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The Loew Brothers #1
Shucked
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. 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.
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.
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2023
About the author
Kate Canterbary
47 books4,972 followersUSA 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.
To get in touch with Kate, please email kate@katecanterbary.com
To get in touch with Kate, please email kate@katecanterbary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 903 reviews
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September 4, 2023even trying to picture the hero in this book as Carmy from the Bear wasn't enough to redeem this book. i adored In a Jam by this author but good lord the "banter" between hero and heroine was irritating in this one.
i'm really over the insufferable dick hero thing
i'm really over the insufferable dick hero thing
June 8, 2024
★3 shucking stars
✎𓂃 “Not a minute goes by that I am not painfully aware of everything you do, right down to the way you knot your skirts like you’re just waiting for me to come over here and unravel you. No one fucking day, Sunny.”
Can confirm, our FMC was thoroughly shucked 🦪😏
☆What to Expect:
Sunny and her three best friends have just taken over the old bait shop in Friendship, RI, transforming it into Naughty Provisions–a vegan cafe/bookshop/community gathering spot. After years of traveling the world and experiencing all the things, she’s excited to be home with her friends in the here and now. Only problem?? Her brother’s childhood best friend is back home as well, taking over the management of his family’s oyster bar…directly across the way. And he has a bone to pick with her about her flower pots on his property 🤭
🦪 Enemies to lovers
🦪 MMC is the FMC’s brother’s best friend
🦪 8 year age gap
🦪 FMC has epilepsy
🦪 Grumpy sunshine
🦪 He falls first
🦪 Neighbor workplace romance
🦪 Small town community
🦪 Explicit spicy spice
🦪 FMC is a semi virgin in that she believes the D does nothing for her based off of two bad experiences (lol girl just you wait)
🦪 All the humor
🦪 Family drama + hints of a mystery
🦪 Third act lull, not entirely a breakup
☆My Thoughts:
Holy shuck!! This trope-full rom com was super cute and everything I needed at the time I read it. I found myself laughing throughout the entire thing–the side characters really make this book. The MCs live in a cute harbor town called Friendship (ofc bc everyone and their mothers who live there are friends), and both own food establishments, which is what I really came here for as a massive foodie myself 👩🏻🍳 Clever to make one of the restaurants an oyster bar *cough cough aphrodisiac anyone???*
⋆₊⊹⁀➴ Sunny du Jardin, aka our sunshiny “storm cloud” ☀️. Our girl just wants to live people!! Yes she has epilepsy, but she has so many protections in place to aid her in the event of a seizure, she doesn’t need hoverboard parents on top of it. And. She’s. A. Grown. Ass. Adult. But I loved seeing my short queen, who already knows who she is and is just fine on her own thank you very much, push our MMC to his best possible self (even if it was for her own sadistic gain).
⋆₊⊹⁀➴ Beckett Loew, our unhinged, grumpy king 😈. He’s a classic gazillionaire who feels the need to fix everything, especially with money. Bc money solves all problems, right??? Lol no sir, not when it comes to Sunny, your best friend’s sister who has embedded herself under your skin. He just wants to be around her all the time, be there for her in any way he can, in any capacity she’ll let him 🥹
Sunny helps him realize what he actually needs in life, and he loves every second she badgers him about his neanderthal ways. In turn, he shows her the RIGHT D is what she’s been missing ayooo 😉 No but fr, the smut was SMUTTING. Imma need all men to take a page from Beckett's book: he brings Sunny's romance novels into the bedroom and she READS TO HIM and HE ENACTS IT 😮💨😮💨😮💨
What lowered my rating on this book is that it felt too long. 400+ pages of a rom com means lots of dialogue, drawn-out scenarios, and unnecessary info dumping. It took a while to get to the spicy meat and potatoes, some aspects seemed unrealistically cheesy, and the MCs banter felt over-the-top. There’s a thin line between flirty badgering and straight-up annoying/borderline hate talk, which felt more on the latter side of the scale often. The overall conflict with Loew’s parents was never resolved, which must mean a book 2 or 3 overlap.
I mean, if the next book’s MMC is as shuckingly hot as Beckett, I won’t be upset about continuing the series ���
☆Quotes:
✎𓂃“I read an article that said drinking pineapple juice makes your semen taste better but I don’t think that’s true because I drank a ton of pineapple juice and the person I was dating said he wanted to focus on himself this summer.”
✎𓂃“How about the time when he asked me to watch him roll up his sleeves, which we all knew to be the official mating dance of the modern male.”
✎𓂃“If you have any real intention of going home tonight, I suggest you do it now. I’m about thirty seconds away from keeping you.”
✎𓂃“You’re calling out to the heavens, but I’m the one in need of deliverance.”
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
Oooooouuuuuuu I want me a man who owns an oyster bar 👀🦪😍
✎𓂃 “Not a minute goes by that I am not painfully aware of everything you do, right down to the way you knot your skirts like you’re just waiting for me to come over here and unravel you. No one fucking day, Sunny.”
Can confirm, our FMC was thoroughly shucked 🦪😏
☆What to Expect:
Sunny and her three best friends have just taken over the old bait shop in Friendship, RI, transforming it into Naughty Provisions–a vegan cafe/bookshop/community gathering spot. After years of traveling the world and experiencing all the things, she’s excited to be home with her friends in the here and now. Only problem?? Her brother’s childhood best friend is back home as well, taking over the management of his family’s oyster bar…directly across the way. And he has a bone to pick with her about her flower pots on his property 🤭
🦪 Enemies to lovers
🦪 MMC is the FMC’s brother’s best friend
🦪 8 year age gap
🦪 FMC has epilepsy
🦪 Grumpy sunshine
🦪 He falls first
🦪 Neighbor workplace romance
🦪 Small town community
🦪 Explicit spicy spice
🦪 FMC is a semi virgin in that she believes the D does nothing for her based off of two bad experiences (lol girl just you wait)
🦪 All the humor
🦪 Family drama + hints of a mystery
🦪 Third act lull, not entirely a breakup
☆My Thoughts:
Holy shuck!! This trope-full rom com was super cute and everything I needed at the time I read it. I found myself laughing throughout the entire thing–the side characters really make this book. The MCs live in a cute harbor town called Friendship (ofc bc everyone and their mothers who live there are friends), and both own food establishments, which is what I really came here for as a massive foodie myself 👩🏻🍳 Clever to make one of the restaurants an oyster bar *cough cough aphrodisiac anyone???*
✎𓂃“We are talking about oysters. In the best of lights, they are briny, slurpy vaginas on a plate.”
⋆₊⊹⁀➴ Sunny du Jardin, aka our sunshiny “storm cloud” ☀️. Our girl just wants to live people!! Yes she has epilepsy, but she has so many protections in place to aid her in the event of a seizure, she doesn’t need hoverboard parents on top of it. And. She’s. A. Grown. Ass. Adult. But I loved seeing my short queen, who already knows who she is and is just fine on her own thank you very much, push our MMC to his best possible self (even if it was for her own sadistic gain).
✎𓂃“I love everything about you, even the sadistic way you drive me mad, and as long as I get you, nothing else matters.”
⋆₊⊹⁀➴ Beckett Loew, our unhinged, grumpy king 😈. He’s a classic gazillionaire who feels the need to fix everything, especially with money. Bc money solves all problems, right??? Lol no sir, not when it comes to Sunny, your best friend’s sister who has embedded herself under your skin. He just wants to be around her all the time, be there for her in any way he can, in any capacity she’ll let him 🥹
✎𓂃“I want to hear about everywhere you’ve been and everything you’ve done, and all the places you want to go and things you want to do. I want to sit across from you knowing that everyone else in the world wants to be near you, wants your attention, and I was the one who got it for these short hours.”
