What a beautiful book! I loved how the author mixed world war 2, broadway, friendship, love, and grief so well together. Calla was such a wonderfully developed character. We got to know her on so many different levels as she navigated her life and the circumstances that kept her at Camp Greene. Thanks to netgalley and the author for the advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Joy Callaway’s The Star of Camp Greene transports listeners to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, where Broadway performer Calla Connolly is sidelined by the Spanish flu and unexpectedly grounded in a WWI training camp—turning her heartbreak into an inspiring mission of morale and community. Calla’s transformation from grief-stricken stage star to compassionate entertainer who builds meaningful bonds amidst adversity is both beautifully nuanced and emotionally resonant. The audiobook’s narration by Brittany Pressley has been widely praised for its ability to capture the tender warmth, resilience, and subtle romance of the story, bringing Calla’s journey to vivid life. Rooted in meticulous research, the novel offers a unique and immersive perspective on the American home front during WWI—underscoring the often-overlooked power of performance and human connection during times of crisis. With its rich historical detail, heartfelt characterization, and standout narration, The Star of Camp Greene is a stirring and memorable listen for fans of wartime fiction and stories of hope.

Thank you for the advance audio copy of this novel. As a fan of Joy Callaway’s work, I was eager to dive into The Star of Camp Greene. While her previous books captivated me, this one took a bit longer to find its footing. The story begins slowly, and the characters initially felt flat and hard to connect with. I kept going —and I’m glad I did, because eventually the characters grew on me. I wanted to see if they could fulfill their dreams.

However, the narrative struggled to weave its hidden plot lines into the central storyline in a satisfying way. There were glimpses of compelling historical detail from the Great War era, but those elements could have been developed further to add depth and texture.

📚 In summary: If you're in the mood for a gentle read with touches of history and romance, this book may offer a cozy escape. But if you're seeking layered intrigue and richly drawn characters, this one might not hit the mark.

Thank you @netgalley @uplitreads and @harpermusebooks for my gifted copy

This is a cozy romance/historical fiction about Camp Green in Charlotte, North Carolina during in World War I. Callie is a broadway star who is traveling to different camps entertaining troops. She hopes to make it to France to honor her fiancé that died in the war. While at Camp Green, she gets the Spanish flu and while recovering overhears secret information. She is ordered to stay at the camp for the duration of the war.

What I liked: I haven’t read much about World War I and most war books focus on the front not those that are at home training were left behind. The dynamics of camp life and the various feelings of the men and their relatives gave a new take. I also like the details about Charlotte.

What didn’t work for me: I didn’t love the narrator’s male voice. I know picky but it bothered me.

The pacing is a tad slow.

Who should read it: This one leans more historical fiction with a side of romance. It’s low steam with one fade to black scene.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Slightly dragged and times and I didn't really connect with the characters enough to love this but still thought it was a good read! More romance than war, if that's what you are looking for.

The Star of Camp Greene follows Calla Connolly as she travels across American training grounds in an effort to boost solider morale during World War I. Having lost her fiancé to the War, Calla is determined to use this touring opportunity as a way to get to France and perform at the front in a final farewell to her husband.

During a stop at Camp Greene, Calla falls ill with the Spanish Flu, and while in the hospital, she overhears classified information regarding the movement of troops to the front. In an effort to keep the information confidential, Calla is forced to temporarily pause her tour and remain at Camp Greene until the orders are carried out. While at Camp Greene, Calla meets a collection of brave men and women prepared to do what is necessary to protect American democracy while still fearful of the uncertain reality of leaving the United States for Europe and the front.

While I absolutely loved the book, I found the beginning to be a little slow, most likely to the necessity to develop the setting and the characters prior to the storyline taking off. Once the story took off, I could not get enough of this book and was looking forward to continuing with the audiobook version.

My favorite aspect of the book was the narrative and relationships between the characters. The story primarily takes place at Camp Greene, and follows not only Calla and the soldiers she comes across, but their family and loved ones who have set their own roots down just outside the camp in an effort to remain with their solider for as long as possible.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishing company, the narrator, and author Joy Callaway for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very sweet story set during WWI. I enjoyed being set in the perspective of a performer traveling to support and raise morale for US troops. Calla is an easy character to like and she is clearly working through her grief after the death of her fiance. She quickly connects with Colonel Jesse Erikson and a sweet romance develops. I felt like the premise of her staying in Camp Greene to be very contrived. But it served its purpose and everything worked out well. Overall it was a nice story, but the characters and emotions were very surface level. Brittany Pressley was a great narrator and made it very easy to follow the audio story.

Thank you for NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing an ALC in return for my honest thoughts.

