This book had a lot of cute and charming moments but unfortunately never reached the highs of Sarah Hogle's other books Just Like Magic or You Deserve Each Other (but also never stooped as low as Twice Shy).

I liked the side characters and the fake dating, but the main relationship never did much for me because of Alex. This is definitely just personal preference, but I really really really did not like how pushy and overly jealous he got, even if it mostly worked for this type of story. I found myself wishing this was dual POV so we could understand his emotions more than him simply being obsessed with Romina. Romina herself was very interesting with struggles that were explored well. It's really impossible not to root for her to have her happy ending. I do wish she had a bit more self respect, she pretty much collapses whenever Alex does literally anything.

I wish the magic system was a bit more creative. Plant/flower based magic is pretty common in romance fantasy books nowadays and Sarah Hogle usually adds her own twists when tackling conventions of the genre (like in Just Like Magic), so I was hoping she would add something different.

This all being said, I will definitely continue to read everything Sarah Hogle writes (including the next 2? books in this series). If you are looking for a romance book that doesn't follow the usual structure with (mostly) fun characters and a great ending, definitely pick up this book! I would however encourage you to pick up Sarah Hogle's other releases if this one didn't do it for you.

I read this book through NetGalley.

Romina is a witch in a small town and helps her sisters run a store with magical items. Their business partner, Trevor, is trying to help them get a loan from his father but on their way to asking him they discover his father is in town to announce his engagement to a woman who is Romina’s high school ex-boyfriend’s mom. A series of events leads to Trevor and Romina pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend. And when Romina’s ex, Alex, shows up he is annoyed and skeptical and begins trying to sabotage their farce. Over time the truth comes out and Romina and Alex reconnect and find the love they had before was never truly gone and is now stronger than ever.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance. There was sort of a lot going on but it all worked together and moved the plot along. I loved the dynamics between Romina and her sisters as well as the other secondary characters. And the chemistry and banter between Romina and Alex was fun. I believe there are or will be other books related to the sisters’ love lives and I would definitely be interested in reading those after having read this one.

Old Flames and New Fortunes is the first book I have read by Sarah Hogle, so I went into it with no expectations. Based on the cover and synopsis, I knew I was in for a treat!

I really enjoyed this book. The magic system is fantastic! I love how Romina uses flowers to not so gently nudge people in the right direction. Magical realism is one of my favorite genres. It's so fun to read about magic being sprinkled throughout a real life world. The characters and the relationships between them are all amazing as well. They are all so unique from each other, which makes some of the situations they get into really funny!

In general, I really liked Sarah Hogle's writing style. It was really easy and fun to read. While there were definitely sad parts, overall it was is a lighthearted read, which I really needed! I will definitely read more of their books in the future.

I really loved this book! It’s perfect for a spring day! Hogle never disappoints me with her writing- it’s fast paced and so funny. I loved the main characters and their relationships, and I’m so excited to read more from the sister’s perspective!!!

4 stars!! this was really cute!! loved part 1 but part 2 lost me a bit but I love Sarah Hogle’s writing. Would def recommend and I can’t wait to read more and follow the sisters love stories

There was nothing wrong with this book, but maybe it just wasn't for me, so please bear that in mind while reading the review.

Alex and Romina were together in high school but broke up before going to college. Shortly after their breakup, Alex and Romina do things for th purpose of hurting each other (as one does when they are 18 and have broken each other's hearts); however, they reconnect when they are 29, and what happens then is when this story starts to fall apart. Romina winds up in a fake relationship with someone who is technically her boss, and whose father is marrying her exes mother. High school hijinx ensues, and Romina finally comes clean about the ruse, and she and Alex get back together. Honestly, the story could have ended there, but I feel like there were additional plot points added to keep the story going, which caused the book to drag a bit. It felt odd that Romina has lived her whole life in a small town but hasn't seen her most recent ex since they broke up 2 years ago, and we don't see or hear from him in the story, and that although she believes Alex is her one true love, she isn't sure if she can handle dating somebody with a kid again. Again, this plot point just felt a bit forced, and the story, quite frankly, felt more appropriate for college-aged characters, not 29 and 30-year-olds.

