Step into the sun-drenched seaside town of Five Island Cove, where five lifelong friends reunite to unravel secrets, mend hearts, and rediscover the unbreakable bond of sisterhood! Jessie Newton’s Five Island Cove series, a gem in women’s fiction, weaves heartfelt stories of friendship, faith, and personal growth against the backdrop of a charming coastal setting. With its blend of emotional depth and light romance, this series invites readers to escape into a world where the tides bring both challenges and healing.
From the first page, you’re swept into the lives of Robin, Alice, Eloise, Kelli, and AJ—women whose shared past in Five Island Cove ties them together, even after years apart. As they face life’s storms, from betrayals to new beginnings, their journey resonates with anyone who’s ever leaned on a friend or sought a fresh start. Ready to dive into this heartwarming saga? Let’s explore its origins, stories, and lasting charm!
How Five Island Cove Began
Jessie Newton, a USA Today bestselling author, crafted the Five Island Cove series to celebrate the enduring power of female friendships. Inspired by her love for coastal settings and stories of human connection, Newton launched the series in 2020 with The Lighthouse. Her goal was to create a world where readers could feel the salt air, hear the waves, and root for women navigating life’s complexities together. Writing in the evenings with a cat and a cup of tea, Newton poured her knack for relatable characters into this seaside escape.
The series, now spanning 12 books, grew from Newton’s desire to explore how past promises—like a teenage pact to reunite—shape adult lives. Drawing on themes of forgiveness and resilience, she built a fictional chain of islands that feels vividly real, making Five Island Cove a beloved destination for fans of clean, romantic women’s fiction.
The Heart of Five Island Cove
The series kicks off with The Lighthouse (2020), where the death of Joel Shields brings the five friends back to support his widow, Kristen, a mother figure to them all. As they sift through Joel’s papers, shocking secrets unravel, testing their loyalty and forcing each woman to confront her own struggles. The Summer Sand Pact (2020) follows their renewed vow to meet every summer, exploring themes of divorce, love, and rediscovery as they rebuild their lives.
The Cliffside Inn (2020) dives deeper into Eloise’s bold move to restore an old inn, while the group grapples with new challenges and hidden truths. Later, The Bicycle Book Club (2024) brings a fresh twist, with summer reading programs and community connections highlighting the series’ focus on healing through shared experiences. Newton’s style blends vivid descriptions—think freshly baked cookies and ocean breezes—with emotional arcs that feel authentic. Themes of friendship, family, and faith shine through, making the series a cozy yet thought-provoking read.
Set in the fictional Five Island Cove, the series paints a picturesque chain of islands where lighthouses, inns, and beaches set the stage for personal transformation. Each book stands alone but builds on the group’s evolving dynamic, offering readers a mix of romance, suspense, and heartwarming moments that linger like a sunset stroll.
Why Five Island Cove Resonates
Five Island Cove has carved a niche in women’s fiction by blending clean romance with raw, relatable struggles. Fans praise its realistic characters—strong yet flawed women who learn from their mistakes—and its uplifting message of second chances. Reviews highlight the series’ ability to evoke real emotions, with one reader noting, “I could taste the cookies they kept talking about!” Its focus on sisterhood and forgiveness strikes a chord, especially for readers seeking stories that feel like a warm hug.
The series’ growing popularity, with thousands of Goodreads ratings and a loyal fanbase, speaks to its universal appeal. By tackling issues like infidelity, loss, and career shifts with grace, Newton has created a saga that inspires readers to cherish their own friendships and embrace life’s unexpected turns. As the series continues, with The Summer of Weddings set for 2025, its legacy as a feel-good escape endures.
- First book published: 2020 (The Lighthouse)
- Total books: 12 (as of 2025)
- Author: Jessie Newton, USA Today bestseller
- Genre: Women’s fiction, clean romance
Grab The Lighthouse and sail into Five Island Cove’s world of friendship, secrets, and seaside charm! Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming tales or just craving a literary getaway, this series promises a journey you won’t forget.