Review of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore

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: ✯✯✯✯✯

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: ✯✯✯✯