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.

Joy Calloway’s The Star of Camp Greene is a captivating blend of history, heart, and heroism set against the backdrop of a wartime America filled with hope and hardship. Meet Calla Connolly, a Broadway starlet turned wartime songbird, whose glamorous life takes a nosedive when tragedy strikes and her fiancé dies in World War I. Instead of mournful silence, Calla chooses to channel her grief into performing for soldiers, determined to lift their spirits—and her own. But life has other plans. After contracting the Spanish flu at Camp Greene, she overhears a secret that could threaten national security—and her very presence at the camp. Suddenly, she's caught in a web of espionage, rivalries, and unexpected romance, all while secretly singing to the brave men fighting overseas. What makes this story so engaging? Well, it’s the perfect cocktail of historical detail and heartfelt emotion, seasoned with a dash of suspense and a sprinkle of romance. Calla’s resilience shines through as she grapples with her dreams, duty, and a budding romance with a soldier whose secret mission could turn everything upside down. It’s a journey of self-discovery that keeps you rooting for her until the very last note. Joy Calloway masterfully captures the spirit of an era where courage was tested both on and off the battlefield. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, compelling characters, or stories about finding hope in unexpected places, this book hits all the right notes. Just be prepared—you might find yourself humming a tune long after the final page!

This story is a beautiful tale of those that stayed behind during WW1. This different point of view helps to complete the historical fiction library for this time period for a well rounded view.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I had listened to the author's note before I read the book. The book is apparently loosely inspired on Elsie Janis and chronicles a fictionalized group of army trainees who lived and trained in the real life Camp Greene, and knowing this ahead of time might have made the book a bit more palatable for me. As it was, I found Calla incredibly narcissistic and self-centered. The number of times she laments about something preventing her from going to the front started to grate on me from the very beginning, to the point that I nearly did not finish the book. While ostensibly a war story, it felt so far removed from the war that I found it dull and unbelievable. I am sure there are a number of people who would enjoy this book immensely. Sadly, I am not one of them.

In this book a musical starlet visiting a military base in North Carolina during WWI overhears a critical secret. This means that she has to stay at the camp under the supervision of of the handsome officer she overheard. This book follows her story and their romance and deals with serious military, desertion and racism issues and also incorporates whimsical moments at the camp and in the town. It's a fast and uncomplicated read. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to any fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks for an advance listening copy for an unbiased review.

I gravitated towards this story due to being set in Charlotte, WWI and having a female lead. Callaway has done a remarkable job with the historic details. I struggled with the beginning, staying with the loss a bit too long for my personal taste. The ending gave me chills and had a good character arc.

I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn in right away and fell in love with Calla and her story. I love her heart for others and her heart for entertaining the soldiers and bringing some joy to them. While she was at Camp Green after surviving the Spanish Flu, she is exposed to military secrets and is ordered to stay at Camp Green. She is required to travel and be with the head Jessie. As time goes on, he grows on her. She begins putting together shows for the camp and using soldiers from camp and allowing them to showcase their talents. She has such love for them and wants to get them noticed. For their talents. Then there is a huge issue which results in her being arrested on base. Read the book to see what happens.

I loved this book!!!

I loved those reading the audiobook!

I was excited to receive this as an ALC! North Carolina, especially Charlotte, has a special place in my heart. It was so cool to learn about this part of Charlotte's history I had no idea about.

Brief summary: a performer is going around performing for soldiers. At Camp Greene, she becomes ill with the Spanish flu and infects the camp. While recovering, she hears classified information, forcing her to remain at the camp indefinitely.

The narrator was absolutely fantastic and added so much to this emotional story.

Y'all. Enemies to lovers. I will always love this trope!!

We also explore themes of racial equality and old fashioned views of divorce as shameful in society.

This book is a triumph! So emotional. The romance and tragedy of war is shown with such care, beauty, and heartbreak.

This review will be posted on my booksta, toomanyfivestarreads.

When a Broadway star touring American training camps performing for soldiers to provide them entertainment overhears classified information in a hospital while at Camp Greene in North Carolina when she contracts the Spanish flu, she is restricted from leaving and continuing her tour; Calla Connelly is an incredible heroine- I absolutely loved this beautiful story that Joy Callaway has created. Well researched and not only entertaining with a heartwarming second chance romance storyline there are twists and turns in the story that you won’t see coming. My new favorite read from Joy Callaway!

The audiobook was produced to perfection; such great entertainment. I could listen to Brittany Pressley read the phonebook she always does a fabulous narration.

Thank you @harpermuse for my early copy of @joywcal upcoming new release, THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE, publishing May 6, 2025.

I have enjoyed so many of Joy Callaway’s historical fiction novels and I squealed when this arrived! I loved What the Mountains Remember, and I am also looking forward to her next novel, Sing Me Home to Carolina.

Growing up in Tennessee, North Carolina has a special place in my heart as well, so I always find comfort when a story is set in this beautiful state.

THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is set in Charlotte, NC in 1918 at, you guessed it: Camp Greene. I was unfamiliar with Camp Greene, so I enjoyed learning more about this war camp and the WWI time period, rather than the typical WWII.

Calla Connolly is a singer, dancer, stage star that wants to cheer up troops with her performances after losing the love of her life. In the midst of her tour, she contracts the Spanish Flu (a fascinating glimpse into life during this pandemic), and is thus trapped at Camp Greene for a while.

The novel includes wild adventures in a theme park (I love a good old school carousel and wooden roller coaster ride!), learning to bloom where you are planted, and a second chance at redemptive love.

If you enjoy historical fiction, the arts, war-front settings, and hometown heroes, you will enjoy this novel!

"Sometimes heroism is found in dreams deferred."

Calla Connolly is a Broadway star during WWI. She is on a tour of American army camps to entertain and inspire the soldiers. When her fiancée is tragically killed in the war, she hopes for General Pershing to approve a tour to the men in France to honor her fiance's memory. Unfortunately, it is 1918 North Carolina, and she contracts the Spanish flu. This leads to more disappointment for not only does another entertainer swoop in to steal her tour, she overhears a military secret while in the hospital and is confined by a colonel to remain at Camp Greene. How will she make her dreams come true?

This is a meticulously researched story of inspiration and second chances. It is also historical fiction surrounding the Spanish flu, WWI, military camps, and entertainer tours. These are subjects that I have read little about in 1918 America. I am more familiar with the European history of these topics. The contrast between grief, war, and a pandemic against Calla falling in love again and forging a new path for herself at Camp Greene makes it a more uplifting read than most covering WWI and the Spanish flu. The audiobook performance by Brittany Pressley is outstanding.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse Audiobooks, and Joy Callaway for an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. 🎧

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