Laurie Gilmore’s fifth installment in the beloved Dream Harbor series delivers a second-chance romance that’s been simmering since the very first book. The Gingerbread Bakery finally gives readers the Annie and Mac story they’ve been demanding, and while it satisfies many cravings, it occasionally leaves you wanting just a bit more seasoning in certain areas.
Set against the backdrop of Jeanie and Logan’s highly anticipated wedding (characters from The Pumpkin Spice Café), this enemies-to-lovers tale unfolds with the warm familiarity of returning to your favorite small town. Annie Andrews, the perfectionist baker who’s appeared throughout the series, and Mac Bennett, the mechanic with a complicated past, have been circling each other with barely concealed animosity for eleven years. When a wedding crisis forces them together, old wounds resurface alongside undeniable chemistry.
The Heart of the Story: Second Chances and Silent Suffering
What makes this romance particularly compelling is how Gilmore handles the weight of unresolved teenage heartbreak. Annie and Mac’s shared December from eleven years ago isn’t just backstory—it’s the beating heart of their conflict. The author skillfully weaves flashbacks throughout the narrative, revealing how one perfect month and one devastating miscommunication shaped two people’s entire adult lives.
Annie emerges as Dream Harbor’s golden girl who’s been secretly carrying the burden of a broken heart beneath her cheerful exterior. She’s the baker everyone relies on, the friend who shows up, the woman who has her life perfectly organized—except for the Mac-shaped hole in her emotional armor. Her character development from bitter perfectionist to vulnerable woman willing to risk her heart again feels authentic and earned.
Mac, meanwhile, is beautifully written as a man who’s spent over a decade believing he ruined the best thing that ever happened to him. His journey from guilt-ridden wanderer to someone worthy of a second chance provides satisfying emotional growth. The way he quietly takes care of Annie—bringing her coffee, helping with wedding tasks, reading her body language—shows rather than tells us who he really is beneath the gruff exterior.
Romance That Sizzles and Satisfies
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic crackles from the first page. Gilmore excels at writing sexual tension, and the forced proximity of wedding preparations creates delicious friction. Their banter is sharp and knowing—these are two people who understand each other despite years of deliberate distance. When the romantic dam finally breaks, the intimate scenes are both steamy and emotionally resonant, particularly a standout scene involving maple syrup and kitchen counters that perfectly captures their complex relationship.
However, the pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle section. While the buildup is expertly crafted, the resolution of their eleven-year conflict happens somewhat rapidly. Annie’s transformation from bitter to forgiving feels slightly rushed, though Gilmore’s skilled characterization helps sell the emotional journey.
Dream Harbor in Full Holiday Glory
The series’ signature cozy atmosphere shines brightest during the Christmas wedding preparations. From gingerbread house construction to light tours on converted school buses, Gilmore creates a world readers want to live in. The supporting cast from previous books—Jeanie and Logan (The Pumpkin Spice Café), Hazel and Bennett (The Cinnamon Bun Book Store), Kira and Noah (The Christmas Tree Farm), and Iris and Henry (The Strawberry Patch Pancake House)—feel like beloved friends checking in.
The town itself becomes a character, with its meddling book club, gossipy residents, and the kind of community support that only exists in the best small-town romances. Nancy Pepper, the former elementary school teacher turned Christmas tour guide, provides particularly amusing comic relief.
Minor Quibbles in Paradise
While The Gingerbread Bakery succeeds as a satisfying romance, it occasionally leans too heavily on coincidence and convenient timing. The missing grandmother subplot, while providing necessary plot momentum, feels somewhat manufactured. Additionally, some secondary characters border on caricature, though this has been a consistent element throughout the series that fans seem to embrace.
The book also struggles with information management for new readers. While Gilmore provides enough context about previous couples, newcomers might feel slightly overwhelmed by the extensive cast of established relationships.
Writing Style: Comfort Food for the Soul
Gilmore’s prose maintains the series’ signature warmth and accessibility. Her dialogue sparkles with authentic small-town charm, and she has a gift for making readers feel instantly at home in Dream Harbor. The author’s background in creating viral TikTok content serves her well—she understands what readers want and delivers it with confidence.
The alternating timeline structure works particularly well here, allowing readers to understand the full scope of Annie and Mac’s shared history without overwhelming the present-day romance. Gilmore handles the emotional weight of their past with sensitivity while maintaining the light, optimistic tone that defines the series.
The Verdict: A Sweet Addition to a Beloved Series
The Gingerbread Bakery delivers on its promise of enemies-to-lovers romance while advancing the overarching Dream Harbor narrative. Though not without minor flaws, it provides the satisfying conclusion to Annie and Mac’s long-simmering tension that series fans have been craving. The book works best for readers already invested in the series, though newcomers with a taste for cozy small-town romance will find plenty to enjoy.
For those who’ve been following Dream Harbor from the beginning, this installment feels like coming home for the holidays—familiar, warm, and exactly what you hoped for, even if it’s not quite perfect. With The Daisy Chain Flower Shop set to conclude the series, Gilmore has set up an emotional foundation that promises an equally satisfying finale.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
- Second-chance romances with emotional depth
- Small-town settings with ensemble casts
- Holiday romance with genuine seasonal atmosphere
- Enemies-to-lovers dynamics with real conflict
- Contemporary romance with steam and heart
Similar Books to Add to Your TBR:
If you enjoyed The Gingerbread Bakery, try these recommendations:
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – For another enemies-to-lovers romance with emotional baggage
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – For workplace enemies-to-lovers tension
- Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck – For cozy small-town romance with ensemble cast
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – For fake relationship evolving into real love
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry – For second-chance romance with publishing industry setting
The Gingerbread Bakery proves that sometimes the sweetest romances are worth waiting for—even if it takes eleven years and a small-town wedding to get there. While it may not be the most innovative entry in the contemporary romance genre, it delivers exactly what Dream Harbor fans ordered: heart, heat, and the kind of happily-ever-after that makes you believe in the magic of second chances.
