Member Reviews

Oh my gosh....what a beautiful and heartwarming story. This one drew me in from the very beginning. It has sweet moments, emotional moments, love, friendship and family love. It's a perfect read for this time of year to enjoy sitting outside and reading while enjoying some sunshine and sweet flowers. Anytime a story has me feeling all the "feels" while reading, that tells me it is a well written story!

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The Finders Keepers Library is the first book in the Love in Bloom series by Annie Rains. Savannah Collins’s life has been filled with lots of thorns and zero roses lately. As a gardener with a green thumb, she finds herself out of a job, dumped and evicted, all in one swoop. With all her belongings in her car, she heads to her Aunt Eleanor’s in Bloom, North Carolina, to spend the summer and hopefully figure out a new plan. What she doesn’t expect is to run into Evan Sanders, her childhood crush. Eleanor shares her love of literature with the Finders Keepers Library, located in the beautiful garden her late husband cultivated; anyone can stop by to pick a book or even leave a book. When a sudden summer storm destroys a portion of the library and the garden, it is a race to clean it up for a coming wedding.
The Finders Keepers Library is a heart-warming second chance love story about hope and healing. It is a sweet story with a few tears and self-discovery. I loved the great applications of books into life situations. From classic stories like Anne of Green Gables to modern stories like The Hunger Games, the characters show us that books can be entertainment as well as life lessons and inspiration. I also loved that the story uses the therapeutic aspect of gardening. I loved all the characters. From Savannah to Evan to Aunt Eleanor and to the secondary characters, just wonderful, wonderful characters. Their hopes, dreams and struggles were relatable and inspiring. I am looking forward to the more books in this series. I just didn’t want this story to end. If you love stories of second chances, healing with books and gardening, I highly, highly recommend The Finders Keepers Library.


The Finders Keepers Library is available in paperback and eBook

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Savannah's fiancee just dumped her after her medical diagnosis of Lupus. She's on her way to stay with her parents until she finds a job. She decides to stop at her Aunt Eleanor's in Bloom, North Carolina. She used to spend summers at Aunt Eleanor's while growing up. Eleanor loves to read and has a shed filled with books called the Finders Keepers Library. Eleanor loves to quote from books. Eleanor's neighbor Evan is mad at Savannah for not coming to check on Eleanor when she was hurt last fall. Savannah had no idea that happened. A storm comes and almost destroys the library and her garden. A wedding is supposed to happen in her backyard in a few weeks. Savannah decides to stay for the summer and help fix up the backyard. She reconnects with her old friends and Evan and his daughter, June.

This book is like a warm hug. I felt so happy while reading it. We have a chronic illness rep, second chance Romance and friendship. I really enjoyed this book.

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This novel has all of the things that a reader of women’s fiction could want. There are engaging characters, an appealing setting that includes gardens, a, second chance romance and (my favorite) lots about books. There is also a bit of seriousness as protagonist Savannah has been diagnosed with lupus.

As the story opens Savannah is a bit at loose ends. She has come to visit the relative with whom she spent many childhood summers. This aunt introduced Savannah and her summer friend Evan to many good reads. Evan and Savannah subsequently fell out of touch but meet up again during Savannah’s visit. Both have had some complex life experiences-for Savannah this includes her diagnosis and a broken engagement while, for Evan, he now has sole custody of his daughter following the death of his child’s mother.

As the story unfolds, one plot, not surprisingly, has to do with this relationship. Another storyline centers on the library in Eleanor’s garden. What happened to it and how will it survive? Readers will root for these characters (pun a bit intended due to gardens and the town being called Bloom) as the pages turn.

I loved that each chapter heading came with a quote from a book. I also enjoyed the many book titles that were scattered throughout the story. Readers could come up with a great TBR pile from these.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable read. Just right for a spring or summer escape.

Many thanks to Forever/Grand Central and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.

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Savannah has been diagnosed with lupus. And because of her issues, her fiancé has just up and left. So, she heads back to see her favorite Aunt Eleanor. She knows her aunt will be just what she needs to get herself back on track. But, Savannah was not prepared to run into her first love, Evan.

Savannah is not looking for a relationship…AT ALL! But when she runs into Evan, her emotions run rampant.

Evan has lost wife and is raising a young daughter. And he is definitely not letting Savannah get away twice!

I needed a good book a plane ride and this one hit the spot. The characters are adorable and who doesn’t love a book about books! Lots of great book references!

