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Cape May Christmas in July
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...in July.
The Grace sisters never expected to deck the halls in summer...or find romance. But after a storm damages their beloved hometown, they return to Cape May to raise funds and brighten spirits.
Dubbed "America's Sweetheart" for her popular rom-com roles, actress Kelsey Grace has yet to star in her own love story. Tired of her fake Hollywood life, including a headline-worthy fauxmance with her swoony co-star, she returns home only to come face-to-face with her biggest lie of all. If she can't drop the act with him, the curtain may fall on her own happy ending.
Café owner Sarina Grace has poured her heart, soul, and dwindling funds into her business. Doling out post-storm donations was a piece of cake, but her generosity may cost her. She's about to throw in the dishtowel when a tasty treat shows up in her walk-in freezer, threatening to thaw her icy heart. If only he wasn't someone else's snack.
College graduate Molly Grace is one diamond ring away from married-in-Manhattan bliss-that is, if she can ever find a job. Planning a fundraiser is a welcome reprieve from endless rejection letters, but when she finds herself drawn to someone unexpected, the happily-ever-after she's so carefully curated starts to look a whole lot different.
This heartwarming story is a celebration of sisterhood, second chances, and summer love...sprinkled with holiday magic when you'd least expect it.
The Grace sisters never expected to deck the halls in summer...or find romance. But after a storm damages their beloved hometown, they return to Cape May to raise funds and brighten spirits.
Dubbed "America's Sweetheart" for her popular rom-com roles, actress Kelsey Grace has yet to star in her own love story. Tired of her fake Hollywood life, including a headline-worthy fauxmance with her swoony co-star, she returns home only to come face-to-face with her biggest lie of all. If she can't drop the act with him, the curtain may fall on her own happy ending.
Café owner Sarina Grace has poured her heart, soul, and dwindling funds into her business. Doling out post-storm donations was a piece of cake, but her generosity may cost her. She's about to throw in the dishtowel when a tasty treat shows up in her walk-in freezer, threatening to thaw her icy heart. If only he wasn't someone else's snack.
College graduate Molly Grace is one diamond ring away from married-in-Manhattan bliss-that is, if she can ever find a job. Planning a fundraiser is a welcome reprieve from endless rejection letters, but when she finds herself drawn to someone unexpected, the happily-ever-after she's so carefully curated starts to look a whole lot different.
This heartwarming story is a celebration of sisterhood, second chances, and summer love...sprinkled with holiday magic when you'd least expect it.
- GenresRomance
406 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2025
17 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Brighton
4 books48 followersKimberly Brighton is an award-winning romance author, incidental humorist, and asparagus enthusiast from the Philadelphia area. Her beach read romcom Cape May Series includes her debut novel, The Way to Cape May (June 2023) and A Cape May Kind of Love (February 2024). The third book in the series, Cape May Ever After, is due to be released July 2024. She studied satirical writing and screenwriting at The Second City and is the author of The Shore Blog, a travel website, and BlaBlaBlog, a humor website. The Way to Cape May is her debut novel. When not dreaming up swoony romance plots, she spends her time searching for food expiration labels and sitting at red lights. Married for 25 laugh-filled years, she’s discovered the key to a lasting marriage: takeout.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 23, 2025
Plot: 3 sisters—Kelsey, Sarina, and Molly. All are in different places in thier careers, and all have somewhat messy love lives. Kelsey is in a fauxmance with her movie co-star but secretly has feelings for her childhood best friend, Colton. Sarina had a major crush on Kelsey’s co-star growing up but currently has no time for dating as she tries to save her fledgling cafe. Molly is hoping to get engaged to her boyfriend but then her nerdy friend from elementary walks in and gives her butterflies. The sisters are brought back to Cape May for a fundraiser after a storm damages their hometown. Sparks start flying as they celebrate Christmas in July.
My thoughts: This one combines 3 of my favorite things—summer, the beach, and Christmas. Cape May is now on my bucket list of places to visit. This was such a fun romance. My favorite part is there wasn’t any villain—just three couples falling in love with minimal conflict. I loved the multiple povs as they give the reader a glimpse into each character’s mind. This is a palate cleanser for sure! You want to read this one 😊
What to Expect:
—meddling grandma
—multiple pov
—fauxmance
—love triangle
—slow burn
—closed door romance
—🌶️
My thoughts: This one combines 3 of my favorite things—summer, the beach, and Christmas. Cape May is now on my bucket list of places to visit. This was such a fun romance. My favorite part is there wasn’t any villain—just three couples falling in love with minimal conflict. I loved the multiple povs as they give the reader a glimpse into each character’s mind. This is a palate cleanser for sure! You want to read this one 😊
What to Expect:
—meddling grandma
—multiple pov
—fauxmance
—love triangle
—slow burn
—closed door romance
—🌶️
June 30, 2025
I LOVE books with a cast of characters, and Kim Brighton is a pro at bringing them all together! You’ll love getting to know the three Grace sisters as they work together to help their hometown of Cape May after a devastating storm. Clever banter, likable characters, and the gorgeous backdrop of the Jersey Shore make this book a fantastic read.
August 17, 2025
Such a wonderfully written novel with so many cute tropes and good feelings Loved it!
July 19, 2025
Hip Hip Hooray! for Kimberly Brighton’s 4th rom-com beach read! It has the sweetness of a Hallmark movie but with an added “ spice” to it!
The Cape May setting is so relatable to those of us who love visiting the Jersey Shore!
Kim involves the 3 Grace sisters , with their 3 unique personalities, into saving their beloved Arts Center in their hometown of Cape May. Her introduction of 2 male friends ( and 1 heartthrob ) from the sisters’ past, brings the romance into the story in which you find yourself cheering them on to find exactly what they had been searching for in their lives.
The author’s personal notes of inspiration and her thoughts behind the idea of this story was an added bonus to the book!
This book has humor along with the happiness of finding your one true love!
I truly enjoyed my time with this book!
The Cape May setting is so relatable to those of us who love visiting the Jersey Shore!
Kim involves the 3 Grace sisters , with their 3 unique personalities, into saving their beloved Arts Center in their hometown of Cape May. Her introduction of 2 male friends ( and 1 heartthrob ) from the sisters’ past, brings the romance into the story in which you find yourself cheering them on to find exactly what they had been searching for in their lives.
The author’s personal notes of inspiration and her thoughts behind the idea of this story was an added bonus to the book!
This book has humor along with the happiness of finding your one true love!
I truly enjoyed my time with this book!
July 21, 2025
ARC read ☀️
Told through multiple perspectives, this romance captures the quiet ache and joy of falling in love from all sides. Each point of view brings its own depth—revealing insecurities, missed signals, and small acts of tenderness that the others can’t see. The shifting narratives work beautifully here. Instead of feeling disjointed, they build on one another.
Kimberly Brighton writes with real empathy, making each character feel whole and flawed and real.
Ultimately, this is the perfect beach read
Told through multiple perspectives, this romance captures the quiet ache and joy of falling in love from all sides. Each point of view brings its own depth—revealing insecurities, missed signals, and small acts of tenderness that the others can’t see. The shifting narratives work beautifully here. Instead of feeling disjointed, they build on one another.
Kimberly Brighton writes with real empathy, making each character feel whole and flawed and real.
Ultimately, this is the perfect beach read
July 19, 2025
What a fun book! The characters, the setting, loved all of it. Knowing the jersey shore made it that much more enjoyable but even if you don’t, you will love this book! I love multiple POVs and this delivers. Second chance love is the main theme of this story and it does it well! Friends to lovers, yes that’s there too! Throw in food, you have me hooked! If you are looking for an enjoyable, summer beach read, you found it!
July 27, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
📖 Romance
💓 Three sisters come together to save their hometown after it’s ravaged by a storm.
💬 Follow along as the Grace sisters come together to throw a huge Christmas in July fundraiser to help save their grandmother’s beloved art center.
💓 Read if you like💓:
- Second-Chance
-Childhood friends-to-lovers
-Fake Dating
-Forced Proximity
-Instant Attraction
-Friends-to-Lovers
-Healing from the Past
-It’s Always Been You
-Small Town
-Found Family
-Coastal Towns
Cape May Christmas in July is a cozy summery beach read that is laced with holiday magic.
The book follows three sisters-
-Kelsey- America’s Sweetheart from the big screen- the queen of rom coms
-Sarina- Your local cafe owner who has given up on love-
she makes the best baked goods and her coffee is out of this world
-Molly- The baby of the family who has her eyes and career set on the big apple, as she (not so) patiently waits for her high school sweetheart to propose
Molly and Sarina spearhead the fundraising efforts needed to repair the town’s beloved art center and enlist their famous sister to help.
Kelsey was so close to her hard-earned vacation in Tahiti, but when her incredibly persuasive grandmother gets involved, she knows she needs to return home to help her sisters.
