In this complex new World War I historical fiction novel, readers follow Broadway star Calla Connolly as she tries to cope with her fiance’s death during the war. Now touring the American training camps, Calla hopes to convince General Pershing to let her tour the French front to honor her late fiance, but contracting the Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene shuts down her plans. While recovering Calla overhears a sensitive army secret and is forced to remain at Camp Greene for the rest of the war while her former mentor and now rival steals her tour, but she tries to make the best of the situation by performing at Camp Greene until the secret she has to keep threatens the men she’s come to care for. Complex, fascinating, and intriguing, readers will love the depth of detail that Joy Callaway uses to bring this unique setting and historical time period to life in this brilliant and powerful story. The characters are the stars of the book -- both literally and figuratively -- and the characters’ relationships with each other really build out Camp Greene and their individual backstories. The drama and intrigue add some fun complexities to the book that readers will enjoy.

The story somewhat dragged for me, but the facts incorporated about the Great War were interesting. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I won’t be posting this review as it’s not the most favorable.

I do love historical fiction. This book drops you into a WWI military training facility in North Carolina. It humanizes the war.
I did not much care for the main character, Calla is a vaudeville starlet who is determined to entertain the troops on the front, but she gets furloughed at Camp Greene. She was kind of flighty and not terribly deep. This is not a comment about the author's abilities, I think that's just her character. She is an actor. I enjoyed the author's notes about who she sort of based her characters on. I love to Google the references to give myself an even better picture of what I"m reading.
The overuse of the word perish was a little off-putting, but I enjoyed the rest of the voyage this book provided.

This was a lovely book set during WW1 but not on the frontlines or in a combat zone. I have to say I wasn’t sure how this would work out when I read the book, but it did. The war still impacts every aspect of the character’s lives even though they are thousands of miles away from the fighting. Its part Romance, part war story, part emotional journey. The narrator of the audiobook, Brittany Pressley is perfect.

I didn’t find out until the end that the protagonist is partly based on a real person, which adds an even more interesting edge to the story. I’d recommend it generally but have to mention that there’s a sex scene between two unmarried people. This basically prevents it being counted as Christian Fiction, and makes it General Market.

Thanks to Harper Muse/HC Focus for approving me for this title. All opinions are entirely my own.

This historical fiction novel was an interesting viewpoint of the First World War - told through the main character, a singer/performer set on lifting the morale of the soldiers in training camps. I enjoyed the plot line as well as the historical bits of this novel.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

A great read for the summer time or anytime really. The characters were lovable and the writing fun to read.

An interesting account of what life may have been like during WWI in a training camp and friendships, but just not for me!

Broadway darling Calla Connolly had it all: a rising career on the stage and a loving fiancé, a fellow stage actor. But after his tragic death early in the war, Calla is touring the American training camps, hoping to convince General Pershing to let her tour the French front to cheer the men and honor her fiancé’s memory. But her hopes are dashed when she contracts Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene.

While convalescing, Calla inadvertently overhears a sensitive Army secret and is ordered to remain at Camp Greene for the duration of the war while her former mentor and rival steals her tour out from under her. Having no choice but to stay at the camp, she becomes the resident performer and forms attachments to several musician soldiers.

When she falls in love with the man responsible for trapping her at camp, the mission she’s sworn to keep secret threatens the men she’s come to care for. Calla is forced to decide what her dreams are worth—and if the future she never expected might only be possible if she lets those dreams go.

I loved the romance and history in this book! Joy has a way with words!

The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway was a wonderful read. The characters were complex and well-developed and the history was well-researched. Although the topics covered in the novel were intense (World War 1 and Spanish Flu), Joy Callaway did a fantastic job of injecting humor and showing the innocence and human side of the soldiers. The soldier's reactions to the superstar, Calla Connolly, in their midst were perfectly written. This would be a fantastic book for a book club discussion. It would also be a great beach/poolside read! Thank you to Joy Callaway, NetGalley, and Harper Collins Focus for the gifted eARC.

