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Dream Harbor #6
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop
The greatest love is the one you never expected to find
Daisy is fed up with being unlucky in love, and after several weddings she has done the flowers for end in divorce, her beloved flower shop has gained a reputation of being cursed, thanks to Mayor Kelly and his infamous visions.
Dream Harbor newcomer, Elliot, has been adjusting to town life following his own relationship turmoil. And until now he’s avoided the flower shop at all costs. If the mayor is correct, he doesn’t need any more bad luck in his life.
But with his family coming to visit, Elliot finds himself reluctantly in front of Daisy’s store in need of some flowers. As the petals blossom in the sunlight, Daisy and Elliot might find that love comes when you’re least expecting it…
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop is a cozy romantic mystery with a fake relationship dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed.
Daisy is fed up with being unlucky in love, and after several weddings she has done the flowers for end in divorce, her beloved flower shop has gained a reputation of being cursed, thanks to Mayor Kelly and his infamous visions.
Dream Harbor newcomer, Elliot, has been adjusting to town life following his own relationship turmoil. And until now he’s avoided the flower shop at all costs. If the mayor is correct, he doesn’t need any more bad luck in his life.
But with his family coming to visit, Elliot finds himself reluctantly in front of Daisy’s store in need of some flowers. As the petals blossom in the sunlight, Daisy and Elliot might find that love comes when you’re least expecting it…
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop is a cozy romantic mystery with a fake relationship dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
2513 people are currently reading
93969 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Gilmore
19 books15.1k followersLaurie Gilmore is a #1 New York Times, Sunday Times, and Globe & Mail bestselling author who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.
She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.
She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
Want to Read
July 11, 2025does laurie gilmore ever sleep at all ?
Want to Read
June 26, 2025Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!
Read
May 7, 2026It's time!!!💛
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Want to Read
June 15, 2025Fake relationship?? Yes please!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”You’re so pretty”
“You’re the prettiest girl in the entire town”
“Probably in the entire world”
Soft, earnest, sincere. I really believed I was about to fall completely into this story. And in some ways, I did… but not without hesitation.
The premise itself was difficult to fully settle into. The idea that an entire town genuinely believes a flower shop is cursed felt a bit too exaggerated to be convincing, and that lingering disbelief created a distance I could never quite shake. Instead of feeling immersed, I often felt like I was observing from the outside, especially with the third-person point of view, which made it harder to emotionally connect in the way I wanted to. 😬
That said, Daisy was easy to care about. She’s kind, well-meaning, and undeserving of the reputation placed on her. Even in moments where she came across as slightly immature, there was something very human about her. Something that made it difficult not to root for her despite my reservations about the story itself.
Elliot on the other hand, brought a quiet charm that worked incredibly well. He’s a little awkward, a little unsure, but undeniably genuine. The “he falls first” dynamic is always compelling, and here it felt especially soft. His hesitation and nervousness made his feelings feel more real, more grounded.
There’s a gentleness to the writing, a sense of longing that almost pulls you in completely.
The small-town atmosphere was warm and easy to settle into, giving the story a comforting, almost cozy tone. The diary entries from Daisy’s aunt added a lovely layer of depth and sentimentality, and her relationship with Iris stood out as one of the more grounded and heartfelt aspects of the book as well. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Overall, this was a sweet and approachable read—something that flows easily and offers a gentle romantic experience. It has its charming moments and likable characters, but it never quite reached the emotional depth needed to make it truly memorable. It’s not a story I would necessarily return to, but it’s one I can appreciate. 😌
things to know about the book ↓
🌼 fake dating
🌼 he falls first
🌼 small town charm
🌼 quiet pining
🌼 supportive friendships
🌼 written in 3rd person
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360 & Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
so stoked that i got this! i’ve actually not read any of the others before this so I know it won’t hit the same, but I’m still excited nonetheless 🌼 🩷✨
“You’re the prettiest girl in the entire town”
“Probably in the entire world”
Soft, earnest, sincere. I really believed I was about to fall completely into this story. And in some ways, I did… but not without hesitation.
The premise itself was difficult to fully settle into. The idea that an entire town genuinely believes a flower shop is cursed felt a bit too exaggerated to be convincing, and that lingering disbelief created a distance I could never quite shake. Instead of feeling immersed, I often felt like I was observing from the outside, especially with the third-person point of view, which made it harder to emotionally connect in the way I wanted to. 😬
That said, Daisy was easy to care about. She’s kind, well-meaning, and undeserving of the reputation placed on her. Even in moments where she came across as slightly immature, there was something very human about her. Something that made it difficult not to root for her despite my reservations about the story itself.
Elliot on the other hand, brought a quiet charm that worked incredibly well. He’s a little awkward, a little unsure, but undeniably genuine. The “he falls first” dynamic is always compelling, and here it felt especially soft. His hesitation and nervousness made his feelings feel more real, more grounded.
“But she missed him.
She missed his crooked smile and his glasses and the way he turned pink when he was embarrassed.
She missed him, and that terrified her.”.
”She was wearing yellow today and she looked
perfect.
Like sunshine and flowers and summer days.
She looked like the future.
She looked like his.”
There’s a gentleness to the writing, a sense of longing that almost pulls you in completely.
The small-town atmosphere was warm and easy to settle into, giving the story a comforting, almost cozy tone. The diary entries from Daisy’s aunt added a lovely layer of depth and sentimentality, and her relationship with Iris stood out as one of the more grounded and heartfelt aspects of the book as well. 🫶🏼🫶🏼
Overall, this was a sweet and approachable read—something that flows easily and offers a gentle romantic experience. It has its charming moments and likable characters, but it never quite reached the emotional depth needed to make it truly memorable. It’s not a story I would necessarily return to, but it’s one I can appreciate. 😌
things to know about the book ↓
🌼 fake dating
🌼 he falls first
🌼 small town charm
🌼 quiet pining
🌼 supportive friendships
🌼 written in 3rd person
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
swearing: yes
The biggest thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360 & Laurie Gilmore for allowing me to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⸻⸻⸻
・❥・⁀➷ pre-read
so stoked that i got this! i’ve actually not read any of the others before this so I know it won’t hit the same, but I’m still excited nonetheless 🌼 🩷✨
May 6, 2026
These books are such comfort reads for me. I love seeing all of the characters come back in every story. This series has really improved since The Pumpkin Spice Cafe.
Read
April 18, 2026Ik mocht hem vooruitlezen, mijn review volgt later 🤭
April 21, 2026
3.5✨ review volgt later 🌼
April 4, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I really enjoyed it! This was such a cute and heartwarming story that kept me engaged from start to finish. The characters were charming and easy to connect with.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and feel-good read that I would definitely recommend, especially if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and comforting
Overall, it was an enjoyable and feel-good read that I would definitely recommend, especially if you’re in the mood for something light, romantic, and comforting
January 2, 2026
Okay Laurie Gilmore, do you ever take a break??! Daisy and Elliot?? This sounds wayyyy toooo good!!
Old:Ooh I already know this book is going to good!!! Who do you all think this is going to be about??
Old:Ooh I already know this book is going to good!!! Who do you all think this is going to be about??
April 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
I love this dream harbor series! I think it’s is one of my favorites! This one was sweet, charming, and just such a heartfelt read!
I absolutely loved these characters! Daisy is “unlucky in love” and ready to break the curse. Elliot is a down bad MMC who has been pining from a distance & is so smitten with her. This fake dating romance gave me all the giggly, cute vibes, while also mixing in some emotional aspects & the guarded side of both characters opening up to love again!
Laurie Gilmore just writes the most loveable stories & this one no different! The added spice was the perfect mix to make this book steamy yet so heartfelt! Absolutely recommend!!
Thank you Harper 360 for this early copy!!
I love this dream harbor series! I think it’s is one of my favorites! This one was sweet, charming, and just such a heartfelt read!
I absolutely loved these characters! Daisy is “unlucky in love” and ready to break the curse. Elliot is a down bad MMC who has been pining from a distance & is so smitten with her. This fake dating romance gave me all the giggly, cute vibes, while also mixing in some emotional aspects & the guarded side of both characters opening up to love again!
Laurie Gilmore just writes the most loveable stories & this one no different! The added spice was the perfect mix to make this book steamy yet so heartfelt! Absolutely recommend!!
Thank you Harper 360 for this early copy!!
May 7, 2026
I think Daisy and Elliot really saved this book for me 3.5 stars.
Elliot especially stood out because he feels noticeably different from the other MMCs in the series. He has a steadier, more understated presence that made the romance feel more believable and less formulaic, which I really appreciated this far into the series.
I also enjoyed the diary entries and the extra layer of history woven into the story. It gave the book a sense of identity outside of just being “the next small-town romance” and added a little more depth to the overall atmosphere.
However, this series is definitely reaching the point where there are too many characters. I understand the intention — creating a close-knit community where everyone overlaps — but every new book makes it harder to remember who everyone is and why they matter. At some point, an entire town of recurring characters stops feeling immersive and starts feeling overcrowded.
For me, the biggest thing holding this back from a higher rating was the lack of emotional tension. I need romance books to unsettle me a little. I want moments where things genuinely feel fragile or complicated, where I’m desperate for the characters to figure it out. Here, most of the conflict stays internal, and while that works to a degree, it never fully pulled me in emotionally.
Still, I really liked Daisy and Elliot together, and their relationship gave the book enough charm to keep me invested the whole way through.
Elliot especially stood out because he feels noticeably different from the other MMCs in the series. He has a steadier, more understated presence that made the romance feel more believable and less formulaic, which I really appreciated this far into the series.
