Firkins is becoming a must-read on my favorite romance writers list. This was a beautiful story about change and growth, acceptance and community...and yes, second chances. The romance was steamy (hello, open door!), and the chemistry was on fire, but also the sweetness and gentleness of the romance was so heartfelt- I fell in love with these characters. Well done!
Thanks #NetGalley and #St.Martin's Press for the ARC.

This book started out so good and then went downhill quickly for me.

I think one of the problems here is that it was trying to walk the line between funny and emotional without going too far into one territory, but that just made it all feel mediocre.

- Imogen and Eliot admitted their love for each other so fast. It was so weird after being separated for 10 years and supposedly in love with each other for a while.
- The ending was not what I wanted. At all. I didn't feel like we really solved the problems that were here.
- The losing/never being first thing was in the story but in a background kind of way. I thought it was going to play a bigger role and we'd see Imogen doing fun games and things with Eliot, which I guess they did, but the vibes were off.

Overall, it's a big no from me, unfortunately.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is Jacqueline Firkins’s fourth book—I’ve loved every single one of them. Her first two books, How Not to Fall in Love and Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things (a retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park), are young adult romance novels; the next two, Marlowe Banks, Redesigned and this one, are adult romance. She excels at writing for both audiences—all of these books completely swept me away.

What I appreciate most about Firkins’s books is the way she develops her characters. These are real, complex, flawed people with lives outside of the central relationship. Love conquers a lot, but not all, and sometimes, characters’ lives aren’t in a place where they can embrace love just yet.

That dynamic is very much at play here.

Imogen Finch has known her whole life that she’ll never be first at anything, even at love. When she was a child, her mother shared this prophecy, and now, 20+ years later, it has proven to be true: Imogen’s heart has been broken 17 times, and she has lost at everything she’s ever tried to do: every game, every contest, every election. She’s never been higher than second.

The heartbreak started with her first crush, Eliot Swift, who is also one of her two best friends, though she hasn’t heard from him since he left a decade ago. When he returns for his estranged father’s funeral, however, Eliot decides that he’s going to help Imogen break her losing streak.

The premise is fun enough, but it’s these people, these characters, who resonated with me. Imogen loves her mother dearly and has committed to caring for her in her childhood home, despite the dreams she once had of being an artist and living in the city. Imogen’s mother’s eccentricities mean that she can’t keep a job, so Imogen has cobbled together several, waiting tables and walking dogs and working at the hardware store, while her mom pursues her need to see and share the future.

Eliot has wandered since he left, seeking adventure and amassing millions of YouTube followers for his channel, The Un-lonesome Wanderer, which details his travels around the globe. Though his life strikes many as glamorous, he’s also escaping the wealth and privilege and confining expectations that his parents gave him instead of affection.

As Imogen and Eliot and their best friend Franny re-forge their friendship, they also begin to share the truths that they had held back as teenagers, and Imogen starts to come to terms with the decisions she’s made and the part she has played in living out her mother’s prophecy.

I love the friends’ conversations, the ways that they show their friendship and affection for each other, and the ways that they both accept each other and encourage each other to grow. Watching Imogen navigate the return of her very first heartbreaker is a beautiful journey. This book confirmed, once again, that I will read absolutely everything Jacqueline Firkins writes.

Imogen Finch believes her psychic mother’s prediction that she will never come in first at anything or to anyone. She has seventeen failed relationships that prove it out. When Eliot Swift, her high school crush returns to town after a decade, she’s willing to put her heart on the line again. Eliot left town after high school and now has four million subscribers to his solo travels around the globe channel.

I really enjoyed the author's previous novel Marlowe Banks, Redesigned (Oct 2022). I knew this would be an open door book and lean strongly towards women’s fiction with an ultimate romance. This is really Imogen’s journey. Eliot is sweet in wanting to show her the curse isn’t real, but he is also very emotionally broken by his wealthy but distant parents. Even as Imogen finds joy in getting to spend time with him and express long held feelings, he is a wanderer. As the story unfolds, there are flashes back to previous relationships that reinforce her belief in the prediction.

