The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore – Cozy, Sweet, and a Little Bit Spicy

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore is the first book in the Dream Harbor series, and I have to say, it definitely lives up to the hype—at least for me. I can see why it’s trending on TikTok, and I also understand why some readers might not enjoy it as much. This book is basically a hallmark movie in book form, which is either a hit or miss depending on your taste.

Cozy Fall Vibes and Relatable Characters

What I absolutely loved about this book is the atmosphere. Set in the quaint, cozy town of Dream Harbor, the story gives off the perfect fall vibes—think pumpkin spice, sweater weather, and picturesque small-town charm. The town itself is so aptly named because it genuinely feels like a dreamy escape from reality. The setting adds a lot of warmth to the story and perfectly complements the romance unfolding within it.

The characters are another major plus. They’re incredibly relatable, and I found myself easily connecting with them. Jeannie and Logan, our two main characters, have that slow-burn, sweet romance that really pulled me in. It’s one of those books that makes you smile, giggle, and even internally scream in excitement because the tension and chemistry between them feel so genuine. I was literally stomping my feet in happiness during some of the more heartwarming moments!

A Slow-Burn Romance with Just the Right Amount of Spice

If you’re looking for something with a little bit of heat, this book has a touch of spice—but not much. For example, the first kiss doesn’t happen until page 146, which may be a little too slow for some readers who enjoy a quicker romantic buildup. However, if you’re into that slow-burn kind of romance where every little moment counts, then this will be right up your alley. I personally enjoyed how the relationship developed, even though there wasn’t that much physicality. It’s all about those little moments of connection, and I appreciated that.

Why It Didn’t Get a Perfect Rating

While I really enjoyed The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, I didn’t give it a full 5 stars, and here’s why: the point of view (POV) switching was a bit confusing at times. The author alternates between two main characters, Jeannie and Logan, but the third-person POV made it difficult to keep track of whose perspective we were reading. I often found myself having to reread sections to figure out who was thinking what, which disrupted the flow of the story. It would’ve been much clearer if the chapters were explicitly labeled with the character’s name, or if each character’s POV had been written in the first person.

The multiple POVs were a great idea in theory, but the execution left me a little frustrated at times. Despite this, I still found the story enjoyable overall, and it didn’t detract too much from my overall experience.

Cliché? Yes, But In the Best Way

Let’s be honest: this book is pretty cliché. There’s no huge plot twist, and it’s easy to guess where things are headed, but that’s kind of the charm of it. Sometimes you just want to read a light, feel-good romance without needing to be shocked by every turn of events. The predictability was comforting, and it’s the kind of book you can curl up with and just relax while reading.

I completely understand why people either love or don’t love this book. If you’re into simple, sweet romances with a bit of a Hallmark movie vibe, you’ll adore it. But if you’re looking for something with a more complex plot or deeper twists, this might not be your cup of tea.

Looking Forward to the Next Book

Overall, I really enjoyed The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, and I’m excited to continue the Dream Harbor series. The next book, The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, is on my radar, but I plan to read a couple of other books before jumping into it so I don’t get too caught up in the series just yet.

In the meantime, I’m diving into Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, which takes place in the Caraval universe. I’m looking forward to that one as well!

Final Thoughts:

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is the perfect cozy read for fall—or really, any time you want to escape into a small-town romance. It’s warm, comforting, and full of heart. Yes, it’s a little cliché and predictable, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. Despite the occasional confusion with the POV switches, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to see what comes next in Dream Harbor.

If you’re a fan of light romance, slow-burn chemistry, and charming small-town settings, this is definitely worth picking up. Let me know if you’ve read it or if it’s on your TBR—let’s chat about it in the comments!

Happy reading!