Hope Falls Homecoming

Hope Falls #1

by Sally Clements

A small town romance set in a town people can’t wait to leave.


A decade ago, Claire fled Hope Falls, vowing never to return. 


Now, she’s dragged back for a will reading and compelled to stay for 30 days.


Claire’s drawn to enigmatic Jesse, owner of the Hope Falls Inn, and over the weeks, they tease and flirt while working together to spend twenty-five million dollars to benefit the town.


But when the flirting ignites into more and hidden secrets come to light, can Jesse persuade Claire to give Hope Falls a second chance and stay?

Genres: Romance

248 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2025

About the author

I write romance from sweet to steamy, and I'm a hybrid author: both traditionally published and indie.

MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Clements...

MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.facebook.com/SallyClement...

MY WEBSITE IS HERE
http://sallyclements.com/

MY TWITTER IS HERE
https://twitter.com/sallywriter

My Books:
SWEET SERIES:

Reviews

[Bepis.・✫・゜・。. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley! 🥹

This book is perfect for anyone wanting a short, cute romance to bury your nose into! I loved Claire as a character, and immediately fell in love with Jesse!

I struggled to put this book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and if things were going to work out.

It can be a little awkward to read in some places, especially when Jack was being called Paul??? Or was I misunderstanding?

Overall, it’s a very sweet book and a quick read!

⭐️ 4/5

[Janie Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished Hope Falls Homecoming and I enjoyed reading it! It’s a cozy, small-town romance with fall vibes 🍂 A woman returns to her nearly-abandoned hometown and helps revive it — and of course, meets a handsome guy along the way.

It’s an easy, fast-paced read with simple writing — great for beginners or anyone looking for something light.

What I loved most was that it wasn’t just about the romance. The book did a great job of bringing the whole town to life. I really liked getting to know the different side characters and seeing all the friendships grow. Also, the main characters are in their 30s (like me), which made them feel way more relatable — some of them had kids, real-life problems, and it just felt more grounded.

Spice level? I’d say “the door is slightly open and I’m peeking in” 😂. Nothing super steamy, but there are a few moments that will make you blush a bit.

Overall, I had a good time reading this. It's not super deep or literary, but it was sweet, hopeful, and left me smiling. If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming small-town romance with autumn vibes, definitely give it a go! 🍂

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book one in the Hope Falls Series and it was a cute, short read. I felt like the pacing could have flowed a little smoother, but overall it was an enjoyable story.

Claire only returns to her hometown for the reading of a will, planning to leave again as quickly as possible. Instead, she and a group of unlikely companions are asked to stay in town for a month to give away millions to benefit the community. Wanting to honor this last request, she agrees and sets out to help the town.

Jesse, the local inn owner, is shocked when Claire walks back into his life. He has carried feelings for her for years, but she has no memory of him from their past. As they work together, Jesse’s emotions resurface, and eventually, he can no longer keep them hidden.

I enjoyed how their romance grew naturally and how both characters could finally be their true selves. The small town setting gave such a cozy vibe, and I loved that this story was not just about their love but also about saving the town. Watching everyone come together to prove their selflessness made this even more heartwarming.

If you enjoy small town romances with depth, second chances, and community spirit, this is one to pick up. I am already looking forward to book two in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

Claire Caulfield regresa a Hope Falls, el pequeño pueblo del que huyó hace diez años, solo para cumplir con la lectura del testamento de un anciano local, Slim Cooper. Pero lo que pensaba sería una visita breve, se complica cuando descubre que Slim dejó una herencia millonaria... destinada a revivir el pueblo, siempre y cuando Claire y otros cinco extraños, incluyendo a un actor famoso, una abogada local y una joven problemática, trabajen juntos durante un mes para distribuir los fondos. Claire no quiere quedarse, ni tampoco enfrentarse a su pasado, pero las circunstancias y un inesperado reencuentro con Jesse Walker, el nuevo dueño de la posada local podrían cambiarlo todo.

