This book is just like first. Awkward, clunky, and honestly too much and not enough at the same time. Lack of character development

I can’t decide what I think about this series. I like it enough to have read them all, I guess, but I definitely don’t love them. And they’re a weird mix of small town, cozy, smut, a tiny dash of mystery… all mixed together. This one was like - grumpy/golden retriever, generational wealth, homestead vibes - oh, and it’s Christmas. Also - I don’t get why so many randos move to this small, insulated town… I mean, it’s not that deep. I should let it go.

Super cute and fun for the season to get in the spirit. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I loved this one, and am glad for this small town series. I can't wait to meet more Dreamers with the next books.

This is the perfect Christmas feels book!

Kira North buys a rundown Christmas tree farm in search of a new life, in another town, far away from everything she has ever known. Kira is grumpy by nature, doesn't want to be bothered by any of the locals. She just wants to run her business and sell Christmas trees people near and far. She runs into Bennett Ellis, who is walking his dogs along her farm. Bennett's sister, Jeanie, runs The Pumpkin Spice Cafe in town. Bennett is just in town for the holidays and Kira tries her best to stay away. Bennett is drawn to Kira's grumpy nature, but he also, more than anything, is drawn to fixing her "Damsel in distress". Bennett gently works his way into Kira's life. Although she tries very hard to resist his persistence, she breaks down the walls and they develop a beautiful friendship. Kira and Bennett both have baggage from previous relationships/life and they work their way through those obstacles with the help of the locals.

Such a cute romance. Perfect for the holidays! Definitely recommend reading this one!

🎄Grumpy/Sunshine
🎄Small Town Romance
🎄Forced Proximity

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was book 3 of the Dream Harbor series, I love this series so so much! They are all the best parts of the small town Gilmore Girls/Stars Hollow vibes. This book was about a woman who decides to buy a Christmas tree farm (sight unseen) and when she gets there realizes how rough of shape it's in, but she is determined to see it through and make this huge life decision work regardless of all the obstacles she's now facing with this run down property. She finds a handsome trespasser walking his dogs on her farm one day, and to her surprise her grumpiness doesn't deter him. He is kind and he is someone who always wants to help people so he becomes determined, despite her stubbornness, to help her get her property back into a safe and operating place. The more he keeps showing up, the more he's kind and helpful despite her trying to drive him away, she begins to wonder why she is constantly refusing the help of this handsome man to begin with. She is starting to warm up to him and realize the last thing she wants to be lonely at the holidays. 💚📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of The Christmas Tree Farm, in exchange for an honest review.

Cute Christmas story. Just what I like the for the holiday season! The characters were quirky but not irritatingly so. While the romance happens fast, it didn’t bother me as much as it normally would. I just liked Kira and Bennett. The story isn’t deep, but it was just the type of cozy reading I was in the mood for.

Another fun read by Laurie Gilmore! Festive storyline with a couple of new and endearing characters. Cant wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've heard about the other books in this series, but haven't read them yet. However, being a sucker for Christmas books, I was excited to try this one out. Even though I hadn't read the other books in the series, it was not necessary. There was enough of a recap to understand the character dynamics.

Kira, a spoiled rich girl who is lost and wants to find herself, uses her inheritance to buy a derelict Christmas tree farm in the hopes of homesteading like she sees influencers doing on social media. Buying the farm sight unseen, she quickly realizes that she is in over her head. She wasn't prepared for what homesteading would be or for the poor shape that the house is in. Broke and with a house in need of so many repairs, she realizes her only option is to re-open the Christmas tree farm. Luckily, the town comes together to help and support her. Of course, in the midst of the town supporting her, they also send Bennett, visiting brother of the Pumpkin Spice cafe owner to check out her property where there is rumored to be something buried-is it a body, treasure? The town isn't sure, but wants to protect Kira from any possible unwelcomed surprises. While sort of spying, Bennett starts helping Kira, who wants to be independent, but realizes she needs the help. Slowly but surely, the two see that they have much in common and undeniable chemistry.

This book was such a cute read and the town and Christmas tree farm were just perfect! Looking forward to going back to read the other books in the series!

This was a quick and easy read, it was just fine in my opinion. The plot and characters were pretty weak but I think you know that going in. It has too much spice for my personal taste, It’s almost like that was the point of the book. I would’ve liked more information on how she actually built the business, not just the relationship. Overall, pretty forgettable read for me.

I totally adore this book series. The difficult challenge is which book is my favorite? I really enjoy the character development and each storyline, for it is a comforting, cheerful, spicy and all together feel good story. I look forward to the next installment to the series. I am well invested in the characters, their lives and the romance that has developed.

This is the third book in the Dream Harbor series. While you don’t need to read the books in order, it does enrich the experience to see the characters' development across the series. This story follows Bennett (Jeanie’s brother from the first book) and Kira, who recently moved to Dream Harbor after buying a run-down Christmas tree farm. Kira is struggling with her crumbling house, while Bennett tries to manage his urge to fix everyone’s problems. It’s a lovely holiday read, and now I’m eagerly waiting for Annie and Mac's story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

This series is so cute. Its delightful and cozy! I'm reading them in order but they can be enjoyed in any order.

I wanted to love this installment of the Dream Harbor series, but unfortunately it just didn't hold the same spark as the first two books. This story focuses on Kira and Bennett. Kira is unlikable from the start. She hates Christmas yet recently purchased a tree farm in Dream Harbor (the backstory on the purchase doesn't make sense, but I digress.) Bennett, who lives in California, is taking respite in Dream Harbor, where his sister resides (Pumpkin Spice Cafe.)

When Kira and Bennett encounter one another at the farm, it is dislike at first sight. Alas, our grinch has a change of heart when she notices his prowess with an axe one afternoon. Meanwhile, Bennett is a total pushover who continues to punish himself at the hands of Kira the curmudgeon.

The back and forth continues between these two until their mutual interest / dislike / attraction finally brings them together.

Will I continue reading the Dream Harbor books? Absolutely. Was this one just an unfortunate bump in the road? I hope so.

Huge thanks to Harper 360, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I loved this one so much more than Pumpkin Spice Cafe and that's probably because I like my books on the spicier side. While the PSC had spice, the spice in The Christmas Tree Farm was much more intense and more vividly relatable. I loved how sarcastic Kira was at the beginning and didn't lose her spunk throughout the whole book. I also loved how Bennett pursued her but also gave her space to come into her own and realize her own strength away from her parents money. I rated this book 4.5 stars and highly recommend!

I have read the other 2 novels in this series and personally I preferred them. I still loved the plot, and I hope that with my second reread I could change my mind! Overall great writing, easy to understand characters and HEA!

Thank you Harper 360 for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When the Dream Harbor series started going viral on TikTok, I wasn’t sure it would be for me. I haven’t had the best track record with a number of the books people claim to love after virality, and I think it’s because my expectations are too high. But after a difficult year, all I want are low stakes, cozy, delightful romances. And this book delivered, with some spice to boot. I think this is my favorite in the series so far!

Synopsis:

“Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.

After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.

Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.

But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questionning why she refused help in the first place..” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Cozy Mystery—The “mystery” elements of this series can almost hardly be called that, but they do add some fun mystique to the story.

The Holiday Vibes—A cozy, charming, woman own Christmas tree farm setting.

The Low Stakes Comfort—These characters are immediately are intrigued by each other, have open communication, and allow their chemistry to flourish.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Some of the Dialogue—Some of the dialogue was a little Hallmarky/Cheesy for me but I think it was enhanced when I switched to the audiobook, so these may be a better eyeball read!

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

toxic relationship (past), abandonment

Absolutely my favorite book of the entire series hands down! This was such an adorable holiday romance and the vibes were vibing the entire time!

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this story, but didn't enjoy it as much as the first two novels. I felt that the characters didn't really have any ties to the town, and just spent most of their time alone on the Christmas Tree Farm. I wish they had tied into the town we know and love a bit more. But, the parts we did get with others were great. And the dogs were great.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded down

This is the first Dream Harbor series book that I have finished and I DNF'ed the first one. They are just okay. The Christmas tree farm vibes is nice for the season but Kira is just way too grumpy for my taste (and I love a grumpy character). The spice, while spicy, really threw me off from the whole Hallmark movie vibes, putting both together just seemed a little out of place.