ABOUT THE BOOK

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 and turns his life upside down.

MY REVIEW

He’s a grumpy, shy, filthy-mouthed lawyer/farmer and she’s a cute, lost, clueless teacher who can’t see a keeper when he’s right in front of her face. Add in a precocious and foul-mouthed 6-year girl and you get a delightful, feel-good, slow-build, second-chance romance that I couldn’t put down.

I couldn’t get enough of Noah and Shay as they reunite in the cozy town of Friendship, Rhode Island where they met as teenagers and became good friends. Noah was the shy, overweight, acne-prone boy and Shay was the new troubled girl from out of town who just wanted someone to care about her. Unbeknownst to Shay, Noah falls head over heels for her, and then she leaves town after graduation thinking she had nothing to stay for in Friendship.

Forward to several years later where Shay is a jilted bride and Noah is an adoptive father to his niece Gennie. Shay comes back to Friendship a broken woman who has inherited her Grandma Lollie’s tulip farm with two requirements. She must stay on the farm for 50 percent of the year and she must marry within that year to fully inherit the farm. And who comes to her rescue? Her new neighbor, Noah. The one man who hasn’t stopped loving this woman since high school. The man who left his life as a big-time lawyer to run his father’s many farms and take care of an active child.

I love Noah’s grumpiness as he tries to stay away from Shay as he fights his feelings for her. He’s angry she left Friendship so long ago and never came back. But she’s here now and his shyness and grumpiness do not run her off. In fact, she finds it fascinating and teases him so he blushes. Little did she know he has a hot, sexy, filthy-talking man under all that standoffish persona. Yummy! When Shay tells him Lollie’s directives he asks her to marry him so he can buy the property from her when she leaves. But what has he done? He needs to keep away from the only woman he has loved because his heart can’t take losing her again. Until Shay takes her vows literally as she saves Noah from one of many women who has set her eyes on him. Holding hands, kissing, and hot dirty sex are in store for these two and it’s well worth waiting for. Shay’s abandonment issues are strong and Noah’s communication skills are lacking so when Noah proves his love for her, it’s magical and so satisfying.

Let’s not forget Shay’s feisty girlfriends who approve of Noah wholeheartedly and Noah’s curious farmhands who are the closest friends he has. But the character that steals the show is Gennie who loves pirates, dogs, and goats, but not chickens. It’s her unruliness and foul language that are hilarious as she makes her feelings clear and helps bring Noah and Shay together.

Pick up this delightful book, it will melt your heart and make you chuckle with the unforgettable characters and a lovely rural setting.

Thank you to Ms. Canterbary for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectations of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestseller Kate Canterbary writes smart, steamy contemporary romances loaded with heat, heart, and happy ever afters. Kate lives on the New England coast with her husband and daughter.

Follow Kate on her website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, Pinterest, and newsletter.

 

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