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: Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

Title: Off to the Races

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Small Town, Romance, Adult

Pages: 334

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Lights flash all around me, forcing me to cover my eyes with my forearm."

"Keeping things professional with my employees has never been an issue. Until she waltzed onto my property.

Billie is talented. She's mouthy. And she's so damn tempting. I can't stop thinking about all the ways I could take her down a peg.

I can't stop thinking about her, period.

We clash from the moment we meet. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it's hard to keep your distance. It's even harder to keep that friction from turning to fire.

But keeping my distance? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package, whip-smart with a body I fantasize about when I'm alone, and quite possibly the only woman who can save this business- and me.

She drives me crazy. In every sense of the word. Every smart-mouthed little comment- every game we play- I end up wanting more. Wanting her closer. With me. Under me.

I try not to let her get to me, but the more time we spend together the more I crave her. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart.

I want it all.

But at what cost?

Because suddenly I don't just want to win races, I want to win the girl."

My Rating:5/5

It's been a while since I stayed up to finish a book and had no interest in sleep while trying to get to the end and this one did it for me. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant because the male lead is a little hard for me to get behind a rich guy acting the way he does but with time he grew on me. Billie on the other hand I loved from the word go! She's fire, she's passionate and she's amazing. I love the way Elsie Silver builds on her stories to extend to the next book in a natural way. It doesn't feel forced it seems to come around naturally. I love it! The chosen family vibes in this immaculate. Would highly recommend it if you want a small-town romance on a horse farm!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny