Daddy Bread Baker for the Win!

This book! THIS BOOK! I'm still a puddle of mush after finishing it. In a Jam checked so many of my boxes (and some I didn't even know I had)! Noah is my absolute favorite type of hero - the filthy cinnamon roll. He was so incredibly sweet, loving, and tender, but also a beast in the bedroom. His dirty talk was chef's kiss and I'm still not over how incredibly sexy and steamy this book was. Daddy Bread Baker for the win!! The amount of pining was off the charts too and I loved how gone he was for Shay. The "proof" at the end had me swooning so hard. There was some OW/OM drama that I could have done without, but I think it was necessary to see Shay's growth. The secondary characters were hilarious and Gennie stole the show any time she was on the page. There are some heavier moments in the book, but I appreciated how they were explored and addressed. I could not control the happy sigh as I finished this one and I can't recommend it enough!

I had been wanting to read In a Jam for a while, but I kept holding out for the audiobook since I knew it would be narrated by one of my favs - Jason Clarke. It was 1 million percent worth the wait. Hearing him growl and say "wife" sent shivers down my spine. He was the PERFECT Noah and oh my goodness those sexy scenes and his performance had me blushing. Kit Swann was equally wonderful and I loved this narrating duo! Please do yourself a favor and get this one on audio!

Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 5 stars

Tropes: small town, single parent, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, pining, caretaker, second chance-ish, childhood friends to lovers, cinnamon roll hero

CW (from the author's website): 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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Absolutely stunning performances! And THE CUTEST story!

Did I go into this book blind? Yep.
The only thing I knew about it was that so many of my booksta friends were singing its praises and when I saw that the audio was coming out, I knew that I'd have to finally dive in and give it a whirl.

And it was a complete DELIGHT!!

What I loved:
1. Shay and her group of friends are FABULOUS. They are realistic and fun and SO SUPPORTIVE of each other.
2. Noah and Gennie owned my entire heart from the very beginning. The way that Noah was always begrudgingly/lovingly living the life of an everyday hero--saving farms, fixing lives, raising a niece (Gennie), everything about him gave me the best kind of grump-who-has-a-heart-of-gold vibes. And Gennie??? That kid is a RIOT. She's my freaking spirit animal.
3. The way Noah and Shay both had such realistic and amazingly excecuted story arcs. Without spoiling anything, just know that this slowish burn romance was worth the wait and it ended SO PERFECTLY.
4. I read this as an audio book and I'm pretty sure the performances on this book are in the TOP THREE listens of all time for me. Both narrators were SPOT ON with their performances--even the side character voices were well done. And while the book is long, I was enthralled the entire time and listened non-stop.

If you're looking for a book that is adorable AF and will leave your heart squeezing and a grin plastered on your face for hours, give this one a go!

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Hilarious, heartfelt second chance romance!

Oh, little star! In a Jam by Kate Canterbary was a hilarious, heartfelt second-chance romance that had me laughing and swooning from start to finish. The small town of Friendship, RI, along with Little Star Farms and Twin Tulips, has found a special place in my heart! Noah, Shay, and Gennie’s journey to HEA was filled with many humorous twists and spicy slow-burn turns that left my heart deliciously happy!

Kit Swann and Jason Clarke narrate this audiobook, and I love it when these two are paired together. Kit was spot on in capturing Shay’s vulnerable, passionate, and determined persona as she found her inner self-worth and realized her true feelings for Noah. Jason turned on the charm and the swoon with his performance of broody, dedicated, and bossy Noah. (Hello alpha Daddy Bread Baker in the bedroom!) Jason and Kit both gave so much life to little Gennie voicing her with so much fervor and sass! Plus, the slow-burn longing chemistry between Noah and Shay will melt your earbuds!

Overall, I LOVED this book! If you are a fan of a small-town romance with a hot grumpy farmer, a fierce kindhearted teacher, a spunky free-spirited pirate-loving little girl, high school best friends, Little Star Farms, acres of tulips, a marriage of convenience, goat yoga, pirate juice, cow trucks, chicken houses, jam making, farmers markets, forbidden pantry kisses, slow-burn steamy times, love notes, and a HEA that is written in stars, then you will love Noah and Shay’s story. I always look forward to more from Kate Canterbary.

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Loved everything about it!

I always know I will love Kate Canterbary’s books, and this one absolutely ticked all of my boxes - especially with Jason Clarke and Kit Swan narrating. If you are a fan of her books you will enjoy the delightful Easter Eggs from her other series, but they are subtle so newbies wouldn’t miss a thing. Shay definitely has a tough start in this one, but I love how she pulls herself together and has the courage to start over again (even if it starts out as hiding away). She has some deeply seated abandonment trauma and must work through it the hard way. I really enjoyed her friends who helped her put one foot forward and let her lead in her recovery without smothering her. Excellent characters!! Her temporary summer on the farm becomes her salvation in so many ways. Noah is the quiet guy she knew in school who held his love for her close to the vest and never moved beyond the friend zone. He is harboring resentment for her leaving the small town and not looking back. Now they are both back in this small town and he is all grown up, no longer the geeky boy with acne, but now the sexy farmer next door who holds the keys to the future. He is raising his niece, Gennie, who is absolutely brilliantly amazing and wonderful. She is also recovering from trauma and feelings of abandonment and struggling with special needs for education. Shay is the perfect puzzle piece to help her learn and heal. They are so good for each other! It’s a beautiful story of support and healing and learning that it’s okay to be vulnerable and love again. We are all a bit broken and this is a wonderful embodiment of the hope we all need! Kate is so good at making these difficult human conditions come to life on the page in a way you can really feel as the story unfolds. In a Jam is emotional, charming, romantic, and also funny in beautiful ways. I fell in love with this town, this family, and these characters.

Jason Clarke and Kit Swan are simply wonderful together. They are the perfect performers to bring this story to life and I really loved every moment. I will listen to anything they read, especially together. Every subtle inflection, accent, and emotional scene makes them such wonderful choices for this book!!

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6-star book and narration!

Shay Zucconi has just inherited a farm. A tulip farm in the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island, where she spent two of her teenager years with her grand-stepmother. The will stipulates that she has to move there (easy) and that she has be married within a year (hard, as her fiancé has just left her literally in her wedding dress). She wants to save the only "home" she's ever known and apparently there is one person willing to do anything to help her. 
Noah Barden was the shy, fat, pimple ridden kid in high school. He was also Shay's neighbor and her loyal friend. They both vowed to leave Friendship for better things. He went to Yale and became a lawyer. She became a teacher. The last thing he thought would happen to him was to go home again... and that his teenage crush would be back too. She may have left the town but she never left his heart. 
You know that unicorn of a book that comes to you at the perfect time, that has all the things, all the fun, all the steam, all the feels? This is it. I'm legit in love with Noah. He's the cinnamon roll hero that turns into a bona fide alpha when the doors are closed and he's absolutely swoon worthy as the surrogate father to his niece, Gennie. Gennie is the coolest kid EVER, with her "pirate ways" and her swearing! I LOLed a few times! And Shay is so relatable you just want to be her friend. And, she's a teacher ... and plus sized! 
LOVE LOVE!
NARRATION: 
This book had already made my favorites list of 2022 and I didn’t think anything could make it better. I was very very wrong. Noah, Shay and Gennie come to life in the stellar narration by Jason Clarke and Kit Swann.
If you swooned reading Noah call Shay “Wife”, wait until you get hit by Jason’s growly, lovely voice saying that in your ears. *fans self* He’s amazing!
Kit Swann is PERFECT as Shay, showing her vulnerabilities and her longing to belong. Both of them rock as Gennie, the cutest and most foul-mouthed kid EVER!
Do yourself a favor, even if you have already read this gem of a book - listen to it now. You will thank me later! AMAZING!

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This slow burn was soooooo worth the wait

When you inherit a small farm from your step grandmother right after a life altering experience, you don’t have much of a choice…you move to said farm…just as Shay did. But, there are stipulations to this inheritance, so she’s only planning ahead a year, then she’ll have to figure out her next step. When she finds some trucks from the neighboring farm “Little Star Farms”, her next step lands her at the door of an old high school friend. Noah was her best friend in high school when she lived with Grandma Lollie; he sees past the gossip & rumors & takes the time to know the true tortured soul within. But they were both destined for bigger things, so they left town after graduation. And much to Noah’s dismay, they never reconnected…until now. Shay is just as beautiful as she ever was in Noah’s eyes, & Noah…well, he’s changed a bit.

And let me tell you…when the shy, semi-geeky, but now sexy AF god of a man suddenly starts talking dirty to you…but he’s still shy & apologizes after he speaks his mind of what he wants to do with and/or to you…WHEW. I’m like Shay…”more”, I need so much more! I am in no way exaggerating when I tell you that when these two FINALLY came together, it is was friggin explosive!

This story had me literally laughing out loud, then swooning, and then fanning myself from the heat level. Laughing out loud from the mouth & crazy antics of little Gennie. Swooning & fanning because Noah…oh boy…he was something to behold. Shay didn’t stand a chance and I honestly don’t know how she held control for as long as she did. Noah is literally everything. He has a heart of gold…he cherishes & protects the people in his life, he’s willing to help anyone & anything in need, he is a brilliant businessman & boss, and he loves so deeply & completely. He was exactly what Shay needed to see another side of herself. Navigating life hasn’t come easy to her, but Noah was able to be her compass & show her how cherished & amazing she was. Seeing her self worth blossom through this book was beautiful. Same thing with Gennie. That sweet little girl was dealt such a rough hand in life, but fortunately, she had Noah & now Shay.

