Sarah Hogle writes in such a sweet, magical way that just feels so cozy! I loved this new little magical world that Sarah created! And I LOVE a second chance romance so much!! And this one had a little bit of fake dating for revenge! But not in the way that you’d think! And the tension and the pining and the banter that Alex and Romina had!! It was good!

The first half was…not it for me? I didn’t love it, but it was needed? But also I thought it was SILLY. But it was fast paced enough that I just flew right through it! But I also think that’s part of the reason why I didn’t like it much. I also found Alex irritating at first.

But the second half!! It was fantastic! Once their feeling came back to the surface and they actually TALKED it was so good. Everything came up and they were able to really talk about why they broke up and their miscommunications and how much it hurt them. The way Alex loved her SO MUCH. And the way they both were PINING so hard for each other FOREVER.

If there are going to be more books about Romina’s sisters though count me in! I’d love to be back in this little universe!

Thank you so much to Putnam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to love this book. Witches, flowers and second chance Romance. Yes, please. The writing never grabbed me. I didn't feel happy vibes from the main characters. Especially Alex, I hated him. I wanted more magical vibes. I loved learning about the flowers and their meaning. This book just fell flat for me.

Filled with laughs and swoon, Old Flames and New Fortunes is a cute and cozy magical romance with a sprinkle of angst.

GENERAL INFO

Old Flames and New Fortunes: Book #1 A Moonville Novel

Publication : 4-2-24 , Read 3-31-24

Format: eBook, 382 pages

Source: Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC💚!  I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Setting: Moonville, OH

Genre: paranormal, fantasy, rom-com

Tropes: witches, magic, fake dating, 2nd chance romance, high school sweethearts, small town

 HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: no

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Romina and her sisters bought a lot and greenhouse after their grandmother Dottie's flower shop was sold off by their mother. The Magick Happens was given to their mother in a divorce settlement with their father. They ended up in debt because they didn't do their due diligence, so they are willing to ask Trevor(the current owner's father) for a loan. But Trevor's father Daniel announces he's getting married to Kristin, Romina's first and only love Alex's mother. Can Romina be around Alex or will she be completely miserable?

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Flashbacks: Yes, Romina and Alex in high school dating and Romina's parents constant arguments prior to divorce.

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : Yes, both Romina and Alex are jealous of each other

Amount of Sex In The Book: enough

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Romina Tempest-29, floral witch who uses the language of flowers to manifest love.

Luna Tempest-Romina's oldest sister. Has an eleven year old daughter Aisling. Into candle making.

Zelda Tempest-lives in VA, a paranormal writer owns The Cavern of Paperback Gems.

Alex King- a roofer, has a 4 year old son, Miles. Dated Romina in high school eleven years ago.

Trevor Yoon-the sisters' landlord and business partner at the flower shop. Handles their social media.

Daniel-Trevor's father, very rich business owner marrying Alex's mother.

Kristin King-Alex's mother who is marrying Daniel. Cared about Romina since her and Alex dated in high school.

Dottie Tempest-Romina's deceased grandmother who was a psychic. She told the sisters they would all find their true loves within the same year when a silver moth appears.

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Romina's current "bf" Trevor and ex bf Spencer. Alex's ex Kelsey-mother of his son.

AUTHOR OVERVIEW 

Sarah Hogle-I read Twice Shy and gave it 4

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 4 

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: This was a cute and cozy romance featuring two people who tried to move on with other people, but still have an attraction to each other. There's angst, healing the past, and believing they both were worthy of love. I will read more in this series, no question!

Where to start with OLD FLAMES AND NEW FORTUNES? From the very first lines, I had a great feeling about this story. I immediately wanted to know more about Romina’s life, her magical abilities, the shop she ran…everything. This was my first Sarah Hogle book and I can say with certainty that it won’t be my last.

Moonville was such a cute and perfect setting. Filled with unforgettable characters, I wanted to visit this small town even if the only way I could do that was by continuing to read. And read I did, every chance I got—especially when Alex came back into Romina’s life.

What can I even say about Alex except SWOON? Seriously. Probably my new number 1 book boyfriend. The little bit of history we got about him and Ro just kept me turning the pages, eager to see where this second chance romance would go. I loved Romina’s fake-dating plot with Trevor because it was great seeing a jealous Alex.