Kelsey runs into Colton, her childhood best friend (and former NFL player) that she pushed away all those years ago. 😬
Molly reconnects with Colton’s brother, Max who was her nerdy but sweet lab partner back in school. 🤓
Sarina quite literally runs into Hollywood’s prince Jaxon Quinn- her childhood crush, and her sister’s boyfriend.🤩
Kelsey knows she missed her chance with Colton- especially since he’s still dating the girl that Kelsey pushed into his arms agter graduation ….plus, the world thinks she’s in love with her co-star Jaxon Quinn.
Sarina agrees to help Jaxon surprise Kelsey, and lets him stay in her apartment leading up to it. While there, he cooks for her and bakes with her, and she’s trying her best to be respectful of her sister and Jaxon’s relationship… but my goodness they get along well, and his ideas to save her struggling cafe are amazing!
Molly is desperate to get a job in NYC so she can move in with Brennan, but as she’s spending more and more time with Max, knocking out items on her to-do list, some things are becoming more and more clear to her… and her priorities may be shifting.
I really enjoyed this book! I liked the way it took you through Kelsey, Sarina, Molly, Colton, Jaxon, and Max’s perspectives. Sweet Colton and Max are trying to wade through their grief for their father, as they prepare to sell his land, but each one finds himself distracted by a Grace sister. And Jaxon makes it clear from the start that he is more than just a Hollywood himbo as he falls fast for the last Grace sister!
Kimberly did an amazing job weaving six perspectives together, along with combining past and present storylines. Each story flowed well and they were cohesive at the end.
The love between Kelsey and Colton, the banter between
Jaxon and Sarina, and the vulnerability between Molly and Max made the story so enjoyable!!!! I loved each storyline!!
📖 Romance
💓 Three sisters come together to save their hometown after it’s ravaged by a storm.
💬 Follow along as the Grace sisters come together to throw a huge Christmas in July fundraiser to help save their grandmother’s beloved art center.
💓 Read if you like💓:
- Second-Chance
-Childhood friends-to-lovers
-Fake Dating
-Forced Proximity
-Instant Attraction
-Friends-to-Lovers
-Healing from the Past
-It’s Always Been You
-Small Town
-Found Family
-Coastal Towns
Cape May Christmas in July is a cozy summery beach read that is laced with holiday magic.
The book follows three sisters-
-Kelsey- America’s Sweetheart from the big screen- the queen of rom coms
-Sarina- Your local cafe owner who has given up on love-
she makes the best baked goods and her coffee is out of this world
-Molly- The baby of the family who has her eyes and career set on the big apple, as she (not so) patiently waits for her high school sweetheart to propose
Molly and Sarina spearhead the fundraising efforts needed to repair the town’s beloved art center and enlist their famous sister to help.
Kelsey was so close to her hard-earned vacation in Tahiti, but when her incredibly persuasive grandmother gets involved, she knows she needs to return home to help her sisters.
Kelsey runs into Colton, her childhood best friend (and former NFL player) that she pushed away all those years ago. 😬
Molly reconnects with Colton’s brother, Max who was her nerdy but sweet lab partner back in school. 🤓
Sarina quite literally runs into Hollywood’s prince Jaxon Quinn- her childhood crush, and her sister’s boyfriend.🤩
Kelsey knows she missed her chance with Colton- especially since he’s still dating the girl that Kelsey pushed into his arms agter graduation ….plus, the world thinks she’s in love with her co-star Jaxon Quinn.
Sarina agrees to help Jaxon surprise Kelsey, and lets him stay in her apartment leading up to it. While there, he cooks for her and bakes with her, and she’s trying her best to be respectful of her sister and Jaxon’s relationship… but my goodness they get along well, and his ideas to save her struggling cafe are amazing!
Molly is desperate to get a job in NYC so she can move in with Brennan, but as she’s spending more and more time with Max, knocking out items on her to-do list, some things are becoming more and more clear to her… and her priorities may be shifting.
I really enjoyed this book! I liked the way it took you through Kelsey, Sarina, Molly, Colton, Jaxon, and Max’s perspectives. Sweet Colton and Max are trying to wade through their grief for their father, as they prepare to sell his land, but each one finds himself distracted by a Grace sister. And Jaxon makes it clear from the start that he is more than just a Hollywood himbo as he falls fast for the last Grace sister!
Kimberly did an amazing job weaving six perspectives together, along with combining past and present storylines. Each story flowed well and they were cohesive at the end.
