What do you think?
Rate this book
Cape Light #4
A New Leaf
A quaint New England village by the sea, Cape Light is a close-knit community whose residents have discovered time and again how love has the power to sustain the spirit and heal suffering. After a bitter divorce, single mom Molly Willoughby has become increasingly disillusioned. She has shied away from love and given up her dreams. Then newcomer Dr. Matthew Harding inspires her to again dream that success and love may be possible . . .
624 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2004
31 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Kinkade
266 books180 followersThomas Kinkade was known as the "Painter of Light." His works, although spurned by the secular art establishment, were very popular with Christians and many others.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
February 25, 2022
Cape Light continues to be one of my favorites, and I've really been enjoying working my way slowly through a reread of the entire series. In A New Leaf, Emily and Jessica move into being more background characters, and instead Jessica's sister in law Molly, the town's new doctor Matthew, the town's police detective Tucker, and the beloved owners of Potter Orchard; Sophie and Gus, take center stage as the main characters.
Molly is attempting to start her own catering business, and ends up developing a friendship with the town's newly hired doctor, Matthew Harding. Circumstances seem to keep coming between the two of them developing anything more, and one of those circumstances is none other than Molly's exasperating ex-husband, Phil. Tucker is surprisingly reunited with his half brother Carl, but the reunion is bittersweet considering Carl was a convicted felon, and most of the rest of Cape Light, including Tucker's wife Fran, want to assume the worst where he's concerned. Lastly, Sophie Potter must prepare for one of the hardest goodbyes she's ever had to face, and just might end up losing her family's beloved orchard in the process.
A New Leaf from start to finish is a heartwarming small town romance that reminds us all of what truly matters, and how nothing is impossible for our Heavenly Father who can perform miracles in the most mundane of situations. I love every installment of this series, and while Molly is not personally my favorite character, and I really didn't enjoy how Fran behaves for a large portion of the story, I still loved this beautiful tale, and I'm so glad I took the chance to reread it.
The characters come to feel like old friends, the setting of small town Cape Light comes alive on the page, and I love how Reverend Ben does his absolute best to point all the town's residents to the only one who can truly handle every hurt our heart must learn to face.
Final Rating: 5/5.
This continues to be a much recommended series from me.
Molly is attempting to start her own catering business, and ends up developing a friendship with the town's newly hired doctor, Matthew Harding. Circumstances seem to keep coming between the two of them developing anything more, and one of those circumstances is none other than Molly's exasperating ex-husband, Phil. Tucker is surprisingly reunited with his half brother Carl, but the reunion is bittersweet considering Carl was a convicted felon, and most of the rest of Cape Light, including Tucker's wife Fran, want to assume the worst where he's concerned. Lastly, Sophie Potter must prepare for one of the hardest goodbyes she's ever had to face, and just might end up losing her family's beloved orchard in the process.
A New Leaf from start to finish is a heartwarming small town romance that reminds us all of what truly matters, and how nothing is impossible for our Heavenly Father who can perform miracles in the most mundane of situations. I love every installment of this series, and while Molly is not personally my favorite character, and I really didn't enjoy how Fran behaves for a large portion of the story, I still loved this beautiful tale, and I'm so glad I took the chance to reread it.
The characters come to feel like old friends, the setting of small town Cape Light comes alive on the page, and I love how Reverend Ben does his absolute best to point all the town's residents to the only one who can truly handle every hurt our heart must learn to face.
Final Rating: 5/5.
This continues to be a much recommended series from me.
December 11, 2017
After reading the first three books in this series, I enjoyed reading about someone else besides Emily, Jessica, & Sara. They were great books, too! Molly is a character in the previous three, shown as brusque & unfriendly at times. None of that brusqueness is shown here, which is a stark contrast. This series does reflect real life in many ways. You'll share Molly's struggles with a new man in her life as well as her ex husband, PLUS trying to start her own catering business. There is some sadness as a beloved elderly couple in Cape Light face their immortality with their family and friends. Through it all, the love of God for His children shines through the Christian characters, who reach out to those in need & show the reader that even Christians struggle with life's biggest problems..and that faith in God is always rewarded.
September 2, 2014
Wonderful book. Four stories of love- sadness-redemption - sorrow- and faith all combined into one. I always thought of Thomas Kinkade as a painter, don't remember any of his writings, but then this book paints a beautiful picture in words. It made me laugh ,cry, and smile at times. I'd recommend it to anyone who like to read a good clean love story.
January 12, 2021
I loved the lesson of acceptance in this book! There were two different examples of acceptance. Sophie had to accept the fact that her husband couldn't always be with her. Tucker and the entire town had to accept the fact that Carl wasn't necessarily a bad person and that their prejudice was wrong.
This series is reminding me of the Mitford series, just a different town with different people.
This series is reminding me of the Mitford series, just a different town with different people.
