This is a fantastic, well rounded, contemporary romance. Friends to lovers. Second chance romance. It’s steamy. It’s angsty. But what I really appreciate is main characters who are adults. They talk brings their issues. They compromise. They don’t hide or keep secrets.

It’s a really excellent read.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is not just a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end—It is a heartfelt journey. Imogen herself is an extremely relatable and likable character; I was in her corner from the very first page as she suffers through yet another breakup, the latest in a string of breakups that convince her that she is destined to always come in second—in love, in life, and in every crazy contest she enters! My heart ached for her as she doubted herself, and for the fact that she never put herself first—so why should anyone else? She has a best friend, a mother who is flighty (who might or might not be able to predict the future), but the biggest love of her life might very well be the one who got away, the first of many who she realized didn’t put her first. Eliot (he who got away) was a fascinating character, with demons and heartbreak of his own, and the journey is as much his as it is Imogen’s. This is a wondrous book, filled with moments of joy and love and laughter, but its poignancy is what tugged at my heartstrings, and what makes this a very extraordinary journey.

FRIENDS TO LOVERS! He was her high school crush!!! Need I say more?

Imogen Finch has gone through a lot of heartbreak and has reached a point where she does not think there is someone out there for her. That is until Eliot Swift, her high school crush, comes back to town and changes her mind. This was such a heartwarming read! The friendships and small town surrounding this story were some of my favorite things! The romance! I loved this couple because they really helped each other become better and pull through on life issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins!

I just love Jacqueline Firkins' books. This is the second one I've read by her, and while it's completely different in many ways from Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, it still features the overall elements I consider special to the storylines of Firkins writing style. Her books are romances, but they're also about the protagonist finding herself along the way. The book starts with protagonist Imogen being dumped by her cheating boyfriend. And the reader quickly discovers that this isn't the first, second or even third time (for that matter) that this has happened to her. Then her old friend and unrequited crush returns to town and the two have the opportunity to explore the relationship that never was - and with their very different lifestyles - may never be in the future. It's a book where you want so badly for the two characters to end up together, and yet you struggle to see how exactly they're going to make it work. Both Imogen and Eliot have their problems. Imogen works multiple jobs and lives with her mother, who is both prophetic and not always grounded in reality. Eliot spent years in a cold, loveless family and has spent his adulthood trying to escape. The romance feels real, the awkwardness and rightness of the intimate scenes more real and sincere than most romance books. And I just love the secondary characters. Secondary characters so often get little development in books that lean heavily romantic, but Imogen's mom, her and Eliot's other best friend Franny, Franny's goddaughter Anika, Kym the floral shop owner, Ed, the restaurant owner; well they just round out the story into something that just feels richer and more complete. Read this book if you like romance, with imperfect characters, with difficult choices to make, and plenty of character evolution. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the writing in this novel. Although it had more “open door” scenes than I would typically enjoy, I realize that is completely a personal preference and regardless of that I really liked the writing style of the author. Without spoiling or giving too much away, I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying. Would recommend to anyone who doesn’t mind a spicy book with some language.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet romance about learning to put yourself first.

Imogen Finch is cursed - her mother says so. She'll never come in first - not in any contest or competition, and not in anyone's heart. And her relationship history certainly hasn't done anything to disprove this theory. But just as she's learned to settle, her childhood crush and best friend comes back to town, determined to help Imogen win something. She just didn't realize that he was also out to win her heart.

I really liked the characters and the small-town setting in this one. The side characters are well fleshed out, and I'd be interested in learning more about this particular town and the lives of all its residents. Imogen is a great FM. She's really been doing her best to increase her self-confidence and be happy with what her life has to offer - she'd be fine no matter what, but Eliot's drive to help her realize she's better than she thinks is so sweet to witness. However, he has his own baggage to handle, and I felt like the weight of that got in the way in the last 25% or so of the novel. It all comes together in the end though, in a good ol' reliable romcom HEA.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Eliot and Imogen were best friends growing up together in a small Oregon town. Eliot’s wealthy and dysfunctional childhood has him heading for a life on the road at the first possible moment. Imogen, who has always loved Eliot, is left heartbroken and adrift while trying to care for her eccentric mother. Oh…and there’s a curse but I kind of stopped remembering that. I really empathize with Imogen but Eliot just embodied the “poor little rich boy” attitude a bit too much. I liked the town and the friendships in this book and once I got into the story, I couldn’t stop reading. I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

I really liked the majority of this book (especially Eliot!) but I’m still unsure how I feel about the ending. Overall a good, heartfelt read, that ultimately felt like a warm hug.

Imogen just went through her 17th break-up. She is used to it by now, she is destined to never be first at anything. She is holding together her life as best as she can, while she supports her mom. She feels this is destined to how it always will be. Until, the first love of her life, but never a break-up, returns to town. Eliot left town immediately after high school graduation, and even though Imogen tried to maintain contact they grew apart. While in town Eliot and Imogen start spending more time together and he helps her realize that she needs to choose herself first before anyone else can.

This book is a love story, but it is also a story of self discovery and believing in yourself. Imogen is full of sunshine, except when it comes to herself. She believes that prophesy her mom made, that destined her to never be first at anything. I loved to read Imogen's story and also Eliot's. They both were struggling with themselves and really needed to love themselves before they could fully love each other.