Entre decisiones difíciles, segundas oportunidades, y una comunidad que parece más rota que viva, Claire tendrá que decidir si su hogar realmente quedó atrás… o si siempre estuvo en Hope Falls.


---

Tengo una queja: ¿cómo es posible que todo el pueblo supiera que el padre de Claire la maltrataba y nadie hiciera nada (excepto Jesse) para ayudarla?


Tengo mucha curiosidad por la historia de Maren y Scott, ¿qué fue lo que paso para que se divorciaran?

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Hope Falls Series by Sally Clements, and it was a sweet, quick read.
Claire returns to her hometown with no intention of staying—she’s only there for the reading of a will. However, her plans change when she and a group of unexpected companions are asked to remain in town for a month to distribute millions of dollars for the good of the community. Wanting to honor this unique final request, Claire agrees and sets out to help the town she once left behind. Jesse, the local inn owner, is stunned to see Claire again. He’s harbored feelings for her for years, but she doesn’t even remember him from their shared past. As they spend time together, working toward a common goal, Jesse’s emotions come to the surface, and he can no longer keep them to himself. The cozy small-town setting added warmth and charm, and I loved that the story was about more than just their relationship—it was about community, second chances, and selflessness. Seeing everyone come together to support one another made this a truly heartwarming read. If you love small-town romances with a focus on community, second chances, and emotional depth, this one is worth picking up. I’m already excited to see what’s next in book two!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Holly McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Falls Homecoming was such a wonderful read — warm, cozy, and filled with just the right mix of heart, humor, and second-chance romance. I fell in love with the setting, the quirky "posse," and most of all, the slow-burn connection between Claire and Jesse.

Claire's return to Hope Falls felt genuine, and I loved watching her navigate the emotional pull of a town she once couldn't wait to leave. Jesse was such a gentle, lovable character, and the chemistry between them had a soft, steady build that felt real and deeply satisfying. The hidden secret from their past added just enough tension without taking away from the feel-good vibe of the story.

The idea of a group of strangers tasked with spending a fortune to help a struggling town was both fun and meaningful, and the whole book had that comforting, small-town heart that makes you want to move there yourself. Plus her ex reminds me that men can also be dramatic.

The softness of the romance, the found-family dynamic of the posse, and the emotional growth of both leads made this such a satisfying read. I’m already excited for the next book in the Hope Falls series — I can’t wait to revisit this town and see where the story goes next!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this. The premise intrigued me, hence requesting it from Netgalley: a small town that's not a heartwarming haven from the big city but is actually dying, and the coming together of a disparate group to try and save it. Also interesting were the two main characters, both back in their home town out of necessity rather than choice and harbouring secrets which they're not willing to share. However, the plot descended into something chaotic: far too much going on, including a couple of sub-plots that were hinted at and then abruptly forgotten. Overall this is a book in desperate need of some serious editing, not just for the aforementioned plot tangles, but for general continuity. When a side character is named Paul 60% of the time and Jack the other 40% (and the oscillation frequently happens on the same page), it's near-impossible to ignore and that was just one of several issues. I'm kind of surprised by this, as this clearly isn't a first-time author - but unfortunately this is my first and last time reading her.
Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy; all opinions are my own.

[bluevioletbb · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 – It Was Okay, a Typical Fast Romance Binge

Hope Falls: Homecoming was a decent, easy read—perfect for when you're in the mood for something light and familiar. The storyline follows the usual small-town romance formula: returning home, rekindled sparks, and emotional baggage conveniently resolved just in time for a happy ending.

The chemistry between the leads was there, but the relationship moved quickly (maybe too quickly), which made some of the emotional beats feel a bit rushed even though they technically knew each other a decade ago (well, kinda). The characters were likable enough, though not particularly memorable. Still, the setting of Hope Falls was cozy and well-drawn, which added charm to an otherwise predictable plot. I love the lake house!

It’s not breaking any new ground, but if you enjoy fast-paced romances that wrap up neatly, this one fits the bill. Just don’t expect anything too deep or surprising. Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the e-arc. This is my honest opinion on Hope Falls: Homecoming.

#HopeFallsHomecomingAbacktoasmalltownromanticcomedy #netgalley

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartfelt small-town romance about second chances, healing, and finding home where you least expect it.

Hope Falls is just the kind of town everyone dreams of escaping, but the author does a great job showing how even the most complicated places can hold unexpected beauty—and maybe even love.

Claire is such a relatable heroine. You can feel her reluctance to come back home and face the ghosts of her past, but also her growing connection to the town she once couldn’t wait to leave. Jesse is totally swoon-worthy. He’s got that quiet, steady charm that makes you root for him right away. Their banter and chemistry feel natural, and watching it deepen into something real was so satisfying.

The “must stay for 30 days” premise and the twist of having to spend twenty-five million dollars together made for a fun setup, but the story also has emotional depth—grief, forgiveness, and rediscovering what matters.

If you love second-chance romances with small-town charm, heartfelt emotion, and just the right amount of slow-burn chemistry, this one’s worth picking up.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Aarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this one. The premise hooked me right away — a small town that isn’t the usual cozy, postcard-perfect escape from the city, but one that’s actually falling apart, with an unlikely group banding together to save it. I also liked the setup of the two main characters, both returning home out of necessity rather than choice, each guarding secrets they have no intention of sharing.

But the execution just didn���t work for me. The plot felt scattered, with too many threads competing for attention, and several subplots teased only to vanish without resolution. It also could’ve used some serious editing, both for pacing and continuity. When a side character is called Paul in some scenes and Jack in others — sometimes on the same page — it’s hard not to notice, and that was just one of several distracting slip-ups.

This isn’t a debut, which made the lack of polish even more surprising. Sadly, this will probably be my first and last book from this author.

[Marie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book expecting a nice cozy second chance romance. What I got is so much more. This story has depth, meaning and just a hint of spice.

There is a theme throughout the book that the way a person projects themselves to the outside world may only be part of who they are, a shield to keep people away, or a persona others have crafted for them.

It is also about what going home again can mean. The good, the bad and the ugly. This is such a great book and I wish I could say more but that would include spoilers.

I definitely recommend this book both for fans of a cozy love story and those looking for something with depth. This one gives you both. I would like to thank BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Falls Homecoming was such an original story filled with good vibes, love, second chances, and small-town goodness. The characters are all lovely and come together in their time of need when most people would be too selfish to do so.
The book brings light to domestic violence, but does so in the right ways that is uplifting and comforting. The MFC was abused by her father and she comes into town despite the fear and ends up finding more happiness than she ever thought possible. The MMC hides behind a mask of being someone he's not to stay out of the shadow of his own father. Both come together and find comfort in each other in the best of ways.

The rest of the cast comes together too, to help build the town back to its former glory. It's a beautifully written story with lots of hope. I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Espen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked it up for the romance but stayed for the cosy small town vibes and the plot.

The storyline of all these different people getting thrown together to kinda restore the town really intrigued me from the start. And I enjoyed it throughout the book. I just wished that we would have seen more of all the people like Faye, Scott, and Maren. Also, the actual process of planning which project will get how much money is a bit lacking, in my opinion.

Jesse and Claire are both amazing main characters, and they are cute together they just never won me over. I didn't really feel the sparks while reading about them.

I really loved the friendships in this book, tho. Especially between Jesse and Hailey. These two are just so supportive of each other. I'm already very excited to read about Hailey and Adam, and since both books are on ku, I'll be picking up the next book soon.

[Ashley Bidon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Falls Homecoming was a cute read that had elements of found family, small town romance, and throwback vibes.

Claire is back in town for a will reading while Jesse is running the only inn in Hope Falls with his half sister. While Jesse has a memory of Claire, Claire has no idea where she knew Jesse from and doesn’t recognize him.

The will reading and subsequent actions needed keep a group, the posse, in town and Jesse has a chance to make Claire notice him and convince her to stay in Hope Falls. I loved this book for giving me all of the cute feelings of a second-chance romance in a small town.

This was an overall 3.5/4 ⭐️ read which was obviously rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for this arc and Sally Clements for allowing me to share my opinion on it!

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram

This was a cute, small town romance. I liked the idea of the inheritance left to rebuild the town, but I felt the pacing was off and could have more with that. I felt the end was rushed. Also, Jesse being a secret successful painter didn’t really mix well with the story line for me. I also didn’t feel the chemistry between the FMC & MMC.

‎‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

⤷ Small Town Romance
⤷ Second Chance (kinda)
⤷ He Falls First
⤷ Inheritance to Rebuild Town


Thank you NetGalley for ARC.

[Joanne Hazeldine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything I wanted from a small town, slow burn romance. The characters were relatable and likeable and I genuinely loved all the side characters as well. The plot was clever, I enjoyed watching the FMC fall back in love with the town she abandoned, even though she was forced to stay there, and, who wouldn’t want a mmc who has Clark Kent vulnerability in a Jack Reacher body.

All in all a great read. So much so, I’ve already started book 2 in the series.

#HopeFallsHomecomingAbacktoasmalltownromanticcomedy #NetGalley

[Naes.bookcorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book,
The first time I read this book I found it slightly difficult to read but I gave it another shot and actually enjoyed it
It's an easy, fast-paced read with simple writing - great for beginners or anyone looking for something light.
The book wasn’t just about the romance, we got to learn and read about the town and the characters within the book and the different friends grow.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
This book unfortunately did not hit for me. I went into it partially blind which was more of my fault for not knowing what was coming up. However, I could not handle the way they were called the "posse" it was very cringe unfortunately. Also, I know it was meant to be cringe but it was just too much for me personally. Also, I felt like the plot was kind of all over the place and I wasn't able to stay up to date the whole book.

[Adelina Lidén · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and easy read! It was a fun plot, likeable charachters, a littlie bit of spice and a little bit of angst. I really enjoyed it!⭐️

(the only thing that had me confused was Jack/Paul... the usage of the characters name was inconsistent and made me confused🫣)

[Shayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was cute, though I don't feel like the pacing was great. It didn't feel like it flowed well. I also felt like a lot of relationships/connections were immediate and didn't make a lot of sense.

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by this author so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I really liked the characters, well most of them, and I liked the general story line itself...this felt like it might be an episode of Gilmore Girls, which automatically made it feel like family in a way...Everything happens in a small town and people are there for the reading of a will. Surprise surprise, this guy had a ton of money and he wants to leave it to the town...for sprucing up and bringing businesses back and maybe starting new ones. The deal is that everyone has to work together and everyone has to agree on what they want to spend the money on or it will go elsewhere. I liked the sense of community this mission brings and I liked getting to know everyone. I would recommend it to anyone that likes slow burning love stories and small town communities.

[D’Ho]

A convergence of angst and spice, this story brings intrigue and mystery to small town homecoming. A moody read perfect for curling up with a blanket and this book.

[Sophie Needham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable characters, cosy vibes, and a heartwarming small-town romance — Hope Falls Homecoming by Sally Clements is the perfect feel-good read!

[Julia Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope Falls homecoming is a nice romance to read in the evenings before bed. It was good. Not great. Definitely could have flowed a lot better.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that the story was about more than just Jesse and Claire's relationship. Seeing everyone come together to support one another made this a very heartwarming read.

[Danielle Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise had strong potential, and I enjoyed watching the town come together to rebuild. While the love story between Claire and Jesse was charming and heartfelt, the overall story development felt a bit underwhelming. Some side characters were introduced with promising backstories, but they didn’t fully tie into the main plot. Still, this was a sweet and thought-provoking read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.