Book Review: “The Love Lyric” by Kristina Forest
About this book:
Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Synopsis: In The Love Lyric, the third and final book in Kristina Forest’s Greene Sisters series, we follow Iris, a widowed single mom and floral designer, who reconnects with her musician ex, Angel. Three years after they walked away from each other, life brings them back together. This is a story about second chances, healing after loss, and finding love again when you least expect it.
Rating: 4 out 5 stars
My Review:
Spoiler Alert!
This review includes spoilers for The Love Lyric and references the previous books in the series.
Finishing The Love Lyric felt like a personal milestone. I have not completed a full book series since childhood, when I devoured The Boxcar Children. As an adult, this was my first, and Kristina Forest made it easy to stay engaged. Each book in the series centers on one of the Greene sisters and their very different journeys to love.
Book one, The Neighbor Favor, was my favorite. Lily's story had the sweet, slow-burn charm I love, with a fun hidden identity element that made it unforgettable. It set the tone for the series and left me eager to read more.
Book two, The Partner Plot, focused on Violet, a celebrity stylist, and her love interest Xavier, who is a teacher. The concept was solid, but I did not connect with it as much. Maybe it felt too close to home since I am a teacher myself and read romance to escape. The chemistry also felt more realistic than romantic. I liked it, but it did not leave a lasting impression.
When I picked up The Love Lyric, I was hopeful it would bring back the spark. And it did. Iris's story instantly drew me in. She is a widow, which brought a different emotional layer to her experience with love and single motherhood. I appreciated how the story balanced grief and hope. Watching her open her heart again while also caring for her daughter was beautiful.
I also loved Angel’s character. His strained relationship with his mother stood out to me. Romance novels often simplify family conflict or tie it up neatly, but this book did not do that. The tension between them remained, which felt honest and relatable. Sometimes, no matter how much effort we put in, family relationships stay complicated.
A standout element for me was Iris's decision to leave her job and take over the family floral business. There is something really empowering about seeing a Black woman step into entrepreneurship and fully claim her purpose. It added another layer to her character growth and was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And then there are the little moments that Kristina Forest writes so well. One quote that stayed with me was:
“After all this time, he still remembered everything about their conversation from three years ago.”
That one line says so much. It captured the emotional core of their connection better than any grand gesture.
This book is not heavy on steam. I would rate the spice level around a 1.5 or 2 out of 5. But that worked for me, because the emotional connection between the characters was strong and satisfying.
Overall, The Love Lyric was a beautiful conclusion to the Greene Sisters series. It did not top The Neighbor Favor for me, but it absolutely restored my love for the series after the second book. If you enjoy stories about second chances, complicated family dynamics, and women stepping into their own power, you will enjoy this one.
About the Author:
Kristina Forest is a contemporary romance author who writes heartfelt stories featuring Black protagonists. Her work highlights themes like self-discovery, emotional growth, and love that feels real. The Greene Sisters trilogy showcases her gift for crafting distinct voices and layered relationships. The Love Lyric closes the series with tenderness, realism, and hope.
