This book was so beautifully written, full of emotion and tenderness. While I didn’t fully connect with Iris—her meticulous, organized nature is the complete opposite of my own (pure chaos!)—I still found myself deeply invested in her journey. Watching her navigate love, vulnerability, and self-discovery made for such a compelling read.

But the true standout for me was Angel. He was such a beautifully crafted character, full of warmth and quiet strength. The way he supported Iris, giving her the space to finally put herself and her desires first, was so touching. Their connection felt deeply authentic, and every moment between them was a joy to witness.

With lyrical prose and a romance that feels both intimate and transformative, The Love Lyric is a stunning read that lingers in your heart long after the final page. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a love story rooted in self-growth and emotional depth.

One thing about me is I love a celebrity/musical artist romance so this one was such a treat! Iris and Angel’s romance was slow-burn, tender and soft but I really loved every second of their love story and was so happy that this book in particular was final book in The Greene Sister series (because Iris is my personal favorite)!

4.0⭐️

⭐️THE LOVE LYRIC, out FEB 4th⭐️

Thank you to @berkleyromance @berkleypub for the opportunity to read and review this book as a part of their influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices!

Thanks to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC. This is a DNF for me. It’s one of my least favorite tropes and I can’t get into it—too much background & not enough connection/chemistry to capture my attention.

THE LOVE LYRIC is the third and final book in The Greene Sisters series. I really enjoyed each installment, but I think this one was my favorite!

Iris Greene is the director of partnerships at a beauty company and mom to a six-year-old. Save Face Beauty’s new brand ambassador is Angel Harrison, famous pop R&B singer. Angel is thrilled to be working on this campaign with his stylist’s sister — the woman he’s had a crush on for years.

It was so sweet that Angel only had eyes for Iris and continued pursuing her. Iris was navigating grief after losing the love of her life and Angel was so understanding and patient with her. I thought the author did a great job portraying a character who is navigating love after loss.

I love reading interconnected series because we get cameos of the characters from previous books 💙

Read if you like —
💙 celebrity romance
💙 opposites attract
💙 he falls first

I can’t wait to see what Kristina Forest has next in store for us!

"who takes care of you when you need it?"

i will never stop obsessing over reading a black man love a black woman so openly in the way she deserves. Kristina Forest did what she needed to do with the previous Greene sisters, and Iris' story was no different. this is not your typical love story. yes boy meets girl & boy falls hard but there is so much more. Angel & Iris' relationship started when they both least expected it. Angel, rising singer who's battling his record label to make the music he wants and struggling to find value in family while holding true to his own identity finds himself head over heels for Iris, a widowed single mother who has spent her life holding it together for everyone around her, she's just going thru the motions of life at this point. Iris' character growth as she learned to be loved and share her emotional weight with another while simultaneously seeing Angel find confidence in going after what he wants no matter what others think made for such a beautiful harmony. this was a lovely way to wrap up the book trio, and i'm sad there aren't more sisters' stories to look forward to.

Kristina delivers another cozy, soft romance. What a stunning conclusion to the Greene Sisters. I loved every minute of this book and was so invested in Iris’s and Angel’s relationship. I loved how their relationship developed and how they gravitated towards each other - it felt so natural and inevitable. I’ve been a fan of Angel and Iris, individually, since their cameos in the first book about Iris’s youngest sister, Lily (The Neighbor Favor). I loved how Kristina explored Iris’s grief and Angel’s relationship with his mom. I also enjoyed reading about the interactions between Iris, Violet and Lily. Their sisterhood is so strong and sweet and they crack me up 😂 Their love and support for each others and their individual personalities jumped off the page. I need someone to adapt these books for the screen because I want these characters and this world to constantly exist..

3.5/5 I was really hoping this would be a five-star read, and while it didn’t quite hit that mark for me, there were still things I enjoyed. The story had a sweet premise, and I appreciated the bond between the sisters. However, I found Iris’s character lacking some of the depth that made her sister so memorable. The romance between her and Angel had potential, but it didn’t fully come to life for me—I would have loved to see more emotional depth and connection.

Additionally, I think the story could have been even stronger with more exploration of how Iris navigated the grief of losing a spouse. That said, it was still an enjoyable read with charming moments. If you’re looking for a light and easy story, this one is worth checking out! read.

Thank you Berkeley for giving me the ARC 🫶🏾

If you're looking for a heartwarming story that balances the ups and downs of love and life, then this is the perfect pick. Iris, is a resilient single mom who’s juggled motherhood and her career after the sudden loss of her husband. Her life changes when she meets the charming and talented pop R&B singer, Angel, at her sister’s wedding. When he runs into Iris—the beautiful woman he's had a secret crush on—sparks fly. Their chemistry is undeniable, but with professional boundaries and their complicated lives, they struggle to find harmony. As the story unfolds, I found myself rooting for Iris and Angel as they navigate their feelings and the obstacles that come their way. The blend of romance, heartfelt moments, and a bit of professional intrigue makes for an engaging read. The author captures the essence of modern love and the challenges of balancing career, parenthood, and personal dreams.
With relatable characters and a storyline that hits all the right notes, this is a delightful journey that will leave you smiling.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good romance with a touch of reality, this book is sure to resonate with readers who believe in second chances and the power of love.

