The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore was the next book in the town of Dream Harbor series. In this book, we focus on Archer, a single dad to Olive, as well as a chef, who is needed for the pancake house. Iris, who always feels down on her luck, as she can never seem to hold down a job, is told that the new chef needs a nanny for his adorable daughter. While reluctant, Iris needs the money and just can't say no to the opportunity. Overall, this was a cute romance where we get to watch Archer and Iris navigate their new responsibilities and more importantly, each other. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast, cute read with a little bit of humor thrown in.

I'm enjoying this series more than I ever expected to, and I really liked the relationship evolution of Iris and Archer.

Archer, a professional chef hoping to earn a Michelin-star one day, is pulled from his fast-paced life in Paris and dropped into Dream Harbor. Not only is it a complete 180 in terms of setting, but he must now look after his five-year-old daughter, Olive, who he never knew existed. And, to make money, he works at the town's diner, an obvious step down from his restaurant days. Luckily, to help him out, he hires Iris as Olive's nanny, and things get steamy and complicated fast.

I don't typically love the inclusion of kids in romance novels, but I thought it worked well here. Plus, Olive is adorable. I also enjoyed the cameos of so many previous characters, and I'm looking forward to Annie and Mac's story next.

Another great installment in the Dream Harbour world. If you have enjoyed the previous books, you will devour this one as well. And who doesn’t love a good single dad trope? I am here for it!

If you haven’t read the other books in the series, I definitely recommend that you do because it helps to know some of the characters and the places that are referenced in this book. While this wasn’t my favorite of the series, it was still a cozy, sexy and yummy story.
If you’re a fan of grumpy/sunshine like I am and then you mix in forced proximity, found family, single dad and slow burn to the plot, it makes it hard not to gobble up this one in no time. I’m trying hard not to use food related puns, but it’s hard not to!
Archie is a Michelin star chef who is forced to come back to Dream Harbor when he discovers he’s the father of olive, a 4 year old who he knew nothing about and was the result of a short term relationship, and whose mother has recently passed away. He takes a job trying to revive the local diner in order to provide stability for Olive. The townspeople, however, don’t like the changes he’s making to the diner, and his daughter refuses to talk to him as he’s a stranger.
Then along comes Iris, who’s desperately in need of a fresh start so she takes a job as Olives nanny despite the fact that he’s sullen and brooding-and seriously hot.
The more time they spend together, the more the sparks fly between them but crossing the line could complicate things for all three of them. Is the risk worth the reward?
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s for my eArc in exchange for my review.

Omg I love every book in this series but this one is absolutely my favorite!! I just finished it with tears streaming down my face. I loved every single character. Shout out to the authors husband, she mentioned in the acknowledgments that the pancake names were his idea and I loved it! I never want this series to end, I need 100 more Dream Harbor books please!!

This series is still like nothing I’ve read before - a cozy romance with spice. Book four is probably one of my favorites as I did enjoy the plot of two people in a small town getting to know each other all the while raising a little girl who just lost her mother. The only thing that drives me crazy about these books are the cringe worthy dialogues about sex. Aside from those, it’s a cute story. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this one early! I will recommend it to library patrons who enjoy this series or others who like a good cozy with a bit of spice.

This is perfect if you’re into cozy small-town romances with food, found family, and characters you genuinely want to root for. Laurie Gilmore just became an auto-buy author for me. Highly recommend curling up with this one on a rainy weekend—with pancakes, obviously.

Super cute book! Didn’t realize this was part of a series when I requested it. Really enjoyed it - it’s definitely right up my alley. If you’re a fan of Abby Jimenez, you’ll be a fan of these books. The fiery 5 year old reminded me of my sassy 6 year old, so that was extra brownie points for this read for me.

Absolutely addicted and in love with this series, Laurie Gilmore is a great writer andi can’t wait for every single thing she writes. Sweet, gorgeous, cute and comforting this is everything you want in a cosy cute book

So incredibly cute! I chose this book for my romance book club and we all loved it! This book was well written, had all the great tropes, and amazing characters, Out of this entire series, this one is the best! The only reason a star is deducted is the back synopsis didn’t match the book and that really bothered me. Still a really great book!

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well once again, Dream Harbor and @lauriegilmore_author have captured me heart. And this time, there are lots and lots of pancakes involved!

When Archer (our hunky chef MMC) finds out he has a surprise daughter who has just lost her mother, he decides to step up and move to Dream Harbor. He puts his busy, Parisian chef life behind him to take care of Olive and maybe help out the local diner. But to do all that he needs help, and that comes in the form of a fiery nanny Iris.

Iris has called Dream Harbor home for a very long time and fortunately or unfortunately the town remembers all her hijinks and mishaps. She’s not known for having staying power in her jobs, but maybe this time will be different. And maybe, Archer will be different too.

This was cute, funny, and sweet, all topped with a dollop of whipped cream! Watching these two bumble through raising and taking care of a 5 year old together was both hilarious and touching. This has its ‘yes, chef’ and great single dad trope moments, but if you pick it up for nothing else, let it be for the solid foundation family aspect of Dream Harbor!

Can’t wait for The Gingerbread Bakery this fall so we FINALLY get Annie and Mac!!!

This was yet another Dream Harbor book that I just adored - it was so cute! A famous chef, Archer comes to town all the way from Paris - cue Nanny/Single Dad and Grumpy/Sunshine story. Iris was a cute character and I loved getting to know her a bit more.

Easy, breezy read that really made me want pancakes..

This was the most mid book I’ve read in a while. I’ve heard that about this author before but now that I’ve finally read from her, I can confirm. This is not bad but it is very forgettable.

Another absolutely wonderful heartwarming story in this series. This one involves Iris who becomes the nanny for the disgruntled chef who is new in town.

This book made me laugh and cry at different points. It is a sloppy happily ever after story. Not all love stories can be clean and neat.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

- Single father
- Close proximity
- Small town romance
- Grumpy/sunshine

I absolutely adored this heartwarming story of single father Archer and his nanny, Iris. I am such a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope and this one was #chefskiss (pun intended).

Archer only recently learned he was a father and put his life on hold for his daughter Olive. He had been working as a chef in Paris and hopes to return one day soon. But Olive is having a hard time coping with the loss of her mother and so Archer is reluctant to uproot her until she is more acclimated to him. So he takes a job at the Strawberry Patch Pancake House and tries to upscale it, to the dismay of the townsolk. While he's trying to adjust to his new culinary nemesis, the pancake, he's also trying to deny his evergrowing attraction to Iris!

Iris hadn't planned on becoming a nanny, but needed a job. She is more of a float through life type of person, so meeting type A Archer might be just what she needs!

Such a cute story! I love this series so much!

Another fun visit to Dream Harbor. I do feel like there was quite a slow build-up only to have a mad dash downhill for the end of the book. Predictable and sweet, but the pacing was a bit off for me overall.

2.5⭐️

Ugh not my favorite. This was my first single dad x nanny trope and I couldn’t get behind the ridiculousness of it all, like duh that wouldn’t work??? But that’s also the whole point lol, just not it for me! Sincerely I haven’t rated a single one of dream harbors above 3⭐️ but I always come back when a new one is out….I think the cover artwork and map always draws me in.

If you’re looking for a forgettable small town romance, just a quick easy read, then this could be for you!!! But don’t expect anything revolutionary or emotional.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I truly enjoyed this story! It made me say “aww” more times than I can count and it brought me out of a long reading slump. It was cozy, sweet, and a bit spicy 🌶️ Olive is by far the best character, but anytime there is a single dad/ nanny troupe- I’m in! I think this is my favorite of the Dream Harbour books!

4/5 ⭐️

I have fallen in love with Dream Harbor! Even though I have only read books 3&4 from the series, I know I will enjoy the first two. Archer was the most realistic new dad. He took this person he didn’t even know existed and immediately gave his all, struggles and all. Iris knew nothing about being a nanny, yet she was able to get Olive to open up and be happy. These two made such a team and their chemistry was perfect.

Thank you so much to Harper 360 & Netgalley for this e-arc.


I have not read the other three books, but will soon. I didn't realize I needed a mix of romance, pancakes, and small town living. The story centers on Archer, whose life is completely changed when he learns that he has a daughter, Olive, who is five years old, following the sudden passing of her mother. To assist him get used to his new life, he employs Iris as a live-in nanny and assumes the position of chef at the neighborhood restaurant. As Archer and Iris gradually grow to love one another, what starts off as a pragmatic arrangement quickly evolves into something more meaningful. There is no denying their chemistry.