Cover Image: The Finders Keepers Library

The Finders Keepers Library

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Member Reviews

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Romance, Sweet Romance
Spice Level: Kissing
Tropes: Second-chance romance
Format: 3 POV

Three-word review: heartwarming, bookish, second-chances

I was quite surprised when the older aunt had a pov in the story (that's point-of-view if you've forgotten). This is the second story I've read with a dual romance going on with the young couple and the "mature" couple. I'm wondering if this is a new trend to try to appeal to more readers. I'm okay with it—just surprised. Maybe authors realized that romance readers can be young and "mature." In this case, I thought the aunt was fun and acting age appropriate (sometimes young authors write "mature" characters as if they're 90 years old and miss the mark).

THE FINDERS KEEPERS LIBRARY is a fun read. Our three main characters are each going through life-altering events, but the book remains light. The teen with rolling eyes made me laugh—but at the same time when people were mean to her, I knew what that felt like.

The love of books is apparent in this story. I loved all the quotes at the beginnings of chapters as well as the ones doled out by characters as a way to cope with their circumstances. Books really do offer insight on living.

I like second-chance romances and Evan and Savannah are fun together. They had good couple energy without being too perfect.

Romance readers will love this book.

Happy reading!

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This was a sweet story of books, growing beyond your comfort zone and not casting your perceptions onto others. I love the friendships of this book and how they grew from childhood all the way to adulthood. Some friendships are like that if you can stay in touch and in proximity to each other.

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The Finders Keepers Library by Annie Rains is listed as both the first book in a new contemporary romance Love in Bloom series and also as the fifth book in the contemporary romance Somerset Lake series. Either way this one is like a lot of romance series and has a complete story within this one book and will thus likely be changing the main characters in other books of a series with the setting being what ties them together.

Savannah Collins is at a place in her life when things just don’t seem to be working out they way she’d hoped. With no job, no relationship, and no place to live Savannah decides to head to Bloom, North Carolina to spend the summer with her Aunt Eleanor who is retired and on her own while Savannah works out what is next for herself in life.

After arriving Savannah finds that her aunt desperately needs help with her garden where she keeps open her Finders Keepers Library to share her love of reading. Locals know they are welcome to come take or leave books at any time but a storm has put a damper on the garden location. Savannah dives in right away to help and soon befriends neighbor Evan Sanders who chips in to help and shares his own love of the library and reading.

The Finders Keepers Library is not the first book I’ve read by author Annie Rains so I had high hopes of enjoying it before going in. Thankfully those hopes were met with this tale of family and friendship and dealing with difficulties and disabilities in life. The characters all seemed to have their own struggles making them feel real and easy to connect with. And who wouldn’t be a little jealous of this friendly and fun setting of a neighborhood lending library in a beautiful setting. Definitely look forward to more from this author in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

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In exchange for the book here was my honest review.
I absolutely LOVED this book! The characters were amazing and the love story was so beautiful! The Finders Keepers Library is about a lady by the name of Eleanor who has a Finders Keepers Library in her backyard (like a Little Free Library) that the whole community loves. Eleanor's library is in her local garden and the whole community can trade, borrow, etc with the books at her library she built in her garden. Savannah the main character is back in Bloom, North Carolina to visit her Aunt Eleanor in her hometown. Savannah's fiance ends up calling off the engagement because of her chronic illness Lupus. Savannah ends up falling in love with her childhood crush Evan, who has a daughter that Savannah tries to help her because her mother is not in the picture. A storm comes through and ends up damaging the garden and the library so Evan and Savannah help save Eleanor's garden and library. While working together they learn things about each other. This small town romance is the perfect read to cozy up with. Fans of Jenny Hale will definitely LOVE this read!

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When her life falls apart, Savannah finds sanctuary with her book-loving Aunt Eleanor in Bloom, North Carolina. After a storm destroys her aunt’s beloved garden and its Finders Keepers Library, the community bands together to rebuild. Through Eleanor’s books, Savannah forms an unexpected connection with her neighbor Evan, uncovering a path to healing.

What a sweet, heartfelt romance! Savannah and Evan are a lovely couple, both of them doing their best to support their loved ones. Yet they struggle to prioritize their own needs. Together, they learn to be true to themselves while still caring for their community.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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Savannah heads to Bloom, North Carolina after a Lupus diagnosis and her boyfriend dumps her. she goes to visit her aunt. sweet story

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After her Lupus diagnosis and being dumped by her fiance Savannah heads to where she has always been happiest. Bloom North Carolina and her Aunt Eleanor. There she reunites with her best friend Evan who has always loved Savannah. Could there be a chance for him now? Sweet second chance story.

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The cover of this book is enough of an incentive to make me want to read this book. Book lovers and plant lovers will enjoy this story of second chances, hope and healing. Some people find comfort in food. I find comfort in reading a good book, and this book was just what the doctor ordered. Annie Rains develops characters that I, as the reader, can relate to. They are engaging and have real problems. They are not just fantasy characters.

Savannah Collins has had her heart broken, which is how she ends up back in Bloom, North Carolina with her Aunt Eleanor with her broken heart and health issues as well. Savannah seems to be able to communicate better with her plants these days. Aunt Eleanor is just exactly what Savannah needs. Eleanor has a free library in her backyard known as The Finders Keepers Library. This is not your little free library stands that we see everywhere. This is a real building full of books. She loves to share her love of literature with others. She also has a garden to die for, which is Savannah's area of expertise as a botanist. I wanted to jump into this book and wander around.

Evan Sanders is the next door neighbor. He is struggling to raise a teenage daughter on his own. She is not happy being in Bloom, and she intends on making his life as miserable as possible. After all why should he be happy if she is not happy? Evan and Savannah need a second chance in every area of their lives. She is hurting and does not know how to express her feelings.

This story was insightful and emotional at times as the vulnerabilities of each character is fleshed out. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters and supporting characters. Eleanor was definitely my favorite character. She speaks constantly with quotes from favorite books. Her love of books and sharing that love with her community has made an impression on everyone she knows. Sometimes the heart and mind need healing and a thimble full of hope to make it through the day. This book will open your eyes to the pain and grief that these characters are going through, but it will also provide a ray of sunshine on a dark day. This a heartfelt story that will touch your heart and soul.

Thank you to Forever Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Annie Rains has become a go to author of mine!
Her writing always grips me and keeps me so entertained and. I always look forward to reading her stories and connecting with her characters!
The Finders Keepers Library is another wonderful story by Annie Rains.
Her beautiful writing, amazing storyline and phenomenal characters who are easy to connect with and a realistic plot make for a quick read.
I love how she makes me feel like I am right there with her characters in the story.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading some of her previous titles and this book is another amazing read with fantastic characters!

Thank You NetGalley and Forever for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

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The Finders Keepers Library is the first book in the Love in Bloom series by Annie Rains. This small town, second chance romance is a wonderful and enjoyable ride for anyone who loves books and reconnection.

Savannah is a botanist who has often spent summers with her Aunt Eleanor in Bloom, North Carolina. When things in Savannah's life take a turn and she needs a change of scenery, she heads for the one place she knows she will feel safe and that's her aunt's house. Her plan is to stay for a few weeks, but when a storm comes and damages the library that her retired librarian aunt has in her backyard garden, she chooses to stay to help get it back in shape before a wedding that is to be held there. Evan, Eleanor's neighbor, his pre-teen daughter, and other members of the town work with Savannah to get everything back to rights and also find their way into Savannah's life and her heart. Is there a place in her life for Evan, the boy she knew long ago that stands before her now causing feelings she wasn't sure she would feel again?

This story was about healing, overcoming fear, new beginnings, and taking chances on the things that may be the scariest, but the most rewarding in the end. I appreciated all of the quotes from the various books that were used throughout; for anyone that reads often, many of these were familiar and felt like a hug as I moved through the book.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

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I love this cover! The book was good too!
It’s a nice clean romance with nice characters.
I loved all the book quotes at the start of each chapter
It’s a perfect beach read and looks to be part of a series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

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Readers who enjoy second chance romance will love this story. All the characters are realistic and relatable. I really enjoyed the author including snippets from books to relay words of wisdom from Aunt Eleanor. Savannah's struggles with coping with her illness and searching for a new beginning is an encouragement for others. Predictable but very enjoyable. Recommended.

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If sweet, low angst, and minimal conflict is what I'm looking for, Annie Rains is a go-to author for me. Time and time again, she delivers a feel-good story with endearing characters, and The Finders Keepers Library is just that!

