This book is filled with SO MANY of my favorite romance tropes! While the romance is definitely great, my favorite part of this book was Imogen's character development and how she found herself. Yes, its a cheesy romance book, but it's also important to remember that romantic relationships are not the most important relationships out there. This book reminded me of a cheesy Netflix Rom-com movie in the best way possible!


A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second chance stories are fine, but this one was just ok. I found the characters difficult to like, despite their humor and the author’s fun voice.

"The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch" by Jacqueline Firkins is a captivating and heartwarming tale that explores the complexities of love, self-belief, and the unexpected twists that life often throws our way. With a touch of enchantment and a dash of self-discovery, this novel takes readers on an emotional journey that will leave them pondering the true nature of love and the power of self-acceptance.

Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch.

I saw the title and the cover and then read the blurb and knew I needed to read this story. I was not disappointed. This story has so many of the tropes I love, and all the heart a good love story needs. It's a friends to lovers story about Imogen Finch-who, thanks to her mom's "inner eye" believes she is cursed to never be first at anything in life; in relationships, sports... anything- and the boy she's always loved, Eliot. Eliot comes back to town shortly after Imogen's latest breakup (that's breakup 17 where she has been broken up with for someone else or something else) because of the death of his father. Eliot left town years ago, trying to get as far away from his family as possible. He can't sit still. Is afraid to sit still. When it comes to light that he's been in love with her all these years, too, they enjoy the short time they have together even though Imogen is afraid of what happens "when" he leaves. Not if. Because he can't stay and she can't leave (she needs to stay and help take care of her mom). During his visit home, he is determined to help her break free of her "curse" by doing all sorts of cute contests, which she comes in second every time, even when he tries to lose on purpose. Thinking he is about to be free of everything the town stands for for him now that his father is gone, a twist happens where his dad makes sure he always has some connection there and even though he wants to consider staying for Imogen, she knows this changes things and she doesn't want him to be where he can't feel free... so they let each other go with the promise to stay in each other's lives. It's hard and she hates it, but in the end the curse doesn't matter... what matters is their love and that's the most beautiful part of this story. I loved the way they both respected each other's boundaries and needs and were so caring and thoughtful. Eliot was honest at all times, and Imogen learned to love herself in ways she never thought she could. I adored this story and can't wait to add a physical copy to my shelf!

If you're a fan of the second chances at love trope, than this book is perfect for you!

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is the sweetest romance with the perfect amount of mutual pining and character development. Reading this book was such a joy and watching the characters fall in love had me kicking my feet and rooting for them the entire time. I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent with this story!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imogen has 17th breakups in her romantic history. She believes that she is cursed and will never come first. She is ready to give up. Eliot Swift, her high school crush, returns to their small town and convinces her to try again.....

A terrific novel that is about love, family and friendship. Imogen is terrific and so is Eliot. I love their friendship... The entire book is so funny. There are some sad moments but the whole book is so funny and original.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

3.5 Stars


This was my first book by Jacqueline Ferkins and it was a great friends to lovers novel.

Imogene has been dumped seventeen times by her exes, who left her for other people. Imogene is now living in a coastal Oregon town with her mother, whose clairvoyant and predicts a change to come. That change soon appears in the form of her former high school crush, Eliot Swift, who’s back in town for his father’s funeral. He’s now a YouTuber who travels the world and posts videos of his adventures on his channel.

One of the prophecies Imogene’s mother made, when Imogen was young, was that she wouldn’t be first at anything. Imogene has tried and failed repeatedly to prouve this prophecy wrong. With Eliot’s help will she be able to break the curse?

The chemistry between the two main characters is great. The story had good pacing. When we first meet Imogene her self-esteem is at an all time low and it was nice watching her personal growth throughout the book.

I’d like to thank the publisher St. Martin’s Griffin / MacMillan and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I'm not the biggest fan of second chance romance but this was alright. It was sweet and entertaining enough but not really memorable.

Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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Jacqueline Firkins's The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is a beautiful story of friendship and second chances at love.
Imogen Finch has just been through her seventeenth breakup. She saw it coming, so she's not as crushed as she might be, but with all sixteen of her exes leaving her for other partners, she's come to believe a prediction her well-intentioned and possibly clairvoyant mother made over twenty years ago: that Imogen would never come first at anything or to anyone. Is her love life failing due to a magical curse? Insufficient effort? Poor timing or personality mismatches? Everyone has opinions on the matter.
Imogen's ready to give up altogether. But when Eliot Swift, her secret high school crush, returns to their small coastal town after a decade of nomadic travels, Imogen has new motivation to try again. Eliot's full of encouragement. He suggests that her curse is not only imagined, but it's also easily breakable. All they need is one win--any win--and she can believe in love, and in herself again.
From trivia games to swimming races to corn-shucking contests, the pair sets out to snag Imogen her first-ever first prize. But when victory proves more elusive than Eliot anticipated, and when his deep-seated wanderlust compels him to depart for faraway places, Imogen fears she's destined to remain in second place forever. Fortunately for them both, sometimes magic lingers in the most unexpected places. And love is far from predictable.

Seventeen breakups? Is this woman a glutton for punishment? Seriously??? The story is a cute and innocuous story about love and dreams. It is perfect for both the romance lover and chick-lit aficionado with its sweet storyline and happy ending. I will highly recommend it to those in search of a lovely read with characters I seriously enjoyed spending time with.
#shortbutsweetreviews

Thanks so much St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance read in exchange for this review.

Imogen just had her 17th heartbreak. She saw it coming, so she's not too upset. She has accepted her mother's prediction that she will never be first at anything or to anyone. Her high school crush, Eliot, returns to town and she's desperate to get a win, any win so she can believe in love and herself again.

I loved everyone in this book. The characters are all relatable and so funny. The author does a wonderful job with her clever writing of the story. It's quirky and charming. I also loved how there is discussion of consent. Off to check out the author's other works!

Imogen Finch has had seventeen boyfriends and seventeen break-ups because each boyfriend chose someone else. None of this was a surprise to her clairvoyant mother who predicated Imogen, even as a young child, would always come in at second place. Much of her life, Imogen has tried, although unsuccessfully, to prove her mother wrong.

Eliot, Imogene’s best friend from childhood, and she admits, the love of her life, is a wanderlust. He is back in town for his father’s funeral, however. She admits she has never gotten over him, despite him his chose of a multitude of outdoor adventures over her. They reconnect for the few weeks he is home; however, he must leave again, and she cannot bring herself to leave all that is familiar to her including the people in her beloved town. To her they are a big, beautiful extended family that continue to love and support her no matter the situation or circumstances.

The characters in this story are relatable, funny and they draw you into this very creative, cleverly written, humorous story. Despite enjoying the actual storyline, I was disappointed in the graphic sex, cussing and use of the F word, which in my opinion did not enhance the story, but detracted from it. For readers who prefer “clean” books, you too would be disappointed in this otherwise, heartwarming story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A charming friends-to-lovers story full of chemistry, wonderful friendships, and a bit of whimsy.

Imogen is no stranger to heartbreak. Ever since her mother predicted she would never come first in anything, Imogen has been resigned to this fact. It’s a big part of why she never confessed being in love with one of her two best friends, Eliot. She hasn’t seen Eliot in years but she thinks of him often. When Eliot returns to their hometown for a funeral, he is determined to help Imogen win at something - a coloring contest, pancake eating, his heart?!

Imogen and Eliot are darling, complement each other, and they communicate fairly well and openly - it was fun to cheer them on. Recommended to anyone looking for a love story that is lighthearted, funny, and also has some sad moments and goes a bit deeper - Imogen and Eliot have real issues and external factors that may get in the way of their happy ever afters.

Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins is a hilarious and wholesome story about love and second chances. Imogen's journey to break her supposed curse is both entertaining and heartwarming. The story is not only about Imogen and Eliot's romance but also about their friendship and their individual growth. The author's writing style is engaging, and the pacing of the story is excellent. The book is also filled with lovable side characters, such as Imogen's quirky best friend and her mother, who is convinced that her daughter is cursed. The trivia games, swimming races, and corn-shucking contests add a unique touch to the story, making it even more enjoyable. Overall, The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is a delightful and charming novel that will make you laugh, cry, and root for Imogen and Eliot. It's a perfect read for anyone looking for a heartwarming and funny romance.