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.

3.5 stars

I received Sing Me Home to Carolina as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This charming small-town love story has a delightful Hallmark movie vibe.

However, I did have a few reservations. The story is told from a single perspective, which limited my connection to the characters. It also felt quite slow at times, and I think it could have benefited from tighter editing; there were moments where the detailed descriptions slowed the pace.

Despite these issues, I genuinely enjoyed this sweet tale. It’s perfect for fans of cozy, small-town romances!

Hattie comes home to help her parents with their farm after her dad has a heart issue. The whole town is failing, and the state wants to build a football stadium in their town. Her high school boyfriend Lee is back in town and her feelings are conflicted. Enter the charming owner of the hardware store and it gets more confusing. When Lee goes to Nashville to record and tour, Hattie is sure that breaking up is for the best. Not only are they going to build the stadium, but it will also take her parent's land. A lot happens and as would be expected the small-town folks rally to try and save the town. This book captures small town life and family. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

“Sing Me Home to Carolina” is a contemporary romance novel by Joy Callaway, marking her debut in this genre after previously writing historical dramas. The story centers around Hattie Norwood, an event planner who returns to her small hometown of Mountain View, South Carolina, to help her family as they face the potential loss of their peanut farm due to infertility issues.

As Hattie navigates these challenges and rekindles old romances amidst quirky characters and small-town dynamics, readers are drawn into a heartfelt exploration of love and community ties.

Fans of romantic tales set against charming backdrops will find themselves rooting for Hattie as she grapples with choices that could affect both her heart and her hometown.

What a wonderful love story. I do not want to tell you about the story, you can read the blurb, but a story of love and redemption and starting over. It was so beautifully written. I could see the barn in my minds eye. I loved this story. It made my heart happy. I look forward to additional stories by this author! Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book for my honest opinion.

Finally a really good story that kept me engaged and really enjoying the characters of this book. Could not put it down and loved the twists and turns to this story. Love story that was unexpected, town banding together to keep its feel, and a family that kept pushing on. Love love love.

This book is just about perfect - . a story of a dying small town, its residents and a couple of home town heroes. There is discussion about a sports stadium to be built in the area - one town really doesn't want it but they are one of town in the running. Petitions are signed, events planned all to prevent the state from taking over their farms. There is also a interesting love triangle in the picture. The culmination of all their efforts aren't entirely successful, however.....
This is such a fun boojk. It's a welcome and worthwhile addition to her catalog.

Small town, everyone knows everyone and all their history. Some want to escape, some never want to leave, some end up coming back and maybe getting a second chance at the one that got away. And everyone bands together to try to save the town from changing. Secrets abound, and maybe what you are looking for was there all along. Cute and engaging.

This was a very Hallmark-eque story with the small town all coming together against the big bad corporations. It was very cheesy in that sense, so if you can get past that, then the story itself gets better and is enjoyable. It was a bit predictable as all Hallmark type movies are. It was pretty good!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

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.

Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Callaway had me hooked from the first moment that Hattie sees her ex- boyfriend major league baseball star, Lee, singing in the hardware store being run by new to town and handsome and mysterious, Fox.

Sounds like a lot? Throw in a possible town buy out by an NFL team, trying to reconcile being back in your hometown helping your parents, confronting the feelings for the Fox, new feelings for both him and the hardware store guy, AND trying to keep your career going and fun secondary characters and you have this book.

I couldn't put it down and both empathized and wanted to shake Hattie. Both good things!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher fire this ARC? All views are my own.

Such a feel good, cozy book with an ending l absolutely adored! Joy nailed the charm of a quirky small town and I immediately fell in love with each and every character.

I was obsessed with Sweet Magnolias and Heart of Dixie, and this is both together, times ten. It was SO gosh darn good! I loved the darling story. The characters felt like friends, the setting felt like home, and the storyline pulled all the heartstrings. It was so beautifully written. Highly recommend! Can this be made into a show now please!?!

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.