Dream Harbor Series-Book Review
#readingwrapup #lemon8challenge
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe ruled my social media for so long that I absolutely had to read it and BOY am I glad I did! In fact, because I couldn’t find the book to buy in print, it inspired me to redownload Audible and I have been loyally listening to my audiobooks everyday!
These three books are technically stand alone stories, but they also relate to each other.
In The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, we follow Jeannie as she moved to Dream Harbor and meets Logan. When Jeannie speculates that someone is trying to sabotage her, Logan volunteers, reluctantly, to help her discover what’s going on. They are successful in their investigation and in their discovery of love for each other.
This book was so good to start the series because the air of mystery surrounding the romance drew me in and kept me interested.
⭐️Overall rating: 4/5
The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore follows Hazel, one of Jeannie’s new friends, and Noah, the hot fisherman ladies man in their love story. Hazel is anxious with her upcoming 30th birthday and, after discovering a series of secret clues left throughout the book store she manages, decides to have a summer of fun (HNSOF-iykyk). Noah agrees to help her and, in the process, they discover that neither had any reason to doubt their worth to begin with.
This has to be my favorite of the series so far! I resonated with Hazel and I loved the scavenger hunt aspect to it with the clues.
⭐️Overall rating: 5/5
The Christmas Tree Farm follows Jeannie’s brother Bennett and new Dream Harbor resident and owner of the Christmas Tree farm, Kira. Right from their first meeting, these two have chemistry but refuse to admit it. Over the course of the book, Bennett battles with past trauma and Kira battles with finding herself.
I am more than half way through this one (Chapter 18) and the first spicy scene just happened (which is PAGES long). There isn’t really a mystery or scavenger hunt subplot in this one, so it seems like just a romance, but it’s cute.
⭐️Overall rating: 4/5
The next book comes out next year and I am so excited to read it!!
Since you're here, you're probably as captivated by the residents of Dream Harbor as I am! Let's dive a little deeper into the wonderful characters that make this series so special, and then we'll unpack my thoughts on 'The Christmas Tree Farm', Book 3, in more detail. First, the characters! In 'The Pumpkin Spice Cafe,' we meet Jeannie, who moves to Dream Harbor and opens her charming cafe, decorated with pumpkins and autumn leaves, much like the cozy cover art. Her journey is about finding her footing and love with Logan, a local who, despite his initial reluctance, becomes her steadfast partner. Their dynamic is a lovely blend of mystery solving and budding romance. Logan’s protective nature and Jeannie’s resilience make them a compelling duo. Then there's Hazel in 'The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore,' one of Jeannie's new friends. Hazel’s anxiety about turning 30 is incredibly relatable, and her journey of self-discovery through a delightful scavenger hunt within her beautiful green bookstore (just like the cover shows!) is truly heartwarming. Her chemistry with Noah, the charming fisherman, is electric. Noah helps Hazel see her own worth, and their playful banter and deeper connection are a highlight. The way the clues lead them to realize their feelings is pure romance magic. Finally, in 'The Christmas Tree Farm,' we're introduced to Bennett, Jeannie’s brother, and Kira, the new owner of the festive, snow-covered Christmas Tree Farm. Their chemistry is undeniable from their first encounter. Bennett, grappling with past trauma, finds solace and healing with Kira, who is on her own path to self-discovery. Their relationship isn't just about romance; it’s about healing and growing together. While this book doesn't have the mystery subplot of the others, the depth of their emotional journey is incredibly engaging. The description of Kira's cozy, light-strung cabin, perhaps with a friendly white dog on the porch as hinted by the cover, certainly paints a vivid picture of holiday romance. Speaking of 'The Christmas Tree Farm,' for those curious about Book 3, it truly stands out for its emotional depth. Unlike the first two books which blend romance with a touch of mystery or a fun scavenger hunt, this one is a more straightforward, yet deeply touching, contemporary romance. Bennett’s personal struggles and Kira’s quest to find her identity are central. You really feel their connection build as they support each other through their individual battles. The author does a fantastic job of illustrating their bond, and yes, the "spicy scene" is indeed memorable and adds another layer to their undeniable passion. It might not have a thrilling subplot, but the genuine character development and the heartwarming feeling of finding love and belonging in Dream Harbor make it an absolute must-read for fans of the series.
