Kristina Forest has done it again! The Love Lyric was everything I wanted and more. I absolutely loved truly getting to know Iris and Angel—not just as individuals but as a couple. Their journey felt so raw and real, and I was completely invested in both of them from start to finish.

One of my favorite things about Kristina Forest’s writing is how well she develops her characters. She makes them feel like real people, with all their complexities, flaws, and emotions. And the fact that she writes in dual POV? Perfection. It really lets you get inside both main characters’ heads and understand their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. That depth made Iris and Angel’s connection even more special.

This book was so good, this series ended with such a beautiful romance. I love how every book in this series has gotten even better. Iris the fmc is a makeup and skincare marketer who is also a single mother. Angel the mmc is a popular musician whose stylist Violet(her book is the second in the series) is Iris's sister. They meet and Angel is instantly drawn to Iris despite Iris not wanting to date because of her late husband. I loved the pop star, and musician plot and the forced proximity when they both had to work together. I also really liked the side plot with Angel, his faith, and his mother, and his it was navigated in the book. The romance in this book was so sweet it was like a warm hug, it's steamy but I think the characters were perfect and gentle for each other. I like how the author handled the FMC's grief and family scenes and overall this was a well-written and lovely romance.

Grab a tissue because the tenderness Angel showed Iris was just so good. Iris was treated with so much care and concern that it almost knocked the Partner Plot out of the favorite book in the series. Both books are good but for different reasons. This book handles finding love again after losing love, as in how can you reimagine a life without someone who you still love? Angel understood that would take time and reassurance. I loved that Iris was in therapy and her growth was such great character work/development. And I'm not sure if the author is an eldest daughter, but if I had to gamble she is because this entry felt like a love letter to big sisters. You all deserve to be loved and cared for as deeply too.

okayyy yay this was so fun!! definitely my favorite in this series!! the entire time i was reading the last book i could not stop thinking about these two and how excited i was for this book and it DELIVERED!!
really famous musician is down bad for normal girl this is my dream. but i also really adored how meaningful and real this story felt!! and i loved how determined and patient angel was to win iris over (without being creepy and weird and overbearing of course!!)

overall a really great read! i do think the writing in these does tend to be more simple but i am very excited to keep up with this author and watch her grow even more!!

This is my first Kristina Forest book and it most certainly will not be my last. I’m very excited to go back and read the other Greene sisters now after reading The Love Lyric. Iris and Angel were a cute couple and I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. This book was filled with lighthearted tender moments and overall an enjoyable read.

What are great third installment for the Greene sisters! I have loved this trio of books and how different they all were! We need more single mom representation in romance! I just loved Iris as a character. She is a great example of working mom and all the challenges that come with not only that, but being a single parent as well. I liked the little meet cute with Angel and Iris at the wedding, so they weren't total stranger when they ended up working together. The family dynamics for both of them also added another layer, Irish with her supportive sisters and parents and Angel with his strained relationship with his mother. Iris playing mama bear and sticking up for him was my favorite part and that moment when we knew she was all in, even if she wasn't ready to admit it yet.

I love love!!! and I love romance where the type A eldest daughter gets the happy ever after they deserve!!! Iris and Angel were SO sweet. Iris is a widowed, single mom, whose only focus is work and her daughter. Angel is a celebrity singer who is down BAAAD for Iris. The fact that they met years ago and he still remembers their short interaction?! Angel is instantly drawn to Iris and she’s more hesitant due to her situation. I loved how their relationship developed and how the forbidden romance (he becomes the brand ambassador for her company) comes into play. truly a lovely romance for love month!

read if you like:
- celebrity mmc
- eldest daughter romance
- single mom
- slow burn
- forbidden romance
- forced proximity

This series started out goooood. Then it got better! Then I think Kristina said, watch me save the best for last! Iris and Angel will always have a special place in my heart. Celebrity status aside, I saw so much of myself in Iris' story, it was inspiring and hopeful and I loved that she took a chance on herself to love again! Angel was a true gentleman. Patient, kind, a good listener, respectful, sexy and romantic!! These two could not be more opposite of each other on the surface but match each other's qualities head on when we get to know them deeper. This was absolutely cute, sexy, romantic and beautiful Black love story!

Thank you Berkley Romance for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

The Greene Sisters series has been one of my favorites in the Romance genre so I was so excited to dive into books three! I thought this book handled love after loss so beautifully. While I am not the biggest fan of the famous musician trope, I did enjoy this book and all the family relationships.

