Book Review: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Title: The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

Author: Laurie Gilmore

Series/Standalone: Dream Harbor Series (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Smalltown, Adult Fiction

Pages: 286

Publisher: One More Chapter

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"A spicy small-town romance and TikTok phenomenon, perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Stephanie Archer.

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Cafe 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...."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was so much fun! It was exactly what I wanted it to be this was an absolutely excellent time. I finished the audiobook in one day and had an absolute blast with it. If you want a story that is so much set in a place like Star Hollow from Gilmore Girls with the quirk characters, and the small-town vibes, without some of the less savoury plot lines, this is the perfect read for you. Although there is a pretty serious case of Insta-love, it was such a great hallmark-eque read. I can't wait to get into the next one!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Forgotten Orphan by Glynis Peters

Title: The Forgotten Orphan

Author: Glynis Peters

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction,, Adult

Pages: 400

Publisher: One More Chapter

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "Maisie Reynolds peered through the grubby windows of the Holly Bush Orphanage."

"A world at war

A secret from her past

A chance to be together...

A moving and compelling historical novel about love, second chances and resilience in the darkest of times.

Southampton 1940

Abandoned when she was tiny, Maisie Reynolds was separated from her twin brother and forced to grow up in Holly Bush orphanage- a place where she has never known love or kindness.

But with the world at war and Hitler's devastating bombs coming ever closer, fate has other plans for Maisie and a secret from her past changes everything.

When she meets handsome Canadian paratrooper, Cam, Maisie learns that love might not be lost to her after all- but not before her past life and D Day bring a tragic twist to her happiness."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This didn't have enough going for me to rate it highly. I didn't enjoy the writing, I found that it was basic, and seemed to have no natural flow to it. The only exception to that was the poetry but there wasn't enough of it to make up for the lack of plot. The characters were not relatable or interesting enough to hold my focus. They were very two-dimensional and didn't have the factor that brought me to the next level. I did enjoy moments with Cam, but they were also stagnant. I don't plan to read more by the author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny