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Five Island Cove #1
The Lighthouse
Listening Length: 9 hours and 20 minutes
Sisterhood, safety, and secrets — it all happens at the lighthouse on Five Island Cove.
When Joel Shields dies, Robin Grover's only goal is to get her four best friends back to Five Island Cove to celebrate the life of Kristen's husband. She alone has stayed in the cove while everyone else couldn't wait to get away. Alice Keller comes instantly, because her mansion in the Hamptons and her husband's infidelity is smothering her. Not only that, but Kristen has always been like a mother to her, and she wants to support her.
Eloise Hall comes quickly too, because she's not teaching at the university this summer, and she might as well visit her mother—and the house she secretly bought years ago. Her first night on the island, she runs into an old high school crush, and a flame ignites that hasn't been there before.
But Kelli Thompson and AJ Proctor are more resistant, and as Robin, Alice, and Eloise uncover secret after secret in the books, journals, and files in Joel's office, Robin becomes more determined to reunite them all. When Kelli and AJ finally arrive in the cove, the women are embroiled in secrets the lighthouse has hidden for decades. Robin tries to hold them all together, but she too breaks down and admits that her perfect-on-the-outside life isn't so perfect.
As they work together to find the truth, they learn to let go of what doesn't matter and cling to what does: faith, family, and most of all, friendship.
Sisterhood, safety, and secrets — it all happens at the lighthouse on Five Island Cove.
When Joel Shields dies, Robin Grover's only goal is to get her four best friends back to Five Island Cove to celebrate the life of Kristen's husband. She alone has stayed in the cove while everyone else couldn't wait to get away. Alice Keller comes instantly, because her mansion in the Hamptons and her husband's infidelity is smothering her. Not only that, but Kristen has always been like a mother to her, and she wants to support her.
Eloise Hall comes quickly too, because she's not teaching at the university this summer, and she might as well visit her mother—and the house she secretly bought years ago. Her first night on the island, she runs into an old high school crush, and a flame ignites that hasn't been there before.
But Kelli Thompson and AJ Proctor are more resistant, and as Robin, Alice, and Eloise uncover secret after secret in the books, journals, and files in Joel's office, Robin becomes more determined to reunite them all. When Kelli and AJ finally arrive in the cove, the women are embroiled in secrets the lighthouse has hidden for decades. Robin tries to hold them all together, but she too breaks down and admits that her perfect-on-the-outside life isn't so perfect.
As they work together to find the truth, they learn to let go of what doesn't matter and cling to what does: faith, family, and most of all, friendship.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
April 17, 2022
3.5 stars
I found the book too long and a bit tedious at times. That is understandable since there are five close friends that are reunited plus the newly widowed Kristen that we follow. We get to learn about each character's lives, but not with a lot of depth. Secrets get revealed, however, most of them were predictable. Even though the book didn't work well for me, fans of chick-lit may want to give it a try for the themes of friendship and family.
I found the book too long and a bit tedious at times. That is understandable since there are five close friends that are reunited plus the newly widowed Kristen that we follow. We get to learn about each character's lives, but not with a lot of depth. Secrets get revealed, however, most of them were predictable. Even though the book didn't work well for me, fans of chick-lit may want to give it a try for the themes of friendship and family.
August 17, 2021
I’ve never read Jessie Newton before, but I’m sure glad I took a chance with THE LIGHTHOUSE! It kept popping up on my Kindle as an ad and the cover kept screaming at me “READ ME ALREADY!” As soon as I finished I went in search of the other books in the Five Island Cove series! Its almost as if Jessie Newton wrote this story line just for me! That’s how much I loved this story. The death of Joel Shields brings five life long friends all together to support his wife, Kristen. She was more like a mother to these women when they were girls, than their own mothers were. There is nothing these women wouldn’t do for each other.
