3.5⭐️

This one was kind of a mixed bag for me. I really like Adler’s writing and the humour made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion! Childhood friends to lovers is a trope I never get tired of, and the slow burn as Nina and Quentin reconnected was both sweet and a little spicy! (Especially those window chats iykyk😉) The treasure mystery they were solving was a fun and unique addition to the story, and was incorporated well to add intrigue but not overtake the romance.

I think I could have enjoyed it more with less miscommunication, I thought the heroine was a little too blind to what was right in front of her at times. Over all though I had a fun time with this one. I’ll be sure to pick up the next Sarah Adler book!

**Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.**

Sarah Adler writes shenanigans like nobody else! The premise of this book, where a kooky billionaire leaves behind a treasure hunt, is perfect for what I look for in a story. And Nina and Quentin’s friendship-turned-fallout-turned-maybe-something-more hit all the right emotional notes. Their chemistry crackles, but it’s the quiet, vulnerable moments that really got me. I was all in on their history and totally invested in their future. And as always, Sarah Adler’s writing is warm, funny and emotionally sharp. She continues to be an instant-buy, instant-read author for me, and I can't wait for her next book.

I love how Sarah Adler takes one crazy premise after another and turns it into a fun, romantic story. This one involves a treasure hunt....a literal one. Legend has it that the owner of an old money estate hid treasure somewhere on it before passing away. His will states that the person who finds it first will win a prize. Nina and Quentin tried to find it as childhood best friends. Their quest fell apart when Quentin moved away and then ghosted Nina, breaking her heart. Now an adult, she has moved home with her parents only to find Quentin next door again.

I enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers romance. The hunt does feel cheesy at times, but also was a different backdrop than is found in so many other romances, which I appreciated. There was real hurt between these two and so it was nice to see them slowly grow back together as they work again to find the prize. I laughed out loud several times while reading this. Adler's humor is witty and fun. There is some definite steam in this one, but a lot of it is fun escapades and nonsense. I enjoyed her previous book, Happy Medium, and look forward to others by this author. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I really loved Sarah Adler’s other books so I definitely had to pick this one up. I didn’t love this one quite as much, but I don’t mean that as a negative, it was still a pretty good book.

The treasure hunting backdrop is a plot that doesn’t always work for me but it was alright here. I love friends to lovers, especially when it’s reconnecting childhood friends. So the romance really worked for me. They were cute and the relationship building was great.

Definitely would recommend the book!

This book was a fun adventure. It felt like a very tame version of Outer Banks. I wasn’t completely sold on the chemistry between current Nina and Quentin but they grew on me. I really liked Nina’s mom and Hanako. The treasure and Fountain’s history was a little hard for me to keep track of but I still enjoyed how it played out, though if I were Nina I think I’d stay mad at Quentin longer for lying

Nina returns to her childhood home for the summer and ends up reconnecting with her next-door neighbor (and secret teenage crush) Quentin to search for a treasure left my an eccentric businessman. I really enjoyed the first half of this book, setting up the backstory between Nina and Quentin and their teenage search for the treasure, but I didn't care for the second half as much, where the treasure hunt plot took a backseat to the romance plot. I think contemporary romance readers will enjoy this one, but as a mystery reader, I wanted more to the treasure hunt plot.

"Finders Keepers" is the story of Nina, who returns home after losing her job and reunites with Quentin, the boy-next-door from her childhood. This was a fun, quick rom-com, great for days your traveling or looking for a beach read. However, if you are looking for a thrilling treasure hunt like the cover suggests, this book is not what you are looking for. Also, I get really frustrated with adults not communicating or big miscommunications, and ultimately this book wasn't for me.

I really enjoyed Sarah Adler's "Mrs. Nash's Ashes" so ultimately, do not skip this author!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book.

"Finders Keepers" by Sarah Adler offers a charming second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance wrapped around a nostalgic childhood treasure hunt. It's a genuinely sweet and heartwarming read that delivers on its promise of rekindled connections and a touch of adventure.

The core premise of Nina and Quentin reuniting to finish a treasure hunt from their past is incredibly appealing. It provides a unique and fun backdrop for their reconnection, and the way the clues unfold adds a nice layer of intrigue to their evolving relationship. Their history as estranged best friends gives their eventual romance a strong foundation, and the witty banter between them is a definite highlight. I particularly enjoyed the sense of nostalgia and the way the treasure hunt mirrored their journey of rediscovery.

However, while the book has many strengths, there were a few elements that kept it from being a full 4-star read for me. At times, the pacing felt a little slow, and some of the internal monologues or minor plot points occasionally detracted from the main romantic arc. While the treasure hunt was engaging, I sometimes wished for a bit more external conflict or a stronger sense of urgency to push the narrative forward. The resolution, while satisfying, felt a touch too neat in places.

Overall, "Finders Keepers" is a delightful and heartwarming romance with a unique premise. It's perfect for readers who enjoy a gentle, character-driven story with a strong emphasis on emotional connection and a touch of whimsy. It's a solid, enjoyable read that leaves you with a warm feeling, even if it doesn't quite unearth every single buried gem.

Just the absolute sweetest read! Sarah Adler writes such swoon worthy romcom and I love every second of it! Nina and Quentin had adorable banter and chemistry and the full back story and treasure hunt just made it extra fun. I will forever love the pet name “cookiepuss” and I swear I had a smile the whole time I read!

Nina and Quentin childhood friends who embark on finding a treasure in their town only for their project to come to an abrupt halt. They return to their town as adults who have both lost their jobs and relationships and decide to resume their treasure hunt.

I cannot describe how much I enjoyed Finders Keepers. It was everything my teenage self would have craved for - a perfect crush and a treasure hunt to go with it. It was funny, romantic and so entertaining!

Sarah Adler's writing is just perfect and her story telling just kept me tied to my kindle the whole time.

I cannot wait to read more from her and explore all of her backlist.

Big-hearted, engaging, and fun!

Finders Keepers is a charming, playful tale that transports you to Catoctin, MD and into the lives of the responsible, handsome Quentin and the spirited, unemployed Nina as they discover that even though they were once the best friends and yet haven’t been in contact for years, there’s still a little something underneath all the innocent flirting and casual embraces that they’ve never cared to admit.

The prose is tender and smooth. The characters are multilayered, amusing and endearing. And the plot is a lighthearted, intriguing tale full of life, loss, love, friendship, tricky moments, awkward situations, miscommunication, delicious chemistry, romance, tension, self-reflection, and the ins and outs of treasure hunting.

Overall, Finders Keepers is an uplifting, humorous, entertaining tale by Adler that is a good choice for anyone who loves a will-they-or-won’t-they romance that’s not only incredibly sweet but also heartwarming.

I just think this wasn’t for me… I normally love a cheesy romcom, but this was just a bit too much for me. The comedic elements didn’t land well, and I had a very difficult time getting into it. Loved the overall premise, but this was a miss for me.

This book was such a delight!

I absolutely adored Sarah Adler’s previous novel, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on Finders Keepers! Adler’s signature romantic charm was woven into this story beautifully as well as her humor! I am going to start using “goblined” instead of “ghosting” and “well hello there, howdy, and good morning to you,” as a greeting because of this hilarious story!

I loved the premise of this one! Two estranged best friends hunting for treasure?! Sign. Me. Up! The setting of this story is in Maryland and I really loved being back there and getting to meet Nina and Quetin! I went to college in Maryland and always really loved the people and the town and this story really reminded me of that time in my life. I loved that Nina and Quentin grew up next door to one another and you get to follow along on them coming back together and hanging out!

Nina’s character really spoke to me.

“Figure out what you want in life before the can't come to get you.”

She is struggling with always feeling like she is behind and trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. I love the way Quetin’s character is with her and the way he nurtures Nina to just be herself. I think we all need people like that. People that are rooting for us and loving us for exactly who we are. You are going to really love their dynamic and there are some spicy parts too!


I would also recommend you read About The Book! It was so interesting learning more about Adler’s experience and intentions with writing this one!

I was lucky enough to also be able to read this one with my ears thanks to Penguin Random House Audio. I think this is my first Mara Wilson narration and I really, really enjoyed her ability to bring the story to life and really pull you into Nina and Quetin’s dynamic. She really enhanced the story for me and made me look forward to being back in Catoctin every chance I got!


Add this one to your summer TBR!

Thanks to @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for the free published copy and e-ARC and to @prhaudio for the review copy of this audiobook!

I have loved Sarah Adler’s books since Mrs. Nash’s Ashes. So I have been anticipating this one all year. It did not disappoint.

Nina and Quentin are fun characters. Childhood best friends who grew up living side by side in a duplex. Their friendship fell apart after a summer they spent in their teens looking for a treasure an eccentric millionaire supposedly hid in their town. Now they’re both back home, licking their wounds after personal and professional disappointments, and the lure of the treasure draws them in again. They have to work through their baggage and see what went long in their relationship all those years ago.

I loved the anxiety rep and how anxiety mantras were used to further the storyline. The setting was memorable as well—The duplex they lived in. The small town. The eccentric old house where the treasure was rumored to be. The treasure hunt made for an exciting plot. I was very invested In the plot and it paid off!

The side characters added so much to the story. From the small town characters to the best friends to family. I loved her relationship with her mom.

The book is open door with great spice. That scene in the mushroom folly. 🥵 There is a third act breakup, but it furthers the story well.

The single POV lends itself well to a single audiobook narrator, and Mara Wilson does an excellent job with the various characters.

If you love great banter and small town mystery, be sure to pick this one up today.

Quentin. Quentin. Quentin. Nina. Nina. Nina. You silly little people. In love with each other your whole lives but take until your 30s to do something about it. You little scaredy cats 😂

This was my first Sara Adler book and it certainly won’t be my last. I am such a sucker for her writing style and story telling. The constant will they won’t they get out of their own damn way and just do the dang thing was soo fitting for these two characters. I mean it took them decades to not only admit their own feelings but realize how similarly they handled their feelings. One thing’s for sure, I won’t be looking at gardens the same way again 😮‍💨

Read if you like
✨friends to nothing to lovers
✨treasure hunt
✨it’s always been you
✨everyone knew but us

3.75 ⭐️

I really enjoyed reading Happy Medium last year so I was excited when I got this one on NetGalley!

This was cute and fun with a little adventure. Nina and Quentin are both back in their hometown and childhood homes after not speaking to each other for 17 years and life has left them both single and unemployed. After some groveling from Quentin, they decide to pick up on a real-life treasure hunt they started as kids.

I was actually hoping for a little more from the treasure hunting experience than we got. It felt kind of anticlimactic. And I also felt like the main characters were kind of immature for being in their 30’s??? A lot of the side love story issues would’ve been resolved if the characters just said what they were thinking lol.

I loved the mom and Sarah’s humor is top notch. I found myself laughing out loud at some parts!

So overall it was fun and I enjoy Sarah’s books! I still need to read Mrs. Nash’s Ashes!

3.5 stars

This was my first time reading anything by Sarah Adler, Finders Keepers was such a fun, feel-good surprise. It’s a second-chance romance about two estranged best friends who reunite years later to finish a treasure hunt they started as teens. It isn't like they planned this but circumstances in life have them back in their hometowns when life throws some curve balls their way.

Finders Keepers had just the right amount of emotional depth mixed with some quirky and lighthearted moments. There’s some humor sprinkled in, I found myself smiling at the banter and the ridiculous (but charming) situations the characters get into. It wasn't super deep or dramatic but it didn't need to be, this is the kind of book to pick up when you want something playful and adventurous.

I’m glad I gave Sarah Adler a try, I will be checking out her backlist.

My thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Another amazing book by Sarah Adler! Another insta read author for meee!
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!

Nina and Quentin were childhood best friends and neighbors. Over the years, they drifted apart, but after life gets messy for them both, they end up back at their childhood home. They team up to find a lost treasure hidden by a pretty eclectic townsman (it's very
The Goonies meets Forrest Fenn).

We get such a cute and swoony journey of self discovery, growth, and love. I got totally caught up in the treasure hunt aspect of it, I loved that sub plot! There’s so much banter and a fantastic friends to lovers storyline that had me hooked from start to finish!

Thank you Berkley Romance for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes made Sarah Adler an autobuy author for me. I was SO excited for this book but sadly it fell short for me. I think it was missing the charm and wit I’ve gotten from her previous work. It was still a fun read and I think a great option for summer, but didn’t dethrone her other two books in the order I love them.

Synopsis:

“Last week, Nina Hunnicutt was a professor about to move into a gorgeous new apartment with her long-term boyfriend. Now, she’s single, unemployed, and living with her parents. Even more surprising is the fact that Quentin Bell, her childhood neighbor (and okay, fine, crush), is also back in town—and wants to resume the treasure hunt that ended their friendship almost two decades ago.Hoping the reward promised to whoever finds the rumored riches left behind by the town’s eccentric turn-of-the-century seltzer magnate will help her get her life back on track, Nina agrees. Granted, last time the search resulted in a broken heart and seventeen years of silence. But Nina’s older and wiser now. Surely things will be different?Except, Quentin is also older and wiser…not to mention distractingly handsome. As they resume their hunt, Nina and Quentin begin to rediscover all the things they once loved best about each other. But unlike the treasure, the secrets that left them empty-handed the first time refuse to stay buried. If there’s any hope of finding what they’re looking for—and for a future together—Nina and Quentin will have to be brave enough to excavate their past as well.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Premise—As a lover of a good treature hunting story (thanks to National Treasure) I was so excited for this romance!

The Banter—Sarah Adler always writes great banter and this being a second chance romance was a fantastic opportunity for that!

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Pacing—It all felt so slow and so low stakes. There was no reason for them to find the treasure it felt like.

Romance felt like the B plot—It didn’t feel like there was anything at stake for their romance either! And very little tension.

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 3/5

Content Warnings:

N/A

Two friends reunite years after a falling out to continue the scavenger hunt for a missing treasure they started when they were teens. I love a good quest novel and thought our two MCs were a cute match. This is a slow burn so if you want a slower paced book for these hot summer days this would be perfect.