Synopsis:

“Iris Greene used to be a woman with a plan. But all of that changed after she met the love of her life at twenty-five, got pregnant and married…and then became a widow and a single mother all in a little over two years. Now, after years of hustling, Iris is the director of partnerships at a beauty company and raising sweet six-year-old Calla by herself. Despite her busy life, she still can’t help but feel lonely. She just needs to catch her breath—and one night, at her sister’s wedding, when she steps outside to do just that, she sees a certain singer who takes her breath away. . . .By all accounts, pop R&B singer Angel Hughes has it made. He’s a successful musician and has just scored a brand ambassador deal with an emerging beauty company. But he’s still not fulfilled; he’s not producing songs he’s passionate about, and there’s a gaping hole in his love life. When he visits the Save Face Beauty office to kickstart his campaign, he’s delighted to see Iris, his stylist’s sister—the beautiful woman he’s secretly had a crush on for years.Despite their obvious attraction to each other, they must stay professional throughout the campaign tour—a goal that doesn’t quite pan out. But when it becomes clear their lives aren’t in sync, can they fall back in step to the same rhythm and beat?” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Family—I love all the sisters (my favorite book is Lily’s, The Neighbor Favor)

The Pacing—It kept me reading and I really enjoyed it!

Exploration of Grief—I can’t imagine the pain of losing my partner so young, but I thought it was a really beautiful and honest portrayal of grief and moving forward in a healthy way without forgetting.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Musician Trope—It’s just not for me! Doesn’t effect my rating and I’m glad I finished the series, I just don’t vibe with it.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 4/5

Content Warnings:

grief, death of a spouse

This was the first book I’ve read by this author. This was an enjoyable story. It was nice to read a story about a woman who’s being respectfully pursued. This was a relatable story about what it means to date when you’re both a single mom & have career aspirations. I found this so enjoyable that I will read the other books in this series.

This one was a delightful slow-burn romance that struck all the right chords… see what I did there! This one blends the world of music and corporate life creating a heartwarming semi-workplace romance. Iris, a strong single mother and corp exec, finds herself crossing paths, again, with singer Angel. Their gradual, sweet love story is sprinkled with music references that add an extra layer of fun and cuteness!

I adored how Angel and Iris’ love story unfolded slowly, allowing their connection to blossom naturally. The way they navigate their professional lives while their hearts slowly sync! *swoon*

I paired the physical book with the audiobook was so well done too, adding a cute and engaging element to the experience of Iris and Angel. I appreciated that this one was dually narrated which was perfect for this couple! This being the third installment to this trilogy, I love that we also hear from the other Greene sisters which makes the story even more enjoyable!

Excuse me Kristina Forest, this book was freaking adorable.

This book is the 3rd in the Greene sisters serious and she was a good one.
The story sets it up real quick that were about to get into - and my friends once its all laid out you will not want to stop!! This story starts with a right person wrong time kinda vibe and then the entire rest of the story your like RIGHT TIME IS RIGHT NOW.

Iris is a hard working corporate business woman, single mom & grieving love lost - Angel is a popstar, feeling blocked from his full potential, who will steal your heart with his love for Iris (seriously, this guy). They both experience grief and growth in the most wholesome ways.
The way Iris and Angel's budding relationship evolves, you can feel the pull these two have towards one another. Their connection is incredibly natural and honest. The relationship that evolves is vulnerable and heartfelt - its humourous and kind and their is so much care and compassion both in words and in actions!!

Thoughts:
- bring back romance that includes guys writing songs for you pls
-as soon as her boss was like "it would look bad but i know you would never do that" - i was like ITS OOONNN
- "who takes care of you?" sir i was a puddle
- the future talk...? dead
- normalize mint chocolate chip ice cream being top tier

This book is so heartfelt and will leave you sighing with happy love. Promise.
If you've yet to read Kristina Forest, get on it.

Thank you BerkleyRomance and BerkleyPub for the free book!! :)

I want to send a huge thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is the third book in the Greene Sisters series, and I really enjoyed Iris and Angel's story.

Iris is a single-mom who lost her husband a few years ago.

Not too long after his death, she meets Angel who is an up and coming singer at the time. Fast forward three years and the two reunite for a work trip. Angel is the brand ambassador for Iris' job.

I loved how Iris and Angel were written.

One thing I loved about this story is how Iris prioritized her mental health, and I loved seeing her vocalize her thoughts and fears in therapy. Also, I loved diving into Angel's relationship with his family and how he was able to learn that those who don't want to accept him for who he is do not deserve space in his life.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LOVE SEEING A BLACK WOMAN BEING LOVED OUT LOUD!

This book was everything. I will definitely be reading more from Kristina Forest!

#TheLoveLyric #NetGalley

This was such a sweet read. I laughed a bunch with the someone nostalgia. I loved their story and the single mom trope. I loved how gentle they were with each other and it was such a heartwarming beautiful story.

I have loved all three Greene sisters, but Iris is definitely my favorite! This relationship was hinted at in book 1 and it was worth the wait. This book was full of vulnerability and growth, love and humor, grief and healing. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this free arc, all opinions are mine.

Iris found the love of her life at 24 years old, got married, and had a sweet baby girl with him, only to suddenly become a widow a few years later. Angel, a famous and soulful R&B artist, is interested in getting to know Iris. They end up traveling together for work, where he is the brand ambassador for the makeup company she works for. Her job is to make sure things run smoothly and make sure Angel has everything he needs, but it turns out what he really needs is her. Iris is torn between choosing love over her career and up-ending her daughter's life.

I loved this one! It is book 3 of the Greene Sisters series, but my first Kristina Forest book. Iris is so completely relatable as a hardworking mom who would do anything for her little girl, and who completely hesitates to be with a famous person. She is someone that is so fierce about the ones she loves and always speaks what is on her mind. Angel is such a sweet and thoughtful character and I love how he treats Iris. I highly recommend this!

Favorite Line: "I felt like you could use a song."

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

nobody hate me..i did not absolutely love this one. i saw so many people saying this was their favorite out of the series, and from the synopsis i thought it would be the most depthful, but i found myself disconnected from the characters and seeing as we were dealing with a deceased spouse, im not sure personally i enjoyed how the romance stemmed with that in mind? this could 100% be a me issue, and i still think she was a solid conclusion, im just not blown away :(

4.5 stars

This was my first Kristina Forest book and it certainly will not be my last! I was hooked from the prologue!! Overall, this book emanated joy and warmth.

Angel, our pop R&B artist, has been interested in Iris for years. Then, his career skyrockets and he signs on as an ambassador for the cosmetic company that she works for. Iris is our career-focused, single mom, and young widow who loves gardening. The communication, therapy appointments, honesty, and maturity of these two beautiful characters was so refreshing to read. They balanced each other out so well and it felt very natural.

This book is gentle and caring in its portrayal of grief and life after loss. The other side plot line is Angel's relationship with church, his faith, and his mother.

I'm super excited to go back to the first two books in this series and learn more about Violet and Lily. For those curious, this can absolutely be read as a standalone, but if you know these characters already, I think you will be happy with their appearances!

Look Forward To:
Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Celebrity x Single Mom, Forbidden Workplace Romance, Opposites Attract, He Falls First, Young Widow


Thank you to Berkley Publishing for a free digital copy.

this romance was so sweet and thoughtful and I love that it was teased since the first book!!!

this is definitely a me thing, but this book was a little *too* sweet for me and didn't have the build up or tension that the first two books had. also, (for me) there was too much church-y talk, but I know that might appeal to some people!

even though this wasn't my favorite Greene sister book, I still enjoyed Kristina Forest's writing and am excited to see what she puts out next!

thank you Berkley Romance for the e-arc and finished copy!!

The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest captivated me from the very start. The story has such charming "meet cute" energy, especially with Angel’s instant reaction when he sees Iris' daughter run toward them — in that moment, he believes he might have a chance with Iris. The dynamic between the sisters is also incredibly heartwarming; their support for one another is a lovely thread throughout the story.
Angel’s musical talent is a standout, especially when he writes a song for Iris, which adds an extra layer of sweetness to their connection. I'm always a fan of forced proximity, so the moment Iris has to go on tour with Angel, I was completely invested. I also appreciated learning more about Angel’s background — his upbringing, his faith, and his relationship with his mother all contribute so much depth to his character. Despite being a bit younger than Iris, their bond feels like it was truly meant to be. Their chemistry is undeniable, and it’s clear they’re perfect for each other.
I thought the Partner Plot was going o be my favorite, but this one topped it off!!!!
Read this book if you like:
* Forced Proximity
* He Falls First
* Slow Burn
* Celebrity MMC
* Opposites Attract
* Single Mother/ Young Widow
* Forbidden Workplace Romance

Thank You to BerkleyPublishing & Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.