Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Busy Bean #5

Studfinder

Rate this book
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?

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2021

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

L.B. Dunbar

73 books2,973 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
Receive once-a-month updates and more with Love Notes: http://bit.ly/LoveNotesfromLBDunbar

L.B. Dunbar loves flip flops, sweet tea, and a little heat in her romance reads. A lover of sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns, you’ll find all this and more in her signature work the #sexysilverfox collection. She’s also made Amazon Top 10 in Later in Life Romance with her Lakeside Cottage and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.

To stay up-to-date about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her monthly newsletter, Love Notes.

FB: www.facebook.com/lbdunbarauthor
NL: http://bit.ly/LoveNotesfromLBDunbar
IG: @lbdunbarwrites
FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lovin...





Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
210 (31%)
4 stars
265 (40%)
3 stars
139 (21%)
2 stars
36 (5%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
Profile Image for Carmen Rae.
1,536 reviews180 followers
August 2, 2021
It feels like it's been a while since I've been lost in the world of True North. And it took me a while to get my head back into the zone. And this story was a little different as the characters were more mature than the new adult books I've been reading lately.

Rita is a character that we have already been introduced to and know as a take no prisoners lady. And she didn't disappoint but she was a lot softer and more understanding than I was expecting. And I really loved her strength and character.

Jake was a little harder to nail down. For the most part I loved him, he was a nice guy with a lot of baggage. And although he didn't play games, he did run very hot and cold. Half the time I wanted to slap him and the other half I wanted to wrap him up and tell him everything was going to be ok.

Overall, I loved that these guys were mature with real life issues. And life experiences that made them who they were. They had great chemistry and the story and romance felt very realistic.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,610 reviews57 followers
August 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this over 40 romance. There is just something about more mature character and you don’t get all the unnecessary drama because they know what matters and how rare and sometimes fleeting love can be. And no one knows that better than Rita, an attorney who lost her finance to an accident years ago. As a divorced ex-con, Jake also knows how precious love is and how important having someone in your corner and on your side is.

This unlikely couple build a real relationship while Jake builds a house for Rita’s non-profit. They have a super steamy connection. And after many years of abstinence for both of them, they get very creative in places outside the bedroom! But they face a lot of challenges before their love can truly have a solid foundation.

This is a great addition to the Busy Bean series, and a really fast read as you are trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together!

I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,212 reviews1,282 followers
August 2, 2021
description
description
description

Rita + Jake

Both are in their early forties. Rita is a lawyer and works for a not-for-profit house-building company on the side. A few years ago she lost her fiancé and since then she hasn't been tempted by any guy.
Enter Jake. He's just freshly out of jail - seven years for a fire he didn't cause!
And now he needs to work for this construction charity for a year as part of his probation.
Insta hatey attraction between those two ...

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!🤣

══════════════════

description
description

Well .. that was adorable.
Just like the first LB Dunbar book in the True North World, I loved that this was a mature romance. I long ago out-aged all those young romance stories - with people in their twenties or even thirties. Even though I still love to read them! 🤣

This book was really cute and funny and sparky. But also a bit too sad and heartbreaking! I don't like when my lovelies are sick - in this case Rita is a recovered alcoholic. I don't want people in books to have more issues than the usual book-romance-world-drama.

But still - I really liked reading this ...
...but also... just like the only other Dunbar book I've read.... I didn't love LB's overuse of the word AS. In this weird British use of it. Like: I couldn't come to the meeting, AS I was having to go the bathroom all morning. Know which AS I mean? No idea why this bothers me so much, but I just hate it - it makes me mad! I highlighted so many of those again.
But don't worry - that's just me and my weird book fetishes! 😎

Like I always say when it comes to books in the True North World: I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!
And I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

Oh, a tiny little thing about the cover. All these World of True North covers are just beautiful ... but I just can't with this arm here! The hanging one! I don't even know why... it's too long or too ... ew - no idea. I just can't look at it! 🤣

STUDFINDER was an adorable & heartbreaking mature love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jake - he'll be sold out in no time!

description
💜 💜


Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,585 reviews856 followers
July 30, 2021
Dunbar presents a painstaking love story of second chance, of love, hope, and faith in face of all the adversities oin the world. A tale where the past is a looming dark shadow on the present and threatens to destroy the future of people who haven't even gotten a chance to start off right.

“Do you think lightning would ever strike twice?”

