Old Flames and New Fortunes

I usually really enjoy Sarah Hogle's books, so I was disappointed by this one. I did not like Alex. From the start, he came across as annoying, immature, and a know-it-all, and he didn't really redeem himself throughout the whole book. The most important thing in romance books for me is liking both main characters individually and together, so I just couldn't get behind their relationship. The banter and flirting felt cringe and not cute.

I did like the setting. It was very springtime with all the flowers and a touch of “magic.” I liked the parts of the plot that weren't focused on the romance, and they even had a few funny moments. I have found her books laugh-out-loud funny in the past, but this one overall wasn't doing it for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an arc in exchange for a review!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A very surprising and sad 2 stars.

This is very much a case of “It's not you, it's me.” Sarah Hogle is my favourite Contemporary Romance author. I absolutely adore all her books! You Deserve Each Other is a comfort re-read and one of my all-time favourite books, period. Just Like Magic is pure happiness in book form and Twice Shy is one of the few books that almost made me cry. I literally squealed when I got approved for the ARC of Old Flames and New Fortunes. I was so excited! But man, purely because of personal preferences, this was very much a miss for me. And I'm so incredibly sad about it. I did not see this coming!

Unfortunately, this book features one of my absolutely least favourite tropes (someone has a - in this case secret - kid) AND on top of that, one of my least favourite female character traits (desperately wanting to be a mom) in romance novels. Not even the mysterious Sarah Hogle magic is going to make me enjoy that.

Everything else is magical! The writing is funny, but also heartfelt and a tiny bit sexy! The characters are fun and the banter is amazing. I was rooting for Romina and Alex! The emotional component was as amazing and layered as it always is in her books! And while I prefer more couple-focused romances, the friends, family and small town elements in this were great as well!

It had everything going for it! But I just can't get over those two - very prominent - elements of the story that I am probably never going to like reading about. I even had a hard time finishing this book because of my dislike for those tropes/archetypes. I'll still pick up everything Sarah Hogle publishes in the future! But this book just left me feeling disappointed.

I devoured this book in almost one sitting and, at the 3rd quarter of 2023, I predict this will be my favorite romance of 2024. If I'm mistaken, we'll have a strong romance year ahead, and I'm here for it!

Sarah Hogle stories are always magical, beautifully chaotic and heartwarming. This one is no exception and I adored every bit of it.

Romina is a sweet, original and fun character, impossible to not love and root for. She had her bit of suffering, which with her lovable personality makes the reader very attached and protective of her.

Alex is just wonderful! If Nicholas and Wes could have a kid, Alex would be the result. We don't have his POV, but this only intensifies the slow burn.
He makes it abundantly clear how much he loves and wants Romina, and I fell hard for him.

There is a twist in this story that affects the readers, and is causing mixed opinions. Honestly, it messed with my head and my heart too, but if you keep going you'll see that the resolution is good and makes sense. I actually see this as a testament of Sarah's good writing. I was an emotional puppet in her hands, from laughing to excitement, to crying.

I can't have enough of Romina and Alex, and if I can't get more chapters of them, at least I'm hoping Sarah will give us Luna's and Zelda's love stories, with a lot of glimpses to Romina and Alex HEA.

This story gave me all the feels, tingles, butterflies, heartburn, euphoria and reminded me of the reasons I like to read romances.

I would like to thanks G. P. Putnam's Sons and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.