Review of Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler – Banter, Buried Secrets, and Second Chances

Finders Keepers is a fun second-chance romance with great banter, heartfelt moments, and a treasure hunt that takes a backseat to the love story.

Summary:

Nina Hunnicutt’s life has taken a sudden turn—once a professor with a new apartment and a steady boyfriend, she’s now single, jobless, and back living with her parents. Things get even more complicated when Quentin Bell, her childhood neighbour and former crush, returns to town and suggests they pick up the long-abandoned treasure hunt that once ended their friendship. Lured by the promise of a reward from a legendary seltzer magnate and a chance to reset her life, Nina agrees. As the pair dive back into the search, old sparks reignite, but the secrets that tore them apart years ago still linger. To find the treasure—and a second chance together—they must finally confront their shared past.

My Thoughts:

What happens when your life flips upside down and your childhood crush reappears just in time to dig up both literal and emotional treasure? That’s exactly what unfolds in Finders Keepers, Sarah Adler’s warm and witty rom-com with a twist of mystery and a dash of spice.

Nina Hunnicutt’s life has taken an unexpected turn. One moment she was a professor with a solid plan and a long-term boyfriend, and the next she’s back living with her parents, unemployed, and unsure of her next move. Then in walks Quentin Bell—her childhood neighbour, one-time best friend, and the boy who broke her heart when their friendship ended abruptly seventeen years ago.

Told through alternating perspectives from Nina and Quentin, Finders Keepers dives into their decision to revisit an unfinished childhood treasure hunt tied to the eccentric legacy of a local seltzer magnate. Nina’s in it for the prize money she desperately needs, while Quentin’s motivations are a little more complicated.

As the two reconnect, their chemistry is undeniable. The banter between them is clever and full of spark, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. The romance builds beautifully, peppered with heartfelt moments and a few steamy scenes that keep things interesting.

While I really enjoyed the character development and the rekindling of their relationship, I found the treasure hunt itself a bit underwhelming. I often caught myself losing interest when the narrative shifted back to the logistics of the hunt. For me, the real treasure was the story between Nina and Quentin—not the map they were following.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, which is narrated by Mara Wilson. I thought she did a great job bringing both characters to life, especially when it came to capturing the humour and emotional tension in their conversations. Her voice matched the tone of the story perfectly, and the pacing kept things moving, even during parts of the plot that didn’t fully capture my attention.

Final Thoughts:

Finders Keepers is ultimately a second-chance romance that’s full of heart, humour, and healing. If you enjoy stories about rekindled friendships, small-town charm, and uncovering secrets (both personal and historic), this one is worth the listen—just don’t expect the treasure to be the highlight.

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