All throughout her characters capture our hearts but make us weep for them too. I took stoic pride in Jake, I had dignified sympathy for Rita. They became my persons and their upheavals effected me the same.
As Dunbar joins the world of Sarina Bowens Busy Bean Cafe. We get to meet hardworking blue collar men In Vermont-New Hampshire area
Here's my thing. Dunbar has penned a story about Rita Kaplan, an attorney and a sponsor/supporter of

"Building Buddies commitment to helping others, we take on workers needing re-acclimation into society from hardship, namely the prison system or drug rehabilitation centers.
It was a fresh start at a new future, not a flashback to his tainted past."


But the cover and Blurb are misleading to an extent. You'd assume it's a guy meets hot shot attorney and it's just a romance flowering in its pinkish hues all around.
You'd be so wrong!!
This story is So MUCH more in depth, in layers, in tiptoeing around relationships.

"Good people make bad decisions all the time"

The story travels horizontally with Jake Drummond who's an "ex-arson investigator, ex-convict, and ex-husband.", he encroaches upon Rita's favorite couch at the Busy Bean Cafe and they both magnetically move towards each other.
Then the story takes vertical dive and Dunbar goes down multiple-levels in their delicately balanced relationship, exploring the guilt plagued couple's psyche. She fills their hearts with obvious infatuation but also keeps pulling them apart cause their worlds are so opposite in stature, in society and the law!.

"I got caught at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and accused of a crime I didn’t commit. Falsely accused."

I'm amazed at the extent of intensity of emotions that caught me off guard. Jake is fighting a war on all fronts. His own future is sacrificed at the altar of his responsibilities, and that just slayed my heart. His grand personality increased in stature some more for me. And the ultimate betraying daggers he finds stuck in his back......I wept for him. My face in my hands and I bawled at the years stolen from him.
It's a literary treat to step into the book looking for love and surprised to find it encased in plethora of multi dimensional FEELINGS . Every emotion possible strings and binds this love couple in mutual respect, loyal support and beyond. I loved a scene towards the end when Jake declares,"I'm done here", it's just broke my heart. Thankfully as I was lost in tears Rita had enough sense to fight for him...
My heart is full after I finished this supple story from my ever favorite author whose maturity of acute matters of the heart impresses me book and book again.
5 stars for Hook, Line and Sinker, you've captured me Jake Drummond
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,066 reviews565 followers
August 2, 2021
Okay, here’s the thing, I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but this story lit me up from the inside out from beginning to end. I wish I could tell you it was because of this that or the other but I’ve put some thought into it the last couple days and I mean I think it’s all of it. Rita and Jake had nothing but spark exploding at every turn. The story wasn’t light but yet read light. It wasn’t weighed down by the circumstances surrounding both Jake and Rita. I know, I know … that’s vague AF but the blurb gives away enough and so do other reviews so that’s all you get LOL There’s a lot of heart in this story and hope, lots of hope, and I liked it!

I'm super picky about the authors I read that write stories with characters over forty and beyond out in the world seeking a HEA because more than likely, these characters have already experienced a great deal of life and even more likely are a bit prickly / set in ways that make it that much more challenging to grab that HEA with a snap, and their stories need to reflect that, and it's overlooked too many times for my taste. LB Dunbar doesn't overlook any of it. Ever. ANd she's really good at it! SO, go do the thing!

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
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,664 reviews3,272 followers
August 1, 2021
4.5 Real Second Chances Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
When an author and publisher make a decision to approach topics and age ranges not the norm, I feel like doing a personal Woo Hoo for them. Society is not made up of only a younger demographic and people who haven't had serious life experiences. To address this older segment with realistic romance themes shouldn't be brave but in some ways they are.

Rita Kaplan is a self-realized woman.
She has a successful law practice, has had all the knocks life can give, and rose above them to feel like she knows who she is and what she needs. She has a special way to destress, going to The Busy Bean and vegging out on their plush, comfy, cozy couch that is her safe place...a place to center herself, and where she feels it is hers, period.

Jake Drummond is back in his old stomping grounds, living and assisting his brother and nephew. His brother was permanently disabled from a terrible fire. Fire was something that had been part of both their lives due to the brother being a fireman and Jake being a former arson investigator.

Jake has been away for seven years. He was convicted for starting a fire and did the time. Although he didn't do this crime, there were too many circumstantial things that seemed to make it look like he did. Now he is in a work rehab program dictated by his parole. He is not looking for any complications, just wanting to get through things and then move on. The one thing that he has been so proud of is his nephew. The young man has grown into someone Jake wants to succeed.

These two meet at the Busy Bean and it is the fact that Jake is sitting on "Rita's Couch" that causes the interaction. Rita approaches and demands he move as the couch is hers, Jake looking at this feisty woman and decides, no...

This confrontation had sparks for both of them, an interest that both shot down before it even started. Jake, needing to restart his life was interested but let the woman go. Rita, irritated, felt a stirring of feelings she hadn't had for a very long time. She wouldn't accept it happening.

We then get to the complication- Rita is in charge of the non-profit where Jake is doing his rehab/parole job. The non-profit does rehab housing for those in need. It was started by Rita's father and she has been part of it from the start.

There is the added contact between these two when Rita is in charge of the AA meeting Jake is required to go to as part of his rehab. So no matter how much these two are trying not to be attracted and act on it, fate keeps putting them together.

All of these elements give us backstories and the perspectives of these characters. Each has had life experiences to deal with before they could accept the love that was being presented. We were given a smoking hot romance, PUN INTENDED, but also a suspense element, too.

I happen to be a solid fan of L.B. Dunbar as she never shies away from grown-up issues.

Sweetheart (Busy Bean, #1) by Sarah Mayberry Sweetheart (Busy Bean #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cowboy (Busy Bean, #2) by L.B. Dunbar Cowboy (Busy Bean #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cakewalk (Busy Bean, #3) by Claire Hastings Cakewalk (Busy Bean #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Friendzoned (Busy Bean, #4) by Rachel Blaufeld Friendzoned (Busy Bean #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Studfinder (Busy Bean, #5) by L.B. Dunbar Studfinder (Busy Bean #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6) by Teralyn Mitchell Doubletalk (Busy Bean #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7) by R.L. Kenderson Sidetracked (Busy Bean #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fireproof (Busy Bean #8) by Delancey Stewart Fireproof (Busy Bean #8)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Footnote (Busy Bean, #9) by Alexa Gregory Footnote (Busy Bean #9)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Afterglow (Busy Bean, #10) by Aria Wyatt Afterglow (Busy Bean #10)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
April 29, 2021
There is Something To Be Said
For Being Over Forty...
It Gives You Permission...
To Become More Of Yourself...

A Perfect Example Is Rita Kaplan...

At This Moment In Time...
Rita Is Now Fully Herself...
Doesn't Need A Filter When She Speaks...
Loves Her Coffee, Wears Her Hiking Boots Whenever...
And Practices The Law She Wants...

Rita Has Overcome Her Ugly Past...
Never Forgetting The Scars...
She Has Stayed Strong Through It All...

Former Arson Investigator Jake Drummond...
Has His Own Bag Of Stuff To Deal With...
As An Ex-Con, Keeping His Head Down...
He Now Is Working With His Tools...
He Is Doing His Probation...
And Is Almost Done...

These Unlikely Pair Are Brought Together...
Rita Is In Charge Of The Mandatory AA Meetings...
Jake Must Complete...
She Also Is Having Him...
Work On A Renovation Project...

The Least Of Their Worries...
Is The Fight Over The Busy Bean Couch...
You See, Rita Claims Ownership...
And Jake Contests...

With All The Bickering...
Baiting, Flirting Going On...
Has Rita Found Her One And Only...


Studfinder (Busy Bean #5)-August 2021

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

 photo banner_zpsb3ab83a0.jpg
Profile Image for maggieandteddy.
1,122 reviews140 followers
August 2, 2021
5 stars
I loved this "older" couple romance. I giggle at this since they are way younger than me.
Rita has been a supporting character in other True North/Busy Bean books.
She's a friend and law practice partner of May Shipley.
Rita is very much set in her ways. She claims the same pink upholstered couch at the Bean.
Jake is sitting on the couch when Rita arrives for her coffee. Jake does not yield to Rita. Much to her frustration. I loved their stand off.
This is what I love: A meet cute. Not exactly cute though, since Rita is kinda ticked off. So I guess, this is also an enemies to lovers.
Jake and Rita are both 40ish, and attracted to the other. They certainly do NOT want to admit that.
Just wait, since there's some thawing-gradually but steadily.
Jake is on parole and has to serve out his sentence in the community. This could also be forced proximity trope as well. Rita & Jake need to work together. The attraction grows and their chemistry is on fire. This is an ironic term considering Jake's past. He really tries to bide his time until he can complete his parole sentence and get out of Vermont.
This is a page turner. I really was pulling for these two. Jake had a lot to overcome.
Rita and Jake had a lot more in common than they realized at first.
There's more questions as the book goes along. Rita may be the best one to help him find out, but will she want to?
Wonderful story of romance and searching for redemption. There are some steamy scenes.
I'm glad that their age wasn't brought up too much after the first couple of chapters.
Jake proves his a bigger man and very forgiving. Rita is a kick ass lawyer, great lady and gives to her community.

