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Sing Me Home to Carolina
A small town girl turned big city businesswoman returns home to help her parents, only to find her heart being tugged between her old flame and the town’s mysterious new guy.
This witty and effervescent novel is perfect for readers of Viola Shipman and fans of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie.
Event planner Hattie Norwood only came back home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as they receive word that the family peanut farm is infertile. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to Hattie, and she plans to return to Charlotte at the weekend’s end.
But then the town councilwoman begs Hattie to use her event planning prowess to help Mountain View put on a musical benefit to stop the construction of the new Carolina Panthers stadium—a project Hattie is actually in favor of, much to the dismay of the locals—and she finds herself agreeing to stay until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration a week later, just as her old flame, former MLB standout Lee Lockhardt, materializes in town after a career-ending injury.
When the hunky and mysterious new owner of Fox’s Hardware, Fox Ryan, suggests the Founder’s Day celebration be moved to the Norwoods’ barn in an attempt to reinvent the failing farm as a music and event venue, Hattie agrees, unaware this move will thrust the town, her love life, and the brewing tension over the stadium into a very public spotlight.
Fans of small-town romance and quirky casts of characters will be rooting for Team Lee or Team Fox as Hattie decides if love, like most music, is meant to fade or last forever.
This witty and effervescent novel is perfect for readers of Viola Shipman and fans of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie.
Event planner Hattie Norwood only came back home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as they receive word that the family peanut farm is infertile. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to Hattie, and she plans to return to Charlotte at the weekend’s end.
But then the town councilwoman begs Hattie to use her event planning prowess to help Mountain View put on a musical benefit to stop the construction of the new Carolina Panthers stadium—a project Hattie is actually in favor of, much to the dismay of the locals—and she finds herself agreeing to stay until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration a week later, just as her old flame, former MLB standout Lee Lockhardt, materializes in town after a career-ending injury.
When the hunky and mysterious new owner of Fox’s Hardware, Fox Ryan, suggests the Founder’s Day celebration be moved to the Norwoods’ barn in an attempt to reinvent the failing farm as a music and event venue, Hattie agrees, unaware this move will thrust the town, her love life, and the brewing tension over the stadium into a very public spotlight.
Fans of small-town romance and quirky casts of characters will be rooting for Team Lee or Team Fox as Hattie decides if love, like most music, is meant to fade or last forever.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2025
80 people are currently reading
5994 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
April 13, 2025
Event planner Hattie Norwood lives in Charlotte and she returns home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as they receive the devastating news their family peanut farm is infertile.
Hattie agrees to stay for a week and until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration, which is to be held in Mr. Norwood’s barn located on her family property and with help from Fox the new owner of the hardware store and volunteers it’s transformed and it gives her an idea for how her parents could make money and not have to sell or walk away from the farm.
Hattie’s former high school boyfriend Lee Lockhardt returns after his career ending injury and he’s keen for her to stick around and give their relationship another chance. Hattie’s torn between her dream job and progress as the NFL want to build a stadium in the area, her parents, Lee, and Fox who she finds intriguing and everyone have no idea the gigs in the barn will bring everything to a head and into the public spotlight and the situation escalates.
I received a copy of Sing Me Home to Carolina from Alcove Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The author Joy Callaway is known for writing historical fiction and I really enjoyed her foray into penning a romance novel and it's full of funny and charming southern characters.
A narrative about saving a town from developers, it makes you think about what’s really important and that's; heritage and history, family and home, old barns and using them as a venue, bluegrass music and the foot tapping energy it brings, and if you like books by Sherryl Woods and Viola Shipman I suggest reading Sing Me Home to Carolina. Five stars from me and I highly recommend and the story would be perfect for the Hallmark channel.
Hattie agrees to stay for a week and until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration, which is to be held in Mr. Norwood’s barn located on her family property and with help from Fox the new owner of the hardware store and volunteers it’s transformed and it gives her an idea for how her parents could make money and not have to sell or walk away from the farm.
Hattie’s former high school boyfriend Lee Lockhardt returns after his career ending injury and he’s keen for her to stick around and give their relationship another chance. Hattie’s torn between her dream job and progress as the NFL want to build a stadium in the area, her parents, Lee, and Fox who she finds intriguing and everyone have no idea the gigs in the barn will bring everything to a head and into the public spotlight and the situation escalates.
I received a copy of Sing Me Home to Carolina from Alcove Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The author Joy Callaway is known for writing historical fiction and I really enjoyed her foray into penning a romance novel and it's full of funny and charming southern characters.
A narrative about saving a town from developers, it makes you think about what’s really important and that's; heritage and history, family and home, old barns and using them as a venue, bluegrass music and the foot tapping energy it brings, and if you like books by Sherryl Woods and Viola Shipman I suggest reading Sing Me Home to Carolina. Five stars from me and I highly recommend and the story would be perfect for the Hallmark channel.
