The Strawberry Patch Pancake House: A small-town romance, perfect for fans of forced proximity, found family, and slow-burn romcoms for fall 2025 (Dream Harbor) (Book 4)

4.5 rating (really great) This was another wonderful read in this series. The story grabbed me and held on like all the rest. I also am super excited about the next book as it is beyond time for that story. This love story was sweet and while even more different than the previous ones I did enjoy it. The way the two grew and learned together and the direction it took they just made sense. Fate really. All the feels and like things just clicked right into place the way they were meant to. Having said all that I did rate this just slightly lower than the others because, SPOILER… I had no issue with Iris and Archer falling in love while she was Olive’s nanny. They were two consenting adults and their lives just happened to change for the better upon meeting. Again, them learning and growing together in a way that worked for them to be together was awesome. It all worked out in the end and I loved their little family, but the unplanned pregnancy just felt unnecessary. Because it threw Iris for a loop and lead to her leaving for a bit before the HEA also made it feel more slipped in for dramas sake. Again, I still think this book is really really great and the love story between not only Iris and Archer, but between them and Olive was beautiful, and yet the unplanned pregnancy I could have done without is all. The epilogue sold it a little bit as that scene was cute as hell, but I still would have been happy without the pregnancy part.

4.5 stars I never planned on reading any books in this series. A big reason for that was what I heard about how spicy the series was. As of late I have been staying away from those labels because those tend to be more smut based than romance based, which don’t really hit the spot for me. But I kept hearing the hype surrounding this series so I decided to give it a shot. I’m glad I did. I was hooked immediately. I was just sucked into the story with such ease that it was surprising. The characters, storyline, tropes, and the small town I really gravitated to a level that I just wasn’t expecting. I loved the cozy vibes that really enmeshed me into this world. I felt like I was right there with them. I thought the journey for both Iris and Archer were incredible. The transformation that were made were pretty spectacular. To see them both not only fall in with each other, but Olive was so special. The pacing for that was spot on and so very sweet. It really was great to see them become a family. They worked out perfectly for them. The romance was really well done too. The slow burn nature was great I thought. There were moments of sizzling attraction that was just adding to the build up and the tension. The angst was there because it was slightly forbidden with Iris being the nanny. But it was more than that because they were developing an emotional connection before they gave into said attraction, which made it all the better. When they finally got together it was so satisfying and I was really all for them as a couple. Overall I had a really good time with this one. There were a couple of things at the end I wasn’t thrilled with, but other than that I thought it was a great story/romance. I was happy I decided to listen to the hype and give it a shot.

Archer is a workaholic chef and now a single father to a lovely five-year-old daughter. His morning isn’t going smoothly at all, and he kinda gets blasted by Iris, and we’ll smoothie at the same time, mall before coffee, poor guy. He is very grumpy. His daughter, Olive, is shy and young. Archer is gonna have his hands full with his kid and a new job in a new city, Iris is down on her luck and her rent and needs more money, and the nanny gig seems to fall into her lap. I kinda love that Iris is a hot mess yoga teacher, she is not punctual, she has no experience with children is very free and imperfect. She is already fantasizing about Mr. Chief in all sorts of ways she shouldn’t be. The bonding is slow, and his life in this small town is about as disastrous as his parenting, but things are coming along slowly like a soup in the crock pot. The farmers market gives me all the summer and family vibes. It is so quaint and swoony. Iris is battling her urges, her heart, and her thoughts in this book, but also keeping heroes from her own happily ever after. Archer, on the other end, seems to be trying to do the right thing, but he is also struggling with his urges and his heart. They spend more time avoiding each other’s desires than giving in, but with the tender child in the mix and the overall situation of the story, it is understandable. However, I’m not sure if the way to Iris's heart is through the kid or her stomach. They couldn’t hold out forever fighting the attraction and installation, just with the forced proximity, and when things get cooking, they get hot. This chef is yummy in more than just the beautifully described dishes; the grey sweatpants don’t hurt either. Iris is no strings attached, meanwhile, Archer seems to be developing roots. I love that they are both a mess of attraction, so smitten with each other. Both adults keep making their relationship, their intimacy, and their future is forbidden, like they can’t have it, but they do it anyway, and you are left wondering whether they will or won’t. The sizzling scenes heat up again, and it’s a little cliche comparing food to her downstairs. But the intimacy, at least, is sweet and tender. The tension in the story does get combustible finally, but it is over pretty quickly. Iris has such a commitment phobia that she sabotages all the good things with her anxiety. I’m surprised the Playboy falls first. I kinda thought he was gonna be the ever-eternal single dad. So maybe they are backward, but whatever works for them, I mean, it seems first comes steamy, then comes love, then comes dating. But I mean it’s sweet, so why not? Oh, course, swoony leads back to steamy, but at least it isn’t smutty. Accidental pregnancy, last-act midlife crisis, and a happily ever-after ending wrap this story up nicely, and we finally get all the found family love and vibes. This story ends teary-eyed in the epilogue with all the feels and a great start to their new life and wrap-up. If you’re a parent, you might just be smiling and crying, too. Absolutely a five-star read for me, even though it took me two weeks to read this book.

🌟 Book Review: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore 🌟 If you're looking for a heartwarming small-town romance, look no further! The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is just that—an endearing story that takes you on an unexpected journey. Archer, a renowned chef, finds himself transitioning into fatherhood, trading his bustling city life for the cozy charm of small-town cooking and caring for his daughter. It’s a touching exploration of love, responsibility, and what it means to become a family. Iris, on the other hand, undergoes a beautiful transformation from being the “floating flower” to a determined woman yearning for more than just being a nanny. Her character development was wonderfully crafted and left a lasting impression. This book gave me all the small-town feels and kept me engaged from start to finish. I even enjoyed the audiobook version—it's definitely a quick and delightful read! The character arcs are compelling, especially as they evolve from resisting relationships to embracing love. While the ending was predictable, it still brought a smile to my face. I’d rate this read a solid 3.6 stars. It’s a charming story perfect for cozying up with. Have you read it yet? Let me know your thoughts! 📚❤️ #BookReview #Romance #SmallTownFeels #GoodReads

I’ve read the first three books in the Dream Harbor series, and honestly, they still give me those spicy Hallmark movie vibes in the best way. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment in this world. The single-dad and nanny trope always gets me, and this author delivers it so well. And Olive? I absolutely adored her. That little girl has spunk for days and totally stole the show. There’s such solid character development throughout the series, too. Watching everyone grow, heal, and fall into their connections made the story even more enjoyable.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was exactly the cozy, heartwarming read I was looking for. The small-town setting feels comforting and vivid, and the characters have a real sense of personality and depth. I enjoyed the forced proximity and slow-burn romance, which unfolded in a way that felt natural and satisfying without rushing through the emotional beats. The writing style is easy to get into and kept me turning pages — it’s the kind of story you can pick up at the end of the day and feel relaxed while reading. I also liked the found family elements woven into the story, which added warmth and made the world feel lived-in and genuine. For the price this novel offers excellent value because it delivers both charming romance and a connection to the Dream Harbor series that made me want to read the others. Overall I’m really happy with this book and would recommend it to fans of feel-good romance with heart.

Cute and spicy story as you come to expect from this series. Always a sucker for a happy ending. Now on to the next. Happy reading.

I picked up The Strawberry Patch Pancake House expecting a light small town romance and it definitely delivered. It has all the things that make this type of story fun to read. A cozy small town, a little tension, forced proximity, and plenty of moments that make you smile. The characters are easy to like and the chemistry between them keeps the story moving. There are those moments where you want to shake the characters a little and tell them to just talk to each other already, but that is part of the fun with romance books. The small town setting is charming and makes you want to move there immediately, preferably somewhere within walking distance of the pancake house. Fair warning though, this book may make you crave pancakes while reading. Overall it is a sweet, entertaining romance that is perfect when you want something cozy and easy to get into. If you enjoy small town romance with a bit of humor and the classic forced proximity trope, this is a fun one to pick up.