I love Dream Harbor and all of its quirky characters. This series has been fantastic and this next book doesn't disappoint. We met Iris in Christmas Tree Farm, and she makes a great FMC. She's funny, smart, creative, and beautiful. She was already established as someone that doesn't like kids, so of course she gets hired to be Archer's nanny for sweet Olive. Archer is new to Dream Harbor and a world-renowned chef that had been living and working in Paris. Olive's mom, Cate, has been killed in an accident and Archer is the father (which he just found out about). Watching him find his footing with Olive and deal with Iris is so entertaining. Highly recommend this one and can't wait for the next book in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

I've read all four books in this series, and this one was by far my favorite!! Getting to see Archer struggle to raise his 5 year old daughter, who he just found out existed, all while falling in love with Iris was such a heartwarming story. It made me really feel for Archer. Poor Iris was just as nervous to be a first time, live in nanny for little Olive, and she desperately wanted to keep that little girl safe and thriving. She was so scared to admit or act on anything she felt for Archer, because she was always worried about how Olive would be affected. Which really tugs at the heartstrings. Being pulled in two different directions. The two of them were imperfectly perfect together, and seeing their little family evolve was such a good time, and Iris' internal monologue was so damn funny.
This book was easily a feel good, 5 star read. I wouldn't have changed a thing!!

It’s so good to be back in Dream Harbor. I’ve missed all the characters from the books and glad to see the gang back together! It brings nostalgia and butterflies in my stomach because I love this series so much. “The Pumpkin Spice Café” started it all then “The Cinnamon Bun Book Store,” “The Christmas Tree farm” and 5th book, “The Ginger Bread Bakery” soon to come.
“The Strawberry Patch Pancake House” is a spin-off story of Iris from The Christmas Tree Farm. Iris is a free spirit who works different odd jobs and was hired to be a nanny. Archer, a world-renowned chef, learned that he was a father to a 5-year-old girl named Olive.
Archer and Iris’ had a rough start but their love story really grew on me. Olive is so cute! I was rooting for their love story and I cannot wait for the next book!

Each book gets even more adorable! I'm obsessed with this entire town. The connections between each book bring me so much joy because I never have to truly leave my favorite couples. The guaranteed happily ever afters are nice too.

I was late to the party for this series but I am here to stay! This adorable book follows Iris and Archer. Archer just finding out he had a 5 year old daughter, after her mother passed, moves home to meet his daughter and see what’s next. When he starts working as a cook at the diner he hires Iris to be Olives nanny. Iris desperately needing a job agrees to be a nanny and move in with Archer and Olive but feelings soon start to grow. I usually am not a fan of the single dad trope as kids are hit or miss for me but Olive was such a cute well written kid that she didn’t feel like a plot device. This is the first book I have picked up in this series and it will not be my last. This series gives me Gilmore Girl vibes the town and side characters scream Stars Hollow and I loved every minute of it. I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I've loved this series ever since I read The Pumpkin Spice Café, back when Laurie was still an indie author. I have to say, I’ve been waiting for Annie and Mac’s book ever since. When I found out the last book would be about Kira and Bennet, I was a little hesitant since they weren’t part of the original group, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise—I absolutely loved their story. So, when I realized once again that this book wouldn’t be theirs, I figured I might be pleasantly surprised again.

The beginning of the book was really good! I loved seeing how Archer got closer to Olive and how happy he was every time she let him in a little more. The scenes with Iris, Archer, and Olive together were also great.

What didn’t work for me was that, at times, I just couldn’t feel the chemistry between them. There were also moments when the story felt repetitive. And honestly, the surprise pregnancy at the end just ruined it even more for me.

That being said, I absolutely love Laurie’s writing, so of course, I’ll keep reading her books—especially since the next one is the one I’ve been waiting for! Even though I didn’t connect with this story, I think it comes down to personal taste, and I’m sure some readers might love it.

Thank you so much Harper 360, for sending me this ARC!

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is the third book in the Dream Harbor romance series by Laurie Gilmore. This is such a sweet, feel-good, easy-reading romance story set amidst a cozy town with familiar characters from previous books.

A renowned French chef discovers that he has a five year old daughter named Olive, whom he never knew about. When her mother suddenly passes away, he makes the move to small town Dream Harbor to step-in as her caregiver and chef for the local diner. He has to not only adjust his career dreams, but figure out how to parent a child with no child-rearing experience whatsoever, and find success in a town very much set in their ways. It’s a rocky beginning, but things change for the better when Iris joins the story.

Iris is a happy-go-lucky townie who floats through life from job-to-job with a cheerful disposition. She is forced to accept the job as Olive’s nanny, a job she feels wholly unqualified for, because she needs more income and a place to live. Their story is an up-and-down progression and the third act breakup seems a bit unreasonable. But the family moments with Olive feel authentic, humorous and touching, and the conclusion is meaningful and satisfying. I have really enjoyed this series as a whole and The Strawberry Patch Pancake House lived up to my expectations.

I don’t know what it is about these books, but I ADORE them. I normally do not like a romance trope where kids are involved, but this one was done with sincerity and realness that resonated with me having a daughter the same age as Olive. My only complaint is that I wanted more of the characters because I especially loved Iris and feel like her character wasn't fleshed out as much as Archer’s. Anyone who already loves Dream Harbor will love this one too, it’s a gem.

There’s something about this series I cannot quite explain, but, man, do I eat these books UP

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was Laurie Gilmore’s best book yet. I honestly think each one is better than the last. I adore Iris, Archer, and Olive so much and cannot wait for their cameos in future books. Reading this felt like a warm hug, with all the cheesy wholesomeness, a bit of well-done spice, and the overwhelming sticky sweetness of, well, syrup 😏

Now that I’m done with the book, I’ll just be over here daydreaming about leaving reality and moving to Dream Harbor. Sigh.

Thank you so very much to Harper360 for the ARC!

This is a fun feel good book. Love the characters! Archer, Iris and Olive is the perfect blend. Recommend! I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

I loved this book!! So thankful for an ARC because I was having a difficult time having to wait until the 18th to read it!!

Dream Harbor is so cute, it feels like I'm in a Hallmark movie (but with spice) everytime I read one of these books (this is Book 4). I highly recommend jumping into these books, they're happily ever after, feel good, spicy romcoms. And Iris and Archer are just another wonderful addition to the couples in this series (Olive is a great addition too).

Cute and quick read. grumpy x sunshine . single dad x nanny. My love for Dream Harbor grows with each book. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Absolutely precious. This series has become my new favorite series in the last year. I’m obsessed! Check these out ASAP!

I love Dream Harbor so much and really wish it was real so I could live there. If you’re a fan of these books then you already know what you’re getting yourself into. This is the perfect balance of grumpy sunshine with a hallmark backdrop. The growth between our mc’s is as sweet as the strawberries and pancakes they dish up. A single chef is thrust into being a single father, where he goes to the small town of dream harbor. He quickly realizes that his acceptance into the town might come at the cost of figuring out their beloved pancake recipes, instead of the new fancy recipes he brings with him. Along the way; he learns a lot about himself, being a father, and the relationships that can make our dreams become a reality.

This started off cute & seemed like the perfect little springtime small town romance but then it got pretty repetitive. Not to mention, the worst part of this book were the last 100 pages. I think it's safe to say, the majority of people don't like the surprise pregnancy trope. It ruined the entire book.

Thank you NetGally for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this has been my favorite book in the series.i like how they incorporated a kid. It was a different dynamic than the first 3 books in the series.

Archer just found out that he had a daughter after her mother dies. He moves from France to get acquainted with his daughter and hopefully gain full custody. He hires Iris has a live in nanny. Iris has such a bubbly personality how could one not love her!

A well written, engaging book. I read it in one sitting. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was another cute, cozy, fun romance in the Dream Harbor world. I loved the main characters, and the cameos of previous characters in the series are always my favorite thing! I loved standalone books that are set in the same world with crossover characters!

As always with Laurie Gilmore's books, this one was another big win for me! All of the books in this series are such easy reads, and this was no exception. Sometimes you just need to read a feel good book, that still has plenty of the spice I always love. I also really liked that this one had a single dad trope, which was different and refreshing. I absolutely adore the town of Dream Harbor, the feel of the community and love for their neighbors. I wish I could live there! This is the story of Archie, a hotshot chef from Paris who finds out he has a daughter Olive when her mother is tragically killed. Enter Iris, a young woman looking for a way to relieve some of her financial issues. This story has tension, temptation, spice, and so many heartfelt moments to make you smile! This is book #4 in the Dream Harbor series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360 & Harper Collins for the gifted copy, which I read and reviewed voluntarily!

This was the Dream Harbor story I didn’t know I needed! Archer, a renowned chef, has his world turned upside down when he finds out he has a five-year-old daughter, Olive. After uprooting his life from Paris to Dream Harbor, not only must he learn to navigate fatherhood and run a diner, but he must also figure out how to not fall for the new nanny, Iris. While barely making ends meet and on the edge of eviction, a live-in nanny gig might give Iris some financial peace of mind. Not only does she fall quickly into rhythm with caring for Olive, but she also finds herself falling for her new boss. What could possibly go wrong?

Going into book four, I was a little uncertain about seeing more of Iris and being introduced to new characters. However, Laurie Gilmore did a phenomenal job of bringing these characters into the DH universe and blending them flawlessly with characters we’ve grown to love from previous books.

I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet, thoughtful and cozy read. It was a journey seeing Archer, who thought he had everything he wanted in life, go through the process of shifting gears and prioritizing Olive, who he previously had no knowledge of. It was refreshing seeing Archer process his feelings of becoming a parent unexpectedly and make an effort to develop an attachment to Olive. I also loved Iris and her growth throughout the story and overcoming her relationship insecurities. She cares so deeply for those around her and the work she does and I was so happy to see her confidence grow as she looked after Olive. Her and Archer’s dynamic in caring for Olive felt so organic and candid. Lastly, I appreciated how Archer and Iris helped Olive process her grief and found ways to keep her mom present.

Now for Iris and Archer’s relationship, who knew making pancakes could be so hot?! The slow burn and tension between them had me giggling and kicking my feet. I’m glad they were able to effortlessly uplift and support each other throughout the story and that their crushes weren’t just a “hit-and-run” (IYKYK).

Overall, this was such a fun and cute read and might be my new Dream Harbor favorite! I can’t wait to finally read Annie and Mac’s story next!

I’m a sucker for a small town romance, especially when that town has total Stars Hollow vibes, but with MUCH cuter men (ha!). This is the fourth book in Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series and my second favorite, after the Christmas Tree Farm. This book could’ve been a trite take on one of my least favorite tropes, single dad/nanny, but luckily Gilmore had the characters understand and honor their positionality and give enthusiastic consent. Basically the story is: what if Carmy from The Bear (but taller) learned he had a daughter, because her mom (who he had sex with a handful of times) died, and he had to move from France to Stars Hollow to take care of her and leave his Michelin star dreams behind? Amazing right?!? And it was a great, quick, steamy, cozy romance. Gilmore’s writing has improved since book 1. I will keep revisiting Dream Harbor, because there are more singles, and therefore more books to come. Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. 4 stars