I also enjoyed the diary entries and the extra layer of history woven into the story. It gave the book a sense of identity outside of just being “the next small-town romance” and added a little more depth to the overall atmosphere.
However, this series is definitely reaching the point where there are too many characters. I understand the intention — creating a close-knit community where everyone overlaps — but every new book makes it harder to remember who everyone is and why they matter. At some point, an entire town of recurring characters stops feeling immersive and starts feeling overcrowded.
For me, the biggest thing holding this back from a higher rating was the lack of emotional tension. I need romance books to unsettle me a little. I want moments where things genuinely feel fragile or complicated, where I’m desperate for the characters to figure it out. Here, most of the conflict stays internal, and while that works to a degree, it never fully pulled me in emotionally.
Still, I really liked Daisy and Elliot together, and their relationship gave the book enough charm to keep me invested the whole way through.
May 6, 2026
Het was geweldig 😻
May 7, 2026
Well this was a cutie that had some depth to it!
April 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
I really enjoy these books! Each has a different vibe and can truly be enjoyed alone, you really don’t need to read these all or even in order!
Daisy is the town florist and has recently discovered that she is cursed. Or maybe her flowers are? Definitely something is going on because a few of the couples have broken up after their weddings. A frustrated Daisy hatches plan- fake date the new guy in town to convince everyone she’s actually great with love! Hello Elliot! He’s crushed on Daisy from afar and readily agrees! These two have being unlucky in love in common as they are both divorced.
Fake dating isn’t my favorite trope but it really works here. It’s very obvious to everyone that these two are mad about each other. I genuinely enjoyed how they both were so open and honest with one another and it made their summer of falling in love very believable. I also liked getting updates on all the other couples too, plus that epilogue!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Just when I thought The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was my favorite Dream Harbor book, along comes The Daisy Chain Flower Shop. This was me the whole time I was reading the book - 😍. I absolutely loved Daisy and Elliot. The failed relationships they’ve both gone through added a great slow burn to their romance, and I loved that they couldn’t help falling for one another during their fake dating.
I also really enjoyed the generational aspect of the flower shop, and the addition of Daisy’s family history. The parallel of her great aunt’s relationship and learning about it through her journal entries was perfect for Daisy’s character growth and for overcoming the “curse” she was under.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Dual POVs
* Fake Dating
* Small Town
* He Falls First
* No Third Act Break-Up
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️🌶️
Dream Harbor is the perfect cozy romance series, and I hope Gilmore isn’t done with it!! If you’ve already read and loved the other books in the series then I highly recommend adding The Daisy Chain Flower Shop to your TBR.
Just when I thought The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was my favorite Dream Harbor book, along comes The Daisy Chain Flower Shop. This was me the whole time I was reading the book - 😍. I absolutely loved Daisy and Elliot. The failed relationships they’ve both gone through added a great slow burn to their romance, and I loved that they couldn’t help falling for one another during their fake dating.
I also really enjoyed the generational aspect of the flower shop, and the addition of Daisy’s family history. The parallel of her great aunt’s relationship and learning about it through her journal entries was perfect for Daisy’s character growth and for overcoming the “curse” she was under.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Dual POVs
* Fake Dating
* Small Town
* He Falls First
* No Third Act Break-Up
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 🌶️🌶️
Dream Harbor is the perfect cozy romance series, and I hope Gilmore isn’t done with it!! If you’ve already read and loved the other books in the series then I highly recommend adding The Daisy Chain Flower Shop to your TBR.
April 14, 2026
Thank you to Harper 360 and Laurie Gilmore for the ARC!
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop wrapped up Dream Harbor exactly the way this series has always read for me: cute, cozy, mildly chaotic, and somehow addictive.
Daisy and Elliot finally get their moment, and while the slow burn is slow (like…nothing happens until 82% slow), the payoff is fun, flirty, and delivers just enough spice to keep things interesting. Laurie may not write the most lyrical prose, but she knows how to land a tension-filled scene.
I also clocked the Caleb + Vivienne crumbs, and if there’s a secret seventh book brewing, I will absolutely be reading.
Overall: adorable, average, and a satisfying goodbye to the friend group I got super invested in.
2🌶️
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop wrapped up Dream Harbor exactly the way this series has always read for me: cute, cozy, mildly chaotic, and somehow addictive.
Daisy and Elliot finally get their moment, and while the slow burn is slow (like…nothing happens until 82% slow), the payoff is fun, flirty, and delivers just enough spice to keep things interesting. Laurie may not write the most lyrical prose, but she knows how to land a tension-filled scene.
I also clocked the Caleb + Vivienne crumbs, and if there’s a secret seventh book brewing, I will absolutely be reading.
Overall: adorable, average, and a satisfying goodbye to the friend group I got super invested in.
