keep your story low angst, and I’m not saying I want some childish third-act breakup that doesn’t help the cause, but the story feels a little pointless if it’s too fluffy. The way I saw it, the second chance was too…easy.
I was rooting for Violet at the beginning. I was ready for her to make Xavier fight for her once again after what he did. While their circumstances and reasoning for the breakup are the usual kind (the kind where character A–in this case, Xavier–breaks up with character B–in this case, Violet–because character A believes character B deserves better. You know how it goes), but even with that, I had hoped the author would take the route of a more complex second-chance. For me, a second chance doesn’t work if no persuasion is involved, and I never felt like this had it. Violet tells us, the readers, repeatedly that she’s not going to give in to Xavier easily, but, surprise! She does. She never made him fight for her. She never made him find different ways to make him trust him. He’s trustworthy, but just because we know that doesn’t mean she does. I never saw how or why Violet was in love, or at least developed feelings, for Xavier again besides their past. This structure is so lazy to me. It doesn’t give me enough to root for the characters when their love is based on the past and not the present. It’s evident that love stems from the past for most of the feelings. While some moments between them in the present time can add to their past love and current feelings, there wasn’t enough depth and substance. I thought the author lacked the substance necessary to make the relationship more believable, as if it wouldn’t stand tall if it weren’t for the past. I can easily say that Xavier’s point of view was more favorable than Violet’s, mostly because we know he regrets breaking up with her and never offering her an explanation, so seeing his regret and feelings for her are more obvious compared to Violet’s contradictory attitude. Violet simply gave in too easily, and I had hoped she’d put up more of a fight, especially with who she was when they were kids. Xavier described her a spitfire, and it felt like she was much more like that when they were kids than now as adults.
Adding on to that, I don’t consider this a romance like others because of the focus on Violet and Xavier’s careers and personal lives. It’s entirely realistic, which I can easily say is are bonus point to the author. Yes, romance doesn’t cure all. Yes, a relationship and a full-time career make juggling the two difficult. Yes, it’s difficult to always be on board with what your partner wants. The romance doesn’t fail to provide realisticness, which I always appreciate. However, I guess the realistic part of it is also what makes the story less succulent. There isn’t enough page time between Violet and Xavier that makes the relationship stand out, much less the development I thought was missing. A lot of time is given to their careers, such as the basketball games of Xavier’s students or Violet’s styling job with Karina (although I did love her as a side character, don’t get me wrong). Due to that, it is even more challenging to see where the romantic feelings between both leads come from. The writing also had a very back-and-forth feel to it. Sometimes the story focuses more on Violet’s and Xavier’s emotional journey and then focuses on their romantic journey, causing a contrast to the writing, It’s difficult to pinpoint a genre, as it felt like a mix of romance and women’s fiction, yet neither genre suits it. While romance may be appropriate, I thought it was missing parts of its strength, especially as it’s a second-chance romance following two high school sweethearts.
I feel like I wasn’t the right audience for this, or perhaps my expectations differed. I think anyone who goes into it with a different mindset would be able to enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC provided by NetGalley + Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
There are quite a few things this book does incredibly well that we don’t see in other romances.
For example, there are small depictions but meaningful conversations on boundaries and consent. We see Violet and Xavier have some necessary dialogue on boundaries and consent related to what is okay to do and what is not. Things like holding hands or giving hugs, which might seem superficial to some but I think is necessary. Just because they pretend to be married doesn’t mean they can do anything and everything with each other if the other is uncomfortable. I appreciated this, as it’s not as common as I wish it were in romances. Second, I always appreciate it when there isn’t a third-act conflict, which seems to make up most romance books, adding nothing but drama, pettiness, childish behavior, and conflict that could have quickly been resolved or avoided had the characters simply conversed. There’s also how Violet and Xavier are both people with aspirations and dreams, with Violet wanting to be a celebrity stylist and Xavier pursuing a basketball journey to go into the NBA. While Violet succeeds in her field and pursues her dreams, Xavier’s dreams are cut short due to a broken Achilles. Yet, this is a little more refreshing because he doesn’t give up and continues finding ways to make up for what he lost. He doesn’t dwell on what could have been the past but instead focuses on what could be the present. On the other hand, Violet continues moving forward, ensuring she has a big reputation for herself. Seeing a confident black woman succeed in the fashion industry in a romance novel is empowering. I loved the author’s addition of feminism shown this way. Violet doesn’t forget where she comes from and acknowledges those who have helped her make a name for herself. There’s also great honesty in becoming highly involved in “hustle culture,” showing the pros and cons of giving it your all only to fall behind when you’re too tired. Still, the author shows her female main character as positive, always finding ways to compensate for her losses, keep moving forward, and not letting herself be talked down.
However, while this book provides new and necessary themes that other novels don’t, it fails to give us a successful execution of a romance, which I would say is more of this novel's primary and center point.
There’s potential, not just with the second-chance but with the good ol’ marriage of convenience. In this case, the marriage stems from a lie our famous stylist made up, which is a little flimsy, but it can still manage to capture one’s attention considering the opportunities it presents to both characters. Done out of panic and unprovoked thoughtfulness, Violet lies in an interview and states she recently got married to her high school sweetheart, who happens to be an English teacher and basketball assistant coach. Everyone knows it’s Xavier, especially those from their small town. And Xavier is quick to accept this as not only something helpful for his sake–to become an assistant coach at Riley University because, for some reason, he wasn’t able to before because he wasn’t married, and so therefore his unsettled life was an obstacle?–but also because it’s allow him to get a second chance with Violet, which is all he wants.
