✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

🎤 single mom/widow
🎤 r&b singer
🎤 workplace romance
🎤 he falls first
🎤 opposites attract
🎤 slow burn

I’m sad the see the Greene sisters story come to an end. This book does a great job at showing us two sides to grief. One in losing a spouse and two in losing respect/acceptance to your family due to religion. On paper, Iris and Angel are opposites but you find it really compliments them well in forming a relationship. I enjoyed seeing Iris and Calla’s relationship but I wish we got just a bit more of it. Overall the book and series are fantastic and I do think that this book wrapped it up perfectly.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Oh my goodness this was the perfect ending to the Greene sisters series. Throughout the other books I was so intrigued by Iris and couldn’t wait to read her story. I think Kristina did an excellent job of handling losing a spouse and wrote that part of the story with so much care and compassion. I loved Angel’s storyline of growing up in a religious setting but still pursuing his passion even if it wasn’t what his mother prefer. The romance between Angel and Iris was so endearing and heartwarming. The pacing made sense for them as a couple and even though I hate when couples break up in a book theirs made sense for what they were experiencing and it made all the more sweeter when they got back together. 10/10 recommend.

3.5 stars!

If he doesn't write a love song about you before even getting the chance to date you, and that song becomes a billboard hit, is he really the one?

Angel, you romantic!

It was great to be reunited with the Greene sisters, and to finally hear Iris' love story. This book had a slow start for me, and it was steadily paced to where it almost felt empty at some points. While I enjoyed seeing how Iris and Angel's love story started to develop, I didn't feel much for the couple overall. Also, the third act breakup was kind of frustrating; I feel like the characters could have still reached their resolution and life epiphanies without needing to go through that.

The characters were great and it was nice reading about previous well known characters while also being introduced to new ones. I loved Angel's sister and could not stand his mother.

The story handled grief very well, but I wish there was more depth to Iris than just that. Her identity centered around being organized, being a widow and being a single mother, and although those are important in her identity, I wanted to get more of her. I think Angel's backstory was interesting and definitely captivated me. And his religious upbringing and the struggles he had to balance with that and his musical career was intriguing to read about, especially since his religious upbringing and faith-heavy parents was relatable to me.

All in all, a sweet ending to the Greene sisters' love stories. Neighbor Favor will always be my favorite, but this was a nice read as well.

Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This story pulled me in from the very start. Iris, a devoted single mom, is holding it all together after the heartbreak of losing her husband several years ago. It made perfect sense that she would be a control freak, fiercely guarding her life and family . Enter Angel , a big-time recording artist, whom she meets at a family wedding and again as the ambassador for the beauty brand she works for. When they go on the road together for the campaign, their connection is undeniable.
It was definitely more of a forbidden slow burn romance. It was romantic as their emotional connection and friendship grew before the romance ignited. My favorite part was how Angel communicated his feelings through songs written for Iris- pure magic ! Everything about Angel is sexy, especially his voice on audio. I couldn't help but root wildly for their Happily Ever After.

This book gave me all the warm and happy romance vibes I've come to expect from Kristina Forest. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Iris and Angel and I’m sad to see this beautiful series come to an end. 

Thanks to the easter eggs in the first two books we already know a little about Angel and his feelings for Iris. Forest did a great job of building on what she's already shown us and crafting a sweet love story around it.

Forest could have easily embraced the obvious trope (famous man with the girl next door) and made it the sole conflict of the story. Instead, she added additional layers, which I really appreciated because it kept this story fresh and interesting.

The author has a great skill for creating binge-worthy storylines that seem to fly by and leave you wanting more.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Music superstar Angel has had a crush on widowed single mom Iris since the moment he first met her. Iris isn’t interested in dating after losing her husband, but Angel is entranced. When he writes a song inspired by her that shoots up the charts, Iris is taken aback and finds herself wanting to know more about Angel.

The Love Lyric is book three in the Greene Sisters series by Kristina Forest and I definitely recommend reading them in order to fully appreciate them.

