⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

My favorite book in the series so far! Grumpy single dad softens with the help of the town senior fitness instructor / new nanny. As always, fun to see what the other characters in Dream Harbor are you to, too!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you've read The Pumpkin Spice Cafe or any of the other books in the Dream Harbor series, you are going to love this newest edition to the series. The book follows Iris (the lady who helped Kira if you read The Christmas Tree Farm) and single dad Archer as the navigate Iris being the nanny to his new daughter. It's super cute and hilarious and just the right amount of spicy.

Huge thank you for the advanced copy of this book. I absolutely love this series.

Laurie Gilmore’s The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a heartwarming, cozy novel that blends themes of second chances, community, and the simple joys of comfort food. Set in a charming small-town diner, the story follows a protagonist seeking a fresh start, finding unexpected friendships, and rediscovering a sense of belonging.

Gilmore’s writing shines in her vivid descriptions of the pancake house itself—a warm, inviting setting that feels like a character in its own right. The novel is rich with sensory details, from the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling pancakes to the laughter of regulars who gather each morning. The characters are well-developed and endearing, each bringing their own struggles and triumphs to the table.

What sets The Strawberry Patch Pancake House apart is its ability to evoke nostalgia and comfort, making it the perfect feel-good read. The themes of resilience, kindness, and the power of food to bring people together resonate throughout the novel. Gilmore’s storytelling is engaging and heartfelt, making this book an ideal pick for fans of warm, character-driven narratives with a touch of romance and self-discovery.

Overall, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a delightful and uplifting read that serves as a reminder of the importance of community and finding joy in life’s simple moments. Perfect for a cozy weekend with a cup of coffee and, of course, a stack of pancakes.

You will like this one if you love the tropes
🍓Single Dad
🥞Forced Proximity
🍓Slow Burn
🥞Found Family

🍓🥞🍓🥞🍓🥞

My Review
This was by far my favorite of the series so far. I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Iris and Archer and their dynamic immediately. I couldn’t put this one down. I found it funny when I read that the author doesn’t like to write kids into her books because kids get in the way of sex. However, I thought she did a phenomenal job and I can’t wait until the next book! This has been the cutest little coziest, Gilmore girls type of romance. I love them.

Thank you @harpercollins360 and @netgalley for the arc !

1.5 Stars

Oh my god where do I start? This book was so... interesting to say the least. Never in my 20 years have I seen such simple tropes be fumbled so atrociously. I know this sound so mean (and I am so sorry for that) but the moment she used "yes chef" in a sexual content, I quite literally could not take this books seriously.

Archer had the depth of a kiddie pool and Iris had the laziest backstory on earth. Archer was brooding and wouldn't use pancake mix, woe is me I guess. Iris had a deadbeat dad and a mom in Florida, so of course she has commitment issues. Who would have thought! The best character was Olive and she was the only reason I finished this book.

I think this was my favorite in the series. It was a really quick read. Single dad and the nanny nice cozy romantic book

This book was cute and I liked the characters but I feel like this one wasn’t quite as cohesive as the others in this series. I honestly believe it’s because of this one having tropes the author doesn’t usually write. Was ok but my least fave of the series.

This book is an absolute heartwarmer that’ll leave you craving comfort food and a good hug. When chef Ben discovers he has a daughter he never knew about, his world flips like one of his signature pancakes. Watching him navigate fatherhood while juggling the chaos of running the town's charming little diner is both hilarious and touching. The writing is effortlessly cozy, filled with mouthwatering descriptions and characters that feel like old friends. It’s a story about unexpected family, second chances, and the sweet, messy beauty of building a life together. You’ll be rooting for Ben and his daughter from the first page to the last.

This was my first Laurie Gilmore book and I am not mad about it. I have the first two books on my TBR and they will move up on that list.

This story was cute, fun and a good slow burn. Archer, Iris and Olive were so heart warming from the start. Reading their journey in becoming a family was a joy. Olive is adorably spunky. Archer and Iris had decent chemistry and the slow burn felt perfectly paced.

Despite a few slow parts, this book was kept me engrossed. Overall, this is a cute quick read that will make you want pancakes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laurie and the publisher for this ARC.

