This was a well-written, Hallmarky (in a good way) romance. I would not consider this a rom-com as labeled. There is a lot of talk of chronic illness, financial troubles, etc. Though they talk about poop a lot (meh...too much), it was pretty heavy material to be considered romcom.

I enjoyed much of the writing and was invested in their story. It felt like it could be set in a real small town with real people. The author did a great job of bringing me there and building up the setting and surroundings. I wish we had a little more background on the siblings so readers could get invested more in their stories!

My only real gripe with this book is the overabundance of poop talk and the cheesy (but not rom-com) names of towns. Climax...really? I completely appreciate the chronic illness element but at times the dung dialogue felt reallllly forced. We get it, the goat poops, Lia poops a lot, Ethan poops regularly.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Lia and Ethan. They dated in high school. Lia went away to college and broke up with him. Years later, Ethan’s grandfather dies, he learns that his grandfather took out loans and the family might lose the farm. Lia comes to help them hold on to the farm. She tells Ethan why she broke up with him. They grow closer together and fall in love.

I LOVE a great second chance romance and this was a great way to start a series. You give me a second chance and in a small town, I am going to be giddy.

This one is a really sweet second chance. I liked that it was short but had enough of an interesting story that didn't make reading boring.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgalley

I just read Lainey Davis last book Against the Grain last month and I loved it. So I was so excited when I received this book. This book made me smile I mean who wouldn’t laugh when grandma’s sheep is called Baarbara. I loved the character and their banter. I loved how Lainey wrote compassionately about Lia’s Crohn's disease. Her books always focus on characters with a disease and the profound influence it has in the life of this person. It's really refreshing to read books like that. This book was fun and sweet and I can't wait for the next book and to read more from Lainey Davis. I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Author Collective 20 | Lainey Davis for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

This was okay for me. The writing itself wasn't bad, although it did take a little bit for me to get into the story. There is a lot of back story mentioned, but never really gotten into. The reader is told that Ethan and his siblings were raised by their grandparents after their parents died, and that the relationships between Ethan and his siblings are strained, but that's it. It's just mentioned, there's not really any actual information given. This story kind of ends on a cliffhanger, not with Ethan and Lia's story, but with the fate of the farm, so I'm guessing there will be more info in the siblings stories. It kind of sucks that I didn't get at least Ethan and Lia's perspective on things. On the subject of Lia, I thought Ethan deserved better. I get that Lia was young and just realized she had major health issues, but she made the decision for both of them that their relationship was over. She never even told Ethan what was going on, or that she was ill. Then she comes back and has a boyfriend, and proceeds to cheat on him with Ethan. Granted, Richard was exactly what his name implies, but that doesn't excuse cheating. Ever. Even after Ethan has turned his life upside to care for Lia, she still tells him he doesn't know anything, and she's going to consult her bf/dr who does. It's not until Richard shows her AGAIN what kind of man he is that she wants Ethan. Ethan instantly forgave her, but couldn't enjoy their relationship after that. I would have definitely enjoyed this story more if the relationship between Lia and Richard wasn't in there. This was a first for me from this author, and although it wasn't a 5 star read, I would be willing to read her again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

“Since You’ve Bean Gone” is book one in the multi-author Farm 2 Forking series about the Bedd Family and I am hooked. I really enjoyed this story; it was funny and heartfelt.

Ethan is the oldest Bedd sibling and is now fully in charge of the family soybean farm after the death of his grandfather. Unfortunately, the farm has been in dire financial straits for some time.

Lia Thorne is the financial advisor assigned to work with the Bedds to avoid foreclosure. She is also Ethan's high school sweetheart who broke his heart when she left to go to college. Lia had her reasons but never told Ethan.

Ethan & Lia still have feelings for each other and I liked how they were able to come back together without too much drama. Lia is dealing with some personal issues that I don't want to spoil, but Ethan is there for her in so many ways. His family is as well and I hope to see more resolution with his siblings as the series progresses.

*Gran and Baabara Streisand-Bedd are shining stars!

I cannot wait to read more about this family. I am fully invested in the future of the Bedd Fellows Farm.

Highly recommend if you like small town rom-coms with well placed puns!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

This was a really cute romance book. It was really nice to read a book with a good family dynamic. The romance was so good! I would recommend this book.

Shane must save his family Farm from foreclosure after his grandad passing. The only person that can help them it’s the same that broke his heart more than ten years ago. Lia left town to go to college severing all the ties to her small town trying to find what her medical condition really was. Can Lia and Shane work together and find a way to save his family legacy and a way to their hearts again? Sweet, funny and a little spicy

This book comes out on 9th May 2024 and I received this ARC from NetGalley.
This was the sweetest read! Ethan and his family are grieving the loss of his grandfather and after the funeral they discover that the family farm has been struggling financially and is in danger of foreclosure. Ethan’s ex-girlfriend, Lia, who’s now working as a banker, returns from the city to help salvage the farm.
It took me a couple of chapters to really get into the story but once I did, I was hooked. Ethan and Lia were both lovely characters with a lot of heart - the story was sweet but also had plenty of humour/mishaps. I do wish we’d had the story of Richard tied up a bit more - I wanted to know what his motives were and also wanted to see him to get his comeuppance.
I really enjoy Lainey Davis’s style of writing - tons of fun and humour with the perfect amount of spice. I binge read her Oak Creek series a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. It is the first in a multi author series and I can honestly say I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series - I can’t wait to find out what the other characters get up to

I enjoyed reading this book. I am curious as to what happens in the next 4 books. Love the storyline and characters but I wish the characters had more depth to them. I feel like they have so much more to them than what I read. Still a solid story and love the goat and I hope Gran finds some sass! I love a sassy grandma!