Quiet and shy Lily Greene, put-upon publishing assistant, really wants to break into editing children's books, but she's held back not only by multiple dead-end interviews but also by the feeling that she'll never be a successful businesswoman like her mother and sisters. She loves reading, though, and when she's stuck on a hot train car on a summer's day, she unexpectedly finds a website for her favorite book and author -- The Elves of Ceradon, by N. R. Strickland -- and she sends off a fangirl email to the author, just before she faints from the heat.

When Lily recovers, she discovers that N. R. Strickland has written back, setting off a months-long epistolary friendship that gradually feels more intimate. Before they get to video chat, however, Strick calls it off, implying that he isn't who she thinks he is, and ghosts her.

Five months later, Nick Brown is still settling into his Union Square apartment, bemused by his sudden success at getting a publishing deal not only to re-release his book The Elves of Ceradon but to pen a sequel as well, with an eye on a TV adaptation. He's facing a writer's block as well as regret over having to end his correspondence with the charming Lily G., but he's intrigued by his pretty but shy neighbor. As he gets to know his neighbor a little better, though, he soon realizes that his neighbor Lily is the same as Lily G -- and that he has to keep it a secret, because she clearly holds lingering anger over Strick's disappearance. But how can he stay away from Lily when she's all he ever wanted?


This book has SOOOO much that I love: books, insight into the publishing industry, a reclusive (ish) author, epistolary romance, an introvert heroine, a cinnamon roll hero, and did I mention BOOKS??? Lily and Nick are lovably flawed, quiet but caring characters, doing their best -- and then learning and doing even better. The obstacles they face along the way are believable and relatable, and the way they overcome those obstacles are equally believable and relatable. The author weaves social commentary smoothly into the plot, especially regarding the Black experience in writing and publishing, and it helped me understand these characters even better. The story is sweet and touching overall with moments of delicious spiciness, which makes it just about perfect.

I've only read one of Forest's YA novels (enjoyed it thoroughly), but her debut into writing adult romance is solid and heartwarming and very moreish -- so it's a good thing that Lily's sister Violet features in the next book. I CAN'T WAIT. I have a feeling that Lily and Nick have just moved into my head, rent-free, for an extended lease, and I will need more from their world soon.

Thank you, Berkley Romance and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

An interesting and engaging plot line that puts family and friends into the context in a warm and encouraging way.

I enjoyed getting to know Lily and Nick, but a sometimes-awkward narration made the action seem unsteady at times. Who the characters are, and why they are as they are, was interesting, but there were many points where the background narration was able to be skimmed without losing much of the action.

I did love the realistic resolution to the problems the characters face, and the happy-ever-after ending was satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read this appealing story. Release date is 28 Feb 2023.

I was hooked from the first pages, intrigued by the emails, and rooting for the second chance connection. This book was just everything I could want in a romance and so much more!