Yet, for a second-chance romance, the second chance felt irrelevant. If I hadn’t been reminded and knew beforehand that Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts, I would have assumed they were strangers first who simply connected on a basis related to attraction. This only further proved why second-chance romances aren’t easy to execute. In my opinion, second-chance romances are unsuccessful without some sort of conflict or drama. You can keep your story low angst, and I’m not saying I want some childish third-act breakup that doesn’t help the cause, but the story feels a little pointless if it’s too fluffy. The way I saw it, the second chance was too…easy.
I was rooting for Violet at the beginning. I was ready for her to make Xavier fight for her once again after what he did. While their circumstances and reasoning for the breakup are the usual kind (the kind where character A–in this case, Xavier–breaks up with character B–in this case, Violet–because character A believes character B deserves better. You know how it goes), but even with that, I had hoped the author would take the route of a more complex second-chance. For me, a second chance doesn’t work if no persuasion is involved, and I never felt like this had it. Violet tells us, the readers, repeatedly that she’s not going to give in to Xavier easily, but, surprise! She does. She never made him fight for her. She never made him find different ways to make him trust him. He’s trustworthy, but just because we know that doesn’t mean she does. I never saw how or why Violet was in love, or at least developed feelings, for Xavier again besides their past. This structure is so lazy to me. It doesn’t give me enough to root for the characters when their love is based on the past and not the present. It’s evident that love stems from the past for most of the feelings. While some moments between them in the present time can add to their past love and current feelings, there wasn’t enough depth and substance. I thought the author lacked the substance necessary to make the relationship more believable, as if it wouldn’t stand tall if it weren’t for the past. I can easily say that Xavier’s point of view was more favorable than Violet’s, mostly because we know he regrets breaking up with her and never offering her an explanation, so seeing his regret and feelings for her are more obvious compared to Violet’s contradictory attitude. Violet simply gave in too easily, and I had hoped she’d put up more of a fight, especially with who she was when they were kids. Xavier described her a spitfire, and it felt like she was much more like that when they were kids than now as adults.
Adding on to that, I don’t consider this a romance like others because of the focus on Violet and Xavier’s careers and personal lives. It’s entirely realistic, which I can easily say is are bonus point to the author. Yes, romance doesn’t cure all. Yes, a relationship and a full-time career make juggling the two difficult. Yes, it’s difficult to always be on board with what your partner wants. The romance doesn’t fail to provide realisticness, which I always appreciate. However, I guess the realistic part of it is also what makes the story less succulent. There isn’t enough page time between Violet and Xavier that makes the relationship stand out, much less the development I thought was missing. A lot of time is given to their careers, such as the basketball games of Xavier’s students or Violet’s styling job with Karina (although I did love her as a side character, don’t get me wrong). Due to that, it is even more challenging to see where the romantic feelings between both leads come from. The writing also had a very back-and-forth feel to it. Sometimes the story focuses more on Violet’s and Xavier’s emotional journey and then focuses on their romantic journey, causing a contrast to the writing, It’s difficult to pinpoint a genre, as it felt like a mix of romance and women’s fiction, yet neither genre suits it. While romance may be appropriate, I thought it was missing parts of its strength, especially as it’s a second-chance romance following two high school sweethearts.
I feel like I wasn’t the right audience for this, or perhaps my expectations differed. I think anyone who goes into it with a different mindset would be able to enjoy it much more than I did.
ARC provided by NetGalley + Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2024
Remember your first love?
Not so long ago Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts. As so often happens, they abruptly parted ways as their lives went in different directions. Never communicating, but always keeping tabs on each other through family.
Violet Greene is now an elite stylist for some of the biggest Hollywood stars and musicians. She’s living her best professional life. But when her fiancé leaves her for one of her clients, Violet needs to show the world she’s moving forward.
Xavier Wright had the world ahead of him as a professional basketball player. But one injury is all it took to derail his career before it got off the ground.. Now coaching high-school basketball he hopes to land a job as an assistant coach for a college team. First he needs to prove his stability in his personal life.
But when their worlds collide on a Vegas trip both realize they may be able to help one another!
This was a sweet rom-com demonstrating the power of first love.
Kristina Forest did a superb job bringing all the characters to life. I would definitely read more of her books!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways
Not so long ago Violet and Xavier were high school sweethearts. As so often happens, they abruptly parted ways as their lives went in different directions. Never communicating, but always keeping tabs on each other through family.
Violet Greene is now an elite stylist for some of the biggest Hollywood stars and musicians. She’s living her best professional life. But when her fiancé leaves her for one of her clients, Violet needs to show the world she’s moving forward.
Xavier Wright had the world ahead of him as a professional basketball player. But one injury is all it took to derail his career before it got off the ground.. Now coaching high-school basketball he hopes to land a job as an assistant coach for a college team. First he needs to prove his stability in his personal life.
But when their worlds collide on a Vegas trip both realize they may be able to help one another!
This was a sweet rom-com demonstrating the power of first love.
Kristina Forest did a superb job bringing all the characters to life. I would definitely read more of her books!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways
January 17, 2024
A fashionista and an almost famous basketball player walk out of high school madly in love... It seems like a tale as old as time when the two most popular kids in high school are in love right? They're dramatic, full of promise, and massive life aspirations!
But reality smacks us all in the face, and when it hits our protagonists, Violet and Xavier, it hits them hard. Your first love rarely survives anything. I don't know many people who have actually married the first person they dated.. and maybe that's cynical because we know and see those stories on the news - but we all hope we're going to be the exceptions, not the rule!?
What I love about 'The Partner Plot' is that the characters are adults without illusions about how the world works. They've grown past the point of innocent childhood love.. and maybe they just need to pull back from the pessimism a bit to find true happiness? They're not running headfirst into silly situations with miscommunication peeking around the corner of every conversation. They're pragmatic about their places in the world... and yet we still get our happy-ever-after ending!!