July 24, 2017
The book's story takes place in a quaint village in New England. It is written so well, the reader can picture himself actually being there! Molly has had a nasty divorce & has kept away from relationships. Molly is a single mother with a daughter, Lauren. Dr. Matthew Harding is new to town with his daughter, Amanda. Matthew & Molly find themselves involved in each other's lives because of their daughters. Tucker Tully is a police officer, who has a brother who has served time in prison. The brother comes to town. Tucker feels he should assist his brother; but his wife is against having his brother around! After considerable turmoil & suspicions, Tucker's brother, Carl, makes amends with Tucker's wife. What happens with Molly & Matthew? Read the book to find out! It's too bad Mr. Kin fade didn't live long enough to write many, many more novels! This book was written beautifully!
November 11, 2020
Challenges: RRRCs November 2019 (belated) - medical field/doctor (7); RRRCs Stacking the Series - Level 3/Book 4; LizzieFaye's Comfy Corner. The main theme of this installment of the residents of Cape Light is forgiveness, both of oneself as well as others. A new doctor comes to town, a prodigal brother returns, a single mother starts a business and one of the most loved characters passes away, but a way of life continues. All events are complicated by unresolved issues from the past giving grist to the process of healing and spiritual growth. A very comforting series. I look forward to continue reading the next books which all take place at Christmas time.
May 15, 2017
So much going on. With even Cape Light no really every changing it has still changed in the year Rev Ben was thinking. What Rev Ben realizes is the village is changing but there is friendship, love and family
June 29, 2021
Definitely wasn’t great, didn’t really ever desire to read more. It was also a little all over the place but I think that would have made more sense if I had read more in the series. No desire to do that though. Two stars only because the writing wasn’t terrible.
July 17, 2022
Sort of a sappy love story with shallow characters and dialogue. Like a soap opera, there were many different scenarios. Some of the lessons were well written and the narrative flowed better than the conversations. I did question some of the theology.
May 21, 2024
I didn't care for this one as much as the previous two books. I liked the Tucker/Carl part of the story but the Matthew/Phil/Molly story just irritated me for some reason. I'm hoping the next one is a bit better.
August 5, 2018
So far, this one has been the biggest surprise story of cape light!
September 13, 2018
This book really grabs you from the beginning. It makes you feel like you are there as the story unfolds. You fall in love with the story and the only down side is the fact that it does end.
July 4, 2019
A slow read. Did not keep my attention
July 7, 2019
Very slow book. Lots of characters to keep track of.
December 13, 2019
I get so emotional reading these stories!!So much, that I can hardly wait to go on to the next chapter!!
Food for thought, for sure!
Food for thought, for sure!
November 9, 2020
Cape Light and the possibility of miracles. Part of a series that should be read in order so that you can become familiar with the characters. Enjoyed the book.
November 26, 2020
A New Leaf
I enjoyed the book very much. I would like to have more of Lillian in the book. I look forward to the next book in the series..
I enjoyed the book very much. I would like to have more of Lillian in the book. I look forward to the next book in the series..
January 11, 2021
I love reading about cape light and cant wait for the next book. The endings are always so satisfying
March 23, 2021
A visit to Cape Light is the break I needed. As I've mentioned before, this series reminds me of the Cedar Cove series.
January 12, 2022
Acceptance, faith, and compassion and to live without fear and to trust in God's love and in his promise to take care of us. Sums up what the characters were working on as their lives continue.
September 28, 2022
Not as long as the others previously in the series so it cuts down on the quality of content a bit. But I still enjoyed the story.
December 17, 2022
3&1/2 stars. An easy to read series that takes place in a small village, by the sea.
December 30, 2022
This was slow for me, but still good!
January 10, 2023
Another wonderful book in the cape light series focusing on molly trying to get her life on track and finding a new love and Tucker reestablishing his relationship with his brother.
April 16, 2024
Didn’t realize this was the fourth book in the series so I was kind of bummed when I started it. Wish I could get my hands on the 2nd and 3rd one.
Good story of redemption and forgiveness.
Good story of redemption and forgiveness.
July 15, 2024
Another wonderful book in this series. Interesting characters.
August 17, 2025
Happened to come across this book in a junk bin and it was a bit beat up but still readable. Thoroughly enjoyed it & will definitely read more from this series.
February 3, 2022
This is a good series so far. I'm afraid I will be bored with it before the end.
July 7, 2019
Another wonderful story, I enjoyed that this book focused on another family instead of the Warwicks.
December 9, 2009
As you might guess from the title, the theme of this installment in the Cape Light series is the idea of starting anew—turning over a new leaf, as the old cliché has it. It’s a nicely supported theme—as much worth a read as any of the other books in the series.
This is the book where you experience the privilege of becoming acquainted with Molly Willoughby. She was Molly Morgan growing up, but that was before she turned the ever-so-mature age of 15 and got the hots for the fast-talking handsome Phil Willoughby, who married her, promptly impregnated her, and almost as promptly cheated on her numerous times. Worse yet, after the divorce he paid little child support and even less attention to the couple’s two daughters, Lauren and Jill. He would do well for a while, but then he would build their expectations only to disappoint them by not showing up when he was supposed to, etc.
