CANR

• The Love Lyric - 2025 Berkley Romance, New York, NY
• Heartsick - 2025 Kokila, New York, NY
• The Partner Plot - 2024 Berkley Romance, New York, NY
• The Neighbor Favor - 2023 Berkley Romance, New York, NY
• Zyla & Kai - 2022 Kokila, New York, NY
• Now That I've Found You - 2020 Roaring Brook Press, New York, NY
• I Wanna Be Where You Are - 2019 Roaring Brook Press, New York, NY

• Kristina Forest website - https://www.kristinaforest.com/

  Kristina Forest is the USA Today bestselling author of romance books for adults and teens. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School and she lives in New Jersey, where she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf.

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  Kristina Forest

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  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Kristina Forest
  Forest at Loudmouth Books in Indianapolis
  Forest at Loudmouth Books in Indianapolis
  Education
  Rowan University
  The New School (MFA)
  Kristina Forest is an American romance author of novels for teens and adults, including The Neighbor Favor (2023) and Zyla & Kai (2022). Her most recent novel, The Partner Plot (2024), was Good Morning America's Buzz Pick of February 2024.[1]

  Biography
  Forest earned a writing arts degree from Rowan University[2] and completed her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at The New School.[3]

  Forest began writing young adult fiction; her book The Neighbor Favor began her first adult romance series.[4] The second book in the series, The Partner Plot, was published in February 2024. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews stated, "Forest's novel is a sweet portrayal of first love and second chances. Violet and Xavier are memorable, real, and vulnerable as they struggle with career sacrifices and the fear of more heartbreak. Yet they were destined from the start—and Forest's romance never misses a shot."[5]

  In addition to her work as an author, she has worked as a Subsidiary Rights Coordinator for Penguin Random.[2]

  Personal life
  Forest lives in New Jersey.[3] She was inspired to write romance novels as a teenager by reading novels by Sarah Dessen, but she wanted to focus on writing romance novels for Black girls and women.[6]

  Publications
  I Wanna Be Where You Are (2019)[7]
  Now That I've Found You (2020)[8]
  Zyla & Kai (2022)[9]
  First-Year Orientation (2023)
  The Neighbor Favor (2023)[10]
  The Partner Plot (2024)[11]

• Fantastic Fiction -

  Kristina Forest

  Kristina Forest loves to dance and thought one day she'd be a choreographer. But then she decided she loved writing more. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children at The New School and works in children's books publishing. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with two huge bookshelves. I Wanna Be Where You Are is her first novel. ​Favorite books: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie​Favorite song: "The Beautiful Ones" by Prince ​Favorite color: Turquoise​Hogwarts House: Gryffindor

  Genres: Romance, Young Adult Romance

  New and upcoming books
  October 2025

  thumb
  Heartsick

  Series
  Greene Sisters
  1. The Neighbor Favor (2023)
  2. The Partner Plot (2024)
  3. The Love Lyric (2025)
  thumbthumbthumb

  Novels
  I Wanna Be Where You Are (2019)
  Now That I've Found You (2020)
  Zyla & Kai (2022)
  Heartsick (2025)

• Fresh Fiction - https://blog.freshfiction.com/kristina-forest-a-career-focused-young-widow-finds-love/

  Kristina Forest: On Characters Connecting Through the Written Word
  Author Kristina Forest discusses sparking romance in characters who haven’t met in person with her new romance novel, The Neighbor Favor.
  Robert Lee Brewer
  Published Feb 27, 2023 1:00 PM EST
  Kristina Forest is an author of romance books for young adults. Her novels include I Wanna Be Where You Are, Now That I've Found You, Zyla & Kai and The Neighbor Favor. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School, and she can often be found rearranging her bookshelf. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.

  Kristina Forest
  In this post, Kristina discusses sparking romance in characters who haven’t met in person with her new romance novel, The Neighbor Favor, her hope for readers, and more!

  Name: Kristina Forest
  Literary agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties
  Book title: The Neighbor Favor
  Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Random House
  Release date: February 28, 2023
  Genre/category: Romance
  Previous titles: I Wanna Be Where You Are, Now That I’ve Found You, Zyla & Kai
  Elevator pitch for the book: Lily, an aspiring children’s books editor, and, Nick, an adult fantasy writer, correspond with each other online but little do they know, they’re neighbors.

  Bookshop | Amazon
  [WD uses affiliate links.]

  What prompted you to write this book?
  This idea originally came to me as a trio: three books about three sisters. Lily is the youngest and I felt like her story was the best entry point to get to know everyone. I also have always loved epistolary novels, and I think there’s something special about falling for someone simply based on their use of the written word, so I wanted to write about people who meet online before they meet in person.

  How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
  I first had the idea for this book sometime in 2019. But I had other contracts I needed to fulfill, so I started writing in early 2021 and it sold in summer 2021, so about two years or so.

  The idea definitely changed. Originally, Lily worked in magazine publishing and Nick wrote for a popular adult cartoon television show, like Big Mouth. But I hate doing research and I knew I’d have to research those professions, and I also wanted their jobs to be more tied to each other. I worked in children’s publishing for several years, so I decided to base the story in the world of book publishing since I already knew it so well.

  Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
  The editorial schedule for adult romance is a little faster than what I’ve experienced in YA. But otherwise, there isn’t a big difference between the publishing processes. I did have to pay more attention to the way I wrote intimacy on the page because that wasn’t something I focused too much on in my YA novels.

  Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
  My first drafts are usually pretty clean because I edit as I go and do a ton of outlining before I start drafting, but the first draft of this book was a hot mess. No one has seen it, not even my agent or critique partner. Definitely not my editors!

  Switching age groups (YA romance to adult romance) was a bit of learning curve, but I learned to trust myself and my vision. I also learned to embrace the fact that sometimes first drafts aren’t good, but you can always make them better in revision.

  What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
  I hope readers leave my book feeling a little more hopeful about life and love, and I hope they read some of the books that Lily and Nick discuss in the novel.

  If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
  Lots of writers say this, but it’s good advice: Read often and read widely.

• Writer's Digest - https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/kristina-forest-on-characters-connecting-through-the-written-word

  Kristina Forest | A career focused young widow finds love
  February 4, 2025
  1–What is the title of your latest release?

  THE LOVE LYRIC

  2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?

  A career focused young widow and beauty executive travels for work with a popular R&B singer and finds herself falling for him along the way.

  3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

  This is the third book in a series, and in book one, I’d established where the main character Iris lives, so I had to stay true to that setting in this novel.

  4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?

  Yes, I’d hang out with both Iris and Angel. I think they’re both great!

  5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?

  Iris- ambitious, orderly, responsible

  Angel- carefree, creative, optimistic

  6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?

  Sometimes with inspiration doesn’t strike, you can rely on skill to carry you through.

  7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

  I edit as I draft and then do another edit on my own once the first draft is done.

  8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?

  I love Goobers.

  9–Describe your writing space/office!

  I write at a desk in the corner of my bedroom. My laptop is connected to a monitor because my eyesight is terrible, and I don’t like squinting at my laptop screen. I have post-its, a water bottle and a mug of pencils and pens on my desk. My desk is very neat. I do not work well in chaos.

  10–Who is an author you admire?

  Lisa Kleypas

  11–Is there a book that changed your life?

  I would have to say This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen because it’s the book that made me want to be a writer.

  12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.

  It was just a quick call between me and my agent to confirm that the third book in the series was happening, which was exciting, and I was eager to get to work!

  13–What’s your favorite genre to read?

  Romance—I’ll read almost any subgenre of romance. My all-time favorite is historical romance, and second to that would be contemporary romance/romcoms and sci-fi romance.

  14–What’s your favorite movie?

  I have a lot of favorites! But for the sake of time, I’ll say When Harry Met Sally.

  15–What is your favorite season?

  Summer

  16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

  Getting my nails done and going to buy a new book and eating lots of pasta for dinner.

  17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?

  I really enjoyed the most recent season of Only Murders in the Building. I also loved Between Friends and Lovers by Shirley Obuobi.

  18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

  Probably Italian.

  19–What do you do when you have free time?

  Read!

  20–What can readers expect from you next?

  More books hopefully make you smile and swoon.

• SheWrites - https://shewrites.com/what-a-career-in-publishing-taught-me-about-being-an-author-by-kristina-forest/

  What a Career in Publishing Taught Me About Being an Author by Kristina Forest
  By She Writes Editors|May 2024|Categories: Columns, Featured, Modern Writer, Publishing, Recommended|Tags: Author Essay, Featured, Overnight Success, Recommended
  USA Today bestselling author Kristina Forest shares her path from being an aspiring writer to becoming a published author, highlighting the invaluable lessons that she learned along the way. With her background in Creative Writing and an MFA from New School, Forest’s writing path took her through various jobs and internships in the publishing world, which provided her with vast knowledge about writing and the publishing industry. This article highlights some of the key steps that Kristina Forest took throughout her writing career and how those steps may be able to help you with your own writing journey.

  The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
  Get wrapped up in this second-chance romance between two former high school sweethearts who find themselves in a marriage of convenience. Violet Greene, a fashion celebrity, just had a very public breakup with her ex-fiancé six months ago and is now trying to focus entirely on her career to keep herself together. Xavier Wright is a high school teacher and basketball coach, just looking to get away on a birthday trip. But when the two former lovers reunite in Vegas, they decide to party the night away together. And party they did, the next morning waking up with rings on their fingers and officially married. Their impulsive and accidental marriage might just be exactly what they need, but can they get their lives together enough to finally get their happy endings?

  Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

  Guest post by Kristin Forest

  I was a writing major in undergrad, and while I knew that I wanted to be a fiction writer one day, I wasn’t sure how to go about attaining that goal. I’ll always be grateful to my Creative Writing professors in undergrad who saw something in me and my stories and who encouraged me to pursue a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing. (I do want to clearly state that I don’t think a MFA is a necessary step to becoming an author. A majority of authors do not have MFAs and are very successful! This is just the path that I took.) I applied to a few programs, and I was accepted into the New School’s MFA program.

  That first semester at The New School, we had the opportunity to meet with several alumni and learn about life after the program. A few alumni had full time jobs in publishing, and this piqued my interest. I knew that I wanted to stay in New York after graduation, and in order to do that, I’d need to find a full-time job. I also felt strongly that if I wanted to be an author, it would be important for me to learn how the sausage was made. I wanted to learn the inner workings of the publishing industry so that if I ever became a published author, I’d hopefully be prepared to navigate the landscape.

  Publishing Internships
  I applied to several internships during my spring semester of graduate school. It’s very competitive to get a publishing internship, and I wasn’t having much luck. But I always made a point to stay in contact with the HR teams and ask them to keep me in mind for future internships. Thankfully, this worked in my favor. I was given a chance to interview for an internship in Children’s Subsidiary Rights. I didn’t know what Subsidiary Rights was at first—the most popular internships were in Editorial, Marketing and Publicity. After doing research on Subsidiary Rights, I still wasn’t completely sure what the internship would entail, but I was determined to try my best in the interview.

  At the time, I was working part-time in an after-school program at the library. I helped first and second graders with their homework and read books to them. Because of this, even though I didn’t know much about Subsidiary Rights, I was familiar with this particular publisher’s children’s book catalogue, and I was able to speak to some of their books in my interview, and I was hired to be their summer intern. Coincidentally, the week that I started was the same week that the team’s assistant was leaving. Because it was a summer internship, I had a full-time work schedule, and I did many of the typical assistant duties while the team searched for the official replacement. I learned so much, not only about publishing, but this was also my first taste of what it would be like to have a full-time job. I learned that Subsidiary Rights is the team that pitches books to book fairs like Scholastic and book clubs like Book of the Month. They secure audio licenses, and they also are the team that licenses an author’s book to publishers around the world, among other things. I went to seasonal launch meetings and listened to editors pitch their new books to the rest of the division. This publisher was located down the street from a very popular bookstore and on my lunch break, I would browse the aisles and pick out books that I heard discussed during meetings as competitive titles. I was also able to read many books for free from the publisher. These were either advanced reader copies or copies of previously published books that were on the Subsidiary Rights team’s shelf.

  After that internship ended, I landed editorial internships at different publishers. There, I learned about how to write jacket copy (the description that is put on the back of a book/jacket flap). I sat in acquisition meetings and listened to editors pitch the books that they wanted to acquire. I once asked the VP of the editorial team how long it took him to decide if he wanted to acquire a book, and he told me that he usually knew within the first two pages. From that, I learned that books need strong openings.

  Full-time Work in Publishing While Being Published
  Later, I landed a full-time job in Subsidiary Rights, and I moved up from assistant to coordinator to assistant manager to associate manager before I took the leap to write full time. Between my internships and official jobs, I worked in publishing for about seven years. During this time, I got my first few book deals.

  The Neighbor Favor is a book about a woman who is an editorial assistant, and I used a lot of my firsthand experience in publishing to write that book, but otherwise I think that my background in publishing has mostly helped in the way that I navigate my career as an author. Being an author isn’t the kind of job where you have a manual or rule book to reference. There are a lot of unknown factors, especially when you’re a debut. This is why an agent is one of the most important people on an author’s team because they can fill in those knowledge gaps. Because I worked in publishing for almost a decade, I have an understanding of the landscape and how internal systems work, and I have a good idea regarding what I should and shouldn’t worry about. I know what questions to ask my publishing team and more than that, I know how hard everyone works to get a book out into the world. A lot of hands touch a book before it lands on shelves.

  Like all industries, publishing is ever evolving, and there will come a time when my knowledge of the industry becomes outdated. But for now, I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences that I’ve had, and I hope to have a long career as an author.

• shereads - https://shereads.com/exclusive-interview-with-kristina-forest/

  Exclusive Interview with Kristina Forest
  By She Reads Editors|March 11, 2024|Categories: Author Interviews|Tags: Exclusive Author Interview, Kristina Forest
  This month we’re getting to know Kristina Forest, romance author and March’s Digital Cover person. Author of the recently released The Partner Plot, her heart-warming romances have swept up readers in both the adult and young adult spaces. We got the chance to chat with her about her latest Vegas-set story, writing in multiple markets and ask her about some of her favorite authors and books.

  The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
  Violet is a successful celebrity stylist. Xavier is a high school basketball coach. Their lives have gone in completely different directions since their early days as high school sweethearts. But when a chance encounter in Vegas becomes an unplanned elopement, both see an opportunity to capitalize on married life. The act soon becomes a little too real though as old feelings bubble to the surface despite how unlikely it is to make their separate lives work.

  Buy the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

  What was your inspiration for writing The Partner Plot?
  After writing The Neighbor Favor, I knew that the follow up book would be about Lily’s second oldest sister, Violet, and I knew that her story was going to be about finding love after heartbreak. I also really love the marriage of convenience trope, and I wanted to find a way to work that into the plot. The story kind of took off from there.
  This book has a few favorite tropes (second chances, “fake dating/marriage”), what drew you to these themes?

  My introduction to the romance genre was through historical romance, and I’ve always loved seeing the marriage of convenience trope be executed in historical settings. I wanted to use that trope in a modern day story. Because Violet begins the story after a public, embarrassing breakup with her ex fiancé, I felt that in order for her to fall in love again, it would have to be with someone who already knew her and who she could comfortably open up to again, and that’s where the second chance trope came in.

  You’ve written successful YA and adult fiction novels. How does your approach differ in each category and what are Kristina Forest hallmarks that readers can find in all your work?
  I think the main difference between my approach to YA and adult are the motivations of my characters. In my YA novels, the characters usually have a goal that’s related to school or their futures after high school. In my adult novels, my characters are already settled in their careers, so they’re more so asking, “Okay, what now?” The stakes are also different, because naturally what is important to an adult tends to differ from what’s important to a teenager.

  Regardless of age range, I think that all of my books are heartfelt and have warmth. I want all of my stories to feel like a warm hug.

  Your last novel The Neighbor Favor was met with such an enthusiastic reception. What can readers of that book look forward to seeing in The Partner Plot?
  If readers have read The Neighbor Favor, then they will remember Lily’s older sister Violet. The Partner Plot is Violet’s story where she gets to take center stage. Violet and Lily are quite different. Where Lily was quiet and introverted, Violet is outspoken and pretty confident overall. But I think both stories have the same vibe. Lily and Nick also make a cameo in The Partner Plot.

  What are some of your favorite recent reads centered around Black love?
  A Thorn in the Saddle by Rebekah Weatherspoon, The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton, Prisoner of Love by Beverly Jenkins, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant

  Who are a few authors that inspired you?
  Helen Hoang, Lisa Kleypas, Jenny Han, Tia Williams

  Where do you hope the future of the romance genre is headed?
  I hope that the romance genre continues to expand to be more inclusive for BIPOC authors.

  Can you share what you’re working on next?
  My next book The Love Lyric is about Violet and Lily’s oldest sister Iris and that should publish in 2025.

Forest, Kristina I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE Roaring Brook (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 6, 4 ISBN: 978-1-250-29488-3

Seventeen-year-old Chloe goes on a road trip to audition for a dance conservatory.

With her mom away on a cruise, good girl Chloe Pierce resolves to attend auditions in Washington, D.C., for her dream school, a prestigious ballet conservatory, even though her widowed mom said no, wanting her to remain closer to home. Just as she leaves New Jersey, handsome-but-loathed neighbor Eli Greene fake blackmails her into taking him--and his dog--along and giving them a ride to the train station in D.C., therefore shortening his trip to see his father in North Carolina. Chloe unhappily complies, her anger toward him eventually explained by an incident from their shared past. The plot meanders along, and so do the pair of black teens (and the dog), eventually reaching the auditions and talking openly about their unresolved history. Chloe's former crush on Eli is resurrected, but thankfully only after he's properly apologized for his misdeeds. The ending feels a bit pat, as does Chloe's assumption that Eli's insistence that everything happens for a reason is indeed the truth. This is a slow, quiet book best suited to contemplative readers who can forgive the uneven pacing and minimal character development.

A decent debut from a promising new writer--readers will hope for a stronger sophomore offering. (Fiction. 12-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
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"Forest, Kristina: I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A582144134/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8a246758. Accessed 30 June 2025.

FOREST, Kristina. I Wanna Be Where You Are. 272p. Roaring Brook. Jun. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250294883.

Gr 7 Up--Dance is the thing that brings joy to Chloe's life. That's why she's determined to audition for Avery Johnson's conservatory, a place where she will be among dancers of all colors and shapes and where she will fit in more than she does now. Her dark skin doesn't match the lighter tones of the girls in her studio. But her mother will not let her audition, so Chloe schemes to drive from her New Jersey home to Washington, DC, to audition while her mother is on vacation. Chloe's neighbor and former crush, Eli, figures out her plan and invites himself and his dog along for the ride. Chloe's history with Eli is full of ups and downs, and this journey follows the same path. But in sorting out her feelings about Eli, Chloe figures out some important truths about herself as well. Chloe and Eli are both interesting and layered characters, and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep even the most prescient readers guessing. Readers can't help but root for Chloe and Eli to overcome their past and move toward a future together. VERDICT A strong debut, recommended for dancers and wallflowers alike.--Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
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Lasher, Kelly Jo. "FOREST, Kristina. I Wanna Be Where You Are." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 6, June 2019, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587876189/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c15073a6. Accessed 30 June 2025.

I Wanna Be Where You Are

by Kristina Forest

Middle School, High School Roaring Brook 266 pp.

6/19 978-1-250-29488-3 $17.99

Seventeen-year-old aspiring ballerina Chloe is on a mission: to attend an audition being held in Washington, DC, for a spot in her dance idol's newly founded conservatory. However, her overprotective mother has said an unequivocal "no." Chloe is determined, though, and with her mother away on a week-long cruise, she decides to drive from New Jersey to the audition by herself She runs into a roadblock when her neighbor and frenemy, Eli, blackmails her into taking him with her (he's trying to get to North Carolina to visit his dad). Already feeling guilty about lying to her mom, anxious about the drive and the upcoming audition, and now with the added aggravation of Eli and his dog, Geezer, along for the ride, Chloe sets out on her journey to realize her dream. Unfortunately, nothing about the trip goes as expected, and the planned few hours away from home turns into several days, giving the two former friends time to work through misunderstandings and misconceptions about each other. This is an engaging, romantic story that explores dealing with relationships, loss, and having the courage to follow your heart, romantically and otherwise. Refreshingly, the novel allows its African American characters to operate in a space that doesn't center the present political and racial climate, while still being culturally affirming.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
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Harris, Monique. "I Wanna Be Where You Are." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 95, no. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2019, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610419047/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f14ca22d. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU Roaring Brook (Teen None) $17.99 8, 25 ISBN: 978-1-250-29502-6

When an aspiring actress wrecks her big shot, she needs her grandmother’s help to salvage her career.

Right before high school graduation, Evie Jones finally gets her big break, and it’s a starring role. But when her jealous best friend, who also auditioned for the part, posts a video of Evie impersonating the director, she is fired. Desperate to continue her family’s legacy—her parents are documentary filmmakers; her grandmother Gigi is a legendary actress—Evie makes a deal with her grandmother’s least favorite person, James Jenkins, who is Gigi’s ex-husband and Evie’s former stepgrandfather. The former couple co-starred in a film that became a cult classic, and he wants to remake it, but without her grandmother’s approval, he won’t cast Evie as the female lead. When Gigi disappears, Evie enlists her grandmother’s handsome, 19-year-old musician friend Milo to help find her before time runs out on her comeback opportunity. Evie’s character development is slow, and she comes off as self-centered for most of the book; Milo, by contrast, stands out, and readers may be disappointed that more time isn’t spent on him and his hilarious, quirky friends. The pacing is also off, with the most interesting action packed into the final chapters, but the novel is a light, sincere look at parental expectations and artists’ dreams. The main characters are black, and there is a diverse cast of supporting characters.

Predictable but pleasant, with a swoonworthy ending straight out of the movies. (Fiction. 14-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Forest, Kristina: NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A620268092/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d0a24093. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Now That I've Found You

Kristina Forest. Roaring Brook, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-250-29502-6

Evie Jones is on the way to stardom, having landed a role in a high-profile film, until her best friend releases a video--of Evie drunkenly impersonating the director--that gets Evie fired. Now the 18-year-old is hoping to get back to work by using her connections to her famous grandparents: Hollywood royalty who appeared in the first big romantic movie with black stars but who no longer speak to one another. Evie's been asked to present her grandmother, Evelyn, with a lifetime achievement award, but after Evelyn takes off, Evie turns to 19-year-old Milo, a musician-on-the-rise and a friend to her grandmother, for help tracking her down. The dash to find her before the awards ceremony gives Forest's (I Wanna Be Where You Are) sophomore novel a madcap quality, and hunky, soulful Milo makes a good love interest, but Evie's privileged attitude--she's sure everyone is trying to use her, and she's too wrapped up in herself to notice what's going on with her grandmother--grows tiresome. Press releases and articles about Evie's grandparents and their on-again, off-again relationship stud the first-person narrative. Ages 12--up. Agent: Sara Crowe. Pippin Properties. (Aug.)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
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"Now That I've Found You." Publishers Weekly, vol. 267, no. 23, 8 June 2020, p. 93. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A630941687/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2ad01b1f. Accessed 30 June 2025.

FOREST, Kristina. Now That I've Found You. 336p. Roaring Brook. Aug. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250295026.

Gr 9 Up--Acting and filmmaking are in Evie Jones's blood. Her parents are successful documentary producers, and her eccentric grandmother Gigi is the legendary film star Evelyn Conway. After landing a role in an upcoming thriller, Evie feels like everything has fallen into place for her rise to fame. Her ascent is quickly halted and her dreams are shattered when she is betrayed by her best friend. With aspirations of a second chance, Evie flies to New York to spend time with Gigi and hopefully use her grandmother's fame to land another starring role. Adventure ensues when Evie's elusive grandmother disappears, leaving only a grocery store delivery boy as the possible key to her location. As the two embark on a journey through New York City to locate the missing Gigi, Evie finds out that Milo is much more than just a delivery boy, and that things may not be as dire as she had previously suspected. This is a romantic adventure story full of life lessons and laughs. Multifaceted characters and an entertaining plotline make for an engaging story that teens are sure to enjoy. VERDICT For fans of Mary H.K. Choi's Permanent Record, Kasie West's Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss, or Maurene Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love.--Ellen Fitzgerald, Naperville P.L., IL

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Fitzgerald, Ellen. "FOREST, Kristina. Now That I've Found You." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 7, July 2020, p. 68. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629053954/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6fd218a3. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina ZYLA & KAI Kokila (Teen None) $19.99 6, 7 ISBN: 978-0-593-40724-0

A teen who has sworn off love falls for a hopelessly romantic co-worker.

Zyla's parents were high school sweethearts but divorced when Zyla was a kid because of her dad's frequent infidelity. This betrayal--and her mother's subsequent heartbreak and failed relationships--has turned Zyla into a cynic. She has sworn off dating and romance, instead focusing on getting into fashion design school. Kai's parents met in college, and it was love at first sight. After they were killed in a car accident, Kai moved in with his maternal aunt and uncle (who was his father's best friend), and the two of them are models for being true partners. With these relationships as his guiding light, Kai dates a lot--unsuccessfully--in an attempt to find his special person. After an incident with an ex, Kai is forbidden from dating so he can focus on getting into Morehouse. But when Zyla and Kai are assigned to work together at their amusement park jobs, sparks fly--and they must decide if they are willing to break the rules to see what could be. A mystery at the start of the book is a confusing launch point into the story, and the narrative moves clunkily between past and present, but the portrayal of Kai's grief therapy is excellent, and patient readers will be rewarded with the sweetest happily-ever-after. Most characters are Black.

A first love story with all the feels. (Romance. 12-18)

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"Forest, Kristina: ZYLA & KAI." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A700219908/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=53ed581a. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Kristina Forest. Kokila, $19.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-593-40724-0

Black 17-year-olds and southern New Jerseyans Zyla Matthews and Kai Jones are polar opposites. Zyla, who doesn't date to avoid repeating her now-divorced parents' mistakes, is singularly focused on her dream of studying fashion abroad; hopeless romantic Kai plans on attending Morehouse College while steering clear of his capricious ex-girlfriend. After getting paired up at their amusement park jobs, Zyla initially rejects Kai's advances--and though Kai himself is forbidden to date until graduation after an incident with his ex, the teens easily shift from friends to lovers, embarking on a whirlwind romance before mysteriously breaking up a few months later. Their classmates and families are soon shocked to learn that, while on their senior trip to the Poconos, the two have supposedly run away together. Using alternating past and present narratives, Forest (Now That I've Pound You) artfully blends Zyla and Kai's story of star-crossed lovers with the slowly unfurling mystery of their departure. Populated by a compassionate, fully fleshed-out cast, variously queer characters, and depictions of loving blended Black families, this joyous novel excels in its heartfelt portrayals of open communication, mental health prioritization, devastating heartbreak, and tender first love. Ages 12--up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (June)

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"Zyla & Kai." Publishers Weekly, vol. 269, no. 21, 16 May 2022, p. 49. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A706439071/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fdbdbe00. Accessed 30 June 2025.

* FOR EST, Kristina. Zyla & Kai. 480p. Penguin/ Kokila. Jun. 2022. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780593407240.

Gr 7 Up--A sweet, funny, and heartfelt story about falling in and out of love, and what happens next. Zyla is cynical about love, having grown up watching her mother's roller-coaster love life. Her goal is to work on her fashion portfolio and land a spot studying design in Paris. Kai's parents died when he was nine, and ever since he's been working to be the perfect son to his aunt and uncle. He's also a serial monogamist These two apparent opposites meet while working at an amusement park, and friendship turns to mutual longing and then to a relationship. While their falling in love forms most of the story, it is all told in flashback from the present, on the day that Zyla and Kai, who may or may not have broken up, seem to have run away from a senior class trip. The knowledge that their relationship will unravel lends stakes and adds tension. The story is told mainly from the lovers' points of view, with some chapters from the POV of their family members and friends, building up a whole community of interesting, layered characters, including Zyla's BFF Beatrice, who is bisexual and in an open relationship, as well as Beatrice's mother, who is also bisexual. Zyla and Kai's blended families are supportive and loving; the story emphasizes the importance of emotional honesty, including going to therapy. Zyla, Kai, and their best friends Jamal and Beatrice are all Black, as are their parents and guardians. VERDICT A charming, eminently readable love story with relatable characters sure to appeal to fans of romances by Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.--Ann Foster

