Found family wholesomeness 🍰🍓🫶🏻
I was a little unsure if I would like the single dad trope but there is just something about Archer that makes me throw all my worries out the window. This book is such a cute and cozy love story. I enjoyed reading about the love a dad can have for their child and the joy it brings.

If you enjoy a slower burn, a hunky dad and found family, this is a love story for you. Oh and you might want to slap someone with a pancake by the end of it 😂🥞

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the early copy! Actual rating: 4.25 ⭐️

This was a 3 star until that second surprise pregnancy came into it.

Look, this isn’t anything to sing prayers about. It is a very average single dad/nanny trope that is serving Willa and Cade but not in a good way. The characters are two dimensional with little to care about and invest yourself in.

The writing is bland, boring and uneventful. Olive was the highlight of the story and carried it on her back. I would have settled on the whole book being about her.

But that surprise pregnancy at the ending? After Archer became a dad due to a surprise pregnancy? Nup. That pissed me the fuck off.

Nothing else to say.

Thank you NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Australia & Laurie Gilmore for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5 stars.
Genre(s): adult contemporary romance.

Overall impression: this was one of the sweetest and most believable contemporary romance novels I've ever read. It showed us how people have to grow and change as they get older, to deal with unexpected circumstances and challenges that life throws their way. The character development was my favourite part and the happy-ever-after ending felt well-deserved.

Tropes:
➵ Single dad x nanny
➵ Instant attraction
➵ Opposites attract
➵ Forced proximity
➵ Secret relationship
➵ Small town
➵ He cooks for her
➵ Happy-ever-after (HEA)

⤷ Plot:
The storyline was pretty solid. It was mostly character-driven, focusing on the romantic and familial bonds that formed between the main characters. Archer and Iris both grew a lot over the course of the book and had to face a few challenges along the way, which strained their relationship at times. Their responses seemed realistic and showed how different people react to stressors. I was so happy with how supportive they were of each other, and I loved that they got their HEA.

⤷ Characters:
I thought I was going to dnf the book for the first few chapters in Archer's POV. He came across as being really callus and honestly a bit like a deadbeat father. Thank GOODNESS his character development happened quickly and he became one of my favourite characters, doting over the two women in his life.

Iris also underwent major character development but much more slowly. She had to learn how to trust another person to have a long-lasting relationship with them, and how to put down roots and commit. I didn't mind that they both had flaws initially because it made their responses to certain situations really believable. I loved how Archer helped Iris with her growth too, giving her a safe and supportive place to decide what she wanted out of life.

Olive was probably a bit too wise for her age and said some things that a 5 year old probably wouldn't know to say. But I still found her to be an absolutely adorable character!

⤷ World-building:
I was able to visualise the core locations really clearly because the author spent a bit of time subtly illustrating the scene for us, whilst keeping the writing clear and concise. The town also had an established culture and personality, which made it even more believable and engaging to read.

⤷ Writing:
The writing was really easy to binge. I liked that we had two POV's to represent the main characters, and that they had a distinct feel and personality to them.

⤷ Everything else:
I went into book 4 having not read the earlier books in the series. I loved it so much, I'm going to go back and read the earlier books. I'd recommend reading them in any order that interests you because there aren't really any spoilers from what I've seen. It's obvious that the main characters in each book will end up with their HEA, so I don't consider that a spoiler.

This is Book 4 in the Dream Harbor Series!

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Laurie Gilmore serves up a heartwarming and cozy romance with The Strawberry Patch Pancake House, set in the charming small town of Dream Harbor. Filled with sweetness, warmth, and a dash of slow-burn tension, this novel is perfect for fans of The Pumpkin Spice Café and feel-good love stories.

Archer is a talented chef and a devoted single dad to his daughter, Olive. Moving to Dream Harbor and running a pancake restaurant wasn’t exactly in his life plan, but he’s determined to make it work—for Olive’s sake. What he doesn’t expect is Iris.

