▪️Spice level: 3/5
⚠️Trigger warnings (mild): reference to parental death, emotional distance, loneliness
▫️A few words about the book: Pumpkin Spice Café is the first book in the Dream Harbor series and transports us to a warm, autumnal setting reminiscent of Gilmore Girls. Ginny, stuck for years in a boring office job, sees her life change when her aunt gives her a café in the town of Dream Harbor. There she meets Logan, a local farmer who avoids publicity due to some events from his past.
▪️Style/Writing of the book: The book has incredible humor, with simple writing and cozy settings. It won’t tire you at all and you’ll find it flows very easily. It’s practically a small town romance with cozy descriptions and slow burn situations.
▫️Why I loved it: It makes you feel at home from the very first pages. The plot may be somewhat predictable, as in most books of the genre, but it conveys all that autumnal feeling you might imagine before you start it.
▪️Why you should read it: If you like romantic books with cozy vibes, love pumpkin spice drinks, and miss that feeling you had when watching Gilmore Girls, then this book will make you smile!

Jeanie inherits her aunt's beloved café in the small town of Dream Harbor. She leaves behind her boring job and moves to take over her new business. Logan, a local farmer, avoids the town's gossip and prefers his solitude. Jeanie's arrival disrupts his routine, and despite his initial resistance, he is drawn to the optimistic and lively new woman. Their relationship develops into a sweet and sexy romantic story with an autumn atmosphere.

Tropes
Grumpy x Sunshine: The dynamic between the serious Logan and the optimistic Jeanie.
Small Town Romance: The story is set in a picturesque small town with a warm atmosphere.
Found Family: The creation of bonds and relationships with the local community.
Spicy Romance: Scenes with intense chemistry and romantic tension.

The autumn atmosphere, characters, and romantic plot were the most beautiful elements of the book. However, the plot is simple if not nonexistent, and the character development is limited, while the romantic scenes seemed a bit out of place to me. Nevertheless, it was a sweet book that will offer you pleasant company and put you directly in an autumn mood, so I recommend it for someone looking for something relaxing and entertaining.

The series includes the following books:

The Pumpkin Spice Café
The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore
The Christmas Tree Farm
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House
The Gingerbread Bakery (released in September 2025)

The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy romantic story, perfect for fans of small towns, slow burn relationships, and the "Gilmore Girls" atmosphere. Ginny, tired of the routine and office work in the city, receives the unexpected gift from her aunt: the Pumpkin Spice café in the quiet town of Dream Harbor. There, she finds the opportunity to make a fresh start. However, her daily life clashes with Logan – a solitary, grumpy farmer who is surprisingly charming and wants nothing to do with the "happy girl from the city."

The atmosphere of the book is sweet, with a strong autumn vibe, and creates beautiful images – it will make you want a pumpkin spice latte in your hands. The small town romance trope, which I personally love, is strongly present.

However, the book did not excite me. While it started beautifully, the plot lacked real depth. The protagonists' problems were relatively simple, without much emotional intensity or any dramatic element to keep me engaged. I didn't feel there was any substantial development or conflict that created tension for me.

Nevertheless, the book is suitable for those moments when you want a relaxed, feel-good read, especially after a stressful day. It won't change your life, but it might lift your spirits.

What are the essential ingredients for a perfect seasonal romance, with a Gilmore Girls vibe, the right dose of autumn, and endless servings of coffee and love? The question is answered by Laurie Gilmore (sic), who wrote the sweetest, coziest, autumnal romance that even wins over readers who are not fond of the genre (like me).

In a small town outside Boston, 28-year-old Jeanie decides to start her life anew. There, she must take over her aunt's café, a beloved personality to many, while also putting her chaotic life in order. From being a secretary to a businessman who died at work amidst the flow of life, she finds herself in a small village searching for answers to her worries.

At first, she thinks it’s chaos. That someone or something is haunting her. From the very first day, she meets the melancholic—terribly attractive—farmer of the village. And the fireworks begin.

The book is very pleasant to read. It’s not overly verbose and boring, nor is it terribly cliché. It masterfully creates an atmosphere of eroticism, influenced by an old autumn movie from the 2000s (which makes me love it a little more) without going overboard or becoming completely and inappropriately erotic.

I recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that will lift their spirits.