Finders Keepers

by Sarah Adler

Two estranged best friends find that their long-abandoned treasure hunt might be the key to a fresh start—for both their futures and their feelings, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler.

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.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers, Adult

Audible Audio

First published June 24, 2025

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and very mischievous cat. When not working, you can find her attempting to course-correct an ill-advised late afternoon nap with an equally ill-advised late afternoon coffee, as she is incapable of ever learning a lesson.

Sarah’s debut novel, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, is a USA Today bestseller and was selected as a New York Public Library Best Book of 2023. Her second, Happy Medium, is also a USA Today bestseller, and her third, Finders Keepers, and fourth, Wild Goose Chase will be published by Berkley/Penguin Random House in the summers of 2025 and 2026 respectively.

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

RTC - I couldn’t get into it. What an awkward feeling when the romance and comedy don’t hit at all and then just keeps trying.

So excited for another cute romance! This one sounds adorable!

💖Second Chance Romance
💛Slow Burn
💖Estranged Childhood Friends-to-Lovers
💛Historic Maryland Setting
💖Small Town
💛Treasure Hunting
💖Self-Discovery
💛Red Hair MMC
💖Anxiety Rep
💛Banter Galore
👀Light Exhibitionism

Buddy Read with my darling Kitkat Be sure to check out her thoughts as well! 🧸🎀

Expected Release Date - 06/24/25

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the complementary advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

[kitkat (semi-hiatus ♡︎) · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up

let me start by saying: i really wanted to like this book. the idea of a treasure hunt that they started when they were kids, and continued as adults?? i was sold. Here’s the thing, the execution was just not there. i was really struggling with the world building, mainly connecting their relationship in the past to the present. i’m also not the biggest fan of this style of cheesy unrealistic type romcom. this book tried really hard to be funny, but i just don’t think it every really got there. plus, the smut was really cringy, and i also thought that the plot was dragging on quite a bit. i do think there is potential, but it as i said earlier, the execution wasn’t there.

>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc - all thoughts are my own

buddy read with my gorgeous bestie heather ~ thank you for suffering with me

— preread —
omg! this one looks so cute! can’t wait to start 🤭💖

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can never resist the charm of Sarah Adler’s sweet romcoms. This one is a perfect second-chance romance featuring childhood sweethearts, with a sprinkle of magic, an adventurous treasure hunt, and a delightful small-town setting.

That said, I have to admit that Julius James Fountain, with his unconventional sarcasm, perfectly planned pranks, and creative outlook on life, often stole the show.

The story follows Nina Hunnicutt, who returns to her childhood town of Catochin, Maryland, with her tail between her legs. After losing her teaching job, breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, and giving up their shared apartment in Boston, she feels like a complete failure. Her homecoming becomes even more complicated when she discovers that her childhood sweetheart—the infamous Quentin Bell, who broke her heart and ghosted her for years—is living next door to her family.

Quentin, now back after quitting his glamorous job in Paris and dumping his cheating girlfriend, is renovating his family home to sell it. Strangely, he acts as though he never ghosted Nina, effortlessly integrating himself into her family’s life—sharing her mom’s pancakes and helping her dad with repairs as if he’s part of the household. To make matters even more baffling, he suggests they finish the treasure hunt they started at fifteen, offering to split the money—70% to Nina—if she helps him search the area for the next eight weeks.

Nina, rejected by job applications and dreading the thought of spending the summer wallowing in her childhood bedroom, reluctantly agrees. But joining Quentin on this adventure comes with risks. Her old feelings for him are reignited, and the more time they spend together, the stronger her attraction grows. While she’s determined to focus on her tasks, secure a job, and leave town to start anew, she begins to question if running away is truly the only path to happiness.

Overall: This is a sweet, entertaining, and heartfelt second-chance romance. While Nina’s endless inner thoughts, hesitations, and self-doubts sometimes irritated me, I found it much easier to connect with Quentin’s character. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed how their long-time friendship and love story wrapped up in the end. I highly recommend this to all romance lovers who want a book that will leave a lasting smile on their faces.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this heartwarming romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[✨Julie✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

✩ 1.75 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Treasure Hunt
➼ “It’s Always Been You.”
➼ Second Chance
➼ Childhood Friends
➼ Small Town
➼ Secrets & Lies
➼ Cheesy
➼ Narrated by Mara Wilson
➼ First Person Single POV

I seriously considered DNFing this at 95%. The characters were bland, the plot had no significant hook, and the female narrator’s voice was too dry and rhythmic to hold my interest. I knew by about 5% in that this wasn’t going to work for me. I wish I would have listened to my gut and skipped this one. This was one of the most vanilla couples I’ve read about in a while. Can’t recommend this one unfortunately,

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: I enjoyed Happy Medium, so I’m giving this one a go!

