Old Flames and New Fortunes

I usually really enjoy Sarah Hogle's books, so I was disappointed by this one. I did not like Alex. From the start, he came across as annoying, immature, and a know-it-all, and he didn't really redeem himself throughout the whole book. The most important thing in romance books for me is liking both main characters individually and together, so I just couldn't get behind their relationship. The banter and flirting felt cringe and not cute.

I did like the setting. It was very springtime with all the flowers and a touch of “magic.” I liked the parts of the plot that weren't focused on the romance, and they even had a few funny moments. I have found her books laugh-out-loud funny in the past, but this one overall wasn't doing it for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an arc in exchange for a review!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A very surprising and sad 2 stars.

This is very much a case of “It's not you, it's me.” Sarah Hogle is my favourite Contemporary Romance author. I absolutely adore all her books! You Deserve Each Other is a comfort re-read and one of my all-time favourite books, period. Just Like Magic is pure happiness in book form and Twice Shy is one of the few books that almost made me cry. I literally squealed when I got approved for the ARC of Old Flames and New Fortunes. I was so excited! But man, purely because of personal preferences, this was very much a miss for me. And I'm so incredibly sad about it. I did not see this coming!

Unfortunately, this book features one of my absolutely least favourite tropes (someone has a - in this case secret - kid) AND on top of that, one of my least favourite female character traits (desperately wanting to be a mom) in romance novels. Not even the mysterious Sarah Hogle magic is going to make me enjoy that.

Everything else is magical! The writing is funny, but also heartfelt and a tiny bit sexy! The characters are fun and the banter is amazing. I was rooting for Romina and Alex! The emotional component was as amazing and layered as it always is in her books! And while I prefer more couple-focused romances, the friends, family and small town elements in this were great as well!

It had everything going for it! But I just can't get over those two - very prominent - elements of the story that I am probably never going to like reading about. I even had a hard time finishing this book because of my dislike for those tropes/archetypes. I'll still pick up everything Sarah Hogle publishes in the future! But this book just left me feeling disappointed.