whitneydaniell

The Greene Sisters Book #1: The Neighbor Favor (Lily & Nick)
The Greene Sisters Book #2: The Partner Plot (Violet & Xavier)

Summary

It’s been five years since the death of Iris’ husband, and she’s finally feeling ready to date again. Having spent the past five years excelling in her career and raising her six-year-old daughter, Calla, Iris is a little rusty when it comes to dating. The apps feel like learning a new language and going outside to talk to strangers, sounds like a chore.

Small-town Georgia songbird Angel has taken the music industry by storm, with Billboard Hot 100 hits and even a Grammy win. With his rise to fame, Angel could have any woman he wants—but after a chance meeting at his stylist’s anti-wedding party, once he laid his eyes on Iris Greene, her beauty was forever burned into his memory.

Over the years, Angel often asked his stylist, Violet, about her older sister. As any younger sister would, Violet kept it casual, telling him Iris wasn’t into dating. But when Angel and Iris cross paths again—this time at Violet’s actual wedding—Angel can’t take his eyes off her, even though Iris is still hesitant to give him the time of day.

Call it fate or coincidence, but when Angel becomes the brand ambassador for the skincare and cosmetics company where Iris works, Save Face Beauty, their paths collide again. Iris had already pitched a promotional tour for the new products and their famous ambassador, but when the head of PR is put on bed rest, Iris is asked to step in and accompany Angel on the five-city tour. As Director of Partnerships, Iris has a reputation to protect—hers and the company’s—so she can’t fraternize with the ambassador. But what if he’s the one making the first move?

Despite their obvious attraction, they must stay professional throughout the tour—which doesn’t quite work out. But when it becomes clear their lives aren’t in sync, can they find their rhythm again?

Character Summary

Angel Hughes, 29, from Maren, Georgia. He grew up in a strict, religious household that was stifling and restrictive. He started out singing gospel, but when that lane didn’t work out, he shifted into R&B—something he had always loved, even if his mother didn’t approve. Unlike a lot of celebrities, Angel actually enjoys being around his fans and likes to stay grounded. You’ll find him doing everyday stuff—shopping at Target, skating—usually in a little disguise. He lives in Chelsea with his younger sister, Leah, who’s at NYU, and their dog, Maxine.

Iris Greene, 32, the oldest of the Greene sisters. She met her husband while they were both at NYU Stern, but less than two years into their marriage, he died in a car accident. Suddenly, Iris was a widow and single mom at just 27. With therapy and support from her family, she managed to push through, though her grief still comes and goes. She’s successful in her career, but seeing her sisters in loving relationships makes her crave that kind of partnership again.

Violet Greene, the middle sister, is a stylist to the stars. After ending a very public and messy relationship with a music mogul, she found her way back to love with her high school sweetheart, Xavier Wright, who’s now a teacher.

Lily Greene, the youngest, edits children’s books. She ended up falling for her neighbor—who also happens to be best-selling author Nick Brown. She’d admired his work long before she ever met him.

Cora and Percy Hughes are Angel and Leah’s parents. They’re deeply involved in Mount Olive Church. Percy is supportive of Angel’s career, but Cora is another story—judgmental, disapproving, and flat-out disrespectful about his choices.

Dahlia and Benjamin Greene, the girls’ parents, own and run the Greenehouse florist and nursery in Willow Ridge, New Jersey.

My Thoughts

This was the best book of the whole series! Guess it’s true: save the best for last.

I read Plus Size Player before this one and they both follow a similar plot and conflict. Iris works for the company that brings Angel on as brand ambassador, creating a clear conflict of interest. But what I didn’t understand was: if Iris and her boss, Dominique, had such a great relationship, why didn’t she just tell her from the beginning that Angel was her sister’s client and they had a cordial, platonic connection through Violet? Get in front of it. Throw yourself a bone! Jeez.

Yes, at the start of the partnership nothing was happening between them, but Iris knew there was something. Angel had already asked her to take a walk at Violet’s wedding, and she was into him. Corporate tip 101: get in front of the scandal. Drop breadcrumbs to your boss (and maybe HR) that you have a personal connection through your sister. That way, if things develop, you can minimize the fallout.

That aside, out of all three sisters, Iris felt the most level-headed—and maybe that’s why I enjoyed this one so much more. The thread of grief woven through her story humanizes her and gives her depth. I appreciated that she went to therapy consistently and that her therapist had long, bright-colored nails—my type of carrying on! It also made sense that Iris threw herself into her career; after losing her husband so suddenly, the routine and structure were her survival. That’s real life. Sometimes people look up after 10–15 years and realize they’ve stayed at a job too long. Good for Iris for pivoting.

Now, Angel. Okay. In these fluffy romance novels, the men are always emotionally mature—sometimes emotionally intelligent, sometimes not—but Angel had a high EQ. He was patient and understanding of Iris, which was refreshing but… a little unrealistic. Still, these books are escapist fiction—written so women can escape the f-boys in the dating pool.

I loved the contrast between Angel’s restrictive childhood and the life he built for himself, along with his strained relationship with his mother. That dynamic felt authentic, and it was a window into how some church folks push people away from God with their judgment and hypocrisy.

If I had a gripe, it would be the same one I’ve had throughout this series: neither Iris nor Angel have meaningful friendships outside of work. I wish more authors would break away from the “all work friends” formula and give their characters genuine, contemporary friendships. The Greene sisters only really rely on each other or coworkers. Angel’s closest friend is also his bodyguard—though they were friends before, money changes dynamics.

And one last thing I stand on—ten toes—NO upstanding, respectable, Jack & Jill–participating, college-educated African American within 50 miles of Washington, DC, is eating Georgetown Cupcakes. Stop it.

Final Verdict

As a standalone, I enjoyed it. The writing was crisp, the dialogue felt current and authentic, and while the pacing dragged a bit during the tour, it was still a cute, easy read.

As a series? Meh. The childish arguments, miscommunication, and lack of communication boiled my grits. That said, the books did get better with each installment—in my opinion—but overall: just meh.