The Bean and Bun by Amanda Leifeste is a contemporary romance set on the small island of Sandcastle in the Mexican Gulf. Aggie Jeffries took a break from her accounting firm in Houston and opened a coffee shop on the island. After six months, she faces an ultimatum from her business partner to either go back to the firm or for him to let someone else into the partnership. As Aggie plans what to do to make her little shop a success, another opportunity comes in the form of a famous writer. When he learns of her plans to find a property to hold exclusive retreats, he makes her an offer she can't refuse. Just as Aggie's dreams are coming true, a mean neighbor threatens all her hard work. Together with her friends, she looks for a solution. In between all that is happening, Aggie helps a friend going through a rough patch and reunites high school sweethearts. It is also quite possible that she has found the love of her life.

Amanda Leifeste's heartwarming romance is filled with humor, suspense, and love. The story flows effortlessly—I couldn't put it down and devoured it in a single day. The characters feel authentic and relatable, each adding depth and charm to the narrative. The author explores meaningful themes such as loss, the pursuit of dreams, and escaping the pressures of the rat race. More than just Aggie's journey, the book portrays a vibrant community where small acts of kindness have a ripple effect. The island setting comes alive with eclectic business owners, friendly tourists, and a strong sense of belonging. This is a feel-good story that wraps you in a warm embrace. The Bean and Bun is the perfect companion if you're looking for a relaxing, uplifting read. Be sure to add it to your vacation TBR pile.

In The Bean and Bun by Amanda Leifeste, strangers and new friends all make their way to The Bean and Bun for the best coffee and pastries. Aggie’s biggest problem is how to generate a second income before the end of the year, or she could see herself returning to her former life as an accountant in Houston, and that is something she is definitely not looking forward to. Aggie has made some wonderful friends on the island, and she hopes her best friend Lillian will come to the island, even if just for a holiday. Brooke Schmidt, an acclaimed author, arrives on the island to stay after he realizes that the life he had in California is not for him. His gran, Nellie Anne Schmidt (nee Francis), still lives on the island in the big family home his late grandfather built. The story unfolds in two distinct directions and romances, one new and exciting and exploratory, and one where people and times blocked the romance; now the two people concerned connect again and are just as much in love as when they were young.

The author and her wonderful characters take the reader on a leisurely stroll through the lives of GrandNell, as Nellie Schmidt is called, Aggie, Brooke, Lillian, Sadie, and other wonderful characters. Amanda made the characters so real and down to earth that they become real people when reading. Their lives all dovetail to make the two romances reach an unexpected conclusion to this story of love won, lost, and then won for life. Many characters balance the story and make it so real that you expect to walk outside and meet these people in this community that cares so much for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially that the characters did not hesitate to hide their feelings from each other, and the strength and support that they gave each other and their friends. The Bean and Bun by Amanda Leifeste is a story that any reader would fall in love with and revisit more than once, just to enjoy the characters' joy, laughter, tears, and exuberance for life once again. This is a book that will always be read more than once. Thank you for this lovely read.