The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest is a heartfelt and cozy romance that delivers a unique love story filled with tender moments and second chances. The story follows Lily, the youngest of three sisters, who feels stuck in her life. She’s been in an entry-level publishing job for too long, struggles with dating, and is constantly facing well-meaning but intrusive suggestions from her family about her career and love life. However, Lily’s love for reading keeps her grounded—especially her obsession with a book by the elusive author N.R. Strickland.

When Lily reaches out to Strickland to ask about the unresolved cliffhanger in her favorite book, she gets more than she bargained for—a series of sweet and vulnerable email exchanges that become a bright spot in her life. But just as her feelings grow, the emails stop abruptly, leaving her disheartened. Enter Nick, her brooding, anxious new neighbor who harbors his own insecurities and a mysterious past. Lily’s sunny demeanor begins to pull Nick out of his shell, but both characters have deep trust issues to work through—Lily from her experience of being catfished, and Nick from his own self-doubt as a writer.

Watching Lily and Nick fall for each other is both wholesome and rewarding. Their journey is full of emotional growth, learning to trust, and finding hope in unexpected places. The use of emails as a part of the story brought a thrilling touch to the story. However, the pacing of the book falters in the middle. While the beginning is strong and hooks the reader immediately, the momentum slows, and some of the angst surrounding Nick’s secret didn’t feel entirely justified.

Despite these issues, The Neighbor Favor is a warm and unique romance that showcases Kristina Forest’s ability to craft relatable characters and tender love stories. Lily’s journey of self-discovery and Nick’s quiet transformation make this a cozy, satisfying read. I look forward to reading more from Kristina Forest in the future.