Iris has never been great at holding down a job, and the thought of becoming a nanny doesn’t exactly thrill her. But with bills to pay and few options left, she reluctantly agrees to help Archer with Olive. At first, she and Archer clash—he’s structured and disciplined, while she’s a bit chaotic and impulsive. But as they navigate the ups and downs of their new arrangement, something begins to shift.

With Olive’s not-so-subtle matchmaking and forced proximity pushing them together, Archer and Iris realize they might just have more in common than they thought. But with past fears and uncertainties lingering, will they take the leap and embrace the possibility of love?

Brimming with small-town charm, found family, and plenty of heart, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a delightful romance that will leave readers craving both pancakes and a love story as sweet as Archer and Iris’s.

The cutest single dad cosy romance!
This was honestly one of the cutest romances I've read recently, and I just loved everything about it! I don't normally go for single parent tropes, but I'm so glad I requested this ARC because everything about it was perfect. Archer had to abandon his dreams of getting a michelan star in France when his ex-fling passes, and he discovers he has a daughter. While Iris is in need of another job and a new home just as he is looking for a live in nanny. Of course, things happen, and they fall in love 🩷
Not only was this the sweetest romance as they try to resist falling for each other, but the setting was just adorable! A small town where they're planning a strawberry festival for spring and everyone knows each other 🍓 the perfect cosy vibes for a sunny day
Thanks to Laurie Gilmore, HarperCollins Aus and Netgalley for gifting me this ARC!

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with this eARC!

I don’t usually gravitate toward single-parent romances—not because I dislike them, but they just aren’t my go-to trope. But The Strawberry Patch Pancake House completely changed my mind. Or maybe I just loved this one. Or maybe I just loved Olive—because she’s absolutely adorable.

Whatever it was, this book completely won me over. The perfect mix of angst and pining had my heart in a vice, but there were also enough sweet, swoon-worthy moments to make me giggle like a schoolgirl. Laurie Gilmore has such a warm, comforting writing style that makes her books feel like a cozy hug, and I loved every second of it.

I adored The Pumpkin Spice Café, and The Strawberry Patch Pancake House just solidified my love for her writing. Now it’s time to dive into The Cinnamon Bun Book Store and The Christmas Tree Farm while I (im)patiently wait for The Gingerbread Bakery!

I will drop everything and read whatever Laurie Gilmore has written! And im never disappointment. Always the coziest and heartfelt read! This is no different to the first 3 books! I loved it!!!!

A fun, cozy, low stakes read. I haven't read the other entries in the Dream Harbor series, however that didn't detract from the experience.

Iris was a fun bubbly character, who at the start of the novel had some room for growth and maybe lack of direction. She occasionally danced the line of being too quirky, but managed to pull through still being a likeable character.

Archer came out looking great, knowing that his priority was his daughter at the end of the day. Trying to ensure that he wasn't acting on unrequited feelings and his struggles at the restaurant felt realistic for an experience chef working at the dinner (although the ricotta pancakes sounded amazing, the town was crazy for rejecting that.

Olive felt like a realistic child in actions and words (some authors get it so so wrong to the point it feels uncomfortable)

The relationship was fun, exciting without too much conflict. Great story two people that clearly had the hots for each other but not wanting to cause upheaval for their young charge. The flirtation at the bar post the town meeting made me squeal and kick my feet, it was that hot!

Without spoilers, the trope at the end was fine and suited the story being told, it's not my favourite but it was sweet.
Would easily recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted fun read .

All the stars in the sky and then some… and that still feels inadequate a rating for my first Laurie Gilmore, “The Strawberry Patch Pancake House”.

Girl clearly knows the recipe for the magic meth cos with TSPPH she be DEALING.

This was ludicrously good - truly, perfection. My cheeks ached from smiling, I laughed aloud more times than I can count; this is sunshine and hugs and warm cookies in literary form.

The flow, the rhythm, the pace, chemistry, banter… whatever scale you use to score your books, TSPPH is pinnacle romance.

It was heart wrenchingly beautiful, touching, the definition of swoonworthy but also seriously spicy in parts?!

I’ve already preordered 3 copies; one for myself, one for my mum and another for my bestie.

No notes. Not one.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was a really fun read! My favourite in the series so far. I love the single Dad/Nanny troupe! Some things seemed a little unrealistic - but I took it as it was intended - enjoyable fiction.

Archer, an esteemed chef has to leave his life in Paris to move to the small town of Dream Harbor when he finds out he has a 5 year old daughter, Olive, and her Mum has just passed away. Needing a job, he takes on the chef position at the diner - a far cry from what he is used to. Add a young daughter to the mix and Archer seems out of sorts.

Iris, a long term local, struggling to pay her rent, takes on a job as a live in Nanny, to solve her money problems. It's only short-term for her, save up enough before she can move on. She didn't expect to fall in love with both Olive and Archer.

I enjoyed how it all played out. The slow burn romance between Archer and Iris. Both of them changing their minds on what was important in life. The community trying to help find the original pancake recipe and Olive. Olive added so much fun for me. She did seem older than 5 years old, but I loved how Olive and Iris's relationship grew.

It’s a lesson to learn that it is okay to change. It’s fine to have a plan for your life and later decide that you need and want something different.

This books perfectly blends contemporary romance with a story of change, learning, and love.

It’s the same hilariously quirky Dream Harbour that we keep coming back to, but this time it’s the grumpy single dad and the carefree untethered (reluctant) nanny.

I enjoyed reading this book and struggles to put it down

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for sending this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book was very cute and cosy! It follows Archer, a world-renowned chef who just found out he has a daughter named Olive and moves from Paris to Dream Harbor to help raise her after her mum suddenly passes away. In town he meets Iris and recruits her as a live in nanny to help care for Olive. Little does he know that Iris also has zero experience with children and the two embark on a journey of learning how to look after Olive.

I really enjoyed the small town setting and the found family. I think you’ll also like this book if you’re a fan of the grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity tropes or looking for a light, fluffy read.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a cosy small-town romance, but it didn’t fully deliver. While the setting was charming and Olive stole every scene, the slow-burn romance fizzled out, and a last-minute twist felt out of place. Archer was hard to connect with, and Iris often felt too immature for her role. It’s an easy, feel-good read, but not the most memorable

1 star

I honestly don’t have much to say about this book, and I really didn’t want to give it a one-star rating, but I genuinely did not enjoy it at all. Everything that could go wrong in a romance book, unfortunately, happened here. It’s honestly a crime for this monstrosity to have such an adorable cover.

Let’s start with the characters. If I’m being honest, they were a joke. I don’t even have the words to describe them, which, when you think about it, is a pretty bad sign. They had absolutely no substance. There was no chemistry, no build-up, no tension, no angst—nothing! It was just pure insta-love, and it was done poorly. I felt no connection to the characters at all, and frankly, I felt disconnected from the entire book.

I felt nothing. I didn’t get any vibes from the story, just flat words on paper. The writing made it even worse. It’s in third-person perspective, and while I don’t always mind that, I think the book would’ve fared much better if it had been written in the first person. At least then, maybe I would’ve felt something, anything, for the characters or the plot. As it stands, I felt zero emotional investment. This book has left me feeling slumpy, and I honestly wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Thank you Harper Collins for the arc.

✨Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for providing me with an e-copy of "The Strawberry Patch Pancake House", by Laurie Gilmore, for review✨

🍓What to expect:
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Single Dad
Slow Burn
Small Town

✏️Summary:
Everything had been going exactly to plan for Chef, Archer Baer when a twist of fate sees him abandoning his life in France for the small town of Dream Harbor.

Suddenly, he's balancing the demands of the quirky town's unruly diner patrons with being a father to little Olive, who needs him now more than ever.

When free-spirited Iris steps into the role of live-in Nanny, Olive is thrilled. It seems like the perfect arrangement until the sizzling chemistry between Iris and Archer becomes apparent and the pair start to wonder if they have bitten off more than they can chew!

🥞My thoughts:
The Serotonin is heeeeereee! This book was the escape from reality that I so desperately needed right now. It's equal parts funny and heartwarming, with an unhinged book club that I want to join immediately. The book left me with no doubt that Laurie Gilmore's recipe for small town romance is flawless (and her thoughtful reflection on the story's tropes in the acknowledgments section just made me love her work even more).

For me, life's definitely batter at the Strawberry Patch Pancake House! (I said what | said!). 5 stars.

This was actually my first book in the Dream Harbor series, and now I absolutely need to go back and read the first three! I’ve always been obsessed with how adorable the covers are, and the moment I saw this was a single dad, small-town romance, I knew I had to pick it up. This was such a quick, cute, and cozy read. Dream Harbor is definitely a fictional town I’d love to live in!

The story follows renowned chef Archie, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he has a daughter, Olive, after her mother’s tragic passing. Determined to gain full custody, he leaves behind his career in Paris and relocates to Dream Harbor, taking a job at a local diner to prove he can provide a stable home. Enter Iris, the new nanny, who has absolutely no experience with kids. I loved how both Archie and Iris had their own learning curves when it came to taking care of Olive, and it was so clear they made a great team… and even better as something more. So cute, so fluffy, so wholesome!

What a great quick romance read.

I absolutely loved this read, it was quick, full of coziness and just so much love!

This was my first book in the series that I have read (i do have some on my kindle to read) and I absolutely adored it. I am a Gilmore Girl through and through and this gave me all the Gilmore Girls vibes.

Small town - tick
Forced proximity - tick
Single dad - tick
Grumpy x sunshine - tick
Slow burn - extra ticks

I cannot wait to go and read the rest in the series.

'He wanted to pull her closer... The man who had once only thought about his goals. About being the best. About perfection. About himself. Now he just wanted a sunny afternoon picnic with his favourite girls.'

Thank you so much to HarperCollins Australia and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I've also read and enjoyed Christmas Tree Farm from this author, but I thought this book was even better.

The chemistry between Archer and Iris was so believeable, and I loved the issues arising from their forced proximity. Olive was a sweet character too, without overwhelming the plot too much. I think it can be tricky to write kids into some novels without them coming across as too wooden or too precocious, but I think Olive got the perfect amount of page space to largely avoid these issues.

There's something really comforting about Laurie Gilmore's books, and this one was sweet. I enjoyed escaping again to Dream Harbour and revisiting some familiar characters and places. These books are pure, sugary escapism. I want to believe there's a town where the palatability of the local pancakes are the most important thing the community cares about!

The only things that slightly impacted my enjoyment of this book is the appearance of my least favourite trope. It was super interesting reading the authors note at the back and I understand why she chose to give this storyline a go. While this particular trope wasn't for me, that doesn't mean others won't enjoy it. I still found the rest of the book thoroughly enjoyable 🙂

A Sweet and Cozy Small-Town Romance

Laurie Gilmore delivers another charming small-town romance with The Strawberry Patch Pancake House. This book is a heartwarming mix of forced proximity, found family, and a delicious slow-burn romance.

Archer, a world-renowned chef turned pancake house owner, is a swoon-worthy single dad trying to find stability for his daughter, Olive. Enter Iris, a free spirit with a history of job-hopping, who unexpectedly finds herself as Olive’s live-in nanny. Their dynamic is filled with warmth, tension, and plenty of sizzling chemistry—especially when Archer’s habit of cooking shirtless is involved!

The cozy atmosphere of Dream Harbor adds to the charm, making it easy to get lost in the story. The book leans into its tropes well, offering everything you’d expect from a comforting, small-town romance. While the pacing occasionally felt a bit slow, the emotional depth and the delightful cast of side characters kept me engaged.

Overall, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a delightful read perfect for fans of found family, single dad romances, and small-town charm. A solid 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cute romantic story of grumpy dad x nanny. Small town romance. Light read in terms of content. Well written, easy to read and so adorable. The ending was the best part.
Thank you NetGalley for the read.