ŷ������

After surviving a terrible flu, the only thing I wanted was to digest a book that would nourish my soul and heart, lift my broody mood, and bring some warmth back into my life. Thankfully, this book was the perfect cure! It completely treated my post-flu blues, made me swoon, and had me grinning so wide I thought my face might split in two. And, of course, I lost count of how many times I said, “Aww!�� while reading.

If you’ve had a tough day, are in a bad mood, or just need something cozy, sexy, and cuddly, grab this book! It’s better than any medicine and just as effective as a warm, gooey chocolate lava cake.

I haven’t read the other books in this series yet, but they’re now at the top of my TBR. I’m saving them for the days when life feels overwhelming, and I need the sweet, swoon-worthy, soft healing powers of a great romance. It gives off a bit of a Hallmark vibe with its small-town, tight-knit community full of good-hearted people, but it’s done in a way that feels authentic and completely lovable—never over-the-top.

The forced proximity, grumpy meets sunshine, and opposites attract tropes are all wonderfully executed. The single dad, found family, and slow-burn romance themes are also major highlights, making it impossible not to devour this story in one sitting.

The plot revolves around hotshot chef Archie, who suddenly discovers he's the father of a little girl, Olive, after her mother tragically passes away. To gain full custody, Archie leaves behind his prestigious career in Paris and moves to the small town of Dream Harbor, where he takes a job at a local diner to prove he can provide a stable home for his daughter.

But adjusting isn’t as easy as he expected. The townspeople hate the changes he makes to the diner’s menu (they even send back his pancakes in protest!), Olive refuses to talk to him, and the town’s elderly ladies keep dropping by unannounced to monitor his parenting skills. Archie is drowning—and he desperately needs help.

Enter Iris, who can barely hold down a job, is struggling to pay rent, and is in dire need of a fresh start. Becoming Olive’s nanny seems like the perfect solution, even if it means dealing with her brooding, ridiculously sexy, grumpy chef of a dad. She should be able to resist his charms�� but how can she when he’s whipping up late-night pancakes like it’s some kind of seductive one-man cooking show? Or when his arms flex while whisking butter (seriously, how is that even legal?)? Or when those adorable dimples make an appearance every time she teases him?

But crossing the line could ruin everything. Archie is determined to be a good father and secure full custody of Olive, and Iris can’t afford to lose another job—especially not one that could finally give her some stability. On top of that, the last thing she wants is to hurt Olive by giving up when things get complicated.

Yet, with each passing day, sparks fly, tension builds, and the temptation to break all the rules grows stronger. And even though everyone warns them to keep their hands to themselves, resisting might just be impossible.

But what if this could be more than just a fleeting attraction? What if two struggling adults could come together and create the kind of family they never thought they’d have? Could they find their own happily ever after?

Overall, this book is as sweet as a stack of strawberry pancakes and absolutely deserves its five heartwarming, swoon-worthy stars. I can't wait to read more books in the series, and I highly recommend grabbing a copy as soon as possible!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this cozy small-town romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology: