4.25⭐️ “There it is. That’s the look I’ve always loved most,” he whispers. “The one on your face right now. Like you’ve just conquered the world. Hard to mind you beating me at anything when it always put that look on your face.”

This was my first book by the author and now I am wondering why, I loved her tone and wit right away. Nina is a mess. Quentin is adorable and quirky (my favourite part of him are his moon impressions 🥰 🌝). Add in the National Treasure vibes and the whole setting was just perfect. So charming.

Nina is returning to her parent’s house with her tail between her leg in her 30s. Unbeknownst to her so is Quentin her next door neighbour, childhood best friend and first crush. Before Quentin disappeared from her life back in high school they had spent their last summer together searching for a treasure hidden by an eccentric old man. Finding themselves back home they pick up the search again on Quentin’s prompting in an effort to repair their friendship.

They both were hurt in the past but clearly still care so much about each other. It’s one of those « it’s always been you » situation. The tension between them and build up was truly delicious.

The treasure hunt added to the fun and came together perfectly in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and the author Sarah Adler for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

its always a blast to read a Sarah Adler book!!! I enjoyed the second chance aspect, it was a fun and quick read. this story had such great banter between the characters and I really loved the interview portions throughout the chapters, I found that rather unique, easily one of the best books dropping this summer!

Sarah Adler’s Finders Keepers is a delightful rom-com that combines the charm of a small-town setting with the thrill of a treasure hunt and the warmth of a second-chance romance. Set in the picturesque town of Catoctin, Maryland, the story follows Nina Hunnicutt, who returns home after a series of personal and professional setbacks. There, she unexpectedly reconnects with Quentin Bell, her childhood friend and former crush, who proposes they resume a treasure hunt they began as teenagers. As they embark on this adventure, old feelings resurface, leading to a heartwarming and humorous journey of rediscovery.​
PenguinRandomhouse.com
+2
Goodreads
+2
Goodreads
+2

Adler's writing is infused with wit and warmth, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The chemistry between Nina and Quentin is palpable, making their evolving relationship both believable and engaging. Supporting characters, particularly Nina's mother, add depth and humor to the story, enhancing its charm.​

The inclusion of excerpts from historical interviews with the magnate who hid the treasure adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, blending mystery with romance. While some readers may find Nina's internal monologues repetitive at times, they effectively convey her emotional journey and growth.​
PenguinRandomhouse.com
+2
Goodreads
+2
Goodreads
+2

Overall, Finders Keepers is a captivating read that offers a perfect blend of romance, adventure, and humor. Adler's ability to craft relatable characters and an engaging storyline makes this novel a must-read for fans of contemporary romance

really cute romance ! i find a little bit of it wasn't fully resolved, but the romance was completely captivating and the style was great. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Adler's book Mrs. Nash's Ashes is, to me, one of the most perfect books I've read in years, so I have pretty high expectations when it comes to her work, and this didn't disappoint! It didn't top Mrs. Nash's Ashes, but I still really loved it. Nina Hunnicutt is, very unexpectedly, moving back in with her parents and her long-term relationship implodes and her contract as an adjunct professor doesn't get renewed. She's embarrassed and maybe a bit depressed and it only gets worse when she learns that her childhood best friend/secret crush/next door neighbor is also back in town to fix up his dad's old house and put it on the market. Quentin bailed on Nina when they were both 15 and hasn't spoken to her in the 17 years since, so she's shocked when he asks her to spend her unexpected summer at home helping him finish the treasure hunt they started when they were teenagers. Like Adler's previous books, there's a really nice historical thread running through this book - this time in the form of a WPA interview with local seltzer magnate and eccentric rich guy who left behind a castle and a mystery in the small Maryland town to which Nina and Quentin have both returned. As they work together to finish the treasure hunt they started almost 20 years ago, they rekindle their friendship and mutual crush, all while Nina rediscovers the archival research that she loves and the charm of the town she left behind. I laughed out loud several times, which is pretty much all I can ever ask for in a book.

This is my new favorite of Sarah’s and that says a lot because all of her books are five stars for me!

I think the fact that Nina is stuck in a rut after losing her boyfriend and her job will really resonate with readers. She is a very realistic character. Starting over and healing from trauma isn’t always pretty and Nina definitely showed that side of things. Quintin was such a little golden retriever and was so patient with Nina. They were just perfect.

I also really enjoyed the plot- I was pretty much hooked from the beginning and I loved the epistolary style tie in of the interviews with the man who buried the treasure they were hunting for.

This was overall fine, but the characters really should've learned from their childhood mistakes and stopped lying to each other. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

Unfortunately, this was my least favorite of Adler's books. The lack of communication and honesty between the MCs frustrated me. I did love the FMC's journey to loving herself.

“For the last f***ing time, Quentin, my grandmother is not trying to seduce you!” - this scene got me 🤣

Fun and funny second chance / childhood friends romance. Loved the treasure hunting and twists that I saw coming and didn't see coming. Great banter/chemistry between the MCs and some good spicy scenes.

PS - the Jon Bon Jovi rest stop is my fav 🤣

Friends to lovers is ALWAYS a great time!! The plot was easy to read and follow a long with. Some parts were slow but overall it was so good!! I’ve been wanting to go back and read her other books and this is what’s going to make me finally do it!!

Thanks to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

I absolutely loved the premise of this book! I felt instantly drawn to the idea of two estranged best friends reconnecting over a treasure hunt from their childhood—it’s such a fun and heartwarming setup. I enjoyed the way Nina’s life took an unexpected turn and brought her back to the town she thought she left behind, and I could relate to her desire to get back on track after things fell apart. I loved the chemistry between Nina and Quentin. I felt like their dynamic was filled with tension, nostalgia, and charm, and it was so satisfying to see them rediscover what made their friendship special. I thought the author did a great job showing how both characters had grown older and wiser, but still carried the weight of their unresolved past. I found myself rooting for them both to find closure and happiness.