The love between Kelsey and Colton, the banter between
Jaxon and Sarina, and the vulnerability between Molly and Max made the story so enjoyable!!!! I loved each storyline!!
August 6, 2025
The three Grace sisters return to their storm-damaged hometown to help all while juggling heartbreak, career crises, and new romances.
This heartwarming rom-com set in the beach town of Cape May serves up sisterhood, second chances, and romance with a side of holiday spirit in July.
Kelsey’s Hollywood life meets small-town old love(plus a handsome co-star with unresolved fauxmance drama). Sarina’s café is on thin ice until a hot surprise shows up in her freezer (literally). And Molly? She’s dodging wedding bells and unemployment, only to get hit by a plot twist in the form of unexpected love.
This is the perfect summer escape! I enjoyed it so much and loved that it followed multiple POVs.
This heartwarming rom-com set in the beach town of Cape May serves up sisterhood, second chances, and romance with a side of holiday spirit in July.
Kelsey’s Hollywood life meets small-town old love(plus a handsome co-star with unresolved fauxmance drama). Sarina’s café is on thin ice until a hot surprise shows up in her freezer (literally). And Molly? She’s dodging wedding bells and unemployment, only to get hit by a plot twist in the form of unexpected love.
This is the perfect summer escape! I enjoyed it so much and loved that it followed multiple POVs.
July 15, 2025
Cape May Christmas in July - Book Review
💜 Do you love summer and the beach?
💜 Do you love Christmas?
💜 Do you love Hallmark movies?
💜 Do you ever wish you could meet your teenage Hollywood crush?
Cape May Christmas in July has all of the above and more! The story revolves around the Grace sisters and their Jersey shore hometown of Cape May, which had recently had significant damage due to a bad storm.
This story was such a fun ride from start to finish and held my interest the entire time. First, the Grace sisters are all unique characters, and you want to see them have a happy ending with their relationships and their careers. In addition, the men in the story are also well-liked characters that you want to see be successful. The author did an excellent job writing each character in a unique voice, which made the story flow so well. I highly recommend Cape May Christmas in July.
💜 Do you love summer and the beach?
💜 Do you love Christmas?
💜 Do you love Hallmark movies?
💜 Do you ever wish you could meet your teenage Hollywood crush?
Cape May Christmas in July has all of the above and more! The story revolves around the Grace sisters and their Jersey shore hometown of Cape May, which had recently had significant damage due to a bad storm.
This story was such a fun ride from start to finish and held my interest the entire time. First, the Grace sisters are all unique characters, and you want to see them have a happy ending with their relationships and their careers. In addition, the men in the story are also well-liked characters that you want to see be successful. The author did an excellent job writing each character in a unique voice, which made the story flow so well. I highly recommend Cape May Christmas in July.
July 20, 2025
🎄☀️ ARC Review for Cape May Christmas in July by Kimberly Brighton 💖🍰✨
Kimberly Brighton gifts us with an irresistibly sweet and heartwarming summer story, sprinkled with just the right touch of holiday cheer. Cape May Christmas in July is a cozy celebration of sisterhood, second chances, and unexpected love all set in a charming seaside town still recovering from a storm, but bursting with heart 💕🌊🎁.
The Grace sisters Kelsey, Sarina, and Molly shine in their own beautifully unique ways, and their bond is the warm center of this heartfelt tale 👯♀️💞.
🎬 Kelsey, America’s Sweetheart, is used to pretending onscreen but coming home means facing the truth she’s been hiding, especially from herself. Her love story unfolds like the best kind of rom com: honest, emotional, and swoony in all the right ways 💕🎭.
🍰 Sarina, the devoted café owner, has poured everything into her business and her community. When romance finds her in the most unexpected (and frosty!) way, it’s impossible not to root for her frozen heart to melt. Her story is sweet, comforting, and full of delicious charm ❄️🍪💓.
🎓 Molly, newly graduated and unsure of her future, is on the edge of the life she thought she wanted… until her heart pulls her in a new direction. Her journey is a gentle reminder that love and purpose often arrive when you stop chasing perfection 💍🌸.
From the twinkle lights of Cape May to the heartfelt moments of healing, Brighton’s writing wraps around you like a soft summer breeze with a peppermint twist 🎄🌞. Every page sparkles with warmth, humor, and hope.
