Since You've Bean Gone

“Since You’ve Bean Gone” is the first book of the “Farm 2 Forking” series, a multi-author series set in the same world, the Bedd Fellows Farm in New York’s Catskills, and features a different member of the Bedd family. Lainey Davis starts off with Ethan Bedd, the oldest sibling and the one who took over the family farm after his grandfather’s passing. Unbeknownst to him and his siblings, the farm was having financial problems, something their grandfather did not share with their grandmother or that he refinanced the farm. The bank assigns a financial advisor to work with the family to avoid a foreclosure, and that advisor turns out to be his ex, the love of his life and the one who broke his heart, Lia Thorne. Lia had her reasons for breaking off things with Ethan those years ago, ones she never shared, but she is solid in her life now and is doing well in her career and her love life. Ethan and Lia still have unresolved feelings for each other, but she is involved with someone and is only in Fork Lick for a short time. Lia was in her element on the farm, coming up with ideas to generate funds, and she and Ethan made a great team. I thought these two were great together and for each other, and he was absolutely amazing with her when her health issues flared up, caring and understanding, and it makes her think of what she was missing in her current relationship. This wonderfully written and plotted story has plenty of drama, a touch of humor via witty dialogue and shenanigans to lighten things up, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Lainey Davis, thank you for another fabulous story, the laughs and the emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Alastair Haynesbridge and Erin Mallon did a fabulous job voicing the characters, and I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined they would sound. Mallon nailed it as Lia, grasping every aspect of her personality, from her vulnerabilities to her strength and determination. Haynesbridge was a natural in Ethan’s role, showcasing his personality perfectly, from his grumpy side to his caring side. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary characters, too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and had you feeling them all. These two are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for another wonderful listen.

Thanks to the author & Home Cooked Books for the eARC.

Since You’ve Bean Gone

By Lainey Davis

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:

🤩 This whole amazing collaboration between authors to make the Farm 2 Forking series—Bedd Fellows Farm and Fork Lick, New York. The next books will be written by Liz Alden, Karen Grey, Erin Mallon, and Ember Leigh.

🤩 The book reminded me why I prefer first person dual POV. I love knowing both characters deeply, feeling the inner turmoil, deep thoughts, and growth.

🤩 An emotional support sheep named Baabara Streisand. And, some super fun town names.

🤩 Angsty second chance romance—oh my heart.

🤩 The captivating plot is the reason Lia Thorne is back in town. And that need to know how and why she left town in the first place.

🤩 Secret pining, forced proximity, and naughty thoughts.

🤩 Amazing Crohn’s Disease representation—so much heart while keeping the romcom humor (the dung diary).

🤩 Farm life is interesting and funny.

🤩 Cabin life—Ethan Bedd is total book boyfriend material—caring, loving, supportive, and so stinkin’ hot.

🤩 Sibling fun and forgiveness.

🤩 Gran—she’s amazing and funny and so, so sweet.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:

💫 A little love triangle situation. I like it this way, where the one character (non-MMC) is not a very good person. But I wish the love triangle could have been gone a bit sooner.

💫 The slow burn was beautiful, but I did wish for a little more time with them as a true couple. Update: The bonus scene helped me feel more like I got enough of them together as a couple.

💫 Molly and Alex—I’m so looking forward to their story and the rest of the series.

Oh my goodness, ewe have got to read Since You’ve Bean Gone by Lainey Davis! This heartfelt, cheeky, pun-filled romcom was such a fun start to the Farm 2 Forking series! Lia Thorne ghosted her high school boyfriend, Ethan Bedd when she left for college without a word. Now she’s back to help him save the family farm. Can she mend fences and melt his hardened heart too?

When his grandfather passed, Ethan was left to run Bedd Fellows farm with a mountain of debt and a beloved, mischievous sheep to look after. Lia and Ethan are like oil and water with past hurts and Lia’s secretive past barring the path to a happy reunion. I love the Bedd family and Baabara was hilarious! Once they lay their cards on the table, Lia and Ethan are an unstoppable team. The way he jumps into his second chance to care for her and she breaks down his grump barricade melted my heart like butter! This quick, lighthearted, authentic, steamy love story was berry entertaining! If you love a big found family love story with a meddling gran and pesky farm animals, add Since You’ve Bean Gone to your TBR!