Finders Keepers

by Sandra Kitt

She found a love worth more than money. When Olivia Cameron set out to renovate the house left to her by her great-aunt, the last thing she expected to find behind the walls was millions of 1929 dollars. As the director of a charter school, to reap this much money would be life changing, so long as it's hers to keep. When FBI agent Sloan Kendrick comes to question her, the instant attraction thrumming between them gives Olivia nervous butterflies. Sloan feels the pull between him and Olivia too, but first, he's got a job to do. As his investigation brings him and Olivia closer, Sloan recognizes in Olivia's hesitation that she doesn't fully trust him yet… Because a romance like this is too good to be true. Olivia already had her miracle, and lightning doesn't strike twice, does it? Praise for The Time of Your Life : "A feel good story of second chances and new beginnings." ― Woman's World Magazine "This story of two kindhearted individuals being given a life-changing gift is a welcome, if brief, reprieve in an unfair world." ― Buzzfeed

Genres: Romance, African American, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories.

Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on theEssence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book had an intriguing premise. An FBI agent, Sloane and a high school director, Olivia who meet when the Olivia finds money hiding in secret compartment in a house she inherited whilst doing renovations. Unfortunately, the plot fizzled out hard and fast even before the 50% of the book. Despite this, I really enjoyed both both main characters and their chemistry. I wish the story had focused more on them instead of introducing so many unnecessary secondary characters and social commentary about law enforcement and race that left a lot to be desired.

The ending also felt abrupt and unsatisfying, especially with a few unresolved issues especially with the car thief and Olivia and Lynn’s friendship. I think there should’ve been an epilogue to tie every thing up.

Overall, this was a decent read. A little slow paced for my liking but I did enjoy it. I might check the first two book in the series out since I didn’t about them when I requested it and I was intrigued enough by some cameos in this book about some of those characters.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Robyn Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall: 3
Spice: 0

I was excited to read the next book in the series, but this didn't live up to my expectations. Unlike the others the FMC became a millionaire by chance, and we really don't talk about the money or how it can enhance her life or the life's of those around her until the end, which is kind of disappointing. This was also the first interracial relationship book which wasn't made clear for about 10 chapters. I just didn't feel the chemistry of this book.

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finders Keepers is the third novel in The Millionaires Club Series. I enjoyed this one way more than the last book. Although they were both super slow-burns Finders Keepers was a little bit more engaging. It begins with a little mystery after Olivia comes across some money found in the walls of her aunt’s house she’s renovating dating back to circa 1929.

Locating the money must’ve been a sign from God because Olivia has a million things she could use the money for. First thing being to help change the lives of the children that attend her charter school. But before she can claim this wealth she turns the money over to the police who involve the FBI. When FBI agent Sloan Kendrick comes to question her, the instant attraction thrumming between them gives Olivia nervous butterflies. As the investigation brings the two closer, Sloan recognizes in Olivia's hesitation that she doesn't fully trust him yet… Because a romance like this is too good to be true. Olivia has already had her miracle, and lightning doesn't strike twice, does it?

The novel has a decent level of maturity, drama, realistic dialogue, and romance. At times I did find myself a bit bored with it because of the pacing. But I enjoyed the chemistry between Olivia and Sloan. He was charming and determined to win Olivia’s heart. Sloan’s drive to win Olivia over and her continuously being in defense mode made their struggle to romance feel authentic. The character development was decent aside from Olivia’s best-friend having absolutely no boundaries. Also liked how the author incorporated a few side characters like the students and the situation with Olivia’s car being stolen.

Overall, the book was meh I enjoyed some of it can’t say I 100% recommend it though. Special thanks to the author & @sourcebookscasa for my gifted e-ARC‼️

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Finders Keepers By Sandra Kitt

Release Date: April ,12th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


"Finders Keepers" by Sandra Kitt strikes the perfect balance between romance and suspense, making it both entertaining and intriguing.A captivating romance novel that contains themes of trust, love, and second chances.


Olivia Cameron unexpectedly discovers millions of dollars hidden in her great-aunt's house while renovating it. As the director of a charter school, the prospect of such wealth could be life-changing, but Olivia is cautious about its legality. FBI agent Sloan Kendrick arrives to investigate, and their instant attraction complicates matters. Despite their mutual feelings, Sloan is focused on his duty, leaving Olivia unsure of his intentions. As their bond deepens during the investigation, Olivia struggles with trust issues, questioning if their budding romance is too good to be true and if lightning can indeed strike twice.


Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a thrill-seeker, or a bit of both, "Finders Keepers" is bound to quench your thirst for an exhilarating and fulfilling tale.

You can feel the chemistry and slow burn between the FMC and MMC and I was all for it! Definitely Recommend!

Tropes:

Hidden Treasure
Forbidden Romance
Slow Burn Romance
Suspenseful Mystery
Strong Female Lead
Workplace Romance



Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, The author Sandra Kitt & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

[Kaley]

I got 37% into this book - which I was really looking forward to - and decided enough was enough. I was intrigued about the hidden money but by the time I stopped reading, everything had been signed off on and she could keep the money. I wasn't sure what was going to happen next but...I didn't care what it was. Plus, there were so many random subplots going on that I couldn't tell what, exactly, the author was trying to do with the story. And the pair of them "not understanding" the attraction to each other? For crying out loud, you found each other interesting and attractive, end of story. Just hook up and decide if there's a relationship there worth pursuing. Really disappointed but not every book can be a winner.

[Addictive Passions · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so hoping for a good mystery with a bit of romance, especially after reading the blurb and the first few chapters. But sadly, no. The whole book felt like it was from the ‘50’s. Kitt made no more mention of the beginning of the book or the money and concentrated the whole book’s conflict on the interracial relationship between Sloan and Olivia like it’s 1824 instead of 2024.

It was so boring! I kept hoping that Kitt would circle back to the money and how it came to be in the walls. But when I wasn’t reading about their anxiety over the color of their skin, I was reading how she was spending the money!

I was soooo disappointed. I know Kitt can write better than this.

[Kelly Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out with a mystery and then there were just a lot of unanswered questions. How do you find a bunch of money in a house gifted to you and don’t want to try and find out how it got there? And what about the other hiding spot that was mentioned in the prologue? Nothing. Then there is a bunch of robberies that are mentioned but we are not going to talk about that being solved, and if you didn’t figure out right away who the father of Gaye is and how he is involved in all the other things than I don’t know what to tell you.

[Natasha P · Rating 2 out of 5]

SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley provided an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

This book had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately did not deliver. The found money plot fizzled out in an anticlimactic way. The chemistry between the main characters wasn’t believable. The social commentary about race and law enforcement was clunky at best. Ultimately this was a disappointing read.

[Menthie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story seemed like it would be super exciting with the money mystery, the FBI agent/suspect, interracial relationship - but sincerely I was really really bored. The pacing was really off. The conversations were really uninteresting. The relationship felt forced. The money played minimal plot. It just wasn't for me.

[Karlee Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. Slow to start but the ending was sweet.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written. I liked how it addressed interracial relationships and how both characters had baggage to work through. However, and this is totally on me, I had certain expectations regarding the importance of researching the source of the money based on how I read the blurb and the money ended up being little more than a MacGuffin. I was also a little frustrated in that the author set up certain scenarios to introduce points of conflict between Olivia and Sloan and then didn't really resolve them. It was like, "This has served its purpose, moving on." I haven't read the rest of the books in the series, but they only seem vaguely interrelated (the Millionaires Club itself merits only a couple of passing mentions and one scene that I remember), so I'm not sure that these scenarios will be resolved in the next book (if there is one). For example, when Olivia has it out with the one friend in her friend group, everyone else seems willing to cut the friend loose without giving her chance to defend herself, and Olivia doesn't have a follow up conversation with her. At the end, we're led to become invested in what consequences some secondary characters may face because of their actions, and then the author completely sidesteps deciding on an outcome in favour of leaving us with a reconciled Olivia and Sloan. Yes, this is primarily a romance book, but why bother making the reader care about the other stuff if you aren't going to follow through with it?

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romance that begins when education administrator Olivia Cameron finds old stashed money in a house she inherits from a great aunt. I think the blurb is a bit misleading as there isn’t a big mystery about the money but it is the reason that Olivia meets FBI agent Sloan Kendrick. She has just started venturing back into the dating world after her divorce. The divorce makes her cautious, especially about dating a white man, because that was a factor in her marriage. Sloane has his own backstory as well. This is a nice basic romance. There are dinner dates, hiking, and he arranges a tour of the FBI offices for some of her students. I appreciate that they act and talk like the adults that they are.

This is the third in The Millionaires Club series. I’ve read the previous book, The Time of Your Life (Feb 2022), but they can be easily read as stand alone novels. I like Kitt’s writing style which is distinctive. The story is told from both POVs and at times there is almost shorthand in the communication between the pair. There is consent, passion and adult interactions. I’m actually surprised at the lower ratings. I think some of that can be attributed to some readers thinking they were getting a mystery because of the blurb description and Sloane being an FBI agent. I’m looking forward to the next in the series or whatever Kitt writes next.

[Emily B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows Olivia, who, when renovating a house she inherited from her great-aunt finds what is upwards of a million dollars hidden behind a wall in her kitchen, reports the money to law enforcement where she encounters agent Sloan from the FBI who is tasked with investigating where the money may have come from/why it was there.

Both MCs are besotted with each other at first sight, following Sloan's investigation, the two explore their feelings for each other. This book has such a unique premise, but the romance felt a little lacking. The MCs are very intentional with their time together, intentional with their conversation (as both were divorced), but it felt like the dual POV served to get to almost separate stories, despite all of the time we see them together. For as much description of them falling for each other, we don't really get the chemistry falling off the page that the reader would have expected to see.

All in all a fun read, but ultimately I wanted a bit more.


Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for my review!

[Amanda Alviz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I initially got this book that it is part of a series. This is book three in The Millionaires Club. I'm not sure if it's a continuation of the previous two as this is the first I've read by this author. I did feel at times a little lost with the characters and felt it difficult to really get to know them and connect with them. I'm not sure if this is because of the writing style or because I've missed the first two books in the series. I liked the premise, though at times it was a little dragged out and could have probably been done in a shorter amount of pages. Overall, this was a cute romance with a little bit of mystery mixed in.

Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Robin (DocRobReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When looking for books on NetGalley, I'm always searching for new-to-me authors. Sandra Kitt's Finders Keepers fit that criteria. I did not realize it was the third book in a series, but it did not impact my understanding of the story. I appreciated that the author tackled some heavy topics that would be reasonable for an interracial relationship. She also pulled in, and questioned the veracity of, a lot of stereotypes. It felt like there were some pacing issues, and there was no "one" central conflict. I am also not a fan of on-page sex where there is no oral. At all. That is kind of a deal breaker for me. Overall, it was a sweet story about adults in love.

[Candace House · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book saying… that’s it?! I feel there was such a missed opportunity for the ending.

However, although it’s not the juicy romance you might seek, it was comforting because it felt real. It felt like a romance that would actually happen- not one surrounded by tropes. I do wish we got more perspective on Sloan’s fears and angers of Liv thinking the worst of him due to his race. I don’t think they ever really tackled that- but maybe that’s because it never fully gets resolved?

I could never really picture Sloan in my head, maybe because I wasn’t expecting him to be White. But this was definitely a lovely romance story with a real connection!

[NICOLA FORDE · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIKE REUNITING WITH AN OLD FRIEND

I have not read a Sandra Kit book in over ten years, so it was wonderful to see she hadn’t lost her touch. I enjoyed reading about Sloan and Olivia and how they came to realize that there really is something called “love at first sight”. I’m always amazed that it’s still an issue for black women and white men to love each other, which was a factor in this book. Why do black women still question whether they should seek love with a white man in 2024?

[Darci Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little different than my normal romcoms. I would probably put it in the romance/suspense genre. A strong female main character who works in education was a key point in this story. It moved on from the discovery of money in the renovated house to more of a slow burn romance for Olivia and Sloan. They had great chemistry.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Finders Keepers to come out April 23, 2024.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finders Keeper The Millionaire club book1

Olivia found money Sloan found Olivia and in spite of the demands of their they made time get to know each other and work pass what anyone would say about their race. They proved race can't tell you who you love. I loved getting to know the children at school.

[Linda Epps - Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 3rd installment of the Millionaires Club. I found Sloan and Olivia to be an engaging couple, and I liked that their relationship evolved over time. I enjoyed them getting to know each other and their differences. The children in Olivia's school were a nice addition and added to the story as well.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well plotted and entertaining mix of romance and mystery. A fast paced story, well plotted charachters and a solid story
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Kh0909 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book… while it was a good story with an intriguing plot, it never came together enough for me. I really wanted to hear more about the money. While Olivia and Sloan clearly had chemistry, their relationship also left me wanting more.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

The two of them were cute but the book is just kind of boring. I thought the money would be a bigger plot point but it really only serves for the two of them to meet. I also wish there was an epilogue.

I received an arc through netgalley.

[Darline Saeidifar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually love a good romance. This one was a bit of a drag. It was my first book of the author and it just didn’t keep me engaged & interested. It took me a long time to read/finish it. The plot wasn’t interested enough. I hate to be mean, but it really was boring.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Great chemistry between the characters and the whole story flowed really well. This is my first from this author and I can't wait to read more!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved this romance between an fbi agent sloan and educator who ends up finding money in a house that she renovating that comes from family. I would have liked a little more mystery in solving where the money came from but didn't happen. great romance and loved seeing the students.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

African-American writer known for romances

[Zara Arshia · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute but lowkey kinda boring and the ending was rushed

[Me · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn’t a fan of the writing style. DNF

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the premise but the dialogue was a bit dry and cringey.