*Thank you to Jacqueline Firkins, St. Martin’s Griffin, & NetGalley for allowing me to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Imogen Finch’s (possibly) clairvoyant mother predicted that she would never come first for anything or anyone ever. And after 17 break ups, it’s hard to not believe it. Re-enter Eliot Swift. Her secret high school crush and the person adamant that the curse is breakable—she just has to win one thing.

I was expecting this to be a fun little quirky light-hearted romcom and was instead given so much more. The depth these two shared was more than I expected and exactly what I needed. True, there’s a lot of fun and a lot of quirky (which is very much appreciated!) but there’s just so much More. It tackles struggling with self-worth and self-confidence better than I’ve ever seen and reminded me that we all (myself included) deserve someone who puts in the effort.

If you like open door, small town, second chance, friends to lovers stories, I fully and wholeheartedly recommend. And if you need a reminder that you are worth the love of someone who cares enough to try, I recommend even more.

Wow. I kind of don’t know what to say about this book. And I think the biggest reason for that is that there’s so much I want to say. Imogen’s story is filled with sneaky little universal truths, and I’m pretty sure that I haven’t identified all of them. From things as simple as “your mindset can determine everything around you”, to ones as profound as “sometimes you have to let go in order to hold on”. Imogen’s struggles kind of broke my heart. She wants so badly to matter, but past experiences have taught her how difficult that can be. Eliot’s dealing with his own kind of emotional trauma. And as much as these former best friends love each other, once they recognize and name the emotion for what it is, they’ve both still got a tough road of healing ahead of them. I was so quickly invested in this pair. I suspect it had a lot to do with how deeply I connected with Imogen. I could feel her pain and was more than willing to cry her tears for her. I so badly wanted to see these two get their Happily Ever After, and I nearly despaired before the author got us there. I already can’t wait to discover what the author will have in store for us next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

This was a wonderful romance to read. The main character was relatable and the book is a fast read. This is perfect fora cozy rainy day.

Imogen Finch has now had her seventeenth breakup. She knows it’s coming as they always do. Seems she is always the one giving of herself to others with whatever they need or want to do rather if she wants to or not. The sad part is it is always the guy that breaks up with her for someone else. She is best friends with Fanny Rockwell and Eliot Swift but Eliot left home at the age of 18. She had a huge crush on him but he stopped corresponding with her years ago. He has now come to town for his father’s funeral. As the three of them get together again, it doesn’t take long for Eliot and Imogen to realize the feelings she had for him wasn’t a one way street. As Imogen’s mother is known to be clairvoyant and sees things that are going to happen, she knows she is cursed and will never come in first at anything or with anyone. Eliot is determined to break the curse but everything they try doesn’t work.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

It took me a while to get hooked on this book. I started reading it, got a couple chapters in, and ended up setting it down for a couple weeks then had to restart it. Overall, I never reached a point in the book where I was hooked and wanted to keep reading over other books I was reading at the time.

The first couple of chapters felt like they were info-dumping all the characters and side characters personalities and characteristics. The book is written in first person from Imogen Finch’s perspective. Imogen really likes to ramble on and over explain her thoughts to the readers.

The love story was generally cute, it’s a second chance romance. It felt like getting to the romance took a while and when it finally happened it was like a whirlwind.

I love a second chance romance but 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗛 is so much more than that. It's about a woman learning to love herself and accept that her happily ever after may not look like what she thinks it will.

Imogen is going through her 17th breakup and thanks to a prophecy from her clairvoyant mother, she's resigned herself to the fact that she'll never come in first at anything or to anyone. Enter Eliot Swift. her high school crush/best friend who returns home for the first time in a decade. Eliot is convinced she can can win in life and at love but she's not sure she'll ever earn first place in his heart.

What I loved most about this book was how mature the relationship between Imogen and Eliot is. Their issues don't revolve around miscommunication; instead, it's about whether they can resolve their different needs in a way that works for the other. They're open and honest with one another in the most refreshing way. I also enjoyed the side characters, especially Franny, the third of their high school trio (please can we get a book about her and Franklin?) and Imogen's mother, and the small-town vibe of Pitt's Corner.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the copy to review.

