Title: THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM – Dream Harbor #3
Author: Laurie Gilmore
ISBN: 9780008610739
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 369
Source: Private Copy
Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.
Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor, taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.
After a run-in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.
Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.
But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questionning why she refused help in the first place..
Official Summary
27 August 2025
This is the last Dream Harbour book that I have on my TBR. Am I going to add more? I am not sure. They are a pretty addition to my bookshelf, but let’s be honest, this is not my genre of choice. I am not even sure why I read these to start with. I do not read romance, well, not normally, so I have no idea what I was thinking.
The Christmas Tree Farm is a sweet, cosy holiday romance that captures both the magic and the chaos of small-town life at Christmastime. Kira North is wonderfully relatable as a heroine who doesn’t quite have it all together—her grumpy, stubborn streak paired with her disastrous tree farm made me root for her right away. Enter Bennett Ellis, a man looking for a break from his own messy love life, who somehow finds himself tangled up in Kira’s world (and her trees).
What I enjoyed was the banter between Kira and Ben. Their initial resistance to each other slowly melts into something warm and heartfelt, and watching that shift felt natural and satisfying. (Which I am realising is the norm for the romance genre.) The Dream Harbor setting adds an extra layer of charm—it’s one of those places you wish you could visit in real life, with its festive spirit and picture-perfect vibe. That’s if you enjoy the small-town idea of everyone knowing everything about everyone.
That said, the book does lean heavily into predictable holiday romance tropes. While I enjoyed the comfort of that familiarity, there were moments where I wished for a bit more depth or surprise in the storyline. Still, Gilmore’s writing is light, engaging, and perfectly suited for a cosy winter read.
This is a story that balances grumpiness, humour, and slow-burn romance with plenty of festive cheer. It’s a great pick for anyone looking for a feel-good holiday escape, especially if you enjoy the “grumpy/sunshine” trope set against a backdrop of twinkling lights and snowy charm.
Also by Laurie Gilmore
THE PUMPKIN SPICE CAFÉ
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…
THE CINNAMON BUM BOOK STORE
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just need someone to help her out.
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Laurie Gilmore is a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller and a USA Today bestseller who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cosy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Café, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.
She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing.
Thank you to my regular visitors for humouring me while I worked my way through these books. Unless I find another one of these gifted to me by the family, I do not think I will be reading any more. I am over it…. No matter how cute the covers, enough. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
