When we meet Nina, she is going through some things. She has just lost her teaching job, her boyfriend, and she has had to return to her hometown and move back in with her parents. The situation is not ideal, to say the least, especially when Nina realizes that Quentin, her estranged childhood best friend who she also had a crush on, is also back in town, and living next door. After an awkward reunion, Quentin convinces Nina they should revisit a treasure hunt they were in the middle of the last time they saw each other nearly 20 year ago, a treasure hunt that actually ended their friendship.

I love a second chance romance and I love it even more when it features childhood best friends. It was really sweet to watch these two reconnect. They clearly have so much history and I enjoyed how they interacted with one another once they got past their initial awkwardness and started to remember all of the things they loved best about each other. The treasure hunt added a fun little adventure to help reestablish that connection between them and I loved all of the banter between them while they were hunting.

The romance is a slow burn because there are things that need to be dealt with first. Not only is Nina still dealing with all of those things that drove her back home in the first place, but seeing Quentin again has reopened old wounds and the two of them have to work through what happened in their own past if they want to explore any of the new feelings they’re experiencing towards one another after all these years.

Overall, I thought it was a fun read with plenty of humor and heart.

Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler is a sweet and cozy second-chance romance with charming characters and heartfelt writing. I loved the slow-burn dynamic between Nina and Quentin and how their reconnection felt genuine and well-paced. While I was hoping for a bit more adventure from the treasure-hunting aspect, the mystery and inclusion of interview transcripts still added a fun twist. Overall, it's a warm, feel-good read with just the right touch of romance and mystery. I'm excited to pick up more books by Sarah Adler in the future!

♡ Thank you for the free ARC, Berkley Romance and NetGalley.

This was a nice, quick book. The author’s first book, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, still has my heart, but this story was worth the read. Although it sometimes felt drawn out with internal monologues, the slow-burn romance and realistic characters kept me interested.

Thank you to Berkley for a gifted copy of Finders Keepers! This is a second-chance romance between two childhood best friends, centered around an unfinished treasure hunt. Nina and Quentin both find themselves unwillingly back in their parents' houses at the same time, and begin to rekindle a romance that went unfinised years ago.

I adored the sweet nostalgia of this book. I'm a sucker for a treasure hunt (I actually wanted a few more treasure hunting scenes!), and Nina and Quentin had so much backstory and chemistry that gave this book just the right touch. Nina's mom was the absolute perfect side character, dishing up quippily snide asides that made me chuckle every time.

There's a lot of angst left over from Nina and Quentin's teen years, which is both good and bad. I thought the inciting incident for the brief third-act conflict was a little silly and unrealistic, but at least it was resolved quickly. This is a VERY slow burn, but I was along for the ride!

I always enjoy Sarah Adler's books and am already looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adored Sarah Alder's debut novel "Mrs. Nashes Ashes", so when I saw "Finders Keepers" on NetGalley, I immediately requested this book. If you are a fan of second-chance romances jump on into this one. I was instantly drawn to Nina and Quentin’s story. A shared childhood and their deep-rooted history, made their connection so believable and heartfelt. Their emotional tension being—fueled by years of unresolved feelings—made for a compelling slow-burn connection had be reading late into the night. Nina and Quentin's playful competitiveness and the way they remembered all of the small details about each other. It added warmth and charm to their interactions, making their reconnection all the more satisfying. I especially loved the treasure hunt they went through together. "Finders Keepers" was an emotional, sentimental romance with charm and magic.

Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler
4.5 stars ⭐️
Nina and Quentin were best friends and neighbors growing up, until a fateful night where they get in trouble for trespassing while looking for treasure. Quentin then moves away and ghosts Nina. Nina never thinks she'll hear or see him again, but when she moves home to try to figure out her next steps after a breakup and losing her job, Quentin is back next door. And he wants to look for the treasure they never found.
I LOVED this book! It was so funny and heart-warming. The hunt for the treasure was very cute and I loved the story behind it. I am a fan of neighbors to lovers stories, and this one did not disappoint. Their late night talks out their windows was my favorite part of the book. It was reminiscent of the You Belong with Me music video. I am such a fan of Sarah Adler, and I can't wait to see what she writes next

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler

Nina and Quentin are estranged childhood best friends who happen to find themselves back in their parents' homes for the summer. Nina lost her job, boyfriend, and home all in the space of a few days. Quentin recently lost his fiance, best friend, job, and home, too, so he can definitely relate.

They spent their last summer together as teens searching for an elusive treasure at a nearby castle. They were unsuccessful in their endeavors, but it changed their lives forever. They both fell in love with each other but convinced themselves that the other one didn't feel the same. On the last night they were searching, they ended up getting caught trespassing. In the back of the police car, Quentin mutters that it was all a mistake. Cue the miscommunication trope! His parents end up divorcing, and he moves away. They don't speak for years... YEARS!

Now, home as adults, they start talking again. Quentin convinces Nina to spend the summer looking for the treasure. Once again, they fall for each other, convinced the other one doesn't feel the same. They seem doomed to repeat their past mistakes, over and over. With a little help from Nina's mom, an ancient grumpy librarian, and Bon Jovi, they manage to do it right this time and get their HEA.

I love a good rom-com, and this one definitely had some hilarious moments. It would also kick you right in your feels when you were least expecting it. There are a few open door scenes, but this one is more story than spice.

I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Sarah Adler, Berkley Publishing, and Net Galley for allowing me the privilege of reading her work.❤️

⭐ Treasure Seeking Rom-Com
⭐ Second Chance Romance
⭐ Estranged Childhood Friends to Lovers
⭐ 30s MCs
⭐ Mental Health Rep (Anxiety)

Nina Hunnicutt moves back to her childhood home after she suddenly finds herself unemployed, homeless, and single. To her surprise, her estranged childhood neighbor/best friend/crush has also returned home and wants to continue with the treasure-seeking adventure they bonded over in their teens.

This was a sweet second chance romance, featuring childhood best friends who harbored secret crushes on each other, an adventurous treasure hunt, and a quirky beverage tycoon, all set in a charming small town in Maryland. I absolutely love adventure rom-coms and this one was a pleasant addition to that subgenre! While this was story was primarily told from Nina's perspective, I felt more drawn to Quentin's character. I felt like Nina's anxiety was a little too much for me at times, with all her inner monologue and self-doubt throughout (although an accurate depiction of anxiety!). Julius James Fountain did steal the show for me with his endless pranks and sarcasm and creative view on life. His interview transcripts were a fun addition to the story and gave some insight on his life and the treasure he left behind.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and find it perfect for those who want to get lost in a heartwarming tale of adventure and second chance!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the advanced copy! ❤

This was such a cute read. I’m gonna be honest, when I first started it I was really confused and not feeling it at all, but things start coming together the further I read. I think I wasn’t liking it as much initially because I didn’t know what was going on. Let’s dive in to the review though!

Newly jobless and single, Nina finds herself coming back to her childhood home for the summer when life starts falling apart. Her parents are overjoyed to have her home for a visit, but Nina can’t help but feel dismayed as all the hard work she put in to be successful gets put on hold. And to make matters worse, when she arrives at her parents’ home she finds out that her childhood best friend has moved back in to the next door house and will be staying there for the unforeseen future. Now not only does she have to deal with anxiety over feeling like a failure—she also has past feelings and emotions thrown into the mix. Also fresh out of a job and dealing with a broken engagement, Quentin has come back to his dad’s old home to give him time to decide what he wants to do with his future.

Instead of a welcoming reunion, it is soon made clear that there is bitterness and resentment between the two childhood best friends. Determined to fix their friendship, Quentin suggests they continue a treasure hunt they started years ago in hopes of mending their rift. Knowing the treasure hunt is what caused the cracks in their friendship makes Nina wary of accepting the idea, but she reluctantly agrees because she has no other plans for the summer.

Join the hunt with these two characters and watch as they initially embark on a search for treasure, but unknowingly will find something far more valuable along the way—love and healing.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

I understand now that love, when it's real, doesn't require you to be someone different. It just makes you even more solidly yourself.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

I love how real and authentic Nina’s character was. She wasn’t perfect in the slightest and coming from someone who has dealt with major anxiety, I especially loved how she slowly learned to overcome her anxiety that was constantly plaguing her. This is a beautiful journey about finding love and finding your true self along the way.

Also the small plot twist at the end had me gasping and so mad for like three chapters so get ready for a little shocker…

things to know about the book ↓

🪏 single pov
🐳 friends-to-lovers
🪏 second chance
🐳 delicious angst

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and Sarah Adler for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

Okay, I’m officially a Sarah Adler superfan. I picked up ‘Ms. Nash ‘s Ashes’ on indie bookstore day and then proceeded to inhale ‘Happy Medium’ like a woman possessed, and then I was lucky enough to get send an arc from Berkley! Sarah’s writing is just so smart and funny, I just couldn’t stop.

This one had me grinning like an idiot and clutching my chest all at once. I’ve always been a sucker for the childhood best friends to lovers trope, but let’s be honest, it’s a tricky one to pull off. The history between characters can either elevate a story or drag it down. Finders Keepers absolutely nailed it. The emotional bits hit just right, and the chemistry between the leads felt earned in the best, most satisfying way.

I related to Nina so much in her early 30’s quest to figure out who she is and what she really wants. That drifting, searching feeling? So real. I think a lot of millennials are sitting with those same questions right now. And Quentin? What a sweetie. He’s gentle, loyal, and so clearly in Nina’s corner from the very start. I adored the way he loved her, patiently and without conditions.

I also really enjoyed the little mystery element that weaved its way through the story, it added such a fun layer of intrigue. By the end, I needed to know how it would all unfold!

I really wanted to love this one. The premise was so FUN! Two former best friends reconnecting to finish a treasure hunt they started as kids? Yes, please! Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the promise.

I struggled to connect the dots between their past and present relationship, which made it harder to feel invested in the emotional stakes. The world-building felt a bit shallow, and while the book clearly aimed for quirky, romcom-style humor, it often missed the mark for me. The tone veered a little too cheesy and unrealistic for my taste.

That said, there’s definitely potential here. The idea is fun, and I could see others enjoying it more, especially if you're into lighthearted, nostalgic romps. For me, though, it just dragged a bit and didn’t fully click.

Finders Keepers: ⁣
⁣
Thank you @prhaudio @berkleyromance for my gifted copies! #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyPartner ⁣
⁣
“figure out what it is you want in life before the real ‘can’ts’ come to get you.” ⁣
⁣
This is how I found out my copy of Mrs. Nash’s Ashes is MIA. Sad Day.⁣
⁣
I liked Finders Keepers. You know I’m down for any type of treasure hunt, fun mystery with a heavy dose of second chance? I do feel like the treasure aspect took a backseat and I actually wanted Julius James Fountain of Fountain Seltzer front and center! Julius truly had me wanting to know their story and all the treasure hunts, but we had to muddle through the romance to get there.⁣
⁣
Is the real treasure the friends we find along the way? Nah, it’s the audio read by Mara Wilson. I don’t know if I would have finished this if it wasn’t for her, so that’s saying a lot on her amazing performance.⁣
⁣
Overall, it was a read that I read. The premise was amazing, but I wanted a little more. Love Sarah Adler forever and a day, so I can’t wait to see what’s next.⁣
⁣
QOTD: Any books you’re excited about that released today?

This book was so freaking good! I loved the quirky treasure hunt and the childhood friends to almost lovers to enemies to LOVERS that this book had. Stories of adult love after heartbreak and navigating other adult changes in careers/friends/location that are also really rom commy and written with depth are so hard to find, but as always, Sarah delivered even more than one could ever hope for,

Ugh, I hate to say that this one just didn't work for me. It was okay. (Nothing problematic or unhinged - but just not for me.) It follows two childhood friends (who are not super close), as they take up their childhood quest of finding local treasure left by a small-town eccentric.

While I see tons of people likely loving this book - particularly as a summer read - I find myself struggling with any adventure romance...and this one felt like it was just on the edge of that genre. In Finders Keepers, we get a second chance romance, a treasure hunt and some slow burn with excellent tension.

The treasure-hunting aspect of this book was simply not interesting to me; I wanted it to give National Treasure - but it just didn't feel super thought out or complex enough. I did enjoy the historical fiction element - where we got to read interviews and transcripts from the eccentric man that started this treasure hunt on his old property, but it wasn't enough for me to actually buy into the quest.

As for the romance, I did enjoy it - the slow burn had excellent payoff. And I felt like the characters really did have chemistry and it wasn't just nostalgia at play.

Overall, I felt myself skimming a bit, as some parts of the internal diatribe were long-winded and overly complex, which led to some weird pacing at times.

CW // anxiety and depression; loss of job; workplace accident; medical debt; divorce of parents; infidelity (not the main characters)

In Finders Keepers, Nina has moved back home to her parents’ house after losing her job, long term boyfriend, and new apartment in the span of a couple days. She plans to wallow for a bit, then make a new life plan, but all that is sidelined when her childhood neighbor, Quentin, appears next door. They have a complicated past to say the least. When Quentin asks Nina to resume the local treasure hunt that tore them apart 17 years ago, she reluctantly agrees. Will the hunt help them rekindle their friendship or will it destroy their relationship for good this time?

I thought the premise of this book was so interesting! The treasure hunt aspects and the transcripts from the interview with Fountain, the local character who originally hid the treasure, were a lot of fun. That said, I think the focus on the treasure hunt and transcripts sometimes jolted me out of the story a bit? I found myself losing interest and putting the book down whenever one of those sections popped up. That said, I really loved Nina and Quentin’s second chance romance and enjoyed putting together the reason their relationship fell apart all those years ago. I enjoyed this one overall and it made me want to read some more of Sarah Adler’s books! I’ve heard such great things about Mrs. Nash’s Ashes.

If you enjoy a second chance romance of childhood best friends and would love a fun, treasure hunting twist, then Finders Keepers is for you!

Unfortunately, I couldn't get into Finders Keepers. I had a difficult time connecting to the characters and their world. I didn't feel a connection to either main character. I wasn't enthralled by Nina and Quentin or their relationship with each other. I'm disappointed I didn't care for this book because the concept of this story is a lot of fun! Who doesn't like the idea of two friends reconnecting in the present to find a missing treasure. Overall, the slow pacing and lackluster characters led to my DNF. Although this book didn't live up to my expectations, I still enjoy this author and plan on reading her next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Thank you Berkley and PRH Audio for the gifted copies!

4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⚡️

Finders Keepers
Sarah Adler
Publishing Date: June 24, 2025

🎧 Narrator: Mara Wilson 🎧

I picked this one up because I needed a romcom in my life and this one did not disappoint.

Nina and Quentin are estranged childhood friends who both return home after their lives are unexpectedly tossed upside down. They decide to continue a treasure hunt that they started, and which ruined their friendship, back when they were kids.

This book was just such a fun time. Nina and Quentin are so quirky and their relationship is equally so. The author did a great job developing their characters as individuals and as a duo. There was really nicely done mental health rep with the inclusion of different coping skills used. The romance is a slowwww burn that pays off in spicy and heartwarming ways. The treasure hunt and the story that goes along with it gave parts of this book a fairytale flavor which was really unique. There are transcripts from interviews scattered throughout which brought in a historical aspect that I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed! And the nods to Bon Jovi were much appreciated as I grew up in a Bon Jovi loving household 🤣

The authors note at the end is not to be missed as she explains her inspiration drawn from the Federal Writers Project.

🎧 Mara Wilson’s narration was excellent. She perfectly delivered the banter between our MC’s and the overall quirky and fun vibe of the book. She’s definitely a narrator I would seek out for more!

I really really hate to say this, as I've been a Mrs. Nashes Ashes lover from day one, and had really high hopes for this, but I am DNFing at 54%. The premise of this book sounded like a blast- a second chance romance (one of my favorites) PLUS a treasure hunt? Count me IN! But sadly, neither of these storylines really delivered for me and I never really got into any aspect of the story.
Nina, while admittedly starting in a really low point at the beginning of the book- her long-term boyfriend has ended things right as her employer decides not to renew her teaching contract, and she's back at home at square one, avoiding her mom's nudes drawing class as well as her old neighbor, who is ALSO back in town, looking even better than when he almost kissed her and then never spoke to her again one fateful night back when they were teens.
So the setup was there and I was so ready, but sadly Nina, at this point at halfway through the book, hasn't really made any positive strides towards character growth and I am starting to feel frustrated with her inner thoughts and her inability to be anything but upset that her life is ruined. I feel a little bit of chemistry between Nina and Quentin, but not enough to actively be curious about why they fell apart, and not enough to keep me turning the pages to watch them put it back together in.
Furthermore, the tropes that are starting up (fake engagement, etc) are overshadowing any interest I have in this treasure hunt- which, at least at this point, is limited to one property and a bunch of library archives- not quite the fun treasure hunt romp that the cover implies.
I'm sure a lot of people are going to like this one, but sadly it was not for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I love Sarah Adler and this book did not disappoint. Nina has to move home after she loses her job and boyfriend, and this thrust her back into the realm of Quentin, her former friend who she used to treasure hunt with. Since they’re both unemployed and figuring out their next moves, they start treasure hunting again and love and fun ensues. I don’t really love second chance romances and everyone seems to be writing one right now, but even with this issue, this was an overall sweet book, it made me laugh out loud more than once, and I love, love, love Adler’s writing style - she’s a must read for me. Overall I definitely recommend this book for fans of Adler, second chance contemporary romance, and treasure hunting.

If you've been around my page before, you know that I am a huge fan of Sarah's books. She's definitely one of my all time favorite authors! Her books are always so sweet and romantic with just the right touch of silly shenanigans thrown into the mix. This one continues to show why she'll always be an auto buy author for me.

Finders Keepers follows Nina, a down on her luck professor who is back at her childhood home to lick her wounds and figure out her next steps. However, she arrives to find her former childhood best friend Quentin is right next door and he wants to rekindle their friendship after ghosting her so many years ago. The two decide to resume the treasure hunt that broke them apart and along their journey, they figure out how to deal with the unresolved feelings from way back when.

I thought this one was so much fun! The premise of hunting for a seltzer magnate's buried treasure is such an unique premise and trying to figure out what the clues meant definitely kept things suspenseful but in a wacky way. Sarah always writes the best banter and this was no different, some of the scenes between Nina and Quentin had me laughing out loud. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me, but I loved the journey along the way and how it all came together in the end.