This book took ages to get into. It felt really slow to get going and I wasn't sure i was going to like the characters but I am glad I stuck it out. The writing is great and once the book gets going, it really brings about a super enjoyable read.

It took me a while to love Imogen, but she definitely grew on me. It was a solid read and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes chick lit.

thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for my gifted copy

3.75 stars

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Imogen's mother predicted that she would never take first place, and this prophecy played out in many areas of Imogen's life, especially in her love life. A long line of exes have hammered home the point that Imogen was the consolation prize. Content with living with this curse, Imogen was finally open to attempting to break it when her first love returned to town.

I am dragging my feet reviewing this book, and it's not because I didn't like it. Rather, the book really hit a personal note for me. I still feel like second choice with some of the people in my life, so when I read Imogen's breakup stories, my heart ached for her. It was so important to me that she overcome this "curse" and finally see herself as number one. It was a journey of ups and downs, but I was so pleased with the progress Imogen made over the course of this book.

Her unrequited love returning to town was a fantastic catalyst for Imogen. Considering their past which seemed rife with misunderstandings, he was a cheerleader for her, but the whole time, I kept wondering if he would put her first. Don't get me wrong, I liked Eliot, A LOT, and I appreciated the friendship he and Imogen shared, but he also frustrated me.

It always seems so simple in my head. Why pine when you can be together? But, that's just me over simplifying things. All I know is that I was all in on this second chance, friends-to-lovers romance. Imogen was a fantastic person who deserved the type of love she gave, and I was rooting for her with my whole heart.

Overall: Firkins delivered a warm and wonderful romance filled with humor, friendship, and quirky characters who won my heart.

3.5🌟

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch was different, and that made for a fun read. Unfortunately I did not connect as much as I would have liked to the storyline, although I did love Imogen as a character. I think she's relatable to many of us out there, and of course I was rooting for her!

The novel focuses a lot on the curse Imogen's mother predicted when Imogen was young; that she would never come first in life. I almost wish she had ended up with someone that truly seemed to "break" the curse, especially a certain someone! With the love interest, it still felt like she was being put second throughout, and that's not something you want to feel in a romance. On the other hand, Eliot does show immense respect and care for Imogen. He's able to crash headfirst through Imogen's self-loathing in order to try his best at making her do what she loves once again, and I have to love him for that.

I love the scenery and characters in this novel, and still think it could be a great read! Read this if you love second chance, small town vibes, and tend to put others before yourself sometimes...

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for a review:)

While I am not a fan of second chance romances, I enjoyed this book because the writing was really good. Firkins wrote a book that was not only realistic, but also romantic and I really enjoyed Imogen and Eliot's journeys singly and together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for the ARC.

Imogen had moved back home after college because her eccentric mother could not live by herself anymore in their small coastal Oregon town. To make ends meet, Imogen has six different part-time jobs and has had a long string of boyfriends who have left her for someone else. Following the death of his father, her childhood friend and secret crush, Eliot, comes to town for the funeral and stirs up buried feelings. This is a well written story about the bonds of family and friends.

This book was so beautiful and so well-written! I fell in love with Imogen. She's so determined and loves the people around her so fiercely! She's also funny and she made me laugh many times out loud.

Like I said, it made me laugh out loud, smile in earnest, cry then cry some more. You know a book that made you feel so much that when you finished it, you're missing the characters, the setting and you feel depressed, that's a book like that.

I don't know how to describe this better than that but I loved this story with my whole heart.

Read this book if you love :

✨ Small Town Romance;
✨ Friends to Lovers;
✨ Second Chance Romance;
✨ A Curse FMC;
✨ Friendships;
✨ A pinch of beautiful Spice.

This is a well written novel. Imogen is a great character. She is witty and fun and surrounds herself with similar characters. Eliot is a wanderer looking for peace. The setting of the story is a small town which sees everyone involved in each other’s business. The story is interesting as Imogen recounts her failed relationships. When Eliot returns home their relationship moves from friendship to lovers. Along with their friend Franny it is a delightful story to the end.