Need a heartwarming tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Evan and Savannah were once friends, but when she stopped coming to visit her aunt his chance for more than friendship fell away. He moved on, married, divorced and had a little girl. She always felt like she was home when she visited her aunt, but life got in the way of visiting. Now that she is back, due to a multitude of reasons, she is learning how to trust herself, and let people in.

I adored how Ms. Rains used quotes of books to drive important points home. Evan tries to act annoyed that Savannah is back and gives her a hard time about how little she helped Eleanor after her fall, until he realizes that she didn’t know how serious things were.

Eleanor is learning how to cope after losing her husband, falling and realizing that there just might be a new chapter in her life beginning. Evan’s daughter, who has gone through a lot in her short life, brings a lot to the story and I was grateful to see her grow throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book and the journey it took me on. I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

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I enjoyed reading The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher. This is my honest and personal review. Happy Reading!

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Savannah Collins has had a rough year. She received a lupus diagnosis and then her fiancé called off the wedding because he wasn't up to the "in sickness and health" part of marriage. With no job and no place to live, she heads to Bloom, North Carolina, to spend the summer with her beloved Aunt Eleanor, a retired librarian, with only a car full of plants and her new rescue kitten. Her Aunt Eleanor shares her love of books with the entire community, by providing the Finders Keepers Library in her beautiful rose garden. Anyone can stop by and pick up or drop off a book. When a bad summer storm destroys the library and many of the roses, weeks before a wedding is supposed to be held in the rose garden, everyone has to pitch in to restore everything to it's former glory. As Savannah works her plant magic on the garden, she also gets the chance to spend time with their neighbor Evan Sanders - the one she fell for when she was a teenager. Evan is going through something of his own - his ex-wife recently died, and his daughter has just come to live with him. All she wants is to go back to California & live with her grandmother, & he has no idea how to convince her to give Bloom a chance. Savannah had only planned to stay through the summer, but between Aunt Eleanor's health problems, and a renewed interest in Evan, Bloom may be where she is meant to be after all.

This is the first book in a new series, and I am looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here. I loved how it took place in a small town, and there were ongoing storylines for several of the different characters. This is perfect for fans of Brenda Novak, Jill Shalvis, & Susan Mallery.

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Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

As a firm believer that a garden and a library really is everything I need, this book spoke to me so beautifully. I always love Annie Rains' small town romances and amazing characters. This novel was extra special.

Savannah visits her Aunt Eleanor who she spent each summer with growing up. A storm hits and destroys the mini library in Eleanor's back garden. Savannah decides to stay in town longer to help fix up the library and garden. And the next door neighbor Evan pitches in as well.

I found the depiction of how Savannah navigated her recent diagnosis of lupus incredibly thoughtful and well written. And I equally appreciated Evan's storyline as a single father. The two of them had been drawn to each other as children, and it was lovely to see them as adults.

Each chapter begins with a beautiful picture and quote. And the story includes fantastic literary references throughout. Many of those come from Eleanor, the amazing woman who can recommend a book for every person and situation. I was especially pleased that we had chapters not only from Savannah and Evan's perspectives, but from Eleanor's as well. It felt like we get a bonus story with her own character arc.

The imagery was so beautiful, and the scenarios so real. I would love to go and visit the Finders Keepers Library and join the Books and Blooms meetings.

4.25 stars

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A wonderful sweet second chance romance. Has a couple storylines going on that really covers a few issues. First love, second chance love, dealing with a a chronic disease, overcoming fear and adjusting to a new life in a small town. All woven into a beautiful story.
Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine and mine alone. #TheFindersKeepersLibrary

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The finders keepers library is a small town romance that sued me because it really captured the love of books that I feel as well. Savannah is trying to reset her life at her aunts so she helps her make sure the library in her aunts garden does well and while doing that manages for collection with local Evan. It really shows how a community needs books and those that provide it can sue their own souls by helping others add books to theirs. It’s cute romance with a lot of heart.

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The Finders Keepers Library is a heartfelt story of learning to live with a serious illness, finding home and family while discovering love once again. By Annie Rains this story centers around Savannah Collins and summer childhood friend, Evan Sanders. However, it is not just their story but the story of friends and family. No one is too young or too old for new beginnings which can be frightening but better when shared with friends and a good book.

I loved the quotes, happily pleased that many of the books I had also read over the years. This is a book to savor instead of quickly devouring so that you don’t miss any small action, comment, or feeling.