Release Date: August 2, 2021

Purchase Links:
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
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,107 reviews123 followers
August 2, 2021

When I picked up this book I didn't expect it to be so emotional and the surprise enraptured me even more, I quickly finished it and I felt really involved in the story.

Rita Kaplan is a successful lawyer and she spends her free time supervising some building projects for a nonprofit organization. Jake Drummond is an ex convict, he is out on parole and he has to work as electrician for a nonprofit house make over organization. They meet on site and they start off on the wrong foot, they can't stand each other character but they feel a deep physical chemistry. As the days pass and they keep seeing each other everywhere , on site, at the cafe and at the pub too, it seems like there's a force that pull them together. Even though they know that it isn't right to be involved in a relationship the attraction between them is too strong to resist.

We have seen Rita before but we finally know her story thanks to the fine pen of L.B. Dunbar.
I liked how the author showed us all the layers of these character, making them real and relatable.

Rita and Jake journey is not simple but it feels compelling, they have some heartbreaking stories to tell, they both need a second chance and to make some peace with their pasts. I liked the way they came together from just barely tolerating each other to be the perfect person to feel free and alive after so long.

I recommend it and I swear it is a fun, steamy and weepy read you won't regret it.


Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,184 reviews320 followers
August 28, 2021
The story ends up packing quite a punch but i struggled to get drawn in at the start.
The Hero was charged and served time for an arson crime he didn't commit.
The heroine lost her fiance in the fire.
When the secrets are revealed, they realize the connection they have to work out if they can overcome their issues.
No intimate scenes other than the heroine and Hero.
HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,841 reviews12 followers
July 27, 2021

 


ARC received for an honest review

Yes! A book that has characters closer to my age than younguns who I could have birthed!

And I loved that we get mature problems and issues, and mature reactions - thank god there was none of this stupid miscommunciation crap we get in so many books.

I want a silver fox like Jake in my life.

And go Rita - pulled in so many directions, but goes after what she wants.

She and Jake are both fighting their pasts whilst trying to forge a future.

They are cute and adorable and I just loved them so much.

Another great addition to the World of True North / Busy Bean collection




a> Email Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for Claudia Fosca Stahl.
169 reviews25 followers
August 2, 2021
Studfinder is the fifth book in the Busy Bean series, set in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North, but is most definitely a standalone. It can be thoroughly enjoyed by itself.

I’d been dying to read this book because it’s Rita Kaplan’s story. She’s a secondary character in the True North Series, May Shipley’s mentor, partner, and sponsor. She’s a recovering alcoholic in her forties who’s trying to decide what to do with her life. And along comes silver fox Jake Drummond, with his sexy body and witty mouth. They definitely rub each other the wrong way, they hardly get along, but their confrontations make sparks fly. Until they catch fire. Their chemistry and attraction is all heat at first, and their banter is epic. But then things get more emotional and complicated when secrets of their pasts are revealed.

I really enjoyed Rita and Jake’s story. It’s an enemies to lovers with enough heat to set the Busy Bean on fire, but enough emotional turmoil to give it depth. I really liked the banter between them, the heat is pretty good, and it had that Vermonty feel that makes it a great addition to the Busy Bean Series and the World of True North.

Profile Image for Bonnie G..
1,458 reviews283 followers
January 21, 2022
Sweet as Vermont maple syrup, but still sexy and relevant. This was written for me. Both main characters are over 40, she is a lawyer, and they meet due to their involvement is a program that provides work opportunities and skills to ex-cons. I am a middle-aged ex-lawyer, reentry programing is my focus for my volunteer work (and has been since my days as a criminology major.) I like that there are real problems both face, that their hurdles are real ones (even if they require a boatload of coincidences to fit into this story), and did I mention it's steamy but its not super-graphic at all. I read this for my Read Harder challenge (the prompt is to read a romance with a character over 40) and they turned me on to a new writer I like, so thanks Book Riot! Each book in this series is written by a different writer and I am not sure I will return to the series, but LB Dunbar I will read again.
Profile Image for Sue Ouellet-Cofsky.
2,214 reviews31 followers
July 26, 2021
Rita & Jake, Jake and Rita. There is nothing better than getting a much needed second chance at life, especially when you may feel like you don't deserve it. Both Rita and Jake have their issues with situations from the past and both are trying to redeem themselves (although neither may actually realize it) to others as well as to each other. There are many bridges to cross, situations to unravel and bedroom activities to pursue (which, let's just say are very very nicely steamy). I felt all the feels from extreme anger at people and their motives and irresponsibility in life to tears free falling from my face when it doesn't feel like it will come together at all, to happy tears when deserving people are treated as they should be. Studfinder was about way more than just finding the neighborhood stud. It was about finding permanence in a place you never expected to find it or even realizing that you were even looking for it.
July 30, 2021
This is part of the True North world by Sarina Bowen. Studfinder has us following Rita (May Shipley's law partner) and Jake. Both are in their forties and have had a long break between relationships. Such a great refreshing read.

Both Jake and Rita have some baggage. They start out with a hate hate relationship that blossoms into an attraction and finally on to romance. The book mentions some familiar folks and we do see May a fair bit in this one. As always, heading to Vermont just feels like coming home.

Loved the richness of the secondary characters in this story. They added to the plot and didn't interfere with the romance that was blossoming.

Overall a nice additions to the True North world.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Darcy.
13.1k reviews505 followers
November 7, 2022
I feel like I should have liked this one more than I did, but I never really warmed up to Rita and Jake. I did feel bad for Jake, especially when he learned what really happened. I was glad that this one ended how it did for everyone.
Profile Image for Bibliophile  Chloe .
1,178 reviews103 followers
August 6, 2021
Ms. Dunbar is by far one of my favorite authors, the original queen of over 40 romance. Now she takes it up another notch with this newest story set in Sarina Bowen's True North.

This is the story of Rita and Jake. This story is full of heart, heat, and oh my me, the surprises and how fate plays into this story are breathtaking!

Rita is finally finding a new normal for herself, after tragedies, she has found her footing in her work and volunteer duties. She feels she is at the age where true love doesn't happen twice and she will be alone. But boy am I glad she is proved wrong.

Oh my me, Jake is the ultimate stud, the handsome, flirty, and smoking hot hero. He too has been dealing with tragedies of his own and he is biding his time until he is finally free.

The sparks between Rita and Jake are blazing hot, their chemistry is on fire and the smexy times between these two make a vintage gal like myself have hope for the future! (Hee hee)

I am always grateful and admired the way that Ms. Dunbar can write her older characters with just as much heat and love as anyone else. It makes a gal feel like even though I am over 40, we can still be wild, crazy, and love hard!

Absolutely stellar story and I hope you all read this!
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,710 reviews37 followers
August 3, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this story! I found it easy to relate to as both Rita and Jake are part of the over 40 age, so there wasn't any of the back and forth games that characters engage in when it comes to feelings and interactions with the person who's caught their eye. It was easy to sympathize with both characters when it came to matters of the heart, given all that they've been through prior to the start of the book, and both of their backstories are tragic in their own way, even more so when the connection between them is revealed. I liked that connection they unknowingly shared was revealed about halfway through the book, giving ample time for both Jake and Rita to sort through the emotions and come to terms with the events that took place. The chemistry between them is all kinds of hot and sexy, and seeing them work through their issues and insecurities by communicating was fantastic.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
4,793 reviews182 followers
July 29, 2021
4.5 Star review of Studfinder (Busy Bean #3) by L.B Dunbar

It was great to be back at the Busy Bean Cafe. L.B. Dunbar has written a story that will draw you in and hook you from the first chapter. Studfinder is well written with characters whose story you cannot help but become invested in.

Rita Kaplan is a feisty sassy woman who has overcome a lot in her life to become a successful lawyer. Jake Drummond is a former arson investigator and ex-con who attends the AA meetings that Rita runs.

Both of them have baggage from their pasts and their relationship is fiery to say the least. Everywhere one turns, the other appears and despite themselves they soon find themselves in a passionate relationship.

Can these two total opposites help break down one another’s walls and in doing so find a lasting love? Or will their pasts come back to haunt them and rip them apart?

One click and find out.
Profile Image for Karen_Lee_Reads.
1,109 reviews38 followers
July 14, 2021
Studfinder
(Busy Bean #5)
Written by: L.B. Dunbar

Rita Kaplan, lawyer, coffee connoisseur, sets friends up on dates and lays claim to the antique couch at the Busy Bean Cafe. Rita’s not afraid of speaking her mind, “your in my seat.” She is a good woman, a lonely good woman and it’s time Rita, it’s time you found yourself a man!

Jake Drummond is a hard worker, who is working on a Building Buddies work site as part of his parole stipulations, also part of those stipulations are attending AA meetings. Jake has a problem though, he doesn’t need AA and he continue to claim he didn’t do what they accused him of. His problem is Rita Kaplan!

This is like the perfect storm for Rita and Jake, Rita is his supervisor at Building Buddies, she was the group leader at his first mandated AA meeting and according to Rita, he keeps sitting in “her” seat at the Busy Bean Café.

Rita is looking for a Stud, a one nighter with said Stud and she deserves one. If there was ever a Stud Jake Drummond was it, a silver fox, who is hunky and has porn worthy forearms. Rita being the kind of person she is will also share with her best friend how he moves his hips while dancing, how his kisses are the best and if you ever saw his abs! Excuse me while I fan myself.
Rita would say she’s nothing to look at but Jake, he certainly thinks she is worth more than a look.

Both have been hurt in the past, Rita lost a fiancé, and Jake lost his freedom. These two though, the heat and steam that swirls around them when they are alone, more so when they are alone with no one else around. However, their pasts might just end this “thing” that has them wrapped up in each other. They both need to remember sometimes when you think a good person did something wrong, you need to remember even good people make a mistake and end up being blamed for something they did not do.

This book will rank in my top 10 books of 2021. You will never be let down with an L.B. Dunbar book the feelings, the angst, the truths in her stories always rank her high in my list of one click authors.
Profile Image for Trader (RedHotBlueReads).
1,664 reviews38 followers
August 2, 2021
Rita Kaplan doesn't care much for the handsome man who seems to have taken her special spot to sit in the Busy Bean. He gets under her skin, and she might like more. Jake Drummond likes getting under her skin, and it isn't long before these enemies turn into so much more. But all of their chemistry and budding relationship could be for nothing when Jake and Rita find out where their past has intersected. it's a serious situation.

I loved this story. The writing is terrific and keeps the story moving forward, the romance is nicely developed and reactions are tempered with the wisdom of age and experience. Studfinder was a terrific reading experience for this reader.

I was absolutely thrilled to get a story about Rita Kaplan, AA sponsor and May Shipley's partner in law and Studfinder was absolutely perfect!
Profile Image for Shan ~A~.
2,550 reviews60 followers
June 29, 2022
Rita Kaplan & Jake Drummond

I love books when women are my age or closer. Not very many other's I've found have books with 30+ somethings with men their age or a bit older. So for that this book gets a star.

I met Rita in the 2nd book in this series, by the same author, Cowboy. She is best friends with the heroine of that book. I was so excited when I found out that she was getting her own story because there were a few characters from that book that could definitely carry a story (Bull's brother to be exact).

Anyway, I found out in that story that Rita was a recovering alcoholic, and in this book we get the details of how she fell down the rabbit hole known as addiction. I love the realistic way the author talks about this subject. People tend to think that it won't happen to them, but it can happen to anyone.

Rita has been grieving and surviving losing the love of her life, and now years after the tragedy she's still trying to figure out what she wants next in life.

In comes Jake. Recently paroled from prison after being convicted of arson. These two butt heads a bit in the beginning, but it's hard to deny the attraction they feel for another. Jake is dealing with the fact that he just did time for a crime he didn't commit, and doesn't think he wants to get involved with anyone or that no one will seriously want to get involved with him due to his baggage.

As these two spend time together they realize they have more in common than they thought, and it doesn't hurt that once they give in to their attraction, the sex is good.

Still, there are some secrets that haven't been revealed. Will they be able to survive the things that will come there way?

I enjoyed this book. Rita and Jake has great chemistry and the progression of their relationship felt real to me. My problem with this was the constant jumping to conclusions that was going on. Mainly from Jake. I guess they were projecting their doubts about themselves and their relationship on to the other person.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,668 reviews38 followers
July 30, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the fifth book in the Busy Bean series which brings us different authors writing in this part of Sarina Bowen's world. In this case the star of the Busy Bean is a sofa which two people consider to be the best place to sit, and their contentions to it being for their use brings them into conflict and conversation.

