Friendzoned

The Busy Bean

By: Rachel Blaufeld

Narrated by: Curt Bonnem, Samantha Summers

When Murphy Landon, the New York socialite, runs off to Vermont with her bruised reputation and stylish wardrobe in the trunk of a used car, it's the first time in her life she's dared to turn her back on her high-society parents.

Used to grabbing a gourmet coffee whenever the urge strikes, Murphy finds herself on the other side of the counter, fumbling strangers' orders...until a sinfully handsome 33-year-old version of Ben Rooney from high school walks in.

The pair met years ago at boarding school and became friends, but only behind closed doors. After a prom night gone wrong, they'd gone their separate ways.

Now their circumstances are reversed. Ben is a successful surgeon. He's come a long way from his parents' humble maple syrup business. And Murphy is pouring his coffee? Is this a joke?

His first thought is that she should drive her gorgeous self right back to New York. His second one is deep concern. His third thought is he wants a do-over of prom night. A very adult one....

With plenty of secrets between them, copious pure maple syrup, and a hippy-dippy sidekick, Ben and Murphy are in for a wild and sticky ride.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Rachel Blaufeld (P)2021 Tantor

spoilers

the book is really really good. the characters are pretty realistic. the guy is a jerk, but still realistic and I think the characters suited each other. Of course she isn't going to kiss you when she's wearing lipstick. Of course she is worried about her hair looking frizzy. I'm an electrician and I definitely care if my hair is frizzy. these are not indications of a selfish high-society girl. Women of all income brackets will behave the same way. And saying you have an emergency in the middle of a dinner when you're a doctor.... of course she couldn't leave with you! It's not like she was going to be any help to an orthopedic surgeon. She was trying to break away from that life and instead of supporting her you continuously snubbed her because your little feelings couldn't stand how rich her family is.

He's not a bad person, he is just a bit of a jerk.

I enjoyed this book

So far my favorite in all the Busy Bean Series. I felt like the characters had true friendship as well as struggles that were relatable! I would recommend

Couldn't finish

Got halfway through the book and not only could I not connect with the characters or feel their attraction, but they just kept having the same conversation over and over. There was no banter, no spark, no forward momentum. I'm not new to the genre or the series. I have read all the True North books and spinoff books and series except for Moo U and Speakeasy. The narrators really tried, and I rarely drop a book in the middle, especially if it's part of a series, but I just can't get into it.

Murphy and Ben

Narration was okay. I wouldn't seek out more by these voice actors, but I wouldn't put them on my "NO" list either.

This story was okay. I didn't feel like it was very cohesive. Neither character was all that likeable. Ben was all hot and cold when he first saw Murphy in the Bean. He was rude, then he was sweet, then he liked her, then he was rude again. As for Murphy (and I did not like this name for a female character at all) - she was definitely a fish out of water, trying to figure out how to create a life for herself separate from her horrible parents. But her goal was always to be successful enough to rub it in their faces. But - there was never any resolution there at all. Rich girl turned poor. Poor boy turned rich but he won't tell the former rich girl because he's private.

I don't know - it just wasn't my cup of tea. Or maybe it was, because I'm not a fan of tea.

Sweet Scale: 3/5
Spicy Scale: 3/5

Not a fan!

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series but this one was a struggle. The main female character was boring. She was weak and I couldn't even root for her. I thought it might get better...but no such luck! The author wrote it in such a way that the struggle of the couple was repetitive and it seemed like she just kept going back to it over and over with no convincing resolution. Even at the end of the book I still wasn't convinced Murphy had truly changed and wouldn't do the same thing again. I just keep screaming in my head for Ben to run! I made a note of the author and will avoid her books in future. It was so bad I wouldn't even give her another chance to redeem herself. This book was absolutely mind-numbing!