A review by ceceliadestefano
Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a whimsical setting for your next rom com, I recommend this. Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romina is one of three Tempest sisters running a magical shop in a tourist town. She gets roped into a fake dating situation with her friend which becomes more complicated as her ex-boyfriend returns to town for his mother’s wedding…to Romina’s fake boyfriend’s father. The whole setup of characters and plot here is ridiculous and funny. The book takes place over the course of a very short time, I think about a week or so in the springtime.

I loved the whimsical setting, the tropes of fake dating and second chance romance. Some scenes needed to be more fully fleshed out, and there was some clunky writing that occasionally pulled me out of the narrative when I tried to figure out where in space and time the characters were. This issue is more present in the first half of the book, and I didn’t notice it by the second half of the book.

I think if you enjoyed whimsical witchy rom coms you will enjoy this book! Without giving away any spoilers, I really loved how the author resolved the third act here. If there ends up being another book following another Tempest sister, I’ll definitely pick that up.