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!

We take another trip into Laurie Gilmore's world, and yeah, it was just as fun as the other books in the Dream Harbor Series have been!

Tropes:
Found Family
Single Dad
Forced Proximity (the best!)
Slow Burn

I loved the evolution of Archer and Iris, and Olive was so sweet! They really are so sweet, and it was fun to see their characters evolve as the story goes on.

I really enjoyed this book! It was another fun read in this series.

Thank you for the chance to read the earc! I have really enjoyed this entire series and all the characters in Dream Harbor. I really liked The Strawberry Patch Pancake house. I connected a little less with these characters than in the other books. I typically don't love romances with one of the leads having a child, so that sort of took me out of the story. That is a me thing though! I don't think it hampered the story though and I found myself enjoying the dynamic more than I expected. I generally wouldn't have picked up this type of trope had it not been from a series I'd already loved. Even still, I found the book to be engaging, and I even grew to appreciate a trope I don't usually read. The nanny bit was something I've not read much of. I loved that Archer was a chef and probably snacked reading this far too much. It made me want pancakes. Archer and Iris were a great duo and I loved watching them fall in love. I am looking forward to the next book so much!

If you’ve been following me for a while you already know I’m a huge fan of Laurie Gilmore‘s books! Her small town romance stories with all the cozy Gilmore Girl vibes have my whole heart! They are the perfect blend of Hallmark movie charm but with a touch of spice!

I’ve loved every book in the Dream Harbor series - and “The Strawberry Patch Pancake House” did not disappoint!!

If you’re looking for a feel good romance I can’t recommend her books enough!

Thank you @harpercollins360 for this gifted copy! And Netgalley for the eARC!

This was the first time I've read something by Laurie Gilmore, but she has certainly been on my "authors to watch" radar for a while, due to the huge popularity of earlier entries in the Dream Harbor series. And, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House did not dissapoint! This is a super-cute town, with a fun, quirky cast of characters - if you immediately thought of Stars Hollow and Gilmore Girls, you would not be off the mark in any way. The romance is sweet, with loveable, but flawed, characters finding their way to each other. Overall, a very fun, light read - definitely something I'll be recommending to my readers who are looking for a not-very-heavy beach read.

I am OBSESSED with this series!!! I love how the town members reappear throughout the series—it gives Gilmore Girls/ Hallmark vibes, but without being overly sappy. Lol The writing is inviting, the characters are well-developed, and the overall tone is light, but genuine. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to linger a little longer in its world. If you’re look for a cozy small-town romance, this is your book! Huge thanks to Harper 360 for the ARC!

This book was as cute as the rest of the Dream Harbor books. I love the spring atmosphere and the single dad nanny trope. Olive was so very adorable.

I’ve enjoyed a few books in this series and this one is no different! It’s nothing earth shattering, but a super fun “popcorn” type book. I found the tropes here hit and miss. I really like forced proximity and it was done in a way that made a lot of sense. Other tropes… not so much. But that’s how things go. I read it in like a day, so it’s a super quick read that wasn’t actually heavy despite some of the subject matter.

Being hailed as a Gilmore Girls-esque novel and the previous books in the Dream Harbor series being lauded online, I was very interested to see for myself what the hype has been all about. I'm glad I did! This was a sweet, cute love story about Archer, whose whole life is turned around, finding out he has a 5 year old daughter with a recently deceased fling he had all those years ago; and Iris, who only had flings, thinking she was more like her non-monogamous mother than she is.

The fourth book of the Dream Harbor series is incredibly charming, Gilmore writing two very likable characters who inevitably fall for one another, despite their repeated precautions to shelter Olive, Archer's little girl. The story was easy to get into and Archer and Iris (and Olive, too!) are easy to love, therefore making the story easy to get into and enjoy. It's a very cozy, spring-time love story, one you can disappear into and sigh with happiness when it ends. I'm afraid it might be a little too simple and details will fade pretty quickly after finishing it, but it will have been fun while it lasted. This isn't a closed door romance, as there is some spiciness in the story, but nothing too descriptive.

I get the hype and why people look forward to these books! I'd definitely recommend this book, and the whole series, to those who are looking for a cozier romance without the deep set drama.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Archer, a world-renowned chef and newly single dad, unexpectedly relocates to the small town of Dream Harbor to run a pancake restaurant and raise his daughter, Olive. Iris, a woman struggling to maintain steady work, is hesitant when she's offered a job as Archer's live-in nanny. However, she soon finds herself drawn into a new life where her attractive, topless-cooking boss lives just across the hall. As their professional boundaries begin to blur, sparks fly, leading to a charming journey of love, family, and second chances.

This entire series is precious but I think this one may be my favorite (so far). It has been fun to witness Laurie Gilmore’s growth as a writer with each new installment and my my, I love a nanny trope more than I’d like to admit. Though Archer starts out surly he is quickly softened by Olive and Iris, a quirky, sassy duo whose bond I felt almost immediately. I wasn’t a huge fan of the third-act breakup, but the pancake recipe was fire! Overall a really lovely book.