The Cliffside Inn

Five Island Cove #3

by Jessie Newton, Liz Isaacson

Spend another month in Five Island Cove and experience an amazing adventure between five best friends, the challenges they face, the secrets threatening to come between them, and their undying support of each other.

Eloise Hall has reached a turning point: she either wants to marry Aaron or break up. Her scientific mind gets clouded by her heart, and she decides to quit her job at Boston University and move back to Five Island Cove to fix up and open The Cliffside Inn, a building she purchased decades ago on the rocky cliffs of Sanctuary Island.

She thinks that'll show Aaron she's ready to wear a diamond and say I-do.

Robin and Alice are dealing with their teenage children who've started dating when Alice learns that her ex-husband has lost his high-paying job and is having financial problems. All of the payments she's been getting...won't be coming anymore.

With her husband back from Alaska, Robin struggles to learn how to balance home and family with her full-time job as well as her friends. When she has to make a difficult choice between her husband and helping Eloise with the inn, Robin doesn't know which to support.

AJ has met a great guy -- or so she says. She's been texting her friends about a man named Peterson, but when they're supposed to come to the cove to help Eloise with the inn, only AJ shows up.

Kelli brings her son to the cove for another extended vacation after learning her husband has started another relationship in New Jersey. He's asked her to consider an open relationship where they stay married, and he can still see and date this other woman.

With their different personalities and in their different states of mind, none of these best friends are prepared for the secret contained within the walls of The Cliffside Inn. They've survived tough situations before, but this might be the thing that tears them apart for good...

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Family, Womens Fiction, Ebooks

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Jessie Newton book I’ve read and I’m addicted to her. Even though this book is not a first in the series, I cared for Eloise, Alice, Robin, A.J., Kelli and their “families” like they were my own. There were a few spots where I was questioning who someone was, probably from a previous book, but that character was not integral to this story. The storyline was dynamic with a lot of layers to each character and there was depth to the story and the characters. I will be reading her other books and I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about real characters and their struggles and achievements.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. There are multiple storylines going on at once, but they all link back to the five women friends and the men (and children) in their lives. This continues to show that you can love, argue and fight and still be best friends. Each of these women are someone I would like to know.

(I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.)

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written story about several women who have known each other since their early teens and have developed an amazing friendship for life. Each of them has enough demons and insecurities hidden deep inside but always when they need support they find each other and one gives support to the other to overcome the hardship. They also discover a lot of hidden information in the past of two of them that can break their relationship apart and forever. This book is an ode to love between human beings and to goodwill, it sure is an inspiring reading in these difficult times we are going through.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book written by Jessie Newton and I liked it as much as the first one. The main characters are well developed and the story continues to show their vulnerabilities and the strong bond these five women have for each other. A sixth woman is a mother figure to them and they seek her love and advice with difficulties in their lives. If you like books with strong, yet vulnerable women, a bond among friends that can't that can't be broken and characters who are flawed and learn from their flaws, then this book is for you! I encourage you to sit down with these six women and immerse yourself with their life stories to enjoy! I'm looking forward to the next Five Island Cove book "Christmas at the Cove"

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cliffside Inn is the third book in the Five Island Cove series and it was nice to be reunited with characters we've met before. The five women are life long friends and all their interactions take place on the islands. In this book the Cliffside Inn that Eloise owns plays an important role but so does the lighthouse where the first book is set. The spouses and significant others are included more in this story as well as their kids. There are angst ridden problems and lots of secrets to sort through for each of them and not all is at it appears.

The story has a lot of twists and turns and a multitude of confidences shared. There are dysfunctional extended families and everyday problems along with so many more. The best friends all come together when one of them is hurting or needs help to find a solution. There are a lot of tears along with laughter, romance, loving and love. The descriptions of the inn and the scenery made me feel like I was there. The book moves at a good pace and had a lot of story lines going on at the same time that were woven nicely together. There is nice closure and a happily ever after that played out nicely.

There are two more books in the series and there were sneak peeks from the first two chapters of the next book, Christmas at the Cove, that really whet my appetite for more. I haven't read the second book in the series, The Summer Sand Pact, but hope to rectify that soon. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Newton's books as she pens them.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three of the Five Island Cove series and sees a group of lifelong friends coming together as each face their own challenges in life and love. The five friends are Eloise, Robin, AJ, Alice and Kelli. Kelli has just found out that her husband Julian is in love with a younger woman who also works in his courier business, and he wants Kelli to join them in being a ‘throuple’! The final straw is seeing them in bed together and her husband asking her to join them. She takes her eight year old son Parker back to Five Island Cove to stay with her old friend Alice. She also needs to deal with a man called Zach, who has tried to prove he is her half-brother, but has been bothering her elderly mother for money!

Alice is weeks away from her divorce from her ex Frank, finally being finalised and settling into her own life with her twins Ginny and Jamie. But there seems to be a lot of secrets from his side of their relationship and money issues, which she will discover later on in the book. Robin is married to fisherman Duke, who has been away fishing in Alaska for over four months, and she can’t wait for him to get back. They have two children, Jamie and Mandie, and he comes back to find they have grown into teenagers with the usual demanding lives and that Robin has her own schedule that she organises well without him. The two of them will have to relearn how to work together as a team once again before the next departure comes along. AJ works away on the mainland and rarely comes back to see all the others. She is the only one so far away, but her chasing of a front of camera position, instead of just being the one behind the stories doing all the research, may finally make her have to decide what she really wants.

Eloise has finally given up her job of teaching biology after some twenty years and moved back to the island to stay with her mother, while she starts to renovate the Cliffside Inn of the title, enough to stay in the caretakers abode. It was a big decision, but she has fond memories of the place from her youth and wants to see the whole building redeveloped and has visions for each of the rooms and what it could become. Another reason is to take her relationship with Aaron and his daughters Billie and Grace, to the next step and he is firmly fixed on the island with his job as the chief of police. The building previously belonged to her father, but is was foreclosed on by the bank and she bought it cheaply, after he didn’t leave it to her in his will. The latter part of his life was one she doesn’t like to remember, as he was a nasty, alcoholic and devious gambler and left both her mother and her almost penniless when he left the island, before his death. All of the friends do what they can to help out with the clear out of the inn, when they can and meet to discuss all of their problems with each other.

A discovery that Eloise makes from within the walls of the old inn, could help fix many of their financial issues, but her distant brother has another agenda. The five women formed into lifelong friends whilst part of the Seafaring Girls group as teens at the Lighthouse with a woman called Kirsten, and she is still a person they all gravitate towards when they need advice. Issues with bad parenting, alcohol problems, needing to change lives completely, find a job and a new home, become more independent, deal with teenage children and new relationships, and then legal issues as well. Every type of family issue you can imagine is brought into the mix, as these women come back together to help each other with the changes they are each facing. Eloise has a very difficult issue to deal with at the end of the story and it could end up pushing each of the other women away from her and each other.

A great read and realistic storyline of everyday issues in our modern world. This is the first book I have read in this series and the multitude of names and characters took a little while to get my head around at the start, but you need to learn about each characters own situation and place in the story, to follow what happens. I look forward to catching up with the other books and all future ones by this author. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to see the ladies again and see where they are now, not everything is smooth sailing but there are also some sweet and happy moments as well getting to see the inn finally taking shape! The one thing that really really irked me was how Eloise's find at the inn turned into so much more but then she just bends over to what was requested, I felt well a little let down by the women and Eloise and almost would rather it have not been in the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the first two books in this series and have really enjoyed this book as well. Started it the other night and finished it this morning. So hard to put down.

The five ladies who were in the Seafaring group all those years back have grown into the best of friends and really seem to have each other's back when they need help. No matter what kind of help is needed. You don't cross one girl without crossing them all.

All I can see about this book is you certainly don't want to miss it. A great cast of characters and you will laugh, smile, cry and sometimes get angry. You go through the feels with it. A must for the romantic.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading something by Ms. Newton, but it certainly won't be my last. This book is about a group of women who have been close to each other for a very long time and love each other dearly. They each have difficult issues and challenges they are facing and I loved how supportive they were of each other. There were so many layers to this book with each woman's story, but all were woven together so expertly and the storyline flowed smoothly. The characters all had such great depth and personalities I enjoyed getting to know them. These characters felt real and relatable facing their challenges and struggles. There are many plot twists and turns, that will keep you turning the pages anxious to find out what happens next. This is the third book in the series and after reading this one, I definitely want to go back and read the first two! It is a beautiful and inspiring story and I highly recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy Provance Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliffside drama

Boy oh boy I wanted to strangle Garrett Hall Elouise brother. Glad El and Arron are taking the next step. Gracious El had everything g to loose. Her friends or the money she inherited in the end she makes her choice. 5 friend grew up together spending their teen years bonding now adulthood reunited then. Trial n tribulations are Enter twine. What would you choose 3 Million or your forever friends? What did she choose?

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing and Scattered

The author of this book is a talented writer; her words are easy to understand and paint an excellent picture. But I have a problem with the books in this series. I think the author is being too ambitious following the lives of five women (and their families) who have been friends for a long time. For me as a reader, it's just too much to try to keep track of. I feel like I need to write out a few sheets with all the pertinent information about each woman's backstory, their families, and their sequential trials and tribulations throughout the series. Frankly, I don't like a book that makes me work that hard! I think these characters, who are wonderful and complex, would have been better served if each just had a book about her with a little peripheral information about the friends as often happens in chick lit. To me, not only is the way the author is doing it confusing, but it makes the book seem scattered and unfocused with no true story or character arcs. If you enjoy women's fiction that seems to be more about the exploration of their friendships than of any one coherent plot that follows one or two characters through a satisfying character arc and plotline, you might enjoy this more than I did.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Five Island Cove series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Five girlfriends Robin, Alice, Eloise, Kelli, and AJ's story of how they are all their for each other as they go through another chapter in their lifes. Eloise and Aaron's story mainly this time. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sirilee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not having read the first two books - and I never will - it was difficult to figure out the group of characters and where they fit. There was no plot or development, people just came in and out like puppets in a totally insignificant way.

Most of the book was written as observation of what the main characters did or thought. The dialogue was bookish and did not contribute to development of the story. The setting was obscure : five islands where people went back and forth with ferries. I could never figure out who was living where and what the islands were like. Maybe this was explained in the first book.

Not a stand-alone story. That should be clearly said in the description. I’m not interested in these “TV-episode-books” (as I call them). A good book is a story that has a beginning and an end. No sequels, thank you. If you can’t write an engaging and complete piece, stop writing.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book three in The Five Island Cove Series. The five best friends are all together again but things are very difficult for them as they all have problems that needs to be solved but how. There are twists and turns along the way but will it all work out for them especially as there are so many secrets even though they support each other will it be enough. I really enjoyed reading this book but with not reading books 1 and 2 I felt like I missed out on all the beginning of there story and history as friends. The book was well written by Jessie Newton and I look forward to reading the next book.

I Voluntarily Reviewed an ARC Copy Of This Book.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting characters. Lots of twists and turns to keep you hanging on until the end. Great dialogue and interaction between characters. Witty and complex issues with all the characters. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Quinlan Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great group!

This is the first book of the series I’ve read and now I’ll go back and read the first two - even though I probably won’t have to? These ladies are great and I love the setting of the series! I was introduced to a “new to me” author, and glad I added Jessie Newton to my library!

[Deanna Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 3

It’s been good getting to know characters in the five islands series and I always want to read more. The downside for me is sometimes there’s errors in the story, although not a lot. It didn’t make sense that Eloise had terrifying memories of her drunken father in her childhood, and yet such wonderful memories of working for him at the inn during her summer holidays. It didn’t make sense that Kelli left her husband and returned to the islands with her son Parker, broke and needing somewhere to live, having to rent a very small place and find a job fast, when she actually owned her childhood home on Bell Island but hadn’t told anyone except AJ! There was a time I thought I’d drown in all the tears and sobs for so many chapters. For me it got way over emotional, with keep hugging and telling each other they loved them, then sobbing so greatly they literally had to hold each other up.
Nice twist with find behind the wall but I was really disappointed that they couldn’t somehow beat Garret at his own game and get to challenge the will and him be charged with blackmail and extortion. But oh well. But I will be reading more in the series.

[Nancy Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this installment but had a few questions…
- why did Kelli rent a house if she already owns one? I started thinking I was confusing that backstory but then she went back to the secret house at the end. That seems like a plot hole.
- last minute wills that didn’t draw any suspicion? And how does Garrett know all about El & her friends…and have enough power to ruin them all?

I saw many low star reviews but most were people who read the books out of order, and they were confused. Seems a bit unfair, there are 5 stories to keep straight but without reading from the beginning, of course it may seem like a lot.

The story moved along well, we got to know more about the main characters and we’re introduced to a few new ones (Laurel, Paul, Matt). Some curveballs were thrown in for good measure. I like the author’s writing style and she does a good job describing the islands and setting. Editing is a little suspect, in all books there have been typos or errors but nothing that interrupts the story flow.

I’m excited to continue the series!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off...I read book 1, am still on waiting list for #2 but figured I could read book 3. I see all the 2&3 star reviews biggest complaints are the characters are hard to keep track of. this is one series of books that yes, you really need to read book 1 first to at least set up the main characters. But that is not my reason for only 3 stars.
I am giving it 3 stars because I was REALLY disappointed in how it ended. While I enjoyed the continuing story of the "sisterhood"...The whole thing with the brother and how that ended???? Nope, should not have been that way. What good is it to have a police chief as a boyfriend who just stood by while she was swindled out of her inheritance?
I was really disappointed in her just giving in , no matter the reasons, and that her police chief boyfriend just stood by. Does anyone really believe that there was a 2nd will?
I think the ending would have been so much better if the brother had been bested.

