Laurie Gilmore
Fall in love or fall flat?
Before you read: This review might be controversial and out of all the reviews I’ve written, this is definitely my most critical. You have been warned!
If you are up-to-date on the current social media trends, you’ve definitely seen mentions of the book, The Pumpkin Spice Café. I was excited to read this book for a cozy escape into a charming small-town setting. This book certainly delivers on the atmosphere-front; the quaint little town of Dream Harbor is filled with quirky characters, fun local businesses, and provides an autumnal charm that feels tailor-made for sweater weather and hot drinks.
However, I couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of déjà vu while reading. While Laurie Gilmore openly states that she drew inspiration from the Gilmore Girls (and weird conicidence that her last name is “Gilmore”), the vibe is so strikingly similar that it felt like the book was leaning too heavily on the beloved show’s formula. Given that Gilmore Girls is is my all-time favorite show, I thought I would be thrilled to read a book inspired by its quirky charm, warm relationships, and idyllic small-town setting. But in this case, the similarities went beyond inspiration and started to feel like an imitation. The town of Dream Harbor almost like a “fake” version of Stars Hollow, missing that authentic spark that made the original so special. Instead of offering a fresh take, it felt like a shadow of something already done so well, which made it hard for the story to stand on its own.
As for the plot itself, the book also fell short for me. There wasn’t much of a compelling narrative to drive the story forward. Instead, the focus was largely on romance, which came with its fair share of steamy scenes. While some readers may enjoy the spicy descriptions, I felt they dominated the story at the expense of more nuanced character development or an engaging plot. I was also not expecting the main genre of the book to be romance, and was a but surprised to find out that it was.
Nonetheless, this book is a light, easy read and is perfect if you’re in the mood for a simple seasonal romance with a cozy backdrop. But if you’re looking for something with more depth or originality, you might find yourself wishing for a stronger storyline to match the charm of the setting. For fans of small-town tales and steamy romance, it could be just the ticket—but for me, it unfortunately was not the book I was hoping for.
Wander & Wonder 
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