Another Hallmark-esque addition to the Dream Harbor world. While I enjoyed SPPH, a few of the tropes won’t be for everyone.

Well, this was cute! It wasn't my favorite Dream Harbor book, but I still enjoyed Iris, Archer, and Olive. I personally have mixed feelings on the single dad/nanny trope because I think it has to be well done for it to work. Iris and Archer have chemistry from the start and I liked watching them build a friendship/tension. I think they work well together and I love that the town is so meddlesome.

As always, the book is sweet and the spice is a good time. Plus, I love getting glimpses of all the other couples we've read about so far in DH. This book works, it just wasn't my favorite of the ones that are out! ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

Well this was adorable. This was my first Laurie Gilmore and what a perfect book to read when spring is almost upon us. The title is so perfect and encompasses all the things I love: pancakes, small-town romance, a single dad +nanny, even strawberries.

I loved Archer and Iris and Olive, and the ease of their relationship. The slow build and connection between Archer and Olive was so sweet. I loved Iris stepping in and slowly falling for Olive. So cute! The third act breakup and arc were not drawn out or overly done. There was just enough cheese and romance to keep things light. The strawberry festival, farmers market trips, and town meetings was just adorable. This is the perfect book for spring.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was yet another adorable story based in an adorable small town that we all wished we loved in to visit all the places from this series. I will admit this was my least enjoyed storyline in this series but I can see how others would enjoy it. I enjoyed the little bits and pieces from previous books and characters.

A sweet story about a man who finds himself suddenly leaving his fast paced life in Paris to take custody of the five year old daughter he didn't know he had. Iris is desperate for a home and job, and finds herself joining the home as a nanny. Together, they find a way forward together.

3.5 stars rounded up. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with the fourth installation of the Dream Harbor Series.. Iris, who finds herself needing a job and place to stay becomes Nanny to Archer, newly appointed single dad and world renowned chef. The slow burn and tenderness between these two was well done. The feelings all the characters felt for all their emotions pulled at heart strings. And being a romance you will get the much needed HEA. I especially loved the relationships with Iris’ senior students. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This is the 4th book in the Dream Harbor series. The story focuses on Iris and newcomer Archer. Do you remember Iris (don’t worry, I didn’t either). She worked at the Christmas tree farm with Kira in book 4. For some reason, I thought she was older. Well, she’s not. She is a mid-20’s Dream Harbor lifer who floats around at gig jobs. Her newest gig is nanny for Archer, new to town to meet his daughter. He didn’t know about her and was happily living in Paris as a chef. When Olive’s mom dies, Archer finds out he has a daughter and moves to Dream Harbor to build that relationship. The story plays on forbidden love trope (nanny/boss) and single dad. This is an open door book, similar to rest of the series. Check this one out while waiting for Annie and Mac’s book.

Thank you Harper360 for providing book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

'The Strawberry Patch Pancake House' was a miss for me. I was completely misguided in my expectations by the cover art. I expected a small town, cozy and uplifting story. The unrelenting sexual tension became pedantic and boring. I feel like there was real potential but for me it was not good.
The character of Olive and her healing was the one bright spot for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Small town, cozy romance with a grumpy dad, a fun nanny, a pancake house and a child with amazing sass. Yes please.

I love that you can read this while having not read any of the others if you don't want. But it does fit into the world beautifully. The single dad, Archer, is a bit of a mess, and he clearly never planned utilising his star chef skills to be a a pancake chef. But here we are. He's grumpy but lovable. Iris is a bit of mess too, so when she offers to help babysit, the two of the are messy and slow to figure thingsa out together and it works so well with their characters.

Olive is the standout star of the show, all her scenes are incredible and she really ties together the other characters and I honestly could have had more of her through the book.

As ever with Gilmore we get some delectable spice in here that just, amazing, and adds o the story as opposed to just feeling wedged in. It was such a cute story I really adored it.

I enjoyed this, but maybe not quite as much as the previous ones. I think this felt more removed from dream harbour just as we seemed to get a whole host of new characters and less of the ones we know and love. (i still need Annie and Mac's story please).
That being said, I still enjoyed it. It's cute and cosy like the others, and you don't need to have read any of the rest of the series for this one to make sense. I do think Archer's skills are wasted here, he's a professional chef making pancakes, and I'm also not certain on his character or the hygiene code he adheres to.

But i loved olive and she saved the day here. Her scenes pulled everything together and saved the day thankfully. Iris was fine but somewhat, unremarkable and her and archer really seemed to take a long time to figure the most basic things out.
It was cute but lacking that defining thirs act conflict (or any conflict really) so it was just cozy, there was no thrill.
It was okay, but won't stand out in my mind

This was so cute! This was my first read of this series but I will definitely be going back to read them all. This book takes place in a small New England town. Archer movies to Dream Harbor when he learns that he is a father of a 5 year old daughter after her mother dies. Overwhelmed and in need of help he hires a live in nanny named Iris.
This story has it all.
Small town
Single dad
Nanny/ Chef
Nosey but helpful community

I really enjoyed this. It was a great book to cuddle up with a blanket, fireplace , and a glass of wine.

Thank you to Netgalley , HarperCollins and Laurie Gilmore for this ARC.