June 11, 2025
SING ME HOME CAROLINA is a genre shift and a huge departure for Joy Callaway, a blossoming favorite of mine in the historical fiction market. In this cozy small town romance novel with all the Hallmark vibes you could ever imagine, Callaway gives us humor and hope and and second chance romance and new found love and love triangle vibes and just pure fun. I laughed and loved along with these characters as they banded together to save their small southern town from being encroached upon to build a new stadium for an NFL team.
While yes, the romance leads the plotline, Callaway gives us a full cast of side characters to root for and I think they steal a lot of the best moments of the novel! There's truly nothing more southern than scenes set in a beauty parlor! I can't wait to read the next book from Joy Callaway in this genre! 🩷
While yes, the romance leads the plotline, Callaway gives us a full cast of side characters to root for and I think they steal a lot of the best moments of the novel! There's truly nothing more southern than scenes set in a beauty parlor! I can't wait to read the next book from Joy Callaway in this genre! 🩷
June 15, 2025
Joy Calloway is a new author for me and as a bonus, she is a local North Carolina author (I live in North Carolina) and I do love to discover more and more local authors. This book's genre is labelled southern and chick-lit, so sounds like fun.
Description:
A small town girl turned big city businesswoman returns home to help her parents, only to find her heart being tugged between her old flame and the town’s mysterious new guy.
This witty and effervescent novel is perfect for readers of Viola Shipman and fans of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie.
Event planner Hattie Norwood only came back home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as they receive word that the family peanut farm is infertile. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to Hattie, and she plans to return to Charlotte at the weekend’s end.
But then the town councilwoman begs Hattie to use her event-planning prowess to help Mountain View put on a musical benefit to stop the construction of the new Carolina Panthers stadium—a project Hattie is actually in favor of, much to the dismay of the locals—and she finds herself agreeing to stay until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration a week later, just as her old flame, former MLB standout Lee Lockhardt, materializes in town after a career-ending injury.
When the hunky and mysterious new owner of Fox’s Hardware, Fox Ryan, suggests the Founder’s Day celebration be moved to the Norwoods’ barn in an attempt to reinvent the failing farm as a music and event venue, Hattie agrees, unaware this move will thrust the town, her love life, and the brewing tension over the stadium into a very public spotlight.
Fans of small-town romance and quirky casts of characters will be rooting for Team Lee or Team Fox as Hattie decides if love, like most music, is meant to fade or last forever.
My Thoughts:
This book was fun, though heart-wrenching at times with the proposed new Panthers stadium threatening to take land from the locals and many locals believing they will destroy the town and it will never feel the same. I liked Hattie's character who showed strength, ambition, initiative, and a lot of heart. I enjoyed the mystery of Fox - who would have suspected? That mystery and Hattie's heart pulling her in a couple of directions made the romantic vibes intense. Overall I enjoyed the story, the plot, and the characters and would recommend to anyone who likes a good romance.
Thanks to Alcove Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
A small town girl turned big city businesswoman returns home to help her parents, only to find her heart being tugged between her old flame and the town’s mysterious new guy.
This witty and effervescent novel is perfect for readers of Viola Shipman and fans of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie.
Event planner Hattie Norwood only came back home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as they receive word that the family peanut farm is infertile. This news doesn’t come as a surprise to Hattie, and she plans to return to Charlotte at the weekend’s end.
But then the town councilwoman begs Hattie to use her event-planning prowess to help Mountain View put on a musical benefit to stop the construction of the new Carolina Panthers stadium—a project Hattie is actually in favor of, much to the dismay of the locals—and she finds herself agreeing to stay until the town’s Founder’s Day celebration a week later, just as her old flame, former MLB standout Lee Lockhardt, materializes in town after a career-ending injury.
When the hunky and mysterious new owner of Fox’s Hardware, Fox Ryan, suggests the Founder’s Day celebration be moved to the Norwoods’ barn in an attempt to reinvent the failing farm as a music and event venue, Hattie agrees, unaware this move will thrust the town, her love life, and the brewing tension over the stadium into a very public spotlight.
Fans of small-town romance and quirky casts of characters will be rooting for Team Lee or Team Fox as Hattie decides if love, like most music, is meant to fade or last forever.
My Thoughts:
This book was fun, though heart-wrenching at times with the proposed new Panthers stadium threatening to take land from the locals and many locals believing they will destroy the town and it will never feel the same. I liked Hattie's character who showed strength, ambition, initiative, and a lot of heart. I enjoyed the mystery of Fox - who would have suspected? That mystery and Hattie's heart pulling her in a couple of directions made the romantic vibes intense. Overall I enjoyed the story, the plot, and the characters and would recommend to anyone who likes a good romance.
Thanks to Alcove Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
July 26, 2025
Major Hallmark movie vibes from this one, I finished it even more convinced that I belong in small town America surrounded by Dolly’s and Billy Jo’s, good old country folks, music and barn dances!
Really lovely easy, feel good listen/read that didn’t require loads of attention to detail. I suppose there’s nothing startlingly fresh or new in the title but sometimes comfort is what you need from a book and this provided it in spades. A fantastic “soundtrack” is always going to win my heart too.
Great fun. Great narration Alexandra Ryan. Absolutely no complaints.
