The Strawberry Patch Pancake House: A small-town romance, perfect for fans of forced proximity, found family, and slow-burn romcoms for fall 2025 (Dream Harbor) (Book 4)

4.5 rating (really great) This was another wonderful read in this series. The story grabbed me and held on like all the rest. I also am super excited about the next book as it is beyond time for that story. This love story was sweet and while even more different than the previous ones I did enjoy it. The way the two grew and learned together and the direction it took they just made sense. Fate really. All the feels and like things just clicked right into place the way they were meant to. Having said all that I did rate this just slightly lower than the others because, SPOILER… I had no issue with Iris and Archer falling in love while she was Olive’s nanny. They were two consenting adults and their lives just happened to change for the better upon meeting. Again, them learning and growing together in a way that worked for them to be together was awesome. It all worked out in the end and I loved their little family, but the unplanned pregnancy just felt unnecessary. Because it threw Iris for a loop and lead to her leaving for a bit before the HEA also made it feel more slipped in for dramas sake. Again, I still think this book is really really great and the love story between not only Iris and Archer, but between them and Olive was beautiful, and yet the unplanned pregnancy I could have done without is all. The epilogue sold it a little bit as that scene was cute as hell, but I still would have been happy without the pregnancy part.

4.5 stars I never planned on reading any books in this series. A big reason for that was what I heard about how spicy the series was. As of late I have been staying away from those labels because those tend to be more smut based than romance based, which don’t really hit the spot for me. But I kept hearing the hype surrounding this series so I decided to give it a shot. I’m glad I did. I was hooked immediately. I was just sucked into the story with such ease that it was surprising. The characters, storyline, tropes, and the small town I really gravitated to a level that I just wasn’t expecting. I loved the cozy vibes that really enmeshed me into this world. I felt like I was right there with them. I thought the journey for both Iris and Archer were incredible. The transformation that were made were pretty spectacular. To see them both not only fall in with each other, but Olive was so special. The pacing for that was spot on and so very sweet. It really was great to see them become a family. They worked out perfectly for them. The romance was really well done too. The slow burn nature was great I thought. There were moments of sizzling attraction that was just adding to the build up and the tension. The angst was there because it was slightly forbidden with Iris being the nanny. But it was more than that because they were developing an emotional connection before they gave into said attraction, which made it all the better. When they finally got together it was so satisfying and I was really all for them as a couple. Overall I had a really good time with this one. There were a couple of things at the end I wasn’t thrilled with, but other than that I thought it was a great story/romance. I was happy I decided to listen to the hype and give it a shot.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was exactly the cozy, heartwarming read I was looking for. The small-town setting feels comforting and vivid, and the characters have a real sense of personality and depth. I enjoyed the forced proximity and slow-burn romance, which unfolded in a way that felt natural and satisfying without rushing through the emotional beats. The writing style is easy to get into and kept me turning pages — it’s the kind of story you can pick up at the end of the day and feel relaxed while reading. I also liked the found family elements woven into the story, which added warmth and made the world feel lived-in and genuine. For the price this novel offers excellent value because it delivers both charming romance and a connection to the Dream Harbor series that made me want to read the others. Overall I’m really happy with this book and would recommend it to fans of feel-good romance with heart.

🌟 Book Review: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore 🌟 If you're looking for a heartwarming small-town romance, look no further! The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is just that—an endearing story that takes you on an unexpected journey. Archer, a renowned chef, finds himself transitioning into fatherhood, trading his bustling city life for the cozy charm of small-town cooking and caring for his daughter. It’s a touching exploration of love, responsibility, and what it means to become a family. Iris, on the other hand, undergoes a beautiful transformation from being the “floating flower” to a determined woman yearning for more than just being a nanny. Her character development was wonderfully crafted and left a lasting impression. This book gave me all the small-town feels and kept me engaged from start to finish. I even enjoyed the audiobook version—it's definitely a quick and delightful read! The character arcs are compelling, especially as they evolve from resisting relationships to embracing love. While the ending was predictable, it still brought a smile to my face. I’d rate this read a solid 3.6 stars. It’s a charming story perfect for cozying up with. Have you read it yet? Let me know your thoughts! 📚❤️ #BookReview #Romance #SmallTownFeels #GoodReads

Cute and spicy story as you come to expect from this series. Always a sucker for a happy ending. Now on to the next. Happy reading.

Excellent book

The perfect book, that’s all I have to say 🥰😭❤️❤️ I highly recommend everyone to read this masterpiece, Laurie Gilmore is a genius ❤️❤️❤️

I have not read yet. But I'm a bit disappointed in the writer. I read tree book from her 2 of those was basic almost without any story. So I hope it's going to be better

I really enjoyed this story. It is a smooth follow up from Laurie Gilmore other stories. You can read them separately but it is nice to have the other characters life integrated. Wouldn't it be amazing to live in Dream Harbor?

Love this series. So easy to read with a really nice feel to them. Make sure you read them all.