[penelopewanders]

And then there were three. This is the third and last in the boxset I received via bookbub and although one could, at a stretch, say that much is resolved, in my option there is something of a cliffhanger.
Indeed, of the five friends, pretty much all of them are faced with unexpected issues and Eloise's choice could be considered a solution to the problems, but it left me entirely unsatisfied.
I don't want to create a spoiler, but I was hoping for some creative solution for putting the bully in his place.
I have enjoyed this little interlude of female friendship, working together to overcome difficulties and finding love and support.
An entertaining read, and of course I suppose I'll have to see where this series goes next.

[Dalene Johnson]

This was supposed to be about four friends from childhood who had reached their mid-40's and still supported each other. It turned out to be four maladjusted whiney women who had gained no coping skills, no courage to face challenges and had become whining and co-dependent. Final straw for me was when one of them ( the most self-directed and focused of them all) discovered a legacy from her father and when threatened by a greedy brother, crumpled like a stale cookie, instead of standing up for herself and her friends. This might have been about 14 year olds instead of mature women. Won't read any more from this series.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five women who grew up together with most moving away from their island upbringing to forge on with successful lives but in each of them there is something fundamental missing which they all long for, the strong bonds of friendship and a sense of purpose. For each of the five, that sense of purpose is so different. With their bonds can they help each other pursue their individual goals which often mean taking a risk and different course than each ever anticipated. Can you take a risk if you know you will be supported if you fail?

I listened to the audio version of this story and it was a wonderful follow on from books 1 and 2.

I highly recommend this book as a great summer read.

[Jilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this as it sounded like a good, solid family saga. It is a story of friendship between 5 women. It is the 3rd in a series and I think possibly it would be better if you read them in order. There are multiple storylines going on at once which is extremely confusing. It constantly makes reference to other characters and events who were in earlier books. EG. There are numerous references to Joel, who may or may not have been Kirsten's husband. He is dead. Plus who is this Kirsten anyway and what is her relevance? She isn't one of the 5 women.

All in all a huge disappointment.

[Joy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

Ok, book 3 was a page turner. I bought the book on a public holiday and didn't stop reading until the end. Ms. Newton really knows how to drop the surprises. All the ladies are still good friends but Eloise's Cliffside Inn reveals some shocking secrets, as the walls talked. I did not expect the almost gangster brother and his threats. What a tale. From separations to engagements and everything in between, this held my attention more than the previous 2 books. I' m glad I stuck around. I 100% recommend this novel.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so tired of books where there is so much angst. The friends have gone through so much; you’d think they would have developed some “backbone.” I kept reading the book to see if somewhere, somehow one of them would say, “I’m mad as ——, and I’m not going to take it anymore!!” The women just seemed to whine and carry on, running to each other for support. And they lived in each other’s pockets. Where is their sense of autonomy? Your friends are just your friends; they don’t need to know every time you burp! The ending with Eloise was pitiful to me. I give up.

[Amy Bozza · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the end, I really liked the book and the characters and I cared about what happened to them. It was tough to get into because there were a lot of people introduced quickly end an early focus on the teenagers and who was holding hands with who and I though the story would include them but then they kind of disappeared and we never heard about them again. The last quarter of the book is 4/5 stars, but it took some time to get there.

[Barbara George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the series in order

I just read book three and found myself lost most of the time because there is very little backstory so the characters are undefined and its very hard to keep up with who is who. I enjoyed the story but not the whole Garrett affair. That seemed too much. I hope it is cleared up in future books. I may go back to the beginning and read in order. But really hard to accept Eloise's luck and then loss.

[Therobertstribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is part of a series, but I read it as a stand alone book. There were times when things that had happened in previous books were mentioned that I wished I had more information but overall it worked well despite not having read the other books in the series. The characters were likable and the storyline kept me engaged, but I didn't fall in love with them. I don't think I will be buying further books in the series, but would consider it if one was on offer.

[Kristi]

A wonderful book in this fantastic series. The stories continue from each book to the next. Amazing characters you can't help but fall in love with, they're well developed, strong and feel like family when you finish the book. Heartwarming, endearing and truly enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cliffside Inn

The characters transitioned so smoothly. I know the books are fiction but I'm hoping all the women are successful with raising their children and finding a good person to love and to be loved. Thank you Jesse for a heartwarming and believable series. I will definitely read "Christmas at the Cove" next week when it comes out.