Sunny helps him realize what he actually needs in life, and he loves every second she badgers him about his neanderthal ways. In turn, he shows her the RIGHT D is what she’s been missing ayooo 😉 No but fr, the smut was SMUTTING. Imma need all men to take a page from Beckett's book: he brings Sunny's romance novels into the bedroom and she READS TO HIM and HE ENACTS IT 😮💨😮💨😮💨
What lowered my rating on this book is that it felt too long. 400+ pages of a rom com means lots of dialogue, drawn-out scenarios, and unnecessary info dumping. It took a while to get to the spicy meat and potatoes, some aspects seemed unrealistically cheesy, and the MCs banter felt over-the-top. There’s a thin line between flirty badgering and straight-up annoying/borderline hate talk, which felt more on the latter side of the scale often. The overall conflict with Loew’s parents was never resolved, which must mean a book 2 or 3 overlap.
I mean, if the next book’s MMC is as shuckingly hot as Beckett, I won’t be upset about continuing the series ���
☆Quotes:
✎𓂃“I read an article that said drinking pineapple juice makes your semen taste better but I don’t think that’s true because I drank a ton of pineapple juice and the person I was dating said he wanted to focus on himself this summer.”
✎𓂃“How about the time when he asked me to watch him roll up his sleeves, which we all knew to be the official mating dance of the modern male.”
✎𓂃“If you have any real intention of going home tonight, I suggest you do it now. I’m about thirty seconds away from keeping you.”
✎𓂃“You’re calling out to the heavens, but I’m the one in need of deliverance.”
* ゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜*
Pre-review:
Oooooouuuuuuu I want me a man who owns an oyster bar 👀🦪😍
October 10, 2023
4 I Really Wasn't Allowed To Want It Stars ⭐
He's a prick and she's had enough. The animosity leads back to their teens, and years apart hasn't changed the dynamics. Instead it's more volatile than ever. Now Beckett and Sunny share a communal carpark. Oh it's on!
My life, it really was an endless series of getting fucked in new and unsatisfying ways. No end. No stopping point. Not even a lull in the action where I could contemplate throwing myself off a cliff simply to avoid the next round of fuckery.
While Beckett's been away, the sister of his best friend has flourished in his absence. Sunny is beautiful, kind and successful. And she loathes Beckett, and rightfully so. Just his return is proof that asinine tendencies do not go away with age.
God, this girl hated me. Which was excellent, considering my immediate reaction to her was complete depravity.
From the first interaction, it's fireworks. How these two are supposed to coexist is anyone's guess, and that's not drawing any attention to their obvious attraction. Admittedly, Beckett was fucking annoying and a total man child. Yet somehow this author gradually turned it around.
I could go on about the story (which is no surprise that it was great) but can I instead rave about how bloody awesome this author is? She writes the BEST Rom Coms in my opinion. Witty dialogue, men who need their gonads kicked in and woman who do not refrain!
Smart woman with big hearts who somehow tame these idiotic men. Shucked was no different. Fantastic enemies to lovers who just need to feck it out. This book would have been perfect except it was a little too drawn out. I'm an impatient reader for godsakes!! 😬
He's a prick and she's had enough. The animosity leads back to their teens, and years apart hasn't changed the dynamics. Instead it's more volatile than ever. Now Beckett and Sunny share a communal carpark. Oh it's on!
My life, it really was an endless series of getting fucked in new and unsatisfying ways. No end. No stopping point. Not even a lull in the action where I could contemplate throwing myself off a cliff simply to avoid the next round of fuckery.
While Beckett's been away, the sister of his best friend has flourished in his absence. Sunny is beautiful, kind and successful. And she loathes Beckett, and rightfully so. Just his return is proof that asinine tendencies do not go away with age.
God, this girl hated me. Which was excellent, considering my immediate reaction to her was complete depravity.
From the first interaction, it's fireworks. How these two are supposed to coexist is anyone's guess, and that's not drawing any attention to their obvious attraction. Admittedly, Beckett was fucking annoying and a total man child. Yet somehow this author gradually turned it around.
I could go on about the story (which is no surprise that it was great) but can I instead rave about how bloody awesome this author is? She writes the BEST Rom Coms in my opinion. Witty dialogue, men who need their gonads kicked in and woman who do not refrain!
Smart woman with big hearts who somehow tame these idiotic men. Shucked was no different. Fantastic enemies to lovers who just need to feck it out. This book would have been perfect except it was a little too drawn out. I'm an impatient reader for godsakes!! 😬
September 19, 2023
beckett loew is to die for and i’m (again) jealous.
Read
December 9, 2023Dnf at 19%, this is so boring…
August 23, 2023
It was so great to be back in one of my fav fictional small towns 🫶
Shucked follows Sunny, a Friendship, RI native, moving back home to open up a vegan cafe, and Beckett, a grumpy finance guy moving back home to clean up his parents’ mess and run the oyster bar—which happens to be right next to Sunny’s cafe. What follows is true Friendship chaos with all the small town feelings In a Jam gave me.
The two of them H A T E each other. There’s some history between them because Beckett is Sunny’s older brother’s best childhood friend. And the two of them tormented her so hard when they were growing up and she may have held a teeeeny grudge (rightfully so imo).
This book is a slow burn in the best possible way. Sunny is hysterical, independent, and maybe a little accident prone. Beckett’s acts of service and minions on speed dial was perfect. I loved reading about all the things he did for Sunny even while “hating” her.
Thank you sm Kate for an arc! I can’t wait for Decker’s book!!
Read if you like
✨ small town romance
✨ hate to love/enemies to lovers
✨ strong female friendships
✨ chaotic side characters
✨ grumpy mmcs
Shucked follows Sunny, a Friendship, RI native, moving back home to open up a vegan cafe, and Beckett, a grumpy finance guy moving back home to clean up his parents’ mess and run the oyster bar—which happens to be right next to Sunny’s cafe. What follows is true Friendship chaos with all the small town feelings In a Jam gave me.
The two of them H A T E each other. There’s some history between them because Beckett is Sunny’s older brother’s best childhood friend. And the two of them tormented her so hard when they were growing up and she may have held a teeeeny grudge (rightfully so imo).
This book is a slow burn in the best possible way. Sunny is hysterical, independent, and maybe a little accident prone. Beckett’s acts of service and minions on speed dial was perfect. I loved reading about all the things he did for Sunny even while “hating” her.
Thank you sm Kate for an arc! I can’t wait for Decker’s book!!
Read if you like
✨ small town romance
✨ hate to love/enemies to lovers
✨ strong female friendships
✨ chaotic side characters
✨ grumpy mmcs
Read
September 15, 2023Dnf I wanted to read this because I loved In a Jam but I couldn’t get into it early on. The banter threw me off and it had way too many side characters for me to keep up with. 😭
August 25, 2023
i'm biased because this is set in rhode island and that's an automatic win for me but kate's heroes are just so dreamy!!!!
beck is used to putting out fires for everyone in his life and when his absent-minded parents find themselves embroiled in an embezzlement scam, he's back in their small town to run things while they're away. to make matters more complicated, the woo-woo business owner who opened up a cafe next door and wears skirts that drive him out of his mind is... his best friend's sister.
there was *A LOT* going on with this story but it was a really good read. so many fun, quirky characters to fall in love with and the banter was great. beck is just perfection. he's grumpy but secretly the biggest softy who does anything for the people he cares about which is basically everyone. he was so hot!!!! and rich. and has a thing for taking care of her which i have a thing for so it was perfect.
sunny was a really good heroine and i loved reading about her life with epilepsy (which opened up so many overbearing protective moments which we looooove). there was even a little suspense thrown in which is my fave.
i imagine some of the plot points like the legal issues with his parents will get fleshed out in the other brothers' books but there was a lot going on and that not getting resolved was a bit of a bummer.
beck is used to putting out fires for everyone in his life and when his absent-minded parents find themselves embroiled in an embezzlement scam, he's back in their small town to run things while they're away. to make matters more complicated, the woo-woo business owner who opened up a cafe next door and wears skirts that drive him out of his mind is... his best friend's sister.
there was *A LOT* going on with this story but it was a really good read. so many fun, quirky characters to fall in love with and the banter was great. beck is just perfection. he's grumpy but secretly the biggest softy who does anything for the people he cares about which is basically everyone. he was so hot!!!! and rich. and has a thing for taking care of her which i have a thing for so it was perfect.
sunny was a really good heroine and i loved reading about her life with epilepsy (which opened up so many overbearing protective moments which we looooove). there was even a little suspense thrown in which is my fave.
i imagine some of the plot points like the legal issues with his parents will get fleshed out in the other brothers' books but there was a lot going on and that not getting resolved was a bit of a bummer.