NOTES:
- BIPOC Literature / Contemporary Romance
- Childhood friends to lovers to enemies and back to friends and lovers again!
**Thank you to Berkley Romance & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
But reality smacks us all in the face, and when it hits our protagonists, Violet and Xavier, it hits them hard. Your first love rarely survives anything. I don't know many people who have actually married the first person they dated.. and maybe that's cynical because we know and see those stories on the news - but we all hope we're going to be the exceptions, not the rule!?
What I love about 'The Partner Plot' is that the characters are adults without illusions about how the world works. They've grown past the point of innocent childhood love.. and maybe they just need to pull back from the pessimism a bit to find true happiness? They're not running headfirst into silly situations with miscommunication peeking around the corner of every conversation. They're pragmatic about their places in the world... and yet we still get our happy-ever-after ending!!
NOTES:
- BIPOC Literature / Contemporary Romance
- Childhood friends to lovers to enemies and back to friends and lovers again!
**Thank you to Berkley Romance & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
February 5, 2024
thank you berkley so much for the arc!
omg omgggggg! when i was reading the neighbor favor i just knew that violet’s book would be my favorite because of how violet is! she’s a firecracker and such a strong character. and oh my daysss, xavier?? DREAM! he’s literally perfect. the flashbacks we got in the prologue really allowed me to feel connected to these characters! i was rooting for them from the jump and this book didn’t disappoint! kristina is phenomenal!
omg omgggggg! when i was reading the neighbor favor i just knew that violet’s book would be my favorite because of how violet is! she’s a firecracker and such a strong character. and oh my daysss, xavier?? DREAM! he’s literally perfect. the flashbacks we got in the prologue really allowed me to feel connected to these characters! i was rooting for them from the jump and this book didn’t disappoint! kristina is phenomenal!
October 10, 2024
This was a delight. Kristina writes such lovable stories starring characters who feel like they could be your friends, they're so real and easy to root for. Both Violet and Xavier's individual growth journeys as well as their journey as a couple was touching and realistic and delivered such a wonderful balance of tender vulnerability and swoony joy. Can't wait for Iris's story!!
January 21, 2024
4 stars
The Partner Plot is the first book I’ve read by Kristina Forest, and to be honest, I 100% picked this book up because of the cover. I’m a sucker for a married in Vegas/marriage of convince romance. It just screamed ‘fun’ to me. It was a fun book, but it also had a lot of depth and character development.
Violet and Xavier were high-school sweethearts who planned to be together forever, but once they were in college and long distance things changed for them. Especially when Violet was on the career path she always planned on, but Xavier had an injury that changed the trajectory of his NBA plans. They parted ways and it has been almost ten years since they’ve seen each other.
Fast forward to them in their late twenties, both in Las Vegas for different reasons, and out of all the people in that big city, they run into each other. It’s fate. One of the things that I loved about this book is that it didn’t just focus on the couple, it focused on their individual growth and career paths. That compromise was needed, but neither one of them expected the other to give up their goals and dreams for the other.
I adore a sweet second chance romance, and this had the forced proximity and marriage of convince troupe that I enjoy as well. Forest’s writing was engaging and easy to read and I found myself flying through the last half once I got into the story. I’m happy I picked this one up and will be checking out more from this new-to-me author.
The Partner Plot is the first book I’ve read by Kristina Forest, and to be honest, I 100% picked this book up because of the cover. I’m a sucker for a married in Vegas/marriage of convince romance. It just screamed ‘fun’ to me. It was a fun book, but it also had a lot of depth and character development.
Violet and Xavier were high-school sweethearts who planned to be together forever, but once they were in college and long distance things changed for them. Especially when Violet was on the career path she always planned on, but Xavier had an injury that changed the trajectory of his NBA plans. They parted ways and it has been almost ten years since they’ve seen each other.
Fast forward to them in their late twenties, both in Las Vegas for different reasons, and out of all the people in that big city, they run into each other. It’s fate. One of the things that I loved about this book is that it didn’t just focus on the couple, it focused on their individual growth and career paths. That compromise was needed, but neither one of them expected the other to give up their goals and dreams for the other.
I adore a sweet second chance romance, and this had the forced proximity and marriage of convince troupe that I enjoy as well. Forest’s writing was engaging and easy to read and I found myself flying through the last half once I got into the story. I’m happy I picked this one up and will be checking out more from this new-to-me author.
February 18, 2024
Violet Greene is living her dream, working as a celebrity stylist and traveling the world, she has everything she's ever wanted; until her fiance leaves her a week before the wedding. After navigating herself through the breakup, Violet is determined to focus on work and work alone. However, on a trip to Vegas, Violet comes across the one that got away, her high school sweetheart, Xavier. When the two reconnect and spend the night together, only to wake up wearing wedding rings; Violet and Xavier both confess they could benefit from the marriage and decide to stay together just until their careers get on track.
I enjoyed this marriage-of-convenience romcom much more than I expected! I am not the biggest fan of second chances but this one was just done right, the former high school sweethearts were both on their own paths and still trying to find balance in their lives and reunited at just the right time. I loved how their history was so important to their story and each other and aided in them realizing they could live without one another but ultimately didn't want to. The two communicated so well and while there were issues that popped up, they worked everything out together and never lost sight of their relationship despite both of them being in very important moments in their careers.
Read this book if you like:
💍Vegas Weddings💍
💍Second Chance Romances💍
💍Healthy Communication💍
💍High School Sweethearts💍
💍Dual POV💍
💍Small Town/Big City Vibes💍
💍A Dash of Family Meddling💍
💍Marriage of Convenience💍
💍Fashion Details💍
💍Interconnected Series💍
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review!
