The Echo of Home

by Maribelle McCrea

Some loves never fade. Some hearts never forget.In 2008, Callie Aiken and Leland McDonald’s love bloomed under Georgia State’s pines—until heartbreak tore them apart. In 2025, Callie, now an Atlanta nurse, buries her past in her hospital’s chaos. When Leland, a builder with secrets, returns for her hospital’s expansion, their spark reignites. But a scandal threatens Callie’s career, and Leland’s hidden pain could break them again. Can their love heal a decade of wounds?

A dual-timeline Southern romance of second chances.

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2025

Reviews

[Camille Dayton Fostering.literacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book was wonderful! Maribelle McCrea is launching a new series and this is the first book there. This book has romance, mystery, lots of love, a second chance, and southern charm wrapped. It also has some complicated family dynamics and two young adults who are willing to give their love another shot.

What’s even better is that the romance here is completely clean. I would give this to my teenage daughter (if I had one!) to read and not worry about the content at all. Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books don’t just tell a story—they feel like something you’ve lived through. The Echo of Home is one of those.

This is a beautifully written, deeply emotional second-chance romance that follows Callie, a trauma nurse in Atlanta, and Leland, the boy she never stopped loving. When life brings them back together—older, wiser, and more wounded—the connection is still there, as powerful as ever.

What I loved most is how real it all felt. The quiet ache between them. The stolen moments. The memories tucked into places like Piedmont Park and college nights under the Georgia sky. The story doesn’t shy away from pain or complications, but it leans into them with grace and honesty.

There’s scandal. There’s heartbreak. But there’s also hope—and the reminder that some loves really do echo through time.

If you love emotional, Southern-set stories about second chances and characters who make you feel every page, this one belongs on your TBR.

[Maddiereads24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maribelle never disappoints with her writing style. She always draws you in from the first chapter! Callie and Leland are swoon worthy! They thought their love was over but life brought them back together and it’s stronger than ever between them. There’s two timelines in this book and I loved every second of it. You don’t just read this book you feel this book. Having my own roots tied to Georgia it speaks to me. This book pulled at my heart. It’s a clean romance that has hope for the future as well as being scared of heartbreak and even mystery! So what I’m truly saying is it has it all! Do yourself a favor and read it! Once you start it you won’t be able to stop it!

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute small town romance story and I absolutely loved it 😍 I loved the characters the story lines the way it was written was so beautifully executed I can’t wait for book 2

[Deborah Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great love story that stood the test of time. The love that Leland and Callie share is one that is felt through the story. It bounces between past and present but it gives you their full story. If you are looking for a cozy love story, this is right for you. Look forward to reading more.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turner- couldn’t put it down. Need to know more about Callie and Leland.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reunited
I loved this story set in a dual time line.
It sees us slipping from memories of the main characters from present day, 2025 back to 2008 / 2009.
We learn along the way some of Leland and Callie’s story from the time they met in College to now and the hardships and love that they felt over the years.
There is also an underlying mystery to be solved which clues are being divulged right up to the end.
This is a sweet clean story that had a few hurdles that the couple needed to overcome to find their happy ending.
But in saying that it does not end there as there is more to come for them.
Hoping that it will be all made clear in the next book of Leland and Callie’s story, which I’m looking forward to.
I received the audiobook and enjoyed the easy listening of the narrator, Lisa Quasada.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Maribelle McCrea, and this does not disappoint; this is book one in a brand new series. Callie Aiken, and Leland McDonald went to college together in Atlanta. The story goes back and forth between then 2008, and their current lives in 2025. Callie is a trauma nurse working both at Atlanta General and at The Willow Creek Clinic. Leland is an architect, and his construction company is working on Atlantic General's hospital expansion. The new hospital wing will take pressure off the hospital in general. When Callie and Leland see each other after years apart, it is strange. Can Callie be Leland's "Callie Girl" again, after all the good, the bad and the hard times? Is their love strong enough? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!

[Sami Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Echo of Home is a sweet romance with a cozy mystery subplot that draws you in. The dual timelines allow you to fall in love with the characters as they fall in love (and fall in love again). I loved the different storytelling methods used which helped to immerse the reader in the mystery (phone texts and letters to name a couple). Also, the sweet romance between Callie and Leland had me falling in love with their characters and wanting more of their story.

[Kitty Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be sucked in from the very beginning. This book is a dual timeline book with the occasional shift in reality. The writing style reminds me of Amy Proebstel’s. The story echoes back to the main characters college days and shifts between then and their current lives. There are a couple of mysteries involved that they work to solve, and the chemistry between Callie and Leland increases as the story progresses. But think clean and swoony, nothing inappropriate

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a real southern feel to this book. It jumps from the past to the present. I thought the book was just ok for me though as I didn't feel like I really connected to either characters and their relationship. The book was slow to get started too. 3.5 stars
.

[HP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Loved it!

[Kirstie Schollenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a romance book in MONTHS! I will say this one wasn't to bad and I am now already starting the second book of the series !