I really struggled with this one! I ended up DNFing at 50%.

The first half of the story felt really chaotic, as you’re trying to figure out what is going on between the magic shop, the large supporting cast of characters, and figure out what is going on, and went on in the past between Romina and Alex. It’s clear that there are some hurt feelings about what happened 10 years ago.

My biggest issue was that I felt like Alex was completely insufferable and condescending, and so I just couldn’t connect to these characters. I wished I did because I loved the element of the magic store, and Romina’s gift!

Thanks to Netgalley + G.P. Putnams Son’s for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this introduction into this world and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I just so thoroughly enjoyed meeting these new characters and getting to go on their journey. I will most definitely be reading more wonderful books from this author.

This was a fun atmospheric, witchy book and sounds like it's the start of a brand new series. It's set in a charming town that is small and means gossip spreads quickly. Romina and her sisters are trying to figure out how to get back the money for a neighboring lot that will help their magic shop handle their inventory. A blast from the past finds Romina in an interesting position to hopefully save her store and right some wrongs. This is funny, has witty banter, and explores a relationship. It's not just a meet-cute, there's fully developed relationships. I loved the sisters relationship and can't wait to see that explored as well.

I feel like this book has the cozy, cottagecore witch vibes that will appeal to a lot of readers. I loved the magic system with the flowers, and how it and other forms of magic felt grounded in some traditional old folk ways.

However, I wasn’t a fan of how the characters were portrayed. It sometimes felt like they changed personalities within the span of a few sentences, and it would change back after another paragraph or two. It took my out of the world of the story, and I would have a hard time getting back into it. I’m absolutely sure there will be an audience for this book, it just isn’t my cup of tea.

I adore Sara Hogle, and her first entry in the fantasy genre was a new favorite! This magical realism romance focuses on Romina, a witch focusing on floral magic to spread love and joy. I loved Romina and her sisters - their bond felt so real. The side characters and town were fun and well-developed. The romance with Alex was a second-chance high school sweetheart which surprisingly took a backseat to the other relationships in the book. I didn't love Alex, and didn't understand his motivations, his attitude and the BIG secret reveal - def read spoiler tags if a secret in books bothers you.

This was the first time reading this author and I enjoyed the ride. It was easy to connect with the character and the chaos of day to day life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

One thing I love about Sarah Hogle's books is that it will always feel like a warm hug. Old Flames and New Fortunes was so comfy and cozy. It was the perfect combination of whimsy and magical yet also grounding and centered on the love story. One criticism I have is that I wished we had a few more flashbacks to further establish the relationship between Romina and Alex. The bridge between back then and present day feels incomplete because we don't ~feel~ exactly where they ended things. Another criticism is that the side characters felt very two-dimensional and not fully fleshed out as characters. If Hogle is setting up this world the way I believe she intends to—different books for each sisters' love stories—I hope in the future books, the supporting characters are given more depth and lore. Nevertheless, this book was enjoyable and fun to read. Alex was a great love interest because his only personality was yearning for Romina—great for my campaign to bring back real yearners. 3.5/5 stars!

I start with a thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for gifting me a copy of OLD FLAMES AND NEW FORTUNES in exchange for my honest review.

Sisters Romina, Zelda, and Luna operate The Magick Happens--a shop specializing in candle magic, fantasy and paranormal books, and flora fortunes, flower arrangements using the language of flowers to influence one's heart's wish. The sister love their work and their lives in (and out of, in Zelda's case) their small Ohio hometown. But one serious problem looms large: money.

Their dreams of opening a magical night market and expanding Romina's garden hang on the need for more funds. When their business partner's father is unexpectedly in town, Luna and Romina prepare to make a pitch for financial support. But before they can get a word out, Romina is pulled into a fake romantic relationship with her business partner, Trevor, and is face-to-face with Alex--the man who broke her heart.

OLD FLAMES AND NEW FORTUNES is a delightful romantic comedy. I really enjoyed the banter between Romina and Alex and how the humor and connection they share blossom into a deeply rooted and emotional partnership. I am a huge fan of magical realism, and this book fed that appreciation even more. Sweet, smart, and satisfying. In a word, sensational!

Book bonuses:
>A playlist!
>Flower meanings
>Swoon-worthy scenes to give you that stomach-swooshy feeling

I had such a hard time getting into this book. The cover is so whimsical and beautiful and the story was really intriguing. However, I didn't find the characters all that likeable and the banter felt very stilted.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. I loved the plot, but the writing was a little too cutesy, a little on the cheesey end for me.

Fake dating, second chance, florist, and weddings…this book felt very familiar to a title I read last year, so I wasn’t so much a fan. While the small town magic / magical realism brings a change to the story, ultimately I just didn’t love it, and definitely didn’t connect with the characters

This was a cute, feel good book. I like the second-chance romance aspect. I think my favorite part may have been the descriptions of the flower arrangements, and the meanings of each of the flowers.

“Old Flames and New Fortunes” is a charming second-chance romance perfect for springtime. I loved learning about the flowers and their meanings and how they played a role in the plot. All of the side characters and the wedding festivities added to the fun. The deeper themes were unique and I enjoyed seeing the character growth throughout the story.

For those who love:
🌸 Flower Magic
🌸 Fake Dating the wrong guy
🌸 Scavenger Hunts
🌸 Second Chance Romance
🌸 Small Town
🌸 Forced Proximity

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun, feel good, read. Characters are warm and inviting. Storyline is spot on. Leaves you wanting more. Feel there are more books to come in the future to complete the picture. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

If we don't get books for Luna and Zelda, I'm coming for you, Sarah Hogle.

This was an incredibly swoon-worthy second chance romance with a touch of fake dating to make an ex jealous. I read most of it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down!

Witchy vibes, cozy small town, a male love interest who actually voices his emotions... what more could you possibly want?? I absolutely recommend this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

Tw: loss of a child, emotional abuse in a relationship

This was absolutely excellent. The cozy soft fantasy vibes of it all, how down bad Romina and Alex are for each other, paired with Sarah's signature wit and writing style makes for this to be immediately one of my top reads of the year already.

DNF!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

But...
Unfortunately I could not get into this one at all. It was very hard to read at times because I had to stop and go to check if this was a middle grade book or Adult novel since the characters were acting like 12 years old. If the age wasn't mentioned I would have thought they were middle schoolers. I was dissapointed because I really enjoyed You Deserve Each Other by Sarah and was excited when I got the ACR for this.

—Thank you to NetGalley and the publidher for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love Sarah Hogle’s books because they feel so cozy and raw at the same time.
In this case, i was obssessed with the cozy small town vibes, family dynamics and sisters’ relationship. These characters were so human, they made mistakes, they were relatable and they loved fiercely.
4.5/5

I was very excited to read Sarah Hogle's new book because I am a huge fan of her previous work and this did not disappoint at all. In fact, I think it will usurp Twice Shy as my favorite Sarah Hogle book and is an early contender for the best romance of the year! This year has some hotly anticipated romance novels coming out and this will be the one to beat!

Romina is a flora fortunist (a hybrid of a florist and fortune teller) in a small town famous for their magical history. She agrees to fake-date her friend, Morgan, at his father's engagement party but she didn't know he was getting married to her ex-boyfriend's mother. Alex and Romina have not seen each other since they broke up after high school. Alex is confident, determined and bucks expectations. Romina is loyal, thoughtful and has a complicated past.

Alex has a secret that threatens to ruin the rekindling of their relationship. I understand why other reviewers reacted strongly do it but I understand the reasoning behind it. <spoiler>Alex has a child that he didn't tell Romina about. To be fair, for most of their interactions before she finds out, Romina is lying about dating Morgan. As a parent, I always put the interest and privacy of my children first and although I'm not a single parent, I think it is right for Alex to protect his family over disclosing to an ex. I think he was also very understanding and patient when Romina wasn't ready to spend time with him, due to her own past baggage. </spoilers>

Readers who enjoyed the banter and pettiness of You Deserve Each Other, communication via flowers like in Julie Soto's Forget Me Not, and small town sisterhood like Practical Magic and Garden Spells, will love Old Flames and New Fortunes!

Very sad I didn’t enjoy this since Just Like Magic is one of my favorite romances. This was just kind of boring and Alex was very problematic to me. Hopefully other people enjoy this more than I did.