As the five women start to help Kristen go through Joel’s paperwork in THE LIGHTHOUSE, big time secrets are revealed making the reader fly through the chapters, waiting for the other shoe to drop! Holy cow! My heart was in my throat wondering what was going to happen next. My heart broke for Kristen as she learns Joel wasn’t the man she thought he was. Not only is Kristen dealing with so much heart ache, each of the women are dealing with their own troubles. But through it all, they each support the others and try to help in any way they can. The descriptions that Jessie Newton includes in the story often made me feel like I was right there. I could taste the food that they were eating and the cookies they kept talking about.
THE LIGHTHOUSE is a wonderfully written story that you will easily be swept up in as you start turning the pages. The story flows smoothly from page to page and it will hold your interest until you reach the very end. The characters are so well developed you will feel like you’ve known them for years. A great series to have on your reading TBR. If you like books with strong, yet vulnerable women, a bond among friends who aren’t perfect, that can’t be broken and characters who are flawed, but learn from their flaws, then THE LIGHTHOUSE is for you! Sit down with these six women and dive in to their life stories and be prepared to not do anything else until you finish! I’m so excited to continue this series and have Jessie Newton pull on my heart strings once again.
As the five women start to help Kristen go through Joel’s paperwork in THE LIGHTHOUSE, big time secrets are revealed making the reader fly through the chapters, waiting for the other shoe to drop! Holy cow! My heart was in my throat wondering what was going to happen next. My heart broke for Kristen as she learns Joel wasn’t the man she thought he was. Not only is Kristen dealing with so much heart ache, each of the women are dealing with their own troubles. But through it all, they each support the others and try to help in any way they can. The descriptions that Jessie Newton includes in the story often made me feel like I was right there. I could taste the food that they were eating and the cookies they kept talking about.
THE LIGHTHOUSE is a wonderfully written story that you will easily be swept up in as you start turning the pages. The story flows smoothly from page to page and it will hold your interest until you reach the very end. The characters are so well developed you will feel like you’ve known them for years. A great series to have on your reading TBR. If you like books with strong, yet vulnerable women, a bond among friends who aren’t perfect, that can’t be broken and characters who are flawed, but learn from their flaws, then THE LIGHTHOUSE is for you! Sit down with these six women and dive in to their life stories and be prepared to not do anything else until you finish! I’m so excited to continue this series and have Jessie Newton pull on my heart strings once again.
July 19, 2020
“The Lighthouse” is a thought-provoking novel of relatable friendships.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
February 12, 2021
Slow and lots of technical errors...
I wanted to love this story as it appeared it might be a good 'beach read'; however, this is not a beach read. It's women's fiction which is entirely another animal. The author has made glaring errors that niggled at me constantly. By joining her email newsletter I got the prequel to this series, 'Memories at Friendship Inn' for free which introduced the five main characters of the series in August after their high school senior year. The data dump on these five made it confusing to keep them straight. You needed a flow chart.
Chronologically the prequel should be read first; however, the author keeps stating you should read it between books 1 and 2, which take place 30 years later and makes no sense at all. The story notes that they are around 18, but they would all have to have been at least 18, and some even 19, by the rules of the age to start school. The author writes that books 1-5 begin 30 years later, so all of these women would then be 48 or 49, but the author keeps noting they are 'forty-five' or 'mid forties'. And none of them had children until they were 33 and the last when she was 40? Too improbable. Being from New England myself, and a scuba diver, I can tell you that the ocean water is 56 degrees Fahrenheit in April and the only people in the water are divers braving the cold. No one is swimming or wave surfing with a boogie board. You most certainly would not be on the beach in swimsuits. You do, very often, need the heat on in April and frequently into May and June at times. Corn on the cob is not available until early July and I've never seen 'fattening cole slaw'. It's a true oxymoron. The location of these fictitious islands is described as being 'located off the coast of Connecticut, north of Martha's Vineyard and west of Nantucket'. This would place them in Buzzard's Bay off the coast of Rhode Island not Connecticut, and Martha's Vineyard IS west of Nantucket. It would be very helpful if there was a map of the islands at the start of each story, because trying to keep them straight was as problematic as the characters. The storyline dragged on and on with lots of mini-dramas going on.
The cartoon character of 'Elmer Fudd' or 'Elmer J. Fudd' is not 'Elmer the Fudd'.
