How to Read the Five Island Cove Series
If you love clean, emotional women's fiction filled with second chances, deep-seated family secrets, and the healing power of female friendship, Jessie Newton’s Five Island Cove series is a must-read. Set against a picturesque and cozy coastal backdrop, the series follows five lifelong friends—Robin, Alice, Eloise, Kelli, and AJ—as they navigate the ups and downs of adulthood, romance, and new beginnings.
Because the character development and overarching plotlines span multiple books, we highly recommend reading the series in its publication order. The relationships evolve, secrets are revealed step-by-step, and character paths cross in ways that will be spoiled if you skip around.
Five Island Cove Books in Publication Order
Here is the complete publication order for the main series books. The books were released rapidly starting in 2020, offering a continuous journey through the lives of the residents of the cove:
- The Lighthouse (2020) – Book 1. The tragic death of Joel Shields brings five childhood friends back together to support Joel's widow, Kristen, leading them to uncover secrets that will change their lives forever.
- The Summer Sand Pact (2020) – Book 2. The friends renew their teenage vow to meet every summer, leaning on each other through divorces, new careers, and personal healing.
- The Cliffside Inn (2020) – Book 3. Eloise takes a leap of faith to restore an old, historic inn on the cliffs, sparking new challenges and fresh starts for the group.
- Christmas at the Cove (2020) – Book 4. A cozy holiday installment where the friends gather to celebrate, mend broken hearts, and face winter storms together.
- The House on Seabreeze Shore (2021) – Book 5. Family drama and coastal secrets take center stage as the friends help each other rebuild their lives and homes.
- Four Weddings and a Baby (2021) – Book 6. Change is in the air as celebrations bring joy, along with unexpected twists in the group's romantic lives.
- The Seafaring Girls (2021) – Book 7. The story expands as old rivalries resurface and the friends are tested by new relationships and career challenges.
- Rebuilding Friendship Inn (2022) – Book 8. Focuses on Clara Tanner as she works to restore the beloved local landmark, showing that healing and community go hand in hand.
- The Glass Dolphin (2023) – Book 9. A story of letting go and finding hope in unexpected places, with the coastal setting providing the perfect backdrop for personal growth.
- The Bicycle Book Club (2024) – Book 10. The power of shared stories and community comes to life as a summer reading program brings new connections to the cove.
- The Holiday House (2024) – Book 11. The magic of the holidays returns, testing the strength of long-time relationships and opening the door for new love.
- The Summer of Weddings (2025) – Book 12. A major milestone book that wraps up several long-standing romance arcs and celebrates the enduring bonds of sisterhood.
The Prequel: Memories at Friendship Inn (Book 0.5)
In addition to the twelve main novels, there is a prequel titled Memories at Friendship Inn (often designated as Book 0.5). This novella takes readers back thirty years to the high school graduation of AJ, Robin, Alice, Eloise, and Kelli. It details the teenage pact they made before leaving for college and the foundation of their lifelong bond.
Reading Tip: Even though it is chronologically first, the author recommends reading Memories at Friendship Inn after finishing Book 1, The Lighthouse, and before moving on to Book 2, The Summer Sand Pact. This allows you to meet the characters as adults first, making the look back at their teenage lives much more impactful and emotionally resonant.
The Hamptons Spin-Off Series
If you cannot get enough of Jessie Newton's coastal storytelling, you'll want to check out The Hamptons series. This official spin-off is set in the same universe and follows Mandie Kelton (whom readers meet in the main series) and her historic building restoration team as they travel along the Eastern Seaboard restoring abandoned properties. It features the same blend of mystery, romance, and restoration theme that fans love.
The Hamptons trilogy should be read in this order:
- The Hampton House (2024)
- The Yacht Club (2025)
- The Cove Cottage (2025)
For convenience, these three books are also available as a single volume titled The Hamptons Complete Trilogy (published in early 2026).
Behind the Pen: Who is Jessie Newton?
Many readers are surprised to learn that Jessie Newton is actually a pseudonym for the highly prolific USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson. Under her own name, Johnson writes contemporary beach romances and young adult fiction. She also writes inspirational western cowboy romance under the pen name Liz Isaacson. Writing under the Jessie Newton name allows her to focus specifically on deeply emotional, clean women's fiction that emphasizes strong female friendships and coastal town settings.
What to Know Before You Start
The Five Island Cove series is celebrated for its clean content, meaning it is free from explicit scenes and focuses instead on emotional intimacy, character growth, faith, and forgiveness. The setting of Five Island Cove itself is fictional, but it is heavily inspired by the real coastal towns of the Eastern Seaboard. If you are looking for a heartwarming, cozy, and uplifting escape, grab your copy of The Lighthouse and let the tides sweep you away!