If you’re looking for a feel-good escape, this book is your ticket:
💌 A beach read with Christmas coziness
💌 A story of family that feels like home
💌 And a reminder that love finds us when we least expect it
Thank you, Kimberly Brighton, for this delightful gem that left our hearts full and our cheeks smiling. A must-read for anyone who believes in magic in the middle of July ✨🎅🍹
📖 If you love books filled with heart, hometown healing, and happily ever afters with a twist, this one's a mustread. Major props to Kimberly Brighton for giving us a holiday escape in flip-flops! 🏖️🎄📖💖
Thank you Kimberly for the ARC.
Kimberly Brighton gifts us with an irresistibly sweet and heartwarming summer story, sprinkled with just the right touch of holiday cheer. Cape May Christmas in July is a cozy celebration of sisterhood, second chances, and unexpected love all set in a charming seaside town still recovering from a storm, but bursting with heart 💕🌊🎁.
The Grace sisters Kelsey, Sarina, and Molly shine in their own beautifully unique ways, and their bond is the warm center of this heartfelt tale 👯♀️💞.
🎬 Kelsey, America’s Sweetheart, is used to pretending onscreen but coming home means facing the truth she’s been hiding, especially from herself. Her love story unfolds like the best kind of rom com: honest, emotional, and swoony in all the right ways 💕🎭.
🍰 Sarina, the devoted café owner, has poured everything into her business and her community. When romance finds her in the most unexpected (and frosty!) way, it’s impossible not to root for her frozen heart to melt. Her story is sweet, comforting, and full of delicious charm ❄️🍪💓.
🎓 Molly, newly graduated and unsure of her future, is on the edge of the life she thought she wanted… until her heart pulls her in a new direction. Her journey is a gentle reminder that love and purpose often arrive when you stop chasing perfection 💍🌸.
From the twinkle lights of Cape May to the heartfelt moments of healing, Brighton’s writing wraps around you like a soft summer breeze with a peppermint twist 🎄🌞. Every page sparkles with warmth, humor, and hope.
If you’re looking for a feel-good escape, this book is your ticket:
💌 A beach read with Christmas coziness
💌 A story of family that feels like home
💌 And a reminder that love finds us when we least expect it
Thank you, Kimberly Brighton, for this delightful gem that left our hearts full and our cheeks smiling. A must-read for anyone who believes in magic in the middle of July ✨🎅🍹
📖 If you love books filled with heart, hometown healing, and happily ever afters with a twist, this one's a mustread. Major props to Kimberly Brighton for giving us a holiday escape in flip-flops! 🏖️🎄📖💖
Thank you Kimberly for the ARC.
July 18, 2025
A sweet escape…
Such a cute, light story, following three sisters—their love lives & career ambitions, successes and failures behind all of the characters’ stories, the opportunities given and taken away, small town, big city…
So many pulls, thought provoking…
And ALL the feels as the story closes.
A must read.
Plus the author includes extra information and inspiration behind the story in the last pages of the book. I greatly appreciated reading these pages as well as the entire book! Thank you!
Such a cute, light story, following three sisters—their love lives & career ambitions, successes and failures behind all of the characters’ stories, the opportunities given and taken away, small town, big city…
So many pulls, thought provoking…
And ALL the feels as the story closes.
A must read.
Plus the author includes extra information and inspiration behind the story in the last pages of the book. I greatly appreciated reading these pages as well as the entire book! Thank you!
July 24, 2025
This book was so incredibly cute-gave the biggest Hallmark vibes. My favorite part of this book is that all the characters had equal attention, importance, and personality. It made it so easy to fall in love with all of them and to root for their success in whatever life threw at them. Such a great summer read-highly recommend!
July 16, 2025
It was a book form Hallmark movie. It was predictable in parts but I enjoyed the concept of Christmas in July. It was a true rom-com book. Light and enjoyable are the best words to describe this book!
July 24, 2025
If you love Hallmark, Christmas, Summer and/or the Jersey Shore, this is the book for you!! Such a cute story written so well! You can picture the story in your mind while reading, definitely could be a Hallmark Movie!! Such a cute story about sisters and love and community! There’s so much more than just love but it’s so cute to see the love unfold between people who clearly belong together! It’s a feel good love story(ies) you don’t want to miss!
September 15, 2025
This was a really cute story! My only complaint is that I wish there were more Christmas elements given the title.
December 28, 2025
The story of 3 sisters and the men they are involved in. I loved that it took place in Cape May. An enjoyable roncom book.
December 30, 2025
Love reading local authors! Felt so cozy and homey reading a story set in Cape May.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews