I loved this book! The storyline was cute and made me not want to put it down. I love that we still get updates from the other people in Dream Harbor. This small town is one I would love to be a part of!

after multiple attempts at reading- I have decided to DNF. I’m hoping to return to it in the future but right now i’m unable to connect with the author’s writing style.

First, a big thank you to NetGalley, Laurie Gilmore, and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this book so sweet and cute? Absolutely! Did I see myself in Hazel? 100%! The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore brought a lot of charm, and Hazel’s character felt wonderfully relatable. She’s a real girl with real insecurities, managing a demanding career and still figuring out her place in the world. Noah, with his fun-loving and sunny personality, was the perfect match for her, nudging Hazel out of her bookish shell in the most heartwarming ways.

Though I’m not usually a fan of the “insta-love” trope, it worked for me here, maybe because Hazel and Noah shared so much time together, allowing their connection to feel authentic despite the short timeline.

One note—while the cover hinted at a cozy fall setting, that wasn’t the case in the story. That aside, The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was a delightful read, blending sweet romance with relatable characters. Definitely worth picking up for anyone looking for a feel-good escape!

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was better than the first, I feel like I liked this couple more than the first. Is it still bad, make you laugh kind of writing? Yes, but I was expecting it this time unlike the first. Was this still a super over the top cheesy rom-com hallmark movie? Very much so, but it was really cute. It does have more spice than the first, so if you're not into that then you won't like this one. I don't know if I related to the characters more, but I didn't want to roll my eyes at it all. It's definitely more of a summer book than a cozy fall read so the cover throws you off. If you're looking for a super easy to read in one day, cozy, still bad writing but entertaining book then this is for you.

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

This is book #2 in the dream harbor series! Now this is definitely giving Rory Gilmore vibezzzz!! 🤣 it was soooo funny! I enjoyed the sexual tension and chemistry the two main characters Hazel and Noah had for each other. So far they’re my favorite couple! This is not your typical “hallmark” book because it’s most definitely giving adult content. 🌶️🥵

I loved the little mystery within this book too, it makes it so much more fun and interesting getting to know the townsfolk’s more. The book club group is my favorite side characters, especially the leader Kaorie I believe…🤣‼️ The season this book takes place in is towards the end of summer fyi.

My favorite scene was definitely the boat scene 😩…best scene written in the entire book! Chef kiss 💋!

This book has my heart, soul, all of it. Hazel is ME. I may be only 26 but I relate to her introverted, cozy night in-loving, bookworm self. The book scavenger hunt is my dreaaaam along with a lad like Noah? My GOODNESS. I can't wait for future installments in this series.

When the book is called The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore & the MMC is a Cinnamon Roll boyfriend disguised as a no strings attached fisherman the vibe of the book is 👩🏻‍🍳 🤌🏼 *Chef's Kiss*
Book 2 in the series, but this can totally be read as a standalone if you wanted to. She (Hazel, a bookstore manager) needs to loosen up & He (Noah, a fisherman known for entertaining the out of town ladies) needs to lock things down ❤️. When clues start showing up in her bookstore that lead Hazel to think she needs a summer of fun before her next birthday she asks Noah to help her out. Such an adorable small town, slightly spicy mystery romance. I liked this one even better than The Pumpkin Spice Cafe.

💕 He Falls First
🏘️ Small Town
☀️Summer Romance
📚 Books about Books
🧲 Opposites Attract
🔎 Cozy romantic light mystery

Thank you Net Galley & Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! I am so happy I have found this series! I absolutely loved The Pumpkin Spice Cafe (Spice included!) and wasn’t sure the same fall time vibe could be recreated and I was so wrong! Laurie Gilmore did it again and it was so fun, cozy, sweet and spicy in all the right ways! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next in this series!

*Cinnamon Bun Bookstore* was such a cozy fall read that had me feeling all the warm and fuzzy vibes! Even though I picked it up at the tail end of summer, it completely satisfied my craving for autumn. The story is reminiscent of *Gilmore Girls*, with its charming small-town setting and delightful character dynamics.

When Hazel discovers secret messages hidden in the pages of books, she enlists the help of the handsome fisherman, Noah. Their scavenger hunt takes them all over Dream Harbor, and I loved watching their chemistry grow amidst the backdrop of cozy bookstores and delicious cinnamon buns.

This book perfectly blends romance and mystery, making it the ideal read for anyone looking to get swept away in a heartwarming adventure. If you’re looking for a delightful escape, definitely grab a copy of this one!

Quick easy read with maybe a little bit too much spice and not quite enough character development. But a great option for a spicy romance with a happy ending.

Okay as much as it enjoyed The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. I enjoyed this one so much more and I want more story. I hope I get more of Hazel and Noah’s story in the other books.
I say everyone needs to read this series. It’s so good.

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is the second installment in the Dream Harbor book series by Laurie Gilmore. This book follows the life of Hazel, a girl about to be in her 30’s who feels like she never lived her 20’s the way she should have. She never took risks, never went on big, storytelling adventures, and now she was 2 months away from leaving her 20’s behind and nothing to show for it. Until one day, she noticed a book… and in this book, a mystery. Reaching out for help in this matter, Hazel asks Noah, another Dream Harbor resident/fisherman, to show her the way.

~~~

As a fellow 29 year old who never took risks, let me just say that I understand the fear all too well. For somebody like me, Hazel is incredibly relatable in the best of times and the worst of times, seriously it’s like these books call me out.

Bypass the fact that this book is MUCH spicier than the first book, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, the growth both personally and romantically between both Hazel and Noah was just *chef’s kiss*. Hazel and Noah were so easy to love despite the “she doesn’t want me like that” / “he doesn’t want me like that” bits which had me hollering “THEY DO” every single time it happened.

For me the biggest takeaway for this book was that once their feelings for one another were clear, it felt rushed and I really wanted to savor more of their beginning relationship phase.

The characters, the overly tight knit community of Dream Harbor, the relationships built here… it’s no wonder that this series was able to pull me out of my reading slump. I truly feel like a member of the Dream Harbor family and I honestly can’t wait to see what this town has to offer in the next book. See you all there!

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I want to say a big thank you to NetGalley for a copy of The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was very fun and sweet. I would have liked a little more spice (I think I assumed there would be more given the popularity of the series on TikTok). I loved the scavenger hunt concept and thought it was a delightful way to keep the plot moving forward.

I love Hazel. I believe this is my favorite of the series (so far)
I think I may have said “Seriously guys?!?!” a couple times with her and Noah. But they are a perfect match. I love books with dual POV and this one didn’t disappoint. I would give it 3 🌶️, I’m not a fan of a lot of spice, however with a cute vibe and slow burn, it worked. Cannot wait for book 3!!

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store was the perfect read for a cozy fall day. Hazel and Noah are both characters that you just can’t help but to grow to love and root for. The town “player” and the local “good girl,” an unlikely pair who somehow fit so well together. This store had me laughing out loud & on the verge of tears multiple times. It was light and airy and easy to fly right though, and it helped that I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. If you’re looking for a book that just feels like fall, don’t look any further, Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is for you !

In The Cinnabon Book Store, Laurie Gilmore introduces us to Hazel, who works in a bookstore but feels stuck in her life. Surrounded by stories of romance and adventure, she craves more excitement. Enter Noah, the town’s charming “ladies man,” who has liked Hazel since high school.

As Hazel gets ready to turn 30, Noah helps her break out of her rut and have the best summer ever. Their fun chemistry adds a nice spark to the story, making their journey both sweet and spicy.

This small-town romance is a quick read that mixes lighthearted moments with a bit of mystery to keep you engaged. Hazel’s growth is inspiring, and Noah’s support makes it even better.

Many thanks to One More Chapter Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Cinnabon Bun Book Store.

3.75⭐, 2.25🌶️

A cute friends to lovers romance by the author of the widely popuilar Pumpkin Spice Latte Cafe (yes we see bits of those charcters in this book!) Noah is a wonderful MMC and just the perfect cinnamon roll (😉 get it?!)

I think where I wasn't the biggest fan of this book was my choice to read the audiobook. Regina Reagan did a fine job narrating a single third person POV of this book, but her voice is of an older women and listening to a romance of two characters in the 20's just felt weird for me. I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I eyeball read it.

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

This is the perfect cozy mystery for book lovers. It's a delightful blend of heartwarming romance, intriguing puzzles, and delicious-sounding treats. The small-town setting of Dream Harbor is charming, and the characters are endearing.

Warm, cozy, and delightfully comforting, it’s a story about community, love, and second chances. Perfect to curl up with on a rainy day.

I loved The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and just new I would enjoy this book as well! I love the friendships and relationship and it's the perfect cozy fall read!

Based on the cover and the title, I expected a cozy fall read. Well, that lovely tree with autumn leaves is very misleading, because the majority of the story takes place in August and it feels very summery, except for the last few chapters towards the end.

As for the story, it took me a while to warm up to Noah and Hazel. It felt too insta-lovey on Hazel's part, while Noah has been pining after her for a long time, which is at odds with his anti-relationship-sleeping-around behaviour.

As the story progressed, I enjoyed it more. I liked the small town vibes and everything book related. Their treasure hunt was kind of fun, though it felt repetitive as neither of them were being honest about how they felt and just kept assuming things. It takes them a really long time to finally communicate, but once they do, it's my favourite part of the book.