I loved this book so much. I’m not surprised I liked it though, I loved The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, and once I found out there was a sequel I preordered it so quickly. I am thankful to have been able to read this book before it is released. The story line immediately caught my eye when there was a mystery aspect to it. I enjoy a not scary mystery! Laurie Gilmore is a wonderful writer and captured my attention right away! I loved the amount of dialogue to monologue ratio; the perfect amount! This novel is written in 3rd person POV, and usually I’m not a fan of it but I really loved it. I was able to really feel what the characters were feeling at that moment in time. There was a decent amount of spice without it only being about the spicy scenes. And obviously I thought the plot was great.
This is the perfect end of summer read and will have you wishing you lived in Dream Harbor during the Fall!

Thank you to NetGalley and Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read this ARC!

Ok- I’ll round it to 5 but it’s technically a 4.5
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’ll be very honest- it’s a VIBE. A must for Pumpkin Spice Cafe readers.
Similar to the Pumpkin Spice Cafe, there were def things that I was sort of rolling my eyes at or pacing through. But despite that being the case, I was still very very happy to read it. (And will most def still purchase when it’s out)
If you have read Pumpkin Spice Cafe then this is a must tbh - having that background does make it waay better. It’s such a Fall builder and I’m here for it!

Don’t let the title of this book fool you, there was definitely some spice in here.

Hazel is almost 30 and starting to worry that her life may be too predictable. But when secret clues begin showing up in books at the book store she works at, she decides this is her opportunity to let loose and have some fun. And who better to join her than the town hottie, Noah.

The story was lighthearted and sweet and I loved the small town setting. Hazel and Noah both seemed pretty immature but somehow it worked with the story and kept with the lightheartedness of the book.

I liked that Noah seemed like a happy go lucky guy but ended up having some depth to him. And loved the juxtaposition between him and Hazel where she was the town sweetheart who never got into trouble and he was the bad boy.

The clues Noah left her were probably my favorite part of the book, so sweet and thoughtful and the perfect way for him to show her he cared.

Thank you for the ARC. I enjoy this series so much and it feels very much like Stars Hollow. This was a fun, spicy book.

**4-Star Review of *The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore* by Laurie Gilmore**

*The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore* by Laurie Gilmore is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and sweet romance, perfect for those crisp fall days when you want to curl up with a feel-good story. Set in the charming town of Dream Harbor, this book takes you on a whimsical scavenger hunt filled with secret codes, hidden messages, and a dash of romance.

Hazel, the bookish and endearing owner of the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, stumbles upon a mysterious message hidden in a book. As more codes appear, she enlists the help of Noah, the charming and adventurous fisherman who’s been quietly admiring her from afar. The chemistry between Hazel and Noah is as warm and inviting as the scent of fresh cinnamon buns wafting through the bookstore. Their interactions are full of playful banter, and watching their relationship blossom as they uncover clues around town is pure joy.

What makes this story particularly engaging is the cozy atmosphere Gilmore creates. Dream Harbor feels like a place you’d want to visit, with its quaint shops, friendly locals, and the irresistible allure of the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore. The mystery itself is light-hearted and fun, providing just the right amount of intrigue to keep the pages turning.

While the romance is sweet and the setting enchanting, the mystery’s resolution felt a bit predictable. However, this doesn’t take away from the overall charm of the book. It’s a story that wraps you in a warm hug, with the promise of a happily-ever-after that’s as satisfying as a freshly baked treat.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with a side of romance, *The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore* is a must-read this fall. It’s the perfect mix of love, adventure, and a touch of mystery that will leave you with a smile.

#BookReview #CozyMystery #RomanticReads #LaurieGilmore #TheCinnamonBunBookstore #BookLovers #FallReads #HappilyEverAfter #BookstoreRomance #MustRead

4 stars!

I enjoyed Laurie Gilmore's "The Cinnamon Bun Book Store" more than I enjoyed "The Pumpkin Spice Cafe." It is a wonderful summer-to-fall transition book that I think readers will devour! I loved Hazel and Noah so, so much, way more than I thought I would! Anyone who has ever felt lost in life, like they are stuck spinning their wheels, can and will relate to Hazel. She is on the verge of turning 30 and feels like she hasn't had any grand adventures in life. She lives in a small town, has had the same friends forever, and works in the same bookshop that she has loved for years. Her life is fine. She is content... but there's no excitement, no chaos, no spontaneity. She starts getting secret messages dog-eared on the pages of certain books in her store, and she takes that as a sign that someone is leaving her clues to help get her out of her comfort zone. Enter Noah, who has been head over heels for Hazel for years. Hazel asks for Noah's help to have a memorable summer before she turns 30... but she doesn't expect to fall in love with him in the process! This book will surely satisfy people who are looking for a blend of spicy and sweet. It's shockingly more spicy than I expected! Sure, some of the dialogue is super cheesy bordering on cringe-worthy, but I think there is enough substance and fun here that most readers will overlook the goofiness. I liked this book quite a bit and cannot wait for the next installment in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Laurie Gilmore, and Harper 360 for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This is the most perfect end of summer/moving into fall book! I knew I would love Hazel and Noah from the peeks of them in the Pumpkin Spice Cafe but I truly didn’t expect to fall for them as much as I did! Noah is such a sweet, charming, and unproblematic guy but I love that the more that Hazel got to know him she really pulled back his layers to see the real Noah. And on the other hand I loved this whole scavenger hunt/mystery that Hazel found herself on that had Noah bringing Hazel out of her shell! It truly was such a wonderful experience to see these two characters blossom together! What a fabulous book, I absolutely love Dream Harbor and all the wonderful stories that reside there. Phenomenal job Laurie Gilmore!

This was a new to me author and MAN Laurie Gilmore did not disappoint. I probably should have started with book one but I just couldn’t help myself. Now on to the next or I guess I should say the first.

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishing, NetGalley, and to Laurie Gilmore for the advanced copy of The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore.

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is the second book in the Dream Harbor Series following The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. It’s an adorable small-town romance between bookseller Hazel and fisherman Noah, who have been attracted to each other since the first time they met.

With her 30th birthday approaching, Hazel feels stuck in a rut. She's worked in the same bookstore, in the same small town she grew up in, and doesn't really do much for fun. While working a shift as the manager at the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, she discovers a clue hidden in a romance novel: a highlighted line in the text.

Her friend Noah, who owns the local fishing tour company, offers to help her solve the mystery. As they uncover more clues, Hazel and Noah embark on a series of adventures around their town, Dream Harbor.

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is a wonderful read that will leave you with a smile. Perfect for a cozy night in, this book is a wonderful escape to a world where love, community, and self-discovery take center stage. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a feel-good romance this fall!

Tropes:
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ Opposites Attract
✨ Small-Town Romance
✨ Force Proximity

This book gave me all the cozy fall vibes for being set during the summer. I related to Hazel so much and I think a lot of people will as well. Seeing her grow and being there to help Noah realize who he is was is all you want in a story like this.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an advanced copy of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store.

Hazel is turning thirty in a few months and she starts to wonder if she has been going through life playing it safe. She starts to feel like she is in a rut until she starts noticing books at the bookstore she works at have earmarked pages with high lighted passages in them. The crazier part is she feels like they are directed at her urging her to have more adventures. She enlists the help of Noah, Dream Harbor’s sexy elusive fisherman who does not take life too seriously. Noah gladly accepts Hazel’s proposition to help her have a fun adventurous summer because he has feelings for her. But he does not do relationships but once he and Hazel spend more and more time together both of them start wanting more. Can they both let go of insecurities from there past to have a future together?

This is the second book in the Dream Harbor series. This book was so good! This book just gave me all the sweet, cozy, happy vibes but with the perfect amount of spice! I cannot wait to read the other books in this series!

This book was absolutely adorable! I was obsessed with both the MC's, and I thought that the way that the book lead up to everything was so perfect. I was rooting for the couple the whole time! This book gives such cozy fall small town vibes and that was exactly what I wanted. Originally I was unaware that this was part of a series but now I can't wait to read the rest! Some of the wording came off a little funky but other than that it's a truly great book. It's a perfect fall book and I highly recommend it if you're looking for something cozy and easy to read.

Huge thank you to Harper360 and NetGalley for this ARC!