August 28, 2023
Friendship is such a quirky and fun town and I'm glad the author chose to continue writing in it. Shucked started off a bit slow for me, but hit its stride and sucked me in. I once again loved the H, Beckett, more than the h, Sunny, though. Beckett was a fixer and I relate to that in a major way. He came off as grumpy and the opposite of warm and fuzzy, but his heart and the acts that he did for others spoke to the caring nature he had. Sunny was more overtly caring, to everyone but Beckett, because he is her brother's best friend and there's some childhood trauma that she hung on to for a while and colored her perceptions of his adult actions. Plus, Beckett just loved pushing Sunny's buttons to get a reaction. I enjoyed how they sparked off each other, but I struggled to love Sunny for some reason. This is a slow burn because of their past and the antagonistic nature of their earlier run-ins. When their sparks turned to more romance though, they certainly lit up the pages. In addition to the romantic tension, there are a couple of side plots happening that mean drama for the main characters. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (some minor jealousy moments) and neither were virgins (H's history wasn't detailed but he had been with someone more recently and h had thought she might be asexual so had more limited experience).
I loved the epilepsy representation with Sunny's journey in managing her illness. I loved the inclusion of service dogs, not just because there were dogs, but the scenes of them helping her as well. Poor Sunny had been smothered and limited in many ways and seeing her succeed with her business was awesome. Once Beckett started supporting her, I ate up any scenes of him jumping in to help or caring for her when she wasn't well. Beckett was always the one saving others and having to drop everything, but he also struggled with being vulnerable and communicating his own needs and emotions. Sunny pushes him to do that (sometimes in ways I didn't really agree with) and it was so awkwardly sweet witnessing him grow. This is a steamy romance eventually with a few explicit scenes. I didn't love how Sunny's inexperience played out in relation to how she reacted to Beckett, but I love the way this author writes spice so there's that.
The supporting characters were crucial throughout the book from Sunny's partners to her family to Beckett's family to his restaurant staff to all the people in the small town popping in and out. So many names and roles, I felt like this insight into Friendship was even more focused on the small town aspect than In a Jam was. But we also got to see Noah and Shay from that book and I loved it because any scenes with Noah are an automatic yes from me!
There is no third act breakup, but there is a third act "you need space" moment that made sense, but I was still not a fan of. I thought both main characters had their heads in the wrong place personally. More family drama and a surprise conflict also pop up and I was surprised! But Sunny and Beckett are in love and with each other and HFN at the end of the book, in a really great place, even though some family drama is still hanging out there. However, I really, really, really recommend reading the bonus epilogue because my friends, it was amazing and left me with all the happy heart eyes that I needed for the HEA. It's adorable and sweet and romantic.
I loved the epilepsy representation with Sunny's journey in managing her illness. I loved the inclusion of service dogs, not just because there were dogs, but the scenes of them helping her as well. Poor Sunny had been smothered and limited in many ways and seeing her succeed with her business was awesome. Once Beckett started supporting her, I ate up any scenes of him jumping in to help or caring for her when she wasn't well. Beckett was always the one saving others and having to drop everything, but he also struggled with being vulnerable and communicating his own needs and emotions. Sunny pushes him to do that (sometimes in ways I didn't really agree with) and it was so awkwardly sweet witnessing him grow. This is a steamy romance eventually with a few explicit scenes. I didn't love how Sunny's inexperience played out in relation to how she reacted to Beckett, but I love the way this author writes spice so there's that.
The supporting characters were crucial throughout the book from Sunny's partners to her family to Beckett's family to his restaurant staff to all the people in the small town popping in and out. So many names and roles, I felt like this insight into Friendship was even more focused on the small town aspect than In a Jam was. But we also got to see Noah and Shay from that book and I loved it because any scenes with Noah are an automatic yes from me!
There is no third act breakup, but there is a third act "you need space" moment that made sense, but I was still not a fan of. I thought both main characters had their heads in the wrong place personally. More family drama and a surprise conflict also pop up and I was surprised! But Sunny and Beckett are in love and with each other and HFN at the end of the book, in a really great place, even though some family drama is still hanging out there. However, I really, really, really recommend reading the bonus epilogue because my friends, it was amazing and left me with all the happy heart eyes that I needed for the HEA. It's adorable and sweet and romantic.
August 22, 2023
I had such a wonderful time in the town Friendship with Sunny and Beckett. She’s the sunshine to this grump. Their banter was so good and fun cause it only made the tension more intense. Their chemistry was just top notch.
The story started out slow but once Sunny and Beck started to converse, not only about their past but more in depth is when the story picked up and shined.
The side characters were terrific especially Sunny’s partners to her café but also Beck’s brothers. I’m so excited to read more about the Loew brothers. The cameos were a treat as well.
Shucked was a fabulous small town, enemies/dislike to lovers romance. I really liked that Sunny and Beck has history but also Sunny and her struggles. She was a great heroine, a breath of fresh air. She and Beck made me laugh and swoon big time.
The story started out slow but once Sunny and Beck started to converse, not only about their past but more in depth is when the story picked up and shined.
The side characters were terrific especially Sunny’s partners to her café but also Beck’s brothers. I’m so excited to read more about the Loew brothers. The cameos were a treat as well.
Shucked was a fabulous small town, enemies/dislike to lovers romance. I really liked that Sunny and Beck has history but also Sunny and her struggles. She was a great heroine, a breath of fresh air. She and Beck made me laugh and swoon big time.
October 5, 2023
I love how this author writes and the bants and the feels are amazing but I had quite a hard time keeping track of the huge village of characters. It’s probably me, but I struggled to remember who was who.
Available on ku.
Available on ku.
August 18, 2023
This book is *entertainment* y’all. From the very first pages, I was laughing at the hilarious circumstances surrounding Sunny and Beckett’s current situations. First, Sunny wins a dilapidated bait shop in a card game, and turns it into a vegan cafe with her best gal pals. Then Beckett comes home to rescue the family business from peril, to find a cutesy vegan cafe has taken up residence next to their oyster empire. It’s just another thorn in his side, and he doesn’t even recognize the annoyingly gorgeous owner, who happens to be his best friend’s little sister. Let the shenanigans ensue.
Kate Canterbary is a master at writing internal dialogue. I am obsessed with the way her characters experience things, and people, and how they explain them in their heads. It’s so real and funny and I loved every second of this book. Beckett and Sunny have some of the best banter I’ve read in contemporary romance. Especially because Beckett gets warm and tingly the more vicious Sunny becomes. But the way they love each other is so so soft, and their relationship is so supportive and encouraging.
I honestly can’t even write enough praise for this book and its characters. This is a must read for fans of contemporary romance, especially small town romance featuring goofy characters with lots of heart.
Kate Canterbary is a master at writing internal dialogue. I am obsessed with the way her characters experience things, and people, and how they explain them in their heads. It’s so real and funny and I loved every second of this book. Beckett and Sunny have some of the best banter I’ve read in contemporary romance. Especially because Beckett gets warm and tingly the more vicious Sunny becomes. But the way they love each other is so so soft, and their relationship is so supportive and encouraging.
I honestly can’t even write enough praise for this book and its characters. This is a must read for fans of contemporary romance, especially small town romance featuring goofy characters with lots of heart.
August 27, 2023
5 stars!
Oh, I love this book! A brother’s best friend, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance, this story is funny, sweet, sexy, heartfelt, and beautifully romantic, with wonderful characters who I absolutely love. This is a gem of a read, and a fave for 2023!
Beckett Loew is the eldest of three brothers, and due to his loving but flakey parents, he is the caretaker of the family. So, when his parents become inadvertent criminals, the family oyster restaurant and bar is in trouble, and his 17 year old brother is left alone, he leaves his life overseas to return to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island, to take charge. But things have changed in his absence – notably, the brand new vegan café that has opened up across the car park from his bar, run by none other than Sunny du Jardin, little sister of his best friend, Lance, and now a bright, hippy-ish, free spirited stunner that he cannot keep his eyes off.
Sunny grew up in Friendship but moved away, only to return when she took ownership of the building she and her best friends have converted into their dream café. Everything is going great for her, and then Beckett returns to town. He and her brother tormented her during her teenage years, and he is still a moody, grumpy bastard who is completely lacking in social skills. She wants nothing to do with him, but suddenly, he is everywhere.
Beckett is smitten with Sunny at first glance (and don't we love watching the big hardasses fall to pieces so hard and so fast?!), yet with every interaction between them full of snark anger and snark, it's a battle from the very beginning, and damn, I was there for it!
It’s bitter and funny, every moment made all the more intense because of Beckett’s need to insert himself into every facet of Sunny’s life (all in the name of helping her, of course!). Her years-old grudge soon turns to attraction, and the sexual tension is so freaking good! I wavered between desperately wanting to see something happen, and soaking up every moment of the slow burn, completely enjoying the ride.
When they give in to it all, it’s with complete honesty and eyes wide open. They know what they’re getting in to, they just can’t stay away from each other anymore, and it’s so. Freaking. Hot! And despite their differences, the difficulties that they expect when Sunny’s brother finds out, and the fact that Beckett is only in town for a little while, it’s on.
While Beckett is a complete control freak who lives to take charge and fix everything, Sunny is a smartass free spirit. They may both be headstrong, but otherwise they are complete opposites, and watching them come into each other’s lives and deal with their differences is so entertaining. It’s further complicated by the chaos that is going on around them, and between family issues, business issues, Sunny’s health condition and the troubles that she’s finds herself in, there’s plenty of opportunity for Beckett to show his uber-protective and possessive side (gold!), forcing him to deal with his rapidly changing feelings.
It’s funny and sweet, and so, so fun. I loved the dynamic between these two, how openly they accept each other despite their differences, and how honestly and openly they fall for each other even though they had no intention of doing so. As as if Beckett isn’t irresistible enough, he has this vulnerability about him that brings a bit of drama, but that ultimately made me love him even more! They have a lot to figure out – personally and together, and I was feeling it all with them, and loved every moment of the journey.
There is a fabulous cast of side characters. Sunny’s friends are a hilarious bunch, Beckett’s colleagues, and the townsfolk of Friendship are lots of fun, and in a bonus for Canterbary fans, this book is set within the same small town as In a Jam, and Noah and Shay both make very welcome cameos. And even though Beckett’s family is falling apart, there’s a lot of entertainment there - and with two troubled, smartass Loew brothers just begging to have their stories told, I am so looking forward to more from this series.
I loved this book. It’s a long one, but it certainly didn’t feel like it as I lost myself in this story, and lapped up every moment.
Such a great read - 5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, I love this book! A brother’s best friend, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance, this story is funny, sweet, sexy, heartfelt, and beautifully romantic, with wonderful characters who I absolutely love. This is a gem of a read, and a fave for 2023!
Beckett Loew is the eldest of three brothers, and due to his loving but flakey parents, he is the caretaker of the family. So, when his parents become inadvertent criminals, the family oyster restaurant and bar is in trouble, and his 17 year old brother is left alone, he leaves his life overseas to return to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island, to take charge. But things have changed in his absence – notably, the brand new vegan café that has opened up across the car park from his bar, run by none other than Sunny du Jardin, little sister of his best friend, Lance, and now a bright, hippy-ish, free spirited stunner that he cannot keep his eyes off.
Sunny grew up in Friendship but moved away, only to return when she took ownership of the building she and her best friends have converted into their dream café. Everything is going great for her, and then Beckett returns to town. He and her brother tormented her during her teenage years, and he is still a moody, grumpy bastard who is completely lacking in social skills. She wants nothing to do with him, but suddenly, he is everywhere.
Beckett is smitten with Sunny at first glance (and don't we love watching the big hardasses fall to pieces so hard and so fast?!), yet with every interaction between them full of snark anger and snark, it's a battle from the very beginning, and damn, I was there for it!
She glared at me, her gaze viciously cold. God, this girl hated me. Which was excellent, considering my immediate reaction to her was complete depravity.
It’s bitter and funny, every moment made all the more intense because of Beckett’s need to insert himself into every facet of Sunny’s life (all in the name of helping her, of course!). Her years-old grudge soon turns to attraction, and the sexual tension is so freaking good! I wavered between desperately wanting to see something happen, and soaking up every moment of the slow burn, completely enjoying the ride.
I was powerless in the face of those evil grins and those smart-ass comments. All she had to do was smile and tell me to go to hell, and I was fucked.
When they give in to it all, it’s with complete honesty and eyes wide open. They know what they’re getting in to, they just can’t stay away from each other anymore, and it’s so. Freaking. Hot! And despite their differences, the difficulties that they expect when Sunny’s brother finds out, and the fact that Beckett is only in town for a little while, it’s on.
“Here I am now, in a place where I am forced to accept I do like you,” she continued, ignoring me completely. “I like your scowls and your moods, mostly because I’ve found all your buttons and it’s a lot of fun to push them.” … “And I find you attractive,” she went on. “Distractingly so. It’s actually a problem for me and I don’t know what to do about that.”
While Beckett is a complete control freak who lives to take charge and fix everything, Sunny is a smartass free spirit. They may both be headstrong, but otherwise they are complete opposites, and watching them come into each other’s lives and deal with their differences is so entertaining. It’s further complicated by the chaos that is going on around them, and between family issues, business issues, Sunny’s health condition and the troubles that she’s finds herself in, there’s plenty of opportunity for Beckett to show his uber-protective and possessive side (gold!), forcing him to deal with his rapidly changing feelings.
“I like you. A lot . It’s very uncomfortable for me.”
It’s funny and sweet, and so, so fun. I loved the dynamic between these two, how openly they accept each other despite their differences, and how honestly and openly they fall for each other even though they had no intention of doing so. As as if Beckett isn’t irresistible enough, he has this vulnerability about him that brings a bit of drama, but that ultimately made me love him even more! They have a lot to figure out – personally and together, and I was feeling it all with them, and loved every moment of the journey.
“Don’t overthink,” she said, “even though I know it’s your superpower. Whatever this is, we just have to let it happen. It’s better that way, okay? We don’t have to know what comes next. We don’t have to control it.”