This book is so cute!! It’s giving witchy cottage core and I am so here for it! Hogle does a wonderful job at making you feel like you’re there with Romina Tempest as she goes through her memories of her past and as she moves forward with what life is throwing at her.

Romina and Alex were high school sweethearts, until they aren’t. In a tragic break up, they make the choice to never see each other again- it just hurts to much to see each other.

Romina ends up in a fake relationship and isn’t sure how to move forward in it when she bumps into Alex after years of not seeing him. Does she choose to stick to the plan and keep lying, or to follow her heart even if she thinks it’s lying?

This book is witty and enduring. It’s also a deep look into how the past can play a huge part into love and how you move through the world. With a little bit of spice, this book has something for everyone!

I really tried to like this book. But I was finding myself wanting to DNF it multiple times. It just didn’t do anything for me. I felt as though the chemistry between Romina and Alex was forced, and the fake dating scenario between her and Trevor was just dumb. I did enjoy the magic element and the fact that Romina’s flowers held a different type of magical power depending on what you needed in your life. I loved her outgoing personality but Alex can kick rocks.

I’m not sure if I would say I enjoyed this as much as You Deserve Each Other. But there were a lot of things I enjoyed. The magic was fine, if super simple. The characters… oof. I honestly wasn’t sure how much I liked any of them in the beginning. Even Aisling.

However, as the story progressed, they each grew on me in their own way. Trevor mellowed out, thank god. Mr. Yoon softened. And Alex. God, at first he was seriously insufferable. The amount of answers I owe someone I haven’t seen in eleven years are exactly zero. So his bs really kind of killed me. His wounded expressions just… it didn’t endear him to me in the way I think the author intended. However, about the time Miles showed up, it was honestly like a switch was flipped. Not in any way that felt out of character. But in a way that took him from ghost of his 18 year old self and into the almost 30 year old he was supposed to be.

The shining moment of this book came when Romina voiced her fears. The thing she was most afraid of. And Alex responded exactly how any man should. He heard her. LISTENED. He found a way to work with her fears without making her feel guilty about them or turning it into a fight. It was maybe the most realistic and mature interaction I’ve read in a romance novel. For that alone, this book gets four stars.

Loved it! I don't know how Sarah Hogle comes up with these fantastic ideas, but I am delighted. "Old Flames and New Fortunes" is a super soft witch story that also manages to be intense and dramatic. And it's ridiculously hilarious!

The single POV from Romina rachets up the tension. I felt so absorbed in her relationship with Alex. Their romance is an excruciatingly perfect blend of laugh-out-loud fun and emotional complexity. I desperately hope this becomes a series of the Tempest sisters.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

DNF at something like 12 or 13%. I think this writing style wasn't for me - there was nothing inherently bad about the book or anything I didn't specifically like plot-wise. It just didn't hook me and was very...ethereal? I put it down and just never had the desire to pick it back up unfortunately. Just a case of "not for me"! So don't let this review sway you.

I truly enjoyed this magical second chance romance. Each character was written so well. The sarcasm and goofy humor had me literally laughing out loud. I loved the very real elements of sadness, and how grief doesn’t just go away. You have to process it. It was overall a wonderful read and I highly recommend. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this book!

I have absolutely adored whatever Sarah Hogle has put out. I’ve loved every second of every moment of her books, I’ve enjoyed being in her worlds more than anything as I’ve found a sense of comfort in her writing and romances and characters. And this was no different. Nicholas and Naomi have a special place in my heart, but this book, with its wittiness and quirks, holds a special place in my heart too. Watching the main characters cater to each other once again and grow from being distant strangers to once again lovers was beautiful. I loved the vibes of this book too, so well done and so much fun.

This could have been so good if I liked the leading man. I thought he was insufferably rude and annoying and I didn’t like the way he treated Romina, no matter what she thought of it. I don’t usually need to like characters to enjoy a book EXCEPT in romance. The rest of the story was cute, though the side characters felt really shallow. Also, the book was longer than it needed to be. Overall, this had a good premise, but fell short for me.

I absolutely adore Sarah Hogle, so I’m incredibly sad to DNF this book- I might come back at a later date, but the writing was really hard to get into, and by the time I did, the reveal gave me the complete ick.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I will continue to read this authors work, she is brilliant. I wish I had loved this more.

This was such a fun book! The story is set in Moonville, Ohio. It's a small town where gossip spreads like wildfire. Romina is a flora fortunist who knows exactly what flowers people need to make their wishes come true. She has 2 sisters and one works her magic through candles in the shop with her.

Trevor is the owner of the shop and Romina ends up in a fake dating scenario to try to ask his dad for more funding to save the shop. Little does she know, his dad is in town to announce his wedding to Trevor. Cue in Alex, the ex, the high school sweetheart, and the one who stole Romina's heart. Oh yea, and Trevor's dad is marrying Alex's mom!

Those first love feelings come rushing back for both Romina and Alex, and Trevor soon finds himself pining over one of his former loves too. Who ends up with who? Did they save the shop? Will Trevor and Romina come clean? All questions are answered as you will frantically flip the pages speed reading to find out what happens next!

I really enjoyed this book and the character development. Everything was a good pace and I loved reading Romina and Alex's story and also really enjoyed the inner dialogue being expressed for the main characters too. If you like witchy, small town, fated mates, and a good romcom, this book is for you!

I haven't read anything by Sarah Hogle before, but I enjoyed this one. It was a cute love story.

I always enjoy a romance with some witchy vibes. I would have enjoyed a dual POV because I have read so many of those lately, but that is more a me problem than a problem with the book!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin-Putnam, and Sarah Hogle for an ARC of this book!**

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble...

But you can skip the cauldron...because ALL Romina needs to tell your future?

One PERFECT flower!

Romina is a flora fortunist (floral witch) meaning rather than a crystal ball, she uses flowers to tell fortunes. Snug in the aptly named town of Moonville (a bit on the nose, but okay!) she helps others find their forever love after losing a chance at her own many years ago. Alex King is the one who got away, her high school crush and greatest heartbreak, but Romina has spent the last several years throwing herself into her work and trying to put this romantic misstep far out of her mind. As a co-owner of the store The Magick Happens, Romina and her sisters Luna and Zelda (nope, no Sabrina!) and her friend Trevor all aspire to expand the business and attempt to snatch up some more land with the goal of expanding their witchy enterprise.

But as is often the case, money gets in the way, and the deal goes bad, leaving the store owners in a tizzy. They hope to find a financial backer, and Trevor's wealthy dad is in the perfect position to bail them out...but it's going to take some convincing! Romina knows she has to get an 'in' with the family, and decides fake dating Trevor is the perfect way to endear herself to the Yoon family. Romina DOES eventually get the chance to make the pitch at Trevor's father's wedding...but she can't believe her eyes at the identity of his betrothed: it's none other than Alex King's MOTHER...meaning Alex is also in attendance at the wedding. Seeing him again secretly feels like kismet...but since now Romina is 'dating' Trevor, she decides to use this opportunity to make Alex PAY.

With sparks continuing to fly, however, cutting snipes start to feel more like flirty banter...and Romina wonders if this is her chance to rewrite history...or if Alex would even WANT to give their love another shot. With so much hanging in the balance, from potentially losing her entire business to potentially letting the love of her life slip away yet AGAIN...will Romina find a way to listen to her heart? Or will she decide that her Flower of Fortune is less rose...and more like a poppy?

So let me start off by saying...I'm not sure what exactly has happened to Sarah Hogle and the direction of her writing. I grabbed You Deserve Each Other, and when I say it's when of my favorite romance books EVER...it's no exaggeration. From the slow and steady build, the snarky, clever banter of her protagonists, to the REAL emotional underpinnings that caused me to reflect on my own relationships on a level that actually brought TEARS to my eyes...I felt I had truly stumbled upon a SPECIAL romance author...the kind that makes me want to dive into the genre more and more.

But with the saccharine sweetness of Twice Shy, it seemed like Hogle started to make a turn...and it seems like now she has decided to set up camp in the Land of Witchy, Fluffy, YA Romance...which is a town unfortunately populated by overly convoluted plots with immature characters that had me fighting the urge to skim from start to finish.

The fact that even writing this synopsis was difficult speaks to the sort of messy way the premise was presented...not to mention, it's a messier premise than it needs to be in general. When the focus was on Romina's long lost love and it was described in sort of a wistful way, I was on board. I thought the floral fortunist angle was something different, and that learning about this 'brand' of witchcraft would be fun...but it quickly lost its luster. Between dealing with the whole messy business dealings (and why they were trying to expand a successful shop that was already thriving where it was in a SMALL TOWN) was sort of beyond me, trying to work in discussion of Romina's sisters (who frankly didn't get their due as characters either) and dealing with Trevor's eccentricities...the story was covering a LOT of ground, but not in a way that fully immersed me in the world of the book. I found myself outside looking in, wondering who these characters REALLY were, and why for people their age, they read more like teenagers.

And then of course, between Trevor and Alex...let's just say there weren't any LIKABLE male characters in this book whatsoever. I honestly couldn't tell which one of them was worse at times. If Romina was just trying to date both of them to find out who was more irritating, THAT honestly would have made more sense. I wanted so much depth out of the relationship, but honestly, I just found both the fake and REAL feelings sort of...meh. Once we FINALLY got into spicier territory, ironically, it picked up a bit for me...but I think this speaks more to Hogle's capabilities as a romance writer in general rather than the specific relationships mentioned here. Romina also has sort of a weird fixation on having children, and sort of glamorizes and romanticizes the entire experience in a way that felt very off-putting to me. It felt more like a teenage babysitter cooing over how cute babies are than a woman who wants to build a family and raise a PERSON...and I guess now that I'm a mom myself, it just made her character seem even MORE immature.

This book also just FEELS long in the way that fantasy books also can feel painfully long to me at times, and there was no part of me that was ever particularly excited to pick this one up and finish it. I felt myself dissociating from the story...a LOT...and had to force myself to keep turning pages, and at times it was VERY hard to fight the urge to skim. Apparently Hogle was teeing this up to be a series (?) but I must have been so checked out by the end that I completely missed that...and needless to say, I think I'm all set after volume one.

And although Hogle seems to have veered sharply from the vein of complex, emotional, funny, adult romance and into the land of fantasy, witches, and highly improbable scenarios...perhaps all it would take to get her back on that path would be a little bit of magic.

Oh, the irony...

3 stars

From the start this book wasn’t getting more than three stars out of me unless a romance miracle occurred. I started this book FOUR separate times before finally forcing myself to continue the dang thing. It’s a very sloggy start. (I know that’s not a real word but there’s no other word to describe it.) So many characters right away, also there are magical flowers but are they witches? Magic is such a mild sprinkling in this book I didn’t exactly grasp the concept of it. There’s so much going on right from the start and I put it down so many times that the ARC I received was no long an ARC when I actually read it because the book is already out in the world now. My bad, Putnam. My bad.

So after slogging my way through the intro of this very detailed magical(??) town we get to the hero Alex and some thrown together half assed fake dating scheme with Trevor that is just playful enough that I’m gonna open my heart to the possibility of a romance miracle occurring in this book. This miracle doesn’t occur and I found myself just mildly amused throughout the course of this book and skimming through some very long internal dialogues about past boyfriends. That’s the bummer about second chance romances is at times they’re so engrained in the past that the present loses its power. Romina is having to look at what happened all those years ago, look at her last relationship SO DANG MUCH that I’m not excited about the pining and tension in the present. If anything I’m like “Girl, MOVE ON! Live for now!!” Which isn’t a super fun place to be.

And also that fun little twist we get from the hero makes me want to strangle him and me want to shake the heroine. That’s always a fun place to be.

And the stupid thing is I really love Sarah Hogle’s first two books. I really thought I was a super fan, but these last two fell flat for me. I don’t know that I’m a fan at all anymore 😩

Stunning novel. Sarah Hogle never fails to bring out the ugly crier in me. Her books are tender and so full of heart and this one is maybe the best example of that. I will fight wars for these MCs.