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Bean There, Found You: Some relationships take time to brew
She used to skip the line. Now she's stuck behind the counter—and taking orders from the girl she used to mock.
Lina James used to breeze into coffee shops without a second glance at the people behind the counter. Now she is the person behind the counter—minimum wage, borrowed apron, and a name tag—after her family's fortune vanished overnight.
Worse? Her trainer is Clara Brown. Quiet, scholarship-smart, ridiculously competent Clara—the girl Lina spent four years of high school cutting down.
Clara has dreamed of seeing Lina James knocked off her pedestal. She just never expected it to come with steamed milk, snarky comebacks, and the slow, infuriating discovery that the spoiled princess might actually be . . . changing.
But when the shop that became Clara's safe haven lands in real trouble—and Lina's parents make plans to leave town for good—the two of them have to decide whether their fragile, impossible thing is worth fighting for.
Bean There, Found You is a sweet, closed-door sapphic romance. Because sometimes relationships take time to brew.
Lina James used to breeze into coffee shops without a second glance at the people behind the counter. Now she is the person behind the counter—minimum wage, borrowed apron, and a name tag—after her family's fortune vanished overnight.
Worse? Her trainer is Clara Brown. Quiet, scholarship-smart, ridiculously competent Clara—the girl Lina spent four years of high school cutting down.
Clara has dreamed of seeing Lina James knocked off her pedestal. She just never expected it to come with steamed milk, snarky comebacks, and the slow, infuriating discovery that the spoiled princess might actually be . . . changing.
But when the shop that became Clara's safe haven lands in real trouble—and Lina's parents make plans to leave town for good—the two of them have to decide whether their fragile, impossible thing is worth fighting for.
Bean There, Found You is a sweet, closed-door sapphic romance. Because sometimes relationships take time to brew.
Audible Audio
Published November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 5, 2026
This was a delightful pc romance all taking place in a coffee shop. Clara has been working at Bean There, Done That for a while when she is told to train the new girl, who just happens to be the rich girl who tormented her all through high school and hasn't had a job in her life and never would have even been in a place like this if her father hadn't fallen on rough financial times, so Lina's family is in dire financial straights where she is forced to work, and in a minimum wage coffee shop. Being trained by the girl she tormented for years.
I really loved the themes of can people really change and it be real. Also learning to follow your heart and not your head in life decisions as I luckily was able to do, in my 30s. Well done with alternating MCs and a wonderful supporting cast. And who doesn't love a nice cuppa. 4+ stars for me.
I really loved the themes of can people really change and it be real. Also learning to follow your heart and not your head in life decisions as I luckily was able to do, in my 30s. Well done with alternating MCs and a wonderful supporting cast. And who doesn't love a nice cuppa. 4+ stars for me.
November 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ALC.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a delightful little read! ☕ A relatively easy listen, with a cosy coffee shop setting and a sweet romance that makes it perfect for curling up with on an autumn evening.
I will say that I found the beginning a little repetitive. It felt like we kept following the same pattern of something happening in the coffee shop before the girls inevitably started bickering again. I also could have done without the constant appearances from Lina's nasty old friends! I think the story took a little while to find its rhythm because of this.
The romance was sweet, although I did find it a little superficial and would have loved a bit more depth to their relationship. However, I still found this a really enjoyable and charming story. It's not necessarily a romance that's going to stay with me for ages, but it was a lovely bit of escapism and exactly the sort of cosy read I'd reach for on a chilly autumn night. Sometimes you just need a coffee shop, a little romance and a book that doesn't ask too much of you! 🍂
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a delightful little read! ☕ A relatively easy listen, with a cosy coffee shop setting and a sweet romance that makes it perfect for curling up with on an autumn evening.
I will say that I found the beginning a little repetitive. It felt like we kept following the same pattern of something happening in the coffee shop before the girls inevitably started bickering again. I also could have done without the constant appearances from Lina's nasty old friends! I think the story took a little while to find its rhythm because of this.
The romance was sweet, although I did find it a little superficial and would have loved a bit more depth to their relationship. However, I still found this a really enjoyable and charming story. It's not necessarily a romance that's going to stay with me for ages, but it was a lovely bit of escapism and exactly the sort of cosy read I'd reach for on a chilly autumn night. Sometimes you just need a coffee shop, a little romance and a book that doesn't ask too much of you! 🍂
April 27, 2025
The perfect blend. I thought it was entertaining with just the right amount of tension. The banter was like watching a tennis match and they both knew which buttons to push. Honestly, the character growth in Lina made me proud. I was slightly annoyed with Clara because she made assumptions about what Lina wanted and would cut her off mid-conversation. I just wanted to shake her, but I reminded myself that they were young and afraid to get hurt. Naomi was my favorite side character because she was funny and almost spilled the tea at a coffee shop. Overall, I thought it was a good enemies-to-lovers book and recommend it.