I enjoyed this marriage-of-convenience romcom much more than I expected! I am not the biggest fan of second chances but this one was just done right, the former high school sweethearts were both on their own paths and still trying to find balance in their lives and reunited at just the right time. I loved how their history was so important to their story and each other and aided in them realizing they could live without one another but ultimately didn't want to. The two communicated so well and while there were issues that popped up, they worked everything out together and never lost sight of their relationship despite both of them being in very important moments in their careers.
Read this book if you like:
💍Vegas Weddings💍
💍Second Chance Romances💍
💍Healthy Communication💍
💍High School Sweethearts💍
💍Dual POV💍
💍Small Town/Big City Vibes💍
💍A Dash of Family Meddling💍
💍Marriage of Convenience💍
💍Fashion Details💍
💍Interconnected Series💍
~Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review!
February 26, 2024
✨That’s what you get for waking up in Vegas✨
And what you get is that “what did we do last night” panic when you wake up in Vegas next to your old high school boyfriend with a ring on your finger and a condom in the trash 👀
I’ve come to the conclusion that the world needs more “oops we accidentally got married” books!! This one’s a Black romance featuring a celebrity stylist and a high school English teacher/basketball coach. I loooooved that pairing, especially since it was a second chance and I loved seeing them reconnect as adults.
They’d obviously both changed a lot since they were in high school, so they not only fell back in love, but became friends again! The heroine gets injured and has to stay in her small town for a while, which is yet ANOTHER set-up I love. Add in the sick scene we got and it was romcom perfection.
As for the audiobook, both narrators did a great job. I liked their performance a lot better than book one! Their voices went well together, and they performed each other’s characters well too. It was a very quick listen, as I got through it in a day.
Keep reading but there’s a spoiler I have to talk about—it’s not major but be warned
✨
Okay! So yes, I still stand by my “we need more ‘oops we accidentally got married’ trope” position, but this book isn’t even quite that. Basically they had the typical Vegas night that they couldn’t remember at first, but it turns out that they only got fake married. I waited for the “just kidding you’re actually married” bit to happen, but it never did. This turned the book into a fake relationship situation, since being “married” had its advantages for a few reasons for them.
Since they did end up faking the marriage anyways I wasn’t angry, but I was definitely a bit sad because I do love that trope! But it was still a very fun and sexy second-chance romance. I was very pleasantly surprised by the third act as well. Since I Ioved both The Neighbor Favor and now The Partner Plot, Kristina Forest has easily solidified her spot on my auto-read list! I’m already very excited about the pairing for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️.75*/5
*Definitely the low end of spice, but there was still one open-door scene.
Thanks so much to PRH audio for an ALC and Berkley Romance for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
And what you get is that “what did we do last night” panic when you wake up in Vegas next to your old high school boyfriend with a ring on your finger and a condom in the trash 👀
I’ve come to the conclusion that the world needs more “oops we accidentally got married” books!! This one’s a Black romance featuring a celebrity stylist and a high school English teacher/basketball coach. I loooooved that pairing, especially since it was a second chance and I loved seeing them reconnect as adults.
They’d obviously both changed a lot since they were in high school, so they not only fell back in love, but became friends again! The heroine gets injured and has to stay in her small town for a while, which is yet ANOTHER set-up I love. Add in the sick scene we got and it was romcom perfection.
As for the audiobook, both narrators did a great job. I liked their performance a lot better than book one! Their voices went well together, and they performed each other’s characters well too. It was a very quick listen, as I got through it in a day.
Keep reading but there’s a spoiler I have to talk about—it’s not major but be warned
✨
Okay! So yes, I still stand by my “we need more ‘oops we accidentally got married’ trope” position, but this book isn’t even quite that. Basically they had the typical Vegas night that they couldn’t remember at first, but it turns out that they only got fake married. I waited for the “just kidding you’re actually married” bit to happen, but it never did. This turned the book into a fake relationship situation, since being “married” had its advantages for a few reasons for them.
Since they did end up faking the marriage anyways I wasn’t angry, but I was definitely a bit sad because I do love that trope! But it was still a very fun and sexy second-chance romance. I was very pleasantly surprised by the third act as well. Since I Ioved both The Neighbor Favor and now The Partner Plot, Kristina Forest has easily solidified her spot on my auto-read list! I’m already very excited about the pairing for the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️.75*/5
*Definitely the low end of spice, but there was still one open-door scene.
Thanks so much to PRH audio for an ALC and Berkley Romance for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
December 23, 2023
“Yeah, I’m not trying to hit up the club with Mr. Rogers. Ditch the sweater.”
Look, second-chance fake-marriage just seemed like something I’d eat up. And I did. Sue me.
Violet and Xavier were the ambitious couple, one an aspiring basketball star and one an aspiring fashion designer. She made it, with a career supporting famous stars across the globe. He didn’t. His insecurity predicated their breakup. In this current world, Xavier is insecure about not being impressive enough for his superstar girlfriend; meanwhile, Violet is insecure about being too busy for someone she’s missed for years. It’s an incredibly well-built conflict.
But what I really appreciated is that… the angst is so un-manufactured. Violet and Xavier work so hard to communicate with each other… but they have some serious reasons to be worried about the future. When they mess up, it feels real, true to their characters rather than contrived. Love is not always going to be enough to stop every bit of insecurity–but they value each other enough to fix it.
(Also, I am such a Violet.)
I have one or two quibbles. One super strange section in the back half where Violet’s POV contains a flashback of the prior day should not have made it through edits. (I’ve noticed this in a couple of fantastic romances I’ve read in the last couple years and will only say—romance editors, this is your job!) And I think the Dahlia and Violet conflict gets wrapped up waaaay too quickly.
But overall? Just delicious. I loved this romance and these characters so much, and will be buying a copy for my own rereading purposes ASAP.