I loved Angel and Iris! Angel had been pining for Iris since the first moment he met her in The Partner Plot, and I was rooting for him to get his girl. I did not love the third act conflict at all and I found myself wishing it had been handled differently. The resolution was lovely though and I was happy that Angel and Iris found their way.

The Love Lyric is the third book in Kristina Forest’s hit series following the lives of the three Greene sisters. After loving The Neighbor Favor and The Partner Plot, I was so excited to finally dive into eldest sister Iris’ story!

Iris Greene has been working hard to provide a beautiful life for her and her young daughter after the death of her husband Terry. She has a high powered job at a beauty brand and was recently assigned to oversee the company’s partnership with R&B singer Angel, whom Iris knows through her sister Violet. Unbeknownst to Iris, Angel has been harboring a crush on her for years and now, with the two of them working together, they are about to find out just how electric their chemistry really is.

Even though this is the third book in the series, The Love Lyric can be read as a standalone. There will be minor spoilers for The Neighbor Favor and The Partner Plot but nothing that should ruin those reading experiences. The Love Lyric was the most complex of Forest’s Greene Sisters novels considering the hefty emotions Iris is carrying after the loss of her husband. Watching her navigate her grief and open herself up to love again was beautiful and I loved how considerate Angel was of her feelings. They both put a lot of effort into their relationship which resulted in them having many important conversations as their emotions progressed.

In return, Iris was also incredibly supportive of Angel. I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by Angel’s backstory and thought that it did a great job of deepening his character. Everything about the way these two maneuvered together seemed so healthy and stable and I was rooting for Iris and Angel to find their happily ever after the entire time I was reading.

There were so many fun uses of romance tropes in this book and the way Forest crafts her characters makes my heart melt. Her writing is so cozy and effortless to fall into. Forest has become an auto-read author for me and I am excited to pick up whatever she puts out next!

What You’ll Find:
Forbidden workplace romance
Celebrity x normal person
Single parent
Forced proximity

Thank you Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This books was a good conclusion to the sisters stories. This one wasn't my favourite as I didn't buy the forbidden romance aspect that it was trying to pull off. But overall solid story with likeable and relatable characters, which is saying something when one is a R&B star.

3.5 stars
1 spice

I loved this book so, so much. Iris and Angel were such a well matched, beautiful couple and I loved getting to experience their story. The Love Lyric was such a great conclusion to a series I’ve genuinely loved, and while I’m sad to see it end, I’m happy that the Greene sisters found the love they deserve 🩵

Thank you so much to @kristinaforest_ and @berkleyromance @berkleypub for an Arc of The Love Lyric 💜

Iris Greene had her life planned out… until she fell in love, got pregnant, married, and became a widow all within a year and a half. Now, she’s a hardworking single mom and a director at a beauty company, but the loneliness is there, and grows more and more as time goes by.

Pop R&B star Angel Harrison seems to have it all, but his career feels empty, and his love life is nonexistent. When he partners with Iris’s company, he’s thrilled to reconnect with her, the woman he’s secretly admired for years. Their chemistry is undeniable, but with their lives on different paths, can they find a way to make it work?

I absolutely loved the Greene sisters, and all of their books, but Iris and her story was most definitely my favorite of the 3. Ever since Angel and Iris met in The Neighbor Favor, I NEEDED their story, and it didn’t disappoint.

Iris is a widowed single mother and trying to navigate her life alone. One night at her anti-wedding she meets an up-and-coming singer, Angel, and despite an attraction she avoids his interest and moves on with her life. Fast forward 3 years later, and Iris is now a director of partnerships at a Beauty company and the partnership they just made with the latest pop superstar is non other than Angel. Angel has been interested in Iris since they met and he plans to use his opportunity to finally get the girl.

