Laurie Gilmore is the pen-name for romance author Melissa McTernan, who also writes romances under her own name.
As Melissa McTernan, she’s known for her fantasy and paranormal romances, while under Laurie Gilmore, she creates small-town romances with a cosy, seasonal charm.
Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series is a perfect pick for fans of Gilmore Girls and anyone who enjoys small town romances with a pinch of spice.
Each book focuses on one couple (without cliffhangers), so technically they can be read as standalones. However, since characters from previous books pop up throughout the series, I would recommend reading them in publication order.
This is the complete list of Laurie Gilmore books in order.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Book Blurb: When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…
Book Blurb: 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…
Book Blurb: Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.
Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates.
After a run in with Kira in her fields, Ben has no intention of offering to help the grumpy owner set up her tree farm, despite the fact she’s clearly got no idea what she’s doing.
Kira knows she should stop being so stubborn, but her farm is not all cute and cozy like people always show on social media, it’s borderline dangerous with no heating, and she’d rather no one saw it.
But somehow fate finds Ben at Kira’s farm once more, and as Kira watches him swing an ax at the first tree, she finds herself appreciating his strength and questioning why she refused help in the first place…
Book Blurb: As a renowned chef, single-dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.
Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when Mayor Kelly suggests Archer is looking for a nanny, and Iris might be available, she shudders at the thought. But in need of money she reluctantly agrees.
As Archer and Iris get used to their new roles, is it possible that they might have more in common than they first thought, or is Olive just determined to play match-maker…
Dream Harbor Series: Book 5
The fifth book in the Dream Harbor series, titled The Gingerbread Bakery, is due to be published in September 2025. The cover and plot details haven’t been released yet but I’ll update this post when we know more.
What to read next
If you enjoy Laurie Gilmore’s small town romances, you may also enjoy Lucy Score’s Knockemout series. Like the Dream Harbor series, it is set in a close-knit community and has recurring characters and plenty of steamy romance.
