Thank you to L.B. Dunbar, Sarina Bowen, Jenn Gaffney and the rest of the World of True North team for the advanced reader copy of Studfinder, the fifth story in the Busy Bean series.
Another L.B. Dunbar title in the Busy Bean series. I adored the first story she wrote in this world. I mentioned in my review how much I loved the bestie side character, Rita. Just our luck that Dunbar returns to this world to write Rita’s story.
Check out the Goodreads synopsis…
“Who does that sexy silver fox think he is, sitting in her spot in the Busy Bean Cafe?
Over forty, with zero filter, Rita Kaplan loves her coffee, her hiking boots, and her law practice. Life hasn’t always been carefree, though, and Rita’s past holds the scars of poor decisions after deep loss. She survived, though, and no smirky silver fox is going to get in the way of her happiness. Even if he knows how to use his drill, screwdriver, and every other tool in his box to tempt her . . .
Former arson investigator Jake Drummond could add ex-con to his resume if he had one. Instead, he’s serving the final year of his sentence on probation. This involves mandatory AA meetings, hosted by a feisty local attorney, and working on a renovation project, supervised by the same annoyingly attractive whirlwind, who also believes she owns the exclusive rights to a comfy couch in his new favorite coffee shop. Soon she’s everywhere, including the few places she shouldn’t be–like in his bed and in his heart.
Can opposites lower their walls and construct something everlasting . . . or will their connected past lead to demolition for two hearts in need of a rebuild?”
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Rita Kaplan is a hard worker and a determined woman. She is May Shipley’s partner-in-law, while also supervising the renovation business her grandfather founded. The renovations are done by former convicts as a way for them to gain some work experience post-incarceration. That is how Jake Drummond walks into Rita’s life. Jake served a sentence for a crime he did not commit because he is loyal to a fault.
- Setting: The story is set in Colebury, Vermont. Just like all the Busy Bean books, the story is tangentially connected to the Colebury cafe, Bust Bean. Rita and Jake have a fun little tiff about seats.
- Pacing: This romance built slowly. The facts of each character and the events that mare their backstories came to light at the right place.
- Romance: L.B. Dunbar is known for her older adults romance and this one sure delivered. Rita and Jake both had previous marriages that ended. Years later they had both given up on finding that kind of love again. It was so lovely to read about two people deserving of a second chance and get that second chance. The odds were stacked against them, yet they found their way.
Studfinder receives five out of five stars.
You can pick up the story below…
Amazon: https://geni.us/StudfinderAmazon
Apple: https://geni.us/StudfinderApple
Nook: https://geni.us/StudfinderNook
Kobo: https://geni.us/StudfinderKobo
Google: https://geni.us/StudfinderGoogle
Thank you again to L.B. Dunbar, Sarina, Jenn and the rest of the team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