This book was fantastic. I was so engrossed at times that I even forgot that I was reading.

Overall, loved it. Seeing her create friendships. Watching her fall in love again. Watching her push to sing at the front, in memory of and for her fiancé who had passed. The story was both heartbreaking yet beautiful.

It was a well written story. I learned a lot about camps and the war in 1918 just by reading it, and really enjoyed the story. It kept me engaged and wanting to continue reading, but also helped me slow down. It was a great take on WWI that’s not really discussed often. And one I’m excited to share.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from @joywcal , @harpermusebooks and @uplitreads through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

I really enjoyed this book about a young woman determined to follow her dream despite the multiple hurdles placed in her way. There are so many books set around the time of WWII, but far fewer set during the time leading up to WWI, and that's one of the things that drew me to this one. Set mostly in Charlotte, NC in 1918, the story centers on Calla Connolly, a Broadway entertainer who's made it her mission to entertain the troops who are training to go to fight in Europe as the US prepares to join the war effort there. When her mission is derailed, first by the Spanish flu epidemic, then by the fact that she inadvertently hears some highly sensitive information regarding upcoming maneuvers, it becomes a story of Calla's making the best of one's current situation, all while trying to get her primary mission back on track. I enjoyed the story about flawed yet lovely characters, and as with her previous book, What the Mountains Remember, Callaway does a wonderful job of taking us to Western NC. Thoroughly enjoyed this read, and look forward to reading more by Joy Callaway.
Thanks to Netgalley & Harper Muse for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I love historical fiction, and this one was excellent! It offers a fresh perspective on WWI, highlighting women performers' vital role in the war effort. It's a captivating and immersive read, featuring war, grief, the Spanish flu epidemic, and a blossoming romance, with a truly unforgettable character in Calla Connolly.

Highly recommended for lovers of well told historical fiction, and stories of memorable and complex women.

Thank you NetGalley, Uplit Reads, Harper Muse & the author for the copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Broadway darling Calla Connolly sets out to boost morale among troops preparing to ship overseas, determined to honor her late fiancé Caspar through performance. But when the Spanish flu halts her tour at Camp Greene and a military secret keeps her grounded, Calla must pivot. Stranded and sidelined by a rival, she channels her grief into organizing performances with musically inclined soldiers at camp. Her passion, persistence, and romantic entanglement with a certain Colonel add heart to this wartime story.

I appreciated the unique lens on the war effort—through the arts rather than combat. The story offers a vibrant glimpse into the backstage world of wartime entertainment. That said, some of Calla’s choices, especially her obsession with getting to the front, felt extreme for someone supposedly in love. Still, fans of Broadway will find the lush performance scenes a highlight. The Star at Camp Greene is a bittersweet, song-filled look at love, sacrifice, and resilience during wartime.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Focus, and of course the author Joy Callaway for the advanced copy of the book. The Star of Camp Greene is out now. All opinions are my own.

Calla is a performer like no other! She seeks to boost the spirits of WWI American soldiers after the loss of her own soldier. She becomes trapped at Camp Greene in NC but she meets some great people especially Jesse.
I loved the 1917 setting because WWI is an important era that gets shoved aside in favor of WWII.
I was all for Col. Jesse but was very disappointed in something he did toward the end of the book. I was like really???
I also wish Calla would have pushed Lenor off the stage into the orchestra pit but Lenor made her own bed.
A rich read all around!

Thank you NetGalley, Uplit Reads, Harper Muse & the author for the arc!

Historical fiction lovers, here’s one for you with a fresh take on typical WWI novels!

Set in Charlotte, NC at Camp Greene & inspired by true events, this story focuses more on the boys at home & the weeks spent training before being called to duty on the frontlines overseas … along with the entertainers who tour the camps to help take their minds off of what is to come through their music & variety shows.

Our FMC, Calla, desperately wants to join the men on the frontlines abroad to bring hope, cheer & comfort to them through her music & performances … but circumstances keep her confined to American soil at Camp Greene under the careful watch of Colonel Jesse Erickson, her sworn enemy & captor … and it’s here that she unexpectedly finds friendship, family, romance & purpose.

