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sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book. It did not need to be quite as long as it was, I felt a slightly sped up timeline or some editing would’ve benefitted the book. Noah was the perfect mix of sweet and protective grump. I liked that both Noah and Shay were vulnerable and tried to support each other in confronting their insecurities. Gennie was a cute rambunctious kiddo that added a fun dynamic. This book is a bit of a slow burn but is quite spicy once you hit that point in the book. I would recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Death, Bullying, Death of parent, and Abortion
symonnereads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marriage of connivence trope
friends to lovers
single parent
I absolutely adored this story! After being left on her wedding day, Shay packs up moves to the one place that she couldn't wait to get away from.
When a family member dies and leaves Shay a farm, a requirement to live on the farm for a year and show proof of a marriage before she can claim what was left to her, Shay decides that she must go back to the small town of friendship to figure out what she wants in her life. When she arrives she's almost immediately faced with someone from her past and an offer she can't refuse.
Things I loved: both characters in the couple, Gennie, the town, the chemistry between the couple.
Things i wish there was more of: communication on what they were thinking. I wish the characters would've said what they were thinking a bit earlier. I also wished for more flashbacks of them being friends in high school that really nailed in just how close they were. Another thing was I couldn't really necessarily pin down Gennie's age. Her personality and the things she did and said felt contradictory and confused me with her age.
friends to lovers
single parent
I absolutely adored this story! After being left on her wedding day, Shay packs up moves to the one place that she couldn't wait to get away from.
When a family member dies and leaves Shay a farm, a requirement to live on the farm for a year and show proof of a marriage before she can claim what was left to her, Shay decides that she must go back to the small town of friendship to figure out what she wants in her life. When she arrives she's almost immediately faced with someone from her past and an offer she can't refuse.
Things I loved: both characters in the couple, Gennie, the town, the chemistry between the couple.
Things i wish there was more of: communication on what they were thinking. I wish the characters would've said what they were thinking a bit earlier. I also wished for more flashbacks of them being friends in high school that really nailed in just how close they were. Another thing was I couldn't really necessarily pin down Gennie's age. Her personality and the things she did and said felt contradictory and confused me with her age.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Abortion, and Body shaming
thekindredreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
[4.5 Stars] In A Jam is an endearing and sweet romance that instantly became a favorite, and Kate Canterbary did a fantastic job creating the setting, fleshing out the characters, and writing a compelling story. I felt like I was living on a farm in a small-town Rhode Island--even though I live in Alabama.
Here's what I loved:
Funny internal monologues and dialogues.
Kate Canterbary wrote scenes that balanced seriousness and light-hearted, but she also had scenes that were just outright funny, sweet, or hot (the football game scene is one I'll remember for a long time). I laughed a lot while reading In a Jam.
NOAH.
There's not much to say about Noah other than he was pretty close to perfect. His imperfect/perfect parenting of Gennie was an element that gave his character additional depth and emotional gravity. His devotion and pining for Shay make him so freaking adorable (I mean, he named his farm after memories of her!), and that makes him a total book boyfriend.
Body positivity.
I was so happy to read a book that 1.) had a female protagonist that wasn't a stick figure and 2.) focused more on the characters' hearts and personalities than their appearances. Were they both hot? Yes. But it wasn't their sole personality trait.
However, what held me back from giving In a Jam a 5-star rating is that I thought the resolution between Noah and Shay was weak. While I appreciate that there was not a "3rd Act break-up", I thought Noah deserved a better ending. He spent so many years loving Shay while she was completely oblivious, and they didn't have a long enough conversation to talk about his feelings toward her and his motivations for marrying her. Instead, his grand gesture did all the talking, and his feelings are never brought up again.
Overall, In A Jam was a surprisingly salty/bitter/sweet read that I loved from beginning to end, and I hope that all of Kate Canterbary's books are like this because I plan to read them all!
Here's what I loved:
Funny internal monologues and dialogues.
Kate Canterbary wrote scenes that balanced seriousness and light-hearted, but she also had scenes that were just outright funny, sweet, or hot (the football game scene is one I'll remember for a long time). I laughed a lot while reading In a Jam.
NOAH.
There's not much to say about Noah other than he was pretty close to perfect. His imperfect/perfect parenting of Gennie was an element that gave his character additional depth and emotional gravity. His devotion and pining for Shay make him so freaking adorable (I mean, he named his farm after memories of her!), and that makes him a total book boyfriend.
Body positivity.
I was so happy to read a book that 1.) had a female protagonist that wasn't a stick figure and 2.) focused more on the characters' hearts and personalities than their appearances. Were they both hot? Yes. But it wasn't their sole personality trait.
However, what held me back from giving In a Jam a 5-star rating is that I thought the resolution between Noah and Shay was weak. While I appreciate that there was not a "3rd Act break-up", I thought Noah deserved a better ending. He spent so many years loving Shay while she was completely oblivious, and they didn't have a long enough conversation to talk about his feelings toward her and his motivations for marrying her. Instead, his grand gesture did all the talking, and his feelings are never brought up again.