I got through this free story and purchased book 2, hoping it would be better. I'm on chapter 6 and it is just as bad. Same niggling errors. I cannot recommend this book series or this author to anyone.
I wanted to love this story as it appeared it might be a good 'beach read'; however, this is not a beach read. It's women's fiction which is entirely another animal. The author has made glaring errors that niggled at me constantly. By joining her email newsletter I got the prequel to this series, 'Memories at Friendship Inn' for free which introduced the five main characters of the series in August after their high school senior year. The data dump on these five made it confusing to keep them straight. You needed a flow chart.
Chronologically the prequel should be read first; however, the author keeps stating you should read it between books 1 and 2, which take place 30 years later and makes no sense at all. The story notes that they are around 18, but they would all have to have been at least 18, and some even 19, by the rules of the age to start school. The author writes that books 1-5 begin 30 years later, so all of these women would then be 48 or 49, but the author keeps noting they are 'forty-five' or 'mid forties'. And none of them had children until they were 33 and the last when she was 40? Too improbable. Being from New England myself, and a scuba diver, I can tell you that the ocean water is 56 degrees Fahrenheit in April and the only people in the water are divers braving the cold. No one is swimming or wave surfing with a boogie board. You most certainly would not be on the beach in swimsuits. You do, very often, need the heat on in April and frequently into May and June at times. Corn on the cob is not available until early July and I've never seen 'fattening cole slaw'. It's a true oxymoron. The location of these fictitious islands is described as being 'located off the coast of Connecticut, north of Martha's Vineyard and west of Nantucket'. This would place them in Buzzard's Bay off the coast of Rhode Island not Connecticut, and Martha's Vineyard IS west of Nantucket. It would be very helpful if there was a map of the islands at the start of each story, because trying to keep them straight was as problematic as the characters. The storyline dragged on and on with lots of mini-dramas going on.
The cartoon character of 'Elmer Fudd' or 'Elmer J. Fudd' is not 'Elmer the Fudd'.
I got through this free story and purchased book 2, hoping it would be better. I'm on chapter 6 and it is just as bad. Same niggling errors. I cannot recommend this book series or this author to anyone.
June 15, 2020
The lighthouse is a book about friendships, death and being human. A death of an icon brings five women together after years of being apart. True friendships are rekindled and they find out that the relationships are still there and important to each of them. This book came at the perfect time, with what's happening in the world now, to show that love conquers all. I'm looking forward to reading the next book! I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for leaving my honest review.
September 26, 2020
To be brutally honest I am not a fan of romance novels, and this was an excellent example of why I am not.
The basic plot dealt with five women who belonged to the same scouting group coming to help bury the husband of their scout leader. Once revered as an icon it turns he had feet of clay.
My biggest problem with the book was the overflow of characters. By my count there were over thirty characters, none of them particularly interesting or noteworthy. It was hard keeping track of the five women and all their children, spouses etc,etc. There is an old adage about writing and never creating a character unless they serve a purpose. A majority of the characters failed that test.
Nothing particularly interesting happens to anyone. The romance with the sheriff seemed more like a fantasy.
On a side note, I am puzzled why Nook repeatedly selects romance novels to be featured on Nook. I would think they would like to pull books from other genres.
The basic plot dealt with five women who belonged to the same scouting group coming to help bury the husband of their scout leader. Once revered as an icon it turns he had feet of clay.
My biggest problem with the book was the overflow of characters. By my count there were over thirty characters, none of them particularly interesting or noteworthy. It was hard keeping track of the five women and all their children, spouses etc,etc. There is an old adage about writing and never creating a character unless they serve a purpose. A majority of the characters failed that test.
Nothing particularly interesting happens to anyone. The romance with the sheriff seemed more like a fantasy.
On a side note, I am puzzled why Nook repeatedly selects romance novels to be featured on Nook. I would think they would like to pull books from other genres.
October 11, 2021
Purchased this Kindle Book through a Christian book site. This is in no way a Christian book.
Based on an island near Martha's Vineyard, five friends came together for a father-figure's funeral. While there thy learned through notes he left behind (he was constantly writing things down) that he was an adulterer and a lech. Only one woman knew what he really was like, and left the island as soon as she could after high school graduation twenty-eight years before. Even his own daughter left the island and never came back.