The Love Lyric was a great read! I really enjoyed all of the Greene sisters books. My only thing maybe is that I would have like to have seen more of Calla. If I’m going to read a single parent romance, I want the aspect of the parent / kid relationship and the kid bonding with the new partner. We got a little but I wanted more. Otherwise I loved it!

Great conclusion to the Greene sister series! This sweet, slow burn is perfect for the music lovers. Angel wrote several songs for an about Iris. too cute!

Thanks NetGalley, Kristina Forest, and Berkeley for the eARC. I already preorder my copy as well.

oh wow i absolutely loved this book—a solid 5 star read for me!

i cried and laughed my way through the entire thing and i’ll miss the greene sisters something fierce. iris and angel were completely perfect and i adored their story with my whole heart. angel is the biggest green flag and i loved the way he supported and loved on iris. and in turn, she did the same for him. she went through so much in a short few years and deserved all great things, and he was definitely one of them.

I'm so sad that this is the last book for these women! i loved them dearly and will miss their stories!

thank you so much to netgalley and berkley for this arc of the love lyric!

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the ARC/ALC.

This was another fantastic romance by Kristina Forest. I liked both Iris and Angel as a MC's but if I had to choose between one of them, I would say that the chapters from Iris's perspective were my favorite.

As for the audiobook, I was not familiar with either narrator: J Shani Michaels and Ian Hackney. I would say that while I thought both voices were good for both characters J. Shani was the superior voice for this audiobook. However I would still listen to books narrated by either narrator in the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to see what Kristina Forest writes next!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the ARC/ALC.

I am in complete awe of Kristina Forest. I have said time and time again I didn't think I'd like any book more than I liked The Neighbor Favor, but I yield to The Love Lyric. This story is so correct, and I truly believe Kristina Forest saved the best for last.

Iris Greene is the oldest sister of the Greene clan, and it shows in every way. She's type A, dependable, solution-oriented, independent, and matter-of-fact. She's also a mom, a lover of gardening, and a grieving widow. Iris is in no way prepared for the whirlwind that is Angel Harrison when he comes and literally sweeps her off her feet. Angel is a musical heartthrob that has been waiting for Iris to come around ever since Lily' story (iykyk). He's sweet, gentle, jovial, and artistically suppressed. When Iris is unexpectedly forced to go on tour with him to promote her job's new skincare line, they fall into a world of love, care, and bliss that Iris deems too good to be true. Their story is a love song to oldest sisters, grieving moms, and lover boys everywhere.

One of my favorite parts of this book is how gentle Angel is. Angel shows Iris a care and concern that she doesn't believe is possible or afforded to her. He literally asks her "Who takes care of you?," and she has no words. He swoops in and decides that this is his new role in her life, whether she likes it or not. His gentleness is not only displayed in his relationship with Iris, but Kristina Forest does such an amazing job portraying a strong, masculine, Black man with feelings, emotions, compassion, and sensitivities toward others. He is SUCH a beautifully curated character that I won't be getting over any time soon.

I also love how tactfully Forest handles the dynamics of Iris's grief. At the start of Iris's story, we find her engulfed in a moment of grief over the loss of her late husband, Terry. Even though his passing occurred 5 years prior, Iris is rightfully working through her grief on a daily basis. She is consistently reminded by Angel, by her therapist, and, of course, by her daughter, Calla, to hold space for that grief and for the impact that Terry continues to have in her life. The way that everyone in her life, including Angel, encourage her to continually honor Terry is so heartwarming.

Speaking of Calla, Iris's beautiful 6-year-old, I LOVE how loved and adored Calla is. From book 1, she is such an important part of her aunties' lives, and obviously her mom's. It's awesome to see the subworld that Forest has created for her in which she's not lacking in affection and male-influence.

As with every Kristina Forest book, I love how she adequately develops each main character independently of the other, and she shows you how they've done the work to ultimately deserve each other in the end.

The only negative note that I have for this book is that it's the bittersweet end of an era. I'm going to miss the Greene sisters so much, and I'll definitely be rereading these books so that I get to experience the full extent of their personalities through each story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and Kristina Forest for the opportunity to read and review this amazing story!

Angel Harrison has some "smooth" lyrics in the next installment with The Greene Sisters.

Iris has had a rough couple of years since her husband's tragic passing. She meets an upcoming rapper whose instant attraction has her reeling. A couple years later, a chance encounter, reunites her with the man who reawakens her heart. Together, they slowly build a love story as Angel recognizes the delicacy of Iris and loving again.

