Finders Keepers

by Sharon Sala

More than anything in the world, Molly Eden wants a child—and then one day she finds one in her backyard! But this is no abandoned toddler. A man has followed the mischievous boy onto her property, a concerned father whose rugged good looks take Molly's breath away, while the sadness about him tears at her heart. Joseph Rossi never expected to find his tiny son running into the arms of an unknown woman, but Joey craves a mommy and it seems he's chosen one—and Joseph approves of his choice. What chance could a single father possibly have with an enchanting free spirit as sweet and sexy as Molly Eden, who must have a hundred men clamoring for her attention? Still, he knows in his heart what Joey that Molly is the one. Now he must prove it to her and show Molly a man who is more than just a daddy—but also a tender and passionate lover...and, perhaps, the perfect husband.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Family, Childrens, Adult

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Biography



Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.

Reviews

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Eden meets a toddler in her backyard one day who calls her mama. She is unable to have children due to an accident years before. Single dad, Joseph Rossi, discovers his son missing from their house next door and freaks out. Thankfully, his son didn't get far. Molly somehow gets involved with the Rossi family, much to Joseph's receptionist's disappointment. The receptionist believes that Molly is a floozie and does not know the whole story.

It was a nice little story. Fun and quick.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating: 4 "Garden of Eden" Stars!

Triggers:
Cheating: No
Love triangle: NO
Sex with om/ow: No
Intimate pasts: Joseph (hero): It's really not discussed. I would guess he was a healthy active guy who met and fell in love in college. That turned into an unexpected and unwanted (by the ex Carla) pregnancy. he caught her trying to schedule an abortion, fought begged and pleaded for her not to do that and give all the rights to him. That is the only good thing she did do was carry the baby and give him away to Joseph. I would say based on the type of guy Joseph was that he hasn't been intimate with any other women since that point over 3 years ago. When he and the heroine are finally intimate he says something like, "it's been so long." That's really it. Molly (heroine): She had only one other partner. She unknowingly was the "other woman" to a married associate professor in college. They were in an accident which resulted in her miscarriage and inability to have any other children - she also finds out that day that SURPRISE he was married.
OW/OM drama: Not really. So the hero's secretary (she is a much older woman and does not want the hero romantically and vice versa) but she was burned in the past by her ex husband. He would cheat on her and finally left her and now she had to get a job to start over. Anyway, so she has a lot of resentment towards the heroine for a major portion of the book, but it's because of her own feelings that she is projecting on Molly when she doesn't even truly understand what's going on. It is the secretary, Mrs. Weeks, that brings Carla into the picture. Carla, the ex gold digger. She receives a letter from a "concerned citizen aka Mrs. Weeks" at a time in her life where she was between lovers and she needed a place to stay and possibly get money. Of course, she shows up and ends up getting arrested, so her plan royally failed - that's why I don't really consider it drama.
Push/pull: None - Joseph is smitten almost immediately. Molly is a bit self conscious without reason to be, but no pushing away.

HEA: Yes - it was very sweet

My review:

This was such a sweet and cute low angst/ no drama read - so if that's what you are looking for then this is the perfect book for you! Both MCs are smitten with each other and little Joey is so precious. I just thoroughly enjoyed this little read and I even went in blind! LOL!

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5*

Not bad, just somewhat unfocused and simplistic. None of the emotions were well-developed, and we have more than one "climatic scene" in the last third of the book, which I thought was odd. I liked the two main characters, but would have enjoyed more time spent on their interactions. Whole months are skipped in the book, and I didn't get a good feel for how the characters related on a week-to-week basis after they started seeing each other. Still, it kept me reading. No major plot devices that I hated.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eminently forgettable. Sweet enough I suppose but no real conflict. Not up to the level I expect from Sharon Sala. You just kept turning the pages and wondering why these two weren't already married. There was basically nothing to keep them apart.

[Zubee · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable and cute story ... and talk about a live, little cupid ...
H's toddler son wanders to h's house (neighbors) and persists in calling h mum ...

[★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Eden is working in her backyard when an adorable little boy asks her simply, “Isth you my momma?” That innocent question brings up the pain of the past for Molly. Years earlier, she had been in a car accident with her then-fiancé, Duncan Wilder. Waking in the hospital, she not only discovers that her fiancé is actually a married man, but she has lost the baby she was carrying, and the accident has left her unable to have another child.
Joseph Rossi has moved to Oklahoma City with his son, Joey, to start a new life and a new business. Joey’s mother was Joseph’s college sweetheart, who decided she didn’t want to be a mother. Joseph convinced her to have the baby and he would assume all responsibilities for him. Now, father and son have begun their new life, but Joey quickly attaches himself to Molly, and Joseph finds himself drawn not only to her beauty, but also to her loving, giving spirit.
Molly and Joseph slowly build their relationship with many stops and starts along the way as misunderstandings arise. At first, Molly avoids Joseph, thinking he is a married man. Later, Joseph worries that his main attraction for Molly is his son, Joey. Their lives become entwined as Molly is drawn into their daily life by her love of Joey and her physical attraction to his father. As she spends time with them, she begins to love Joseph for the kind, loving man that he is. They ultimately become lovers and then must deal with the baggage from both their pasts.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than anything in the world, Molly Eden wants a child—and then one day she finds one in her backyard! But this is no abandoned toddler. A man has followed the mischievous boy onto her property, a concerned father whose rugged good looks take Molly's breath away, while the sadness about him tears at her heart.
Joseph Rossi never expected to find his tiny son running into the arms of an unknown woman, but Joey craves a mommy and it seems he's chosen one—and Joseph approves of his choice. What chance could a single father possibly have with an enchanting free spirit as sweet and sexy as Molly Eden, who must have a hundred men clamoring for her attention? Still, he knows in his heart what Joey knows: that Molly is the one. Now he must prove it to her and show Molly a man who is more than just a daddy—but also a tender and passionate lover...and, perhaps, the perfect husband.
This book proves that love can cure anything. What a great story line Sala takes us on. Very well
written. Grabs you and won't let go. 5 stars

[Monique Atgood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finders Keepers is a sweet love story that’s all about the romance and essence of ‘falling in love’.

There’s no guns, bullets or space aliens, (my usual reading material) but in this simple love story, two wounded souls find each other and to their amazement, peace and happiness in the relationship they slowly build together.

SYNOPSIS:
Two next door neighbors meet, as the man’s son gets lost and winds up in Mollys back yard. The child asks ‘Are you my mommy?’, then proceeds to pretty much call her mommy for there on out. His father is unable to shake the habit, and Molly doesn’t mind in the least.

He’s an architect just starting out, and she’s owns a flower shop “The Garden of Eden”, a play on her last name. This book builds on the friendship aspect of lovers before it hits the chemical attraction. There’s no real crazy drama, just a slow gentle love story that’s suitable for reading on any beach. (I read it at Ft. Myers beach, but any patch of sand will do).

[Lyuda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the stories that kept my interest but had nothing to recommend for at the end. The story was sweet but maybe too sweet, the characters were likable but too one dimensional.

[Amanda Kern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and cute

I love this book. It is funny and cute. I cannot say enough about it. I hope I find it h Dr books like this one.

[Ela (Mouse333) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was fine, but not enough was shown.

Molly is in her backyard when a little boy wanders in and starts calling her Mamma. Soon after, Molly meets Joseph, Joey’s father. Molly is leery of men because of her last relationship so it takes a while for her to warm up to Joseph and then they supposedly spend time together, which isn’t really shown. There is some, but that seemed to be added in just for the sake of it, and it was over quickly.

Molly and Joseph were fine, but you don’t really see them spending time together and getting to know each other.

There were some side characters, but while there is a lot of talk about Joey, as a character, he’s not shown that much. I didn’t like Marjorie, Joseph’s secretary, and that meant that I didn’t find some scenes funny, which I’m assuming was the intent.

The conflict, if you can call it that, appears and is over before there are any real problems.