I had no trouble getting into the story, and I found the pacing was fairly good. I enjoyed that we got both Savannah and Evan's POV, but it was also nice to have a few chapters from Eleanor's POV as well.
Evan and Savannah's relationship was cute, and I especially liked how Savannah bonded with his daughter as well.

All in all, it's a satisfying read. The Finders Keepers Library contains a few fun tropes, so if you're into small town, single dad, or second chance romance, definitely check it out!


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*Complimentary copy provided by Forever Romance. All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

TW/CW: cancer; autoimmune disease; grief

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The perfect book for book lovers. First let me say that Annie Rains is a new author to me and this cover is what drew me in…..
I am not typically a cozy (non spicy) romance reader……but this book sold me!

The adorable bundle of flowers at the start of every chapter. The book quotes throughout and to start your journey at the turn of a chapter and POV! ALL ADORABLE! 🥰

Now on to the actual story……Evan and Savannah crushed on each other every summer, as Savannah spent her summers in Bloom at her Aunt Eleanor’s house. Eleanor loves books and her late husband loved gardening……which is why there is a Finders Keepers Library in Eleanor’s backyard garden……open to everyone. This isn’t just the story of Evan and Savannah falling in love…….it’s also a story about finding your person……..the person who supports and stays with you through all the times…..not just the easy ones.

These characters have become a part of my heart.

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The Finders Keepers Libray is a second-chance small-town romance.

Savannah is a botanist who spent her summers at her Aunt Eleanor's house. Unexpected life changes have brought her back to the house where she plans to stay for a few weeks to get back on her feet. However, her stay turns into a summer of self-discovery. Eleanor is a retired librarian who has a charming little library in her garden, open to locals for borrowing and gifting books... When a storm damages the garden and library, Savannah, Evan, Eleanor's neighbor, and the community come together to repair it.

This was a slow start and slow end for me, But I loved the story and the characters. The story is about family, healing, friendship, and love of books and flowers.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

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The Finders Keepers Library is a new romance book that reads like a Hallmark movie. We have a young woman, Savannah, who has lost everything after her Lupus diagnosis. She comes back to the place she spent every summer with her aunt. While there, she reconnects with her crush she had growing up.

This book was so cute! I loved all the book references and the library at the center of all of it. I loved the changing perspectives as well. We have a few love stories going on and they are all very cute. This book does have some series problems in it like Lupus and cancer, but they’re handled in a delicate way where everyone comes together.

The whole book reads like a hallmark movie and I really liked it. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a palate cleanser or just a cute book.

Thanks so much to netgalley and forever for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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The Finders Keepers Library is three separate but connected love stories, each with an emotionally charged challenge that must be dealt with, and it is also about second chances in life which present themselves at the most seemingly inopportune times.
Single dad (Evan) is doing the best he can, loving and raising his daughter alone. Savannah has challenges in her life that leave her with self doubt, but she has never forgotten how she felt about Evan when she was younger. And Eleanor, who has lived a good, long life, is finding herself in her 70s wanting something more than what she has right now. Her long time friend, Charlie, might fit the bill, but Eleanor is afraid to love again.
So even if you can’t control how you got where you are, you can open your heart, take a risk, and you can control where it will take you. This is a wonderful and heart warming story.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy and leave an honest review.

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This reads like a love story for fans of books everywhere! Savannah's aunt is quite a character who has her own lending library in her garden, the setting which is the backbone for most of the story I volvi g her, her aunt, and neighbor Ethan and his daughter. It's a story full of sweet moments, light hearted romance, and second chances for everyone of all ages. This one will stay with me for awhile, and I especially loved all the references to novel characters and book quotes.

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The Finders Keepers Library - small town, second chance romance.
This is a later in life romance & I absolutely love that - not a theme commonly found. Great character development. Such a fun read that I will definitely be recommending! Excited to read more books by this author.


Thank you to NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC!

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This book has three things I love in it: it’s about a library/bookstore, it includes many references and quotes of other literature, and it has romance.

This is a unique book in that there are two main characters we follow and they differ in age quite a bit. This is the first book that I read that included an elderly woman’s point of view, and it was quite touching. I also appreciated the way the book talked about grief and the different ways it can affect us, and how we can face it.

I adore the idea of the aunt who shares book lists to her niece and friends and they gobble the books up. All around fun and touching read.

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