There is so much I loved about this story. I loved Iris and Angel together. Iris and Angel both had things in their pasts that they had to work though in order to really give their relationship a shot. Through the course of the book you learn more about how both Iris and Angel’s experiences shape who they are and how they move in the world. Angel has unending patience with Iris as she works through what she wants and how she feels. I love the way that Angel is careful with Iris and shows her over and over exactly how he feels when he fears saying the words might scare her away. If you want a feel good book with a HEA this book checks all the boxes.

Huge thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book! #berkley #berkleypartner

This was my absolute favorite in The Greene Sisters series. The romance in this book feels like a soft hug, yet the chemistry between Angel and Iris was off the charts. I felt every bit of their love and I just couldn’t get enough.

I want to add, the way Iris’ grief was written, it was truly handled with care, and I really appreciated that.

I’m so sad this series is over, it’s been such a fun ride!

I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, but the Greene Sisters series is so great I always break my historical romance/SFF streak to pick one up. All three books are bangers!

If you read the first two books in the series, you're familiar with Iris, eldest Greene sister. She's a successful corporate executive and widowed single mom who seems to have it all together. You've also met Angel, one of middle sister Violet's clients. Violet is a fashion consultant for the stars, and Angel is a super popular singer. He was dazzled by Iris the first time the met, and he's still infatuated now. And, luckily for him, Iris is just about ready to start dating again!

I love Kristina Forest's ability to write low angst romances that are still really compelling. Iris's hesitation to date one of the biggest pop stars around might not exactly be relatable, but it's very understandable. And Angel's combination of confidence, background of religious trauma, and people pleasing tendencies make him both complex and one of the sweetest cinnamon rolls I've ever read.

I also want to praise the way Forest incorporates therapy and mental health care into her books. Her characters don't start seeing a therapist and get magically healed and ready for a relationship, but they do recognize the importance of mental health and healthy relationships. Forest does this better than just about any other author I've read, and I love her for it.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest is a delightful & heartwarming opposites attract celebrity romance between a R&B/pop superstar & a single mom/young widow that’s a corporate executive he has to work closely on a new campaign with. This was a slowburn, stomach-fluttering beauty of a story that made me absolutely giddy.

This is book #3 in The Greene Sisters series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. However, I’ve read & enjoyed them all so I do recommend the whole series!

The Love Lyric is great for those looking to read…
🎵 Celebrity Romance (R&B/Pop Superstar)
🎵 Forced Proximity
🎵 Single Mom/Young Widow
🎵 He Falls First
🎵 He Writes a Song For Her 😍

This hero is absolutely swoon worthy. He even writes a song for her & is so caring. This story was a slow burn but it felt so right for the characters. I adored how he fell first & he fell hard. Ever since reading the first book in the series, The Neighbor Favor, I’ve been so curious for Iris’s story & it delivered in an electric fashion.

I’ve loved this entire series because it’s about a trio of sisters. They’ve all been through so much & they have such uniquely beautiful stories, but they all share the same heart, family & love. It was a joy to watch them all get their happily ever afters.

If you’re looking to get lost in an emotional, lyrical & melodious romance, I highly recommend The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Happy Pub Day 🥳

The final installment of the Greene sisters. I’ve beeeen waiting for Iris’s story because I knew it would be so good.

Iris is a single mother working as a skincare marketer & also a widow. She meets Angel a popular musician & baby he was obsessed with Iris (in a good way) ! This story was just so sweet with a little bit of steam.

I love Kristan Frost down because these books have gotten better watch Time & I’m sad it’s ending.

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley Romance for the ARC

This was the best way to end the romance series! This book is the thrid and final book in the Greene sister series that follows Iris and Angels romance story. This book is a forbidden workplace romance with slow burn and forced proximity. Angel is a R&B singer while Iris works in the beauty marketing industry. Angel is a brand ambasssador for the beauty company Iris works for and they have to work together. My favorite part of the book is when Angel wrote a song about Iris and the first time Iris hears the song is on the radio on her way to work. (so cute). I love kristina Forest's writing and I cannot wait to read her next book!