I loved this read & listen and couldn’t put it down. I received a copy of the audiobook from Home Cooked Books & had to download the ebook so I could highlight all of those glorious laugh out loud moments & swoon moments.

Audiobook Review:
Jason Clarke as Noah was an excellent choice. His Gennie voice was so perfect & brought her to life. Kit Swawwnn drew me in to Shay’s life & made me feel all of the sorrow, pain, second guessing, & elation of Shay’s character.

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Grumpy/Sunshine, hilarious perfection!

“In a Jam” has become hands down my favorite Kate Canterbury book. It had everything I wanted in a story. Grumpy/Sunshine, he fell first, a hilarious kid, undeniable chemistry, and a marriage of convenience that was anything but convenient.

On the day of her wedding, only moments before, her fiance called off the wedding. On top of that, she learned that her step-grandma had left her a tulip farm with a few conditions. Shay heads back to Friendship, Rhode Island. And at the farm next door is her old friend, Noah. Noah has built his old family farm into a thriving business. He’s also caring for his niece, Gennie. After he finds out the terms to the estate, he offers to marry her.

I loved everything about this story. Noah was grumpy perfection and every growly word or alpha moment had me fanning myself. I live for a grumpy MMC and he was just so perfect. He cared so deeply for Gennie and wanted to do everything to help her after all she went through in just the short time the issues with her mom arised. And all the things he did for Shay, swoony worthy. Shay’s struggles were so relatable to me and I connected with her from the prologue. Shay is sweet, caring and genuine with everyone that she meets. Shay and Noah’s chemistry was hot and undeniable. Their past was so sweet and the last few chapters had me happy sighing in complete contentment. Gennie was an absolute riot and had me cracking up so many times that I lost count. I could have read hundreds of pages more about Noah, Shay and Gennie and it wouldn’t have been enough. This book is easily one of my favorites from this year.

Jason Clarke is exactly who I envisioned narrating Noah and he was perfect as the grumpy guy who fell first. Jason’s gruffy voice and his passion for narrating shine through as Noah and I could listen to him all day. Kit Swann was so much fun to listen to as Gennie. She did a great job of bringing her fun and caring personality to life. This will be a relisten for me for sure.

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Single Dad, Marriage of Convenience Romance

4.5 Stars

I've had this one on my TBR for quite some time and I am so glad this was recommended to me for the 12 books in 12 months from 12 friends challenge, forcing me to make it a priority (because my TBR is forever growing and there is not enough time to read all the books). This hit some of my absolute favorite tropes and the story did them well.

Shay inherits a surprise Tulip farm from her step-grandmother, and after being left at the alter, returning there might be the best option she has. There are some caveats if she wants to keep it past a year, like getting married, but that is a future Shay problem. Of course, running into an old friend might make those caveats a little easier. Only, Noah has a bit of a secret, he's been in love with Shay since high school, but he was too shy and too awkward to tell her. Years later he's now running the family farm and raising his niece, adding anything else to his busy life isn't in the cards. But Shay returning home wasn't either. And can he really pass up the chance for another shot with her?

I absolutely love the way the relationship between Noah and Shay developed throughout the book and I love the way Noah tried to fight it in the beginning. And don't even get me started on Gennie. She was a great addition to the story and I love how she was with both Noah and Shay. My only complaint about this one, which is entirely a me thing and should not stop you from checking out this book, was some of the spicy scenes. I didn't love the dirty talk and I didn't love the internal dialogue Shay had around the dirty talk. I don't know if that really makes sense, but it was a small issue for me.

I loved the writing style and I think the story and character were really well developed. Definitely a book I would recommend if you enjoy the following.

✔️ Single Dad/Guardian
✔️ Marriage of Convenience
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔️ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers
✔️ He Falls First
✔️ Unexpected Inheritance
✔️ Small Town
✔️ First Person Dual POV

More Please

A bit ridiculous in all the right ways. First time reading this author and I enjoyed the flow of the story. Started out slow then quickly took off. Would have liked more steamy scenes but that’s just being selfish ; ). Great story I’d listen to again.

Even better than when I read it

I read this book when it came out and I loved it. I listen to a lot of audiobooks, but I very seldom reread or relisten, so I’m not sure what led me to listen to this months after reading it. That said, I’m so glad I did. I think the narrators did an amazing job, especially Jason Clarke—perfect casting. And Kitt Swan was excellent as Shay, even better as Jamie. The performance really added a depth and nuance that isn’t always the case of audio compared to just reading.

Kate Canterbary has such a gift and though this was long, I never felt it was slow. In fact, by the end I was thinking of the side characters and thinking how there are many good candidates for a spin-off.