~Small-town, Cozy, Contemporary, Romance, and more!~

3| While an enjoyable and quick read, this book isn't super memorable. While I enjoy the cozy atmosphere of Dream Harbour, for some reason, this one didn't quite hit the mark compared to the previous books. This is partly because quite a few new characters are introduced, and we get fewer scenes with some of the staple characters we have gotten to know throughout the series. Iris is also quite unlikeable at certain points, especially with her inner dialogue and some of her impulse reactions. The one redeeming character was Olive, who pulled the scenes together. Archer is also quite unlikeable initially, leaving a bad taste in my mouth throughout much of the book. I did enjoy how Iris and Archer figured things out together, but at times, they were so clueless it was baffling. While this book has some cute moments, there was no conflict, which caused the plot to lack any substance. While I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and some familiar characters, I recommend this book only if you want a quick and mindless read. It's not a bad book, but not one I'll be thinking about.

I’m always surprised by these books and the depth they are able to reach in such a short time. This one was not filed with any of my favorite tropes/themes, but I still appreciated the characters, their struggles and the cuteness

3.5★ rounded up!! Iris and Archer's story has absolutely fought its way right up to the top of the Dream Harbor couples in my heart. Such a heartwarming story with so much character growth between the two MCs all throughout.

The grumpy x sunshine, single dad x nanny tropes worked so well together and provided a sweet yet angsty romance. Olive being included as a MC also made this book what it was. She was hilarious and sweet, adding just the right dynamic to the budding romance in this small town. There were moments where I couldn't stifle my laugh and others where I had to wipe a tear or two away.

While the surprise twist at the end is definitely not my favorite, I do think it was done well and fit with the story. As always, the cameos from previous books were added fun. Overall, my favorite of the Dream Harbor novels thus far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the opportunity to read an E-ARC of the Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I want to love this series so badly but it continues to get more disappointing. These are just not for me and I don’t know why. I usually love a corny small town romance but I cannot breakthrough with these books. The writing really trips me up. I do have love for the first book but I think my interest in this town started and ended there.

Another excellent addition to the Dream Harbor series! I loved diving back into the small town of Dream Harbor and reading the story about Archer and Iris. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the diner (even if it made me very hungry!) and loved the banter between the love interests. I highly recommend this book to romance readers and especially readers of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins, and Laurie Gilmore for the ebook ARC!

I have read all of the books in this series now, and this one ties with book one for my favorite! I thought this one was a little spicier, but more of a slow burn. I’m also becoming a sucker for a single parent trope!

Iris doesn’t want kids, needs a job, and needs cheaper rent. Archer has just moved to Dream Harbor (from Paris!) because he recently found out that a previous hookup has passed away and they share a daughter. He needs a nanny.

This story is so precious and tender. I really loved it and found myself actually smiling while reading it. Archer’s daughter is so endearing, and the way their relationship developed was beautiful.

Strongly suggest this series if you haven’t read any of them yet!

I’d like to start out by acknowledging that this book is pretty much made of tropes that typically don’t work for me and I don’t really love. I was also nervous to read this one because The Christmas Tree Farm wasn’t my favorite in the series. However, I’m here to tell you this book was not only a great read, it’s my new favorite in the Dream Harbor series!

I really loved the characters in this one and couldn’t help but fall in love with Iris, Archer, and Olive. The little life they created was so sweet. I enjoyed how much character growth there was from both Archer and Iris. Archer coming from a fast paced environment learning to slow down and Iris finding a place where she belongs.

The slow burn, single dad x the nanny tropes were really well done. Sometimes I feel like the nanny x dad trope leads to “insta love” feelings but I didn’t get that vibe from this story at all. Their falling in love was delicate and intentional and I really appreciated the care that was put into their relationship.

Laurie Gilmore does small town romance incredibly well. This is the biggest strength of the book and this series. With every book I’ve grown more and more attached to the cast of characters in Dream Harbor. I love when former leads pop up and we get a glimpse into their lives now, but their appearances never overshadow the current story unfolding. This novel is as cozy as a warm hug on a winter day and fits perfectly into this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper360 for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I am sooo looking forward to reading Annie’s story in the next book! Finally!

Laurie Gilmore, you've done it again! This book was so fun. I think this would be second behind the Pumpkin Spice cafe, but SIMPLY because I love the fall vibes in that one. This title is BURSTING with summer, and boy was it sweet as a berry patch. <3

I loved returning to Dream Harbor! The way Iris and Arthur’s story unfolded was so beautiful - and oh, sweet little Olive 🥹 she was too precious. This story was so cute and heartwarming. I loved how Arthur illustrates how our lives can change in an instant and that we can adapt to those changes for the better. He embraced fatherhood beautifully. The emotional rollercoaster, the mutual understanding and growth he and Iris went through was amazing! Also, the tension between them was intense! 🔥😍 I’m not a big fan of single dad tropes but I ended up really loving this one! Highly recommend! I absolutely adore this series and I can’t wait the next book!

Tropes include:
Single Dad x Nanny
Grumpy Chef MMC
Forced proximity
Found Family

Title releases March 18, 2025.

Thank you @lauriegilmore_author @harpercollins360 and @netgalley for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.