“It was the magic of the flannel.”
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
The Story:
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…
Key Elements:
Cozy Romance, Small Town, Contemporary Romance, Grumpy x Sunshine, Found Family, Mystery, Fall Time
More in The Dream Harbor Series:
- Book 2: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store
- Book 3: Their Christmas Tree Farm
- Book 4: The Strawberry patch Pancake House
- Book 5: The Gingerbread Bakery
Why This Rating?
Awwww! This was such an adorable story! A perfect small town romance that has me wanting to go looking for this elusive “Famer and Milkmaid” book some of the characters keep mentioning. But until I find something similar, this Sexy Farmers and a Sultry Coffee Shop Business owner will just have to tide me over for now. And man does it!
I love that it was a straightforward story. No living on the edge. No stress or anxiety kicking my heart rate up. Just a cozy, low stakes (other than a broken heart or 2 at risk), small town start up romance. Dream Harbor is just one of those places you kind of wish really existed. Yes, even if all your neighbors knew all of your business, and the mayor might be a bit of an odd ball with his dreams directing his decisions, and Halloween costume contests that are absolutely No Joke. Even with all of that, this is 100% a place you would want to visit. The friends and relationships that Jeanie makes truly become her family in this small town.
The author’s writing was good. Smooth conversations to even minimal one line sentences that got bounced back and forth with characters, but it never pulled me out of the reading. The writing choice to use ‘ ‘ instead of ” ” to wrap spoken lines was a bit odd to me. *shrug*. That’s me being picky though. Loved the descriptions! And the characters as a whole were good.
Logan was a cutie! There was definite growth for him which I loved! He had such a rough past relationship that it doesn’t surprise me he is so hesitant to get back into another. And with a town gossip wheel like Dream Harbor, what is privacy or space to get away from your past actions. He is hunky farmer who is so sweet. Giant teddy bear! Jeanie got the do-over chance that she sorely needed after the last job/lifestyle that she had. No one should be worked 24/7 – 365 with little personal time existing outside of the office. And it sounded like that was her life before the coffee shop. She might chat your ears off, but she has a heart of gold and determination!
Overall, a good romantic read! There are some spicy moments but it wasn’t crazy with the sex. This is more slow burn feels that stretches throughout the story. I recommend this as a read! Especially if you’ve got an itch for a small town, Fall time want in your next read.
Time to get lost in the next story!
