The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch: A Novel

Imogen Finch believes a prediction her mother made over twenty years ago that she would never come first at anything or to anyone. She is ready to give up, but when Eliot Swift returns to their small coastal town after a decade of nomadic travels, he encourages her to try again. They set out to snag Imogen her first first, but when victory proves elusive, Imogen fears she is destined to remain in second place forever. However, sometimes magic lingers in the most unexpected places, and love is far from predictable.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 20 November 2023
Publisher: St Martin's Press

Sixteen breakups have left Imogen Finch feeling defeated and convinced that she will never come first in anything or to anyone. Her mother's prediction that she would never succeed has weighed heavily on her mind for years. Is her love life failing due to a magical curse, lack of effort, poor timing, or personality mismatches? Opinions vary among her friends and family.

Determined to give up, Imogen is surprised when her secret high school crush, Eliot Swift, returns to their small coastal town after a decade of nomadic travels. Eliot is full of encouragement, believing that Imogen's curse is not real and that they can break it with just one win.

Together, they embark on a mission to secure Imogen's first first in various competitions, from trivia games to swimming races to corn-shucking contests. However, victory proves elusive, and Eliot's deep-seeded wanderlust leads him to depart for faraway places.

As Imogen fears she will remain in second place forever, she is surprised to discover that sometimes magic lingers in the most unexpected places. And love is far from predictable.

Through their journey, Imogen learns to believe in herself and her abilities, and she realizes that success is not just about being first but about pursuing her passions and finding happiness. Eliot, too, discovers the value of staying true to himself and his dreams.

In the end, Imogen and Eliot find their way back to each other, and they embrace the unpredictable nature of love and life. They understand that sometimes the best things in life come after the biggest challenges, and that second place can be a place of strength and growth.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 138 x 209 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250836526