I thought the cast of quirky characters that were interspersed in the novel added to the story. We had Imogen's mom, friend Franny and her niece, and the bartender who all added their own personalities to the story, making it a joy to read.

I think we can all really see a part of ourselves in Imogen and that is what Jacqueline Firkins does so well. She creates characters that we relate to, love and cheer on. This was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine

Friends to lovers... Perfect!

Imogen is destined by her mother to be second place forever, but Eliot refuses to let that be the case. She has crushed on him forever but he's a nomad, never wanting to settle down. Even he choses nature over Imogen. Eventually, she learns that she doesn't have to allow herself to be second. She can make decisions to be happy.

I loved how Imogen and Eliot communicated so strongly all throughout. Even at the end, they could tell each other hard things and let it not affect their friendship. Even through dating others, they don't abandon each other.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins
Imagine what 17 breakups would do to your self esteem. Pair that with your mother’s prediction 20 years ago that Imogen would come 2nd to everything and everyone. Woof.

She finds herself back in her hometown with her estranged best friend, Eliot, from high school. Be warned: There are some steamy bits!!! So if you are into breaking curses and second-change rom-coms, this is the book for you!

I really enjoyed this book and will be seeking out others by Firkins.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the #ARC digital copy. Find this on shelves October 31st!

This was a nice read, but didn’t really give me what I wanted out of a romance.

I liked the setting and the characters, but there did seem to be something missing in the main relationship for me. I often feel this with books that feature a childhood/teen relationship that the adult cannot seem to let go of - to me it is less romantic and more a sign of a lack of growth in the main character. That was part of the characterization of Imogen - she was held back because of her mother’s prophesies. I just didn’t connect with it.

I didn’t find the romance all that compelling and then 3/4 through the book speeds up time immensely, features another relationship (I’d read the hot bartender novel, any day), then ends in a way that was kind of unsatisfying.

However, this was well written and sweet, and I’m sure it will meet the needs of lots of readers.

This book hooks you from the get go - fun friends, small town energy (and drama), and the oh-so relatable feeling of unrequited love. The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch pulls you into the daily life in Pitt's Corner, of waitress/pizza deliverer/dog walker/house cleaner/perpetual runner up, Imogen Finch. Jacqueline Firkins' writing style is clear and descriptive, immersing you in the characters' universe. From Imogen's string of heartbreaks, to her steadfast best friend; her eccentric mother, and her long-time love/long distance best friend, this story appeals to so many different readers for different reasons. There's no doubt that Imogen and her friends will win the hearts of everyone they meet.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This would have been 5 stars except the pacing in the first third of the book was too slow for me. Once it picked up, though, I couldn't put it down. I loved all the characters. I could relate to Imogen and some of the circumstances with her mom. The relationship between Imogen and Eliot was beautifully written with a very satisfying ending. I could absolutely see this as a movie. Another winner from this author.

A CLASSIC FRIENDS TO LOVERS TROPE….kind of.

I’m not one for romance, and I’ll be the first to say it. But Imogen and her “curse” make for such a wonderful heartwarming story of love and what it’s like to truly love yourself before others.

Sometimes, the characters needed more depth (like hi, I could have read ten chapters just on Dutch alone…) but as a whole, Imogen was a complex enough main with really wonderful supporting characters. I LOVED the different styles of love and relationships prograded throughout the book - Imogen and her troubled lives, her mom never falling in love with anyone after Imogene’s father passed, Franny and her niece, etc etc etc.

It is hard not to fall in love with Imogen. She is quirky, her mom sees telling signs of the universe wherever she looks and can’t be left alone. Imogen feels trapped: she hasn’t found the right balance of pursuing her passions and also keeping the lights on. Sleeping in her childhood bedroom is depressing, and she always seems to come in second place romantically. Until, that is, Eliot Swift comes back home.

AGH. A teenage girls dream. Literally Imogene’s but also…the one is for all the ladies that have ever felt that unrequited love and passion and always wondered “what if?”

Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book!

I loved that this book was different from all of the contemporary romances that I've read recently. The plot didn't move forward based on lack of communication, but based on the different needs and desires of the characters. The challenges they faced were unique to them.

There were a couple of instances where I thought the author was going to take the story in a direction that used tropes I don't care for, but then the story would shift and I'd realize that the way the plot point was used was very realistic.

I found myself thinking about this one on several occasions when I had to put the book aside to do other things. I found it to be very well written and I look forward to reading more by Jacqueline Firkins.

I loved this one so much. I loved the slight magical touch to it, the second chance angst, the small town feels. I loved both characters so much, even with their very different pasts and needs. A new favorite.

The title and cover do not do this novel justice - it is more than a fun rom-com. Characters are working on deep issues and are very well developed. There is also a fun, light supernatural element. I just wish I could continue Imogen and Eliot's love story!!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Imogen is quirky, unique and relatable. You will immediately resonate with her. It isn't the flirty rom-com you think it is. It is deeper and more about self discovery, self-worth and Eliot is the definition of what any of us need in a relationship. Beware that the sweetness of self discovery is balanced by a lot of spice! I was a bit surprised by the spice level but, it flowed well in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.