Cape May Beach Days

Cape May #4

by Claudia Vance

Set your beach chair up and sink your toes into the sand—it’s finally summer in Cape May. 

Sarah’s loving the boat life and spending time with Chris, but will an unexpected call from her ex change everything? 

Margaret is busy in the garden again and frustrated to find that the honor system for the The Cape May Garden farm stand isn’t working out according to plan. 

Dave is renovating his new beach house in North Cape May but still can’t decide what his plans are for the property. 

Donna, an old high school friend, is back in town after her marriage ends, and as she tries to figure out a new life, she’s surprised by an unexpected spark with someone new. 

Greg is on the brink of opening his restaurant but doesn’t expect the turmoil his new chef presents. 

Judy and Bob enjoy beach time together at their new favorite spot and discover a certain local isn’t too happy about them being there. 



In Book 4 of the Cape May Series, follow along as Liz and Margaret stick to their pact of visiting the beach each day of summer while lessons in love and life abound around them. 

This is Book 4 in the Cape May series. It is recommended to start at Book 1, The Cape May Garden. 

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2021

Reviews

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cape May Beach Days by Claudia Vance (2021)
Cape May #4
121-page Kindle Ebook

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella

Featuring: Cape May, New Jersey; Gardening, Children, Birdwatching, Boating, Coffee House Owner, Quadragenarians, Single Father, Memorial Day, New Relationship vs Ex Trope, Wildlife Refuge Hospital, Sisters, Family Dynamics, Restaurateur, Tyrant Chef,
Bicycling, Attraction Zings, Retirees, Musician, Tree House, Water Ice, Divorcées, Corson's Inlet State Park, Lead into Next Book, Link to Book 4 Cape May Summer Nights, Link to Ocean City Tides Book 1 A Summer in Ocean City, Author's Links

Rating as a movie: PG

Songs for the soundtrack: "Più bella cosa" by Eros Ramazzotti, "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen, "Blaze Of Glory" by Bon Jovi, "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette, "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" by Frankie Lymon, "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang, "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves

Memorable Quotes: “There’s nothing in here. Not even a dollar. I know this farm stand was completely full of items two days ago,” Margaret said, frustrated. Dave sighed. “You’re kidding.” Margaret slammed the money box shut. “So much for the honor system working.” Dave took the money box to look for himself. “I have a better solution for the money box that would make it harder to steal from.” Margaret took a deep breath and relaxed some. “Thank you, Dave. I’m hoping that this was just a one-time thing and that most people can be trusted. We just don’t have the means to always have someone manning the stand at all times.”

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⛵️🍷🍝🚴‍♀️

My thoughts: This was a feel-good story. There was a lot of unnecessary light drama but it fit well and was easily solved, it made the story feel like it was about something, unlike Book 3 which felt disjointed. This book features a lot of summer activities that make you want to look up New Jersey tourism.

Recommend to others: Yes, this was enjoyable, I had a few chuckles.

Cape May
1. The Cape May Garden (2020)
2. Christmas in Cape May (2020)
3. Cape May Stars (2021)
4. Cape May Beach Days (2021)
5. Cape May Summer Nights (2021)
6. Cape May Locals' Summer (2021)
7. Cape May Monarch Butterflies (2021)
8. A Cozy Cape May Autumn (2021)
9. The Cape May Movie Theater (2022)
10. Cape May Hydrangeas (2022)
11. Cape May Sunshine (2022)
12. Cape May Raindrops (2023)
13. Cape May Sunsets (2023)
14. Cape May Magic (2024)
15. Cape May Glitter (2024)
16. Cape May Dreams (2025)

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

lolololol

[Lori LaBeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Story!

This book wss so good it had lots of different stories in it. Gregg getting ready to open his Heirloom Restaurant. Sarah finding love, Judy finding a different beach and a new friend. Donna finding happiness. Dave and Margaret still in love. A really nice book to read you will enjoy it

[Debra Sissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

I just love this series. The beach setting, the adventures and most of all, the wholesomeness of the characters and families.

I can’t wait to start the next book!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth book in a series about Cape May. In this story, it focuses more on Margaret and Liz’s friends, Sarah and Donna. As I read, I feel like part of the gang. Cute story but not a lot of depth.

[Janelle Metzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret and Liz play a minor role in book four. The focus of the book is on their best friend Sarah, an old high school friend Donna, and Liz’s husband Greg.

Sarah starts spending more time with Chris when her ex-boyfriend returns to Cape May. Donna returns to Cape May after a divorce from Adam and she meets Dale (a friend of Greg’s). Will these couples be able to make a go of their new relationships?

After returning from Italy Judy and Bob realize their relationship was getting stale. The couple begins to spend time together and have separate hobbies of their own. Judy attends a scrapbooking weekend with her sisters while Bob enjoys fishing with his brother. While at Corson’s Inlet Judy enjoys a new hobby of shelling and looking for sea glass until she comes upon a cranky woman at the beach.

Dave restores the new beach house next door to Chris and builds a tree house for Abbie and Harper. Greg hires Chef Ron for his new restaurant and the kitchen ends up in shambles. Dale tries to mentor Greg on his new venture while running his own restaurant. Margaret buys bikes for The Seahorse Inn so she can take her guests on a bike tour of Cape May. She arranges for stops along the way to Greg’s restaurant, a winery with a market, and to Diamond Beach.

A charming little story if you are looking for an easy beach read or easy series to start.

Notes below the line are for me to remember the book.
—----------------------------------------
Sarah and Chris end up together after he sets some boundaries with his ex-wife who has a new boyfriend. Sarah’s ex-boyfriend Mark pretends his mother is dead to get Sarah to meet him at the cafe. After finding out Dale is a bit of a player Donna is ready to move on from him until his heartfelt explanation of his past and their joint love of music. Judy ends up working with Darla (cranky beach lady) to begin a clean up at Corson’s inlet. After Chef Ron walks out on Greg, another chef Mike steps up, but encourages Greg to seek out Chef Ron. Mike feels with Chef Ron’s experience he can only add to the inner workings of the kitchen. Chef Ron is humbled after working as a short order cook in a diner and is happy to be taken back by Greg to his new restaurant. He names the restaurant Heirloom after the tomatoes that Marget and Dave planted for The Cape May Garden.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liking this series easier to read in order and follow the storyline. Not a lot of drama but romance is alive and well as new couples begin to get to know each other, current couples move their relationship forward. Greg is ready to open his restaurant once he settles his Chef dilemma. Book 5 is next!

[Heidi Klinowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read these because they give me a “Cape May fix” months before I can actually get there to vacation again. The plots are pretty basic with more romance than action. I think the tasks the characters accomplish (in several bks in this series) are unrealistic in the short time they take to complete them, even with their ‘teamwork’

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. A continuation in the Cape May series, I feel like I know the characters. Refreshing read in between reading psychological thrillers. I find it very soothing and enjoyable. On to the next one….

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Cape May series. Learning more about Margaret and Liz's friends and family. It really makes me want to visit Cape May.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this series... looking forward to the next book (5)

[Aimee Lanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Claudia Vance book!

I am in love with the characters and her romantic writing style. I can't wait to delve into book 5.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series of books. Very enjoyable.

[Eileen P. Horan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beach

Having had a beach house on Long Island I could relate to the joys of a place on the beach, long walks at waters edge and collecting many shells

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great escape from the real world into a lovely summer paradise.

[Cindy Fawess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy

[Notserp2002 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series-look forward to reading more!

[Denise Moroney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series— now reading book 5. I’m a Wildwood summer girl — and always visit Cape May while in the neighborhood.

[Melissa-ann Strausser · Rating 5 out of 5]

#4

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation of the Cape May series with some new people added to the mix to strengthen the storyline. Nice read. And helps look at issues and solve problems.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audiobook. Clean read. 3.5 rounded up to 4

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!

[Susan Bordonaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best summer read! Lovely story

I couldn’t stop reading it. Onward to the next one! I love this storyline!! A great easy anytime read! Loved it!

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, cozy, romantic, easy read 4 ⭐️ (B)