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February 21, 2024
3.5⭐️ I find I always enjoy Kristina Forest’s writing, so as soon as I saw she had a new book releasing, I knew it would be a must read. Also, it has a pink cover!
What I enjoyed so much about this book is how the author takes formulaic romance plots and turns them on their head. Typically in romance, it is the mmc who is the uber successful one. In THE PARTNER PLOT, it is the fmc who lives out her dreams, while our mmc must learn to live a life different from what he had envisioned for himself. And yet, he is never less than thrilled for her.
Which brings me to the second very unique plot twist - the fake “marriage of convenience”. I admit I may have cringed going in, as this is not my favorite trope, but quickly changed my opinion when I saw the fun new way Forest presented it. This is almost a spoof on the typical marriage of convenience trope and I loved every minute of it.
What did not work as well for me is the second chance aspect of the story. This is literally one of my most beloved tropes and as a result, I can be quite picky when it comes to how it is used. In this case, I do not feel second chance really fits the story. We are briefly shown the start of their relationship, but other than that, there was no angst and pining that goes along with a potential rekindling of a relationship.
In many ways this felt more like a new relationship than one that was being rebuilt, and I felt the absence of the emotional turmoil second chance stories usually bring (minus her stance that they could not be in a relationship which did frustrate me after awhile). In other words, if we completely remove the prologue, it would not be nearly as evident that these two had ever been in a serious relationship. Therefore, the second chance trope in this story fell flat, even while the marriage of convenience shined through (it really was the MVP of the story).
All that said, this is fresh take on some formulaic tropes that feature really strong and dynamic characters you cannot help but root for. I would recommend it, but would just reiterate that this is more contemporary fiction/personal growth with romance included, versus an angsty second chance romance.
🎧 I listened to this book on audio in addition to reading along with the physical text and thought the narrators, Aure Nash and Benjamin Charles were the perfect Violet and Xavier. They brought these characters to life and really enhanced my connection to both characters.
Read if you like:
•marriage of convenience
•fake engagement
•second chance romance
•forced proximity
•strong, successful FMC
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
What I enjoyed so much about this book is how the author takes formulaic romance plots and turns them on their head. Typically in romance, it is the mmc who is the uber successful one. In THE PARTNER PLOT, it is the fmc who lives out her dreams, while our mmc must learn to live a life different from what he had envisioned for himself. And yet, he is never less than thrilled for her.
Which brings me to the second very unique plot twist - the fake “marriage of convenience”. I admit I may have cringed going in, as this is not my favorite trope, but quickly changed my opinion when I saw the fun new way Forest presented it. This is almost a spoof on the typical marriage of convenience trope and I loved every minute of it.
What did not work as well for me is the second chance aspect of the story. This is literally one of my most beloved tropes and as a result, I can be quite picky when it comes to how it is used. In this case, I do not feel second chance really fits the story. We are briefly shown the start of their relationship, but other than that, there was no angst and pining that goes along with a potential rekindling of a relationship.
In many ways this felt more like a new relationship than one that was being rebuilt, and I felt the absence of the emotional turmoil second chance stories usually bring (minus her stance that they could not be in a relationship which did frustrate me after awhile). In other words, if we completely remove the prologue, it would not be nearly as evident that these two had ever been in a serious relationship. Therefore, the second chance trope in this story fell flat, even while the marriage of convenience shined through (it really was the MVP of the story).
All that said, this is fresh take on some formulaic tropes that feature really strong and dynamic characters you cannot help but root for. I would recommend it, but would just reiterate that this is more contemporary fiction/personal growth with romance included, versus an angsty second chance romance.
🎧 I listened to this book on audio in addition to reading along with the physical text and thought the narrators, Aure Nash and Benjamin Charles were the perfect Violet and Xavier. They brought these characters to life and really enhanced my connection to both characters.
Read if you like:
•marriage of convenience
•fake engagement
•second chance romance
•forced proximity
•strong, successful FMC
Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
March 18, 2024
Maybe I'm just a messy bitch who loves drama but i found this book to be boring. It wasn't fun or messy, it's just a book about two people who love each other who get drunkenly married and just continue loving each other.
The Partner Plot was I thought going to be a Second Chance Romance/ Fake Dating Rom-Com. But I don't know if I would even consider this a Romance. We never see them fall in love or understand why they have loved each other for so many years.
This one was a miss for me but I really enjoyed The Neighbor Favor and I will be reading her next novel. You can't win them all and for me this was a dud.
The Partner Plot was I thought going to be a Second Chance Romance/ Fake Dating Rom-Com. But I don't know if I would even consider this a Romance. We never see them fall in love or understand why they have loved each other for so many years.
This one was a miss for me but I really enjoyed The Neighbor Favor and I will be reading her next novel. You can't win them all and for me this was a dud.
September 1, 2023
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.
September 12, 2024
amazing how you can still have a good book without a 3rd act breakup thanks to having two mature adults who know how to communicate with each other
March 20, 2024
This was was one of my highly anticipated read of 2024 and I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience romance and this did not disappoint. The story flowed, there was great character development and depth. I wasn’t sure about the second chance aspect but I ended up enjoying it.
Overall, it was a great story with amazing characters and great and fun plot.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Overall, it was a great story with amazing characters and great and fun plot.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
March 14, 2024
I had high expectations for The Neighbour Favor, it was just alright, I had no real expectations for The Partner Plot and it was still just okay. It's possible this author's adult titles don't work for me as much as her YA ones might, but I haven't gotten to those yet so I can't really compare.
So, much like in that other book, there's nothing particularly wrong here, the writing was fine, the characters (by themselves) were interesting enough, the second chance and (fake) marriage of convenience tropes worked alright together, and we even got a bit of a crossover which I'm a fan of.
But the chemistry between the two leads was lukewarm at best. I think they had more chemistry as teens than as adults, it was as if it all sizzled out over the years they've been apart. And we got a lot more pages about their careers than we did about their romance, so is it really a wonder I didn't feel it?
What I did like, is that there was no third act breakup and pretty much no angst during their reunion. Because I can promise you, if I got angst & a breakup on top of me not feeling the romance, I would've been so upset.
Will I read the next one? Undecided as of now. I might, to be a completionist, or if I need an easier read/listen. But I'm thinking if that one also doesn't work for me, and I try one of the YA books and that doesn't work for me either, then this author isn't for me.
So, much like in that other book, there's nothing particularly wrong here, the writing was fine, the characters (by themselves) were interesting enough, the second chance and (fake) marriage of convenience tropes worked alright together, and we even got a bit of a crossover which I'm a fan of.
But the chemistry between the two leads was lukewarm at best. I think they had more chemistry as teens than as adults, it was as if it all sizzled out over the years they've been apart. And we got a lot more pages about their careers than we did about their romance, so is it really a wonder I didn't feel it?
What I did like, is that there was no third act breakup and pretty much no angst during their reunion. Because I can promise you, if I got angst & a breakup on top of me not feeling the romance, I would've been so upset.
Will I read the next one? Undecided as of now. I might, to be a completionist, or if I need an easier read/listen. But I'm thinking if that one also doesn't work for me, and I try one of the YA books and that doesn't work for me either, then this author isn't for me.
January 19, 2024
Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. Good story but Vi frustrated me often!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say that second-chance romance stories are one of my favorites. I’m not sure why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we always had that one that “got away”. The one we cared for deeply even when it never worked out right.
The author gave this story a unique twist with the female lead character being the successful one, and the male lead character having to reevaluate his life and learn to find happiness with his situation.
Slight twist on a familiar wake up married plot, this twist has them fake married, but they’re able to continue living the lie due to several sets of circumstances.
What’s interesting in The Partner Plot is the small-town family connections and the tight-knit community which makes it hard to deliver the truth. This allows the lie to perpetuate and grow.
One thing that kind of bothered me was the fact that most of the romance was internal. Violet admittedly loves him, but could only think of excuses. She frustrated me a lot. The same with him although he was a lot more verbal about how he felt, it was still about holding her back and why he is not worthy.
It seems that most of the book was about how not to be in love and try to move on instead of embracing the fact the love never went away and trying to figure out how to make it work.
Overall, The Partner Plot is an entertaining, feel-good story that showcases strong women and good men who support them for a refreshing outlook.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-partner-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to say that second-chance romance stories are one of my favorites. I’m not sure why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we always had that one that “got away”. The one we cared for deeply even when it never worked out right.
The author gave this story a unique twist with the female lead character being the successful one, and the male lead character having to reevaluate his life and learn to find happiness with his situation.
Slight twist on a familiar wake up married plot, this twist has them fake married, but they’re able to continue living the lie due to several sets of circumstances.
What’s interesting in The Partner Plot is the small-town family connections and the tight-knit community which makes it hard to deliver the truth. This allows the lie to perpetuate and grow.
One thing that kind of bothered me was the fact that most of the romance was internal. Violet admittedly loves him, but could only think of excuses. She frustrated me a lot. The same with him although he was a lot more verbal about how he felt, it was still about holding her back and why he is not worthy.
It seems that most of the book was about how not to be in love and try to move on instead of embracing the fact the love never went away and trying to figure out how to make it work.
Overall, The Partner Plot is an entertaining, feel-good story that showcases strong women and good men who support them for a refreshing outlook.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-partner-...
March 4, 2024
Last year, Kristina Forest's adult debut, The Neighbor Favor, made our "Best of 2023" list. The Partner Plot, her follow up, is on track for 2024, because it was SO GOOD.
This is a second-chance romance between high school sweethearts. Back then they were the school's "it" couple: the on again-off again prom king and queen who seemed destined to end up together. They both had big dreams: Violet was going to be a stylist for the stars, and Xavier was going to make the NBA. Except in his first semester at college, Xavier suffered an injury... and broke up with Violet over winter break.
It's been ten years since then, and Violet she really IS a stylist for the stars! Xavier, on the other hand, is back in their home town working as an English teacher and assistant basketball coach at their high school alma mater. They run into each other in Las Vegas, get drunk, and wake up the next day fake-married (it is, in fact, not /that/ easy to get married in Vegas, but it is VERY easy to have a fake ceremony). When Violet, up for a 30-under-30 list in her industry, claims to be married to her English teacher high school sweetheart, she starts the ball rolling on a contemporary fake relationship.
The book is so much fun to read! Like in her adult debut, Forest avoids common contemporary romance pitfalls (there is no 3rd act breakup!!) and gives us two sincere, decent characters who really care about each other. This is a true pleasure to read! Highly recommended.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This is a second-chance romance between high school sweethearts. Back then they were the school's "it" couple: the on again-off again prom king and queen who seemed destined to end up together. They both had big dreams: Violet was going to be a stylist for the stars, and Xavier was going to make the NBA. Except in his first semester at college, Xavier suffered an injury... and broke up with Violet over winter break.
It's been ten years since then, and Violet she really IS a stylist for the stars! Xavier, on the other hand, is back in their home town working as an English teacher and assistant basketball coach at their high school alma mater. They run into each other in Las Vegas, get drunk, and wake up the next day fake-married (it is, in fact, not /that/ easy to get married in Vegas, but it is VERY easy to have a fake ceremony). When Violet, up for a 30-under-30 list in her industry, claims to be married to her English teacher high school sweetheart, she starts the ball rolling on a contemporary fake relationship.
The book is so much fun to read! Like in her adult debut, Forest avoids common contemporary romance pitfalls (there is no 3rd act breakup!!) and gives us two sincere, decent characters who really care about each other. This is a true pleasure to read! Highly recommended.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
May 19, 2024
Cute, quick read. Enough going on to keep me entertained, but not enough plot or character growth to be placed among my most favorite romance novels. Overall no complaints!
August 4, 2024
Violet Greene was “that girl.” In high school, she was not afraid to stand out and be different. Her fashion style was the envy of all of her classmates. It wasn’t a surprise that she caught the eye of the new guy, Xavier Wright, who was an up-and-coming basketball star.
Their relationship was like a whirlwind, sneaking out to see each other, and hopping into the neighbor’s pool for a spontaneous makeout session. They even went to get tattoos to represent each other before they graduated high school. They promised to always be together. But as they went their separate ways to college, that promise was unfortunately broken.
So what are the odds that years later, Violet (celebrity stylist), and Xavier (high school teacher), would end up in Vegas at the same time? Well, if you know anything about the trope of second chances, you know exactly how this story will end.
If you are looking for a quick read to cleanse your palette, I suggest The Partner Plot. I am learning I am very particular about the kinds of romance that I enjoy. I don’t need a lot of spice, and I prefer complex characters. I want to know who these people are outside of their relationships.While I thought the book was engaging, it lacked the substance I was hoping for. There were also aspects of the story I found unrealistic, which is reflected in my rating.
Their relationship was like a whirlwind, sneaking out to see each other, and hopping into the neighbor’s pool for a spontaneous makeout session. They even went to get tattoos to represent each other before they graduated high school. They promised to always be together. But as they went their separate ways to college, that promise was unfortunately broken.
So what are the odds that years later, Violet (celebrity stylist), and Xavier (high school teacher), would end up in Vegas at the same time? Well, if you know anything about the trope of second chances, you know exactly how this story will end.
If you are looking for a quick read to cleanse your palette, I suggest The Partner Plot. I am learning I am very particular about the kinds of romance that I enjoy. I don’t need a lot of spice, and I prefer complex characters. I want to know who these people are outside of their relationships.While I thought the book was engaging, it lacked the substance I was hoping for. There were also aspects of the story I found unrealistic, which is reflected in my rating.
April 10, 2024
If a prologue set in high school is the entire basis for two people pushing thirty to be together I'm gonna have to pass on rooting for the couple.
It's not even that this is a bad book, I just don't understand how this relationship is supposed to work...
Violet is a stylist, her career is on the rise and when she thinks that her recent split with her fiance is gonna jeopardize being in a forbes 30 under 30 esque list she pulls out this fake marriage to her high school sweetheart to save her. Only this leads to everyone in her small town finding out that the couple everyone used to think would get together finally did so under everyone's noses. It's also sort of working in Xavier's favor when the head coach at the University he wants to start working at makes some boldly illegal comments about not hiring single people so with a fake marriage under his belt maybe he can leave his high school English teaching job behind.
Nothing quite works out the way you think it would. The story makes it clear pretty early on that the red flags present during the interview with the illegal questions was only the beginning of what would be a pretty shitty boss. Violet spends most of the book with a broken ankle so that her and Xavier are forced to spend time together in town that Violet left at the first opportunity. While the pair might have had chemistry in high school, and they might even have something in the present, their lives are not compatible and Xavier isn't in any kind of position to let it be known what he wants out of life. In almost every way it feels like he is dragging her down, something he seems to be worried about doing, but Violet insists at every turn isn't the case.
The small town feel was cozy, but ultimately this felt like a couple that peaked in high school and never offered any compelling reason for me to want to see them work out in the present.
It's not even that this is a bad book, I just don't understand how this relationship is supposed to work...
Violet is a stylist, her career is on the rise and when she thinks that her recent split with her fiance is gonna jeopardize being in a forbes 30 under 30 esque list she pulls out this fake marriage to her high school sweetheart to save her. Only this leads to everyone in her small town finding out that the couple everyone used to think would get together finally did so under everyone's noses. It's also sort of working in Xavier's favor when the head coach at the University he wants to start working at makes some boldly illegal comments about not hiring single people so with a fake marriage under his belt maybe he can leave his high school English teaching job behind.
Nothing quite works out the way you think it would. The story makes it clear pretty early on that the red flags present during the interview with the illegal questions was only the beginning of what would be a pretty shitty boss. Violet spends most of the book with a broken ankle so that her and Xavier are forced to spend time together in town that Violet left at the first opportunity. While the pair might have had chemistry in high school, and they might even have something in the present, their lives are not compatible and Xavier isn't in any kind of position to let it be known what he wants out of life. In almost every way it feels like he is dragging her down, something he seems to be worried about doing, but Violet insists at every turn isn't the case.
The small town feel was cozy, but ultimately this felt like a couple that peaked in high school and never offered any compelling reason for me to want to see them work out in the present.
June 16, 2024
I wanted to love this book so much, especially considering how much I love The Neighbor Favor. But it fell flat. Going into a story with a fake dating plot and the main characters getting married in Vegas, I expected more.
Violet and Xavier are cute together. It was nice to see them come back together. I also liked how the story explored communication, work/life balance, and coping with life when your path changes.
But there wasn’t anything that really pulled me into the story. There wasn’t much tension or excitement with the romance or plot. It also felt slow most of the time and dragged on a bit.
It’s still a cute, quick, second chance romance but I just went into it wanting more.
Violet and Xavier are cute together. It was nice to see them come back together. I also liked how the story explored communication, work/life balance, and coping with life when your path changes.
But there wasn’t anything that really pulled me into the story. There wasn’t much tension or excitement with the romance or plot. It also felt slow most of the time and dragged on a bit.
It’s still a cute, quick, second chance romance but I just went into it wanting more.
July 14, 2024
The Partner Plot has real entry-level prose, and nothing groundbreaking in the plot or its execution. The most surprising part was the maturity with which the leads addressed conflicts in their relationship and communicated about their issues. On the whole, it’s a simple, inoffensive romance that probably won’t blow any minds.
My full review of The Partner Plot is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of The Partner Plot is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
February 20, 2024
(3.5 Stars!)
A fun twist on the "woke up in Vegas married" trope!
When celebrity stylist, Violet Greene, runs into her old high school sweetheart, Xavier, in Sin City so far removed from their small town on the East coast, the last thing she expects is for the night to end in matrimony. And when both of them realize how beneficial this union is for their careers and that old habits die hard....well, sparks fly!
Having loved Forest's previous work The Neighbor Favor, I was SO excited for The Partner Plot.
Although I still prefer The Neighbor Favor, The Partner Plot had great moments and a fun premise although I found the execution loss some of the magic.
What Worked:
- The Tropes! This was a fun trope on the woke up in vegas married trope. We also get fake dating/marriage. One bed. Close proximity. Second chance romance. And it all works really well.
- Dual POVs! Being able to get into the heads of Violet and Xavier was super helpful and fun to understand their mutual pining and why they made their decisions then and now.
- Plot Foundation! The book has good bones! I feel like we understand the past and the whirlwind of high school romance, and it was nice to see them fall in love all over again with the older version of each other.
- Writing style! I love the way in which Forest writes. Her words are so easy to read and fall into the lives in which she is portraying. I couldn't put it down!
- No 3rd Act breakup!!! These two can COMMUNICATE and I love that for them!
What I Struggled With:
- The Romance. With so much emphasis on their careers, their families, and everything else, the romance kind of falls to the wayside a bit. I didn't feel their connection outside of what I was told. I wanted more fun dates, more passion, more shenanigans, and more aspects that make me believe these people should and want to be together outside of words.
-The Characters. Although I enjoyed both characters, I didn't feel overly connected to either of the MCs or feel like I truly understood them outside of what was said. I appreciated Violet's love for her job, but I wanted to see and understand more about her life outside of it. What are her hobbies? What does she think about kids? As for Xavier, I again enjoyed him, but wish we explored his mental health more and his likes and dislikes. Besides main characters, some of the side characters felt either frustratingly too involved (Violet's mom) or vastly underdeveloped (everyone else - give me more than Violet's dad stern glances).
Overall, this was a fun easy read! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
A fun twist on the "woke up in Vegas married" trope!
When celebrity stylist, Violet Greene, runs into her old high school sweetheart, Xavier, in Sin City so far removed from their small town on the East coast, the last thing she expects is for the night to end in matrimony. And when both of them realize how beneficial this union is for their careers and that old habits die hard....well, sparks fly!
Having loved Forest's previous work The Neighbor Favor, I was SO excited for The Partner Plot.
Although I still prefer The Neighbor Favor, The Partner Plot had great moments and a fun premise although I found the execution loss some of the magic.
What Worked:
- The Tropes! This was a fun trope on the woke up in vegas married trope. We also get fake dating/marriage. One bed. Close proximity. Second chance romance. And it all works really well.
- Dual POVs! Being able to get into the heads of Violet and Xavier was super helpful and fun to understand their mutual pining and why they made their decisions then and now.
- Plot Foundation! The book has good bones! I feel like we understand the past and the whirlwind of high school romance, and it was nice to see them fall in love all over again with the older version of each other.
- Writing style! I love the way in which Forest writes. Her words are so easy to read and fall into the lives in which she is portraying. I couldn't put it down!
- No 3rd Act breakup!!! These two can COMMUNICATE and I love that for them!
What I Struggled With:
- The Romance. With so much emphasis on their careers, their families, and everything else, the romance kind of falls to the wayside a bit. I didn't feel their connection outside of what I was told. I wanted more fun dates, more passion, more shenanigans, and more aspects that make me believe these people should and want to be together outside of words.
-The Characters. Although I enjoyed both characters, I didn't feel overly connected to either of the MCs or feel like I truly understood them outside of what was said. I appreciated Violet's love for her job, but I wanted to see and understand more about her life outside of it. What are her hobbies? What does she think about kids? As for Xavier, I again enjoyed him, but wish we explored his mental health more and his likes and dislikes. Besides main characters, some of the side characters felt either frustratingly too involved (Violet's mom) or vastly underdeveloped (everyone else - give me more than Violet's dad stern glances).
Overall, this was a fun easy read! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 16, 2023
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.
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.
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Shelved as 'dnf'
September 4, 2024DNF at 20%
Just not doing it for me. Both leads are snoozes and I needed way less of the high school romance aspect.
Just not doing it for me. Both leads are snoozes and I needed way less of the high school romance aspect.
February 28, 2024
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 🌶️
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 🌶️
April 4, 2024
I liked this more than The Neighbor Favor! In the case of the backend of the story conflict, it felt realistic, which is a welcome thing. Most of the time they do not.
March 17, 2024
4 1/2 "Enough for me" Stars!
This was so good! Young love really can be true love. I'm so happy Violet and Xavier found their way back to each other. This one made me smile big! Happy reading!
This was so good! Young love really can be true love. I'm so happy Violet and Xavier found their way back to each other. This one made me smile big! Happy reading!
March 6, 2024
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.
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.
February 6, 2024
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 🤭
I do wish we got a bit more closure about some of the things they were working through and some more conversations around what made them split up in highschool but overall, really liked this!!
Thanks Berkley publishing for the ARC🫶🏼
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 🤭
I do wish we got a bit more closure about some of the things they were working through and some more conversations around what made them split up in highschool but overall, really liked this!!
Thanks Berkley publishing for the ARC🫶🏼
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