11 June 2025

I’ll be honest—this isn’t my usual genre. I tend to gravitate toward darker, twisty plots with high-stakes tension and questionable motives. But sometimes, you need a palate cleanser, and The Pumpkin Spice Café offers exactly that: warm, sweet, and comforting like its namesake drink.

The story follows Jeanie, who inherits a charming café in the adorably named Dream Harbor. Burned out from her boring desk job, she dives headfirst into small-town life, determined to make a fresh start. Enter Logan—a brooding, quiet farmer who wants absolutely nothing to do with Jeanie or her pumpkin spice lattes. He’s the classic grumpy to her sunshine, and their slow-burn connection is predictable, but in a way that feels satisfying rather than stale.

Jeanie’s optimism and energy were both a strength and a challenge for me as a reader who doesn’t typically reach for stories centred around cute cafés and cosy vibes. That said, there’s something comforting about a story where the biggest conflicts are misunderstandings, meddling neighbours, and resisting inevitable romantic tension. It’s the book version of a Hallmark movie—and I mean that as a compliment.

What really worked for me was the setting. Dream Harbor practically jumps off the page with its fall-themed charm, golden leaves, and cinnamon-scented air. You can almost hear the crunch of leaves and smell the baked goods. Gilmore does a great job of creating a cosy, escape-worthy atmosphere.

While The Pumpkin Spice Café didn’t rock my world or send me into a spiral of overthinking (like my usual thrillers do), it did exactly what I hoped it would: it made me smile. It’s a feel-good romance with a predictable but heartwarming arc, and sometimes, that’s all you need.