Sometimes the detours we resist most are the ones that lead us home.
If you love heartfelt, small-town romances with gentle emotional depth and clean storytelling, The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston delivers a warm, comforting escape filled with second chances, found family, and a love that grows quietly but steadily—just like the glow of a lighthouse.
Title:The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston
Series: Coral Cove, Book 2
Publication Date: December 2, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Clean Romance, Firefighter Hero, Found Family, Second Chances
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Series Notes
The Lighthouse at the Cove is Book Two in Amy Clipston’s Coral Cove series. While it connects to the same small-town setting as The View from Coral Cove, this story can be read completely as a standalone. You don’t need to read the first book to fully enjoy Kaiah and Reid’s story.
I’ve long been familiar with Amy Clipston through her beloved Amish fiction, and discovering her contemporary romances has been such a pleasant surprise. Her signature warmth, emotional depth, and focus on community translate beautifully into this modern coastal setting.
Book Description
Sometimes the road home isn't on a map.
After a painful breakup and a stalled career, journalist Kaiah Ross sets out on a reporting road trip down the East Coast, hoping the miles will help her find her way again. But when car trouble strands her in the postcard-perfect town of Coral Cove, she's forced to stop running—and unexpectedly finds herself drawn into a life that feels like something out of a dream.
Reid Turner has spent years putting others first—his career as a firefighter, his spirited young daughter, Piper, and the small town he's always called home. The last thing he's looking for is a relationship. But from the moment Kaiah arrives, her kindness, warmth, and quiet strength stir something in him he thought was long buried.
When Kaiah agrees to help promote the town's annual “Light the Dark” Festival—a celebration meant to save Coral Cove's historic lighthouse—what begins as a simple arrangement quickly turns into something more. Late nights of planning under string lights, shared laughter over coffee, and quiet, heartfelt moments with Piper begin to weave Kaiah into the fabric of Reid's life… and into his heart.
But just as love begins to blossom, Kaiah is faced with an offer that could relaunch her career and take her far from Coral Cove. Now, she's forced to choose between the life she thought she wanted and the unexpected love that's given her a glimpse of home.
The Lighthouse at the Cove is a tender, romantic escape to a coastal town where hearts heal, hope shines, and love finds a way—right when you least expect it. A guaranteed happily-ever-after, clean romance, and engaging discussion questions make this a perfect book club pick.
My Review
The Lighthouse at the Cove is one of those stories that quietly settles into your heart and stays there. Amy Clipston delivers a tender, emotionally satisfying romance wrapped in coastal charm, gentle healing, and the kind of community warmth that feels like a deep exhale.
Kaiah Ross is at a crossroads—professionally adrift and emotionally bruised after a painful breakup. What begins as a simple reporting road trip becomes something far more meaningful when her car breaks down in Coral Cove. Stranded by circumstance, Kaiah is forced to slow down, and in doing so, she begins to rediscover parts of herself she didn’t realize she’d lost.
Reid Turner is equally compelling. A firefighter, devoted single dad, and lifelong resident of Coral Cove, he’s built a life around responsibility and service. Love isn’t on his radar—until Kaiah arrives. Their connection unfolds naturally, built on kindness, shared moments, and quiet emotional understanding rather than grand gestures or instant declarations.
The heart of the story lies not just in the romance, but in Coral Cove itself. The town’s efforts to save its historic lighthouse through the “Light the Dark” Festival give the story depth and purpose. The lighthouse becomes a powerful symbol—of hope, guidance, and the courage to choose a different path when the one you planned no longer fits.
The romance is clean, heartfelt, and emotionally rich, proving that intimacy doesn’t require spice to feel meaningful. Add in a charming child character, strong secondary relationships, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after, and you have a story that feels both comforting and uplifting.
If You Love These Authors, Read Next
If Amy Clipston’s warm, small-town storytelling speaks to you, these authors offer a similar blend of heart, community, and emotionally grounded romance—perfect for readers who enjoy meaningful connections and hopeful love stories.
- RaeAnne Thayne — heartfelt romances centered on family, forgiveness, and small-town connection
- Debbie Macomber — comforting, hopeful love stories with strong community ties
- Jill Shalvis — contemporary small-town romance with warmth, humor, and emotional payoff
- Robyn Carr — character-driven romances where healing and setting matter just as much as love
- Sharon Sala — emotionally rich stories featuring resilience, family, and second chances
Why You’ll Love It
- A cozy coastal setting that feels vivid and inviting
- A slow-burn, clean romance focused on emotional connection
- A swoon-worthy firefighter hero with a steady, caring heart
- Found-family moments and small-town community charm
- A hopeful message about healing, second chances, and choosing home
The Emotional Core
What truly makes The Lighthouse at the Cove shine is its emotional honesty. Both Kaiah and Reid carry quiet grief—hers from lost love and uncertainty, his from years of putting everyone else first. Watching them learn to trust again, not just in love but in themselves, gives the story its depth.
Moments with Reid’s daughter, Piper, add warmth and authenticity, grounding the romance in real life and reminding readers that love often grows through shared care and responsibility.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy clean romance, meaningful connections, and stories that feel like a Hallmark movie in the best possible way, The Lighthouse at the Cove deserves a spot on your TBR.
Highly recommended.
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This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Forever Book Lover. When you purchase from Bookshop, you are supporting local, independent bookstores.
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