Hello hello,

I’m back with another book review, this time about Laurie Gilmore’s second book from the “Dream Harbor Series”, “The Cinnamon Bun Book Store”. After a really good first book ( “The Pumpkin Spice” ) Gilmore returns with an even more greater story.

In this story, we follow the life of Hazel ( Logan and Jeanie’s friend ). Hazel lives a quiet life, working at the local bookstore since she was a teen and she’s ready to turn 30. She never was a big fan of adventures and she was happy leading a safe life. The realization that she hasn’t done everything that she wanted though, hits her hard. Not sure what to do to change that, started to think of ways to have a funny and adventurous summer.

This opportunity comes through when she finds one of her books misplaced and marked with a quote that could without doubt describe her life. She decides to ask Noah’s help to resolve this mystery, as he is the most adventurous person that she knows, and to her surprise, he agrees.

Noah, who came to Dream Harbor a few years back and he runs a local fisherman business, in which people can book short trips for fishing and bonding, is as could say a “lady’s man”. He likes having summer flings with tourists that will not lead to something serious… Until he starts having a crush on the cure bookseller and Logan’s best friend, Hazel Kelly. So, the moment that she asked his help, all those trips to the bookshop in order to at least see her, paid off and he of course agreed. Who wouldn’t say yes to a scavenger hunt with the hottest bookworm that he has ever met?

My thoughts ( beware of mini spoilers ):

Again, Laurie created a beautiful love story! The way that she managed to write two so opposite characters that they fit so perfectly together is extraordinary. Hazel, I dare to say is my favorite female lead for the “Dream Harbor Series”. I love how sweet and lovely is but at the same time, she dares to get out of her comfort zone and try new things. Her friends, loving her so dearly but not being able to “understand” her fully is again something so real that at this point I knew that Laurie would manage to write it perfectly.

Sometimes we need to take a step back, see our lives, and take a full turn on the other side. That’s what Hazel did and it led her to Noah, the younger, funny, and adventurous love of her life. At the same time, seeing Noah’s insecurities that have led him to believe that he is a failure to his family was a nice addition to the story. Laurie, again managed to solve this with conversation and carrying and it’s so refreshing reading about actual healthy relationships, romantic or family ones.

It was nice seeing Jeanie and Logan again, and the other characters of course. I love those small details in that kind of book series when our favorites pop up to the new stories. And of course, we met even if it was briefly, Kira. The female main lead for the third book ( “The Christmas Tree Farm” ) but we will talk about her when her time comes.

In conclusion, was again a great reading including all of Hazel’s family and friends and giving us the opportunity to see them through her eyes. I liked it a little bit more than the first one and I can’t wait to meet Laurie’s other characters. ( Two more books are on their way to be published soon. )

I give it a 4/5 stars and don’t forget, if you liked this post subscribe for more, and if you have read the book let us know your own opinion in the comments below.

Until next time…