4.5/5 stars

As soon as we were introduced to Angel at the end of Violet's book, I immediately needed The Love Lyric so I could read his and Iris's story. Now that it's here, I have to say: it was worth the wait.

Angel and Iris are a match made in heaven (no pun intended!)

Kristina Forest was able to write one of the most down bad, but patient and caring MMCs. Angel always respected Iris's boundaries, despite her initial reservations about loving again. He never prodded Iris about her husband's death, never tried to rush their relationship, and let Iris open up to him in her own time. And the adoration he has for her daughter Calla? *swoon*

When it comes to Iris, Forest was able to capture the overachieving-burntout millennial-older sister character well. Like a lot of us, Iris doesn't take time for herself and is a 'yes' woman, despite the consequences. (When Angel asked "But who take cares of you?," I felt that to my core. ) The growth from the woman who she is at the beginning of the book to the woman she becomes was a joy to experience.

Forest was also able to expertly navigate Iris's journey with grief and trying to love again. You can see Iris slowly learn to accept that she does deserve to be happy and vulnerability is not something that you should be afraid of.

However, I think my favorite thing about Angel and Iris's relationship is the way they push each other to be their best selves. Neither Angel nor Iris feel like their career is fulfilling and they encourage each other to go after what they want, even if it may seem daunting.

The Love Lyric is hands down my favorite book in the Greene Sisters trilogy, but Lily, Violet, and Iris all hold a special place in my heart. I always love reading about Black women being loved out loud.

I can't wait to see was Forest has next up her sleeve, because I know it'll be just as great as this.

“The Love Lyric” by Kristina Forest 🎶💙

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

what a beautiful, tender, angelic story! there is so much gentleness, healing, and hope in this story, I just adored it in every single way 🥹

Angel is the sweetest softest MMC. he is on his own journey of healing, growth, and persistence, and he always puts his kindest, most open hearted foot forward, especially with Iris. oh how I loved Iris. I wanted to give her a big, tight hug, tell her she’s going so well. her story of grief, persistence, healing, and dedication is so special, heart wrenching and heartwarming to read. she deserved all the love and support she gets from her people, and Angel especially.

Angel and Iris’s love story, and just this entire book, is filled with so much joy, tenderness, humor, healing, respect, and oh so much love— just absolutely perfect 🥹💙

thank you so much for the arc!!!!

4/5 Stars 2/5 Spice

Tropes:
✨ Celebrity Romance
❤️‍🩹 Love After Loss
💕 Single Mom
❤️‍🔥 He Falls First
🔥 Slow Burn.

this was so sweet. i loved these two with my whole chest. iris & angel had such a heartwarming romance. love after loss + single mom with a sexy r&b singer? say less. it was everything. definitely recommend. i will be going back to read the other two books in this series. i really loved this authors writing style.

I knew I would adore Angel and Iris since their romance was only HINTED at, and let me tell you- I was right.

Iris and Angel as a couple were ELITE. Their chemistry is insane from their first interaction until the final page. The two were so perfect for each other despite their different lives, and I was blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet the entire way through.

Iris went on a great journey through this story. She wants try dating, but has a clear idea of what she wants. At first glance Angel is the polar opposite of that, but I loved seeing her realize that he was what she *needed*. And naturally I adored her and Calla (who’s just the cutest).

Angel was one of my favorite parts of this book. Not only was he so down BAD for Iris, he was also just the sweetest, most charming book boyfriend you’ll ever meet. I was absolutely obsessed with him from start to finish, and I LOVED getting to see him bond with Calla a bit.

I also liked seeing the other Greene sisters and their partners. I love this series, so I enjoyed Lily and Violet’s scenes throughout this book (and of course I love getting to see them happy with Nick and Xavier).

I don’t stay up until 3 AM reading a book unless I absolutely love it, so take that as your sign to READ. THIS. BOOK.

(and the rest of the series)