Member Reviews
really enjoyed this story of finding a love for yourself in the midst of trying to make everyone else love you.
Imogen is determined that she holds a curse to forever be second at everything, never first. When an unexpected event bring her childhood best friend and former crush, Eliot, back into her life, he vows to help her change her luck. While Imogen is a homebody who is forced to help take care of everyone around her, Eliot is full of wanderlust and refuses to stay still. The two discover that maybe their friendship means more than either of them initially thought, but discover that their firsts in their lives may not match up.
I truly enjoyed the underlying story with this. While Imogen is trying so hard to be first with others (her mom, her dad, her friends, her employers), she never puts herself first either. Her character arc was a really fun journey and I loved her by the end of the book .This was one story that I truly didn’t know how the ending would happen, so I was pleasantly surprised with how everything was wrapped up.
Overall, this was a super cute childhood friends-to-lovers that I’m sure others will love as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC of this story. All opinions are my own!
The character development for the main character Imogen was really the highlight of the book. However, some of her attitudes made it difficult to be fully invested in her story, and were a bit much to deal with while reading. Also, Eliot seemed to be portrayed as a saviour/hero, which is something that deters me from being invested in the romantic relationship. The miscommunication and love triangle aspects were also messy and took away from my enjoyment of this book.
I'm so late on reviewing this one but I sincerely adored it! While it wasn't quite as good as the first one, it was still incredibly heartfelt and swoony. I thought the author did the second chance romance trope justice! The only thing I wish is that we had gotten to see more of the relationship and personal growth on page - the ending felt rushed even if it also had me all emotional! Other than that I really enjoyed it!
4.5 stars
I read another book by this author back in January of 2023 called Marlowe Banks, Redesigned and loved it so when I got an email with a NetGalley widget allowing me to have access to this book I had to jump at the chance to read it. This is a friends to lovers second chance romance. Imogen and Eliot have been friends since they were kids, and Imogen has always had a crush on him but never said anything. After Eliot graduates he leaves town, and they lose touch, but he returns after a decade away and things go from there. I thought this was such a cute romance and I loved the communication in this book. It did get a bit repetitive when it came to Imogen's "curse" and the ending was a bit of a letdown but overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch was a delight. I particularly liked that I was not ever convinced if the "curse" was real or not, and that there were moments when I was not sure how the story was going to end. This romantic comedy title will be recommended for purchase by my library.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a advanced copy for this book.
I give this book 3 stars. I personally enjoyed Imogen and her friends. The story was interesting, I loved the town and how it was like a close knit community. I wasn't a fan of her love interest Eliot though. For me he was just to selfish and running away from issues instead of getting help from the beginning.
I was really rooting for them in the beginning until he decided to leave. Yes, it was predicted by Imogens mother that he would leave and the book was about Imogen's self growth which I really enjoyed. I don't feel like Eliot deserved Imogen at all. Maybe, she should have grown into herself. Maybe she should have stayed with Dutch. I feel he was more of a man for Imogen than Eliot could ever be.
DNF. Will hopefully come back and try again at another time. I really wanted to enjoy this but I struggled to get into it.
this book was so relatable, always falling for the wrong people over and over. its about self growth which is sometimes the best type of growth
This book was unnecessarily long for the depth of the plot in my opinion. I was a little weirded out by the friendship dynamic. Wanted to love it but just did not.
I loved this! I found the female charactet to be so relatable. I loved the romance and it was so damn sweet
3.5 Stars
Imogen is curse with bad luck in love. Coming second in everyone's lives, with a long list of breakups, she feels she is doomed to be alone forever. That is until the one that got away, Eliot Swift, returns home for his father's funeral.
Their childhood friendship was shattered when Eliot left for greener pastures after high school and cut off all contact with Imogen and their other friends. Years have passed, but Imogen can't shake the love she has harbored for him since high school. Turns out Elliot may feel the same, but will he be able to put down roots and live the 'traditional" life?
I always love a second chance romance/childhood crush realized. Imogen and Eliot had such a warm understanding of each other, and they both struggled to take care of themselves, while being mindful of the other's needs and feelings. I really appreciated Imogen's selflessness in caring for her mother and setting aside her own artistic dreams. Eliot felt a little more selfish of a character, so I was not as connected to his storyline. I was a little indifferent about the ending, I thought it was going to wrap up a little differently, but aside from that it was a cute read overall
The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins is a poignant and charming young adult contemporary novel that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery in a refreshingly honest manner. The story centers around Imogen Finch, a high school senior who has resigned herself to a pattern of predictable heartbreaks. Imogen believes she has a knack for picking the wrong guys, and she navigates her romantic endeavors with a mix of humor, cynicism, and vulnerability. When she meets Preston Frank, a charming and mysterious new student, Imogen's beliefs about love and relationships are put to the test. I loved this story. It was so sweet and relateable.
After seventeen failed relationships, Imogen’s love life seems to be cursed. Just when she’s ready to give up on the hope of ever finding mr. right, her highschool crush, Eliot arrives back in town.
I wouldn’t strictly categorize this one as a romance. The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is more contemporary fiction with romance woven in. It was quite a bit more emotional than I was but the writing is excellent. The heartache is palpable and the tender moments are fulfilling.
Overall, The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch was a wonderful read. I have read one of Jacqueline Firkins’ books previously and look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Predictable Heartbreaks reminded me that love can appear at anytime, anywhere... sometimes when you least expect it.
Imogen Finch believes that people date and then break up with her to find their actual happily ever after. She knows she'll never be anyone's first priority or first anything. Not only does she know this, but everyone else throws this idea into her face via talk most days. Yet when Eliot Swift comes back in town after his dad's death to help his Mom put her home back together, he puts faith back in her. Faith that she can truly find her person and love again..smack dab in their city. The only issue is that Imogen is falling for Eliot and she cannot go through another heart break again...even if he may be there to pick up the pieces of her heart.
This novel is a sweet ode to loving yourself and realizing your worth. I adore Firkin's writing style and the love/ommph that she puts into every word she places on the page. Immediately, I can be transported to whatever small town, character and emotion out there- fighting for true love and everything good in the world.
When Imogen goes through her 17th heartbreak, she isn't very upset because she was expecting it. Her mother told her a long time ago that she would never be first to anyone and she has decided to accept it. When Eliot, the guy she had a crush on in high school comes back to town it makes her desperate for a win, of any kind, to help her believe in herself again.
This book was so cute. I wasn't sure when it started what to think. The author did a wonderful job making the characters very relatable. This story is wonderfully charming.
I will definitely be recommending this to my other rom-com loving friends.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was such a sweet story! I loved the MC and her journey through this book. The friends-to-lovers trope is a favorite of mine, and these characters had chemistry in spades.
This cute friends to love with a bit of open door was so good! I'm a sucker for a good solid second chance romance.
There was a bit of odd moments that I felt didn't belong, but that didn't distract from my overall enjoyment.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
The plotline sounds fun, but the book is not done well. Some of it is a bit crass. Sorry, not for me.
This was another good friends to lovers that kept me entertained. I finished this book in less than two day because I could not put it down. This book had me sucked in right from the start. I loved how the characters found themselves and were able to grow. It was funny at parts and had me at the verge of tears on others. If you love a lighthearted book about love and second chances than this is your book