📖 Book Review: Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
I knew I needed to read Pumpkin Spice Café the moment I saw the title. I mean, how could I not? A book about small-town romance, coffee, and all things cozy? SIGN ME UP.
And let me tell you—it did not disappoint. This book gave me all the fall feels. It’s the literary equivalent of putting on your favorite chunky sweater, lighting a cinnamon candle, and curling up with a PSL (yes, I’m fully leaning into the autumn cliché).
What’s It About?
The story follows Jeanie, who unexpectedly takes over a café in a ridiculously charming small town. Of course, there’s a grumpy yet adorable love interest (because what’s a cozy romance without one?), plenty of quirky townsfolk, and enough pumpkin spice references to make Starbucks jealous.
What I Loved
✔ The small-town charm – It’s giving Gilmore Girls in all the best ways. The townspeople, the café, the fall vibes—it’s cozy overload (in a good way).
✔ The romance – Sweet, swoony, and perfectly paced. It’s low-angst and perfect for when you just need something warm and happy.
✔ The banter – Snarky yet adorable. It had me grinning like a fool.
What I Wanted More Of
The conflict was wrapped up a little too fast for my liking—I wanted more depth in the resolution. There was plenty of chemistry between the main characters, and the emotional stakes were set up well. But when the inevitable misunderstanding happened, the resolution felt a bit too easy. I wanted to see them wrestle with their feelings a little longer and have a deeper conversation about what was holding them back.
Some side characters had so much potential but weren’t explored as much as I’d hoped. This town is the kind of place where you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile, but some of the secondary characters—who had fun, quirky personalities—felt like they were just there to fill space rather than truly adding to the story. A little more depth in their relationships with the main characters would have made the setting feel even more immersive. At the time of reading this, I knew it was going to be a series and there would be at least a couple of books to follow. I didn’t know what characters they would focus on though (now I know they do dive into these side characters).
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend this book? Definitely. It’s comfort reading at its finest. If you love Hallmark-esque small-town romances, witty banter, and the idea of a bookish PSL in written form—grab a copy and settle in.
📚 Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
☕ Pairs well with: A pumpkin spice latte and a cozy sweater.