May 16, 2026
Almost a novella, read in a day, but easy to read, good characters and though part of a series, easy to follow. Very PG, but none the worse for that. Enjoying the series.
October 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this "fall from grace" redemption story with kissing.
Watching Lina grow in her own skin and learn what it's like in the "real world" was delightful.
And seeing how Clara & Lina healed their past together was a cherry on top for me.
Hope Newhouse did a fabulous job on the narration and added so much sass & heart to the experience.
Much love to NetGalley & Tantor Media for hooking me up with the ALC!
Watching Lina grow in her own skin and learn what it's like in the "real world" was delightful.
And seeing how Clara & Lina healed their past together was a cherry on top for me.
Hope Newhouse did a fabulous job on the narration and added so much sass & heart to the experience.
Much love to NetGalley & Tantor Media for hooking me up with the ALC!
October 9, 2025
cute book. pay off was wayyyy too late in the book.
August 28, 2025
I expected sparks as it was tagged "enemies to lovers" but this is actually bully-to-lovers. The bi-awakening character was the high school bully (think Mean Girls) of the other character. And immediately out of high school they end up working together at a local indie coffee shop. There's circumstances... and for the most part the transition from bully to "I'm attracted to you" to "I'm in love with you" is well-supported. There's not as much transformation of the other FMC. But it's got too many new adult angsty moments to, in my opinion, to get the "women's fiction" tag. And the "to save the coffee shop, I just happen to have all the right skills to put on a perfect event" wrap up is just a little too pat. But it's a relatively easy read, and did hold my attention to read through pretty steadily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
This was a short and sweet little book about a spoiled rich girl fresh out of high school whose family is in dire financial straits. She gets a job at the local coffee shop and has to work with the girl she used to bully in high school. The dynamic between the two leads is cute and fun to watch. The change from rude and spoiled to a thoughtful young woman is believable, and the little found family story in the background with this coffee shop is delightful. I had a great time!
This was a short and sweet little book about a spoiled rich girl fresh out of high school whose family is in dire financial straits. She gets a job at the local coffee shop and has to work with the girl she used to bully in high school. The dynamic between the two leads is cute and fun to watch. The change from rude and spoiled to a thoughtful young woman is believable, and the little found family story in the background with this coffee shop is delightful. I had a great time!
July 30, 2025
4/5 - sapphic, contemporary, enemies-to-lovers, YA. Good read! This was a cozy and sweet YA romance, set around a coffee shop. It was very slow burn, so I do wish we got to see more relationship progress sooner or more interactions post-getting together. Pretty straightforward for a coffee shop romance, but well executed, so can’t complain!
February 23, 2026
would have enjoyed this more if the characters weren't directly out of high school. That didn't ring true. If they had been a few years older, I would have bought all the stuff they managed to do.
November 7, 2026
This book was fun, but maybe to young for me.
While the challenges the mains are facing could be translated to any age, the setting is very much young adult.
I like the story, the characters are fine, the story is good enough, but didn’t resonate for me.
I don’t like coffee, the challenges that they face are repetitive and a bit annoying, I guess for young adults, people closer to the main characters’ age it would probably work better.
While the challenges the mains are facing could be translated to any age, the setting is very much young adult.
I like the story, the characters are fine, the story is good enough, but didn’t resonate for me.
I don’t like coffee, the challenges that they face are repetitive and a bit annoying, I guess for young adults, people closer to the main characters’ age it would probably work better.
October 31, 2026
thankyou netgallery for the ALC of this book. i really enjoyed the story, i was hooked, the tension between characters, the slowburn and how they both changed for eachother, the only thing that bugged me was things got repititive, things felt like they were being repeated again, which was annoying,, but overall it was fun to listen to
December 19, 2025
Not bad but not great.
It's was fine. I don't regret reading it. But I found I just wasn't all that engaged. I have ADHD, so when a book really grabs me, I hyper focus and can't put it down, but when it just doesn't I keep getting distracted and putting it down to do other stuff. This book fell into the latter category.
The main characters had some development, but not quite enough to make me deeply care about them. The side characters brought potential for deepening the story, but those subplots were unresolved. The plot was good, but i felt it didn't quite meet the bar for complexity of the genre. That bar isn't that high for the romance genre either, so that's saying something. The duo went through the motions of developing attraction, but there was no power behind it leaving them with Zero chemistry. Like really, none at all. It felt a little like reading AI generated stories, where it's technically sound, but doesn't quite hit the emotional depth or emotional engagement I want in a book. This author has written better for sure. I wouldn't quite say it's a dud, but it was maybe a half step above "meh".
What worked really well:
The pacing and the premise were both fantastic. I love a good redemption arc, and the fact that one who had been bullied didn't just forgive and forget.
What I'd have suggested if I were the editor:
Maybe the mean girls needed a bit more depth to them. They came off as pretty canned. I think the lack of emotional connection in their friend group made them seem unrealistic and cartoonist. Girls and women don't spend that much of their lives together without connecting. Their world may have been "fake" but their friendships should have had some qualities of humanity to them.
This story takes place immediately after graduation. A few notes on that, the parents' impact on the girls should be more relevant to the story and been used for character development, these kids are living at home, and are presumably only children. That could have been used for empathy building, or conflict creation - intternal or external, or as a good peek into the main characters' psyche. Also they have no real mentors, no adults or older siblings or people they look up to. The potential was there in the Clara/Jordan dynamic, but was never realized.
I found it hard to buy that Clara would learn trust Lina given the way things played out so soon after highschool. Most bully romances are either while the characters at still in school, or else years later when they're thrown together again. Clara *just* got away from Lina, if she was going to fall for her, there needed to either be history where they had a connection, (maybe in elementary school, or maybe one was always struggling with the crush they had on the other) or else way more chemistry. Hard to build chemistry when most of their time together is at work.
I think moving this to first semester at college, and getting stuck as roommates/dorm-mates in addition to work might have been better.. if it has to be summer, then just roommates would still work. Have Clara need to move out because of some emotionally engaging home situation, and have a Lina's widowed single dad be newly in prison for white collar crime. They wind up at the same job, and subletting rooms in the same house/Apt. Now you can build chemistry. Which was needed because these characters did not have the chemistry necessary to move from learning to tentatively tolerate each other into being in love after one kiss.
Also, people don't change, they become better or worse versions of themselves. So Lina needed a core quality that has always been there in order to believably "change". She wasn't given one at all. She starts out being one character and ends up being an entirely different character with no connection between the two versions of her. That's not how people work.
All the focus was on how Lina changed, with no room for how she was still herself at the core.
Anyway, I'd recommend reading other books by this author before trying out this one. They absolutely have better on offer.
It's was fine. I don't regret reading it. But I found I just wasn't all that engaged. I have ADHD, so when a book really grabs me, I hyper focus and can't put it down, but when it just doesn't I keep getting distracted and putting it down to do other stuff. This book fell into the latter category.
The main characters had some development, but not quite enough to make me deeply care about them. The side characters brought potential for deepening the story, but those subplots were unresolved. The plot was good, but i felt it didn't quite meet the bar for complexity of the genre. That bar isn't that high for the romance genre either, so that's saying something. The duo went through the motions of developing attraction, but there was no power behind it leaving them with Zero chemistry. Like really, none at all. It felt a little like reading AI generated stories, where it's technically sound, but doesn't quite hit the emotional depth or emotional engagement I want in a book. This author has written better for sure. I wouldn't quite say it's a dud, but it was maybe a half step above "meh".
What worked really well:
The pacing and the premise were both fantastic. I love a good redemption arc, and the fact that one who had been bullied didn't just forgive and forget.
What I'd have suggested if I were the editor:
Maybe the mean girls needed a bit more depth to them. They came off as pretty canned. I think the lack of emotional connection in their friend group made them seem unrealistic and cartoonist. Girls and women don't spend that much of their lives together without connecting. Their world may have been "fake" but their friendships should have had some qualities of humanity to them.
This story takes place immediately after graduation. A few notes on that, the parents' impact on the girls should be more relevant to the story and been used for character development, these kids are living at home, and are presumably only children. That could have been used for empathy building, or conflict creation - intternal or external, or as a good peek into the main characters' psyche. Also they have no real mentors, no adults or older siblings or people they look up to. The potential was there in the Clara/Jordan dynamic, but was never realized.
I found it hard to buy that Clara would learn trust Lina given the way things played out so soon after highschool. Most bully romances are either while the characters at still in school, or else years later when they're thrown together again. Clara *just* got away from Lina, if she was going to fall for her, there needed to either be history where they had a connection, (maybe in elementary school, or maybe one was always struggling with the crush they had on the other) or else way more chemistry. Hard to build chemistry when most of their time together is at work.
I think moving this to first semester at college, and getting stuck as roommates/dorm-mates in addition to work might have been better.. if it has to be summer, then just roommates would still work. Have Clara need to move out because of some emotionally engaging home situation, and have a Lina's widowed single dad be newly in prison for white collar crime. They wind up at the same job, and subletting rooms in the same house/Apt. Now you can build chemistry. Which was needed because these characters did not have the chemistry necessary to move from learning to tentatively tolerate each other into being in love after one kiss.
Also, people don't change, they become better or worse versions of themselves. So Lina needed a core quality that has always been there in order to believably "change". She wasn't given one at all. She starts out being one character and ends up being an entirely different character with no connection between the two versions of her. That's not how people work.
All the focus was on how Lina changed, with no room for how she was still herself at the core.
Anyway, I'd recommend reading other books by this author before trying out this one. They absolutely have better on offer.
April 3, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and especially appreciated the Insite into the reasons why someone may put on a "Mean" persona like Lina. Although I do have a few problems with the fact that I feel as though Lina was forgiven much to easily. Naomi and Clara casually just become friends with Lina after years and years of bullying just because she says she's changed. So, while yes, it may be frustrating to read Clara talk about how people do not change and how she is still the self-centered brat, at the same time I can't blame her because like I already mentioned, a few months is a very short amount of time for someone to basically become a whole new person which is another problem I have with the book. I Believe it would be nice to see more of the mean girl and prideful Lina, see her pride be portrayed in a good light that helps someone instead of tearing them down. I Really, really wish that we got to see Lina go through more repercussions than just a slap on the wrist from Clara and then being forgiven because her feelings where hurt.
For how negative I'm talking right now I actually quite enjoyed the book. Though slow at times, it has a satisfying ending with mostly likeable characters that you can cheer for. Although I find it very hard to believe that one art show gallery is what saved the coffee shop. I also find it very hard to believe that Lina is able to pay her entire rent from her salary at a small local coffee shop.
but besides that, if your just in for a good ride then I would say this is a nice book to just pass some time.
For how negative I'm talking right now I actually quite enjoyed the book. Though slow at times, it has a satisfying ending with mostly likeable characters that you can cheer for. Although I find it very hard to believe that one art show gallery is what saved the coffee shop. I also find it very hard to believe that Lina is able to pay her entire rent from her salary at a small local coffee shop.
but besides that, if your just in for a good ride then I would say this is a nice book to just pass some time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lina James has had a change in family fortune. Her father’s lost investments means that she has to take a summer job for the first time and her college fund is no longer there. Fresh from high school where she was a queen bee looking down on others she now has a job at a coffee shop. And to make matters worse her trainer is Clara Brown. Clara is smart, has a scholarship and knows her way around the place she’s worked for a few years. Lina and her friends also used to bully Clara making her high school years miserable.
Almost too much time is spent in the coffee shop, working there, making plans to save it and more.
While Lina has a surprise to her Bi awakening, she is also dealing with her changing status and discovering a work ethic. Lina knows she is queer but doesn’t trust the changes she is seeing in Lina.
This is a very PG, kissing only YA/New Adult romance. I think it would have worked better if they were a couple of years older. I think the hurt of bullying is a big shadow to overcome so soon after high school. Also Lina being so talented at media and marketing is a stretch. There isn’t anything wrong with the book. And there is real growth for Lina. But there isn’t anything that makes this stand out more than an average story.
I am a little conflicted about reviewing this book. My adult daughter saw the cover and said the cover and book were probably AI. Looking at the author’s web page didn’t convince me otherwise. Nor can I say it is for sure AI created. I did look at the voice actor and her info page seems real. I thought she did a nice job of bringing the story to life. My daughter suggested a one star based on the not supporting AI content. I felt compelled to give a real review as I received the audio book with the understanding that I would review it. Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the audiobook and this is my honest review.
Almost too much time is spent in the coffee shop, working there, making plans to save it and more.
While Lina has a surprise to her Bi awakening, she is also dealing with her changing status and discovering a work ethic. Lina knows she is queer but doesn’t trust the changes she is seeing in Lina.
This is a very PG, kissing only YA/New Adult romance. I think it would have worked better if they were a couple of years older. I think the hurt of bullying is a big shadow to overcome so soon after high school. Also Lina being so talented at media and marketing is a stretch. There isn’t anything wrong with the book. And there is real growth for Lina. But there isn’t anything that makes this stand out more than an average story.
I am a little conflicted about reviewing this book. My adult daughter saw the cover and said the cover and book were probably AI. Looking at the author’s web page didn’t convince me otherwise. Nor can I say it is for sure AI created. I did look at the voice actor and her info page seems real. I thought she did a nice job of bringing the story to life. My daughter suggested a one star based on the not supporting AI content. I felt compelled to give a real review as I received the audio book with the understanding that I would review it. Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the audiobook and this is my honest review.
November 6, 2026
🎧 Audio Review: Enjoyed the narration.
📝 Story Review: This was a very enjoyable spice free romance! It had tension and drama, but also a cozy coffee shop vibe. I also loved the character growth/development!
A former high school “mean girl” who has led a privileged life, finds out what’s truly important in life and friendships, when her family loses their wealth and she’s forced to get a job and face the reality of being an average person. And the girl training her, is none other than a girl she used to bully and demean in high school…
This was a great story to show how sometimes what we think is most important, might not be. It shows what is more meaningful in life than monetary wealth and status. And the difference between fair weather friends/fake friends and real ones. - Some really good life lessons on how we treat people!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
Genre: NA Sapphic Romance
POV: Third Person; Dual
Paperback Released: April 26, 2025
Audio Release Date: November 3, 2026
Audio Run Time: 5 hrs, 47 mins
Narrated By: Hope Newhouse
Tropes 👇
- No Spice
- Coworkers
- Found Family
- Bi-Awakening 🏳️🌈
- Character Growth
- From Bully to Love
- Sapphic Romance 🏳️🌈
- Coffee Shop Setting
- Heading to College
- High School Nemesis/Bully
CW’s 👇
- Verbal/Emotional Abuse/Bullying
- Monetary Prejudices
- Financial Struggles
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
📝 Story Review: This was a very enjoyable spice free romance! It had tension and drama, but also a cozy coffee shop vibe. I also loved the character growth/development!
A former high school “mean girl” who has led a privileged life, finds out what’s truly important in life and friendships, when her family loses their wealth and she’s forced to get a job and face the reality of being an average person. And the girl training her, is none other than a girl she used to bully and demean in high school…
This was a great story to show how sometimes what we think is most important, might not be. It shows what is more meaningful in life than monetary wealth and status. And the difference between fair weather friends/fake friends and real ones. - Some really good life lessons on how we treat people!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
Genre: NA Sapphic Romance
POV: Third Person; Dual
Paperback Released: April 26, 2025
Audio Release Date: November 3, 2026
Audio Run Time: 5 hrs, 47 mins
Narrated By: Hope Newhouse
Tropes 👇
- No Spice
- Coworkers
- Found Family
- Bi-Awakening 🏳️🌈
- Character Growth
- From Bully to Love
- Sapphic Romance 🏳️🌈
- Coffee Shop Setting
- Heading to College
- High School Nemesis/Bully
CW’s 👇
- Verbal/Emotional Abuse/Bullying
- Monetary Prejudices
- Financial Struggles
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2025
I picked up Bean There, Found You by Cameron Tate on a whim, and as someone who has never read a sapphic romance before, I can confidently say it won't be my last. This book was such a fun, quick read with all the right vibes. I couldn't put it down!
The story centers around Lina James, the quintessential "mean girl" in her high school, surrounded by her equally ruthless group of friends. With her wealth, beauty, and seemingly perfect life, Lina appears to have it all. In stark contrast is Clara Brown, a dorky, goody-two-shoes type who endures relentless teasing from Lina and her friends, making her school life miserable. However, everything changes when Lina's father loses their fortune, forcing Lina to find a job. Ironically, she ends up at the coffeehouse where Clara has been working for years. And now Clara has the upper hand. Can these two learn to work together, or will one of them have to quit to survive?
The tension and banter between Lina and Clara were electric, making the story incredibly enjoyable. I really enjoyed it being dual pov to really see how they were both feeling, especially during their "fights". Lina's character growth throughout the story was refreshing and genuine, making it impossible not to root for her.
4.5 stars
No spice, aside from a few kisses.
The story centers around Lina James, the quintessential "mean girl" in her high school, surrounded by her equally ruthless group of friends. With her wealth, beauty, and seemingly perfect life, Lina appears to have it all. In stark contrast is Clara Brown, a dorky, goody-two-shoes type who endures relentless teasing from Lina and her friends, making her school life miserable. However, everything changes when Lina's father loses their fortune, forcing Lina to find a job. Ironically, she ends up at the coffeehouse where Clara has been working for years. And now Clara has the upper hand. Can these two learn to work together, or will one of them have to quit to survive?
The tension and banter between Lina and Clara were electric, making the story incredibly enjoyable. I really enjoyed it being dual pov to really see how they were both feeling, especially during their "fights". Lina's character growth throughout the story was refreshing and genuine, making it impossible not to root for her.
4.5 stars
No spice, aside from a few kisses.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to RB Media for a advanced listening copy via NetGalley and now for my honest review.
For Lina, her family losing all their money is the worst thing she's ever experienced, and as they have to sell of all their assets, she goes from ruling the school to being the person she and her friends bullied.
Clara was the subject of Lina's taunts and they have left their mark, but the place where she has confidence and extreme competence is the coffee shop she works at. Bean There. Then she is asked to train the new employee, none other than her high school bully, Lina.
As time passes and they are forced to work side by side the Lina of the past falls away, but there is always the question of is this new person real, or is Lina just doing and saying what she needs to make the work situation tolerable.
Clara is kind, and even when she tries not to be now that the apron is on the other waist, she can't help but slowly see Lina changing and caring about the job she once dismissed.
I liked how in losing everything she thought was important, Lina found her own path and the freedom to be who she is and love who she loves.
Hope Newhouse was the narrator and her expressive voice was a pleasure to listen to as she gave life to Lina and Clara, giving space for them to blossom through her reading.
For Lina, her family losing all their money is the worst thing she's ever experienced, and as they have to sell of all their assets, she goes from ruling the school to being the person she and her friends bullied.
Clara was the subject of Lina's taunts and they have left their mark, but the place where she has confidence and extreme competence is the coffee shop she works at. Bean There. Then she is asked to train the new employee, none other than her high school bully, Lina.
As time passes and they are forced to work side by side the Lina of the past falls away, but there is always the question of is this new person real, or is Lina just doing and saying what she needs to make the work situation tolerable.
Clara is kind, and even when she tries not to be now that the apron is on the other waist, she can't help but slowly see Lina changing and caring about the job she once dismissed.
I liked how in losing everything she thought was important, Lina found her own path and the freedom to be who she is and love who she loves.
Hope Newhouse was the narrator and her expressive voice was a pleasure to listen to as she gave life to Lina and Clara, giving space for them to blossom through her reading.
November 1, 2026
“Bean There, Found You” by Cameron Tate is an enemies to lovers sapphic romance where a mean rich girl, Lina, is forced to get a job after her family’s financial standing evaporates. She doesn’t take the transition very well at all. It doesn’t help that the job is in a local coffee shop, and her trainer and co-worker is one of her mean girl victims, Clara. Clara had endured four years of high school torture at the hands of Lina and her “friends.” Clara tries to stay professional but Lina gets on her last nerve. The sniping is back and forth and makes everyone in the shop miserable, but slowly Lina starts to grow up and pay attention to the real world. There’s a lot of angst between the two girls, then comes attraction. This is one of those books where I wanted to hit a character, the mean girl obviously, over the head. Then I wanted to slap the nice girl when she refused to believe that Lina had changed for the good. Ironic but very believable. Clara and Lina finally get on the same page during a tension-filled cleaning session in the shop. It takes a while for the HEA aspect of this book to kick in, but it finally does.
NetGalley provided me with an audiobook for this ARC. Narration was consistent and pleasant.
NetGalley provided me with an audiobook for this ARC. Narration was consistent and pleasant.
October 27, 2026
This was such an enjoyable, quick listen! Lina was honestly pretty intolerable at first, but her character development was one of my favorite parts of the story. Watching her gradually grow and discover what she was capable of was incredibly satisfying. By the end, I'd gone from being frustrated with her to feeling genuinely attached to her and proud of how far she'd come.
Clara, on the other hand, was lovable right from the beginning. I really enjoyed the tension between them and how their connection developed over time. Their relationship felt earned, particularly because of how much Lina grew throughout the story.
I also loved the coffee shop setting and the larger storyline surrounding the effort to save the café. It gave the romance something meaningful to develop alongside, and I especially appreciated how Lina discovered her own strengths, found ways to put them to use, and gained a sense of fulfillment in the process.
Overall, a sweet, engaging romance with great character development and a setting I would've happily spent more time in!
Thank you to the NetGalley for providing a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Clara, on the other hand, was lovable right from the beginning. I really enjoyed the tension between them and how their connection developed over time. Their relationship felt earned, particularly because of how much Lina grew throughout the story.
I also loved the coffee shop setting and the larger storyline surrounding the effort to save the café. It gave the romance something meaningful to develop alongside, and I especially appreciated how Lina discovered her own strengths, found ways to put them to use, and gained a sense of fulfillment in the process.
Overall, a sweet, engaging romance with great character development and a setting I would've happily spent more time in!
Thank you to the NetGalley for providing a complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 30, 2026
I really wanted to enjoy this one, especially going into it expecting a cute sapphic coffee shop romance, but unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the story.
The premise had potential, particularly the former mean girl finding herself working alongside the girl she bullied in high school. However, I found myself getting tired of the high school history being such a central part of their dynamic. I understand that it’s important to the redemption aspect of Lina’s character, but it just wasn’t something I found myself invested in. The rich girl loses everything and suddenly finds herself on the other side of the social divide trope also wasn’t particularly appealing to me. I struggled to get invested in the characters or feel excited about where their relationship was going.I don’t think the writing itself was bad. The story just never managed to capture my attention or make me want to keep turning the pages. Unfortunately, the premise sounded more appealing to me than the actual reading experience.
This one simply wasn’t my cup of tea.
The premise had potential, particularly the former mean girl finding herself working alongside the girl she bullied in high school. However, I found myself getting tired of the high school history being such a central part of their dynamic. I understand that it’s important to the redemption aspect of Lina’s character, but it just wasn’t something I found myself invested in. The rich girl loses everything and suddenly finds herself on the other side of the social divide trope also wasn’t particularly appealing to me. I struggled to get invested in the characters or feel excited about where their relationship was going.I don’t think the writing itself was bad. The story just never managed to capture my attention or make me want to keep turning the pages. Unfortunately, the premise sounded more appealing to me than the actual reading experience.
This one simply wasn’t my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wonderfully performed by Hope Newhouse! Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media and the author for an advance listening copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First I just want to mention that I didn’t realize this was a YA story as I don’t really read those too often since I am WELL past that age group lol. I couldn’t find anywhere stating that it’s YA but the MCs are fresh out of high school so it definitely fits imo.
I appreciated Lina’s arc. In truth I feel like both MCs need some form of therapy for the experiences they shared in high school albeit for different reasons. When the communication opened up more, it was refreshing to see the growth in Lina and also with Clara.
Clara is thriving in her safe space until one of her high school tormentors showed up to start working there. Following a rocky start, the young women begin to build something more…more positive, more feelings, more compassion.
I loved the last third with all the preparations and ideas and passion. It was exciting and inspiring.
First I just want to mention that I didn’t realize this was a YA story as I don’t really read those too often since I am WELL past that age group lol. I couldn’t find anywhere stating that it’s YA but the MCs are fresh out of high school so it definitely fits imo.
I appreciated Lina’s arc. In truth I feel like both MCs need some form of therapy for the experiences they shared in high school albeit for different reasons. When the communication opened up more, it was refreshing to see the growth in Lina and also with Clara.
Clara is thriving in her safe space until one of her high school tormentors showed up to start working there. Following a rocky start, the young women begin to build something more…more positive, more feelings, more compassion.
I loved the last third with all the preparations and ideas and passion. It was exciting and inspiring.
November 2, 2026
This ended up much cuter than I thought it would. Lina is a bit of a mean girl who has her whole world thrown upside down when her father loses his fortune, forcing her into getting a job at the local coffee shop to help make ends meet.
Clara has been working at Bean There, Done That for a couple of years now and is used to taking the lead on training the new people, right up until it’s Lina, the girl who tormented her in high school. Lina’s stuck up and too good for this attitude causes a ton of friction and it isn’t until her tough girl façade slips and the coffee shop falls on hard times that the two learn to work together.
Lina has a pretty good growth arc, both in how to be a decent human being and the inner monologue on what it feels like when you suddenly want to kiss a girl. Overall, both FMC’s were cute to follow and easy to relate to.
3 stars and a very easy one day read.
(Audio version) Publish Date: November 3, 2026
Thanks to Tantor Media and Netgalley for the audio copy in exchange for my review.
Clara has been working at Bean There, Done That for a couple of years now and is used to taking the lead on training the new people, right up until it’s Lina, the girl who tormented her in high school. Lina’s stuck up and too good for this attitude causes a ton of friction and it isn’t until her tough girl façade slips and the coffee shop falls on hard times that the two learn to work together.
Lina has a pretty good growth arc, both in how to be a decent human being and the inner monologue on what it feels like when you suddenly want to kiss a girl. Overall, both FMC’s were cute to follow and easy to relate to.
3 stars and a very easy one day read.
(Audio version) Publish Date: November 3, 2026
Thanks to Tantor Media and Netgalley for the audio copy in exchange for my review.
November 18, 2025
After her father loses the family fortune, Lina James finds herself stuck working at the local coffee shop, from a favor from a friend of her parents.
Clara Brown never expected to be training her bully, Lina. It doesn't help that she finds her attractive, and that Clara is out at the shop but wasn't at school. Lina is as arrogant as ever, too.
(Unsurprisingly, Lina's whole mean girl crew deserts her. I know it's a trope, but it would be nice if one went "look, I've known you since we were kids, I won't abandon you now." )
Making things worse, the posse keeps coming in taunting everybody and reminding Clara how much a shit Lina was. But gradually Lina shows she's sincerely trying to change.
Then they find out they're store is in trouble..
The texting pages are oversized and take up page count. And at least one is formatted wrong.
3 stars. Pretty decent.. no spicy scenes, kina YA feeling, not sure if it's classified as that.
Clara Brown never expected to be training her bully, Lina. It doesn't help that she finds her attractive, and that Clara is out at the shop but wasn't at school. Lina is as arrogant as ever, too.
(Unsurprisingly, Lina's whole mean girl crew deserts her. I know it's a trope, but it would be nice if one went "look, I've known you since we were kids, I won't abandon you now." )
Making things worse, the posse keeps coming in taunting everybody and reminding Clara how much a shit Lina was. But gradually Lina shows she's sincerely trying to change.
Then they find out they're store is in trouble..
The texting pages are oversized and take up page count. And at least one is formatted wrong.
3 stars. Pretty decent.. no spicy scenes, kina YA feeling, not sure if it's classified as that.
November 1, 2026
Read and reviewed for NetGalley.
Bean There Found You was fine, but it was clear early on that this would be a simple read. It was surprisingly innocent and cute. It picks up around the 30% mark, and there are some good lessons for both characters, though nothing profound. I think the story would have been more believable and impactful if the leads were a couple of years older, with some space away from highschool or if Lina wasnt the main perpetrator of bullying Clara all throughout highschool.
My main issue was the repetition. Certain phrases come back constantly (“she remembered the regulars,” for example or saying someone unknowingly repeated what another character just said). Even both characters share the same inner monologue, which made the writing feel lazy at times, especially outside of dialogue. The book reads shorter than it actually is because of this.
Cozy and quick though, for anyone looking for a formulaic, familiar read.
Bean There Found You was fine, but it was clear early on that this would be a simple read. It was surprisingly innocent and cute. It picks up around the 30% mark, and there are some good lessons for both characters, though nothing profound. I think the story would have been more believable and impactful if the leads were a couple of years older, with some space away from highschool or if Lina wasnt the main perpetrator of bullying Clara all throughout highschool.
My main issue was the repetition. Certain phrases come back constantly (“she remembered the regulars,” for example or saying someone unknowingly repeated what another character just said). Even both characters share the same inner monologue, which made the writing feel lazy at times, especially outside of dialogue. The book reads shorter than it actually is because of this.
Cozy and quick though, for anyone looking for a formulaic, familiar read.
June 30, 2025
There are no huge surprises in this enemies to lovers YA romance but it’s nicely done nevertheless. Lina is the blonde and beautiful cheerleader (and rich girl) who tormented ordinary girl Clara back in High School. Not for being gay (as that wasn’t known back then) but simply because, as a classic Mean Girl, she could. When her father loses all the family money, Lina is brought down to earth with a bump and has to take, and keep, a barista job. And the girl who has to train is none other than her nemesis, Clara.
It takes a while for Lina to realise that the people she thought were her friends really aren’t, and it takes longer too for her feelings for Clara to turn romantic. But eventually this gets where you want it to. No sex and just a couple of kisses means this could easily be read by a younger audience.
It takes a while for Lina to realise that the people she thought were her friends really aren’t, and it takes longer too for her feelings for Clara to turn romantic. But eventually this gets where you want it to. No sex and just a couple of kisses means this could easily be read by a younger audience.
October 28, 2026
📖 3.5/5 🌟
0/5🌶️
🎧 4.5/5 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Super cute and cozy sapphic romance with a YA feel!
There were a few repetitive scenes, which wasn’t too surprising considering the majority of the book takes place in a coffee shop.
What I loved most was the nostalgia of two young women developing feelings for each other but having absolutely ZERO gaydar. 😂 Neither knows if the other feels the same, and I couldn’t help but root for them! It honestly reminded me of a younger version of myself.
Beyond the romance, it’s a sweet coming-of-age story about two young women finding themselves, navigating life after high school, and exploring their sexuality along the way.
Overall, a cute, cozy sapphic romance and the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads!
0/5🌶️
🎧 4.5/5 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Super cute and cozy sapphic romance with a YA feel!
There were a few repetitive scenes, which wasn’t too surprising considering the majority of the book takes place in a coffee shop.
What I loved most was the nostalgia of two young women developing feelings for each other but having absolutely ZERO gaydar. 😂 Neither knows if the other feels the same, and I couldn’t help but root for them! It honestly reminded me of a younger version of myself.
Beyond the romance, it’s a sweet coming-of-age story about two young women finding themselves, navigating life after high school, and exploring their sexuality along the way.
Overall, a cute, cozy sapphic romance and the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads!
November 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an audiobook copy of Bean There, Found You by Cameron Tate!
I thought this was a lovely, sweet, no spice YA romance. I enjoyed their character dynamics and Lina's growth but would have liked a little bit more of a wake up call fall from grace. Instead she is much more go with the flow "I guess I'm doing this now" instead of the true emotions of having no choice. If we had seen her parents both judging her and mooching off of her for money or sleeping in the shop and having Clara open her door to her I think it would have really built that trust up more.
As it stands I did enjoy it as a quick light cozy read and thought that the narrator did a good job of bringing the characters to life. Also major props for the title of both the book and the coffee shop, LOVE IT!!
I thought this was a lovely, sweet, no spice YA romance. I enjoyed their character dynamics and Lina's growth but would have liked a little bit more of a wake up call fall from grace. Instead she is much more go with the flow "I guess I'm doing this now" instead of the true emotions of having no choice. If we had seen her parents both judging her and mooching off of her for money or sleeping in the shop and having Clara open her door to her I think it would have really built that trust up more.
As it stands I did enjoy it as a quick light cozy read and thought that the narrator did a good job of bringing the characters to life. Also major props for the title of both the book and the coffee shop, LOVE IT!!
November 4, 2026
3.25🌟
Thank you netgalley for this arc!
This was a sweet queer coming of age, enemies to lovers, quick little read. Since it was so fast I did not feel super connected to the characters, it felt like Schitt's Creek but with less likable characters. I think part of that was the speed with which the character arc happened. The characters were likeable enough by the end, but I wish there was a little more depth to the characters and the story itself. As a novella though it was quick and I would recommend it if you're looking for a more YA coming of age story.
Thank you netgalley for this arc!
This was a sweet queer coming of age, enemies to lovers, quick little read. Since it was so fast I did not feel super connected to the characters, it felt like Schitt's Creek but with less likable characters. I think part of that was the speed with which the character arc happened. The characters were likeable enough by the end, but I wish there was a little more depth to the characters and the story itself. As a novella though it was quick and I would recommend it if you're looking for a more YA coming of age story.
July 18, 2025
A really lovely romantic read. It had just the right amount of will they / won’t they and oh my goodness I have to say hats off to the author for the character development. I have read A LOT and that tends to be a bugbear of mine but this stood out in the best way. Will definitely be adding Ms Tate’s other books to the TBR pile. I will now go and finish the work I may have neglected to finish this book
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