Friendzoned by Rachel Blaufeld [Review]

Friendzoned (The Busy Bean) by Rachel Blaufeld
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 18, 2023

The Busy Bean
Sweetheart
Cowboy
Cakewalk
Friendzoned - Paperback | Kindle
Studfinder
Doubletalk
Sidetracked
Fireproof
Footnote
Afterglow

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
In Vino Veritas
1. Wildfire

Moo U
1. Boyfriend

True North
1. Bittersweet

Speakeasy
1. Touchstone

Vino and Veritas
1. Roommate

Rachel Blaufeld
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

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 thirty-three year old version of Ben Rooney from high school walks in.

The pair met years ago at a prestigious boarding school and became friends, but only behind closed doors. She’d been a spoiled brat, and he was a football player on scholarship. Ben tried to hide his crush on her, and Murphy set firm boundaries. 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, where she can’t possibly break his heart. 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, Ben and Murphy are in for a wild and sticky ride.

Thoughts on Friendzoned: Ahh. The second chance romance. Sort of. I mean, Murphy and Ben both skated on the edge of feelings (Ben did more than skate, tbh) when they were kids, but they both needed to figure things out before anything could come of it. Murphy needed to learn that social circles and her parents' expectations were doing her more harm than good. Ben needed to find the confidence to be the man he now was.

Maybe they were more a missed opportunity than a second chance. Regardless, they're both in a little town in Vermont now and they both like what they see in the other.

Which isn't to say things are easy. Murphy's been toeing the line for so long she barely knows herself anymore. If she ever did. She has a lot of baggage to unpack and a lot of self-forgiveness to practice. She's trying to be a better person and be self-sufficient and...well, the lady has a lot going on. As for Ben, he's made something of himself after his humble beginnings, but he's not enjoying it. He pushes and pushes and pushes because he remembers what it's like to be the scholarship student in a sea of trust fund kids.

So, yeah. A lot of baggage. On both ends. BUT...these two crazy kids figure things out. Slowly and surely. Yeah, they make some mistakes and fall back on old habits sometimes, but they get where they need to be. Eventually. *thumbs up*