I’ve loved every one of Joy’s previous books, all historical fiction novels, and this one is no different. With her first dip into a love story, she knocked it out of the park. I loved the setting, the small town vibe, the characters, the love stor(ies). It was a magical read!

I absolutely loved this book! The main character was so easy to root for, she was sweet, grounded, and full of heart. I really enjoyed the love triangle element; it kept me guessing, and I truly didn’t know how things would play out. The small-town charm was everything. The close-knit community, the fight to preserve what matters, and the way music tied it all together made it feel like I was right there, living it with them. Such a heartwarming and hopeful story that left me smiling.

3.5 ⭐️ Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Callaway has all the ingredients of a charming small-town romance: a woman at a crossroads, a love triangle, and a cast of quirky locals. Hattie’s decision between Lee, the charismatic former MLB player, and Fox, the dependable hardware store owner, forms the emotional core of the story—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the right notes for me.

Messy romances are tough for me to really get invested in, and this one leaned heavily into emotional tangles and indecision. While Hattie's confusion and the back-and-forth between the two love interests dragged at times and left me more frustrated than intrigued.

The small-town setting had its charm, but the level of town drama often tipped into the melodramatic. Gossip, feuds, and over-the-top antics sometimes overshadowed the more heartfelt moments. It felt like the story was trying a little too hard to be colorful and ended up feeling chaotic instead.

That said, the audiobook narration by Alexandra Ryan is a definite highlight. She brings the Carolina setting to life with a wide range of warm, convincing Southern accents that help differentiate each character. Her narration adds a layer of authenticity to the story and makes it easy to keep track of the colorful townspeople.

Overall, this was a middle-of-the-road listen for me—solid narration, a few sweet moments, but the messy romances and heightened drama made it hard to fully connect.

This story had me cracking up the entire time. I loved Hattie and her desire to want to better the town even if it wasn't what the rest of the town wanted. I really fell in love with the town of Mountain View and how the whole town banned together to save their town. The love triangle between Hattie, Lee, and Fox worked really well and it left you guessing till the last minute who Hattie was going to end up with.

This was an excellent transition from Historical Fiction to Contemporary Romance for Callaway.

I love books set here in the Carolinas. Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Calloway is set in the fictional town of Mountain View, SC.

“Hattie is an event planner in the middle of her biggest project. She heads back to her home town of Mountain View from Charlotte to support her parents, who just found out their farm is dead. Mountain View is a potential site for the new Panthers stadium and Hattie seems to be the only one not opposed to the stadium coming in. The mayor asks Hattie to put on a musical benefit in her parents’ barn for Founder’s Day, just as Hattie’s old flame, Lee Lockhardt, shows up. Hattie wants to go back to her life in Charlotte - pick back up with Lee - and get to know the new Fox running the Hardware store. But life has other plans for Hattie this time.”

Callaway has an easygoing writing style. There’s easy banter between characters. There are lots of hilarious moments (the first wedding in the ‘event barn’ with the couple leaving in an ‘87 Kia covered in Earnhardt stickers) These feel like real people and a real place. If you’ve ever driven through a small town with a boarded-up Main Street you’ll understand. Hattie is not looking for romance and Calloway will surprise you. This book is about finding something that’s bigger than yourself. The more I read, the more I found myself drawn to the story and the characters. I got a little teary at the ending Calloway gives us. I hope we’ll see more from these characters.

Alexandra Ryan is great with the audio. There’s a lot of music here. It would have been great to hear some on the audio.

Great story from Calloway.

Hattie has gone home to her tiny, dying town for what was to be a short visit. The town is under consideration for a new, very much unwanted stadium. Her high school love is home. He'd been a star major league baseball player. But an injury ended his career. The town is being supported by the new guy in town - the hardware store owner. He's always jumping in to help, both manually and financially. Serious family issues force Hattie into decisions she didn't want to make. Life makes other decisions mandatory.

The story is full of quirky individuals, a second chance romance, perhaps a new romance, a tiny town on the precipice of change. It's also full of angst. This is a great read.

I have the e-book and the audio book. The narrator is great.

This is my first read from this author, Joy Callaway and I am officially a fan! In this story, Hattie comes home to help her parents as their peanut farm is failing. Hattie is an event planner for a big city firm and she has to take a break to go home. The town wants Hattie to support them to keep out the new football stadium that may be taking all the farm land and ruining their town. But what if the new stadium is what is best for town? Then Hattie reconnects with her high school sweetheart who broke her heart. Can they find a way to be together? Or is there someone out there who is a better match?