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Savannah Collins is a gardening influencer who has reached a cross roads in life. She currently has no job, nowhere to live and a relationship that has ended because of her diagnosis of Lupus. Now she is on her way to Bloom, North Carolina to stay with her Aunt Eleanor and mend her mind, body and spirit.

Aunt Eleanor welcomes Carolina with open arms. It feels good to be back in her safe space and reunite with old friends. It feels even better when Carolina runs into Evan, her childhood friend and crush. There is even a wedding taking place in Eleanor's beautiful backyard in a few weeks. When a storm rages through, Carolina, Evan and the townsfolk band together to fix Eleanor's devastated gardens and the destroyed Finders Keepers Library. Will they get everything done in time to host the wedding? What will happen when Carolina secret of her illness is discovered? Will it end what Carolina and Evan have rekindled?

Annie Rains brings us this fifth and wonderful book in the Somerset Lake series with her amazing writing style. This was such a sweet story of second chances and new beginnings. The characters were so well written that I was drawn right into the story. My thanks to Forever ( Grand Central Publishing) for my advanced readers copy which I voluntarily read and reviewed. A perfect spring read.

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The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains is out today! This is a sweet romance that is perfect for spring — it features flowers and a beautiful garden, and is even set in a town named Bloom! The Finders Keepers Library is a small-town second chance romance, and features a main character with Lupus, an experience l'm not personally familiar with but really appreciated reading about. I highly suggest reading this book while curled up next to an open window, with spring rain falling outside — no better way to enjoy it! Find this book (and keep it) at your local bookstore or library today!

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I loved this story! Savannah and Evan's story is so sweet and just what I needed. They were childhood friends who get a second chance at something more. Rains' writing style is lovely and I wiill be looking out for more books by her!

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I absolutely loved this small town, second chance romance book. I was hooked from the beginning. This story is an easy read with engaging characters, a fun plot, and a believable storyline. I can't wait to read more stories in this series. Annie Rains wrote such a wonderful story and I can't recommend this book enough!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

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This is my first book by Annie Rains. The cover and title is what drew me in. I make it a point to read anything that has books, (written or photos) on the cover, and book details within it. This book did not disappoint, from the beautiful cover to the beautiful storyline it had me changing the pages to see what the next pages held for Savannah. Savannah is back home at her Aunt Eleanor’s house after a breakup with her finance that decided he didn’t want a complicated marriage due to Savannah being diagnosed with Lupus. Savannah is looking to rebuild her life and start over when she is reunited with her high school friend Evan. While working together to rectify a wedding and fix damages after a storm will Savannah and Evan kindle or rekindle a love. Will a second chance at being happy be in Savannah and Evan’s cards?? I highly recommend this book. I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion. I found the characters lovable and enjoyed watching their story unfold before my eyes.

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The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains is a sweet story of childhood friends reuniting and becoming more. I love the relationships and personalities of all of the characters. Well written and enjoyable story.

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I really enjoyed this book.  I liked the book quotes at the beginning of each chapter and how Aunt Eleanor had a book quote for everything as she was often recommending books to friends or even giving her loved ones a booklist to read during the summer.  
The characters were so vibrant and made me feel as if I was right there experiencing their ups and downs, and sorrows, as well as growing with them.  Savannah  had just returned to Bloom, North Carolina after she found out she had lupus and her fiance broke off their engagement.  She had also lost her job since she worked for her fiance. There was June, her neighbor's son who had lost her mother and was now living with her dad, Evan, in a town far away from her friends and grandmother in California.  Evan and Savannah had been friends a long time ago.
Eleanor was Savannah's aunt and Savannah used to spend her summers with her aunt.  Aunt Eleanor had not left her house since she had fallen and broken her hip and she was so glad to have Savannah visiting her.
All of these characters, Savannah, Aunt Eleanor, June, and Evan had to learn how to overcome their fears so they could truly live their lives.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

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The Finder’s Keeper’s Library was just what I needed! It was wholesome and heartfelt and both Savanah and Evan deserved their happiness and I was so glad to see their histories and have them brought back together. Nothing in life is easy, as this book proves, but happiness can definitely be found and it is so worth it. I love the small-town story plots every time because it gives you an even better sense of the community and how close everyone really is and can be. I love the way you presented each characters’ story, and the way it was written I really felt like I could relate to each of their emotions. That part was beautifully written. I recommend this book to all!!

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