Studfinder by L.B. Dunbar [Review]

Studfinder (The Busy Bean) by L.B. Dunbar
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 23, 2023

The Busy Bean
Sweetheart
Cowboy
Cakewalk
Friendzoned
Studfinder - Paperback | Kindle
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

L.B. Dunbar
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

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?

Thoughts on Studfinder: Sassy, opinionated Rita who has claimed the Busy Bean couch as her own person kingdom (of sorts) is butting heads with Jake and...well, it takes a while for these two to figure things out. Mostly because they have more than a few issues (each) to work through before they can see their way to a HEA.

Rita's nursing her shattered heart and has found a place where she's content. She's not quite happy, but then again she thinks her chance at happiness died when her fiancé died. So content is good enough. Jake is happy to be out of prison, but he's a man without purpose who served time for a crime he didn't commit. He's not necessarily bitter, but he's looking for his chance to be really free. That means finishing out his parole and keeping his head down so he can breathe again.

Yeah. Needling Rita isn't the best idea seeing as how she's supervisor on the job site, but Jake just can't seem to help himself. He likes her sass and sparkle and soon the two are doing a little more than verbally sparring. THINGS HAPPEN. Sexy things. Then they have to sort out their baggage and deal with secrets and all that fun stuff.

Secrets, lies, old hurts, an unexpected rainy day interlude, and a whole lot of forgiveness. *thumbs up*