A Cape Cod Summer

by Jo McNally

When it comes to love, there’s always something cooking.

If Lexi Bellamy had to describe Winsome Cove, she would say the little Cape Cod town is tired and stuck in its ways. Like its men—or at least Sam Knight, the handsome New Englander who irritates the "Midwest nice" right out of the former five-star chef.

Looking for a reset after her ex-fiancé all but ruined her career and reputation, Lexi agrees to spend the summer rebranding Sam’s family’s run-down restaurant. Yet Lexi faces resistance from Sam with every change. And the best way to keep from bickering…is kissing. Even so, Sam doesn’t trust her big-city ways. Can Lexi convince Sam that—like a good surf and turf—they’re made for each other?

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Winsome Cove

Book 1: A Cape Cod Summer

Genres: Romance

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

About the author

I write the same kind of romances I like to read – stories about characters facing real-life challenges with real-life consequences. The stories are emotional, but still have humor, and love always finds a way to pull the characters through together.

I live in coastal North Carolina with 100 pounds of dog and 200 pounds of husband – my slice of the bed is very small. When I’m not writing or reading romance novels (or clinging to the edge of the bed…), I can often be found on the back porch sipping wine with friends while listening to an eclectic playlist. If the weather is absolutely perfect, I might join my husband on the golf course, where I always feel far more competitive than my actual skill-level would suggest.

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Warning : this novel will make you eager for vacation to arrive !

Lexi Bellamy is a former five-star chef from Chicago. Between jobs for now (thanks to her shady ex who got her into trouble), it's been decided with her siblings that she will go with their newly divorced mother to Winsome Cove, who's starting over at the Sassy Mermaid, an inn she inherited in the little Cape Cod town. The plan is to convince mom to sell before the end of the summer, but after a few weeks, it become obvious to Lexi that there's two major obstacles :
1-Her mother is really thriving in Winsome Cove
2-Lexi is starting to fall for Sam Knight, the marina owner.

At first, I was not happy with Lexi. She was snarky and jugmental with Sam while he's only been nice to her. I guess she was upset about being in a place she didn't want to be but I don't think it was reason enough to take it out on him or look down her nose at the town. But once she started connecting with the place and its people, I really enjoyed following her discovering the hidden gem that is Winsome Cove. The cast of secondary characters were a great addition too. I'm already looking forward to be back in this little seaside town.

[Melinda May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great summer read in the Wounded Hero category, which is always one of my favorites. Both Sam and Lexie have good reasons (at least they think so) not to take a chance on love. Will they change each other's minds? This book was full of great characters and I fell in love with the tiny Cape Cod town and it's residents. Looking forward to reading more of the series!

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect little weekend beach read- that makes you sigh a little, cry a little, & smile a little.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cape Cod Summer by Jo McNally is book #1 in her new series Winsome Cove. I immediately fell in love with Winsome Cove and Sam Knight. His love interest Lexi Bellamy took awhile to grow on me. At first I didn't really like her, but by the end of the story I was rooting for her and Sam. This sweet romance had all the things that I was looking for in a story. It's a small town, quirky wonderful characters, laughter galore, and sweet romance. I smiled. I laughed. I got angry. I cried. Then I fell in love. I'm already looking forward to book #2. I love this little town and can't wait to be in it once again. I was given a copy, but all opinions are my very own.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Chef Lexi Bellamy lost everything she had because of her crooked ex fiance, who's now in jail, she heads to Winsome Cove, Cape Cod with her mother, Phyllis. Phyllis inherited a motel from her great uncle, there. After Phyllis' divorce, she is ready to live her life. Lexi is only there to get her life back together, get her mother to sale and then move on to another job. When Lexi meets handsome Sam Knight, she's weary of him. She doesn't trust men anymore, since she almost went to jail because of ex. Sam's a god old boy who's stuck in the past. He blames himself for the death of his grandparents and parents because they died in an airplane crash after seeing his college graduation. He can't let that go. Lexi and Sam can't stand each other or so it seems. When Lexi opens a restaurant for Sam's cousins, it's a success. They love her food. As she meets all the townspeople she seems to fall a little bit in love with the town and it's people. As Sam and Lexi dance around each other and their chemistry, they seem to end up being together a lot. Will they fight it off? Will they get together? That kiss. Wow. What will people think of them and their secret fling? As Lexi gets to know Sam she sees he needs to let go of the blame and move on. Will he listen to her? Can he move forward? Will Lexi finally get the job she wants or will she stay there in that sweet, quaint and beautiful Winsome Cove? The characters are wonderful, they deserve to love and be loved. worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I gave it voluntarily

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cape Cod Summer ~ Winsome Cove#1 by Jo McNally

I love reading books from Jo McNally, so when I saw this I knew I had to read it.
I found this book to be written extremely well, with wonderful characters that you fall in love with from the very start.
I loved the chemistry between Lexi and Sam, he set in his ways of not liking change. Lexi is not frilled with Winsome Cove, still set in the past.

Lexi arrives in Winsome Cove, Cape Cod with her mum Phyllis, after her parent's divorce, her father running off with a younger woman the same age as her siblings. Lexi is also looking for a reset in her life after her ex-fiancé all but ruined her career and reputation.

Phyllis has been left an Inn by her late uncle, a perfect start to her new life. Lexi is out of work and has been given the task of talking her mum out of putting all her money into the Inn and returning home.

It is a brilliant story, which I felt was real and that I was also there, it an easy to read with a few LOL moments too. I highly recommend this book to all.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Funny, Happily Ever After, Inspirational, Original, Page-turner, Realistic, and Wonderful characters

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than average series title. The characters seemed to do a little role reversal, as far as Lexi and Sam go. Lexi Bellamy and her mom, Phyllis, have come to Winsome Cove on Cape Cod to claim Phyllis' inheritance - a run down motel left to her by an estranged uncle. Phyllis is leaving behind an ex husband who left her for a young, sweet, thing, and Lexi, a chef, is at loose ends after her partner trashed his career, their business and her career. And Winsome Cove is a typical tourist town. Busy in the summer, surviving the rest. And then there is Sam Knight, marina owner, and stuck in the past with unbearable grief. While Phyllis finds her way and jumps into small town living, running the motel, it takes Lexi a little longer. But she finds her feet setting up a new restaurant, and getting to know Sam. But can Sam let go of the past and trust Lexi?

[Jane Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of interesting character twists to propel you forward in reading more. I really wasn't too sure about whether I liked Lexi or not at first; although I understand her reasons to be overly protective of her mom and her new adventure. I thought she came across as bossy or pushy to an extent, but that just made you want to keep on reading to see what she was like underneath all that facade. I really enjoyed reading the book. I was rooting for Phyllis. She has just enough spunk to make you love her right off. And Sam... well who doesn't love a handsome hunk of a guy who wants to help out. Uncle Fred was just prickly enough that you just had to love him. Grab a copy now before it's sold out and experience the fun loving quirkiness of Winsome Cove for yourself. You'll have a great time. I did receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Traci Westling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are You vacation READY?? Because THIS book will definitely leave you wanting to plan /plot your next getaway & I’m all in for a visit to the cape!! Lexi & Sam have such a hot /cold snarky beginning with this that you can almost feel the angst pull you in deep within the pages ! I could hardly put this down because of the many “cape-isms” happening between the mermaid Lodge/ boating/ Bar restaurant & angsty passionate scenes with smart humor ongoing! As one will note with the story immediately, Sam has a very deep rooted family tragedy that will in turn affect the HEA HOWEVER THE ENTIRE story is set well & filled with such colorful characters that can make one wish the Winsome Cove was their next vacation destination! VERY WELL done Jo McNally! Highly recommend this book . Happy Boating Ya’ll!

[Ann T Lanoux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Jo McNally! I am a fan of her work, so liking this book was no surprise. I enjoyed the set up of winsome cove. The two characters growth was well written. I especially love the description of Lexi’s mother - Phyllis is my kinda lady! In the beginning I wasn’t sure I was going to like Lexi… but by the end I was rooting for her and Sam! And I also love food in a good story, I think I’d like some of her specialties!

Definitely pick up this as a good read! Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
I was provided an advanced reader copy, but I also purchased a copy to support the author.

[Maureen A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic vacation read. An inherited motel in Cape Cod with all kinds of interesting characters and the fun of opening a restaurant for a chef that can write her own menu and wow the locals kept me hooked. There are all the summer events, adult spicy interludes, and some boat adventures that give a reader the discovery feeling that makes for a very satisfying escape. I give this 5 stars and suggest pre-orders for a perfect mid-summer self-gift for a tantalizing treat. Thank you for the gift, Jo McNally!

[Karen Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A CAPE COD SUMMER by Jo McNally, Winsome Cove book 1

Sweet story with colorful characters from the fun-loving quirkiness of Winsome Cove. Sparks fly between Lexi Bellamy and Sam Knights. A CAPE COD SUMMER is a perfect read for the summer. Jo McNally writes charming stories that appeal to readers of small-town romances. I received this complimentary advanced copy from the author, and this is my honest review.

[Angela Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lexi's mom inherited the Sassy Mermaid Motor Lodge from an Uncle she never knew she's determined her mom should sell and make a new life somewhere besides the sleepy coastal town of Winsome Cove. Can the town's charm make her change her mind? This was a sweet story that I could re-read and still be in awe as their love story unfolds m

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reset to life turns into something more as this adventure takes a mother and daughter across the states to the east coast. You will laugh out loud and fall in love a little bit more with Winsome Cove and the townspeople.

*I received this complimentary copy, but the opinion expressed is my own.

[Caitlin O'Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, Easy Read

This is a sweet story of friendships, new adventures and new loves. The characters are so easy to love, especially Phyllis, a sassy sweet lady who tells it like it is. If you’re looking for something lighter hearted, this is a great book to pick up.

[Harlequin Books]

Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Women's Fiction
Miniseries
Winsome Cove (Book #1)

[Germaine Corbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo McNally wrote this book with heart and soul. I love Sam and Lexi and the other characters.Winsome Cove invites you to visit for a while.

[Doris Lankford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was the first I had read by this author but it won't be the last.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic vacation read. It’s lighthearted story full of emotions. I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the flying sparks. It’s fun, charming entertaining read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your Typical Romance novel, more sexy version of Hallmark Story.