2🌶️
April 27, 2026
Thank you to Harper 360 and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Is this one of my most highly anticipated books for 2026? Yes. Did I squeal a bit when I was approved to read this? Also, yes. Did it meet every expectation I had for Daisy and Elliot's love fest? It sure did!
Daisy is cursed. Or at least that is what it seems like since every wedding her flower shop has provided flowers for recently has ended in the couple breaking up. It doesn't help that she hasn't been able to keep hold of a relationship of her own. She feels doomed to forever carry around the dark cloud the mayor dreamed is over her shop. Enter Elliot. He's more than willing to play the fake boyfriend for Daisy to show she can be lucky in love and hopefully get her business back on track. But when pretend feelings start turning into something more reel, can either put aside their past failed relationships to see they could be happy together?
There is must something about Dream Harbor that makes me so happy. Gimore brings us into this fluffy romantic world with fun characters and back stories, plus a small town feel where everyone knows everything that's going on. It's so much fun to watch all these characters interact. It's fun to see characters from the previous books still so happy and spreading that joy to others. And it's really fun to watch a fake relationship grow and change and become something very real. Gilmore is always ready to give us the happily ever after we need, without the excessive drama you see in other romances. I love that she avoids the third act break up and just has the characters talk things out and be adult about it all.
As with the previous books in this series, the pacing is fast. The plot is easy to navigate and all the little things that happen along the way really lend to the entire story being told. I really enjoyed the historical back story as Elliot and Daisy found out more and more about their ancestors and the parallels in their relationship with Daisy's Great Aunt D and Elliot's relative, Nathan.
Gilmore continues to bring us a charming town with charming people and stories that are just the right side of fluff to keep you hanging on until the end to see the outcome. I love the eccentric towns people, the small town vibe, the local shops, and just about everything else Gilmore throws at me in these books. This story is cute and cozy and heart warming. I cannot wait to see what else Gilmore might bring us in this world!
Is this one of my most highly anticipated books for 2026? Yes. Did I squeal a bit when I was approved to read this? Also, yes. Did it meet every expectation I had for Daisy and Elliot's love fest? It sure did!
Daisy is cursed. Or at least that is what it seems like since every wedding her flower shop has provided flowers for recently has ended in the couple breaking up. It doesn't help that she hasn't been able to keep hold of a relationship of her own. She feels doomed to forever carry around the dark cloud the mayor dreamed is over her shop. Enter Elliot. He's more than willing to play the fake boyfriend for Daisy to show she can be lucky in love and hopefully get her business back on track. But when pretend feelings start turning into something more reel, can either put aside their past failed relationships to see they could be happy together?
There is must something about Dream Harbor that makes me so happy. Gimore brings us into this fluffy romantic world with fun characters and back stories, plus a small town feel where everyone knows everything that's going on. It's so much fun to watch all these characters interact. It's fun to see characters from the previous books still so happy and spreading that joy to others. And it's really fun to watch a fake relationship grow and change and become something very real. Gilmore is always ready to give us the happily ever after we need, without the excessive drama you see in other romances. I love that she avoids the third act break up and just has the characters talk things out and be adult about it all.
As with the previous books in this series, the pacing is fast. The plot is easy to navigate and all the little things that happen along the way really lend to the entire story being told. I really enjoyed the historical back story as Elliot and Daisy found out more and more about their ancestors and the parallels in their relationship with Daisy's Great Aunt D and Elliot's relative, Nathan.
Gilmore continues to bring us a charming town with charming people and stories that are just the right side of fluff to keep you hanging on until the end to see the outcome. I love the eccentric towns people, the small town vibe, the local shops, and just about everything else Gilmore throws at me in these books. This story is cute and cozy and heart warming. I cannot wait to see what else Gilmore might bring us in this world!
April 7, 2026
I love the Dream Harbor series so much! I would happily keep reading these stories forever.
Daisy’s flower shop is suffering after the town has decided the weddings she does are cursed. Her own love life seems pretty cursed too. So her solution? Fake date sweet, shy Elliot. Convince the town they’re in love. Earn back wedding business and save the shop. But naturally, fake dating leads to real feelings.
Laurie has managed to make all of her couples feel so real and their stories distinct. I thought the curse made for a fun mystery element. The hint of magic has me excited to see what she has in store with Big Bad Wolf!
But also, I hope we’ll be back in Dream Harbor sooner than later!
Thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
Daisy’s flower shop is suffering after the town has decided the weddings she does are cursed. Her own love life seems pretty cursed too. So her solution? Fake date sweet, shy Elliot. Convince the town they’re in love. Earn back wedding business and save the shop. But naturally, fake dating leads to real feelings.
Laurie has managed to make all of her couples feel so real and their stories distinct. I thought the curse made for a fun mystery element. The hint of magic has me excited to see what she has in store with Big Bad Wolf!
But also, I hope we’ll be back in Dream Harbor sooner than later!
Thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.
Want to Read
December 14, 2025i thought the saga was done with annie and mac 😭
April 13, 2026
Ladies, it’s time to update the dream: the era of fantasizing about owning a Christmas tree farm or a quaint seaside bookshop is officially over. A floral shop is the new goal—add it to your bucket list immediately. And while we’re at it, pumpkin spice lattes are out; lilacs, lavender, and freesia are very much in. Got it? Good. Let’s continue.
Daisy has terrible luck in love—an ex-husband and an ex-fiancé to prove it. As if that weren’t enough, the town mayor has one of his ominous “visions” about her flower shop, complete with a dark cloud looming overhead. In a small town, that’s all it takes. Suddenly, Daisy isn’t just unlucky—she’s cursed. With two seemingly doomed weddings already tied to her shop, the townspeople are convinced she’s the common denominator.
Determined to turn things around and save her business, Daisy presses on. But fate has a sense of humor: her ex-fiancé walks into her shop with his new fiancée, looking for the perfect wedding venue. In a moment of panic (and perhaps desperation), Daisy grabs the first man who walks through the door and introduces him as her boyfriend. Enter Elliot—recently divorced and just as unlucky in love.
What follows is a charming fake-dating arrangement meant to save face—both in front of Daisy’s ex and Elliot’s overbearing mother. But as the two spend more time together, they begin to dig into the history of Daisy’s shop… and the possible origins of her so-called curse.
Will this fresh start—and a certain architect—be enough to break the curse? Or is Daisy destined to give up on love and stick to arranging flowers for funerals?
Book Club Recommendations:
Food: Muffins
Drinks: Tea
Activity: Have each member bring a different type of flower and a mason jar. Create a shared bouquet by exchanging stems, then take your arrangement home!
Music: Don’t forget to check out the playlist at the beginning of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for the advanced digital copy!
Daisy has terrible luck in love—an ex-husband and an ex-fiancé to prove it. As if that weren’t enough, the town mayor has one of his ominous “visions” about her flower shop, complete with a dark cloud looming overhead. In a small town, that’s all it takes. Suddenly, Daisy isn’t just unlucky—she’s cursed. With two seemingly doomed weddings already tied to her shop, the townspeople are convinced she’s the common denominator.
Determined to turn things around and save her business, Daisy presses on. But fate has a sense of humor: her ex-fiancé walks into her shop with his new fiancée, looking for the perfect wedding venue. In a moment of panic (and perhaps desperation), Daisy grabs the first man who walks through the door and introduces him as her boyfriend. Enter Elliot—recently divorced and just as unlucky in love.
What follows is a charming fake-dating arrangement meant to save face—both in front of Daisy’s ex and Elliot’s overbearing mother. But as the two spend more time together, they begin to dig into the history of Daisy’s shop… and the possible origins of her so-called curse.
Will this fresh start—and a certain architect—be enough to break the curse? Or is Daisy destined to give up on love and stick to arranging flowers for funerals?
Book Club Recommendations:
Food: Muffins
Drinks: Tea
Activity: Have each member bring a different type of flower and a mason jar. Create a shared bouquet by exchanging stems, then take your arrangement home!
Music: Don’t forget to check out the playlist at the beginning of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for the advanced digital copy!
April 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGallery and HarperCollins for the ARC! I’m so grateful to receive this ARC and to be one of the first to read and review!
This was such a soft and comforting read that completely pulled me in! It has that cozy small-town charm that makes everything feel warm and familiar, and while there is some spice, the story really shines in its sweetness and emotional connection.
Daisy and Elliot’s romance felt so tender and genuine. It’s full of quiet moments like shy glances, tentative hand-holding, and those little bursts of affection that feel bigger than grand gestures. Their relationship unfolded in such a gentle way that made it impossible not to root for them. I loved the fake dating trope here (it’s one of my favorites!), and it worked especially well in a town where everyone is constantly watching and speculating. Daisy and Elliot were both a bit guarded because of their pasts, which made their growing feelings feel even more meaningful. The way they slowly opened up to each other, through small touches and soft smiles, was just adorable. And Elliot falling first and being completely all-in? That was everything!!
Elliot was such a standout character for me. He’s a shy and introverted architect who loves history and would rather stay out of the spotlight. It’s not often you see a male lead written this way, and it felt really refreshing. Even with his quiet nature, he showed up for Daisy in all the ways that mattered, especially when it came to standing by her side. The added layer of family history and the “curse” storyline brought something unique to the book. It blended nicely with the romance and gave their connection a deeper meaning without taking away from the cozy feel of the story. And that ending? So satisfying! I just wish I could spend more time in this world!
This was such a soft and comforting read that completely pulled me in! It has that cozy small-town charm that makes everything feel warm and familiar, and while there is some spice, the story really shines in its sweetness and emotional connection.
Daisy and Elliot’s romance felt so tender and genuine. It’s full of quiet moments like shy glances, tentative hand-holding, and those little bursts of affection that feel bigger than grand gestures. Their relationship unfolded in such a gentle way that made it impossible not to root for them. I loved the fake dating trope here (it’s one of my favorites!), and it worked especially well in a town where everyone is constantly watching and speculating. Daisy and Elliot were both a bit guarded because of their pasts, which made their growing feelings feel even more meaningful. The way they slowly opened up to each other, through small touches and soft smiles, was just adorable. And Elliot falling first and being completely all-in? That was everything!!
Elliot was such a standout character for me. He’s a shy and introverted architect who loves history and would rather stay out of the spotlight. It’s not often you see a male lead written this way, and it felt really refreshing. Even with his quiet nature, he showed up for Daisy in all the ways that mattered, especially when it came to standing by her side. The added layer of family history and the “curse” storyline brought something unique to the book. It blended nicely with the romance and gave their connection a deeper meaning without taking away from the cozy feel of the story. And that ending? So satisfying! I just wish I could spend more time in this world!
May 7, 2026
I absolutely devoured The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, and it ended up being my favourite book in the entire Dream Harbour series. The story follows Daisy, a florist with a sassy, confident exterior and a much softer, more self‑conscious heart underneath, and Elliot, the sweetest history‑loving nerd with more baggage than he lets on. They end up fake dating, my absolute favourite trope, but with a fun twist: they’re both openly into each other from the start, even if fear keeps them from actually doing anything about it. Watching these two unlucky‑in‑love people slowly fall together was ridiculously cute.
What really got me was how natural their connection felt. Daisy’s spark and Elliot’s geeky charm just click, and the way they both try so hard to protect themselves while still being drawn to each other made the whole thing feel extra tender. I loved that their relationship wasn’t all smooth sailing, they both have pasts that weigh on them, but the book never loses its warmth or sweetness. It’s the kind of romance where you’re rooting for them from page one because they’re just that lovable.
And honestly, I wish these two were real. I’d happily hang out in Daisy’s shop, listening to Elliot ramble about some obscure historical fact while Daisy pretends she’s not charmed out of her mind. The cameos from the other Dream Harbour couples were such a treat too, it felt like catching up with old friends.
Overall, this book hit every one of my soft spots. It’s cute, heartfelt, a little vulnerable, and full of that small‑town magic that makes the whole series so comforting. I closed the book with a big goofy smile on my face; I loved it.
What really got me was how natural their connection felt. Daisy’s spark and Elliot’s geeky charm just click, and the way they both try so hard to protect themselves while still being drawn to each other made the whole thing feel extra tender. I loved that their relationship wasn’t all smooth sailing, they both have pasts that weigh on them, but the book never loses its warmth or sweetness. It’s the kind of romance where you’re rooting for them from page one because they’re just that lovable.
And honestly, I wish these two were real. I’d happily hang out in Daisy’s shop, listening to Elliot ramble about some obscure historical fact while Daisy pretends she’s not charmed out of her mind. The cameos from the other Dream Harbour couples were such a treat too, it felt like catching up with old friends.
Overall, this book hit every one of my soft spots. It’s cute, heartfelt, a little vulnerable, and full of that small‑town magic that makes the whole series so comforting. I closed the book with a big goofy smile on my face; I loved it.
April 9, 2026
3.5 Another ARC from NetGalley! I was going to wait until this one came out but I was feeling in the mood to jump back into dream harbor so why not get an early start! I think this might have made it into my top three of Dream Harbor books. The premise was cute and semi believable (I mean how believable can we be when we are basically living in the Gilmore Girls fantasy lol). The characters fit very well together and I liked how we had sowed the seeds in the gingerbread bakery (my favorite so far!) Of course its cheesy (why did we need to mention Hamilton lol) and of course some of the language might make you roll your eyes (the word same should not be that romantic) but it is what you should be expecting if you have made it to book 6 of this series. I really enjoyed their relationship and there was not as much of a third act breakup as I was bracing myself for (which was great news because I don’t think they needed that extra stress for no reason). I also am intrigued to see if we follow Elliot's brother in the next book which would mean we get more Daisy and Elliot. My biggest qualm with this book was the 20 year time skip in the epilog. I understand she wanted to show that Daisy has broken the curse and is able to have a long relationship but it felt so unnecessary and like she didn't know how to end the book when the ending of the final chapter would have been perfectly fine. This was a classic dream harbor romance and I dare say they are getting better as the series goes on. Now I am more excited to read her supernatural romance in September (hopefully an ARC for that one too!!)
May 7, 2026
2.5 / 5 ⭐
3 / 5 🌶️
Third Person POV 👀
Spicy chapters: 19, 33. 36 🔥
Elliott (MMC) and Daisy (FMC)
This book was soooo boring, I'm sorry to say. It literally had nothing new to say, and the main characters were so insecure, immature and cliché 😓😥😫. The MC's are two lonely, dull, pitiful individuals who just happen to fall in love for spending some time in each other's vicinity, without really having anything in common, except for their physical attraction for each other.
Usually, a nerdy/intellectual MMC is my all time favorite, and Elliott was a really nice guy and a sweetheart overall. However, I do not for one second believe that he would be a divorced thirty something grown ass man who would be constantly blushing for the smallest things... Yes, a shy guy is charming, but Elliott got me wondering if he had some underlying health issue. Because it is not normal to blush in every single chapter for the most insignificant things (i.e. looking at her lips), and it just infantilized him imo, which I didn't find attractive in any way.
Both MC's kept comparing the other to their previous relationship, which got repetitive and annoying fast. Like, move on already 🥱😤.
Also, there's a "mystery" (giving it that name generously) that was totally meh, and in the end when resolved, underwhelming and anticlimactic.
Read at your own risk, but I wish I had never picked up this novel and now I'll never get those hours of my life back 🙃.
Happy reading 📚
3 / 5 🌶️
Third Person POV 👀
Spicy chapters: 19, 33. 36 🔥
Elliott (MMC) and Daisy (FMC)
This book was soooo boring, I'm sorry to say. It literally had nothing new to say, and the main characters were so insecure, immature and cliché 😓😥😫. The MC's are two lonely, dull, pitiful individuals who just happen to fall in love for spending some time in each other's vicinity, without really having anything in common, except for their physical attraction for each other.
Usually, a nerdy/intellectual MMC is my all time favorite, and Elliott was a really nice guy and a sweetheart overall. However, I do not for one second believe that he would be a divorced thirty something grown ass man who would be constantly blushing for the smallest things... Yes, a shy guy is charming, but Elliott got me wondering if he had some underlying health issue. Because it is not normal to blush in every single chapter for the most insignificant things (i.e. looking at her lips), and it just infantilized him imo, which I didn't find attractive in any way.
Both MC's kept comparing the other to their previous relationship, which got repetitive and annoying fast. Like, move on already 🥱😤.
Also, there's a "mystery" (giving it that name generously) that was totally meh, and in the end when resolved, underwhelming and anticlimactic.
Read at your own risk, but I wish I had never picked up this novel and now I'll never get those hours of my life back 🙃.
Happy reading 📚
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC!!!
This book was such a heartwarming and cozy read!! I definitely can this see this becoming a comfort read for me! Out of all the books this one felt the most Hallmarky to me. Even though it does have spice, this one leans more into the cute and sweet romance. It's shy smiles, holding hands, and excited hugs!! I found the romance between Daisy and Elliot to be precious!
First, this book has fake dating which is my favorite!!! But I especially loved fake dating in Dream Harbor where everyone is nosey lol!! Daisy and Elliot fake dating were adorable!! They both were hesitant because of their pasts so many of their interactions were super cute with holding hands and staring at each other while smiling!! I loved that they had similar histories when it came to love which made them perfect for each other!! Plus Elliot fell first (literally the first time he saw her) and hard and I loved seeing him try to prove to Daisy that what he felt was real!
Elliot has become a new book boyfriend!! He is a painfully shy architect and history nerd. He talks about how he doesn't like to be the center of attention and had struggled with dating because he was shy. As someone who is extremely shy, I related so much to his character. I also appreciated him being described that way a male character which I don't often see! Despite his shyness, he was always willing to defend Daisy and stand up for to the town which was so sweet!
This story also has a really cute history component to it!! I loved the history of Daisy and Elliot's families and how that related to their story and Daisy's curse!! I thought it was a great addition to the story and fit them so well! And the epilogue at the end was amazing and I want more!!
This book was such a heartwarming and cozy read!! I definitely can this see this becoming a comfort read for me! Out of all the books this one felt the most Hallmarky to me. Even though it does have spice, this one leans more into the cute and sweet romance. It's shy smiles, holding hands, and excited hugs!! I found the romance between Daisy and Elliot to be precious!
First, this book has fake dating which is my favorite!!! But I especially loved fake dating in Dream Harbor where everyone is nosey lol!! Daisy and Elliot fake dating were adorable!! They both were hesitant because of their pasts so many of their interactions were super cute with holding hands and staring at each other while smiling!! I loved that they had similar histories when it came to love which made them perfect for each other!! Plus Elliot fell first (literally the first time he saw her) and hard and I loved seeing him try to prove to Daisy that what he felt was real!
Elliot has become a new book boyfriend!! He is a painfully shy architect and history nerd. He talks about how he doesn't like to be the center of attention and had struggled with dating because he was shy. As someone who is extremely shy, I related so much to his character. I also appreciated him being described that way a male character which I don't often see! Despite his shyness, he was always willing to defend Daisy and stand up for to the town which was so sweet!
