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.

This book made my heart happy. It was predictable in a way that was comforting and “filled my cup.” The combo of small town living, pancakes, and romance was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I don’t think I have previously read a romance with a kid in it. I was impressed with how the author was able to weave in the kid in a way that added to the relationship building and also captured the nuance of dating as a parent. I very quickly fell in love with their little family and had a great time watching them come together.

Note: I have not read the previous 3 books (but will soon!), but that was not a problem.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is the fourth book in the Dream Harbor series, and it’s filled with the perfect amount of cozy vibes. The book follows Archer, whose life is turned upside down when he discovers he has a five-year-old daughter, Olive, after the sudden death of her mother. Determined to step up and do the right thing, Archer relocates to the small town of Dream Harbor to raise Olive. He takes on the role of the chef at the local diner and hires Iris as a live-in nanny to help him adjust to his new reality.

I kept hearing about this series but I never picked it up until now. While this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order. I found it slightly confusing to jump into Dream Harbor as there was no background given on any of the supporting characters.

I really enjoyed this book overall! What begins as a practical arrangement soon turns into something deeper as Archer and Iris slowly fall for each other. The single dad trope was written very well, and I was constantly rooting for Archer and Iris to get together. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the forced proximity was *chefs kiss* (pun intended). Olive was so sweet and so many of her scenes made me smile. The cozy vibes of this story were just what I needed! I am on the fence if I will go back and read the first three, but they are not completely off the table.

I think this was one of my favorites so far in the series. I was rooting for Archer and Iris to be together the whole time. Sometimes what we don't know that we need or want is right in front of us. I love how the author keeps details about the other characters of Dream Harbor entertained throughout the stories. I'm waiting on Mac and Annie next!

I somehow totally missed the single dad part of the description, or just didn't pay attention and requested it due to the hype. I don't know. But I hate the single parent trope. So I DNFed.

In another corner of Dream Harbor, Archer and Iris are an unlikely pair. Iris and her free spirit are far from the order and efficiency Archer runs his life with, especially when he only learns of his daughter after the death of her mother. Can the town rally around Archer and Iris to make the best of bad situation or will long desired dreams overtake the possibility of what is right in front of them?

Such a fun and fast read. This series is just delightful. A little sweet, a little spice, and not too deep. If you’ve liked any of them, you’ll like this one too. At times I felt the plot was rushed, but again, it was a quick read. Enjoy!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.

4⭐, 2🌶️

Okay. This may just be my favorite book of the Dream Harbor series! I just loved Archer and Iris and Olive! Their little family was heartwarming from the jump with Olive and Iris bonding to bring Olive out of her grief over losing her mom. Archer mellowing out throughout the book, mainly by fighting with the small town over an old pancake recipe was just so funny and quirky.

🍓Secret Child/ Surprise Single Dad
🥞Dad x Nanny
❤️ Small town Romance

Happy to say its taken me three books, but Regina Reagan's narration has grown on me. While I still think her voice is older for the 20/30 something MC's voices, it didnt bother me enough to impact the storyline as it did the prior two books I listened to on audiobook.

Excited to read Mac and Annie's story in Gingerbread Bakery next!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Absolutely LOVED! I am almost positive this will be my most favorite of the series. (But I do have another to wait for)

DNF. The only other Laurie Gilmore book I read was The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore and I really loved it! For some reason I just couldn't get into this one. I think it's because of the single dad trope. It's not something I've read before and I wanted to give it a try, but I just wasn't interested in this particular dynamic. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!