From the very beginning I could see how much research went into this story, but instead of just throwing a bunch of facts at you … the author delivers a well paced & captivating meld of history & entertainment that had me rooting for the cast of characters as they experience life at an American training camp. OH! And be sure to catch the author’s note at the end, it’s so interesting!

What a charming, fresh and original tale! Joy Callaway has created a such a compelling character in Calla Connolly and such a propulsive story set primarily in a military camp in her beloved North Carolina in 1918, when the Spanish flu has become rampant and the USA has entered World War I. . Callaway transports the reader to lovely Camp Greene, explores realistic emotions of the soldiers in her midst, and describes the various musical performances with such knowledgeable detail that I swore I could hear the tunes as I read. Bravo!

Highly recommended for lovers of well researched historical fiction, stories of complex women well told, and lovers of books featuring music.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

Whenever I get a chance to read about The Great War I jump at the chance. This book did not disappoint. Filled with emotion of every kind. It kept me on my toes and had me reading every chance I had. Friendships, new loves, loves that were ripped away, and the ability to adjust to conditions you are forced into. I loved the characters and Joy Callaway dove deep to set the scenes to be historically accurate.

Singing that floats across the air. Costumes that glitter and sparkle in the lights. Jokes, and tumbling, Calla Connolly is a force to be reckoned with and has the ability to do every kind of performance. From the age of twelve she knew she was meant to be on the stage. At the age of 32, she has been dealt a nasty blow. She has lost the love of her life in France. The Great War is taking its toll and she wants to give back by giving the boys something to smile about. To forget where they are for even a moment. She needs to sing her final goodbye to her fiancé, Casper. The military is making her do a trail run, state side before they give the final okay for her to go to the front. When she is giving it her all at her show on Camp Greene, she starts to feel off, and faints. Calla comes to in the military hospital. She has the Spanish flu. While recuperating she overhears something sensitive and is made to stay at Camp Greene. Dashing her dreams of making it to France and leaves her questioning what she will do in the meantime.

This historical novel, set in 1918, is the story of Calla Connolly, a Broadway actress who is entertaining the troops during World War I. She catches the Spanish flu and ends up learning an important secret -- which keeps her sidelined in the camp.

I wanted to read The Star of Camp Greene because I love historical fiction. I am interested in the WWI time period, and have never read a book set at an American military camp during this time.

This was an engrossing read. Calla is a sympathetic protagonist, and the details of her life at Camp Greene were interesting. There is a slow building romance that was very appealing. I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the 1910's.

This was such a fresh take on historical fiction. This book was completely immersive and a great example of what historical fiction is at its best.

Joy Callaway is a new to me author, and I will definitely read her backlist! Impressive!

In 1918 Charlotte, North Carolina, Broadway star Calla Connolly is mourning the loss of her fiancé Casper and hoping to honor him by performing for troops in France. But her plans unravel when she contracts the Spanish flu at Camp Greene and, during her recovery in the infirmary, overhears a military secret. Ordered to remain at the camp, Calla loses her coveted tour to a rival and becomes the camp’s performer instead. As she bonds with the soldiers—especially the man who confined her there—Calla must choose between her past dreams and a future she never imagined, one that could cost everything if her secret gets out.

3 stars

Calla experienced an unfortunate turn of events and her plans to perform for various camps during the war were cut short due to her unintended interference with top ranking soldiers at Camp Greene. Between her battle with the flu, the loss of her fiancé and the feeling of being trapped at the camp while a competitor takes over her performance tour, Calla really has to shift gears and alter her expectations. Though well-written, I struggled through this story simple because of the pacing. It was quite slow for me and I had a hard time feeling that pull towards the storyline. It is a well-rated book on Goodreads, however, so I think I am in the minority!

Best for Readers Who Enjoy: Historical fiction, WWI stories, American history, strong female leads, wartime romance, themes of resilience and sacrifice