Published: 30 August 2023 (print)/26 October 2023 (audio) 
Publisher: HarperCollins/HarperCollins
Pages: 376/7 hrs and 3 mins
Narrator: Regina Reagan
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Romance
★ ★ ★ – 3.5 Stars
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…
I started this series because I’d planned to read book three not realising it wasn’t book one but figured I should start at the beginning.
It was very character focused, I thought there’d be more about the mystery but it is more focused on Logan and Jeanie’s relationship. It’s not quite instalove but there is a connection right away and they become smitten early on. The conflict is realistic and believable, I was impressed Gilmore didn’t cave to the tiresome lack of conversation where people don’t just say what they mean to create drama. There is other drama to work with so not being a reasonable person and saying things outright isn’t a concern.
I liked the inner turmoil for Logan that impacted his connection with Jeanie. It is good to see how ignorant people can be of their own issues but be willing to work on them once they understand. Having Jeanie be a newcomer to town was also a great move as Gilmore sets up her past as well as allowing an organic introduction of the town to her and the readers alike.
Despite being the first in the series it could easily be a standalone. The romance is strong and the town is interesting and well thought out. The balance of town people and character thoughts is good and there is a good base plot to work with that isn’t solely feelings and thoughts. I can see how this would be a stepping stone for future stories as there is a lot of community to work with.
You can purchase The Pumpkin Spice Cafe via the following
Wordery | Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible
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