A cute finale to this families finding their happily ever after.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

The Love Lyric is a soft, slow-building, and beautifully crafted romance, with characters who you would actually want to know—and be friends with—in real life. They’re such genuine, relatable people (even though one of them is a famous R&B artist!). I loved how patient Angel was with Iris, and how he respected her boundaries. And Iris’s grief was addressed with so much care. Kristina Forest’s writing is perfection!

The story centers around Iris, an eldest daughter, corporate director, and widow with a young daughter, and Angel, a R&B/pop singer who’s had a long-time crush on Iris.

Iris is a relatable, well-rounded character whose primary focus is her family, career and providing a stable, loving environment for her daughter Calla. Her struggles with balancing her professional life, her duties as a daughter/sister/mother, and the desire to open her heart again are portrayed with depth and authenticity. Enter Angel—charming, persistent, and somewhat vulnerable beneath his public persona. As the new brand ambassador for Iris’s company, Angel has the perfect excuse to spend more time with her, and despite her reservations, the attraction between them becomes undeniable.

Iris is aware that a relationship with a celebrity could complicate her already complicated life. She’s cautious about getting involved with someone in Angel's world of fame and constant public scrutiny. Angel, on the other hand, is patient and understanding, willing to put in the effort to break down her walls, showing her that love doesn’t have to be messy or complicated, even when their worlds collide.

While the stakes are real—both in terms of Iris's career and Angel’s public image—the story never becomes overly dramatic or full of unnecessary angst. Instead, it focuses on the softer aspects of love: trust, communication, and compromise.

For readers who are looking for a sweet romance this is a perfect read. It is an easy book to dive into without needing to have read the previous books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Read this if you like:
•workplace romance
•forced proximity
•celebrity romance

This book was cute! MFC is a widow with a young daughter who wants a partner who shares the same type of lifestyle she has, not the celebrity lifestyle. So naturally she falls for a celebrity. Seeing them both work through their issues, build a partnership together and open up was so sweet. Thank you Berkley romance for the eARC!

Don’t they say all good things must come to an end 😭 but I don’t want this to be the end of the Greene sisters series! Lily, Violet, and Iris were my girls! This series was amazing; filled with love, betrayal, family trauma, sadness, laughter, and overall happiness! I at least need a novella about Angel and Iris getting married or Ray and Bree 👀

The Love Lyric might be my favorite book of the series. Idk it’s something about Angel and Iris that just kept me smiling from ear to ear. Angel was a pure gentleman despite how he grew up and was treated by his mother by not following the gospel path with his music. I’m overjoyed that Iris opened up and gave him a chance after going 5 years without even looking at another man after losing her husband. Angel was patient and supportive with every decision she made regarding her privacy with her child. Their love story will forever hold a special place in my heart ♥️

The Love Lyric by Kristina Forrest

Thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of “The Love Lyric” by Kristina Forrest in exchange for an honest review.

Iris Greene, widowed and raising her single daughter, is not looking for love. She’s considered it, half-heartedly thinking about dating apps, etc, but it’s still hard, moving on from the death of her husband years before. She’s got her hands full, raising her adorable daughter and pursuing her dream career. There just isn’t much room for anything else, so when she first meets R&B singer Angel, she doesn’t even consider the gorgeous, sweet man who is clearly crushing on her.

For his part, Angel Harrison seems to have it all. He’s an enormously talented, chart-topping performer with legions of fans, a fabulous sister, and a loyal crew of handlers. He's handsome, charming, and nice. But his mother is toxic, the music execs don’t support his artistic inclinations, and beautiful Iris Greene barely even notices him.

Until… They meet again at Iris’s sister’s wedding. They share a moment, and afterward, Angel goes to the studio and produces his next chart-topper, inspired by Iris. That might have been where it ended, except that Angel is the new brand rep for Iris’s cosmetics company and she’s been assigned to work with him on his upcoming promotional tour. The forced proximity (and Angel’s unending charm and good looks) work their magic.

It’s a fabulous, rewarding read. The protagonists act like real people, struggling with real emotions. Okay, Angel might be a tad too perfect, but it’s really hard to fault him for that because he’s just so sweet and respectful. There is a third act breakup, but it makes sense for their situation, as does the resolution.

If you’re looking for emotional satisfaction, this book has it in spades. In this story, the relationship is not what fixes their respective emotional baggage. Angel doesn’t magically fix things for Iris, nor vice versa. They fix their own problems and that’s what makes their future together possible. It’s two adults, coming from wildly different places, finding the way to each other. It’s so dang satisfying.

Highly recommended for fans of the Green sisters series and for readers who like emotional satisfaction as much as the naughty bits.

This was such soft book and a great wrap up to the Greene sisters books. I love the single parent trope and I think Angel and Iris fit so well together. I think this book was written a little simply but their love story was definitely so sweet.