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.

I listen to two or three audiobooks each week, and I've discovered that it can be challenging to transition to a new audiobook after being immersed in the captivating world of a great story. Because of this, I’m always eager to give a new audiobook a fair chance before deciding it’s not for me.

I've realized that while a narrator can be truly exceptional, sometimes the story they’re conveying simply doesn’t resonate with the listener. Unfortunately, that was the case with this particular audiobook.

Thank you opportunity to listen to this audiobook

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the advanced copy of this audiobook.

https://www.instagram.com/shh_iamreading

This is a WWI-era historical romance set primarily at a US Army training camp in 1918. Broadway star Calla Connolly has been entertaining the troops at stateside military camps with the goal of securing permission to perform at the front. She is still grieving the loss of her fiancé in the war, and isn’t close with many people other than her parents. The book begins when she is indefinitely detained by the Army during her stop at Camp Greene.

The details about the camp (which was a real place), and the surrounding community were interesting, and you could tell the author did a lot of research to bring it to life. I really appreciated the inclusion of the Spanish flu epidemic in the story. There is a spoilery detail about the war that I won’t specify, but it made the war a little more “real” and heightened the tensions and emotions in the story.

I quite liked Calla. Her warmth and enthusiasm radiated from the book and she had an enviable capacity for self-reflection. The other main character, Jesse, was pretty well fleshed out, but I found most of the secondary characters a bit lacking in depth. I would love to have felt a stronger affinity toward some of them. It’s less a story about WWI than it is about working through grief and finding yourself through connecting with other people, so those other people are important.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and Brittany Pressley did a phenomenal job with the narration. She really brought Calla and the other characters to life, and I enjoyed the story a lot more than I think I otherwise would have because of her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ALC!

I don't know what it is about World War history, but I am here for it. I just finished this book which is set in WWI and I am currently listening to a series set in WWII. Historical fiction is apparently still for me!

The Star of Camp Greene is a WWI historical fiction set in Camp Greene, a military camp in Charlotte, NC. Calla Connolly has a voice of an angel and a career on stage. But after the tragic death of her fiance in the war, Calla has goals to perform and lift the spirits of those serving their country in honor of his death. However, after a case of the Spanish flu, Calla overhears classified information which forces her to be stranded at Camp Greene. It's here she becomes a resident star to the soldiers preparing for war.

I loved the history element in this story. Very interesting to learn about a military camp on the America side in WWI. The songs and music were well done. And I enjoyed all the camaraderie throughout between the characters.

As with a lot of romance in wartime, the love story was emotional and heartfelt- One of those couples you wouldn't think would end up together which made it that much sweeter.

WWI history fans, this one is for you! Thank you to @harpermusebooks and @joywcal for my #gifted copy!

*Romance- fade to black
*TW- wartime, death of loved ones

I feel like I say this every time I listen to a book narrated by Brittany Pressley, but it never stops being true! She’s an absolute delight. Her narration is crisp, expressive, and full of nuance. She handles accents and male characters effortlessly, making every performance feel dynamic and polished.

That said, I think Joy Callaway may just not be the right author for me. I had a similar experience with "The Grand Design", which I ended up not finishing, and "The Star of Camp Greene" gave me the same sense of disconnect. The novel opens with the protagonist, Calla, in a fever dream, which left me feeling disoriented and made it hard to engage with the story.

Still, the narrative has merit, and I can see it sparking thoughtful discussions, especially in a book club setting. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me personally.

The Star of Camp Greene is a historical fiction book that takes place during 1918, during World War 1, in Charlotte, NC. We follow Calla Connelly, broadway star whose life mission has become entertaining the troops ever since her own love, also an entertainer, tragically died in the war. Calla, visiting the troops all over with hopes to go to the front lines in France, is now the entertainer for the troops as they prepare for war at Camp Greene in NC. After hearing classified information she wasn’t supposed to, she now finds herself stationed there indefinitely. During her stay she meets so many amazing nurses, band players, soldiers, and one man who helps her to see past her own loss and try to find love again.

I loved the history behind this part of WW1, how the camps ran and even the injustice of segregation during that time within the military itself. Also, it was interesting to learn about how many came to entertain and lift the spirits of the troops going off to war.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the ARC of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook and Brittany Pressley's narration was excellent, as always.
Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Muse, and Harper Muse Audiobooks for providing copies for an unbiased review.

It’s 1918 in Charlotte, NC and Calla Connolly is “the it” Broadway dame…sharing the spotlight with the love of her life! Her fiancé gets drafted off to war and Calla continues climbing up the fame ladder. She unfortunately received news that her fiancé died early in the war. She’s left heartbroken and unsure of her future alone.