Imogen Finch believes she's cursed. Her mother, a seer, told her years ago that she will always be second place...in EVERYTHING. While Imogen has always accepted this, the one thing she's always wanted was to come first to best friends and childhood crush, Eliot. Now, Eliot is back in town, something he swore he would never do, and Imogen might just shoot her shot.

I really liked this book!

This was such a good second chance romance. I felt so bad for Imogen at times as she just accepts that she won't ever be first place. But she's such an amazing character that I was rooting for her the entire time. Eliot was also a great character. He is a man at a cross-roads. Not wanting to live the life he was given and finds himself moving form place to place, from challenge to challenge trying to find an inner peace. The two together are magnetic. The whole time I wanted them to open up and realize all of their missed connections at something more.

The town was also super quirky and I loved it. From Imogen's mother to her other best friend to the hot as sin bartender, Firkins does a really good job of paining the scene and making me want to visit.

All in all, this was a great second chance romance that has a lot of heart.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

The Predictable Heartbreak of Imogen Finch is a charming second chance romance. Jacqueline Firkins creates quirky, endearing characters who take a winding journey to find their HEA.

4.5/5 stars

Imogen lives with the curse of never being first at anything, whether in a competition or with the people in her life. After being dumped for the 17th time in favor of someone “better,” her psychic mother predicts change is on the way. It happens in the form of her high school bestie and secret crush Eliot, who returns to tiny Pitt’s Corner when his father dies. Eliot has been roaming the world and sharing his adventures on his YouTube channel, and has a hard time staying in one place for very long. While he’s in town, though, he makes it his mission to show Imogen that she can be first. But after missed opportunities and flubbed contests, Imogen’s curse appears unbreakable. Can Eliot show her she’s number one, once and for all?

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. It’s clear that while Imogen and Eliot have had feelings for each other forever, they both needed to work through a lot of issues before they were ready to confront them. Imogen in particular carries a wistfulness with her, and a sad acceptance of always being second choice. That said, her quips are spot on and I adored her close knit group of friends and coworkers.

While I’m not usually a fan of single POV, I love it when it’s obvious to the reader that the MMC has been hung up on the FMC the entire time, even when she clearly has no idea. My only complaint is my personal preference that I like third act breakups that last about 24 hours, not much, much longer. I understand why it was the right choice for the characters, and it’s true to the story, so it’s not a true complaint. And, the characters do eventually get their HEA.

If you are a fan of second chance romance in quirky small towns, Imogen Finch’s story is for you. Jacqueline Firkins’ emotional and steamy story had me completely invested in these characters lives, and rooting for their well deserved HEA every step of the way.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I certainly didn’t expect to be gobsmacked by the fact that Imogen Finch and I basically share the same braincell (or heart). I don’t know how to explain it without being too emotional but I really understand where Imogen was coming from. And the fact that her romantic history and mine are entirely different and I still relate to her whol heartedly. And of course, I love friends to lovers especially if they’re childhood friends and if it’s slowburn. That’s what this book was. I love Imogen and Eliot’s relationship. Their childhood/adolescent relationship and adult relationship. There might have been miscommunication when they were kids but can’t really blame them since they were kids. But when they’re adults and finally poured their heart out to each other??? The communication was impeccable. Miscommunication trope haters would love this book! Ugh this book was just beautiful to me. I loved how the ending wasn’t written the easy way out or that it wasn’t rushed. It was very realistic to the point it got my heart breaking for Imogen and Eliot. I just loved this book. Character development was top tier as well as the writing.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE PREDICTABLE HEARTBREAKS OF IMOGEN FINCH – Jacqueline Firkins
Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250836526
October 31, 2023
Contemporary Fiction

Pitt’s Corner, Oregon – Present Day

Imogen Finch has just been through her seventeenth breakup, and she wonders if she will ever find forever love. Is it her, or is it them? Her mother, who is somewhat of a clairvoyant, is always predicting things like the end of one of Imogen’s romances. Imogen’s dream is to work as an artist, but her degree went nowhere after her mother’s medical issues forced her to return to Pitt’s Corner, a small town on the coast of Oregon. Imogen works several part-time jobs to make ends meet and her best friend is Franny. Of course, her other best friend is the one she still longs for after years of his being away. Eliot Swift was her secret crush, but he left town when he turned eighteen. His parents own the big house along the beach that is only occupied occasionally. But then Eliot’s father dies in the house and Imogen wonders if Eliot will return for the funeral.

Eliot indeed arrives in Pitt’s Corner. He didn’t get along with his parents and rejected a relationship with them to travel and hike throughout the world. He has a popular video channel where he uploads videos of his adventures and Imogen has been following them. The arrival of Eliot surprises her and excites her. They will finally get caught up about what the other has done in the past ten years. But being around Eliot reminds Imogen that she’s never stopped loving him.

As the two navigate Eliot’s return to town, they spend lots of time together. Imogen wants to be there for him and get him through the funeral, though he has no love for his parents. They had expectations of him that he wanted no part of. He loves traveling and being free. Imogen tells Eliot about the seventeen broken romances and that she wonders if she is not meant to find love. But it soon becomes clear that Eliot has feelings for Imogen, just as she does for him. Can they come together and plan a future together? Or will he leave—again—leaving her with a broken heart?

Franny plays a small part in the group as she mostly provides Imogen with encouragement. THE PREDICTABLE HEARTBREAKS OF IMOGEN FINCH is told solely in the first-person view of Imogen, so we don’t get to hear Eliot’s inner thoughts. She respects his desire to be free and unencumbered. But Imogen has to stay in Pitt’s Corner due to her mother’s issues. Meanwhile, she dreams of using her artistic skills and spreading her wings. With Eliot by her side, she begins to see her luck change. Will this mean her bad luck at romance can change too? What about the growing feelings between Eliot and Imogen?

THE PREDICTABLE HEARTBREAKS OF IMOGEN FINCH starts off taking place over a week’s time. It starts with the death of Eliot’s father and his arrival in town. Days and evenings are spent by Imogen and Eliot getting to know each other again. As the day of the funeral arrives, it changes a lot for Eliot—and for Imogen. Promises to keep in touch are made, but will that happen? A journey of finding hope and happiness, don’t miss this emotional tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins is much sadder than I ever expected. The story's overall tone felt sad, as well as the development of the plot. I was expecting a quirky, primarily fun story, but I found a poignant and disheartening story.

The development of Imogen Finch is the aspect I found the most fascinating. She is quirky and full of sunshine even though her self-esteem is stuck permanently in second place. She longs to be in first place in love or some component of her life, but she feels she always lacks. The story sets her on a path to be in the first place where she belongs.

The pacing is slow, and this made it incredibly hard to maintain my focus on the story. The combination of a slow pace and a sad story made me contemplate putting the book down permanently more than once, but my determination won. Still, there's something incredibly fascinating about a story that throws all of my expectations aside and provides me with a unique and poignant story I never expected.

ou know those absolutely beautiful movies such as "Before Sunset" series or "Past Lives" that lets the dialogues breathe & and absorb every emotion? This book was one such.

It was poetic, whimsical, & lyrical. This is my 2nd book by Jacqueline, and my, how much do I love her writing.

Imogen & Flinch' relationship was mature & highly romantic. I loved seeing them together in every scene. The story felt genuine & realistic without any unnecessary beating around the bush situation. Each scene, dialogue, touch, & glance was given a moment to breathe.

Honestly, this felt like an adult version of one of those coming-of-age beautifully written YA novels by Jennifer Niven or John Greene.

Thank you Netgalley & Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book! I enjoyed it for the most part and felt that it wasa fun light read.
Imogen Finch is destined to live her life in second place according to her mother who sees the future. Throughout the book, you read about all of her relationships and how they ended. Her childhood best friend comes back to town and a second chance romance ensues which is a trope I always enjoy. It was sweet to see her come into her own and realize that she's worthy of love. I'd recommend it!