If you’re in the mood for something sweet, bookish, and heart-meltingly cosy, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store might just be your next favourite read. This is the second book in Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series, a collection of small-town romances that feel like a warm hug on a rainy day.
Published in August 2024 and quickly rising to BookTok fame, this charming novel follows Hazel Kelly, a quiet bookstore owner with a guarded heart, and Noah, a rugged fisherman with a golden-retriever energy. When Hazel begins discovering mysterious notes tucked inside the pages of her books, she and Noah embark on a gentle treasure hunt that becomes something far more intimate.
This review dives into all the cosy vibes, soft romance, and literary Easter eggs that make this book a standout. Whether you’re a fan of introvert/extrovert dynamics, bookstore settings, or just want something low-drama and high-comfort, stick around. We’ve got cinnamon rolls, flirty fisherman, and a love story that’s impossible not to root for.
📖 Quick Overview
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store – Laurie Gilmore
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 needs 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…
📌 TL;DR
A shy bookstore owner and a charming fisherman follow mysterious clues hidden in books around their small town – and fall in love along the way.
💥 Hook
“Sometimes the best stories are the ones we don’t see coming – until we’re already halfway in.”
💬 The Big Idea
What if every book you opened held a secret message meant just for you? The Cinnamon Bun Book Store explores how connection, courage, and quiet love stories are often found in the most unexpected places – sometimes even between the pages of your favourite book.
🧠 What’s it About?
Hazel, introverted bookstore owner, discovers cryptic messages tucked inside the books she sells. With the help of Noah, the town’s golden retriever-esque fisherman, she begins a heartwarming treasure hunt that slowly draws her out of her shell – and into a romance she didn’t think was meant for her.
🔍 Why It’s More Than Just the Blurb
It’s not just a romance – it’s about choosing vulnerability, believing in serendipity, and learning to live your own story instead of hiding in someone else’s.
- Features a swoony “he falls first” dynamic
- Cosy small-town setting with a subtle mystery
- A love story that feels like a cinnamon-sugar hug
🔍 Deep Dive
Beneath the sweetness and cinnamon buns lies a story about emotional risk. Hazel’s fear of being known – and the comfort she finds in fictional lives – mirrors many introverts’ journeys. Noah represents the invitation to live boldly, to trust others, and to see love not as a fantasy, but a real, messy, beautiful risk worth taking.
📚 What’s Inside? (Spoiler-Free Breakdown)
Dream Harbor is the quintessential bookish small town: quirky neighbours, bustling cafés, and a close-knit community. Hazel’s journey is part treasure hunt, part emotional awakening. Through cryptic messages and cosy encounters, the story moves at a gentle pace but brims with heart. Expect slow-burn romance, vivid descriptions of pastries and books, and a narrative that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a rainy day.
Full Review By Jasmine
★ ★ ★ ★
What makes The Cinnamon Bun Book Store so delightful is just how easy it is to fall into. From the very first chapter, Laurie Gilmore creates a world that feels warm, familiar, and low-stress – in the best possible way. This is a story that knows exactly what it is: light-hearted, sweet without being saccharine, and full of quiet, meaningful moments between two people slowly learning to trust and open up.
The vibes? Impeccable. Imagine the emotional equivalent of wandering into a small-town bookshop that smells like cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee, with fairy lights twinkling in the windows. That’s Dream Harbor. There’s a gentle pace to the storytelling that never drags—it invites you to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and enjoy the ride.
Hazel is an instantly lovable character. She’s introverted and bookish (relatable), but Gilmore avoids clichés by giving her an inner strength that grows as the story unfolds. And Noah? He’s a charming, sunshiny fisherman with a huge heart and just enough teasing swagger to make their banter sparkle. Their romance is a true slow burn, full of sweet tension, soft glances, and “just one bed” levels of emotional payoff.
One of the most satisfying elements for returning readers is how well this book connects to The Pumpkin Spice Café. While The Cinnamon Bun Book Store easily stands on its own, fans of the first book will love the little cameos, familiar faces, and cosy crossovers. It feels like revisiting a beloved town, where everyone knows each other’s business but still shows up with fresh scones and kind smiles.
Gilmore has a real gift for building community within her stories. It’s not just about Hazel and Noah – it’s about a town that quietly wraps itself around them, creating space for healing, growth, and belonging.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, low-angst romance with great characters, gentle humour, and the cosiest vibes around (despite being set in summer!), The Cinnamon Bun Book Store delivers on every page. It’s the kind of book you read in one or two sittings with a smile on your face, and then hug when it’s over.
🎭 Mood & Matchmaker
Sweet, comforting, and gently adventurous. Perfect for when you want low-stakes mystery with high-stakes feelings.
🌈 Vibes Check
What kind of vibe are you in for? Let’s break it down:
✍️ Writing Style: Warm, cosy, lightly witty
☕ Comfort Level: Like a soft blanket and a warm drink
💞 Romance Style: Slow-burn, “he falls first,” opposites attract
🏘️ Setting: Small-town charm with a Hallmark feel
📖 Bookish Factor: Very high—set in a bookstore, full of literary love
🔄 Mood Matches
If you liked…
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
- The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
- The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
…then this one’s for you.
🧃 Emotional Map
📚 Bookish delight — 10/10
💗 Soft romance feels — 9/10
🧁 Comfort and cosiness — 10/10
🤔 Mild mystery/intrigue — 6/10
🌱 Character growth — 8/10
🎯 For the Right Reader
If you’re craving something charming, bookish, and full of gentle emotional resonance—with a dash of small-town whimsy and a cinnamon bun or two – this might just be your next favourite escape.
📦 Who Will Love This?
Perfect for readers who…
- Love introvert/extrovert romance dynamics
- Are obsessed with books-about-books
- Want a hint of mystery without the drama
- Enjoy cosy, low-angst, high-comfort reads
Wholesome. Romantic. Comforting. Slightly mysterious. All heart.
For more romance titles check out our collection here >>
🧭 Where I Found It
This came up on my suggested from Kindle Unlimited! With such an adorable cover and a HEA guaranteed, I just had to read!
💡 Extra Curiosities
Got some quick questions about blank? Here are a few things readers often wonder about the blank:
Is the Cinnamon Bun Book Store book spicy?
Yes, but gently! It’s a sweet with heat kind of romance. The spice level is moderate—think cosy buildup with one or two scenes that are tastefully written and emotionally grounded. It’s steamy enough to satisfy romance readers but never overpowers the story’s cosy tone.
Is The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore a sequel?
Yes—it’s the second book in Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series. The first book is The Pumpkin Spice Café. Each story focuses on a different couple, but all are set in the same charming small town and feature overlapping characters and community threads.
Do you have to read Pumpkin Spice Cafe before Cinnamon Bun book store?
Not at all! The Cinnamon Bun Book Store works beautifully as a standalone. However, reading The Pumpkin Spice Café first adds extra joy, as you’ll catch little references, character cameos, and community details that enhance the experience. It’s like getting an extra cinnamon bun with your coffee—not required, but definitely delightful.
👋 Final Thoughts
A heartfelt, bookish romance that’s perfect for fans of small-town love stories with a twist of mystery and a lot of baked goods. This is the literary equivalent of a cinnamon bun: sweet, warm, and impossible to stop thinking about.