This book was fine, but I think that this author just isn’t for me anymore.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't anything I have read by this author that I have not enjoyed immensely. I also really enjoyed this book.....but I will say that at some point the steamy love relationship had some pretty corny moments/lines.

I did like the back stories for both of the main characters and I liked that the kid knew what was up before the main characters did!

The "villian" so to speak was definitely unlikeable and I was kind of sorry she didn't get more of what was coming to her. I also did not particularly care for the secretary's role, I get it, but I didn't love it.

This book is mid 90's I think and you can see how the world of writing has changed and grown. I think this author has wonderful stories and she just keeps on getting better each year!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I read it years ago, and I liked it then, unfortunately it disappeared. I am glad that someone was able to tell me the title so I could read it again. It is a lovely story about Molly meeting a three year old boy who ran in her yard. She meet the single father who was looking for his son. Joey claimed Molly as his "Momma" and nothing could change his mind. Molly took to the child and of course the Father(Joseph) fall in love.
There is more to the story but I don't want to give everything away.

[Ann C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a sweet read. There was really nothing happening. There would be one scene then the next would be 2 weeks later.

Marjorie was not a likeable character. She pretty much dated the book. Her beliefs about dress and proprietary were the way older women acted in the 90s. Plus, there was no cell phone usage. I would have thought that Joseph, as a businessman, would have had a cell phone. I had one in 1997.

I did not think that the book really ended. I would have liked to know what kind of situation that Carly found herself in.

As a whole, the book was enjoyable.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a good story of woman next door meets her new neighbor, Joseph Rossi, when his little boy, Joey, wanders into her yard. Molly Eden is soon taken with both men but she has issues of trust as does Joseph. How Joseph woos her at the end is outstanding. You can never go wrong with a Sharon Sala book.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice romance with the Sala touch. A handsome single dad meets his neighbor very unexpectedly when his toddler runs into her yard and calls her "momma". Their relationship takes some twists and turns, the Sala touch makes her a tall blond sexpot with no maternal instincts. The meddling ends up sending the trio where they belong - together.

[Rubi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good enough too keep my interest but It is not something I would recommend. It is one of those book that I will forget about in an hour. The characters were simple and flat and there was no real conflict. I’m sorry to say but I feel like I wasted my money.

[MJ4S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about 2 people hurt by love several years before they meet each other, who learn to trust each other again. Joey is a wonderful toddler - actually, he's the one who plays matchmaker. But I loved the fact that Joseph is smitten with Molly, too, as soon as he meets her.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

just loved Joey, I wish a little kid would come to me and say he found momma

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finders Keepers

Must say I really enjoyed this one. I liked Joseph's attitude when confronted face to face with his ex. .

[Sue Perkinson Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story

[Ron Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finders keepers

Love Sharon Sala books. This is going to be one of my all time favorites and I will read again and again

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet family romance when you just need a heartwarming story to brighten your day. Little Joey picked Molly for his Mamma and now it was up to Joseph to seal the deal. Cute book

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting characters. Enjoyable quick read.

[Donna Kale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story about finding real love

[Kat]

bought for 99 cents

she lost a baby and cant have more. a single dad with 3 yr old son moved next door. son started calling her momma

they ended up getting married and adopting

[DanielleGN · Rating 3 out of 5]

A low three for me. I liked it, the ending made me cry, but it was definitely a simple story with some unnecessary scenes from the perspective of secondary characters. I think the book would have been stronger had it been entirely from the main characters' perspectives. This book was raved about by one of the authors I like on Facebook, and while I enjoyed it, I didn't think it was spectacular. I thought their love and attraction made sense and was handled well, but it was kind of an odd courtship-only one real date/ going out. Everything else seemed to flow from what amounts to interaction because they are neighbors.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 - 3.5 ***

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a romance, this was a good quick read. Not one of my favorite romances as I kept thinking how stupid some of characters were. I mean if I have to keep reminding myself that they act this way because they are romance book characters, I'm not sure that that makes for a good book. But suspending all reasonable knowledge made the characters decent enough. So if you want a whirlwind romance with outlandish plot themes, this is your book.