Eventually, she gets the idea of touring the American Camps to entertain the soldiers in hopes to get approval to tour the french front to pay tribute to her late fiancé. Calla falls ill with the Spanish Flu while performing on stage at Camp Greene. To top that, she also overhears confidential information that restricts her to Camp Greene. She falls in love with the men serving and becomes quite the support system to help each and everyone get through the day.

I love historical fiction that focuses on women’s impact during war. I’m always in awe of the many ways women have supported and often risked their lives to become heroes! This is a must read!

With its unique setting during WWI, this book brilliantly showcases the pivotal role of women performers in the war effort, a perspective I haven’t read much about in historical fiction.

Calla Connolly is a Broadway star who, after suffering her own personal loss in the war, submits a request to entertain the troops at the front line. She is told that she must first do camp tours and is sent to Camp Greene, an army training camp in North Carolina.

Calla is a force to be reckoned with. Despite her personal loss, she throws herself into her role as an entertainer, showing resilience and compassion to the soldiers. Her ability to form friendships, even in the face of adversity, such as the Spanish flu and rivalry, is truly inspiring. This is a compelling and immersive read, complete with war, grief, talk of treason, and a blossoming romance.


🎧The audiobook, narrated by Brittany Pressley, made for a wonderful companion to the physical book.

Thank you @uplitreads @joywcal and @harpermusebooks for the gifted book. Thank you #HarperMuseAudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley.

Imagine a world where Taylor Swift could have dazzled audiences in 1918, performing at an Army Camp and accidentally stumbling upon a dangerous war secret. Well, The Star of Camp Greene brings that thrillingly to life! This story truly tugged at my heartstrings! Joy has an amazing talent for bringing the past to life, making you feel like you’re stepping right into that time period.

Set against the backdrop of WWI right here on home soil in Charlotte, NC, this historical fiction is a delight that you don’t want to miss! While reading, I felt a deep appreciation for the arts and how they can uplift and inspire us. This story, inspired by real-life heroes, showcases the profound impact of music and moments of joy on the human soul.

Meet Calla Connolly, a heartbroken performer driven to honor her fallen fiancé by entertaining soldiers heading to the front lines. But when the Spanish Flu strikes her down at Camp Greene, she accidentally overhears a secret that could change everything. Suddenly, she’s stuck at Camp Greene for the rest of the war! But don’t worry—Calla doesn’t let this stop her; she becomes the beloved performer and caretaker for her fellow soldiers.

As she starts to connect with the man who’s keeping her there, the weight of the secret she holds endangers the very people she’s come to cherish. Calla faces a heart-wrenching choice: What are her dreams truly worth? Could letting go of them lead to a life filled with unexpected joy?

Dive into this captivating tale if you’re craving:

🌟 WWI fiction set in the US
🌟 A heartfelt second chance at romance
🌟 A mesmerizing theatrical backdrop
🌟 A sizzling enemies-to-lovers
🌟 A tale of forced proximity
🌟 A warm narrative about found family

Don’t miss out on this stunning story—it’s bound to leave you inspired! The narration of this book was wonderful and well done.

This exquisite historical fiction novel is one of the best I’ve read. I rank it up there with the likes of Kristin Hannah’s The Women. It’s such a beautiful work by a new author to me in Joy Callaway. #TheStarofCampGreene, based in my state of N.C., will stay with me for a very long time.

I have loved the way Calloway brings the life of her characters and settings off the pages and alive before my eyes in her past two books I’ve read, and The Star of Camp Greene transported me into another splendid and intriguing story.

How was the audiobook?

Brittany Pressley brought this book and each of the characters to life, and I felt like I was watching the story play out like a movie with her ability to capture the voices and styles of each character with their own idiosyncrasies.

Do you recommend this book?

Just an absolutely captivating and beautiful story full of so much heart! I will forever remember and recommend this immersive read to everyone. This is a touchingly woven story with moving characters that also shows us the power of love and grief, what we can endure, and how far we can go. Get this book and read or listen to it now!

Thank you, Harper Muse for this gifted copy and audiobook in exchange for my honest opinions.

The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway took me back in time to World War 1. I loved listening to every second of this book. The narrator kept me totally in the moment, almost like I was there. I have realized that I need to learn more about WW1. I didn't realize there were training camps that weren't bases in NC. Joy Callway also didn't shy away from the unfortunate events from that time in history. May these events never be repeated!

The love story of Jessie and Calia is so sweet, full of undying love for each other. It was an absolute treat to watch their love grow throughout this book.

Thank you Harper Muse audiobooks for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.