A Cozy Reading Wrap-Up for 2024

Hello, good evening book whizzers!

Can you believe we’re almost at the end of 2024? This will probably be either my last or second-to-last book for the year, and what a fantastic reading year it’s been. I’ve collected so many amazing books this year and am eagerly waiting for my new bookshelves to arrive. They should be here before the new year, and I can’t wait to finally organize my growing collection.

This year has been such a journey with surprises, milestones, and, most importantly, plenty of incredible reads. My latest addition? The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore, the third book in the delightful Dream Harbor series.

This book was like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie. I loved every moment of it. In this story, we reconnect with the Christmas tree farm owner introduced in the previous book, The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore. What I love about Dream Harbor is how it creates such a cozy, interconnected world.

While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading them in order to fully appreciate all the little details. Starting with The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, then moving to The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, and finally arriving at The Christmas Tree Farm, gives you such a rich understanding of the characters’ lives. For example, in this book, knowing the backstories of Jeannie and Logan, and Hazel and Noah, adds so much depth.

Now, about the heroine of The Christmas Tree Farm: I really appreciated that the Christmas tree farm isn’t some inherited responsibility. It’s a choice she made, to escape her controlling family and start fresh in Dream Harbor. That decision to take a chance on herself, and on the farm, makes her story even more empowering and heartfelt. Of course, running the farm comes with its challenges, but watching her grow and come into her own was so rewarding.

The romance? A total swoon-fest. She’s a grumpy Christmas skeptic, while he’s a “Mr. Fix-It” who’s always trying to make things better even when he doesn’t need to. Their dynamic was perfection. They started as friends with benefits, but both needed to work on themselves before they could fully commit to a relationship. I loved the honesty of their journey—it felt natural and real.

As always, Laurie Gilmore does a fantastic job of bringing Dream Harbor to life. I adore how the past characters from The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore make appearances, tying everything together so beautifully. We also get a sneak peek at Iris, who will take center stage in the next book, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House. Her story sounds so cozy and intriguing, and I can’t wait to dive in when it comes out.

But if I’m honest, I’m counting the days until September 2025 for the release of the fifth book, The Gingerbread Bakery. Ever since the first book teased the brewing tension between Annie and Mac, I’ve been desperate for their enemies-to-lovers story. I just know it’s going to be electric!

All in all, The Christmas Tree Farm was a solid four-star read for me. It’s heartwarming, festive, and packed with all the cozy charm I’ve come to expect from this series. Laurie Gilmore continues to deliver stories that make you want to curl up with a blanket and never leave Dream Harbor.

As this year draws to a close, I want to thank all of you for being part of this wonderful reading journey with me. Here’s to more incredible stories, new TBR adventures, and plenty of literary surprises in 2025.

Happy reading, happy new year, and see you soon, book whizzers!

Love,

Manon