There is a fabulous cast of side characters. Sunny’s friends are a hilarious bunch, Beckett’s colleagues, and the townsfolk of Friendship are lots of fun, and in a bonus for Canterbary fans, this book is set within the same small town as In a Jam, and Noah and Shay both make very welcome cameos. And even though Beckett’s family is falling apart, there’s a lot of entertainment there - and with two troubled, smartass Loew brothers just begging to have their stories told, I am so looking forward to more from this series.
I loved this book. It’s a long one, but it certainly didn’t feel like it as I lost myself in this story, and lapped up every moment.
Such a great read - 5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2023
I’m on a roll with reading extremely quirky & chaotic books and this was exactly that. A small town, best friends brother romance.
This was very unique and felt like something I’ve never read before. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my fav.
A few of the things I did enjoy
- the brothers best friend trope isn’t always my fav because of a controlling brother but this was actually done really well and we don’t see a ton of fall out with the brother.
- the chemistry and spice was excellent
- I really liked the side characters (especially Sunny’s friends)
- the set up for the next books 👀
- I needed more from Beth and Mel because I loved the side plot of their relationship
- the cameos of In a Jam 🤌🏻🤌🏻
What I didn’t love:
- the pacing especially in the beginning was hard to get into and I almost dnfed a few times
- it felt a little too quirky for my liking lol (ex. Their dads name is RABBIT??)
- the whole situation with Becketts parents was so weird and felt unnecessary and we don’t even get a conclusion to that (I get we have a few more books in the series but still)
- Sunny started as a very unlikeable character for me because she could never apologize or accept an apology but I quickly got over that and liked her lmao.
Overall, this was a fun quirky funny small town romance. I’m interested in the next books tho 👀
This was very unique and felt like something I’ve never read before. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my fav.
A few of the things I did enjoy
- the brothers best friend trope isn’t always my fav because of a controlling brother but this was actually done really well and we don’t see a ton of fall out with the brother.
- the chemistry and spice was excellent
- I really liked the side characters (especially Sunny’s friends)
- the set up for the next books 👀
- I needed more from Beth and Mel because I loved the side plot of their relationship
- the cameos of In a Jam 🤌🏻🤌🏻
What I didn’t love:
- the pacing especially in the beginning was hard to get into and I almost dnfed a few times
- it felt a little too quirky for my liking lol (ex. Their dads name is RABBIT??)
- the whole situation with Becketts parents was so weird and felt unnecessary and we don’t even get a conclusion to that (I get we have a few more books in the series but still)
- Sunny started as a very unlikeable character for me because she could never apologize or accept an apology but I quickly got over that and liked her lmao.
Overall, this was a fun quirky funny small town romance. I’m interested in the next books tho 👀
August 19, 2023
Beck is my new perfect book boyfriend! I have been gushing about this book for a few days on social media, and I’m still not over it. Sunny ignores him the first day they are reunited and he is never going to be the same again. The way he gets so lovesick over her, involving himself when she has an issue, watching for her bike to appear in the driveway their businesses share….GAHHH!!
The small town vibes are perfect. The supporting characters are quirky and funny in the perfect way.
And the spice is 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️ and so sweet. Kate Canterbary knows exactly how to add a little feeling to those spicy scenes so they aren’t just spice for the sake of it. And he gets her to read the saucy parts of her romance novels while they’re engaging in activities 🥵
Annnddddd there are cameos from Noah and Shay 😍😍
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.
The small town vibes are perfect. The supporting characters are quirky and funny in the perfect way.
And the spice is 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️ and so sweet. Kate Canterbary knows exactly how to add a little feeling to those spicy scenes so they aren’t just spice for the sake of it. And he gets her to read the saucy parts of her romance novels while they’re engaging in activities 🥵
Annnddddd there are cameos from Noah and Shay 😍😍
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.
August 29, 2023
Shucked is the newest release from Kate Canterbary and I was excited to check this one out. But sadly this one did not work for me at all and I think this author is just too much of a hit and miss for me.
This one sounded fun…she’s his best friend’s little sister, we have a bit of an age gap (she’s 28, he’s 36), it’s small town Rhode Island, and they are business rivals. Beckett and Sunny both find themselves back in their quirky, small town of Friendship, Rhode Island. He’s scrambling to save his family’s oyster bar and taking care of his teenage brother, she’s the sunshine-y owner of the new vegan cafe next door. After the feds ended up arresting his father and the general manager of the oyster bar for money laundering and a counterfeiting ring, Beckett moved back home to help out. He’s instantly annoyed with his new business neighbor/rival and surprised when he figures out she’s his best friend’s sister all grown up. They’re all wrong for each other, complete opposites, but decide on a steamy summer fling.
This one really just didn’t work for me, early into the read it just felt like juvenile convos and banter, there was way too many side characters I didn’t care about, the romance took too long to kick in, and it was just so long. I honestly just wanted it to be over already. I’ve read a handful of books from this author in the past and a couple have worked for me, so I don’t know.
This one sounded fun…she’s his best friend’s little sister, we have a bit of an age gap (she’s 28, he’s 36), it’s small town Rhode Island, and they are business rivals. Beckett and Sunny both find themselves back in their quirky, small town of Friendship, Rhode Island. He’s scrambling to save his family’s oyster bar and taking care of his teenage brother, she’s the sunshine-y owner of the new vegan cafe next door. After the feds ended up arresting his father and the general manager of the oyster bar for money laundering and a counterfeiting ring, Beckett moved back home to help out. He’s instantly annoyed with his new business neighbor/rival and surprised when he figures out she’s his best friend’s sister all grown up. They’re all wrong for each other, complete opposites, but decide on a steamy summer fling.
This one really just didn’t work for me, early into the read it just felt like juvenile convos and banter, there was way too many side characters I didn’t care about, the romance took too long to kick in, and it was just so long. I honestly just wanted it to be over already. I’ve read a handful of books from this author in the past and a couple have worked for me, so I don’t know.
Want to read
April 18, 2023A new series that takes place in Shay and Noah's (from the beloved In a Jam) hometown?! E2L, age gap, grumpy sunshine? SOLD.
August 29, 2023
Special thanks to the author for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up!
TL;DR: Shucked had me feeling all the lovely chaotic emotions, which was perfect because these characters were exactly that: lovely and chaotic, lol. Sunny and Beckett were the perfect combination of grumpy sunshine with a bit of age-gap and brother's best friend/childhood nemesis sprinkled in. The tension was exquisite and their hate-to-love banter and button-pushing was hilarious! Let's just say I am so ready for the next book in this series and I need it now, please~!
We return to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island, where Sunny and her partners have opened up a new vegan cafe and Beck finds himself sorting out the hot mess that his family's Oyster business has found itself in. For those who have read (and loved) In a Jam, a few characters make cameo appearances in this book and it was great! Not to mention there are a few other name-drops from Canterbary's other romances/couples too. As a fan of her work, I absolutely loved catching those moments! 😍 As per usual, I loved coming back to this small town and seeing a different side to it though my favourite part was the quirky characters that added to the charm of the town, such as Ranger, Phil Collins, and Hale. There were so many side characters who I couldn't help but want to know more about and I hope that Canterbary will surprise us with potential books (even novellas!) for them because I adored these characters (Mel, Beth, and Mars!) and just want more time with them! Pls?
Much like her name, Sunny is unbridled and high-octane sunshine energy. She radiates positivity, support and comfort and I loved her character. For most of her life, she has been restricted from doing much of anything due to her epilepsy and overprotective parents but since she left the nest after school, she has basically lived by whichever way the wind takes her. She was easy to relate to and I admired her fighting spirit and positive energy. She has a wonderful group of boss-ass friends/partners who opened up the cafe with her and I loved all of their sassiness and banter so much! Beth, Meara and Muffy were fantastic secondary characters and I hope we continue seeing more of them.
Despite being the sweetest to just about everyone, there is one person who takes away all her calm and makes her mad-angry with only the slightest provocation and that is Beckett. He's her brother's best friend and her childhood nemesis, and he riles her up like no other—something that her friends are very quick to point out, in addition to the fact that he's fit AF. Beckett is the total opposite of her sunshine energy with his stoic, slightly manic, broody gremlin vibes and I loved him so much! 😂 With parents who were made more for the whimsical roadie lifestyle, Beckett has always been the caretaker in his family and he carries the stress and weight of all this responsibility on his own while not really having anyone who can do the same for him. My heart broke for him and his need to take care of others, not knowing to ask for it and accept it in return. He doesn't have many close friends but I loved his relationship with his brother Parker—the few scenes we get with Parker were hilarious and I can't wait to read his story tbh.
From the first page, I could already tell this book would be chaotic AF (in the best way tho) and the playful banter and bickering between Beck and Sunny really added to that amazingness! The wild energy of these two opposites learning how to be civil neighbouring businesses while simultaneously fighting their growing attraction for each other created such fantastic sexual tension, not to mention the SIMPING and the YEARNING?! Yeah, I gobbled it up, friends! Things definitely get super steamy as they discover new kinks, have sexual awakenings, etc. and it made the tension so worth the wait! Let me tell you—the whole reading thing plus the sexy times? Phew, it's fire. 🔥 I loved them so much as a couple. The care, respect and honesty between them had my heart fluttering and had me feeling flustered at the same time!
I will say that there were moments when the pace seemed to slow down quite a bit which made it feel like a small lull in their story, so I think maybe it could've been cut down just a little bit as it's close to 500 pages (lol, I just learned this) but overall, I had such a fun time with these characters. I'm just grinning thinking about how much I enjoyed reading about them and I can't wait for more of the Loew brothers!
TL;DR: Shucked had me feeling all the lovely chaotic emotions, which was perfect because these characters were exactly that: lovely and chaotic, lol. Sunny and Beckett were the perfect combination of grumpy sunshine with a bit of age-gap and brother's best friend/childhood nemesis sprinkled in. The tension was exquisite and their hate-to-love banter and button-pushing was hilarious! Let's just say I am so ready for the next book in this series and I need it now, please~!
We return to the small town of Friendship, Rhode Island, where Sunny and her partners have opened up a new vegan cafe and Beck finds himself sorting out the hot mess that his family's Oyster business has found itself in. For those who have read (and loved) In a Jam, a few characters make cameo appearances in this book and it was great! Not to mention there are a few other name-drops from Canterbary's other romances/couples too. As a fan of her work, I absolutely loved catching those moments! 😍 As per usual, I loved coming back to this small town and seeing a different side to it though my favourite part was the quirky characters that added to the charm of the town, such as Ranger, Phil Collins, and Hale. There were so many side characters who I couldn't help but want to know more about and I hope that Canterbary will surprise us with potential books (even novellas!) for them because I adored these characters (Mel, Beth, and Mars!) and just want more time with them! Pls?
Much like her name, Sunny is unbridled and high-octane sunshine energy. She radiates positivity, support and comfort and I loved her character. For most of her life, she has been restricted from doing much of anything due to her epilepsy and overprotective parents but since she left the nest after school, she has basically lived by whichever way the wind takes her. She was easy to relate to and I admired her fighting spirit and positive energy. She has a wonderful group of boss-ass friends/partners who opened up the cafe with her and I loved all of their sassiness and banter so much! Beth, Meara and Muffy were fantastic secondary characters and I hope we continue seeing more of them.
Despite being the sweetest to just about everyone, there is one person who takes away all her calm and makes her mad-angry with only the slightest provocation and that is Beckett. He's her brother's best friend and her childhood nemesis, and he riles her up like no other—something that her friends are very quick to point out, in addition to the fact that he's fit AF. Beckett is the total opposite of her sunshine energy with his stoic, slightly manic, broody gremlin vibes and I loved him so much! 😂 With parents who were made more for the whimsical roadie lifestyle, Beckett has always been the caretaker in his family and he carries the stress and weight of all this responsibility on his own while not really having anyone who can do the same for him. My heart broke for him and his need to take care of others, not knowing to ask for it and accept it in return. He doesn't have many close friends but I loved his relationship with his brother Parker—the few scenes we get with Parker were hilarious and I can't wait to read his story tbh.
From the first page, I could already tell this book would be chaotic AF (in the best way tho) and the playful banter and bickering between Beck and Sunny really added to that amazingness! The wild energy of these two opposites learning how to be civil neighbouring businesses while simultaneously fighting their growing attraction for each other created such fantastic sexual tension, not to mention the SIMPING and the YEARNING?! Yeah, I gobbled it up, friends! Things definitely get super steamy as they discover new kinks, have sexual awakenings, etc. and it made the tension so worth the wait! Let me tell you—the whole reading thing plus the sexy times? Phew, it's fire. 🔥 I loved them so much as a couple. The care, respect and honesty between them had my heart fluttering and had me feeling flustered at the same time!
I will say that there were moments when the pace seemed to slow down quite a bit which made it feel like a small lull in their story, so I think maybe it could've been cut down just a little bit as it's close to 500 pages (lol, I just learned this) but overall, I had such a fun time with these characters. I'm just grinning thinking about how much I enjoyed reading about them and I can't wait for more of the Loew brothers!
April 25, 2024
Kate Canterbary is a one-click author for me. And Shucked took me back to all of the good, warm, cozy feelings I got from In a Jam, so I am very happy to point you toward reading it.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: Shucked, the first book in the Loew brothers series by Kate Canterbary.
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Enemies-to-lovers, brother's best friend, age gap.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Beckett is home in Rhode Island, struggling to save his family's business after both his parents end up in hot water with the federal government. Sunny has always found her heart in Friendship, and she's put down roots in the form of a vegan cafe next to Beckett's restaurant. What starts with squabbles and disagreements soon morphs into passion, but Beckett's stay has a end date, and Sunny isn't big on commitment either.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I mean, what's not to like? Kate Canterbary creates these worlds that you can almost imagine yourself living in. Now, I am certainly waxing poetic right now... but I could feel the warm sea air and smell the brininess of the oysters and I could imagine being friends with all of these characters. It almost makes you never want to leave.
Shucked was so good. I'm a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers that involves really great banter, and this was epically good. Plus, you get all of the life lessons - Sunny pushes herself to let down her guard, and everyone pushes Beckett to realize he doesn't have to be his family's fixer. There's the possessiveness and the dirty talk we always love about her books that is in there.
One thing I hate/love is the fact that Kate makes us love her side characters SO much, that I legitimately want to beg for books for each of them. It happened with In A Jam. And for Shucked, I know we are getting the rest of the Loew brothers. But there's an angry chef who left her profession in a rage, a marketing goddess with two husbands, an angsty bartender and a flighty fairy of a woman who lives to drive her crazy... the list goes on.
Regardless, Shucked was more of Kate Canterbary's excellent writing, and it has a perfect end-of-summer vibe that makes it perfect to read right now.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: Shucked, the first book in the Loew brothers series by Kate Canterbary.
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Enemies-to-lovers, brother's best friend, age gap.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Beckett is home in Rhode Island, struggling to save his family's business after both his parents end up in hot water with the federal government. Sunny has always found her heart in Friendship, and she's put down roots in the form of a vegan cafe next to Beckett's restaurant. What starts with squabbles and disagreements soon morphs into passion, but Beckett's stay has a end date, and Sunny isn't big on commitment either.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I mean, what's not to like? Kate Canterbary creates these worlds that you can almost imagine yourself living in. Now, I am certainly waxing poetic right now... but I could feel the warm sea air and smell the brininess of the oysters and I could imagine being friends with all of these characters. It almost makes you never want to leave.
