Friendship, Rhode Island Series by Kate Canterbary

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... moreWhen 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. less

His best friend’s little sister is not an option. No one ever accused Beckett Loew of being the nice Loew brother, especially not Sunny duJardin. Stuck back home in the quirky town of Friendship, Rhode Island, Beckett is scrambling to save his family’s oyster bar and take care of his teenage brother. He doesn’t have time to deal with the beautiful, sunshine-y owner of the new vegan cafe next door too... moreHis best friend’s little sister is not an option. No one ever accused Beckett Loew of being the nice Loew brother, especially not Sunny duJardin. Stuck back home in the quirky town of Friendship, Rhode Island, Beckett is scrambling to save his family’s oyster bar and take care of his teenage brother. He doesn’t have time to deal with the beautiful, sunshine-y owner of the new vegan cafe next door too. His best friend’s little sister may be all grown up, but Sunny’s still a distracting pain in his side. No one expects much from Sunny duJardin, especially not Beckett Loew. She’s not worried about her older brother’s tall, dark, and broody best friend or battles he insists on waging with her everyday. She's not the same kid he teased years ago. Now, she composts his type for breakfast. They’re all wrong for each other. Bitter rivals. Complete opposites. Off limits. Except they can’t keep their hands off each other. They tell themselves it’s nothing more than a steamy summer fling until secrets spill and real trouble comes their way. CW: chronic illness (epilepsy), mention of childhood bullying, putting the fun in dysfunctional families, parents who turn into accidental criminals, incarceration, open door spice, suspense and moments of peril, happily ever after, no cliffhanger. less

What’s better than a revenge date? A revenge husband. Pro quarterback Ryan Ralston has always known two things. First, he’s desperately in love with his best friend Emme Ahlborg. Second–and most importantly–he still has no idea how to tell her. The marriage pact they made in their senior yearbook was the closest he ever came. Years passed and Emme forgot about their promise. Ryan never did, especially not on his thirtieth birthday. Emme can’t catch a break... moreWhat’s better than a revenge date? A revenge husband. Pro quarterback Ryan Ralston has always known two things. First, he’s desperately in love with his best friend Emme Ahlborg. Second–and most importantly–he still has no idea how to tell her. The marriage pact they made in their senior yearbook was the closest he ever came. Years passed and Emme forgot about their promise. Ryan never did, especially not on his thirtieth birthday. Emme can’t catch a break. Always unlucky in love, her cheating ex is a groomsman in her best friend’s wedding—and there’s no way she’s showing up alone. Ryan offers her the one thing better than a wedding date: a revenge husband. And he’s not just any fake husband but the NFL’s brightest star…and in need of serious reputation rehab. Playing the part of the happy couple comes easy and soon enough, the lines between real and fake blur. They disappear altogether when there’s just one bed. All Ryan has to do is save Emme from her ex, find her step-sister an internship, and get his wife to fall in love with him—or fumble the one thing he’s ever wanted:. her heart. Content Notes: incidences and discussion of infidelity, incidence of body shaming, parental estrangement, parental divorce, brief mention of parental death (ALS), chronic illness (main character--endometriosis). less

The last time Audrey Saunders saw Jude Bellessi, he begged her to ditch her wedding and run off with him. She said no. In her defense, she was already in the dress. Years later—divorced and done with relationships—Audrey runs right into the one man she never managed to forget. Except Jude isn’t the rebellious bad boy she remembers. Now Jude's an aerospace engineer, a fiercely protective single dad…and, apparently, her fiancé. At least that’s the story he spun for his sick mother... moreThe last time Audrey Saunders saw Jude Bellessi, he begged her to ditch her wedding and run off with him. She said no. In her defense, she was already in the dress. Years later—divorced and done with relationships—Audrey runs right into the one man she never managed to forget. Except Jude isn’t the rebellious bad boy she remembers. Now Jude's an aerospace engineer, a fiercely protective single dad…and, apparently, her fiancé. At least that’s the story he spun for his sick mother. When Jude asks her to play along for the summer, Audrey knows better. She really does. But unfinished business is a powerful thing—and so is the pull of the boy who once held her whole heart. Besides, how much damage can one summer vacation with the biggest mistake of her life really do? Answer: epic. Catastrophe looks a lot like a mother‑in‑law in turbo wedding‑planner mode, a preschooler who doesn’t miss a beat, and a suspiciously high number of hotel rooms with just one bed. So why does lying about forever feel like the first honest thing she's done in years? less