A small town bookstore, angsty playboy ready for a shot at his long term crush, and an FMC stepping into her confidence? Nothing but an absolutely swoon-worthy, cozy, cusp of fall romance! Noah and Hazel had me hooked from the beginning and I have no complaints. Was some of the dialogue so awkward and cheesy I couldn't help but roll my eyes? Yes. Was it feet-kicking-giggle worthy? Also yes. Pull it to the top of your TBR and pick the first chilly day to indulge.

Thank you NetGalley and Laurie Gilmore for the advance copy! Honest reviews only, you know I don't lie.

4.5. The perfect fall read! Summer may be ending but the adventure is just beginning. Curl up in a soft blanket with a cinnamon bun while reading this one! Learn what you like while having a little fun...You won't want to put this down and will only be disappointed that it has ended.

This was such a cute read. Perfect for end of summer/beginning of fall! The romance was perfect. He falls first and treats her like a princess from day one. If you like romance (and a little bit of spice) you’ll like this one! Felt like a hallmark movie in a book and I loved every second of it!

Thank you to HarperCollins publishing, NetGalley, and to Laurie Gilmore for the advanced copy of The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore.

I really enjoyed this cozy and fun book that makes you feel like you are in a Hallmark movie. The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was a quick and enjoyable read. It was my first book I've read from Laurie Gilmore. I have found out this is book two of the series, however I do not feel the reader will be confused if they read out of order. I will be reading book one, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe soon.

If you are looking for a sweet, but spicy romance story between a book loving lady and a man of the sea that takes place in a small town where everyone knows each other, this is the book for you. Hazel and Noah are opposites, but they bring out the best in each other. Their story is very cute! Gilmore does a good job at creating well developed characters who are relatable. I found myself relating to Hazel on many personal levels. Noah is a happy, easy going, and likable guy who balances Hazel in the positive ways she needs.

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is a worthwhile read, especially for this upcoming Fall season. If you are a Gilmore's girl fan and have dreamed of going to Stars Hollow, you'll definitely want to visit Dream Harbor.

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore is the second installment of the Dream Harbor series. We follow Hazel, the quirky, shy, bookstore manager who is mature beyond her years as she learns to have a little fun. Nearing 30, she feels like she missed out on having fun in her 20s. She asks Noah, the fun and flirty fisherman, to show her a good time.
Already smitten with Hazel, Noah is more than willing to spend some time getting closer to her. But can a playboy and a bookworm really click?

It's such a cute story. I might have even liked it better than the first? Maybe lol. Hazel is my fave. She's smart and reserved but totally comes out of her shell. I also love that the characters from The Pumpkin Spice Café are in there, too.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper 360, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I love this series!

cozy-pumpkin-spiced-cinnamon-bun-ny fun! loved the small town and it's cast of characters, felt very stars hollow-esque
i enjoyed our main characters and the scavenger hunt was fun (although perhaps the conclusion was a tad unsatisfactory...) but overall this is a great no thoughts head empty book to warm up with this fall!

I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to read The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore!! I am obsessed with this series and cannot wait to continue reading about Dream Harbor. I will attach my review below and it will also be posted on Instagram and Amazon. Thank you again, I cannot wait to add a physical copy to my bookshelf.

After reading The Pumpkin Spice Cafe last year, I could not wait to read The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore and it did not disappoint! If you are looking for a super cute, feel good, and cozy quick read... this is it! It is so darn cute and has the perfect amount of spice! I wish I could take a stroll down Main Street in Dream Harbor.

Hazel is a soon to be 30 year old bookseller who regrets wasting her 20s playing it safe. Noah is a 25 year old playboy fisherman who has been crushing on Hazel for the past year. When mysterious clues start appearing in books at the bookstore Hazel begins to crave adventure, it just so happens Noah is the perfect adventure buddy. Ready to be carefree and reckless, Hazel and Noah team up to solve the mystery. Follow along for their story!

I highly recommend The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore. I loved Hazel and Noah's story and I cannot wait to continue the Dream Harbor Series!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Harbor 360, and Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read an ARC!

A fun fall romp!

If you love a hint of mystery, bookshop atmosphere, beachy vibes, and steamy scenes, this is your next read!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that fact that the author took us all the way to a satisfying HEA. Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.