By Samantha Picaro
One does not need to be familiar with the other books in the Dream Harbor series to love this holiday gem. The cozy, delicious-looking cover featuring the titular café is enough to draw one in. Two characters from a previous novel are getting married, and our main character, Annie, is responsible for baking the cake —an essential part of any festivity. She and another guest, Mac, have to set aside their dislike for each other so they do not ruin this wonderful occasion, made even more magical by the winter season.
The Titular Bakery is run by Annie. Both protagonists run businesses: Annie runs the bakery while Mac runs a pub, and both are passionate about their businesses. This is relevant not just to their personalities but also to the way local businesses are so supportive of each other. A reader with a sweet tooth will enjoy the many sugary delights that appear in this book in preparation for the wedding and for the holiday season.
The chapters alternate between past and present, allowing the reader to see how much the characters have grown or not since they were teens. It will enable readers to see why Annie does not trust Mac. Books that alternate between past and future, which may prompt them to reflect on life and whether specific goals have changed or been achieved. The chapters set in the past are relatable to anyone who has struggled to figure out what they want to do in life, like Mac, or to anyone afraid their dream will fail, like Annie.
How can we talk about books without mentioning tropes? Obviously, there is the small-town trope, one of my personal favorites. Romance fans will see beloved tropes like second-chance romance, enemies-to-lovers, and forced proximity. There is plenty of banter between Annie and Mac, accompanied by longing and regret.
One of my favorite parts of series like these is how each book focuses on a different couple and how we get to see beloved characters appear without being the center of the story. The love comes not just from romance but also from friendship, family, and neighbors. In a world where competition between businesses is encouraged and expected, it is wholesome to be reminded that businesses can uplift each other, as we see in the fictional town of Dream Harbor. It is like the way Annie and Mac ultimately uplift one another.