I liked the story. It is engaging, spicy, has humor but ultimately the prediction is also very sad. I wanted the bartender guy to be the one to break the curse. The best friend is funny and of course has boundary issues. And mom is sweet too. But her gift is ultimately sad as well. I’m giving four stars because the book deserves it but I can understand where others may not think the ending is a happy ever after. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

It’s like this was written for me. The title, the cover, the sprinkle of unexplainable magic within an otherwise traditional contemporary romance—absolutely everything about this book appeals to me.

According to one of her mother’s many prophecies, Imogen Finch is seemingly cursed with forever being second best—including in her relationships. Seventeen breakups behind her, Imogen has accepted her fate. But that hasn’t stopped her from yearning for something other than failure.

Especially now with Eliot Swift temporarily back in town, an old friend Imogen has been longing after for ten years. With Eliot convinced the curse can be broken, it’s an altogether adventurous, angsty, supremely soft romance as the two enter one ridiculous competition after another to prove it.

Not only was the chemistry immediately palpable (I still get giddy thinking about their knee taps), I especially loved the way Imogen and Eliot realistically communicated through their conflicts. A truly unique story with a meaningful message!

For the rest of my reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

I’m a sucker for second-chance romances, and Imogen Finch certainly deserves some sort of break in her dating life. She’s suffered seventeen break-ups over the past ten years, each one of them more brutal than the last. Imogen is definitely a people pleaser, putting aside her own feelings and wants to make the relationships work. Yet they never do because the men she gets involved don’t appreciate her.

Imogen’s childhood crush, Eliot, left ten years prior from a stifling upper-class life. He’s been traveling the world and has gained a massive YouTube following with his adventures but is unexpectedly called home when his father dies. It’s been years since Eliot has communicated with Imogen or Franny, their mutual best friend, but when he arrives, the three pick up right where they left off a decade ago. Except for one thing, that is. There’s a definite attraction between Imogen and Eliot, yet she’s so filled with self-doubt, she can’t see the forest for the trees. You see, her mom is a clairvoyant and predicted that Imogen would never come first in life, whether it’s a contest or a man, and Imogen has come to believe that. She doesn’t believe she’s worthy of love.

Naturally, the two childhood friends hook up, and as good as it is, Imogen knows that Eliot will leave, because he wants nothing to do with his family home or his stuffy upper crust family. He’s wandered the world by himself for a decade, and he likes it that way. And therein lies the conflict of the story. Can Imogen find true happiness with a man who most likely will become breakup #18? You’ll just have to read this heartfelt, lovely story about friendship, love, one’s obligations to family, to find out for yourself. Highly recommend.

My thanks goes to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

I found this book was going to be too spicy for my taste. The descriptions were even there in a rather crude way for casual sex. I didn't finish the book for this reason even though I was rooting for the mc to get together with her original love.

I think others will enjoy this book.

Happy reading!

Imogen seems to be destined for spinsterhood.
None of her relationships last.
Rather the boyfriends all find a reason to end the relationship only to find 'the one' after leaving Imogen.

Lucky for her, her high school crush Eliot is ready to help her break the losing streak. They embark on a series of adventures seeking a win for Imogen that will break the curse.

As is typically the case with a good second chance story, things do work out for Imogen in the end. Just not exactly how she may have pictured it.

This was a more unique romance read that is friends to lovers. I definitely enjoyed the more uniqueness of the two main characters and their budding relationship and how it all played out (even if it did worry me at times lol). I also enjoyed the small town community and the quirkiness of some of the characters but also how they all came together for each other.

“The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch” by Jacqueline Firkins is a heartfelt tale that revolves around Imogen Finch, a woman who has faced seventeen heartbreaks in her life, leaving her with a deep-seated belief that she will never come first in love. The novel takes readers on a poignant journey as Imogen confronts her past, her insecurities, and a potential curse on her love life.

One of the most captivating aspects of this story is the lifelong, unwavering friendship between Imogen, Eliot, and Franny. Their bond adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making you feel like a part of their tight-knit circle. The romantic relationship that blossoms between Imogen and Eliot is beautifully portrayed, showing how they complement each other and help each other grow.

