In Kristina Forest’s delightful adult romance debut, The Neighbor Favor, she weaves a heartwarming tale of love, family dynamics, and personal growth. As the first installment in The Greene Sisters series, this novel introduces us to the vibrant Greene family, particularly focusing on the youngest sister, Lily, while setting up future stories for her sisters Violet (The Partner Plot) and Iris (The Love Lyric).
A Fresh Take on Modern Romance
Forest, known for her young adult novels like I Wanna Be Where You Are and Now That I’ve Found You, brings her signature warmth and authenticity to the adult romance genre. Her transition feels natural and masterful, maintaining her talent for creating rich character dynamics while delving into more mature themes.
The Story
Lily Greene, our endearing protagonist, has always felt like the underachiever in her accomplished family. Working as an editorial assistant in adult nonfiction at Mitchell & Milton Inc., she dreams of editing children’s fantasy books but struggles to make the career transition. When she discovers her favorite fantasy author N.R. Strickland has a website, she sends him an email in a moment of dehydrated delirium (right before fainting on the subway). To her surprise, he responds, beginning a months-long correspondence that becomes increasingly intimate—until he suddenly ghosts her.
Months later, Lily’s sister Violet announces her engagement, and to avoid more matchmaking attempts from her well-meaning but overwhelming sisters, Lily makes a bet that she can find her own date to the wedding. Enter Nick Brown, her attractive new neighbor who seems oddly familiar. What Lily doesn’t know is that Nick is actually N.R. Strickland, and he’s been harboring feelings for her since their first email exchange.
Strengths and Notable Elements
Character Development
Forest excels at crafting fully realized characters with complex motivations and realistic flaws. Lily’s journey from self-doubt to self-advocacy is particularly well-executed. Her struggle with feeling “average” in a family of high achievers will resonate with many readers.
Nick’s character arc is equally compelling, dealing with deep-seated family trauma and trust issues. His growth from someone who runs from connections to someone who learns to embrace love and vulnerability feels earned and authentic.
Family Dynamics
The Greene family steals every scene they’re in. The sisterly relationship between Lily, Violet, and Iris is especially well-crafted, showing both the frustrations and deep love that exist between siblings. Their parents are equally well-drawn, avoiding the common trope of one-dimensional family members in romance novels.
Writing Style
Forest’s prose is engaging and natural, with dialogue that crackles with wit and authenticity. Her ability to balance humor with deeper emotional moments keeps the story from becoming either too heavy or too light.
Areas for Improvement
While the novel is strong overall, there are a few elements that could have been enhanced:
- The pacing in the middle section occasionally feels uneven, with some plot points resolved too quickly while others drag slightly
- Some secondary characters, particularly in the publishing house setting, could have been more fully developed
- The conflict resolution near the end, while satisfying, might feel slightly rushed for some readers
Cultural Context and Representation
Forest masterfully weaves Black culture and experiences throughout the narrative without making it the central focus of the story. The book celebrates Black joy and success while acknowledging unique challenges without becoming didactic. The publishing industry setting also allows for meaningful commentary on diversity in publishing without overshadowing the central romance.
Romance Development
The slow-burn romance between Lily and Nick is beautifully crafted. Their initial email correspondence allows readers to fall in love with their connection before they even meet in person. The tension between them once they do meet is palpable, and their chemistry feels genuine and earned.
Technical Elements
World Building
The New York City setting comes alive through Forest’s detailed descriptions. From the bustle of Union Square to the quiet moments in neighborhood bookstores, the environment feels authentic and lived-in.
Pacing
While generally well-paced, the novel sometimes takes detours that, while entertaining, don’t always serve the central plot. However, these moments often provide valuable character development that enriches the overall story.
The Greene Sisters Series
The Neighbor Favor sets up an exciting series focusing on the Greene sisters. The next book, The Partner Plot, will follow middle sister Violet’s story, while The Love Lyric will feature eldest sister Iris. Forest has created such compelling secondary characters that readers will be eager to return to this world.
Impact and Relevance
The novel tackles several contemporary themes:
- The impact of social media and online relationships
- Career development in creative industries
- Family expectations and personal growth
- Mental health and therapy
- The publishing industry’s need for diversity
Final Verdict
The Neighbor Favor is a strong adult romance debut that combines genuine emotion with witty dialogue and complex characters. While there are some minor pacing issues, the central romance is compelling, the family dynamics are beautifully rendered, and the overall reading experience is thoroughly enjoyable.
Perfect For Readers Who:
- Enjoy slow-burn romances
- Love books about books and publishing
- Appreciate complex family dynamics
- Want contemporary romance with depth
- Enjoy email/letter romance tropes
Similar Books:
- The Love Con by Seressia Glass
- The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Neighbor Favor marks an impressive adult romance debut for Kristina Forest and sets up what promises to be an engaging series about the Greene sisters. Despite some minor flaws, it’s a charming, well-crafted romance that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
American Fantasy by Emma Straub is another chick lit on our shelves, if this one lands for you.
