The Neighbor Favor

Description

A shy bookworm enlists her charming neighbor to help her score a date, not knowing he’s the obscure author she’s been corresponding with, in this sparkling and heart-fluttering romance by Kristina Forest.

Shy, bookish, and admittedly awkward, Lily Greene has always felt inadequate compared to the rest of her accomplished family, who strive for Black excellence. She dreams of becoming a children’s books editor, but she’s been frustratingly stuck in the nonfiction division for years without a promotion in sight. Lily finds escapism in her correspondences with her favorite fantasy author, and what begins as two lonely people connecting over email turns into a tentative friendship and possibly something else Lily won’t let herself entertain—until he ghosts her without a word.
 
Months later, Lily is still crushed, but she’s determined to get a hold of her life, starting with finding a date to her sister’s wedding. And the perfect person to help her is Nick Brown, her charming, attractive new neighbor, who she feels drawn to for reasons she can’t explain. But little does she know, Nick is an author—her favorite fantasy author.
 
Nick, who has his reasons for using a pen name and pushing people away, soon realizes that the beautiful, quiet girl from down the hall is the same Lily he fell in love with over email months ago. Unwilling to complicate things even more between them, he agrees to set her up with someone else, though this simple favor between two neighbors is anything but—not when he can’t get her off his mind…”Warm, witty, and deeply romantic. Kristina Forest is a fantastic storyteller, with an eagle-eye for detail and a knack for crafting lovable characters. It’s impossible not to smile while reading this book!”—Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of Weather Girl

“The Neighbor Favor is the type of charming, feel-good story that reminds me why I love romance. I dare anyone to try reading Lily and Nick’s adorably awkward encounters without smiling. Impossible.”—Farrah Rochon, New York Times bestselling author of The Hookup Plan

“I’m swooning for The Neighbor Favor, and not because I’m stuck on a too-hot subway car: because of the heat between Lily and Nick. You’ll swoon too for this joyful story and these bookish lovers as they find their way.”—Amanda Elliot, author of Sadie on a Plate

“This literary love story is full of delightful surprises, with resonant characters whose perfectly paced professional struggles underline deeply real questions of family and daring to dream. The Neighbor Favor is the perfect celebration of falling in love on and off the page.”—Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of The Roughest Draft

I fell head-over-heels in love with Lily and Nick. The Neighbor Favor is sweet, swoony, and full of heart. I didn’t want it to end!”—Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager

“Anchored by two endearing leads and a touching plot filled with a wonderful cast of side characters (including a cat with a penchant for trouble), Kristina Forest’s signature style absolutely shines in this one. The Neighbor Favor is as comforting as it is lovely–an admirable example of everything a heartwarming romance can be.”—Claire Kann, author of The Romantic Agenda

“In a world of swipe right for love, this electric debut crackles with old fashioned chemistry. Forest writes with so much heart. Nick and Lily absolutely simmer together and make you feel like ‘high fantasy’ could be right next door!”—Nikki Payne, author of Pride and Protest

“Forest expertly balances this perfectly matched duo’s emotional connection with their physical chemistry, making them easy to cheer on. This is a winner.”—Publishers Weekly, starred reviewKristina Forest is the author of romance books for both teens and adults, including I Wanna Be Where You Are, which the New York Times called, “a bighearted story,” and Now That I’ve Found You, a BookRiot Best Book of 2020. Her forthcoming novels include 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. Reader’s Guide
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
Discussion Questions:

1.   Lily and Nick initially grow close without even having seen each other. Have you ever had a pen pal who became a close friend or romantic partner?

2.   Lily struggles to move forward in her career, due to both internal and external circumstances. In what ways do you think she could’ve stood up for herself earlier? What did you find admirable throughout her journey?

3.   Lily and Nick’s relationship begins with an underlying deceit on Nick’s part. Do you think you could forgive, like Lily did? Or would that have been a dealbreaker?

4.   What is your ideal date?

5.   Would you want to be a travel writer, like Nick? What are some of the pros and cons of this job?

6.   Nick and Lily’s families are extremely different and helped shape the people they became. What are some character strengths and flaws they both have due to the way they grew up?

7.   Nick ultimately returns to North Carolina to see his parents and has some sort of closure, or possibly a new beginning, with them. Do you think you would do the same? Or are Nick’s dad’s actions unforgivable to you?

8.   Lily lies to her sisters about what really happened between her and Nick when they were corresponding online because she doesn’t want them to feel bad for her or think she further needs their help in her love life. Do you think she should have told them the truth from the beginning or do you think her lie gives her a sense of independence from her sisters?

9.   Lily’s favorite genre to read is high fantasy because she loves the escapism and the bravery of the main characters. What is your favorite genre to read and why?

10. At the end of the book, Nick agrees to have dinner with Lily and her family. What is the significance of this commitment?US