This one was good, better than the others in the series, but still not the greatest. It was a good palate cleanser to read between heavier books. The plot of this book was good, and I did enjoy the Nanny x Single Father romance, which I don't see too often (maybe I'm just not finding these books at least), but the start of the romance between the characters was just insta-lust (which I'm not a fan of, but I knew to expect from this book). However, the progression of the relationship was good, in my opinion, especially if the start was insta-lust. I also appreciated that this was a quick read and things progressed pretty quickly. I might have gotten bored with this book if it was any longer.

There were also times where I feel like things did move a bit quickly, like with Olive wanting to call Iris mom, only a couple of months after her Olive's mom died? I feel like that would have been way better off as being in an epilogue.

I also really loved the small town, everyone knows and looks after each other, kind of vibes that I got from this book. Having the MMC move to the town, take over as the chef in the diner, and then go through typical small town hazing was just so fun to me.

Thank you to Laurie Gilmore, Harper360, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

If you love your romance with equal parts swoon-worthy charm and sizzling chemistry, Dream Harbor is the place for you! This series perfectly balances adorable, feel-good moments with just the right amount of spice, making each story impossible to put down.

These books are the perfect palette cleanser. Each book follows a different couple, but they’re all connected creating the town of dream harbor that you’ll never want to leave. The banter is sharp, the tension is electric, and the love stories unfold in the most deliciously satisfying ways. Whether it’s a grumpy-sunshine dynamic, second-chance romance, or opposites attract, Laurie Gilmore delivers every time. I also love how each book has a playlist! I also enjoy listening to music while I read in the bath with a glass of wine.

It is a little hard to care about these characters as much as the OG cast but I understand why the author has to throw in some new characters otherwise we would be out of books already! Archer and Iris’ characters grow throughout the book and the spring setting was the vibe. This was my first single Dad Nanny trope and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beyond the romance, the series shines with lovable side characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartfelt emotions. The spice level? Let’s just say it’s enough to keep things interesting while still feeling playful and fun.

If you’re looking for a romance series that’s equal parts cute, sexy, and full of heart, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a must-read. Prepare to fall in love—again and again!

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

Having read all four books in Laurie Gilmore’s series, I can confidently say The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is one of my favorites. The characters are incredibly likable, the romance has just the right amount of steam, and the story wraps up in a way that leaves you completely satisfied. Gilmore’s small-town charm and heartfelt storytelling make this a perfect feel-good read. If you love cozy romances with a touch of spice, don’t miss this one!

Sooooooo I liked the book. It wasn’t my favorite.

We have so many things that went unanswered like why Cate never told Archer about Olive. Why she named her Olive. Why all the secrecy?!

Archer just shows up, takes over a diner, bangs the nanny, and that’s about it. Unfortunately it lacked a lot of substance. BUT it was better than the last one so that’s a plus?

Single dad x nanny romance? Yes. Building a family and creating a safe place for Olive really got me🥹 Thank you for this ARC read, excited to read more or Laurie Gilmores steamy and sweet romances 🩷

Single dad, Archer, moves to a small town from the big city leaving his renowned chef title behind. Dream Harbor needs a new chef and little Olive needs a community. Fast forward through many poorly made batches of pancakes, falling in love with his new nanny Iris and other surprises, olive has played match maker and they are a new family! Highly recommend if you’re looking for something light and fun. Olive is a hoot and Archers relationship with Iris is the sweetest. Highly recommend

The single dad trope in this book was the perfect thing for this series. Having Archer come in and be that grumpy guy that ends up melting your heart was just what this town needed. I loved getting more of Iris and her background as well.

I’m so happy to be back in dream harbor. This author does a great job setting the scene and vibe of this series and it continues in this book. Then add a single dad/nanny trope on top of that, I’m in!

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Laurie Gilmore for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! I love a good single dad romance! Definitely my favorite story in the series!

Tropes:
- Single dad x nanny
- Found family
- Slowburn
- Forced proximity

This is by far my favorite romance series available today. The characters are wonderful and the story is so well-plotted. I hate that we have a long time to wait for the next installment.

Ahhhh this is officially my favorite book in the series!!
I loved Archer and Iris’ character growth throughout the book and their relationship was so so so sweet. If you are a sucker for a single dad x nanny trope you’re gonna love this one!