Review of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore

Synopsis:
The greatest love is the one you never expected to find

Daisy is fed up with being unlucky in love. And since Mayor Kelly declared her beloved flower shop cursed in one of his infamous visions, business has been slow.

Dream Harbor newcomer Elliot has been adjusting to small-town life following his own relationship turmoil. And until now he’s avoided the flower shop at all costs. If the mayor is correct, he doesn’t need any more bad luck in his life.

When he finds himself walking through the door of the Daisy Chain Flower Shop, he doesn’t expect it to be a life-changing moment. But as the petals blossom in the sunlight, might the unluckiest woman in Dream Harbor finally find that love comes when you’re least expecting it?

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop is a cozy romantic mystery with a fake relationship dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed.

Review:
“And one day you might meet someone who becomes your new favorite person and then hearing them laugh becomes your new favorite thing.” (Page 98)

I really liked Daisy. Yes, she’s been unlucky in love, but she can turn her own luck around, darn it! I also liked Elliot; so willing to blend into the background but so drawn to this girl that he’s willing to step in and help her change her fate. While there were some pseudo generation curses to work on, it was awesome seeing Daisy and Elliot bloom from protecting themselves and only caring about business to remembering what life and love can be like. It was very amusing to experience Daisy’s back and forth between whether or not she is cursed, and how such thoughts are laid to rest. I also love Goldie and how connected she was to Daisy and Elliot. The ending was absolutely perfect.

Although the stories are rather predictably happily ever after, I did very much love this story and look forward to reading more in Dream Harbor in the future.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

Synopsis:
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…

Review:
I wasn’t sure I’d like Hazel because she is very standoffish and, honestly, because she comes across as the stereotypical book nerd but since the first book, I’d hoped Noah would pluck up the courage and see what might happen between them. It was great to see Hazel come out of her shell, though I thought there were times that the intimate scenes were just a bit too long/overdrawn for me. All in all, a quick, cozy read if you like romance.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