Fall Book Review: The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
If you’ve ever dreamed of living inside Gilmore Girls, sipping a pumpkin spice latte in a small-town café where everyone knows your name, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore is the book you’ve been waiting for. A spicy small-town romance set in the cozy town of Dream Harbor, it’s a comforting fall read perfect for anyone craving a dose of autumnal romance.
The Pumpkin Spice Café Summary
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the picturesque small town of Dream Harbor, she jumps at the chance to leave behind her dull city desk job for a fresh start. Enter Logan — a grumpy, down-to-earth local farmer who keeps to himself and avoids the town’s gossip at all costs.
Jeanie’s sunny personality immediately clashes with Logan’s reserved nature, but as the two keep running into each other in this tight-knit community, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. Between latte art, fall festivals, and a few steamy moments in between, their relationship slowly turns from irritation to something much deeper.
But Dream Harbor isn’t just all cozy cafés and pumpkin pies — there’s also a hint of mystery in town that brings a little extra intrigue to this otherwise heartwarming romance.
The Tropes of The Pumpkin Spice Café You’ll Love
🍂 Strangers to lovers
🍂 Small-town romance
🍂 Grumpy MMC x sunshine FMC
🍂 Found family
🍂 Spicy
This book checks every box for a feel-good fall romance. It’s cozy, comforting, and full of that small-town charm we all crave once sweater weather hits.
A Cozy Autumn Read (With a Bit of Spice!)
At its heart, The Pumpkin Spice Café is a warm hug in book form. Between the charming coffee shop, the adorable townsfolk, and the fall festivals, it gives major Gilmore Girls vibes. Jeanie is a classic “sunshine” heroine — bright, cheerful, and ready to make a home in Dream Harbor — while Logan is the perfect “grumpy” counterpart with a soft side.
If you’re looking for something light to read in between heavier fantasy or literary books, this one fits perfectly. It’s an easy, cozy, and quick read that doesn’t take itself too seriously and honestly, that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable. Sometimes a little predictability feels like a comfort blanket, especially when paired with cinnamon-scented candles and a steaming mug of coffee.
Is The Pumpkin Spice Café Spicy?
Is this book spicy? Yes. Do not let the cover fool you. There are definitely a few blush-worthy scenes tucked between the coffee brewing and town meetings.
However, if you’re a slow-burn lover, this one might not be for you. The attraction between Jeanie and Logan happens instantly — and while that’s fun in its own way, I personally would’ve loved to see a little more tension before things heated up. A touch of slow-burn would’ve made the chemistry stronger in my opinion .
Also, small note: the alpaca named Harry Styles definitely made me raise an eyebrow (a little cringe, but also kind of funny?).
What I Loved About The Pumpkin Spice Cafe (and What I Didn’t)
What I loved most was the setting. Dream Harbor felt like stepping into a Pinterest board — cozy cafés, pumpkin patches, quirky book clubs, and weekly trivia nights. I adored the café itself, the fall décor, Logan’s farm animals, and the feeling of community that tied everything together. If you want to read this book for the fall vibes, the vibes are perfect.
However, where the book fell short for me was in the mystery element. It was barely there and didn’t add much to the story. I was hoping for something with a bit more substance or surprise, but it mostly served as a small background detail. Similarly, while the romance was cute, it wasn’t revolutionary. It was insta-love and there was no real tension. The predictability and lack of slow-burn made it a little less impactful, though it still delivered a fun and spicy reading experience.
Final Thoughts — The Perfect Fall Comfort Read
While The Pumpkin Spice Café may not break new ground in the romance genre, it’s still an utterly charming, cozy read that feels like wrapping yourself in a soft blanket on a rainy autumn day.
If you’re in the mood for something light, fun, and irresistibly fall-themed — complete with pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters, and small-town charm — this book delivers exactly that. It’s not meant to be deep or thought-provoking; it’s meant to be comforting, cute, and just spicy enough.
Grab a cup of your favorite fall drink, light a pumpkin candle, and curl up with The Pumpkin Spice Café. It’s the perfect book to transition into the cozy season. 🍂
My Rating: ⭐️ 3/5
What To Read Next? The Dream Harbor Series
The Pumpkin Spice Café is part of Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor Series, a collection of cozy, small-town romances each centered around a charming local business. Every book captures the warmth and found-family feel of Dream Harbor, making readers want to move there themselves. The series includes:
📚 The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore
🎄 The Christmas Tree Farm
🍓 The Strawberry Patch Pancake House
🍪 The Gingerbread Bakery
🌼 The Daisy Chain Flower Shop (coming May 2026)
Each book brings a new love story with plenty of heart, small-town gossip, and the kind of cozy vibes that make Dream Harbor feel like home.
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