And the second act! Oh my. I was so surprised going into part two. At first I wasn’t certain how to feel about the twist, but it added a lot of layers to the book.

AND THE ROMANCE??? While there weren’t a lot of spicy moments, what there *was* absolutely felt so well done and the emotional pay-off was there.

Filled with character growth, laughs, sighs, and swoons, OLD FLAMES AND NEW FORTUNES was amazing.

Cute, whimsical, and the trademark chaos that I expect from Hogle. Her romance novels are always a joy, and this one is no exception. Set in a cute little town, with a swoon second chance romance, it was incredibly easy to fall into this book!

Although I enjoyed it, this does have a small element of fantasy in it. I was disappointed that it didn't play much of a role later on, but it just petered off in lieu of the romance. Oh well.

I really enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a whimsical setting for your next rom com, I recommend this. Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romina is one of three Tempest sisters running a magical shop in a tourist town. She gets roped into a fake dating situation with her friend which becomes more complicated as her ex-boyfriend returns to town for his mother’s wedding…to Romina’s fake boyfriend’s father. The whole setup of characters and plot here is ridiculous and funny. The book takes place over the course of a very short time, I think about a week or so in the springtime.

I loved the whimsical setting, the tropes of fake dating and second chance romance. Some scenes needed to be more fully fleshed out, and there was some clunky writing that occasionally pulled me out of the narrative when I tried to figure out where in space and time the characters were. This issue is more present in the first half of the book, and I didn’t notice it by the second half of the book.

I think if you enjoyed whimsical witchy rom coms you will enjoy this book! Without giving away any spoilers, I really loved how the author resolved the third act here. If there ends up being another book following another Tempest sister, I’ll definitely pick that up.

Romina is part of a trio of magical sisters that live in Moonville, Ohio. The run a family shop that has been handed down through the generations. Romina’s gift is growing and making flower arrangements. One her way to make a sales pitch for a loan, she runs into the one she never got over, Alex King. It’s been 11 years since either had laid eyes on the other, and all those feelings and past hurt bubbles right up to the surface, not to mention their instant attraction. You can’t change the past, you can only move forward. The only question becomes: will Romina allow herself to open up to love with Alex?

The story just about wrecked me; especially with the ending of Part One – this book is split into two sections: Part One and Part Two. I loved watching their delicate little dance in learning and letting go past hurts and misconceptions. To open up to the thought of possibly being together once again. You should definitely check this book out, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the chance to read and review this story.

3.5 rounded up.

Old Flames and New Fortunes is a new whimsical novel by Sarah Hogle, following a magical florist helping others find love through flowers all while struggling for love in her own life. This novel features a second chance romance, small town vibes, and a new take on fake-dating.

This book had a really solid premise and I jumped at the chance to get this ARC, but parts of it left me a bit disappointed. The characters sometimes felt a bit too silly, often acting more like children than adults. Sometimes I thought that was fun, but other times it was too much and took me out of the story, especially when it came to how the love interests treated each other throughout the first half of the book.

My other large qualm with the book was the magical elements. The three Tempest sisters center their lives and careers around their unique forms of magic, but we never really see it executed throughout the story. We’re told more often than shown, and I would have really liked to have seen the magic played out more.

Overall, I still thought it was a fun story, although I imagine it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’ve read Sarah Hogle’s Christmas novel Just Like Magic and enjoyed it, I think you’ll like this! Out of all of her books, I’d still recommend You Deserve Each Other most!

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the e-arc!

Romina Tempest is the ultimate plant mom and the tenderness and loyalty within her nurturing heart emanated off the page. I enjoyed watching her blossom and bloom throughout this sweet story as she knocked down the thorns around her guarded heart and allowed the possibility of magic and second chances to take root.

The banter between the characters was delightful and Trevor, Luna, and Morgan were particularly ridiculous and hilarious. The relationship between the Tempest sisters was relatable and full of warmth.

While the magic and quirkiness of this story and Moonville’s residents were enchanting, I found myself puzzled at times. The writing lacked finesse and focus and the story seemed to jump around - scenes and conversations wouldn’t entirely finish, before something new started again. This also proved tricky when the story would pivot mid chapter from the present to past.

Overall, I liked the whimsical, coziness feel of the book and enjoyed all of the floral descriptions and magic, but I found the slightly chaotic writing hindered me from fully connecting with the story. I also wish the book had had an epilogue! I do hope that with the open ending, this means each of the Tempest sisters is getting a book because I would love to read more about Luna and Zelda.

While still really great, I think this is my least favorite book by Sarah Hogle so far. Ro and her sisters are great, but I didn't really resonate with the rest of the cast. Also, while they were executed well, the tropes of this book are some of my least favorite in the genre. Still eagerly looking forward to reading everything else she writes though and I'll likely revisit this one again in the future.

Thank you to penguin group putnam for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed but didn't totally love Old Flames and New Fortunes. I had a hard time getting past the secret the MMC, Alex, had. It was a much bigger deal than I think the others characters made it to be. Lots of flowery language in this one which makes it a great read for spring. I just don't think this story left much of an impact on me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin GROUP for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Old Flames and New Fortunes will hit shelves on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

I would like to officially apply for the job of 'Sarah Hogle's grocery list reader'
I LOVE the world this woman lives in. I love her characters, I love how silly everything is, how earnest the characters are, how everything she touches turns to magic.
I cannot say enough good things about this book, I want to live in this town, I want to marry all these characters, I would read 100 more books of every side character. I love that the fake dating was silly but didn't rule the entire narrative. I love her sisters (Praying we get side books of each of their moth-related escapades)

This was such a fun, witchy second chance romance! Sarah Hogle has such a knack for off the wall humor while still grounding the reader in the characters’ world and this one was no different. Another home run!

another absolutely beautiful story from Sarah Hogle!!! her books have the absolute sweetest characters with the most tender story. I loved Alex and Romina's second chance to be with each other in this story. they are dealing with years long, pent up frustrations and hurt with each other and themselves at how their relationship ended back in high school. they worked through so much of that before finding love and comfort in each other again, and I loved seeing that because it showed how they needed to clear the air and heal before taking a chance on each other again. I loved the side characters and the magical elements of this book as well! I loved the idea of flowers and nature working magically in our lives that show how intricately and helplessly nature ties to our lives and experiences.
overall, just the lovliest, sweetest, tenderest story. thank you so much for the arc :)

This fell a little short of being great for me. There was a lot about it that I usually love which had me super excited to give it a read. The MMC was unlikeable in my opinion which I think has a lot to do with why I could not fully get to the point of loving this. I will say though that the story itself was cute, and I found the book to be quick and easy to get through, I also really enjoyed the magical elements as well.

OLD FLAMES AND NEW FORTUNES is a sisterly, witchy romance with a second chance at love for a lover of all things flower-related. There’s a lot going on in this tale and I found there were too many characters introduced for me to easily track what was happening to who. There is a very nice spring vibe to everything and the author can describe settings beautifully. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to @putnambooks for sharing with me an advance copy of Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle, out TOMORROW, April 2nd!

It’s been too long since I picked up a SH book, and I’d forgotten how silly and squishy and absolutely loveable her characters are.

This contemporary romance with a twist follows Romina, a woman who uses her botanical and magical gifts to help others find love, and Alex, the man who broke her heart, who has unexpectedly returned to their hometown. The ensuing schemes and shenanigans reminded me, delightfully, of a Martha Waters romcom.

I’m picky about my second chance romances, and this one struck the perfect balance for me — not too much of the story is told in the past, and the reason for their split feels true to the characters and not infuriating as the reader!

As usual, Hogle writes a MMC who is absolutely gone for the FMC, which I adore. I also enjoyed the cozy small town backdrop! Old Flames and New Fortunes sets up the potential for future books in a series, so I’m very much looking forward to seeing how the silver moth fortune plays out for the rest of the Tempest sisters!

I liked, but didn't love this one. I loved the flowery language, it's a perfect read for the spring. The MMC was not super likeable to me and then the big plot twist make me like him even less. And then when everyone moved on from the bombshell, it felt rushed. I feel like more attention should have been paid to it. It's not something that you can just easily move on from, in my opinion.

So overall a fun read, but missing something.

Sarah Hogle has done it again.
Her writing will always be immersive in her prose and dialogue and makes you never want to put a book down. Incredible story and I was wrapped from the start, love love love it.