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A review by pineapplebunnies
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Meh
Sloppy character work, a romance that was far too rushed, and a secondary plot that was anticlimactic and poorly resolved. Dream Harbor has all the attributes of a small Stars Hollow-like town, but the setting and secondary characters felt a bit too hollow to me. Stars for committing to the cozy atmosphere (although I don’t think it was done too well), thematically consistent and well written spicy scenes, and for Hazel and Noah, who might make reading the second book worth it.
Further spoiler-full analysis:
This books characters are so inconsistent, in the kind of way when your serial monogamist friend insists THIS time they’ll stay single and work on themselves only to immediately go on another date. Jeanie apparently is this hyper independent woman, and literally the first thing she does is recruit people’s help for this cat problem thing and easily accept it. Also, she’s like so unable to take care of it herself and her mind jumps to crazy scenarios (ghosts??). Didnt she live in a CITY alone for YEARS?? And Logan is ALSO apparently healing from heartbreak and embarrassment and doesn’t want to fall too fast again. And yes, his insta love for Jeanie is insane. The man seriously has a problem, honestly. And maybe it’s realistic, but it’s not interesting to read. Two people being horny for each other and telling themselves not to be horny for each other… great. Being IN LOVE less than a month after meeting? What is wrong with you guys??
Don’t even get me started on Norman, all my homies hate Norman.
Also, the writing was Wattpad quality. I’d appreciate a more conservative approach to using the word “freaking” as an adjective. Seriously, this book could’ve used an editor or two.
Sloppy character work, a romance that was far too rushed, and a secondary plot that was anticlimactic and poorly resolved. Dream Harbor has all the attributes of a small Stars Hollow-like town, but the setting and secondary characters felt a bit too hollow to me. Stars for committing to the cozy atmosphere (although I don’t think it was done too well), thematically consistent and well written spicy scenes, and for Hazel and Noah, who might make reading the second book worth it.
Further spoiler-full analysis:
Don’t even get me started on Norman, all my homies hate Norman.
Also, the writing was Wattpad quality. I’d appreciate a more conservative approach to using the word “freaking” as an adjective. Seriously, this book could’ve used an editor or two.