Another fun visit to Dream Harbor. I do feel like there was quite a slow build-up only to have a mad dash downhill for the end of the book. Predictable and sweet, but the pacing was a bit off for me overall.

2.5⭐️

Ugh not my favorite. This was my first single dad x nanny trope and I couldn’t get behind the ridiculousness of it all, like duh that wouldn’t work??? But that’s also the whole point lol, just not it for me! Sincerely I haven’t rated a single one of dream harbors above 3⭐️ but I always come back when a new one is out….I think the cover artwork and map always draws me in.

If you’re looking for a forgettable small town romance, just a quick easy read, then this could be for you!!! But don’t expect anything revolutionary or emotional.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I truly enjoyed this story! It made me say “aww” more times than I can count and it brought me out of a long reading slump. It was cozy, sweet, and a bit spicy 🌶️ Olive is by far the best character, but anytime there is a single dad/ nanny troupe- I’m in! I think this is my favorite of the Dream Harbour books!

4/5 ⭐️

I have fallen in love with Dream Harbor! Even though I have only read books 3&4 from the series, I know I will enjoy the first two. Archer was the most realistic new dad. He took this person he didn’t even know existed and immediately gave his all, struggles and all. Iris knew nothing about being a nanny, yet she was able to get Olive to open up and be happy. These two made such a team and their chemistry was perfect.

Thank you so much to Harper 360 & Netgalley for this e-arc.


I have not read the other three books, but will soon. I didn't realize I needed a mix of romance, pancakes, and small town living. The story centers on Archer, whose life is completely changed when he learns that he has a daughter, Olive, who is five years old, following the sudden passing of her mother. To assist him get used to his new life, he employs Iris as a live-in nanny and assumes the position of chef at the neighborhood restaurant. As Archer and Iris gradually grow to love one another, what starts off as a pragmatic arrangement quickly evolves into something more meaningful. There is no denying their chemistry.

This book made my heart happy. It was predictable in a way that was comforting and “filled my cup.” The combo of small town living, pancakes, and romance was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. I don’t think I have previously read a romance with a kid in it. I was impressed with how the author was able to weave in the kid in a way that added to the relationship building and also captured the nuance of dating as a parent. I very quickly fell in love with their little family and had a great time watching them come together.

Note: I have not read the previous 3 books (but will soon!), but that was not a problem.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is the fourth book in the Dream Harbor series, and it’s filled with the perfect amount of cozy vibes. The book follows Archer, whose life is turned upside down when he discovers he has a five-year-old daughter, Olive, after the sudden death of her mother. Determined to step up and do the right thing, Archer relocates to the small town of Dream Harbor to raise Olive. He takes on the role of the chef at the local diner and hires Iris as a live-in nanny to help him adjust to his new reality.

I kept hearing about this series but I never picked it up until now. While this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in order. I found it slightly confusing to jump into Dream Harbor as there was no background given on any of the supporting characters.

I really enjoyed this book overall! What begins as a practical arrangement soon turns into something deeper as Archer and Iris slowly fall for each other. The single dad trope was written very well, and I was constantly rooting for Archer and Iris to get together. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the forced proximity was *chefs kiss* (pun intended). Olive was so sweet and so many of her scenes made me smile. The cozy vibes of this story were just what I needed! I am on the fence if I will go back and read the first three, but they are not completely off the table.

I think this was one of my favorites so far in the series. I was rooting for Archer and Iris to be together the whole time. Sometimes what we don't know that we need or want is right in front of us. I love how the author keeps details about the other characters of Dream Harbor entertained throughout the stories. I'm waiting on Mac and Annie next!

I somehow totally missed the single dad part of the description, or just didn't pay attention and requested it due to the hype. I don't know. But I hate the single parent trope. So I DNFed.

In another corner of Dream Harbor, Archer and Iris are an unlikely pair. Iris and her free spirit are far from the order and efficiency Archer runs his life with, especially when he only learns of his daughter after the death of her mother. Can the town rally around Archer and Iris to make the best of bad situation or will long desired dreams overtake the possibility of what is right in front of them?

Such a fun and fast read. This series is just delightful. A little sweet, a little spice, and not too deep. If you’ve liked any of them, you’ll like this one too. At times I felt the plot was rushed, but again, it was a quick read. Enjoy!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.

4⭐, 2🌶️

Okay. This may just be my favorite book of the Dream Harbor series! I just loved Archer and Iris and Olive! Their little family was heartwarming from the jump with Olive and Iris bonding to bring Olive out of her grief over losing her mom. Archer mellowing out throughout the book, mainly by fighting with the small town over an old pancake recipe was just so funny and quirky.

🍓Secret Child/ Surprise Single Dad
🥞Dad x Nanny
❤️ Small town Romance

Happy to say its taken me three books, but Regina Reagan's narration has grown on me. While I still think her voice is older for the 20/30 something MC's voices, it didnt bother me enough to impact the storyline as it did the prior two books I listened to on audiobook.

Excited to read Mac and Annie's story in Gingerbread Bakery next!

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

Absolutely LOVED! I am almost positive this will be my most favorite of the series. (But I do have another to wait for)

DNF. The only other Laurie Gilmore book I read was The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore and I really loved it! For some reason I just couldn't get into this one. I think it's because of the single dad trope. It's not something I've read before and I wanted to give it a try, but I just wasn't interested in this particular dynamic. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

✨️ Review ✨️
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by: Laurie Gilmore
Rating: 3/5 🌙's

Overview: Iris is having a hard time in life. She doesn't make enough money to pay the bills and needs a second job. One of her friends suggested she become the nanny for the new guy in town Archer. He just moved to Dream Harbor to be with his daughter he knew nothing about who is a toddler. Iris doesn't know the first thing about kids, but she knows she needs the money, and hey, you can't beat a free place to stay. That is until she meets Archer and Olive. Archer is a world-renowned chef who is easy on the eyes, and Olive is the sweetest of little girls. Her mom passed away, and she has been thrown into a new life with a father she knew nothing about.


Thoughts: Let me start out by saying I feel as if this book could have easily been a 6 moon book. I understand that this is a light, hopeful romance about two unlikely people in a taboo way. Nanny x Boss trope. However, i feel like the death and grief that Olive would go through after losing her mom and being thrown into a home environment with two strangers wasn't touched enough. I think that would have elevated this book into such a good book. I might have said this book was my top so far for 2025 if there would have been more on the pain and confusion Olive felt. And I know we weren't reading from her perspective because this was a romance novel, but maybe showing olives pain a little more through her dad and Iris's eyes?

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a heart melting, warm story about unconventional family dynamics. This book will make you swoon for Archer and feel the tension between two people who don't want to make a little girls life MORE complicated.

Thank you so much for #netgalley and #harpercollins for this DRC in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

A light, beautiful read. It’s lovely being back in the small town with our favorite people. I love their meeting and how passionate they are with each other. A sweet and sexy story.

This is my favorite of the series so far! Olive is adorable! Love the nanny/single dad trope! Cozy spring romance with some spice! Archer is a chef and just moved to town. Iris is the new nanny!

This series continues to surprise me in the best ways possible. What you think is going to be a stereotypical, cozy small town romance somehow always ends up being so much more. I loved getting to dive deeper into Iris' character who we have seen flitting about Dream Harbor throughout the series. Archer was a realistically flawed, but somehow absolutely perfect (and sexyyyy) MMC. Often I find that children as the focus in romances really pulls you out of the reading and they tend to be written as overly cliché. Olive, however, was the perfect bonding agent and really added extra depth to the storyline.

This is a very fluffy, mindless romance. It is easy to read, though sometimes the grammar and syntax left a little to be desired. I overall enjoyed it but I’m not sure if I’d read other books from this author.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is the next book in the Dream Harbor series. It follows Archer, a professional chef whose life is flipped upside down when he learns that he has a child. He stumbles into life as a single dad and now a pancake chef at the local diner. In the hopes of making the transition easy, Archer hires a nanny to help him with his daughter.

If you love a romance, this is a cute book. It is super predictable, but it keeps you engaged as you rush to read the happy ending.