I absolutely loved this book. Hands down my favorite out of the whole series but the first one is definitely another favorite of mine. I hope the series continues and they keep getting better and better. I love how they all connect with each other.

Archer is a new hot shot chef in town who is a single dad to a daughter named Olive. He didn’t even know he had a daughter until Olive’s mother passed away. The mayor suggests that Archer hires a nanny and that’s when Iris comes into their life. I just adore the whole relationship between Archer, Olive and Iris. Nobody can replace Olive’s mother but Iris is trying to hard and it’s really sweet.

I received this book for free from netgalley and publisher in return for my honest opinion.

I love the charm of Dream Harbor and it's inhabitants, and this book was still great to read, but it wasn't as endearing as the previous books. It was really on the third act that didn't work for me... (spoilers hidden on Goodreads) I would have absolutely devoured this book if not for that storyline, but I had to walk away for a hot minute to regroup before finishing. I still enjoyed the relationship and the humor; I did especially enjoy the book club talking about the single dad trope in a book about a single dad.

I felt like Archer did not fit in with the folks in Dream Harbor. He is a world renowned chef and finds himself employed at the local diner. Over time, his character really grew on me, especially when he was trying so hard to be a good dad to Olive. Olive was such a cute and endearing character, and the relationship between her and Archer felt genuine, even though it took her some time to come around.

The romance between Archer and Iris was sweet, but it was also a bit predictable. However, I found iris’ character to be unlikable for the most part. She seemed very immature and not ready to take on the role of being someone’s mother. She can’t even keep a job.

Overall, it was a pleasant read, but it didn’t quite wow me. It’s a good pick if you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good story, but I didn’t find it as fresh or exciting as the other books in the series. Still, fans of small-town romances might enjoy it!

I loved this book. Archer and Iris are my favorite couple. The chemistry between the two is fabulous and the book has just the right amount of slow burn and spice to keep you engaged. Love the family / blended family aspect as well. This is my favorite one in the series so far.

I’ve grown to love books written by Laurie
Her writing just keeps getting better and better throughout the whole series.
A book that is definitely a must read for 2025

Every now and then I feel like reading pure fluff and being under the weather for several days had me feeling down so I decided to grab something that would be a light escape. This small town, forced proximity romance did the trick. If you miss the town of Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) Dream Harbor is worth checking out.

Archer is a single father who only found out about his five-year-old daughter Olive after her mother’s death. He was a hot shot chef living in France, but he dropped everything once he knew he had a child that needed him.

Iris is a free spirit who never considered having a serious relationship much less children. She only agrees to take a job as Olive’s nanny because her back is against the wall financially. Iris is a yoga and water aerobics instructor and has a lot of elderly clientele. I liked her relationship with these older ladies and seeing her interact with them brought a smile to my face. She also has a way with Olive that’s heartwarming and funny.

Don’t let the cutesy cover fool you, the spicy scenes are plentiful. So take that into consideration according to your personal preferences. I have never in my life seen so many variations of pancake recipes in my life. Don’t read on an empty stomach.

I got up and made a huge stack of pancakes first thing this morning 🥞 😋 so the family was glad I stayed up last night to finish this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.

You came for an easy read. You stayed for strawberry pancakes.

This read was all the cozy small town strife we have come to love from Laurie. Quickly forgiving and easily romanced, we are learning to love all the ways we come into families, and that's a lesson worth learning.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is the fourth book in the Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore. In this book, we follow the lives of Iris and Archer as they figure out and learn about themselves and one another. As the series is interconnected, there are many cameos from previous characters in this small-town romance, and readers are able to see more life being brought into the world of Dream Harbor.

I’m a bit of a sucker for small-town romances and like the other novels in the series, I was suckered in. It’s really fun meeting the new characters/couples but also checking in and seeing where previous couples are doing in their relationships. Iris and Archer’s relationship is very different from the others because he is a single father. I love the portrayal of his daughter and how she behaves around him; if anything, it’s like a reflection of how the rest of the town think and behave around him too.

Iris and Archer’s characters also feel very different because they both have to come to terms with themselves. While there are elements of found family and supportive friends, much of the work they have to do is individual. The amount of internal work, change, and growth is fairly balanced and reflective of moments we have in real life. I appreciate how this is played out between the characters and how it runs throughout the novel.

Overall, I was excited to return to Dream Harbor and to see the continuation of shenanigans of the townspeople and the people they love. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins360, and Laurie Gilmore for gifting me the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.

I love a good single dad & nanny trope, and this one has a deeper addition. The way the Dream Harbor series is written, they can each be read as the perfect seasonal standalone.

The character development of both Iris and Archer were done amazingly. The added character of Olive really helped see the grief stages of a child, while their whole world changes. I was so happy to return to Dream Harbor and get a glimpse back into our other characters lives as well.

In my opinion the books in this series always have the perfect amount of spice and story. I don’t feel overwhelmed with either. I can’t wait to jump back in when the next book in the series is released.

Is Dream Harbor real? If so, I want to go for a visit!!

This book was so stinking sweet! The fact that the father and daughter's names are Archer and Olive made me smile every time I read them.

A Paris-based chef secure in being a bachelor forever, on the hunt for the Michelin Star, has his entire world upended when he learns that he has a daughter and must leave Paris to claim custody of her. He goes from perfectly plating Filet Mignon to struggling to make a decent stack of pancakes, from being a lady's man to wanting to be a lady's man.

This book is laced with emotion: fear, love, uncertainty, pride, stubbornness, and courage, all mixed with excellently placed humor, banter, a box of Bisquick, and a dash of spice.

I loved everything about this book; I literally could not put it down, and I was sad when it was over.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper 360, and Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read the ARC of this cozy small-town novel.

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Archer, Iris, and Olive have made their way into the Dream Harbor universe in such a great way. I have enjoyed all of this series, but this one may be my favorite. Adorable setting, interesting characters, fun moments. I read this story in one sitting, and I bet you will enjoy it as well.

If you’re feeling down or just want a cozy, feel-good romance, this book is exactly what you need. It’s warm, comforting, and full of heart—like the book version of your favorite dessert.

I haven’t read the rest of the series yet, but after this, I definitely will. It has that charming small-town feel, with kindhearted people and a story that pulls you in without feeling overly dramatic or unrealistic.

The story follows Archie, a talented chef who suddenly learns he has a daughter, Olive, after her mother passes away. To raise her, he leaves his successful career in Paris and moves to Dream Harbor, taking a job at a local diner to prove he can provide her with a stable home. But it’s not easy—his new neighbors dislike his fancy food, Olive won’t speak to him, and the town’s older women constantly check in on his parenting skills. He’s in over his head.

That’s where Iris comes in. She’s struggling to find work and desperately needs a fresh start. Becoming Olive’s nanny seems like the perfect opportunity—except for one problem: her ridiculously attractive, grumpy boss. She knows she should keep things professional, but it’s hard to ignore his late-night pancake-making skills or those infuriatingly cute dimples.

Both have a lot to lose, and falling for each other could make everything more complicated. But as their connection deepens, they start to wonder—what if this is more than just attraction? What if they could build the kind of family they never thought was possible?

This book is sweet, heart-melting, and impossible to put down. If you love slow-burn romance with lovable characters and small-town charm, you’ll adore this story. Five stars!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the review copy!

The dream harbor books always have perfect seasonal vibes. I loved reading about the strawberry festival and seeing dream harbor in spring. I also really enjoyed seeing Iris and Archer connect! I need a personal chef to make me dinner now. I also liked seeing Archer and Iris figure out how to bond with Olive and be responsible for a tiny human. They all had really great connections that were well developed.

I did struggle a bit with Iris originally wanting to be child free and ending up changing her mind. I think women who want to be child free are often told they will change their minds so I wonder if stories like this would be frustrating to read.

I think if you like a nanny and single dad romance, or a smalltown romance you'll love this one! There are town meetings and pancake missions and the spring vibes are excellent!

After surviving a terrible flu, the only thing I wanted was to digest a book that would nourish my soul and heart, lift my broody mood, and bring some warmth back into my life. Thankfully, this book was the perfect cure! It completely treated my post-flu blues, made me swoon, and had me grinning so wide I thought my face might split in two. And, of course, I lost count of how many times I said, “Aww!” while reading.

If you’ve had a tough day, are in a bad mood, or just need something cozy, sexy, and cuddly, grab this book! It’s better than any medicine and just as effective as a warm, gooey chocolate lava cake.

I haven’t read the other books in this series yet, but they’re now at the top of my TBR. I’m saving them for the days when life feels overwhelming, and I need the sweet, swoon-worthy, soft healing powers of a great romance. It gives off a bit of a Hallmark vibe with its small-town, tight-knit community full of good-hearted people, but it’s done in a way that feels authentic and completely lovable—never over-the-top.

The forced proximity, grumpy meets sunshine, and opposites attract tropes are all wonderfully executed. The single dad, found family, and slow-burn romance themes are also major highlights, making it impossible not to devour this story in one sitting.

The plot revolves around hotshot chef Archie, who suddenly discovers he's the father of a little girl, Olive, after her mother tragically passes away. To gain full custody, Archie leaves behind his prestigious career in Paris and moves to the small town of Dream Harbor, where he takes a job at a local diner to prove he can provide a stable home for his daughter.

But adjusting isn’t as easy as he expected. The townspeople hate the changes he makes to the diner’s menu (they even send back his pancakes in protest!), Olive refuses to talk to him, and the town’s elderly ladies keep dropping by unannounced to monitor his parenting skills. Archie is drowning—and he desperately needs help.

Enter Iris, who can barely hold down a job, is struggling to pay rent, and is in dire need of a fresh start. Becoming Olive’s nanny seems like the perfect solution, even if it means dealing with her brooding, ridiculously sexy, grumpy chef of a dad. She should be able to resist his charms… but how can she when he’s whipping up late-night pancakes like it’s some kind of seductive one-man cooking show? Or when his arms flex while whisking butter (seriously, how is that even legal?)? Or when those adorable dimples make an appearance every time she teases him?

But crossing the line could ruin everything. Archie is determined to be a good father and secure full custody of Olive, and Iris can’t afford to lose another job—especially not one that could finally give her some stability. On top of that, the last thing she wants is to hurt Olive by giving up when things get complicated.

Yet, with each passing day, sparks fly, tension builds, and the temptation to break all the rules grows stronger. And even though everyone warns them to keep their hands to themselves, resisting might just be impossible.

But what if this could be more than just a fleeting attraction? What if two struggling adults could come together and create the kind of family they never thought they’d have? Could they find their own happily ever after?

Overall, this book is as sweet as a stack of strawberry pancakes and absolutely deserves its five heartwarming, swoon-worthy stars. I can't wait to read more books in the series, and I highly recommend grabbing a copy as soon as possible!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this cozy small-town romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.

An absolutely heartfelt steamy small town story. Some heavy topics including grief of a child for her lost mother. Reading as Iris learns to let go of her own past trauma around relationships and gets to know Archer as he finds his new goals and learns to love the daughter he never knew he had.
A great smattering of comedy, romance, heat, and people fighting through their own issue for a HEA.

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley, Laurie Gilmore, and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was such a cute read! I really enjoyed the single-dad aspect of the story and watching Archer’s relationship with Olive grow. However, Iris felt a bit too flighty throughout the novel—almost to the point where it seemed like the author was constantly reminding us that she doesn’t do relationships. Despite that, I really liked the tension between Archer and Iris early on and appreciated the minimal spice scenes, given that a child was involved in the story.

I also loved returning to Dream Harbor, but I found myself wanting more of the strong community involvement that made the previous books so charming.

Overall, this was a good read, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the Dream Harbor series!

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was not entirely what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. Like the book club even pokes at, I don’t usually reach for romance books that involve single parents or children, but I liked the variation of this Dream Habor book. Archer is a world renowned chef who finds himself in Dream Habor when he finds out he has a daughter and now he is the sole parent after a tragic accident. While Archer grieves the life he once had on the other side of the world, he begins to fall in love with Dream Harbor and…the nanny? Although a total faux paux, Archer finds himself falling for the always single, never wants kids, nanny by the name of Iris. Can he convince Iris that he and Olive are worth changing her whole world view?

This series is a fun, fluffy rom com and this one was no different.

A single Dad with a daughter he never knew about. A nanny who isn’t sure she likes kids. Of course you have a good idea of what will happen. It’s a fun read. The little girl was adorable.

I’d recommend this to others.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The fourth in Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series captured the charm that I loved in “The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore.” It was sweet and cozy and, honestly better than expectations after the disaster that was “The Christmas Tree Farm”.

I loved the funny bits of parenthood that were included. Like the story of Archer opening up with Maribel about Olive’s sleepwalking and to use Christmas bells on the door. And Olive asking if the people at the door were trick or treaters with Archer’s deadpan reply of “it’s July”.

Hazel is the voice of reason. I loved that her character had several cameos and that she was written true to character. As I read, I imagined Archer as Jeremy Allen White so that probably helped me like his character so much. Can’t really credit Gilmore for that though.

Ok, now that the review is done, when do I get Annie and Mac????? There was not nearly enough of either of their characters included.

Thank you to Harper360 and NetGalley for the ARC.

Another cozy, quick read in the Dream Harbor series. I love that we see our old mcs and get little updates on their lives. And as always we have our overly involved (nosy) towns people.

Archer and Iris have the best chemistry, the slow burn as they get to know eachother is perfect for this story. I love how as their feelings for one another build we see their characters develop so well. As much as I love Iris and Archer, Olive is absolutely the star of this book.

Strawberry Patch Pancake house did not disappoint to bring the Hallmark vibes we've grown to know from Dream Harbor.
(The little peak at Annie and Mac's story is not enough to hold me over until The Gingerbread Bakery comes out)

*thank you netgalley for this arc*