This is a rather lovely story dealing with two somewhat older people finding their future together. In many ways older romances are more interesting, as the protagonists have had more opportunities to make mistakes, learn things the hard way, and are in a more secure position from which to make decisions. Of course that is not always true, and certainly Jake has had his freedom taken away from him, and now is trying to pick up the pieces. Just wait until you read just what happened ... and how Rita behaves, because she cannot abide justice not being done.

Overall a very satisfying read, thank you L.B. Dunbar.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
6,182 reviews41 followers
July 16, 2021
Studfinder by L.B. Dunbar is a stand-alone and book five in the Busy Bean world. Welcome back to small town Vermont and the Silver Foxes of this outstanding author. I was so looking forward for this next book and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. But this book wasn't what I was expecting at all. The story deals with sensitive subjects, consider you warned
Rita is a force to be reckoned with. The single lawyer is a bit high maintenace, a do gooder, knows what she wants, is settled in her life. All that is threatened by her newest employee.
Jake dares taking her spot at Busy Bean Café.
He's an ex - husband,-felon out on parole, - arson investigator. And now he's working for Rita's charity company, building houses.
Their attraction is through the roof high and you can feel it in every sentence just how connected they are. But still the fact remains both have isssues and a lot of baggage. Both are good people who made mistakes in the past, deserve a second chance.
An emotional read that had me in tears more than one time.
474 reviews
July 14, 2021
Rita and Jake have both been through so much in their lives; however, when these two unlikely souls are drawn to each other, they have no idea that their lives will be changed forever once the truth about a horrific event years ago comes to light. Their lives are thrown together when Rita becomes Jake’s supervisor at the construction project she is working on after he gets out of prison. These two just can’t fight the attraction that is pulling them together. When the truth of the past comes to light, will they be able to weather the storm and get their happily ever after? This is an excellent story with mature characters who have faced adversity in their life and are better for it. This book is full of wit, charm, great chemistry, and heartache. You will fall in love with the main cast and the supporting characters. L.B. Dunbar is a very talented author and is one of the best when it comes to writing over 40 stories!! A definite must read.
Profile Image for Monica Murphy.
275 reviews18 followers
August 3, 2021
This is a very realistic story. It talks about addiction, time in prison and the ability to be rehabilitated after getting out.

With such weighty topics, it is surprising how often I smiled and laughed while reading.

Rita and Jake just clash upon first meeting. They also egg each other on. I almost liken it to the little boy in school who has a crush on a girl he likes - he likes to do “mean” things to her.

They both have a sob story, but they try not to let the things that happened to them define who they are. And there are some very tender moments as well.

I haven’t read a story quite like this one before, and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Kirke.
902 reviews51 followers
July 14, 2021
So happy Rita got her own story. This character quite surprised me. I was expecting her to be harsher, and jaded, but turns out she's a big softie underneath that loud mouth. No matter how hard she tries to not be affected by Jake, he's in there before she realizes.

The last thing Jake needs is to fall for his supervisor while on parole. Except Rita is just so tempting, and the chemistry between them burns so hot.

Things get complicated when the past collides with the present, and Rita tends to run away. Scared to let love in again, it often feels she has one foot out the door. Meanwhile Jake is all ready for love, but family issues are keeping him back. There is a lot of tension and resentment that I feel never fully gets resolved.

Overall I enjoyed reading it. There were a lot of good, sweet, and hot moments. I love that Rita doesn't always get her way, and Jake is really a decent man.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Lisa.
564 reviews20 followers
August 6, 2021
This is an ARC review. All opinions are solely my own.

Studfinder by L.B. Dunbar is a book in the Sarina Bowen Busy Bean world. L.B. Dunbar will ALWAYS be a one click author for me.

Rita is introduced in a previous book in this series. She's a no-nonsense lawyer who has been through some stuff. But when she meets Jake her priorities shift. These two have an instant chemistry.

This is a hot and swoony over 40 romance that is serious and fun. There are issues that are handled with care but not sugarcoated.

I will always read L.B. Dunbar, and will re-read L.B. Dunbar.
Profile Image for Melanie Parker.
236 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2023
3.5/5

It took a while for the story to grab me compared to others in the series, but it was a nice story. When spice was described, it was quite good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.