Lost Love Cove

by Amy Rafferty

She came to heal. He came to hide. But Sunset Keys has a legend—once love finds you, it never lets go.

After a devastating betrayal and a brush with death, 60 year old retired police captain Carrie Ware needs more than just sunshine—she needs to feel alive again. Swapping her fast-paced city life for a quiet summer in the charming coastal town of Lost Love Cove, she expects silence, solitude... maybe a sea breeze or two.

What she doesn't expect? Matt Parker—her 65 year old grumpy, tool-belted next-door neighbor who's just as broken as she is.

A widowed handyman with zero interest in love, Matt's focused on one rebuilding his late wife's home. But when a property dispute uncovers long-buried secrets and puts Carrie in the crosshairs, his protective instincts—and his heart—kick into overdrive.

As sparks fly and danger brews, can two wounded souls risk everything for a second chance at love?

Perfect for fans of later in life romance and second chance love, Lost Love Cove is a clean, heart-tugging beach romance filled with mystery, mature characters, small-town secrets—and a dash of coastal magic.

Fall in love with Sunset Keys today—because love never retires.
Scroll up and one-click to escape into your next binge-worthy beach read!

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Amy Rafferty writes uplifting, clean romance filled with heart, healing, and the kind of hope that lingers long after the last page. Known for her coastal settings, later-in-life heroines, and unforgettable family bonds, Amy's books offer second chances and emotional journeys wrapped in love and mystery. When she’s not dreaming up her next story, she’s sipping tea by the sea and treasuring time with her family.

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Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

She came to the cove to escape her past. He came to rebuild his future. Neither expected to find the one thing they’d both given up on—love.

After a near-fatal shooting and a broken heart, sixty-year-old police captain Carrie Ware heads to Florida’s dreamy Sunset Keys to regroup. Swapping homes with her childhood best friend for the summer, she hopes Lost Love Cove will offer the peace her soul desperately needs.

But peace is hard to find next door to Matt Parker.

At sixty-five, Matt is a gruff, grieving widower with a hammer in one hand and a broken past in the other. He's not just rebuilding a house—he’s rebuilding a life. The last thing he expects is to clash with his new neighbor… or feel anything again.

When an unexpected land dispute unearths whispers of fraud, missing heirs, and old betrayals, Carrie’s instincts kick in—and so does her heart. As the mystery deepens and danger creeps closer, Carrie and Matt must decide if they’re ready to let go of their ghosts and trust the tide that brought them together.

This contemporary, sweet, clean, and heartfelt second-chance romance is page-turning, with exceptional world-building in Sunset Keys, Florida, set against a lush, coastal backdrop that features breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, majestically painted in vibrant colors across the sky. The sea carries secrets, and legends promise redemption. The characters are resilient, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with Lost Love Cove, a touch of mystery that will have readers falling in love with Sunset Keys, an up lifting later-in-life romance with a light twist of mystery and magic, love and loss, chaos/drama, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth that will leave readers needing Kleenex/Puffs, intrigue that will leave readers in suspense, an unexpected land dispute unearths whispers of fraud, missing heirs, old betrayals, Carrie and Matt must decide if they're ready to let go of their ghosts and trust the tide that interconnected them, escaping her past, rebuilding his future, near-fatal shooting, broken heart, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with Lost Love Cove and a sweet, clean second chance romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly mysterious, entertaining, and unforgettable.

I received this ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Rafferty has gifted us another fantastic series in serial form. In this first book, sixty year old Carrie Ware, the Nantucket Police Captain takes her granddaughter, Maggie, to recoup from being shot to her friend Lori's house at Sunset Keys to rest and for a little peace. Just when she decides to rest from their long drive, there is loud hammering coming from next door. Her neighbor, sixty-five year old Matt, a widower, is renovating the home he bought, so this first meeting was not all roses. Matt's daughter and grandson, Cody, is staying with him and it is wonderful how Maggie and Cody got together so well. When a message meant for Matt was put into Carrie's mailbox, she brought it over to him . He had to deal with it right then, Carrie offered him a ride to the clerk's office. But when he tried to straighten it out, he was told he didn't really own the house. What? He has a deed. What is going on? Now Carrie is involved. Will their individual ghosts keep them from actually letting themselves go? We are left with the cliffhanger and now I can't wait until the second book to see what happens next. This is the beginning of another wonderful series and I can't wait for more! I received an ARC of the book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an intriguing story, which I greatly enjoyed reading. I look forward to reading book 2 of the series. Carrie Ware arrives at the summer house of her best friend, Lori, along with her granddaughter, Maggie. Lori is letting Carrie and Maggie live at the house during the summer. She has a confrontation with her new neighbor, Matt Parker, after his remodeling efforts disturb her peace. Will Carrie and Matt become good neighbors after their initial meeting? Find out by reading this well written book, which I highly recommend to other mystery/romance readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie takes her granddaughter Maggie with her for the summer from Nantucket to the Florida keys. What’s supposed to be a relaxing quiet get-a-way turns out to be anything but.

It starts with her neighbor Matt hammering away as he remodels his house. Then there’s someone watching her on the beach, but they disappear before she can get to them. Next up is the fact that the house Matt bought, well it really isn’t his, What? How is that possible? To add to that, the house was sold by the husband of Carrie’s best friend.

I guess we have to wait to see what’s in store for us in the next book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy’s new book Lost Love Cove (Book 1 of the new Sunset Keys Romance Series) is nothing short of perfection. Rafferty introduces us to Carrie, an injured police captain, and her granddaughter Maggie. They are at Sunset Keys to rest and recuperate at a friend’s house. We all know that all plans don’t go as planned. Enter the next door neighbor and a misdelivered letter. Here is where Rafferty shines and continues to capture her readers’ hearts. The suspense continues to build as we continue to read to the point we can’t wait for the next book to find it what will happen to the characters who become like family and old friends to her readers.

[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book in this series and does a nice job in introducing the h and H. They don’t get off to a great start but their grandchildren become instant friends. The h who is a police captain is prepared to help the H who has lost his wife and in his grief has bought a house that is in very poor condition and fixing it up. When he finds out that he has been scammed. The h is there to help him. Thus we are drawn in to find out what happens for our H and how our h will be there to help him. Hope you will follow along with story. Enjoy!

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to this new series. Carrie and her granddaughter arrive in the Florida Keys to rest and heal. Their neighbor, Matt, is renovating his house so he starts early and works until late. So much for Carrie resting! Misdelivered mail shows that there is a big problem with Matt’s property deed but Carrie immediately steps in to help him. A real page turner! I can’t wait for book 2!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet small town, later-in-life, romance with a twist of mystery and magic.
One of the lines I really like --- "It’s easier to build strong children than repair broken adults.” ---
Who's spying on Carrie and the children? What's Paula up to? Who's driving the speeding black sedan? What does Carrie know about Key Developers? These and other questions will all be answered in latter books.
I loved Carrie and Matt's story and I'm sure you will too. I've loved everyone of her books that I've read and I can't wait to read her next book.

[Roslyn Simonin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy has us caught in another thriller in the first book.
Carrie (A Nantucket Police Chief)is staying at her friend Lori's Beach house to recover physically and mentally from a gunshot wound.
The neighbor is renovating his house from morning till night, how can she rest?
Then a letter shows up in her mailbox that should have gone to him.
She can't stop her Police instincts to help him out.
And, where is Ms. Rafferty taking us this time????
Can't wait for #2.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series. Carrie is chief of police in her home town, but is on holiday at the Cove recovering from a shooting . Matt is rebuilding and renovating his house next door to where she is staying. Their grand children become friends and as usual, the author having set an idyllic scene throws in a big problem..book 2 might or might not explain, but suspense is definitely beginning

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary, sweet, clean, and heartfelt second-chance romance is off to a flying start as we travel to the Florida keys with Carrie for a getaway that doesn’t quite go to plan! Matt lives next door ad is trying to turn his life around by renovating his house in the keys when he receives some shocking news. There’s secrets, mystery and intrigue that draw us in and I for one am excited to read more!

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new mystery is set in an idyllic cove by the sea. It comes as a shock to Matt to receive a notice that was accidentally placed in his neighbour Carrie’s mailbox. Things start to unravel as the two of them try to investigate. Meanwhile Carrie’s young granddaughter and Matt’s grandson have become friends.
Looking forward to Book 2 in this 6 part series.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous start to a new series!

Another fabulous series starter by Amy Rafferty.  I love the characters and seeing their frustration with one another gradually building into a reluctant friendship.  This will be a series that will delight readers and I can easily recommend it to others.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many mysteries already

Another great series that has started with a BANG! A grandmother and granddaughter go for the summer to heal, in many ways. Next door, handsome, but at first, annoying neighbor who is renovating his house with his own healing to do. A shadow, a mysterious deed, and we have a lot of figuring out what is going on!

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great beginning story about Carrie and Matt living as neighbors in Florida and the problems ahead for Matt and will they find out what is going on. Thank you for a great start to this story.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie expects a quite summer, but finds a neighbor needs help where she may come in handy. This season opener is a great beginning to a very surprising season. I am anxious to read the next installment in these events. It is intriguing.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first interaction between Carrie and Matt is explosive. A good friendship is built with trust. An emotional and great start to the series with a mystery to spice it up. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers.

[Lisa L · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again, Amy Rafferty has created another world for us to delve into. This book will hook you and have you hanging on for the next installment. Looking forward to getting to know Carrie and Matt.

[B E · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s an injured police captain swapping houses for the summer to recuperate. She brings her granddaughter. Her new neighbor next door is renovating and she isn’t getting the peace she expected. When her neighbor is told he doesn’t own his house a new mystery begins

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing new series! A second chance mystery romance with later in life characters. The coastal setting is wonderful and I was hooked from page one. So well written full of emotion and suspense. This series is going to be full of delightful surprises and I'm here for them all!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions. The characters interact together in a seamless way. I am so looking forward to this series. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Love Cove by Amy Rafferty is a sweet, feel-good romance about second chances, set in a charming seaside town. Lightly mysterious and full of heart, it’s an easy, uplifting read.

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new wonderful new series for Amy Rafferty. Looking forward to ready book two.

[Melonie Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not turn the pages fast enough. I love the coastal vibes and the way the suspense builds! What a cliff hanger!! I loved it.

[Danette Fowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little tidbits given about each of the characters in this series really makes you want to learn more about them. I think this is a great start to a new story.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new mystery is developing. Carrie has come to sunset keys to recuperate after being shot and a divorce. Matt lives next door and is renovating him home of 2 1/2 years. Until a notice is delivered to Carrie’s mailbox for Matt. That’s when the mystery starts at city hall.

[Pam Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book 5 more information comes to light Matt and Carrie trail Alisha and Trent. Cheryl comes on the scene and forces Alisha in a car. Carrie follows and both women learn some of the truth about the land lease. Who exactly is Carrie’s son? Who does he work for?

Is there a future for Carrie and Matt?

Thank you to the author of this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.