Overall, In A Jam was a surprisingly salty/bitter/sweet read that I loved from beginning to end, and I hope that all of Kate Canterbary's books are like this because I plan to read them all!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
kuroko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gun violence
infjkiki's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Minor: Abortion, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
dawnstrickland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
All the Stars!
I don't know that I can adequately do this story justice, but I am going to do my best. In a Jam is one of my top reads of the year. Shay, Gennie and Noah brought me so much joy. This story gave me all the feels. I laughed and swooned and empathized with these characters through every page.
Shay is a great heroine. She was dealing with a lot of emotional baggage. Her life was spiraling, but her inheritance from her step-grandmother might have been just the bright light she needed. She strived to move forward and refocus her life and her neighbors in Friendship got her going full steam ahead.
Gennie is a precious, fire cracker and Noah's beloved niece. She has been through a lot in her short life. Watching her and Noah navigate their new life together was emotional. My heart ached at times and at other times, I literally laughed out loud.
As always, Kate Canterbary gaves us interesting main and secondary characters that made the story shine. She immersed me in a world I want to visit over and over again. Wonderful chatacter arcs, loyal friends, sharp banter and flirty innuendo kept me engaged.
The thing I absolutely loved most about this book was Noah Barden. The pining in this story was top tier. Noah is a grumbly, delicious cinnamon roll hero. He has had it bad for Shay since high school and his devotion to her knows no bounds. The chemistry in this book burned slow and steady, but once it ignited it was a 5 alarm blaze. Noah's gruff, shy personality was a wonderful contrast to his "beast in the sheets" transformation. And I nearly combusted! He worships Shay with his body and his actions. The "proof" of his love for Shay was next level and took me straight to swoon city.
I don't know that I can adequately do this story justice, but I am going to do my best. In a Jam is one of my top reads of the year. Shay, Gennie and Noah brought me so much joy. This story gave me all the feels. I laughed and swooned and empathized with these characters through every page.
Shay is a great heroine. She was dealing with a lot of emotional baggage. Her life was spiraling, but her inheritance from her step-grandmother might have been just the bright light she needed. She strived to move forward and refocus her life and her neighbors in Friendship got her going full steam ahead.
Gennie is a precious, fire cracker and Noah's beloved niece. She has been through a lot in her short life. Watching her and Noah navigate their new life together was emotional. My heart ached at times and at other times, I literally laughed out loud.
As always, Kate Canterbary gaves us interesting main and secondary characters that made the story shine. She immersed me in a world I want to visit over and over again. Wonderful chatacter arcs, loyal friends, sharp banter and flirty innuendo kept me engaged.
The thing I absolutely loved most about this book was Noah Barden. The pining in this story was top tier. Noah is a grumbly, delicious cinnamon roll hero. He has had it bad for Shay since high school and his devotion to her knows no bounds. The chemistry in this book burned slow and steady, but once it ignited it was a 5 alarm blaze. Noah's gruff, shy personality was a wonderful contrast to his "beast in the sheets" transformation. And I nearly combusted! He worships Shay with his body and his actions. The "proof" of his love for Shay was next level and took me straight to swoon city.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Abandonment
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Abandonment and Death of parent
forgottencupoftea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, and Abortion
chrisljm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
very sweet
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Eating disorder, Grief, Medical content, Physical abuse, Addiction, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion, Car accident, Infidelity, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Murder
restyourbones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Okay, so I loved this book... BUT all I saw on social media was how steamy and filthy the sex in this book was. There was ONE full sex scene. ONE 🙃 Was it hot? Yes. But nowhere near close to other stuff I've read.
This is where I wish there was a universal steam scale, that was based on how many fully descriptive sex scenes there are in a book. And then a lil separate scale for kink, with different levels. PLEASE.
OKAY, BACK TO HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE REST OF THE BOOK! Gennie was hilarious and that's coming from someone who doesn't like when kids are prominently featured in books.
NOAH BARDEN, AKA JAM MAN, IS EVERYTHING. Oof, that man is swoon. I'm weak when a man falls for the leading lady first.
Also Kate is just an expert at interconnecting her book worlds! It's so nice to get lil updates on characters from previous books you've loved.Though I wish we got to see Lauren finding out who Jam Man really is and seeing him with Shay (one of her ex-teachers) and finding out they were connected all along.
This is where I wish there was a universal steam scale, that was based on how many fully descriptive sex scenes there are in a book. And then a lil separate scale for kink, with different levels. PLEASE.
OKAY, BACK TO HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE REST OF THE BOOK! Gennie was hilarious and that's coming from someone who doesn't like when kids are prominently featured in books.
NOAH BARDEN, AKA JAM MAN, IS EVERYTHING. Oof, that man is swoon. I'm weak when a man falls for the leading lady first.
Also Kate is just an expert at interconnecting her book worlds! It's so nice to get lil updates on characters from previous books you've loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment