Dream Harbor, Book 4
From the publisher:
Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.
As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.
Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.
Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a cozy romance with a single dad and found family dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!
This is such a fun series, and I love that each book stands alone. This story centers around Archie, a renowned chef, who discovers he is the father of a five-year-old girl named Olive after her mother’s untimely passing. To secure full custody, Archie relinquishes his prestigious career in Paris and relocates to Dream Harbor, where he takes a position at a local diner. His goal is to demonstrate his ability to provide a stable environment for Olive.
However, Archie faces numerous challenges as he adjusts to his new life. The townspeople resist the changes he makes to the diner’s menu, Olive initially refuses to talk to him, and the elderly ladies of the town frequently visit – daily – to assess his parenting skills. Overwhelmed, Archie desperately needs assistance.
Enter Iris, who is struggling to maintain employment, is facing financial difficulties, and is about to be evicted. Becoming Olive’s nanny seems like an ideal opportunity for her, despite the challenges of working with Archie, who is both gruff and captivating, and the fact she’s never worked with or really been around children; Iris figures her experience dealing with senior citizens is close enough. Iris has never had a serious relationship, or really any kind of relationship, past a couple of weekends of sex. Archie has been so focused on his career that he, too, has never been in a relationship.
As Iris navigates her role, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Archie, but both are aware that pursuing a romantic relationship could jeopardize their goals. Archie is committed to being a good father and securing full custody, while Iris cannot afford to lose another job, especially one that offers stability. However, a purely physical relationship could be an option…
As time passes, the attraction between them intensifies despite the promise of trouble if they continue. The question arises whether this connection could evolve into something more meaningful, potentially forming the kind of family neither had envisioned nor really ever wanted. Could these two individuals, each facing their own struggles, come together to create a lasting and fulfilling family unit?
The story incorporates the forced proximity, grumpy meets sunshine, and opposites attract tropes. Additionally, the themes of a single dad, found family and slow-burn romance are skillfully woven throughout, making it incredibly engaging and impossible to put down – I read it on a Sunday, and it was the highlight of my weekend! (To be fair, the bar was set pretty low; my usual highlights are cooking, cleaning, and laundry.) If you haven’t read this series, this is a good place to start, although reading the first book that introduces the town, the element that ties these books together, is also a good idea. If you like small-town romances with a bit of heat, give this series a look. I love it!
3/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE STRAWBERRY PATCH PANCAKE HOUSE by Laurie Gilmore. HarperCollins (March 13, 2025). ASIN: B0DDSVS6MY. 345p.
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