Overall, I thought this book was a charming and heartfelt read. I loved the mix of romance, nostalgia, and adventure, and I appreciated the way the author balanced humor and emotion. It’s a story that made me smile and reflect on the power of forgiveness and second chances.

Welcome home to your parent's house, Nina Hunnicutt! That's where catching your long-term boyfriend with someone else just as they're supposed to be moving in together will get you. Rock bottom.

But wait! Her once-best-friend is in the same boat at the same time. Burned by his ex-fiancé and home from abroad to sell the house next door, Quintin Bell might just be there to secure Nina's own version of personal hell. Once upon a time, Nina and Quintin were as close as two friends can be, bonded over talking through their open windows, which face one another. In their last summer after high school graduation, they undertook the task of finding real-life treasure from an eccentric rich dude in town. They never found it, instead, it ended up breaking whatever connection they might have had at the time just before he left town. The wounds have calcified since then, but are not forgotten, and when Quintin brings up hunting for the treasure again now, as adults, she wants no part of it. That is, until she finds out there's money in it no matter what, and that, just now, as an unemployed dweller in her parent's metaphorical basement, is not something she can say no to.

This is a fun little summer adventure story. It's not often one has real treasure to hunt for, and Nina and Q have to work together to make progress. This of course is perfect fodder for all sorts of rom-com shenanigans.

There were a lot of cute moments between Nina and Quintin. It was very clear that they had a long-standing friendship as kids that felt very authentic. Personally, I didn't get as invested as I like in the romance of it. Maybe the treasure hunt took away from it for me, but it is still a fun summer read I would recommend if you're someone who enjoys rom-coms.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm always a fan of second chance love stories. I loved all of Nina and Quentin's habits and quirks coming out again. They were adorable. They also had great banter. But the storyline was slow-moving and flat. I just couldn't bring myself to really care about what was going. I also got tired of Nina's overthinking and poor-me attitude really quick. That being said, I would give Sarah Adler's previous books a chance, I've heard so good things.

Sara my go to rom-com queen has delivered again with Finders Keepers. This was such a sweet and funny second chance romance story where we find Nina and Quentin two childhood neighbors about to go on a treasure hunt they started 15 years ago. I'm a sucker for the childhood friends to lovers trope and Sarah gave me that and more with Finders Keepers. I'm not going to spoil this story just giving you the tropes because they will hit every check mark. So if you love second chance love story with small town atmosphere and funny banter self-discovery and with a fantastic treasure hunt this is for you.

Happy reading everyone!!

Thank you to Sarah and Berkeley for the arc opportunity.

I loved the friendship explored in this novel and how two friends work together. I found the characters to be well developed and I think the author crafted a perfect story to let them shine! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Let me be cliche for a minute: If Sarah Adler has no stans, I’m dead. I literally will read everything she writes!

Finders Keepers is her third book and I’m pretty sure she puts some secret sauce in it because it’s equal parts truthful, tender, and sweet with a drop of pining and hilarious banter. I really enjoy second chance (friends to strangers to friends to lovers) as a trope and Nina and Quentin really were an A+ addition to the list of those stories!

One thing that especially stood out to me, was Nina’s anxiety representation. The feeling of not being enough and always working towards being happy but never letting yourself be happy - the perfectionist in me really resonated with this representation! Her inner-monologue had me nodding my head in agreement. All the truths of reality are delicately woven into this romance in a way that still always you to have escapism from the real world. Complex characters that just feel real. The character development & growth was chef’s kiss.

This story is also one where the side characters really stand out - Nina’s parents, the librarian Mrs. Macdonald, and Hanako.

Nina and Quentin’s story is woven in with snippets of seltzer magnate Julius James Fountain’s life story, and the hunt for his hidden treasure. These vignettes break the story up between chapters nicely and remind me of Adler’s first book Mrs. Nash’s Ashes. Definitely don’t miss the author’s note at the back of the book because it really gives you an additional perspective in historical context! Nina and Quentin’s treasure hunt helps these two 32-year-olds chase not only answers to the mystery, but find their next chapter in life as they’re both in flux with their careers and back in their childhood homes. The tension that grows between them while they treasure hunt is palpable.

It was really fun to read about a quasi-local area to me (Catoctin, Maryland)! I could really visualize their duplex and the window conversation scenes. AND THAT ONE WINDOW SCENE IYKYK!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Definitely add to your June 2025 reading list!

Finders Keepers is exactly the kind of story I love—a fun, flirty romance that touches on a lot of themes that tend sneak up on you with their resonance. On the surface, this is a story about two friends reconnecting to search for treasure, like they did in their teens. Beneath the surface, however, it’s a story about forgiveness and learning to let yourself have what you want, outside of other’s expectations. I also really loved the way the transcript of Julius Fountain framed the story!

There is a depth to the storytelling in Sarah Adler’s work that I always look forward to and respect, and Finder’s Keepers is no different. I really enjoyed this read and anticipate it’s going to be one of 2025’s top reads for me!

An entertaining estranged childhood best friend to lovers rom-com mixed with treasure hunting and small town charm. Sarah Adler does not miss!

This one was cute. I really enjoyed the treasure hunting plot. I really enjoyed Nina and Quentin together. This one just felt a little drawn out. I also found the interview sections between chapters to be a little odd.

Liked it!!! But not as much as happy medium that I rated four stars. I was exited bc I’ve hiked at Catoctin a few times before so reading this story as its primary setting was so cool - but some parts were a little dry for me. Enjoyed the friends to lovers & the overall fun & easy plot. Thanks Berkley for my arc!