Shay Zucconi is at a dead end. She’s just been dumped, she’s jobless, and her grandmother’s will has a bizarre stipulation: to inherit the family tulip farm in Friendship, Rhode Island, Shay has to live there for a year and get married.

Noah is the ultimate "stern brunch" hero. He’s practical, slightly overwhelmed by fatherhood, and deeply devoted. Shay is resilient and witty, making their banter feel sharp and earned rather than sugary.

Enter Noah Barrows: a grumpier-than-average widower, a single dad, and Shay’s former childhood bully/friend. To save the farm, they enter into a marriage of convenience that—shocker—becomes anything but convenient. Why It Works

by Kate Canterbary is a heavy-hitter in the "small-town romance" genre, delivering a perfect mix of dry humor, deep emotional stakes, and high-heat chemistry. The Premise

Noah’s daughter, Gennie, is one of the best-written kids in contemporary romance. She isn’t just a prop; she has a distinct, precocious personality that adds genuine heart (and humor) to the story.

The setting feels like a character itself—vibrant, quirky, and filled with the kind of nosy neighbors that make small-town tropes so addictive.

Canterbary is a master of tension. The transition from "fake" to "real" is paced beautifully, focusing on how they integrate into each other's daily lives before the physical payoff.

In A Jam By Kate Canterbary Apr 2026

Shay Zucconi is at a dead end. She’s just been dumped, she’s jobless, and her grandmother’s will has a bizarre stipulation: to inherit the family tulip farm in Friendship, Rhode Island, Shay has to live there for a year and get married.

Noah is the ultimate "stern brunch" hero. He’s practical, slightly overwhelmed by fatherhood, and deeply devoted. Shay is resilient and witty, making their banter feel sharp and earned rather than sugary. In a Jam by Kate Canterbary

Enter Noah Barrows: a grumpier-than-average widower, a single dad, and Shay’s former childhood bully/friend. To save the farm, they enter into a marriage of convenience that—shocker—becomes anything but convenient. Why It Works Shay Zucconi is at a dead end

by Kate Canterbary is a heavy-hitter in the "small-town romance" genre, delivering a perfect mix of dry humor, deep emotional stakes, and high-heat chemistry. The Premise To save the farm, they enter into a

Noah’s daughter, Gennie, is one of the best-written kids in contemporary romance. She isn’t just a prop; she has a distinct, precocious personality that adds genuine heart (and humor) to the story.

The setting feels like a character itself—vibrant, quirky, and filled with the kind of nosy neighbors that make small-town tropes so addictive.

Canterbary is a master of tension. The transition from "fake" to "real" is paced beautifully, focusing on how they integrate into each other's daily lives before the physical payoff.