I can never resist the charm of Sarah Adler’s sweet romcoms. This one is a perfect second-chance romance featuring childhood sweethearts, with a sprinkle of magic, an adventurous treasure hunt, and a delightful small-town setting.

That said, I have to admit that Julius James Fountain, with his unconventional sarcasm, perfectly planned pranks, and creative outlook on life, often stole the show.

The story follows Nina Hunnicutt, who returns to her childhood town of Catochin, Maryland, with her tail between her legs. After losing her teaching job, breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, and giving up their shared apartment in Boston, she feels like a complete failure. Her homecoming becomes even more complicated when she discovers that her childhood sweetheart—the infamous Quentin Bell, who broke her heart and ghosted her for years—is living next door to her family.

Quentin, now back after quitting his glamorous job in Paris and dumping his cheating girlfriend, is renovating his family home to sell it. Strangely, he acts as though he never ghosted Nina, effortlessly integrating himself into her family’s life—sharing her mom’s pancakes and helping her dad with repairs as if he’s part of the household. To make matters even more baffling, he suggests they finish the treasure hunt they started at fifteen, offering to split the money—70% to Nina—if she helps him search the area for the next eight weeks.

Nina, rejected by job applications and dreading the thought of spending the summer wallowing in her childhood bedroom, reluctantly agrees. But joining Quentin on this adventure comes with risks. Her old feelings for him are reignited, and the more time they spend together, the stronger her attraction grows. While she’s determined to focus on her tasks, secure a job, and leave town to start anew, she begins to question if running away is truly the only path to happiness.

Overall: This is a sweet, entertaining, and heartfelt second-chance romance. While Nina’s endless inner thoughts, hesitations, and self-doubts sometimes irritated me, I found it much easier to connect with Quentin’s character. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed how their long-time friendship and love story wrapped up in the end. I highly recommend this to all romance lovers who want a book that will leave a lasting smile on their faces.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this heartwarming romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I love a good Sarah Adler romance novel and I think that Finders Keepers is another hit from her. It’s heartwarming, funny and super entertaining. I love that it’s a slow burn romance with characters you are rooting for. There is chemistry between these characters and quite the emotional depth that we sometimes don’t get from romances. I read this in one sitting and will impatiently wait for Sarah Adler’s next novel!

Finder’s Keepers by Sarah Adler is a charming and heartwarming story of second chances. This novel is full of humor and emotional depth just like her other books! Nina and Quentin go on a journey to rekindle their childhood bond through a nostalgic treasure hunt. Their shared history helps creates a slow burn romance full of witty banter and heartfelt moments. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s their emotional honesty and courage that make their rekindling so sweet and perfect.