This story also has a really cute history component to it!! I loved the history of Daisy and Elliot's families and how that related to their story and Daisy's curse!! I thought it was a great addition to the story and fit them so well! And the epilogue at the end was amazing and I want more!!
April 26, 2026
Daisy comes from a long line of Daisy’s. But unlike the others…she seems to be cursed becuase everyone who buys flowers from her for their wedding ends up divorced. Becuase of this her business is have some bad luck. Enter in Elliot. He has come to town to visit family and find himself after his own divorce. And now we have a fake relationship between a nerdy architect and a business owning florist. It was really very cute. It was good to see former couples and how they progressed. I love the heat falls first trope in this has it. It really was just a nice cozy. Small town read that was a great pallet cleanser. When you pick up a Laurie Gilmore book you know what you are going to get and I really appreciate that about her and her writing. I find these to be very addictive, 100% Bingeable. I read it in one sitting and couldn’t put it down. This was 100% what I needed. I really also enjoyed basically the journal entries and how that whole storyline progressed and how it impacted Daisy. It’s really I believe added just a little extra to the book that really brought it home for me.
I can’t wait to see what happens next and I have an idea what she might do.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 for the complementary copy of all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I can’t wait to see what happens next and I have an idea what she might do.
Thank you so much to Harper 360 for the complementary copy of all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 4, 2026
Ready to go back to the coziest fictional town ever full of nosy townspeople?! The newest addition to the series comes out tomorrow, friends! And here’s what you can expect:
The story focuses on Daisy, the small town’s florist. Her expertise? Weddings! buuut since her divorce AND failed engagement, the town believes she’s cursed and nobody wants to hire her for weddings anymore
Enter Elliott - the architect who just moved to Dream Harbor a year ago to renovate the town’s inn. He is also a divorcee and his mom won’t stop reminding him that he needs to date again
Sooo together, they agree to fake date each other and while we all know how these schemes end up, it was still very cute to follow along their journey!
🌼 He ends up adopting a dog
🌼 She ends up finding a photo with a relative who looks exactly like her! And got obsessed with figuring out the story behind said relative
🌼 He’s a history nerd, golden retriever male MC, aaaand he falls first!
🌼 She meets both her exhusband and exfiance at the festival 😂
🌼 and I swear, this series has the best cameos of previous books’ leads!
Spice level: will be a 2-3🌶️ for me
This was such a very entertaining read and I recommend it for all small town romance readers out there!
💭 What was your first read for May?
The story focuses on Daisy, the small town’s florist. Her expertise? Weddings! buuut since her divorce AND failed engagement, the town believes she’s cursed and nobody wants to hire her for weddings anymore
Enter Elliott - the architect who just moved to Dream Harbor a year ago to renovate the town’s inn. He is also a divorcee and his mom won’t stop reminding him that he needs to date again
Sooo together, they agree to fake date each other and while we all know how these schemes end up, it was still very cute to follow along their journey!
🌼 He ends up adopting a dog
🌼 She ends up finding a photo with a relative who looks exactly like her! And got obsessed with figuring out the story behind said relative
🌼 He’s a history nerd, golden retriever male MC, aaaand he falls first!
🌼 She meets both her exhusband and exfiance at the festival 😂
🌼 and I swear, this series has the best cameos of previous books’ leads!
Spice level: will be a 2-3🌶️ for me
This was such a very entertaining read and I recommend it for all small town romance readers out there!
💭 What was your first read for May?
May 5, 2026
I adore the Dream Harbor series, and The Daisy Chain Flower Shop is yet another episode in this sweet, kinda spicy romance series. After reading, Daisy and Elliot are two of my favorite characters from the town, and their story was so much fun to read. One of my favorite things about the series is the return of all of my favorite characters from previous novels, though as always each book can be read as a standalone.
I am not always a big fan of the fake dating trope, but in this story it did not seem so far-fetched as usual. Both Daisy and Elliot had decent reasons for needing to present as attached, and also reasons for not wanting a real relationship; it made sense to me. I do love the 'he falls first' trope, and 'found family' is an absolute guarantee that I will enjoy reading, probably why I love these books as Dream Harbor feels like one big family after the first novel.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and was eagerly predicting who might be the next couple who get their own story told. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for the digital ARC of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore. The opinions in this review are my own.
I am not always a big fan of the fake dating trope, but in this story it did not seem so far-fetched as usual. Both Daisy and Elliot had decent reasons for needing to present as attached, and also reasons for not wanting a real relationship; it made sense to me. I do love the 'he falls first' trope, and 'found family' is an absolute guarantee that I will enjoy reading, probably why I love these books as Dream Harbor feels like one big family after the first novel.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and was eagerly predicting who might be the next couple who get their own story told. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for the digital ARC of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore. The opinions in this review are my own.
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