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Connect with me on Instagram

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finders Keepers follows Nina, who, after losing her job, apartment, and boyfriend in the same week, decides to move back home with her parents for the summer, and Quentin, her childhood best friend, who just so happens to be back as well. When the two reunite and decide to pick up the treasure hunt they started decades before, they find themselves thrown back into the same unspoken feelings they had as teenagers. I had so much fun reading this summery romance! Quentin and Nina were so cute, I loved how their friendship and feelings unfolded as they paraded around their small town and hunted down their treasure. Their connection and history were palpable, I loved all the little moments where they reminisced and picked back up on their childhood quirks. This charming and heartfelt romance was perfectly balanced with humor, heat, and emotion. I cannot wait to see what Sarah Adler writes next!

Read If You Like:
🗺Childhood Friends to Lovers🗺
🗺Forced Proximity🗺
🗺Slow Burn🗺
🗺Second Chance🗺
🗺Banter and Steam🗺
🗺Small Town Romance🗺

~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up really loving this one - but I was expecting more adventure?

I like that a woman in a PhD position gets a chance to use her expertise and figure out what she really wants. In the face of the pressures of academia and the desire to succeed and collect as many accolades as possible - it can be really hard to chase happiness.

Our characters have a really sweet childhood-friends-to-lovers and I love the idea of them! I cheered for them and their choices in the end and I think that's the most important part of this review!

Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Two estranged best friends reunite after years apart, both in bad situations in their life. They decide to restart a treasure hunt they were on as teens hoping to still claim a reward. But spending time together reignites some old feelings, and neither of them are prepared for what that might mean.

After loving Sarah Adler's two previous books, I was excited for this one but it just sort of fell flat. I felt nothing for the main characters and wasn't even really rooting for them. The treasure hunt plot barely existed, a lot of this book was just the main characters wandering around town or talking through a window. Still enjoyable, but a fairly weak story from this author.

ALC provided by libro.fm as a part of the librarian ALC program

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a national treasure lover and current USP (IYKYK) i ate this upp

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review

full review to come

Bookstagram | Blog

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finders Keepers was … okay. It was a lovely story but it just didn’t grab me the way I had hoped that it would. I found myself putting down the book and not rushing to pick it back up again, so it took me much longer than it should have to finish it. (I was really looking forward to reading this, as I’ve seen so many great things about Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by this author.)

Nina and Quentin grew up next door to each other (literally, since theirs was a semi-detached house (they share a common wall) in a town in western Maryland. They were pretty much inseparable until Quentin’s family divorced when he was 15 and he moved away to live with one parent elsewhere. They hadn’t spoken since then and now they’re both 32. When each of them experience a personal and career disaster, they separately move back to the town they grew up in, at least temporarily. And so they reconnect.

I didn’t care much for the FMC, Nina. I felt she was very immature for most of the book, obsessing over the MMC’s, Quentin’s body like she was still a teenager. Quentin seemed the more mature of the two, but that was dispelled late in the book. They both were still dealing with the fallout of dumb stuff they did (or didn’t) do when they were teens. They were now old enough and mature enough to have a real conversation about things that happened that summer when they were 15. Instead, it got drawn out.

The title refers to a treasure hunt of sorts, although there’s no digging despite the cover depicting Nina with a shovel. The two of them decide to renew the search they had abandoned when Quentin moved away all those years ago. Their story is interspersed with transcripts of interviews from 1937 that they hope will lead to figuring out the puzzle and finding the treasure. (The Author’s Note at the end was quite interesting.)

Nina has a lot of insecurity and anxiety and we get a LOT of her thoughts along the way. I did enjoy her constantly thinking about the best case, worst case, and most likely scenarios when she was anxious about something.

Warning: There are some explicit scenes later in the story.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina’s life is in shambles and she just wants to spend a quiet summer in her childhood home to gather her strength, lick her wounds, and rebuild. Too bad when she arrives her childhood best friend, who completely ghosted her after their almost kiss - is also back home too. He wants to forgive and forget and finish what they starts all those years ago - to find the hidden treasure left by an eccentric billionaire tycoon nearly a century ago.

What’s to love…
- second chance romance (childhood friends)
- treasure hunt and a bit of adventure
- self-discovery
- a red-hair MMC (my weakness!)
- cheeky humor + goofy MCs
- slow burn A++ tension
- a bit of a story within a story as we learn about the elusive Julius Fountain

What’s not to love…
- long-winded inner thoughts some might find a little frustrating (me, i’m that someone)
- lack of communication drove me a bit bonkers - I feel I’m always a bit frustrated with lack of communication in romance books!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

3.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |

[DIVINITY&#x1f319; · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✨

I absolutely adore romances by this author. She does such a wonderful job creating a relatable and quirky FMC with a smitten soft boy to add to the mix. The treasure hunt was fun but I wasn’t super interested in it and was more focused on the relationship between the characters. While this wasn’t my favorite I still think it’s a great read and would recommend if you are a lover of this micro trope

Tropes & What to Expect
💛estranged childhood friends/lovers
💛treasure hunt
💛 its always been you
💛banter

[Lindsay (pawsomereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finders Keepers was a charming blend of second-chance romance, small-town nostalgia, and lighthearted mystery. Nina and Quentin’s treasure hunt was full of heart and humor, and their banter made the years-long tension between them feel electric. The seltzer magnate backstory added a quirky layer to the plot, and the emotional depth beneath their reunion made the romance feel earned. While some pacing felt a bit slow in the middle, the sweet payoff and satisfying emotional resolution made this a delightful read. It was equal parts fun and heartfelt and was a lovely reminder that sometimes what you're searching for has been right beside you all along.

[Cozy Puppy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Adler's Finders Keepers initially grabbed my attention with its unique premise: a romantic comedy centered around a treasure hunt. The concept of blending a lighthearted rom-com with an intriguing mystery felt genuinely refreshing. The story follows a protagonist who, after losing her job in academia and breaking up with her boyfriend, finds herself back home in Catoctin, Maryland. Her return leads to an unexpected reunion with her childhood crush, kicking off a journey of rediscovery.

One of the novel's standout features is Nina's ongoing internal dialogue. Her constant overthinking, anxious nature, and tendency to blurt out random thoughts in moments of panic are reminiscent of the relatable, self-deprecating humor found in characters like Bridget Jones. Her habit of labeling her different personas, such as "Unhinged Nina" or "Ambitious Nina," provides an entertaining and humorous glimpse into her inner turmoil as she tries to figure out her life.

Beyond her charming inner world, the book truly shines through the genuine, witty banter between Nina and Quentin. Their dynamic and fast-paced conversations are quick, clever, and genuinely funny, making their shared moments a pure delight to read. However, the book's pacing felt slow at times, becoming more drawn out than necessary. The plot shifted away from the promised treasure hunt, but perhaps that was the point—to emphasize that it's more important to focus on the journey than the destination. While the initial mystery was a draw, it ultimately took a back seat to classic rom-com tropes like rivals-to-lovers, boy-next-door, and second-chance romance.

Overall, Finders Keepers is a charming slice-of-life romance that excels in its character-driven humor and fantastic banter. While the slower pacing and shift away from the treasure hunt might disappoint readers seeking a fast-paced mystery, those who enjoy a slow burn, will-they/won't-they second-chance romance filled with quirky characters and an engaging "figuring out life" narrative will find plenty to love.

[Kayla_Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A super sweet, second chance, slow burn romance between two estranged childhood friends. Both Nina and Quentin have returned to their childhood homes after failed jobs and relationships. She’s a bit unsettled being around him again after he broke her heart and ghosted her when they were 15. He wants to continue the treasure hunt that ended their friendship. The tension and banter made this such an enjoyable romcom.

[Kassidy Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are more interested in remembering why you aren't running back to your high school crush than reading about a cool, local treasure hunt, this book is for you.

If constant miscommunication and people in their 30s with the exact same emotional maturity as teenagers is your jam, look no further.

This book had so much potential, but it honestly just frustrated the hell out of me. I really enjoyed other books by the author, but I'm glad I listened to this on Libby instead of buying a copy of Finders Keepers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finders Keepers is a romantic comedy featuring estranged childhood best friends. They return to their hometown and embark on solving a decades old treasure hunt.

This is a review of both the ebook and the audiobook. The audiobook is read by Mara Wilson, who I absolutely adore.

This book is told from the female POV only. Thirty-two year old Nina has returned to her parents house after losing her job and her boyfriend. She studied historical research, has a PhD and has most recently been a professor. The book mentions Nina’s mental health issues (depression and anxiety). I thought that this part of the book was done so well. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her mom.

The book is set in the small town of Catoctin, Maryland. It is a second chance, slow burn, friends to lovers, boy next door, small town romance.

Nina's childhood best friend, Quentin is now a lawyer. He has come home jobless, having just broken up with his fiancée. They have not spoken in 17 years.

I did enjoy the banter between Nina and Quentin. It was definitely heartbreaking that they had been so close, yet had not spoken in so long. Their friendship in the present was really fun. And the romance was enjoyable.

The audiobook is read by Mara Wilson. I just love her so much. She is the perfect Nina. She did such a good job here. And made me want to constantly listen to the audiobook.

As teens Nina and Quentin had tried to solve the same treasure hunt. I absolutely loved the idea of it. However I wanted a bit more from the treasure hunt aspect (a lot of it was just them reading transcripts). There were also interviews in between some chapters that I found a bit confusing (and it took me out of the story). I like the idea of getting bits of Fountain's life (it is Fountain's treasure that they are looking for). But I found it hard to follow (especially in the audiobook).

Overall this was a cute rom-com. It is my first book by the author. My favorite parts were Nina's relationship with her mom and the mental health rep. Also the witty banter was so much fun!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for allowing me to read this book.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

I’m gonna start off by saying I am a little disappointed with this one, which really hurts my heart to say. Did I still love the story? Absolutely. The overall story was so cute. I mean who doesn’t love childhood friends to lovers? Which also includes a treasure hunt? That is the perfect outline for a romance.

The story in itself was super cute. I absolutely love Sarah’s writing and how she never fails to make me laugh while reading her books. I honestly can say that I always laugh out loud with her books. I love when an author can write and it just sounds so down to earth and I can immediately connect with the characters and the FMC when it is told in first person. The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star for me, was the lack of communication and the going back and forth. It was like being on a tilt a whirl and trying to get the ride to stop spinning. Absolutely loved Nina and Quentin, but towards the end I wanted to lock them in a room and tell them to knock it off. Also, there was no real reason for the end of their friendship 17 years ago. It just seemed like it was due to miscommunication, AGAIN. This is a big pet peeve for me and was the only reason it lost some stars.

Sarah is still one of my top authors and I cannot wait for the next book she comes out with!

[book bruin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t quite work for me. The pacing felt very slow and I found myself not excited to pick it back up. I probably would have DNF’ed if I didn’t have the audiobook.

I just never truly felt invested in Nina or Quentin, so it was hard to root for them to get out of their own way. The open door scenes felt awkward and out of place and I didn’t feel their chemistry. I was more sympathetic at the start since the issues arose from decisions they made when they were teenagers, but as the story went on, I felt more annoyed since one honest conversation could have resolved all of the conflict.

The treasure hunt was an intriguing addition, but the interviews broke up the flow of the story for me and were difficult to follow on audio. I had a greater appreciation for them after reading the author’s note at the end, but I still don’t think they worked well with the overall story. I enjoyed the narration by Mara Wilson, but sadly, this ended up just being ok for me.

Audiobook Review
Overall 3 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5-3 stars

CW (from the author): main character who lives with generalized anxiety and depression, references to a parent’s workplace accident and subsequent injury and medical debt (in the past, off-page), and separation/divorce (of parents, in the past).

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so sorry the fmc pissed me off sm

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I was hoping to like this more than I did, but there were still cute parts that I enjoyed. It was my first book by this author and I still want to read Mrs Nash’s Ashes because my trusted bookstagram friend loved it. That fact was the reason I grabbed this one when I saw it. 

Nina is a professor who is now jobless and single. She was supposed to move in with her boyfriend but is now living with her parents. She is surprised to learn that her childhood neighbor friend (and crush), Quinton, is also back in town. He wants to resume a treasure hunt that ended their relationship almost 20 yrs ago.

I just felt like this was slow and It just didn't feel realistic to me. The treasure hunt was just too cheesy. There were some cute parts but other times it felt forced. Not a bad read, just not a favorite. 

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Laura • lauralovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Another cute romance from author Sarah Adler, featuring friends and former childhood sweethearts who reunite to team up on an adventure in treasure hunting. Featuring second chance romance, slow burn, secrets and lies, and “it’s always been you”. I read and listened and enjoyed both formats!

*many thanks to Berkley, prh audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

[Bru Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina Hunnicutt’s life has officially hit reset—no job, no boyfriend, and no clue what’s next. So she moves back home, feeling like a total mess… only to find her childhood heartbreak, Quentin Bell, living next door like he never ghosted her all those years ago (17, to be exact). He’s back from Paris and casually suggests they finish the treasure hunt they started as teens—with a 70/30 split if she helps. With zero better offers and a lot of unresolved feelings, Nina says yes.

What follows is a nostalgic, tender friends to lovers/second-chance romance full of buried feelings, and the kind of slow burn that sneaks up on you. Nina may be unsure of her future, but rediscovering love in the most unexpected place might just change everything.

I really enjoy Sarah Adler’s writing, and this book had me laughing out loud multiple times (the ending of chapter 25 had me absolutely ROLLING). Her characters are always full of wit and humor, and I adore her for it. In general, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

Thanks Berkley for the advanced digital copy through NetGalley—opinions are my own!

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Two estranged childhood best friends find themselves back in their hometown and decide to resume a treasure hunt they began seventeen years ago. While it has a slower start, I found this romance really heartfelt as Nina and Quentin find their way back to each other. A treasure hunt or scavenger hunt storyline is always a win for me, and while it was a bit cheesy, it made for a perfect backdrop. Mara Wilson never fails to amaze me on audio, and she did a great job with Nina’s internal monologue and all of the spicy scenes when they hit.

Read of you like:
▪️Childhood best friends
▪️Second chance
▪️Scavenger hunts
▪️Open door

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ (🎧/📖) nina and quentin spent two summers together searching for long-lost treasure, but maybe the real treasure was the childhood-friends-to-lovers arc they rebuilt along the way 😌❤️‍🩹

I can never resist the charm of a second chance romance, and sarah adler most definitely delivered with this one 🙂‍↕️ this was my first book of hers and I absolutely loved her writing style and lighthearted tone. nina and quentin have such a black cat x golden retriever dynamic (loveee when the fmc is the black cat instead of the mmc 🫰🏼), which made their banter SO fun and their shared history so sweet 💐 I loved their little “talking to the moon” game they played by their windows at night, and overall just how childish and carefree they were when they were with one another 🌙

in my opinion this had the perfect ratio of romance to plot- I felt both invested in them as a couple and their success with finding the treasure the entire time 🗺️ as much as I hate a third-act conflict, I actually felt like this one was pretty justified and it thankfully didn’t last long enough for me to get annoyed 🙂‍↔️ overall this was super cute and light and I can’t recommend it enough for a summer read!! I don’t see nearly enough people talking about it and she deserves the love 🌤️

[Kelly • Kell of a Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Ho there, howdy, and good morning I just LOVED Quentin Bell!! The second I finished FINDERS KEEPERS I honestly thought about immediately starting back at page one just to enjoy his dialogue and little quips again. I will save that activity for a rainy day!

Sarah Adler’s books are such a treat. I really liked MRS. NASH’S ASHES, I was obsessed with HAPPY MEDIUM, and her newest release fell somewhere in between for me.

Second chance romance is rarely my favorite but I’ve learned I will absolutely devour childhood friends who had massive crushes on each other reuniting as adults. Thankfully, Sarah Adler must’ve known about my tastes when she sat down to write this!!! I adored these two bumbling nerds and the way they rebuilt their friendship and eventually fell in love. I also loved the reminder that returning to your hometown for a good reason isn’t the worst thing in the world 🙃

I personally wasn’t all that invested in the treasure hunt part of the plot but I would probably read about Quentin Bell doing a summer math workbook so I really didn’t mind!

🎧I read this with my eyeballs a few months back but it’s important to note that Mara Wilson (aka Matilda!) has narrated all of Adler’s books and she is a delight to listen to!

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own!

[Katie Naymon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s three things certain in life: death, taxes, and me snorting, chortling, and wheezing in a Sarah Adler novel. There’s rom, there’s com, there’s twists and turns! This was so FUNNY (the French moon bit got me), the chemistry was delicious (someone come talk to me about the WINDOW SCENE) and I was so moved by Nina and her mom’s relationship. Sarah’s fans will NOT be disappointed, and fans of childhood friends to lovers will love this sparkling, fresh take. A sheer delight!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🙂

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to PRH Audio and Berkley Romance for the free audiobook!

The playful banter and chemistry shine in this adventure romance, pairing up childhood rivals who have crushed on each other in the past. I will openly admit that I did not care about the treasure hunt element one bit - it weighs down the beginning - but I started to really enjoy the story once the focus shifted to the present day relationship. I loved Adler’s first two books, so I knew that she was capable of writing some great relationship development, and this one got better and better once it hit its stride. It’s still her weakest work, but the connection between the characters is based on a rich and complicated history that made their interactions feel more meaningful. If you’re interested in the treasure hunt, then chances are you’ll have a fun time with this romance.

The story follows Nina, a woman whose life is falling apart. She just lost her job and realized that her longtime boyfriend never cared about her much. Forced to move back in with her parents temporarily, Nina is humiliated when she discovers that her childhood rival is visiting town as well. Nina and Quentin used to push each other as kids, constantly competing in a playful way until messy teenage feelings tore them apart. Back in town together as adults, Nina and Quentin reconnect and continue searching for the treasure that they used to hunt as kids. When those old feelings resurface, things get complicated.

I really loved Adler’s first two books, so I went into this with a lot of excitement. I didn’t expect the treasure hunt to get so involved, and I can’t say that I was a fan of that. I also struggled with Nina at first and the level of miscommunication/assumptions between her and Quentin. But once the story got going, it was a lot easier to get into. It’s lighthearted and playful in some moments, serious and contemplative in others. I liked the nostalgic elements and the way Quentin and Nina built on their past relationship. They’ve both grown a lot in the years apart, and are able to approach their feelings differently this time around. Readers who love childhood friend romances are sure to find those elements a win. This one sits between three and four stars for me, but I’m definitely excited for more from the author.

Audio note: Recommended on audio! Since the story is told exclusively from Nina’s perspective, we get a single narrator, but Mara Wilson’s voice is relaxing and perfect for the vibe. The runtime (11 hours) makes for a full day binge, and the tone is light enough for a workday listen. It’s a slow burn with a little bit of spice later on, but that’s certainly not the focus. The vibe is just right for the format, and I’m glad I was able to experience it that way.

[Bre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group & Sarah Adler for this arc copy. The following is my honest review.
I was so excited by the premise, a treasure hunt with my fave trope of a second chance romance? That setup had me hooked immediately. Also Sarah Adler’s humor truly shines here; there were moments I genuinely laughed out loud. Quentin’s character is charming and his voice kept things entertaining. Unfortunately Nina wasn’t as much.
I struggled with the pacing of this one which made it harder to buy into the central romance. Though I’m not sure if that was the only thing keeping me from connecting. Around the halfway point, I found myself struggling to pick it back up despite the humor, which I must admit to loving. The ending wraps things up well overall, but a few elements (which I won’t spoil) irked me.
I wanted to love this and there’s plenty here that might work better for others but for me it ended up feeling more mid than outstanding.

[Jill (readinginpjs)]

“Well, last time we did this, we lost our friendship.”
“Yeah. And maybe this is how we find it again.”

Thank you Berkley for the eARC & Penguin Random House Audio for the ALC! All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
✨ childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🏠 neighbors
🌟 treasure hunt
🔗 forced proximity
💜 (brief) fake dating
🌳 small town
🐢 slow burn
💖 single 1st person pov

📝 mini blurb:
After many years apart, childhood friends Nina & Quentin decide to pick back up where they left off in a treasure hunt, giving them both a fresh start in life, and with each other.

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

🎧 audio/ebook | ⭐️: 4.5 | 🌶️: 2 |

💭 what I loved about this one:
- their competitiveness with each other
- that window scene 🤭
- “Moon” & his accent 😅
- every time Nina gets flustered and loses her words around Quentin 🤣
- how they rebuilt their connection & trust with one another

🙃 what didn’t quite work for me:
- it didn’t hook me at the beginning and I had to re-read the first 10 chapters to get into it

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Mara Wilson is lovely, I enjoyed her narration for all characters voices (including male voices!)

📖 Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler
💜: contemporary romance
🎙 narrated by: Mara Wilson

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⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ➳❥ pre-read

I don’t know anything about this one, but I’ve been wanting to read this author & I’ve heard good things 🥰

Thank you to BERKLEY (omg can’t believe I’m saying that 😅😍) for the eARC & PRH Audio ALC