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Foster, Ann. "FOR EST, Kristina. Zyla & Kai." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 9, Sept. 2022, p. 113. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A715572412/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7dba2466. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR Berkley (Fiction None) $16.99 2, 28 ISBN: 978-0-593-54643-7

In this bookish romance, two people who fell for each other through email unknowingly become neighbors.

Lily Greene's dream job is to edit children's books, specifically fantasy books with Black characters reminiscent of The Elves of Ceradon by the pseudonymous N.R. Strickland, her favorite little-known book, which is out of print. On a whim, Lily emails the author and is shocked when he responds. They strike up a correspondence that grows increasingly personal until he ghosts her. Months later, needing a date to her sister's wedding, she decides to ask her new "fine as hell" neighbor, not knowing he's the man who just broke her heart. Nick Brown thought he'd put N.R. Strickland behind him, but when his literary agent strikes a major deal to republish The Elves of Ceradon and write two sequels, he moves to New York City, where he knows Lily lives. He stopped emailing her so he could continue to protect his closely held anonymity, but he misses her. When he discovers that the cute neighbor who asked him on a date is in fact Lily, he has to figure out if he'll disclose the truth or keep his distance. Although the story relies on formulaic plotting, this romance has thoughtful portrayals of characters working on their self-esteem and learning to speak up for themselves, giving both leads room to grow. Realistic and interesting relationships between the leads and their families and friends add richness.

Book-loving romantics will be charmed.

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"Forest, Kristina: THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A731562276/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f216ecf4. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina. The Partner Plot. Berkley. Feb. 2024.416p. ISBN 9780593546451. pap. $18.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

A drunken, fake Las Vegas wedding upends the lives of two former high school sweethearts in Forest's (The Neighbor Favor) enjoyable romantic comedy.

After a chance encounter leads jet-setting celebrity stylist Violet Greene and high school teacher and basketball coach Xavier Wright to rekindle their young love, a lot of alcohol causes them to wake up in bed together with a photo of them at a (fake) wedding chapel. They aren't able to go their separate ways, though, when a little white lie to a reporter about being married becomes grist for the rumor mill in their hometown, and soon Violet and Xavier find their lives entwined once again, under the watchful eyes of a cast of small-town characters. The story hits all the beats of a customary marriage-of-convenience romance and incorporates several of the best tropes, but Violet's unconventional career raises the stakes in a way that makes the novel feel fresh. Both main characters have believable baggage that keeps them apart, even if their fake-marriage scheme strains credulity. VERDICT A fun, breezy romcom that will please fans of fake relationship stories.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor

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"The Partner Plot." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 1, Jan. 2024, p. 62. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A779736279/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c61f3f32. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina THE PARTNER PLOT Berkley (Fiction None) $17.00 2, 27 ISBN: 9780593546451

Two high school sweethearts reconnect in Vegas, where their relationship goes from nonexistent to newlyweds.

When Violet Greene and Xavier Wright met on their first day of 11th grade, they knew they'd found their person for life. Through the ups and downs of cafeteria arguments, prom, and late-night rendezvous, the two always found their way back to each other, vowing to stay together through the long-distance college years and beyond. But Xavier's NBA dreams were sidelined after he tore his Achilles tendon, and, not wanting to hold back Violet, who was on the fast track to becoming a stylist for the stars, he ended things, and they haven't seen each other since. Now, nine years later, Violet dresses A-listers from New York to Los Angeles, while Xavier has settled down as an English teacher and assistant basketball coach at their former New Jersey high school. Neither of them has been able to hold a steady partner, and when they run into each other at a club in Las Vegas, they somehow end up at a pretend wedding chapel and wake the next morning with rings on their fingers and no memory of how they got there. They each chalk it up to liquor and old feelings, and Violet hopes to leave their reunion in the past...until she impulsively tells a magazine interviewer that she just got married. Word travels fast, so to save further embarrassment, Violet and Xavier agree to keep up the ruse for a month, which means living together and being, well, married. As they reconnect, they begin to realize that maybe their relationship is more real than fake, but they have to decide whether they're willing to reopen old wounds. Forest's novel is a sweet portrayal of first love and second chances. Violet and Xavier are memorable, real, and vulnerable as they struggle with career sacrifices and the fear of more heartbreak. Yet they were destined from the start--and Forest's romance never misses a shot.

A second-chance slam-dunk.

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"Forest, Kristina: THE PARTNER PLOT." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A780841069/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e4f2dd23. Accessed 30 June 2025.

* Forest, Kristina. The Love Lyric. Berkley. (Greene Sisters, Bk. 3). Feb. 2025. 400p. ISBN 9780593817100. pap. $19. contemporary ROMANCE

World-famous musician Angel Hughes has had a crush on beauty executive Iris Greene for several years, though they only met once. Iris, a widowed single mother, is surprised that a celebrity like Angel remembers her when they see each other again--and is even more surprised when he asks her out. Iris shoots him down, unsure of how serious he is and is taken aback when she hears his new song, which is clearly about her. A tour sponsored by her employer reunites the pair, who have every intention of remaining professional despite their palpable attraction and forced proximity. Career considerations, along with the vast differences in Angel and Iris's daily lives, make a long-term relationship between the two seem improbable. Iris can scarcely picture the megastar in the life she shares with her daughter, while Angel is uncertain of how they'll overcome a host of substantial obstacles to reach the love he believes they can have. VERDICT Charming and poignant, this third novel featuring the Greene sisters, after The Partner Plot, is recommended for all public library collections.--Nicole Williams

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Williams, Nicole. "Forest, Kristina. The Love Lyric." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 12, Dec. 2024, pp. 78+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A820431110/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8a3f9791. Accessed 30 June 2025.

Forest, Kristina THE LOVE LYRIC Berkley (Fiction None) $19.00 2, 4 ISBN: 9780593817100

A single mom falls for an R&B singer.

Iris Greene never expected to become a widow shortly after getting married and having a baby, but she worked hard to make a life for herself and her daughter, Calla, in her husband's absence. Five years after Terry's death, Iris is the director of partnerships at Save Face Beauty, a makeup and skincare company. Even though she feels lonely sometimes, she can't imagine letting another man into her life--she doesn't have the time or the energy to find her perfect match. But then she meets Angel, one of her stylist sister's clients and an up-and-coming singer. When Angel is named the latest celebrity brand ambassador for Save Face Beauty, Iris has to spend lots of one-on-one time with him as they travel around the country on a meet-and-greet tour. Angel also feels like there's something missing from his life--even though he's massively popular, he's not passionate about the music he's making and he'd love to be able to share his success with someone special. As he and Iris work together, it's clear that their chemistry is only growing stronger. But Iris needs her job, and she can't risk appearing unprofessional by developing a relationship with the company's ambassador. Both Iris and Angel have to decide if it's worth the risk to go after what they really want--in their careers and their romantic lives. Forest continues her Greene Sisters series with this charming installment. Iris and Angel's relationship develops slowly and satisfyingly, with real, adult complications instead of miscommunications.

A sweet and sexy romance that hits all the right notes.

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"Forest, Kristina: THE LOVE LYRIC." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A825128241/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f5ee0583. Accessed 30 June 2025.

"Forest, Kristina: I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A582144134/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8a246758. Accessed 30 June 2025. Lasher, Kelly Jo. "FOREST, Kristina. I Wanna Be Where You Are." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 6, June 2019, p. 79. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587876189/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c15073a6. Accessed 30 June 2025. Harris, Monique. "I Wanna Be Where You Are." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 95, no. 5, Sept.-Oct. 2019, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610419047/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f14ca22d. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Forest, Kristina: NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A620268092/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d0a24093. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Now That I've Found You." Publishers Weekly, vol. 267, no. 23, 8 June 2020, p. 93. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A630941687/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2ad01b1f. Accessed 30 June 2025. Fitzgerald, Ellen. "FOREST, Kristina. Now That I've Found You." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 7, July 2020, p. 68. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A629053954/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6fd218a3. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Forest, Kristina: ZYLA & KAI." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Apr. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A700219908/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=53ed581a. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Zyla & Kai." Publishers Weekly, vol. 269, no. 21, 16 May 2022, p. 49. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A706439071/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=fdbdbe00. Accessed 30 June 2025. Foster, Ann. "FOR EST, Kristina. Zyla & Kai." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 9, Sept. 2022, p. 113. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A715572412/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7dba2466. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Forest, Kristina: THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A731562276/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f216ecf4. Accessed 30 June 2025. "The Partner Plot." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 1, Jan. 2024, p. 62. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A779736279/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c61f3f32. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Forest, Kristina: THE PARTNER PLOT." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A780841069/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e4f2dd23. Accessed 30 June 2025. Williams, Nicole. "Forest, Kristina. The Love Lyric." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 12, Dec. 2024, pp. 78+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A820431110/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8a3f9791. Accessed 30 June 2025. "Forest, Kristina: THE LOVE LYRIC." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Feb. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A825128241/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f5ee0583. Accessed 30 June 2025.

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