Huge thanks to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available now 🎧
Really lovely easy, feel good listen/read that didn’t require loads of attention to detail. I suppose there’s nothing startlingly fresh or new in the title but sometimes comfort is what you need from a book and this provided it in spades. A fantastic “soundtrack” is always going to win my heart too.
Great fun. Great narration Alexandra Ryan. Absolutely no complaints.
Huge thanks to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook which is available now 🎧
June 19, 2025
Umm… why did this sweet, small-town Hallmark-style story suddenly turn into a "why choose" romance at around 80%? It felt completely out of left field. Honestly, the plot was already all over the place, and that twist was the final straw. I would’ve DNFed right then, but I was too close to the end — so I just skimmed the rest. Disappointing and confusing.
November 5, 2024
sing me home to carolina was like being wrapped in a warm hug from an old friend! joy calloway has been a must read author with her historical fictions (a gal after my own heart) but her new romance was a cute story about a small town rallying around each other! mountain view’s quant and quirky town is at risk with the carolina panthers looking to relocate their stadium.
hattie norwood sees the potential economic impact this could bring, but at what cost? change is inevitable but does it have to erase a town’s history? throw in a little love triangle and this story gets more complicated and complex! there were times i was so frustrated with hattie and lee and fox but i only wanted them to sort out their feelings!! it reminded me of virgin river & a little of gilmore girls. don’t miss this sweet read coming out in june 2025
hattie norwood sees the potential economic impact this could bring, but at what cost? change is inevitable but does it have to erase a town’s history? throw in a little love triangle and this story gets more complicated and complex! there were times i was so frustrated with hattie and lee and fox but i only wanted them to sort out their feelings!! it reminded me of virgin river & a little of gilmore girls. don’t miss this sweet read coming out in june 2025
October 28, 2024
Every now and then you need a palate cleanser when you read a lot of thrillers/mysteries. This is a very sweet, relatively low angst home town romance. While I would have loved to see some things fleshed out a bit better (it seems our female character pretty easily changed direction from Lee to Fox), it was just what I needed to allow my heart to recharge.
November 14, 2024
Many thanks to #joycallaway @alcovepress @crookedlanebooks and @netgalley for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 6/10/25.
I love realistic small-town romance books with a good cast of characters, and I'm so happy I got that with this book. Think Gilmore Girls vs. Hart of Dixie vs. Schitts Creek, my three favorite shows all wrapped up in this small town.
Hattie, an event planner, returns back to her hometown in Mountain View, South Carolina, to help her parents with their farm. She was only supposed to be there for the weekend, but she was asked to help plan a music festival, and she meets the new guy in town Fox Ryan. Hattie was not expecting to run into her ex boyfriend a MLB baseball player, but he had a career ending injury and is now back home. If you love small town romances, beautiful scenery, second chances, music, a love triangle, and a heartfelt story, this is definitely the book for you.
I love realistic small-town romance books with a good cast of characters, and I'm so happy I got that with this book. Think Gilmore Girls vs. Hart of Dixie vs. Schitts Creek, my three favorite shows all wrapped up in this small town.
Hattie, an event planner, returns back to her hometown in Mountain View, South Carolina, to help her parents with their farm. She was only supposed to be there for the weekend, but she was asked to help plan a music festival, and she meets the new guy in town Fox Ryan. Hattie was not expecting to run into her ex boyfriend a MLB baseball player, but he had a career ending injury and is now back home. If you love small town romances, beautiful scenery, second chances, music, a love triangle, and a heartfelt story, this is definitely the book for you.
February 9, 2025
SING ME HOME TO CAROLINA is the first book by Joy Callaway in this romance genre. It is available on June 10 and was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.
Hattie is an event planner in Charlotte, NC but returns to her hometown in SC to help her parents. She is quickly pulled into the debate of an NFL stadium being built here in Mountain View, SC. Lots of talk goes on at the beauty parlor and there are many humorous moments!! Hattie also will find that her high school boyfriend is back in town.
Love a small town romance with some secrets, second chance romance, and a great cast of characters!! Preorder now!!!
Hattie is an event planner in Charlotte, NC but returns to her hometown in SC to help her parents. She is quickly pulled into the debate of an NFL stadium being built here in Mountain View, SC. Lots of talk goes on at the beauty parlor and there are many humorous moments!! Hattie also will find that her high school boyfriend is back in town.
Love a small town romance with some secrets, second chance romance, and a great cast of characters!! Preorder now!!!
January 29, 2025
I absolutely loved and adored this new book by Joy Calloway - More romances please!!!!
This book was set in SC in a small town Mountain View which was one of the towns that was being considered for the Panthers Stadium. Hattie returns home to help out her parents and is right back in her quaint, small home town where everybody knows everybody and news gets out so fast. The town of Mountain View is protesting the new stadium but Hattie, very much in the minority, sees this as an opportunity to help the town. She reunites with an old love and also gets to know the new Hardware Store owner, Fox. Her focus is on helping her parents as their land is no longer producing so she comes up with a plan. Now will she be able to get back to Charlotte to her job, will she decided to stay in Mountain View, will Mountain View be chosen for the stadium or not? And does she rekindle her relationship with her old love? You must read to find out.
