Gilmore

Synopsis:
As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they’re about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

The Gingerbread Bakery is a cozy romantic novel with an enemies to lovers dynamic, small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Review:
Annie is awesome. Outspoken, but also very specific. It always seemed odd the way Annie was so against Mac, always seemed to have some sort of grudge and really disliked him despite there being no clear reason why. I loved the flashbacks in this book of why Annie felt that way, but I also couldn’t help but be incredibly frustrated with her most of the time. For someone who is supposed to be so smart, and has watched so many relationships bloom around her from the least suspected places and people, why is it that she would just completely cut contact with Mac and never give him any sort of chance to explain what happened? I loved the journey we saw Mac go on from the past to present day of coming of age, trying to find his own path and where he belongs. Sure, Annie always knew what she wanted, but some people can’t be sure immediately when they’re young. The spice in this was good, and the ending was certainly satisfying. If you’re looking for a good, quick romance read, here you go.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Synopsis:
As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.

Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.

Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?

Review:
“I’m pretty sure half of dealing with kids is just tricking them into doing stuff.” (Page 81)

I absolutely loved this book. A quick, simple, fun read I found that this was the first in the series that had the perfect spice as well. There was a great message of what life can be like when you try to be perfect versus when you’re trying to find something sustainable/some balance. Iris and Archer were absolutely perfect together. It’s fun, flirty, and honestly one of the best single dad books I’ve read. Usually single dad isn’t really my style, but this book hit in all the right places: both in finding one’s self, and letting yourself become part of a community.

The only complaint have is the name at the very end… so many options that could have kept with the tradition.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Amy S. Brown

Review of The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore

Review of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore