Fibs and squabbles and spells . . . oh my!
A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for floral witch Romina Tempest to use the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest love in their lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in others' happily ever afters.
When the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps at the opportunity to discuss the business . . . even if it means she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation. But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex King: her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who broke her heart.
What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a weeklong fake-dating scheme, as Romina quickly finds out she can’t deny her connection with Alex. Caught between her livelihood and her heart, Romina must decide if taking a second chance on first love is worth the risk.
A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for floral witch Romina Tempest to use the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest love in their lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in others' happily ever afters.
When the shop’s potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps at the opportunity to discuss the business . . . even if it means she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation. But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor’s soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex King: her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who broke her heart.
What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a weeklong fake-dating scheme, as Romina quickly finds out she can’t deny her connection with Alex. Caught between her livelihood and her heart, Romina must decide if taking a second chance on first love is worth the risk.
Title: Old Flames And New Fortunes (Moonville #1)
Author: Sarah Hogle
Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
Review:
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Provide me with a witch book to make me happy? Check! Make that book a second chance romance with tons of swoon? Check! When I was offered the second in this interconnected series, I was worried I would miss out on something by not reading the first book first. I have yet to read the second book so I can't say if it will make a difference but I can see where knowing the characters for book 2 might become important.
This book started out quite slow for me and was honestly a bit confusing at first with all the characters and the animosity between the FMC and MMC. The transitions from chapter to chapter didn't flow initially and I wasn't sure I would end up liking it. But about halfway through the book all the things clicked and I ended up falling in love not only with the characters but also the town of Moonville. There's something about a small town story that makes my heart super happy. Maybe it's because I grew up in the busy city and love the idea of slowing things down and everyone knowing everyone and looking out for them. This story gave those vibes for sure.
And the second chance romance with him falling and never letting go. Total swoon.
The FMC, Romina, so unsure of herself in any type of relationship having been burned before. Her heart not totally healing until she allowed herself to morn the loss enough to see it made her a stronger person. I do wish there was more witchiness in the story. It's billed as similar to Sarah Hawley's Glimmer Falls but there is not much paranormal in this story at all. It's more about intentions and the connections people have with nature. About how those connections lead us to certain places or people.
The MMC, Alex, was great. I loved how he had no qualms about making his intentions know to Romina, even if she didn't catch on at first.
I will say the FMC and MMC didn't come off as being in their 30s. I really got more of a 20s vibe. And their enemies to lovers vibe was a bit choppy. It went from enemies to lovers without much in between and I needed more from that part of their relationship.
The last 25% of the book brought this up to four stars for me. It was very well done and honestly seemed like a different author was writing it. I wish the first part of the book was tighter. And I needed more: more witchy vibes, more about the other characters, more of the small town. I'm looking forward to reading the second book and seeing where the author takes the vibe.
Author:
Sarah Hogle is a mom of three who enjoys trashy TV and provoking her husband for attention. Her dream is to live in a falling-apart castle in a forest that is probably cursed. Her novels are You Deserve Each Other, Twice Shy, Just Like Magic, and Old Flames and New Fortunes.
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