This one kept me turning the pages!!
Thank you Joy for this wonderful romance book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read for a honest review.
Lost love, new love, commitment to family and job and some of the most fun and beloved characters I’ve read in awhile this book had me enraptured the entire time I was reading.
Joy knows how to research and write a gorgeous book and the little details in this book brought back so many memories of my younger days with church cookbooks and the beauty parlor where everyone hangs out. I can not recommend this book enough!!!
Thank you Joy and Netgalley for the honor to read and review this book!!!
This book was set in SC in a small town Mountain View which was one of the towns that was being considered for the Panthers Stadium. Hattie returns home to help out her parents and is right back in her quaint, small home town where everybody knows everybody and news gets out so fast. The town of Mountain View is protesting the new stadium but Hattie, very much in the minority, sees this as an opportunity to help the town. She reunites with an old love and also gets to know the new Hardware Store owner, Fox. Her focus is on helping her parents as their land is no longer producing so she comes up with a plan. Now will she be able to get back to Charlotte to her job, will she decided to stay in Mountain View, will Mountain View be chosen for the stadium or not? And does she rekindle her relationship with her old love? You must read to find out.
This one kept me turning the pages!!
Thank you Joy for this wonderful romance book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read for a honest review.
Lost love, new love, commitment to family and job and some of the most fun and beloved characters I’ve read in awhile this book had me enraptured the entire time I was reading.
Joy knows how to research and write a gorgeous book and the little details in this book brought back so many memories of my younger days with church cookbooks and the beauty parlor where everyone hangs out. I can not recommend this book enough!!!
Thank you Joy and Netgalley for the honor to read and review this book!!!
October 17, 2024
Joy Calloway is an amazing historical fiction writer but with her next book she proves she can write a sweet romance book too!!!
Hattie returns home to help out her aging parents and quickly gets sucked back in to her quaint, small home town where everybody knows everybody and everybody knows everybody’s business. The town of Mountain View is being threatened to become the next site of the new Carolina Panthers stadium and while most of the residents are against this move, Hattie sees it as a chance for her beloved hometown to rejuvenate itself and stay alive.
Lost love, new love, commitment to family and job and some of the most fun and beloved characters I’ve read in awhile this book had me enraptured the entire time I was reading.
Joy knows how to research and write a gorgeous book and the little details in this book brought back so many memories of my younger days with church cookbooks and the beauty parlor where everyone hangs out. I can not recommend this book enough!!!
Thank you Joy and Netgalley for the honor to read and review this book!!!
Hattie returns home to help out her aging parents and quickly gets sucked back in to her quaint, small home town where everybody knows everybody and everybody knows everybody’s business. The town of Mountain View is being threatened to become the next site of the new Carolina Panthers stadium and while most of the residents are against this move, Hattie sees it as a chance for her beloved hometown to rejuvenate itself and stay alive.
Lost love, new love, commitment to family and job and some of the most fun and beloved characters I’ve read in awhile this book had me enraptured the entire time I was reading.
Joy knows how to research and write a gorgeous book and the little details in this book brought back so many memories of my younger days with church cookbooks and the beauty parlor where everyone hangs out. I can not recommend this book enough!!!
Thank you Joy and Netgalley for the honor to read and review this book!!!
January 10, 2025
I was so excited for this book but really nothing about it ended up working for me. Hattie was pretty awful. She only ever cared about herself and then when things started unraveling with the town at the end and she was upset I was so mad because people tried to tell her what would happen to the town. The love story was ridiculous. She gets back with her high school sweetheart for literally 2 chapters and they are saying I love you right away. It felt like high school like what? The writing was so lacking it was hard to stay engaged.
December 4, 2024
Sing Me Home to Carolina is a lovely, heartfelt, journey back to small town South Carolina. Hattie Norwood, an event planner who returns home to help her parents save their struggling farm faces some small town drama. She starts to organize a local benefit to protect the town from an unwanted stadium project. Next to the small town drama Hattie gets into a romantic dilemma where she finds herself in a love triangle between her teenage lover, Lee and the towns new guy, Fox. Even though some parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, the warmth of the community and the characters made up for it.
Overall, this is a warm, engaging read with a blend of community spirit and personal growth. Joy Callaway creates an inviting world where family legacies and romantic crossroads collide. If you like southern fiction and second chance romances you will definitely enjoy this book.
read it you like
- second chance romance
- small town romance
- love triangle
- hallmark movie vibes
Last but not least, thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC! All opinions are my own!
Overall, this is a warm, engaging read with a blend of community spirit and personal growth. Joy Callaway creates an inviting world where family legacies and romantic crossroads collide. If you like southern fiction and second chance romances you will definitely enjoy this book.
read it you like
- second chance romance
- small town romance
- love triangle
- hallmark movie vibes
Last but not least, thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC! All opinions are my own!
January 14, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up!
As a girl who has spent lots of time in South Carolina with my family over the years, Sing Me Home to Carolina immediately grabbed my attention. The title and beautiful sunset on the cover led me to read the synopsis of which only drew me in further.
Welcome to small town Mountain View, South Carolina. Hattie Norwood has returned to her hometown to help her parents after she moved to the big city to work as an event planner. Big builders are threatening to build a stadium for the Panthers in town and almost all the Mountain View residents are against it. Hattie must help the town and her parents who are at risk of losing their farm, which is no longer producing enough to make ends meet. Hattie plays a major role in planning and fundraising for Founder’s Day and she is one of the only people in town in favor of having the stadium built.
After just a few chapters, the author had hooked me on the future of Mountain View, Hattie’s love life, and Hattie’s parents. This is very small town; think Gilmore Girls meets Hart of Dixie. I loved the small town elements! There’s even someone who rides his horse into town! While home, Hattie also has to face her high-school ex, Lee, who returned to Mountain View after an injury ended his baseball career. Hattie ends up finding herself in a love triangle and I loved this plot line! I was a bit frustrated with how firmly Hattie was holding her opinion about the stadium when she wouldn’t even be living in Mountain View in the long term but I liked the turn of events at the end!
This was such a feel good read. There were some challenges and points of conflict throughout but I really enjoyed visiting the town of Mountain View, and I felt as though I was there with the characters, at their Friday night events in the barn. I loved the character Fox and how his story is uncovered in the second half of the book. I was really proud of Hattie for the journey she takes throughout the story, she has many decisions to make throughout related to her family, her career and her love life. I feel like the end she really finds her way and it was beautiful to travel along the journey with her. This was so wholesome and I loved reading it! The small town vibes were excellent. I enjoyed all of the side characters that were included as well because they helped paint a clearer picture of life in Mountain View. Initially I was worried about keeping them straight but I didn’t have to and they just added to the story!
Thank you to Alcove Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. @alcovepress @netgalley
As a girl who has spent lots of time in South Carolina with my family over the years, Sing Me Home to Carolina immediately grabbed my attention. The title and beautiful sunset on the cover led me to read the synopsis of which only drew me in further.
Welcome to small town Mountain View, South Carolina. Hattie Norwood has returned to her hometown to help her parents after she moved to the big city to work as an event planner. Big builders are threatening to build a stadium for the Panthers in town and almost all the Mountain View residents are against it. Hattie must help the town and her parents who are at risk of losing their farm, which is no longer producing enough to make ends meet. Hattie plays a major role in planning and fundraising for Founder’s Day and she is one of the only people in town in favor of having the stadium built.
After just a few chapters, the author had hooked me on the future of Mountain View, Hattie’s love life, and Hattie’s parents. This is very small town; think Gilmore Girls meets Hart of Dixie. I loved the small town elements! There’s even someone who rides his horse into town! While home, Hattie also has to face her high-school ex, Lee, who returned to Mountain View after an injury ended his baseball career. Hattie ends up finding herself in a love triangle and I loved this plot line! I was a bit frustrated with how firmly Hattie was holding her opinion about the stadium when she wouldn’t even be living in Mountain View in the long term but I liked the turn of events at the end!
This was such a feel good read. There were some challenges and points of conflict throughout but I really enjoyed visiting the town of Mountain View, and I felt as though I was there with the characters, at their Friday night events in the barn. I loved the character Fox and how his story is uncovered in the second half of the book. I was really proud of Hattie for the journey she takes throughout the story, she has many decisions to make throughout related to her family, her career and her love life. I feel like the end she really finds her way and it was beautiful to travel along the journey with her. This was so wholesome and I loved reading it! The small town vibes were excellent. I enjoyed all of the side characters that were included as well because they helped paint a clearer picture of life in Mountain View. Initially I was worried about keeping them straight but I didn’t have to and they just added to the story!
Thank you to Alcove Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. @alcovepress @netgalley
September 29, 2024
Sing Me Home to Carolina
By: Joy Callaway
Pub date: June 10, 2025
Publisher: Alcove Press
5 🏠🏠🏠🏠🏠
I have loved all of Callaway’s books, BUT this is my favorite.
Hattie comes back to Mountain View, SC to help her parents. She works in the city but is taking time to help in her hometown. She runs into an old flame who broke her heart years ago.
The town gets some news which divides the town. Their little town is being scouted to build a new Carolina Panthers stadium which puts landowners businesses and/or livelihood in jeopardy.
Along with Hattie’s old flame Lee she meets another guy, Fox who owns the hardware store. Hattie finds herself drawn to both for different reasons.
I loved how the town helped each other out when her family needed help. Hattie’s parent’s barn becomes another storyline which brings people together.
An absolutely charming southern novel which would make a perfect Hallmark movie. Callaway’s novels always take me away. I read this in one sitting.
Thank you Alcove Press for the gifted e-ARC.
By: Joy Callaway
Pub date: June 10, 2025
Publisher: Alcove Press
5 🏠🏠🏠🏠🏠
I have loved all of Callaway’s books, BUT this is my favorite.
Hattie comes back to Mountain View, SC to help her parents. She works in the city but is taking time to help in her hometown. She runs into an old flame who broke her heart years ago.
The town gets some news which divides the town. Their little town is being scouted to build a new Carolina Panthers stadium which puts landowners businesses and/or livelihood in jeopardy.
Along with Hattie’s old flame Lee she meets another guy, Fox who owns the hardware store. Hattie finds herself drawn to both for different reasons.
I loved how the town helped each other out when her family needed help. Hattie’s parent’s barn becomes another storyline which brings people together.
An absolutely charming southern novel which would make a perfect Hallmark movie. Callaway’s novels always take me away. I read this in one sitting.
Thank you Alcove Press for the gifted e-ARC.
November 1, 2024
Just a sweet wonderful book. This book is about Hattie who has run from her hometown of Mountain View SC seeking new adventure. Like most kids graduating high school any place is more exciting than a small podunk farming town. But after reaching success in event planning she gets a call to come home for an emergency. The Carolina Panthers are looking for a new place to build a stadium and Mountain View is at the top of the list. Problem is nobody in the small town wants it to happen. Hattie thinks a new stadium is just the thing for the dying town. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Hattie has to stay in Mountain View longer than she planned. Will she change her mind and help the town or stick to her guns? This was a great little detour from my usual diet of thrillers. Loved it.
May 26, 2025
I was very excited to read Sing Me Home to Carolina as a current North Carolinian. Unfortunately, I am rating this a one-star.
Things I Liked:
* All of the callouts of familiar NC and SC towns and cities
* The premise of a new NFL stadium being built in a crumbling small town and bringing a possible revival
Things I Didn't Like:
* Hattie's back-and-forth romances. I could NOT believe she accepted Lee's proposal on-camera to save face, then immediately broke up with him. Despicable.
* The first 30% of the book really emphasized the possibility of a stadium and what it would do for the town and it felt like that was completely forgotten in the latter half of the book
* The romance aspect didn't blend well with the other components of the story
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy. Sing Me Home to Carolina hits shelves on June 10, 2025.
Things I Liked:
* All of the callouts of familiar NC and SC towns and cities
* The premise of a new NFL stadium being built in a crumbling small town and bringing a possible revival
Things I Didn't Like:
* Hattie's back-and-forth romances. I could NOT believe she accepted Lee's proposal on-camera to save face, then immediately broke up with him. Despicable.
* The first 30% of the book really emphasized the possibility of a stadium and what it would do for the town and it felt like that was completely forgotten in the latter half of the book
* The romance aspect didn't blend well with the other components of the story
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advanced copy. Sing Me Home to Carolina hits shelves on June 10, 2025.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
A small town romance with some town drama... absolutely brilliant read! Debating a rating between 4.5 - 5 stars but it is definitely an amazing and quick read!
The romance side of the plot was fabulous and left you questioning it till the very last minute. Really enjoyed the main plot of small town community and all the side characters involved. The main character has been very likeable and 'realistic' - no body is perfect afterall!
The pace of the book was steady with it being faster at times but I really enjoyed it and the tone that it has set.
Overall, a brilliant read which I will definitely recommend to others!
The romance side of the plot was fabulous and left you questioning it till the very last minute. Really enjoyed the main plot of small town community and all the side characters involved. The main character has been very likeable and 'realistic' - no body is perfect afterall!
The pace of the book was steady with it being faster at times but I really enjoyed it and the tone that it has set.
Overall, a brilliant read which I will definitely recommend to others!
October 17, 2024
Had to DNF, I couldn’t get through the first few chapters. Wasn’t a fan of the writing style 😭
January 26, 2025
This heartwarming, small-town, closed-door romance will feel instantly familiar to readers. With beautiful descriptions and endless music references, the author masterfully brings to life a town filled with quirky, loyal, and lovable characters that will have you laughing and crying. Those who know small-town life will feel right at home, while others will long for the charm of a stroll down Main Street, barn dances, a hardware store stocked with everything you’d ever need, and neighbors who serve up casseroles alongside tough love and quirky, hilarious shenanigans.
Hattie returns to her hometown Mountain View, SC, from her current life in Charlotte, only to face ostracism for her differing views on the town’s soon to be forced growth. Things get even more complicated when the one man she’s never gotten over comes back to town, retired from baseball and with a guitar in hand. As Hattie battles the town’s resistance to building a stadium that would lead to lost farms and major changes, she also wrestles with her own fear of change and forgiveness.
This sweet love story is as much about falling in love with a place as it is about finding unexpected romance. Who doesn’t enjoy a love triangle? . The story is rich with nostalgia and country music, family, history and celebration of the discovery that the path you’ve been on might not be the one that you’re meant to follow.
Every small town should have a barn venue, like the one created to help save Hattie’s parent’s farm, for Friday night parties and live music.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Hattie returns to her hometown Mountain View, SC, from her current life in Charlotte, only to face ostracism for her differing views on the town’s soon to be forced growth. Things get even more complicated when the one man she’s never gotten over comes back to town, retired from baseball and with a guitar in hand. As Hattie battles the town’s resistance to building a stadium that would lead to lost farms and major changes, she also wrestles with her own fear of change and forgiveness.
This sweet love story is as much about falling in love with a place as it is about finding unexpected romance. Who doesn’t enjoy a love triangle? . The story is rich with nostalgia and country music, family, history and celebration of the discovery that the path you’ve been on might not be the one that you’re meant to follow.
Every small town should have a barn venue, like the one created to help save Hattie’s parent’s farm, for Friday night parties and live music.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
January 28, 2025
Sweet, small town southern romance set in Mountain View, SC. Hattie is in town visiting her parents over the weekend (commuted in from Charlotte, NC) where she runs into her first love Lee for the first time in years. The town is in trouble and a NFL stadium is looking to build there. Hattie works for an event planner and thinks that her families barn would be a great event place after the only other venue shut down because they didn’t like music or dancing (very much giving Footloose) and her parents agree. With the help of newcomer Fox the barn is transformed into an event space suitable for everyone. Hattie and Lee get close again but Hattie also gets close to Fox, semi love triangle? Who will she end up with? What will happen to the town? Who is hiding something? And you have to read about the hilarious redneck wedding. Rounded up from 3.5 stars thank you Netgalley and Joy Callaway for the earc in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2025
It started off a tad cheesy. Suuuper small town. Like I can't relate it's so small. I wasn't sure if I would like it or want to keep reading. I have to say it grew on me quickly and I'm glad I kept going. I started getting into the quirky town characters and story. And I feel like it's always good if I'm left wanting a sequel with more of the characters and story...like a vacation I don't want to leave. I love a book with character growth and I feel this book had some nice moments there. I would have like to see more from Hattie other than just managing the chaos around her. But hey sometimes that all you can do in life...ride the wave. This wasn't a 5 star read but a solid 3.5-4. Just an enjoyable book to read!
A big thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Mark your calendars....Available June 10, 2025!!
#SingMeHometoCarolina #NetGalley
A big thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Mark your calendars....Available June 10, 2025!!
#SingMeHometoCarolina #NetGalley
January 24, 2025
Hattie, a small town girl, turned into a big city business woman, or so she thought! She is a successful event planner who thought she was just going back home to help her parents for a few days, until she realizies how much the town is going through.
She too is faced with a problem of her own. An old flame, Lee Lockhardt was back in town after his MLB career came to an end. Just as Hattie thought ahe had everything figured out, the mysterious hunk and now owner of Fox's Hardware, agrees to help her fix up her family's barn to give her parents something to keep going after they get the news that their peanut farm is infertile.
This small town romance will have you asking are you be Team Lee or Team Fox?!
I was chosen to read this ARC from Netgalley. They author has a great writing style that made it hard to put the book down!
She too is faced with a problem of her own. An old flame, Lee Lockhardt was back in town after his MLB career came to an end. Just as Hattie thought ahe had everything figured out, the mysterious hunk and now owner of Fox's Hardware, agrees to help her fix up her family's barn to give her parents something to keep going after they get the news that their peanut farm is infertile.
This small town romance will have you asking are you be Team Lee or Team Fox?!
I was chosen to read this ARC from Netgalley. They author has a great writing style that made it hard to put the book down!
August 22, 2025
I haven't read a book this cringy in a long time. Do yourself a favor and skip it.
December 28, 2024
Hattie Norwood grew up in the small town of Mountain View, South Carolina, but after her high school sweetheart broke her heart, she left it behind for college and a career in the city. She returns to her hometown upon news that her parents’ peanut farm is infertile and that the town may be bought out by the Carolina Panthers to build a new stadium. Hattie is reunited with her former love, Lee, and they work to start up a new business on her parents’ farm to keep the family afloat and the town’s legacy alive. While rekindling their relationship is everything she thought she wanted, the new store owner in town, Fox, makes Hattie have second thoughts.
I’m always down for a small town romance, and Mountain View has everything I love: quirky characters, a tight knit community, and a swoon-worthy male love interest. This is a closed-door romance, so if you’re looking for spice, this isn’t for you. Hattie was infuriating at times because the plot revolves around her being wishy-washy, but I enjoyed both Lee’s and Fox’s characters (even though I thought Hattie’s and Lee’s obsession with each other after a decade was a little insane). I also enjoyed the bigger plot about the possible Panthers stadium and the Norwood’s venture into hosting events on their farm. There was a lot going on at times, so not every character or subplot received enough attention in my opinion, but I really enjoyed this overall. Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Joy Callaway for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I’m always down for a small town romance, and Mountain View has everything I love: quirky characters, a tight knit community, and a swoon-worthy male love interest. This is a closed-door romance, so if you’re looking for spice, this isn’t for you. Hattie was infuriating at times because the plot revolves around her being wishy-washy, but I enjoyed both Lee’s and Fox’s characters (even though I thought Hattie’s and Lee’s obsession with each other after a decade was a little insane). I also enjoyed the bigger plot about the possible Panthers stadium and the Norwood’s venture into hosting events on their farm. There was a lot going on at times, so not every character or subplot received enough attention in my opinion, but I really enjoyed this overall. Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Joy Callaway for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 13, 2025
This novel follows Hattie, an event planner who returns home to help her parents with their failing farm, only to be recruited into helping the small town plan a Founder’s Day that will help prevent the opening of an NFL stadium on their land, despite believing that this business is just what Mountain View needs to revitalize their fading town. While back in town she finds herself unable to avoid running into her high school ex-boyfriend returning home from a career ending injury from the MLB and spending time with a curious new business owner in town who has quickly become a part of the community and agrees to help her with the Founder’s Day preparations.
Beginning this story, I had to adjust to the authors writing style. The town and its festivities do remind you a bit of Stars Hollow at times with quirky characters sprinkled throughout from the mullets, to the WeinerMobile, to the Mother Goose figurine decordated lawn…
I struggled a bit with the main character. At times, Hattie was resolute in her opinions without much cause to be, while at other times she allowed herself to be won over by pretty words, disregarding what people’s actions and history showed her, without much thought. During times when I felt a daughter who loved her family as well as her job away in the city should have shown the struggle to choose between the two, I found instead when the two began to pull her in different directions, that she felt as though her family was an inconvenience and her job checked her boxes rather than provided her satisfaction. I did not find Hattie to be a compelling character and felt her character development was superficial at best.
As for the romance, Hattie spends the majority of the book resisting one man in town, only to peruse something with him despite the red flags, then chooses the other man in the end with whom I felt there was no romantic build up to choosing.
—
🎤Single POV
⚾️Small town romance
🎤Long triangle
—
Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚
Publishers release date 6/10/2025
Beginning this story, I had to adjust to the authors writing style. The town and its festivities do remind you a bit of Stars Hollow at times with quirky characters sprinkled throughout from the mullets, to the WeinerMobile, to the Mother Goose figurine decordated lawn…
I struggled a bit with the main character. At times, Hattie was resolute in her opinions without much cause to be, while at other times she allowed herself to be won over by pretty words, disregarding what people’s actions and history showed her, without much thought. During times when I felt a daughter who loved her family as well as her job away in the city should have shown the struggle to choose between the two, I found instead when the two began to pull her in different directions, that she felt as though her family was an inconvenience and her job checked her boxes rather than provided her satisfaction. I did not find Hattie to be a compelling character and felt her character development was superficial at best.
As for the romance, Hattie spends the majority of the book resisting one man in town, only to peruse something with him despite the red flags, then chooses the other man in the end with whom I felt there was no romantic build up to choosing.
—
🎤Single POV
⚾️Small town romance
🎤Long triangle
—
Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚
Publishers release date 6/10/2025
November 18, 2024
I was excited for this book. I’m a big fan of Hart of Dixie and Sweet Magnolias and enjoy those stories. I can definitley see the connection in this book. However, I think this was a miss. The set up and premise were good: small town fighting against new NFL stadium taking farms and local gal back from big city job gets stuck hosting events protesting the build AND reconnects with first love. I had a couple of issues. First, I didn’t like Hattie. She didn’t really have a redemption arc and just went with things while complaining. Second, the love story didn’t work. 90% of the story was about how much she loves one of the guys, and then flips. There was not much romantic build up for the other guy and it felt out of place in the story. I ended up wanting her to not have either, which isn’t great for a romance. I think this is a pass or at best, a library rental.
Thank you Alcove Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Alcove Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 25, 2024
Hattie, a big city event planner, is set to be made a partner in her company when she is called home to help her parents deal with the devastating news about their farm. once there she realizes that her small town is dying without new business coming in. A football stadium is planned to be built there, but the rest of the town is against it because it will change their town too much. This creates tension between Hattie and the rest of her community. On top of this framework, her old boyfriend, a former Baseball legion, has returned along with a new comer, mysterious Fox. Hence a love triangle is set up. How will Hattie navigate all of these?
This is a fun, light read full of warmth set in a small country side small community.
I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher and author for the complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a fun, light read full of warmth set in a small country side small community.
I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher and author for the complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 27, 2024
This is not your average small-town romance. Our FMC, Hattie, is at a crossroads, pulled between the demands of her career and the needs of her family and the community in which she was raised. The family farm is failing, the town she loves is dying, and her high school sweetheart is back in town, causing her to feel all kinds of ways. Add in the hunky hardware store owner with a mysterious past and a heart of gold, and we've got ourselves a love triangle. The quirky cast of characters adds charm--think Gilmore Girls, set in a town that has been neglected for far too long. Hattie's struggles feel all too real as her carefully constructed world falls apart, and the themes of abandonment, betrayal, and forgiveness come to a head. Fans of small-town country romance will not be disappointed.
October 14, 2024
This was my first Joy Callaway read (thank you NetGalley). And I was not disappointed. I love a sweet small town romance. But often times they can feel so similar to other stories. However, I thoroughly enjoyed “Sing Me Home to Carolina.” I genuinely loved all the characters and felt invested in their stories and their town of Mountain View. I was cheering for Hattie even when I had no idea what she would do next. I honestly could not put the book down. Was it earth shattering in the small town romance genre? No. But it was definitely one of my favorites of this year. It had more twists than most. And I truly just enjoyed the characters and could not put the book down.
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