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amberinpieces's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Medical content, Infidelity, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
bekkasbookclub's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I read The Neighbor Favor, I knew I'd enjoy the rest of this series. This fake dating/marriage, second chance romance was done so well! I'm really becoming a fan of second chance romances, and this one won me over. I really liked how Violet and Xavier found each other again, and they were trying to figure out how to fit into each other's lives. Their age helped them when it came to communicating (I hate miscommunication tropes), because when problems popped up, they were able to work through them. I also enjoyed the little snippets we got into their high school relationship. Showing their history was important to their story because it makes them getting back together that much sweeter. I would definitely recommend this if you want a mature second chance romance with healthy communication!
Graphic: Sexual content
thekrujue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Infidelity
danie_faye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence, Gaslighting, and Racism
condls27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Gaslighting
shanaetheflyest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was very excited to read about Violet and Xavier. The Partner Plot starts off very strong and Kristina Forest does a great job at capturing the love between the two characters. And she does a great job and showing that love grow. But her character development is the highlight of the book to me.
Watching Xavier go from overly confident teenage basketball protege to small town English teacher made me feel immensely for the character, for his dream deferred. The way Forest depicts Violet grappling with heartache, desire and work-life balance while living her dream is…ah, chef’s kiss. Soooo relatable. I also really appreciated the chemistry between Xavier and Violet. Kristina Forest does a great job with these romance novels. I love the sisters.
In the middle, before Xavier and Violet really get back together, I found myself just reading to finish the book, it was a little boring. And I feel that the confession and ending were rushed. So, to me, it’s not quite a 4 star book but very close.
I am excited for book 3 in the series and want to know more about Iris and Angel. I think that one will be a lot of fun.
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
paiges_on_pages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Violence
bookishmillennial's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I thought this was such a cozy and fun second-chance, fake-marriage-of-convenience romance 🥰 I actually think I prefer it over The Neighbor Favor, which I still thought was adorable! This one just captured my heart a bit more.
Violet Greene is the middle sister (I’m pretty sure, Lily is youngest, Iris is eldest) who became the jet-setting famous stylist for big-time celebrities! She recently ended an engagement to talent manager Eddy, who cheated on her with a client that Violet introduced him to, recording artist Meela Baybee. Violet is with Karamel Kitty, another big-name client, in Las Vegas for 24 hours when she runs into her first love & first heartbreak, Xavier Wright!
After a drunken night in Las Vegas together and trying to avoid malicious gossip about her ex’s infidelity, Violet lies and says she has moved on and gotten married to her first love, whom everyone back home knows is Xavier! Xavier is trying to lock down a position as assistant coach at Riley University, as he feels stagnant in his current role as a high school English teacher and basketball coach. He had dreams of joining the NBA but after those were shattered, he struggled with picturing the rest of his life in their hometown. This fake marriage could help his job hunt, as the head coach is traditional and wants someone with “family values,” so Xavier signs on to pretend they’re married. Throw in a bit of close proximity (because now Violet is staying at his house!) and the fires of first love are rekindled!
The only part I rolled my eyes at was during the scene of Violet’s food poisoning, because no one talks that much as you’re throwing your guts up 😭 However, I really appreciated that Xavier had zero issue showing up for Violet when she needed care and support.
I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because of how authentic it felt for two people who knew each other as self-assured, confident kids, to recognize the inner children in the vulnerable adults they had become. It is such a powerful feelings to speak of one’s future with such conviction, and I think we have all been there. It’s before you go out there and gather up the lived experience of struggle and heartache. Xavier dreamed so big that when he lost it, it hurt tenfold. Violet had loved him so much that when he broke up with her, she cemented that feeling and never wanted to encounter it again.
Getting to re-know someone as an adult is such a treat and a privilege. Violet and Xavier made their way back to each other, with a tenderness for the children they were, and a respect and acceptance of who they were now. This is what people mean when they say love is a choice; it is not always the easy route or the most obvious route, but it is a choice to make it work!
Honorable mentions to Violet and Dahlia’s mother-daughter relationship, as Violet only wanted to be taken seriously, and Dahlia wanted to be a part of her daughter’s life; I was happy to see them meet in the middle. Also to Raheem, Xavier’s goofy cousin, the Greene sisters, and Xavier’s high school students, who were hilarious and spunky.
steam rating: 2/5
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Vomit
soulwinds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content