Among the five friends, several were promiscuous and/or living with men. Only one had a solid marriage, but I found it was unnecessary to read about their bedroom activity, even if it was "tastefully" done.
Nope, not for me.
Based on an island near Martha's Vineyard, five friends came together for a father-figure's funeral. While there thy learned through notes he left behind (he was constantly writing things down) that he was an adulterer and a lech. Only one woman knew what he really was like, and left the island as soon as she could after high school graduation twenty-eight years before. Even his own daughter left the island and never came back.
Among the five friends, several were promiscuous and/or living with men. Only one had a solid marriage, but I found it was unnecessary to read about their bedroom activity, even if it was "tastefully" done.
Nope, not for me.
September 26, 2020
A lovely story of true friendship between 5 younger women & the older Kristen, the wife of the lighthouse keeper.
Kristen’s husband Joel dies after a long illness from cancer. The 5 friends travel back to the island to comfort & support dear Kristen, & end up helping her sort through Joel’s voluminous paper trails. The man had a written record of all His activities.
It’s this sorting that delivers the punch in this story. The man was not a noble, or kind, or ethical man, as all had believed. And he had things in writing that indicate he also had no concern for his family.
The big question is, why didn’t he destroy all these files during the years of his illness when he still could? Why leave it for his wife & very likely his children to learn about his activities?
The 5 friends all were hurt by this man in ways that became clear. But the strength of their friendship was stronger than the secrets that were revealed. & in their love for Kristen, they released her from the resulting pain of learning her husband was a lecherous, double crossing so-and-so.
Infidelity. Lies. Secrets. Discovery. Pain. Healing. Love. Hope. Lessons learned. Solidarity.
And the story continues in the sequel.
Kristen’s husband Joel dies after a long illness from cancer. The 5 friends travel back to the island to comfort & support dear Kristen, & end up helping her sort through Joel’s voluminous paper trails. The man had a written record of all His activities.
It’s this sorting that delivers the punch in this story. The man was not a noble, or kind, or ethical man, as all had believed. And he had things in writing that indicate he also had no concern for his family.
The big question is, why didn’t he destroy all these files during the years of his illness when he still could? Why leave it for his wife & very likely his children to learn about his activities?
The 5 friends all were hurt by this man in ways that became clear. But the strength of their friendship was stronger than the secrets that were revealed. & in their love for Kristen, they released her from the resulting pain of learning her husband was a lecherous, double crossing so-and-so.
Infidelity. Lies. Secrets. Discovery. Pain. Healing. Love. Hope. Lessons learned. Solidarity.
And the story continues in the sequel.
June 11, 2020
It got boring about halfway through. I liked the characters and their life's issues and the message that to be our best as women, we have to focus on our best future and go for it, and good friends empower us. But I thought the author included every thought that went through each of their heads. It became annoying and I just wanted to hurry up and finish it. From then on (because I don't like leaving a book unfinished), I skipped over most of those lines and simply read the dialog between the characters. So the bottomline for me is just too much fluff. Sorry. I rarely write book reviews.
September 26, 2020
This was the Barnes and Noble Nook serial read for the month of September. This was a story about friendship, loss and secrets. I knew there would be drama based on the description, but I was not expecting the level of vile that the recently departed Joel turned out to be. Each secret revealed uncovered the devastation he created in so many people's lies. It was crazy, and completely unbearable for his wife and her friends to discover that he was actually the worst of human beings. I really liked all of the women, and I would love to read the next book and see where everyone is at.
July 9, 2020
This is the first book that I have read by Jessie Newton and I can't wait for the rest of the books to come out. I really enjoyed this book. I felt sorry for Kristen for losing her husband and I was so glad when the girls from her Seafaring group came back to be with her. They helped her alot and each girl was working through their own issues as well. I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too.
July 22, 2020
5 women at the beach
This was a dark story but a good read. The story brings together 5 ladies that were Seafaring Girls, when they were young. You will be able to relate to at least one of the women’s story. Love for each other and dark secrets from their past, converged back on the island when the husband of their Seafaring Girls leader passes away. Wanting to be supportive, they all help to clean up the mess left behind. Only to uncover secrets they all wanted to bury.
Anxious to continue the series. If you love the beach like I do, you will love this book.
This was a dark story but a good read. The story brings together 5 ladies that were Seafaring Girls, when they were young. You will be able to relate to at least one of the women’s story. Love for each other and dark secrets from their past, converged back on the island when the husband of their Seafaring Girls leader passes away. Wanting to be supportive, they all help to clean up the mess left behind. Only to uncover secrets they all wanted to bury.
Anxious to continue the series. If you love the beach like I do, you will love this book.
August 31, 2022
This was a well executed narration of The Lighthouse. The characters were well written, emotions evocative and the descriptions were intense that I felt like I was with the 5 women every day. Even occasionally losing track of the characters the pace of the narration and the subtle changes to voice helped guide me through the story. I look forward to book 2 and I want to see each woman find peace in their hearts and souls.
July 27, 2020
This book actually the first that I have read by this author. She made the book sound so real. This actually happens in life. The women and the things they had to deal with was enough to send a few of them over the edge though they held on to each other. I would recommend the book to everyone to read.
September 27, 2020
This was the Barnes and Noble serial read for this month. It was an interesting story of 5 women who came to a friend's help after her husband had died. Her husband and her lived in the lighthouse. After his death as the women were going through her husbands thing they found out secrets that none of them knew or weren't telling. Lovely setting and well written. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2021
Good read
Follows the lives of five friends who get together in the town of Five Island Cove to support their friend Kirsten when they learn that Kirsten’s husband Joel Shields had passed.
Follows the lives of five friends who get together in the town of Five Island Cove to support their friend Kirsten when they learn that Kirsten’s husband Joel Shields had passed.
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November 29, 2024This story is set in New England. Robin has always lived here as many of her friends have moved away. One of Robin's dearest friends, Kristen, has suffered a tragic loss. Her husband, Joel, recently passed away from cancer. They used to run the lighthouse on the shore, but as they got older, they moved to a small cabin nearby and their son is now running the lighthouse. Kristen used to teach boating, swimming, etc. to Robin and her friends. Now Robin feels they all need to come back to the island to support Kristen for the funeral. As they sort through Joel's office, they find out he was not the innocent, honest man that he portrayed. Kristen is devastated and needs the support of these 5 women. When they come to the island, they bring some of their own baggage.
September 13, 2022
Some secrets tear people apart and some will bond you stronger then before. Years have come and gone, but when Joel Shields passes away five friends come together to help his widow. Kristen was a second mother to them all during their teen years and Robin will work miracles to get friends back to Diamond Cove to support Kristen. Slowly all agreed and as expected AJ was the last hold out, but twenty years have passed and Joel was dead.
Helping Kristen go thru Joel’s paperwork and his things in the lighthouse, secrets are unveiled and Joel isn’t the man that everyone thought he was.
The secrets are revealed one by one and it touches everyone. Very compelling story and the characters are realistic. Good background on all and now I want to know more. Will definitely continue with the series. #TheLighthouse
Helping Kristen go thru Joel’s paperwork and his things in the lighthouse, secrets are unveiled and Joel isn’t the man that everyone thought he was.
The secrets are revealed one by one and it touches everyone. Very compelling story and the characters are realistic. Good background on all and now I want to know more. Will definitely continue with the series. #TheLighthouse
May 15, 2020
A well written book revolving around the memories of a widow and the young women she had mentored when they where just girls. So many things where discovered that shocked and hurt them all. Secrets long kept reveled that the widow's recently deceased husband had not been such a wonder man after all.
Each woman had a secret regarding him from their individual lives and even more recent secrets of their current lives. Life truly what you make it but that life has its foundation from all your year present and past.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Yes it was free.
Each woman had a secret regarding him from their individual lives and even more recent secrets of their current lives. Life truly what you make it but that life has its foundation from all your year present and past.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Yes it was free.
September 28, 2020
The Lighthouse by Jessie Newton is a sweet story about friendships, the passing of time and rekindling friendships after going away and coming back. This is a story about five women who have drifted apart and when one friend's husband dies, returning and remembering their sisterhood and friendship. It is a story about life and relationships with best friends.
This was a B&N serial read where a few chapters were delivered each day to my Nook reader until the book was complete. It is a great way to meet new authors. I found that the leisurely pace of the book was relaxing and I enjoyed the interaction of all the women in the story.
This was a B&N serial read where a few chapters were delivered each day to my Nook reader until the book was complete. It is a great way to meet new authors. I found that the leisurely pace of the book was relaxing and I enjoyed the interaction of all the women in the story.
June 26, 2020
Robin Grover's plan is to get her best friends back on the island with her as their mentor's husband has died, some take more coaching then others to come back to a place they have left, Secrets are revealed and painful pasts are dug up as they learn how deep friendship can be and what they need to do to better themselves and eachother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 17, 2020
I've been a fan of this author for a long time as she writes under two other pen names. This is her first novel in the women's fiction genre and I thought it was a great first effort. My favorite part of the book was the relationship between each of the female characters--old friends who are reconnecting after years apart. It took a while for them to open up to one another but when they did, they were supported and loved and understood. I look forward to seeing what comes next!
August 6, 2020
Wow, it's hard to condense all the feelings I had reading this book. I love the way the women worked with each other to help overcome problems. So many hard truths were revealed that the friends were able to lean on each other. I also really enjoyed how clear the descriptions were of the landscape and the sea. I almost feel as if I actually visited there. This is such an engaging book that I couldn't stop reading it. I'm glad there are more books to follow.
September 20, 2020
"The Lighthouse (Five Island Cove, book 1)" by Jessie Newton was a really good suspense novel. The death of Joel Shields brings these ladies back to Five Island Cove. Robin is the only one of the 5 friends that still lives there. She needs to get Kelli, Elloise, AJ, and Alice to come back for the funeral and to help Joel's wife Kristen who was there for them when they were younger. Secrets come out ad lives will be changed.
Read
July 15, 2020A feel-good story of the relationship of 5 women who have been friends from childhood. Although they have drifted down separate paths, they still have a bond among them that the years can't erase. A good light read with an interesting story that touches the loyalty of these women for the islands where they grew up and established their bond. A good book for summer.
July 25, 2020
I wasn't sure when I started this book that I would like it or read it to the end. It covered some dark subjects but Jessie Newton did an excellent job bringing light to this darkness. It was a tale of women, old friends, hidden lies that never will stay hidden, and true friends that are still there for you when needed. Loved It.
August 13, 2020
Concentrate
I really liked this story a lot. I discovered early on that I didn't concentrate enough in the beginning, and had to go back to reread parts. The are several intertwining relationships and many characters to keep track of. I liked how they all developed and interacted. This story drew me in and kept me involved. It's an excellent read!
I really liked this story a lot. I discovered early on that I didn't concentrate enough in the beginning, and had to go back to reread parts. The are several intertwining relationships and many characters to keep track of. I liked how they all developed and interacted. This story drew me in and kept me involved. It's an excellent read!
September 26, 2020
Not what I expected. Yes, it is the women’s fiction format of a group of women coming together following a long absence. But I found this plot to be fresh, with a lot of surprises. The characters are all very likable-you’d like them for your friends, too. This was a Barnes & Noble Readout, free serial read-so now I’m hooked and have to read the rest of the series!
July 24, 2020
Interesting new series
This is the first book I have read by Jessie Newton.
I really enjoy her writing style, and the development of her characters!
This series is going to be great. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This is the first book I have read by Jessie Newton.
I really enjoy her writing style, and the development of her characters!
This series is going to be great. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
July 27, 2020
Renewing friendships can be emotional.
Great story. Loved the characters and all the interwoven stories within the story. Secrets exist in all walks of life. Enjoyed reading this book.
Great story. Loved the characters and all the interwoven stories within the story. Secrets exist in all walks of life. Enjoyed reading this book.
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