Imogen’s character shines through as a beacon of positivity, even in the face of life’s challenges. Her unwavering commitment and sacrifice to take care of her mother resonate with readers, highlighting the power of familial love and responsibility. The portrayal of the community looking out for Imogen’s mother adds a heartwarming touch to the story.

The glimpses into Imogen’s past relationships gone wrong provide insight into her character and her journey of self-discovery. The emotional rollercoaster that the book takes you on, from joy to sorrow, is a testament to the author’s ability to evoke genuine feelings.

One of the most touching themes in the book is the idea that not all families are surrounded by love, emphasizing the importance of finding and cherishing the love that does exist. The novel delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience.

In my opinion, “The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch” is a moving and memorable story that will stay with me for a long time. Jacqueline Firkins has created a captivating narrative filled with relatable characters and profound emotions. I eagerly anticipate her future works, as this book has left a lasting impression on me.

This heartfelt novel is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love, friendship, and personal growth. It beautifully illustrates that, sometimes, magic and love can be found in the most unexpected places, reminding us that love is far from predictable.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

"But I no longer believe he doesn't get lonely. I think he needs people, too. I hope one day that thought doesn't fill him with fear. I hope it brings him comfort, and I hope that thought brings him back."

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of 'The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch'.

Imogen is unlucky in love. It seems every relationship she has ever had is doomed to fall apart. And to make matters worse, her first love, Eliot, is back in their hometown. Eliot turned his back on their hometown years ago and vowed never to return. But, the unexpected death of his estranged father forces him to return.

Imogen never was brave enough to tell him her true feelings, but now that he's back, maybe a second chance is all she needs. But, adulthood has only made their lives more complicated. Imogen is holding six jobs down while tending to her mother, and Eliot is a free spirit, haunted by the town he used to call home. Imogen now only has days to convince Eliot that her love is enough to make him stay.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I loved Imogen and her kindheartedness. She was always putting others before herself.

Overall, this was a unique spin on second chances and the sacrifices people make to make others happy.
I only wish there had been more development between Eliot and Imogen. It felt like things got rushed - and there wasn't enough buildup to feel satisfied with the end result.

This book is definitely different than a lot of other romances I’ve read. I liked Imogen and Eliot, and while I’m not a second chance fan, in this instance I didn’t mind it that much.

Imogen has been cursed since she was a girl to never come in first and so far its been true through her life into her late twenties. She left her hometown to go to Art School and the curse followed, she returned to care for her aging, misfortune telling mother and it remained true.

The only person that never believed in the curse was her best friend from high school that left and never returned. Until he is forced to return for his father's funeral. Eliot always had a crush on Imogen and Imogen always had a crush on Eliot and it seems with all the time that passed, neithers crush faded away.

This book is a story of second and third chances, about coming second or third to everyone in your life, and trying to put yourself first. It was a heartwarming and quick read.

This story had me tearing up quite a bit. The unsaid feelings as teenagers spoken ten years later lead to a great love story. The willingness of Eliot help Imogene to find something she came in first at was a fun ride. They formed a great bond. Imogene’ having to care for her eccentric mother frustrated me. It shows what a truly good person she is but if you can’t put yourself first sometimes it’s a vicious cycle to living life and getting nowhere. This story did not end the way I thought, well it got there in the end but there was a big detour. That’s where the story fell from 5 stars to 4. Them knowingly hurting one another made me dislike both characters. All in all I would recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC for my review.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
This is such a hard review to write because I absolutely adored Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, so I was anxiously awaiting this book and it just didn't work for me. I thought the curse part of the book was interesting. It was a unique take on a character problem in a book, and I appreciated the oringinality. I absolutely loved all of the side characters in this one - Franny and Dutch and even Imogen's mother. But I didn't like the romance here. 🙈 I am not sure if I needed two narrators - Imogen and Eliot - or some more development towards the ending. I honestly wished she would've ended up with Dutch because he seemed like that character that would put her first throughout the entire novel. Ending up with Eliot still traveling most of the time still felt like she ended second and the curse was going strong. I am glad she accomplished solo goals, but when it comes to a romance, I expected there to be a bit more with the characters coming together than there was. I just didn't like these two together and thought they both deserved someone more acclimated to their current lifestyles. I still look forward to reading what this author writes in the future.

The Predictable Heartbreaks is a moving story about family, friendship, and second chances. Imogen is tied to her hometown, working multiple jobs to help and take care of her mom, and is used to always coming in second. When her childhood crush/friend returns after many years away, we see Imogen work through her self-confidence and find the people that put her first while learning that she can put herself first once in a while, too.
I loved the way the story unfolded and the growth that Imogen showed. This is more than your second-chance/friends-to-lovers romance and is more than worth the read!!

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Imogen Finch has long since accepted she will never come first. Whether its elementary school sports, an art contest she was a shoo-in to win, or a friendly game of trivia at the local bar-- Imogen's mother (a sometimes oracle) accurately predicted her daughter's two decade long losing streak. So its no surprise when all of her seventeen relationship end because the other person found someone... better. However, when the long-lost third leg of her friend trio finally returns home after years of vagabonding, Imogen may finally have the encouragement she needs to break her second-place curse.

Personally, my favorite romances are the ones that end on a more realistic note (warning: HEA not to be found at the end of this story) but are still so achingly satisfying. All the characters in this story are well developed and utterly lovable, and Imogen and Eliot are just the right amount of infuriating to make everything that much sweeter. And the setting? I would love to find myself a member of their tight-knit coastal community. THE PREDICTABLE HEARTBREAKS OF IMOGEN FINCH has a little bit of everything for everybody. It's a little steamy, a little funny, a little tender, and a little magical-- and definitely worth a try.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is a small town second chance romance, with childhood friends to lovers. After 17 failed relationships and a prophecy of only being second best at everything, Imogen's hopes aren't very high in just about any department. When her only love, and childhood best friend, Eliot, comes home after they lost contact 10 years prior, they set out on a mission to break the second place curse on Imogen.

This was a very cute, quick read! I got through it in 2 days and I enjoyed it a lot! It really focused on the individual growth of both parties with really open communication all around. I liked all of the characters and really related to Imogen in a lot of ways. I felt like the characters made really adult choices the whole time, and this didn't feel like most contemporary romances I have read before.

If you're a romance reader, you'll like this book.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read an electronic advanced copy, to share my honest opinions.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins
Genre: contemporary romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5 stars)
Format: ebook

Read this if you like…
🤍 Small town settings
🤍 Friends to lovers
🤍 A bit of superstition and looking into the future
🤍 Emily Henry
🤍 Friends that are like family
🤍 Books that give you all the feels

This book is also for anyone who has struggled with allowing themselves to be loved. If you’re a person that puts everyone else first and forgets yourself a bit in the process, you’ll definitely identify with Imogen. If you’ve ever had your heart broken (repeatedly), Imogen is your girl and has been there as well.

I loved Eliot and Imogen and the reoccurring imagery of the birds (Swift and Finch). Their relationship and the way they came together felt very realistic to me. It gave “it’s always been you” without being ridiculous. This book could’ve easily been cheesy, but it wasn’t at all in my opinion!

Favorite quote:
“Either one of you would take a single day with the other rather than a lifetime with anyone else.” 🥹🥹🥹

This one was nearly perfect and gave me major Emily Henry vibes.

In the acknowledgments (always read the acknowledgments and/or author’s note, peeps!!), one dedication made me fall in love with the book even more:
“To anyone and everyone who’s been knocked down so many times, reaching for happiness or your own personal version of success has come to feel impossible. Wait for sunset. Dip your toes in the ocean. Find a ladybug. Count the spots. Let it go. That’s when the magic begins.” 😭😭😭

Jacqueline Firkins - I love your writing style and the love you put into these characters. I’m officially a fan.

A big thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

I really liked Imogen. I did think the book would go a bit differently than it actually did, but it was pretty enjoyable. In the beginning, I thought each chapter would be about an ex boyfriend but that was just kind of sprinkled into some chapters as she’s living her life. I was a bit disappointed with Eliot, though the ending started to make up for it, and that’s why this wasn’t rated any higher.

Would recommend! Not your typical romance though.