The Cinnamon Bun Book Store | By Laurie Gilmore

My thoughts

Narrative and Plot

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is told from both Hazel and Noah’s points of view. As a companion novel to The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, I was expecting the same small-town charm and vibrancy. However, aside from the occasional town meeting, there wasn’t much of that to be found.

This book feels slightly different in tone from its predecessor. The plot and overarching themes reminded me of Hook, Line and Sinker. Considering both heroes are fishermen who struggle with self-worth, the comparison is inevitable.

Characters and Conflicts

Hazel and Noah are interesting characters, and they each experience satisfying arcs, which makes the story easy to read. Since I’ve already drawn parallels to Tessa Bailey, I feel obliged to mention that the steamy scenes in this book are just as frequent and detailed as in a typical Bailey novel. However, some of these scenes felt misplaced, appearing in moments that didn’t contribute much to the story’s progression. While I don’t mind them in general, I would’ve liked to see the characters communicate their feelings more deeply in certain instances.

I’m personally not a fan of stories where the central conflict revolves around the “dreaded thirties.” Although this book puts a refreshing spin on it, the narrative’s focus on validation through milestones or societal expectations before turning thirty feels unnecessary. Everyone achieves things at their own pace, regardless of age.

Additionally, there wasn’t much of a third-act conflict here. The story maintained a repetitive “will-they-won’t-they” dynamic without introducing any major twists or developments.

Conclusion

Overall, this was an easy, one-time read for me. I would recommend it to readers who enjoyed Hook, Line and Sinker.

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