In A Jam by Kate Canterbary

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She’s the one who got away. She just doesn’t know it.

When Shay Zucconi’s step-grandmother died, she left Shay a tulip farm—under
two conditions.

First, Shay has to move home to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island.
Second—and most problematic since her fiancé just called off the wedding—Shay
must be married within one year.

Marriage is the last thing in the world Shay wants but she’ll do anything to save
the only real home she’s ever known.

Noah Barden loved Shay Zucconi back in high school. Not that he ever told her.
He was too shy, too awkward, too painfully uncool to ask out the beautiful,
popular girl.

A lifetime later, Noah is a single dad to his niece and has his hands full running
the family business. That old crush is the farthest thing from his mind.

Until Shay returns to their hometown and turns his life upside down.

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My Review

In a Jam by Kate Canterbary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Warm, Endearing Small Town Romance

Read “In A Jam” if you like:
✔ M/F contemporary romance
✔ Small town Romance (with harvest festivals and nosy villagers)
✔ Single “dad” (uncle)
✔ Marriage of Convenience
✔ A bit of a slow burn
✔ A sweary-mouthed, pirate-loving, six-year-old niece
✔ A growly, grumpy “Daddy bread baker”
✔ Dual Points of View
✔ Complete standalone

Shay Zucconi is left at the altar. Then she goes on a bit of a bender of re-defining herself: cuts off and dyes her hair, gets a tattoo, sells her clothes, takes a leave from her kindergarten teacher job.

CW/TWs: absentee parent(s), brief mention of parent death, brief mention of parent chronic illness, mention of incarceration, mention of temporary foster care placement, reference to teenage bullying (not detailed, not explicit), incidence of fat shaming, living with a neurodivergent child

Two weeks into her post-jilted excess, she gets a letter regarding the death of her step-grandma, Lollie. It seems that Shay has been left a farm on Rhode Island: Twin Tulip in Friendship. There are a few requirements to meet before Shay can legally own it, however. She must reside on the property fifty percent of the time and she must be married. Shay has a year to meet the requirements. She decides to pack up what’s left of her stuff and move to Rhode Island.

When she arrives, circumstance leads her to Noah Barden and his niece, Gennie. She used to know Noah when she was sixteen but he’s grown up. A LOT. Noah owns a thriving farm near Twin Tulip called Little Star. He used to crush on Shay and has some resentment built up toward her. But the resentment almost melts away in the face of Shay’s kindness.

“The problem with Shay was there was no way to resist her. Even with all the resentment in the world fortifying me, I was defenseless against a few kind words and a sympathetic smile.”

Gennie is an adorable, if sweary kid, who has been through a lot. Noah, her uncle, has permanent guardianship of Gennie. She loves Shay right away and Shay loves Gennie. Shay tells Noah that she will help Gennie pass kindergarten so she doesn’t have to be held back. I loved seeing both Noah and Shay navigate their relationships with Gennie.

Shay notices Noah’s resentment and anger toward her but doesn’t understand why he would feel that way. When Noah hears about the requirements of the will, he offers to marry her. He frames it as a business deal however, with Noah getting land out of the deal and Shay opening a wedding venue business.

It doesn’t take much to break through Noah’s defences. Noah is absolutely pining for Shay and always has been, and when he gets the opportunity to fake date her to chase away an overly enthusiastic admirer, he runs with it.

I love the many contradictions of Noah: his shyness, his grumpiness to cover up the shyness, the bossiness, the helplessness when faced with someone who needs his help. The “Daddy bread baker”appeal of Noah and his embarrassment over it. The clumsy-with-his-words Noah and the way he calls Shay “wife”.

These characters are nuanced, complicated and lovely. The story is compelling and the ending is so so perfect it brought tears to my eyes. When you find out the meaning behind the name of Noah’s farm…it’s glorious. I highly recommend this warm, endearing small town romance.

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

View all my reviews

Meet Kate Canterbary

USA Today Bestseller Kate Canterbary writes smart, steamy contemporary romances loaded with heat, heart, and happy ever afters. Kate lives on the New England coast with her husband and daughter.