As this book opens, Molly, who has a reputation for being rather quick witted and sharp tongued, is cleaning a house which is to be inhabited the next morning by the town’s new doctor, a friend of the old retired one. Because of Phil’s conduct over the years, Molly has given up on men generally and on ever again really being in love. But as you might predict, the new doctor isn’t the old ho-hum guy Molly expected, and when he shows up unexpectedly the night before he is to move in, catching her with a vacuum hose in her hand, the two begin a relationship which will grow in intensity throughout the book despite her doubts.
Even old fast-talking Phil makes what turns out to be genuine changes in his life. He gets a real job that pays real money, and he’s once again in the child support payment business. The thing is, this time he doesn’t mind so much. He’s even picking up his girls on time and keeping every promise to them. Naturally, the book reveals a good bit of tension between old fast-talking Phil and the good doctor, with poor Molly in the midst of it all.
There are other instances in this book where the local residents think and act anew, to paraphrase President Lincoln. In the hands of lesser-skilled writers, all these changes would be dizzying and difficult to keep track of, to say the least. But these authors manage to keep you moving through without character confusion. This book also starts getting a bit more into the Christmas spirit, which is of course the perfect time for anyone to start anew, as most of us have discovered.
Again, I’m impressed with the realism found in the lives of these characters. None of these reforms made by town residents happens artificially. In one plot line, you meet Carl Tucker, an ex-con homeless drunk whose brother, Tulley, is one of Cape Light’s policemen. When Carl shows up in town, Tulley is naturally scandalized, and things get worse when he has to make room for his brother at the house—something his wife doesn’t even want despite her generalized efforts at charity during the Christmas season. Carl’s return even brings Tulley’s lifelong friendship with Charlie down at the eatery to the brink of collapse. In short, reform does happen in this book, but it is realistic reform complete with events that grind the sharp edges off of everyone in town.
You see, that’s what I like about this series. It takes a hard look at ordinary people who think they’re doing enough by vaguely helping others while neglecting the bigger kind of charity they ought to be committed to at home. If you fervently believe that it’s possible to become an instant Christian, you might struggle a bit with these books. They seem to stress the idea that discipleship is a process—an idea I wholeheartedly endorse. As a result, and to my pleasant surprise, none of these characters puts me off. Even Reverend Ben is a whole person in these books—someone you can come to respect and cheer for.
This is the book where you experience the privilege of becoming acquainted with Molly Willoughby. She was Molly Morgan growing up, but that was before she turned the ever-so-mature age of 15 and got the hots for the fast-talking handsome Phil Willoughby, who married her, promptly impregnated her, and almost as promptly cheated on her numerous times. Worse yet, after the divorce he paid little child support and even less attention to the couple’s two daughters, Lauren and Jill. He would do well for a while, but then he would build their expectations only to disappoint them by not showing up when he was supposed to, etc.
As this book opens, Molly, who has a reputation for being rather quick witted and sharp tongued, is cleaning a house which is to be inhabited the next morning by the town’s new doctor, a friend of the old retired one. Because of Phil’s conduct over the years, Molly has given up on men generally and on ever again really being in love. But as you might predict, the new doctor isn’t the old ho-hum guy Molly expected, and when he shows up unexpectedly the night before he is to move in, catching her with a vacuum hose in her hand, the two begin a relationship which will grow in intensity throughout the book despite her doubts.
Even old fast-talking Phil makes what turns out to be genuine changes in his life. He gets a real job that pays real money, and he’s once again in the child support payment business. The thing is, this time he doesn’t mind so much. He’s even picking up his girls on time and keeping every promise to them. Naturally, the book reveals a good bit of tension between old fast-talking Phil and the good doctor, with poor Molly in the midst of it all.
There are other instances in this book where the local residents think and act anew, to paraphrase President Lincoln. In the hands of lesser-skilled writers, all these changes would be dizzying and difficult to keep track of, to say the least. But these authors manage to keep you moving through without character confusion. This book also starts getting a bit more into the Christmas spirit, which is of course the perfect time for anyone to start anew, as most of us have discovered.
Again, I’m impressed with the realism found in the lives of these characters. None of these reforms made by town residents happens artificially. In one plot line, you meet Carl Tucker, an ex-con homeless drunk whose brother, Tulley, is one of Cape Light’s policemen. When Carl shows up in town, Tulley is naturally scandalized, and things get worse when he has to make room for his brother at the house—something his wife doesn’t even want despite her generalized efforts at charity during the Christmas season. Carl’s return even brings Tulley’s lifelong friendship with Charlie down at the eatery to the brink of collapse. In short, reform does happen in this book, but it is realistic reform complete with events that grind the sharp edges off of everyone in town.
You see, that’s what I like about this series. It takes a hard look at ordinary people who think they’re doing enough by vaguely helping others while neglecting the bigger kind of charity they ought to be committed to at home. If you fervently believe that it’s possible to become an instant Christian, you might struggle a bit with these books. They seem to stress the idea that discipleship is a process—an idea I wholeheartedly endorse. As a result, and to my pleasant surprise, none of these characters puts me off. Even Reverend Ben is a whole person in these books—someone you can come to respect and cheer for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews