Audiobook Review: In a Jam by Kate Canterbary

I received this book for free from Home Cooked Books Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In a Jam by Kate Canterbary
Narrator: Jason Clarke, Kit Swann
Published by One Night Stand Productions on January 31, 2023
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance, Adult Romantic Comedy
Length: 15:54
Source: Home Cooked Books Tours
Format: Audiobook
My Rating:
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Blurb:

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

My Review

Oh my gosh, I totally adored this one! First of all there was Noah’s niece Gennie. Her foul mouth was so shocking at first, but so hilarious by the end. Even as she learned to tone it down. Reminded me a lot of the little boy in the series by Tara Sivec. I was laughing at Gennie’s hilarious comments and thoughts, especially those about the chickens, lol. There were so many great characters besides the main ones, but I have to talk about the main couple first of course!

While I did get a bit irritated with Shay towards the end in how she kept thinking that she had “forced” Noah into choosing a relationship with her, I got it. And I like the way the author didn’t make that the actual big climax event, even if it was part of it. But reading/listening to her and her reasons for why she felt the way she did was really great. It honestly even made me think about some of my own stories I am writing, and made me realize I need to go a little deeper with some of the characters’ back stories, because this was really good.

And then there was Noah. Sigh, fanning myself. I want my own Daddy Bread Baker, as Shay’s friend Jamie called him, lol. A tall, bearded, quiet, yet take control kind of guy, in the bedroom, and to take care of his woman. The bedroom, or a few other locations, scenes were soooooooo hot! And what he had for his proof at the end? And what Shay learned from that proof? Loved it.

All Noah’s friends were great on the farm. Shay’s friends were great. Different things that were mentioned about how exhausting the beginning of the school year is for teachers, so so true! The townspeople and how they talked to and about Noah were annoying and made me angry, exactly how they should have. And then there was Shay’s ex, when he showed up again. Just wanted to smack him so hard! We had a few events that ramped up the tension, I won’t say what they were, don’t want to give them away.

But yes, I loved this one so much! I’ve read other books by this author in the past, but it has been a while. And now I’m definitely on track to get back to reading more by her!

And finally, the narrators were great, they definitely added to this story and make it one that is worth listening to for sure!

About the Author

Kate Canterbary doesn’t have it all figured out, but this is what she knows for sure: spicy-ass salsa and tequila solve most problems, living on the ocean–Pacific or Atlantic–is the closest place to perfection, and writing smart, smutty stories is a better than any amount of chocolate. She started out reporting for an indie arts and entertainment newspaper back when people still read newspapers, and she has been writing and surreptitiously interviewing people—be careful sitting down next to her on an airplane—ever since. Kate lives on the water in New England with Mr. Canterbary and the Little Baby Canterbary, and when she isn’t writing sexy architects, she’s scheduling her days around the region’s best food trucks. 

To get in touch with Kate, please email (kcanterbary@gmail.com) or find her on Facebook or Twitter.

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