Looking for Laurie Gilmore books in order? This guide covers her full bibliography so far, including the Dream Harbor novels, the start of Maple Hollow, and the optional tie-in books.
The easiest way to read Laurie Gilmore is publication order. That keeps the Dream Harbor books together in the order they were released, then moves naturally into Big Bad Wolf, which begins a separate series.
Jump to:
- Where to Start?
- Laurie Gilmore Books in Publication Order
- Do You Need to Read Dream Harbor in Order?
- Laurie Gilmore Books FAQ
Where to Start?
The Pumpkin Spice Café is the best place to begin for most readers. It was Laurie Gilmore’s first novel under this name, it launched Dream Harbor, and it sets the tone for the cozy, spicy, small-town romances readers usually want from her books.
That said, this is not one long heavily serialized universe. The Dream Harbor books each follow a different central couple, so the real benefit of starting at the beginning is the shared town, recurring side characters, and gradual sense of familiarity as the series grows.
Laurie Gilmore Books in Publication Order
Laurie Gilmore’s bibliography is still straightforward. Read the Dream Harbor novels first, then move to the first Maple Hollow book if you want to continue with her newer work.
Dream Harbor Books
Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series is a small-town romance set in a cozy coastal town filled with charming businesses, familiar faces, and seasonal atmosphere. Each book follows a different love story, while the shared setting and returning characters give the series its warm, interconnected feel.
- The Pumpkin Spice Café (August 31, 2023)
- The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (August 29, 2024)
- The Christmas Tree Farm (October 10, 2024)
- The Strawberry Patch Pancake House (March 13, 2025)
- The Gingerbread Bakery (September 11, 2025)
- The Daisy Chain Flower Shop (May 19, 2026)
Maple Hollow Books
Laurie Gilmore’s Maple Hollow series shifts into paranormal romance, blending her cozy, approachable style with a more magical, fairy-tale-inspired world. Big Bad Wolf introduces that tone with a romance that feels moodier and more enchanted than the Dream Harbor books.
- Big Bad Wolf (September 8, 2026)
- Maple Hollow Book 2 (October 20, 2026)
Laurie Gilmore Companion Books
Laurie Gilmore also has a few Dream Harbor tie-ins. These are optional extras rather than part of the main reading path, so they make more sense as bonus material once you already know you enjoy the series.
- The Pumpkin Spice Café Coloring Book (July 17, 2025)
- The Strawberry Patch Pancake House Coloring Book (January 29, 2026)
- The Official Pumpkin Spice Café Cookbook: 60 Delicious Dream Harbor Recipes (August 13, 2026)
Do You Need to Read Dream Harbor in Order?
Not strictly. Laurie Gilmore’s official book pages note that the Dream Harbor novels can be read as standalones, and that fits the structure of the series because each book has its own romance at the center.
Still, publication order is the better choice for most readers. Dream Harbor is a shared-town series, so reading in order lets the callbacks, side characters, and shifting town dynamics land more naturally than they would if you jumped in at random.
Laurie Gilmore Books FAQ
These are the main questions readers tend to have before starting Laurie Gilmore’s books.
What is the best order to read Laurie Gilmore books?
The best order is publication order: start with Dream Harbor from The Pumpkin Spice Café through The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, then move to Big Bad Wolf. That gives you the cleanest path through both series without mixing separate worlds together.
Which Laurie Gilmore book should I start with?
The Pumpkin Spice Café is the best starting point. It introduces Dream Harbor, captures Laurie Gilmore’s small-town romance style, and makes the most sense as the entry point for new readers.
Is Big Bad Wolf part of Dream Harbor?
No. Big Bad Wolf begins the Maple Hollow series, so it should be treated separately from Dream Harbor even though it is still part of Laurie Gilmore’s overall bibliography.
Are Laurie Gilmore’s companion books required reading?
No. The coloring books and cookbook are optional tie-ins for Dream Harbor fans. The main novels are the ones that matter for reading order.
What genre are Laurie Gilmore books?
Laurie Gilmore is best known for small-town contemporary romance. Dream Harbor fits that label most cleanly, while Big Bad Wolf adds a more paranormal fairy-tale angle under the Maple Hollow banner.
Looking for more books in order?
If you want more romance authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Romance Books in Order index.