Shucked was so good. I'm a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers that involves really great banter, and this was epically good. Plus, you get all of the life lessons - Sunny pushes herself to let down her guard, and everyone pushes Beckett to realize he doesn't have to be his family's fixer. There's the possessiveness and the dirty talk we always love about her books that is in there.
One thing I hate/love is the fact that Kate makes us love her side characters SO much, that I legitimately want to beg for books for each of them. It happened with In A Jam. And for Shucked, I know we are getting the rest of the Loew brothers. But there's an angry chef who left her profession in a rage, a marketing goddess with two husbands, an angsty bartender and a flighty fairy of a woman who lives to drive her crazy... the list goes on.
Regardless, Shucked was more of Kate Canterbary's excellent writing, and it has a perfect end-of-summer vibe that makes it perfect to read right now.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
September 22, 2023
Beck, you are living rent free in my head and heart.
I really loved the small town vibe and the way the community felt protective of each other. The characters capture you from page one. The side characters were so lovely and funny and held their own space within the plot.
Sunny's reality created obstacles she had no choice but adapt to and she wasn't going to let it hold her back, she was resilient. Beck, I related to him in so many ways, but mainly for balancing all the roles while making sure no one can see you crack. He's eternally grumpy, a smidge controlling, and just needs a hug. There were so many layers to who he was. Watching Sunny discover this and peel them back was messy but dreamy.
Really loved the banter and tension between Sunny and Beck, and let me tell you that slow build up is worth the wait.
I really loved the small town vibe and the way the community felt protective of each other. The characters capture you from page one. The side characters were so lovely and funny and held their own space within the plot.
Sunny's reality created obstacles she had no choice but adapt to and she wasn't going to let it hold her back, she was resilient. Beck, I related to him in so many ways, but mainly for balancing all the roles while making sure no one can see you crack. He's eternally grumpy, a smidge controlling, and just needs a hug. There were so many layers to who he was. Watching Sunny discover this and peel them back was messy but dreamy.
Really loved the banter and tension between Sunny and Beck, and let me tell you that slow build up is worth the wait.
September 9, 2023
Bottom line if Kate Canterbary writes it I’m reading it.
August 27, 2023
I loved this book. Just loved it. I loved the writing and the characters and the small town feel. Kate’s writing is one of my favorites across genres. Every time I read a book of hers I remember why I enjoy them so much.
This book holds small town charm and spice in a slow burn that leaves you sizzling. It made me laugh (Leary!) and feel (BECK) all of the things. I was able to savor this book in a way that I don’t often do. In fact, I ordered the paperback before I was even done with the eBook knowing I wanted to keep it forever.
I never think of songs in relation to the books I’m reading but several scenes had my brain playing Willow by Taylor Swift. Love that witchy vibe sprinkled in!
In conclusion, read this book for age gap, brother’s best friend, grumpy/Sunny, and all of the small town goodness. But just know I’m keeping Beckett Loew. I love this group and can’t wait to read more about them!
This book holds small town charm and spice in a slow burn that leaves you sizzling. It made me laugh (Leary!) and feel (BECK) all of the things. I was able to savor this book in a way that I don’t often do. In fact, I ordered the paperback before I was even done with the eBook knowing I wanted to keep it forever.
I never think of songs in relation to the books I’m reading but several scenes had my brain playing Willow by Taylor Swift. Love that witchy vibe sprinkled in!
In conclusion, read this book for age gap, brother’s best friend, grumpy/Sunny, and all of the small town goodness. But just know I’m keeping Beckett Loew. I love this group and can’t wait to read more about them!
August 22, 2023
Kate's books are ALWAYS worth the wait.
The character's inner thoughts become visceral and raw, but also mature and carefully considered. The MCs' communication with each other is just *chef's kiss* and a breath of fresh air to read.
Sunny's sunny disposition and Beckett's grumpy moods are a perfect play-off of each other.
Among the other tropes included in this book are the best friend's little sister, age gap, small town, and enemies-to-lovers (though never really enemies, more like playful rivals 😏).
Beck now owns a permanent spot in my heart with his wittiness, playfulness, and his overall sexy ways.
If you have previously read "In A Jam", you'll be thrilled to see a surprise cameo.
I could go on forever with all the highlights of this book, but I'll leave it for you to enjoy. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. This is a masterpiece.
I can't wait to see what's in store for the next installment with the Loew Brothers!
*ARC courtesy of the author and Vesper Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to the valued author and the publisher for providing a copy.*
The character's inner thoughts become visceral and raw, but also mature and carefully considered. The MCs' communication with each other is just *chef's kiss* and a breath of fresh air to read.
Sunny's sunny disposition and Beckett's grumpy moods are a perfect play-off of each other.
Among the other tropes included in this book are the best friend's little sister, age gap, small town, and enemies-to-lovers (though never really enemies, more like playful rivals 😏).
Beck now owns a permanent spot in my heart with his wittiness, playfulness, and his overall sexy ways.
If you have previously read "In A Jam", you'll be thrilled to see a surprise cameo.
I could go on forever with all the highlights of this book, but I'll leave it for you to enjoy. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. This is a masterpiece.
I can't wait to see what's in store for the next installment with the Loew Brothers!
*ARC courtesy of the author and Vesper Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Thank you to the valued author and the publisher for providing a copy.*
August 22, 2023
4.5⭐️
I absolutely adored Beck and Sunny right from the get go and the banter between them was top notch along with their chemistry. I can always count on Kate to make me laugh and swoon at the same time tbh. Beck is the type of fictional man that's absolutely dreamy and it's hard not to fall in love with him. Sunny was perfect and I loved how she wasn't hesitant to call Beck out on his BS. The characters were well rounded and the the overall plot was amazing. Going back and reading about the town of Friendship made my heart so happy and I can't wait to read more by Kate Canterbary!
P.S. Bonus points because my home country (Singapore WOOP WOOP🇸🇬) played a significant part in the book🥰♥️
*Thank you to Kate Canterbary for providing me with an ARC!
I absolutely adored Beck and Sunny right from the get go and the banter between them was top notch along with their chemistry. I can always count on Kate to make me laugh and swoon at the same time tbh. Beck is the type of fictional man that's absolutely dreamy and it's hard not to fall in love with him. Sunny was perfect and I loved how she wasn't hesitant to call Beck out on his BS. The characters were well rounded and the the overall plot was amazing. Going back and reading about the town of Friendship made my heart so happy and I can't wait to read more by Kate Canterbary!
P.S. Bonus points because my home country (Singapore WOOP WOOP🇸🇬) played a significant part in the book🥰♥️
*Thank you to Kate Canterbary for providing me with an ARC!
January 6, 2024
——2⭐️
📚: Shucked
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Brothers Best Friend, age gap romance (8ish years I think)
It felt like I was reading this book forever lol. It was a cutesy romance book with two adults who actually communicated pretty well (a plus to this book)
I honestly just feel like this book wasn’t for me it felt really long and dragged out imo. And I wasn’t really loving either main character. It definitely wasn’t a bad book again I just don’t think it was for me. I’m not sure if it was actually slow burn or just felt slow but slow burn can be hit or miss for me personally and idk this was just okay for me.
Sunny du Jardin just opened her new vegan/vegetarian restaurant with her 3 best friends that so happens to be next to her brothers best friends parents oyster restaurant. On the opening day after having not seen him in years her brothers best friend Beckett strolls over and tells her that she’s putting plants on his property and to move them. She basically tells him that he’s wrong and that they’re the new owners next door.
After them bickering about who is right someone says Sunny’s name and Beckett is shocked about how beautiful Sunny is grown up.
Now that Becketts father is in jail and mother is on the run, Beckett is coming from being in Singapore to watch over his brother and situate things with the oyster shop. Once he’s done with that he plans on leaving Friendship Rhode Island again, but after re meeting sunny maybe he doesn’t want to leave her and friendship behind this time
Thank you to Kate Canterbary & their team for the ARC!🫶🏼
📚: Shucked
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Brothers Best Friend, age gap romance (8ish years I think)
It felt like I was reading this book forever lol. It was a cutesy romance book with two adults who actually communicated pretty well (a plus to this book)
I honestly just feel like this book wasn’t for me it felt really long and dragged out imo. And I wasn’t really loving either main character. It definitely wasn’t a bad book again I just don’t think it was for me. I’m not sure if it was actually slow burn or just felt slow but slow burn can be hit or miss for me personally and idk this was just okay for me.
Sunny du Jardin just opened her new vegan/vegetarian restaurant with her 3 best friends that so happens to be next to her brothers best friends parents oyster restaurant. On the opening day after having not seen him in years her brothers best friend Beckett strolls over and tells her that she’s putting plants on his property and to move them. She basically tells him that he’s wrong and that they’re the new owners next door.
After them bickering about who is right someone says Sunny’s name and Beckett is shocked about how beautiful Sunny is grown up.
Now that Becketts father is in jail and mother is on the run, Beckett is coming from being in Singapore to watch over his brother and situate things with the oyster shop. Once he’s done with that he plans on leaving Friendship Rhode Island again, but after re meeting sunny maybe he doesn’t want to leave her and friendship behind this time
Thank you to Kate Canterbary & their team for the ARC!🫶🏼
August 28, 2023
3.0 stars. Less than I'd hoped for. Didn't really care about any of this mix of oddball characters. Whereas "In A Jam" was endearing (thanks to Gennie, Noah, and a few others), that charm was missing here.This wasn't a bad story. It was just
okay. Beck/Sunny never really grabbed my interest to be invested at any point.Also, this story seemed to meander on way too long.
There was one strange bit early on that confused me. The ladies from the Naked Cafe (Sunny, Meara, Bethany, Muffy) were all described early on first by race: White, Asian, Black. Along with the FBI agent as Black and the Ranger as White. While no characters from the Oyster Company, including Beck or any other side character, were described that way. What was up with that? Why just a handful of characters and not others. And was that even necessary?
🤷♀️
Noah/Shea from "In A Jam" got brief cameos, but honestly, after reading "In A Jam" and then this story, the town of Friendship seemed like an entirely different town.
The story ends with Beck's brother, Decker, and estranged wife/Jenn grabbing the next book.
okay. Beck/Sunny never really grabbed my interest to be invested at any point.Also, this story seemed to meander on way too long.
There was one strange bit early on that confused me. The ladies from the Naked Cafe (Sunny, Meara, Bethany, Muffy) were all described early on first by race: White, Asian, Black. Along with the FBI agent as Black and the Ranger as White. While no characters from the Oyster Company, including Beck or any other side character, were described that way. What was up with that? Why just a handful of characters and not others. And was that even necessary?
🤷♀️
Noah/Shea from "In A Jam" got brief cameos, but honestly, after reading "In A Jam" and then this story, the town of Friendship seemed like an entirely different town.
The story ends with Beck's brother, Decker, and estranged wife/Jenn grabbing the next book.
September 4, 2023
4 stars
Since i saw the story was happening in Friendship i decided to re read in a jam to get into the atmosphere. So i was excited to read this one. And honestly i enjoyed it even if i wanted more fight/tension between thse two ^^
I was on vacation in another country so not a lot of time to read so i didn't enjoy the last chapters as much as i wanted. I was again a bit thrown by the intensity of Beckett's sentiments. I wasn't always the biggest fan of Sunny though.
Since i saw the story was happening in Friendship i decided to re read in a jam to get into the atmosphere. So i was excited to read this one. And honestly i enjoyed it even if i wanted more fight/tension between thse two ^^
I was on vacation in another country so not a lot of time to read so i didn't enjoy the last chapters as much as i wanted. I was again a bit thrown by the intensity of Beckett's sentiments. I wasn't always the biggest fan of Sunny though.
August 30, 2023
this was cute but not my favorite (noah & shay & gennie have my heart im sorry) !! beckett just wasn’t my favorite and i feel like i was expecting his relationship with sunny to be a little more slowburn. i will say i laughed out loud a few times & i’m looking forward to decker’s book!!
August 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Shucked is a small town, grumpy/sunshine, emeries to lovers, age gap, opposites attract, older brother’s best friend romance about an oyster restaurant owner, Becker and Sunny, the owner of the new vegan cafe next door.
When Becker, our scowling grump, returned to Friendship to help save his family’s restaurant, the last thing he expected was to fall for his best friend’s little sister. She’s a pain in his side and definitely off limits.
Sunny is the town’s sunshine sweetheart, but when it comes to Becker, she’s a feisty smart ass who enjoys riling him up.
It took me a little while to fully warm up to these two and their story. There is a lot of side characters and backstory to wrap your head around in the first half of the book, but once I hit the halfway mark, I devoured the rest.
I loved Sunny’s strong sense of self, her level headedness (except when Becker has annoyed her) and the way she approached what was building between her and Becker.
Becker’s need to fix everything was both enduring and heart breaking. I loved how soft and patient he was with Sunny.
Their relationship felt realistic and I liked how they helped each other grow. The timeline in which they fell for each other also felt more realistic than some other romance novels.
Special shout out to all the side characters in this book. I’m a real sucker for the quirky townspeople in small town romances, and the townspeople of Friendship never disappoint!
Overall, the book was funny, enduring and I enjoyed the ride. I recommend it if you’re a fan of In A Jam, but even if you haven’t read that one yet (what are you waiting for??), this can also be easily read as a standalone.
It’s duel POV with chronic illness rep, LGBTQIA+ rep, and grumpy man with a soft and gooey heart rep. 🥰 It has some very good (and sometimes, incredibly sweet) open door romance. And there are some Noah and Shay cameos too!
Thanks to Kate and her team for sharing an ARC with me.
Shucked is a small town, grumpy/sunshine, emeries to lovers, age gap, opposites attract, older brother’s best friend romance about an oyster restaurant owner, Becker and Sunny, the owner of the new vegan cafe next door.
When Becker, our scowling grump, returned to Friendship to help save his family’s restaurant, the last thing he expected was to fall for his best friend’s little sister. She’s a pain in his side and definitely off limits.
Sunny is the town’s sunshine sweetheart, but when it comes to Becker, she’s a feisty smart ass who enjoys riling him up.
It took me a little while to fully warm up to these two and their story. There is a lot of side characters and backstory to wrap your head around in the first half of the book, but once I hit the halfway mark, I devoured the rest.
I loved Sunny’s strong sense of self, her level headedness (except when Becker has annoyed her) and the way she approached what was building between her and Becker.
Becker’s need to fix everything was both enduring and heart breaking. I loved how soft and patient he was with Sunny.
Their relationship felt realistic and I liked how they helped each other grow. The timeline in which they fell for each other also felt more realistic than some other romance novels.
Special shout out to all the side characters in this book. I’m a real sucker for the quirky townspeople in small town romances, and the townspeople of Friendship never disappoint!
Overall, the book was funny, enduring and I enjoyed the ride. I recommend it if you’re a fan of In A Jam, but even if you haven’t read that one yet (what are you waiting for??), this can also be easily read as a standalone.
It’s duel POV with chronic illness rep, LGBTQIA+ rep, and grumpy man with a soft and gooey heart rep. 🥰 It has some very good (and sometimes, incredibly sweet) open door romance. And there are some Noah and Shay cameos too!
Thanks to Kate and her team for sharing an ARC with me.
November 9, 2023
Cute read!
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