Synopsis
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.
CW/TW: 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 teasing/bullying (not detailed, not explicit), brief incidence of fat-shaming, living with a neurodivergent child
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Review
Is it too early to call my favorite read of 2023? If not, I’m calling it now; In a Jam is my favorite read of 2023.
I am hard in my small-town romance era, and this book hit just the right spot. I liked Shay, she was a bit of a typical rom-com heroine, but I absolutely loved Noah. Noah is book husband material! And I am so happy to report this was dual POV because I needed Daddy Bread Baker’s POV. Noah is a grumpy, broody dirty talking, beast and I was unbelievably here for it,
I loved the story of Shay returning home and the fake marriage of Noah and Shay. Noah’s longstanding unrequited love for Shay was probably my favorite part. There were so many adorable reveals at the end of this book my heart was
Other than Noah, my favorite character was Gennie. Noah certainly had his hands full with her. She was great comedic relief, and I won’t soon forget how big those tapioca balls are sometimes.
Jason Clarke is perfect, as grumpy Noah and Kit Swan did a great job reading Shay’s chapters. The emotions these two conveyed, I can’t get over it.
I loved this book, and if you haven’t read it yet, you must!
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