This felt like a Hallmark movie and a hug wrapped up into one. It was a great escape and a warm cozy time. I loved Hattie's character change as the book moved on and the love triangle was fantastic! Add this one to your summer list!

I wasn't a fan of this book. The main character was annoying, and the whole premise was too fluffy and unrealistic.

When I get the chance to listen to Joy Callaway's books, I will take it: The chosen narrators are perfect - every time. Their pacing, character representation, and life that they bring to the story are the perfect complement to Joy's written words.

Listening to Sing Me Home to Carolina immediately transported me to the town of Mountain View and sketched each character perfectly!

Book Review:
Excuse me one minute, this is Joy's first contemporary romance!? Love her as a HF author and now THIS beauty!? Sign me up for everything Joy writes forever and always!

When Hattie comes home to visit her home town of Mountain View, she is welcomed with open arms by family and friends who never left and an ex that was never supposed to come back. Cue: Instant Drama!

The family farm and founder's land is in peril. An athletic stadium is going to be built in one of two places and, of course, the farm land is being considered as an option. The people of Mountain View come together to sign petitions and stand united against this "progressive move" that they fear will ruin everything in their quiet little town.

Joy's roots and attention to detail shine through as this book has everything: spam (not the kind that shows up in your inbox,) ramps (not the kind that slope up and down,) streaking (not on snapchat,) and anything in between - including a triangle (not the one that rings you in to dinner.)

The romance(s) woven throughout this story are so rich and touching. I still find myself thinking about the characters, hoping they're doing well - they felt that real!!!

What an exceptional entry into the contemporary romance scene! Brava, Joy!!

Title: Sing Me Home Carolina
Author: Joy Calloway
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Alexandra Ryan
Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 3– stars
Pages: 336


Aww have to admit this cover got my attention. I remember a sweet Christmas story were the Christmas Tree lot has a beautiful red barn decorated just like this and it was a place for families to keep warm while shopping for their annual Christmas tree and at night it was ’the’ place’ to meet up with friends – get a bite to eat, have a drink and dance!!

In this story Hattie Norwood returns home to Mountain View, South Carolina to support her parents as their family peanut farm is no longer producing.

They love having her home helping and as she is getting ready to return to her place in Charlotte, they talk her into staying for the town’s Founder’s Day celebration. It will be held at their barn which has been renovated for the celebration and will also help with an income for Hattie’s parents.

When it is time for Hattie to return to her job that she loves as an Event planner in Charlotte, she is torn as a Developers want to come in and buy up property and make big changes.
Additionally Hattie’s former high school boyfriend Lee Lockhardt returns after a career ending injury and wants to get back together with Hattie.

This story has the makings to be one I know I will love.
I love a good audiobook but am a narrator snob. To me a narrator is super important in performing the characters.
However, the characters come across as unlikeable and I am sure it was the narrator’s performance. I know Ms. Ryan is a professional actress and knows more about performing characters than I do but it definitely took away from my enjoyment of the story.

Want to thank NetGalley and Spotify Audio for this Audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.

Sing Me Home to Carolina was my first book by Joy Callaway and it won’t be my last. The beautiful cover invitingly draws you in to Mountainview and the Robinson’s barn. I really enjoyed the story of Hattie and her attempt to help save her family’s farm. Fans of Gilmore Girls will enjoy the romantic tension.

Alexandra Ryan does a great job on narration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audio for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Hattie is home visiting her parents in a small South Carolina town. She's an event planner and her parents farm has gone out of business. The whole town is dying and Hattie believes the proposed NFL stadium might just save the town... Except the people in the town don't want it.

Her old boyfriend is also in town and she's never gotten over him.

Hattie was a hard character to like and the romance a tough sell as well.

Hattie Norwood, an event planner in the big city goes back home in South Carolina to help her parents when they learn their farm is no longer viable, if that wasn’t enough the town is worried when the threat of a new stadium being constructed could destroy their community.

Hettie believes that this new stadium could save the town, but the people of the town couldn’t disagree more and are doing everything they can to stop the construction and save whats theirs.

Lee, Hattie high school sweetheart became an MLB player but has return to town after an injury and scandal ended his baseball career. Will meeting once again rekindle their love or will Fox, the mysterious new guy in town steal her away?

For fans of Hallmark movies and love stories.

I give this book a 4.75 out of 5, I truly enjoyed this book, the characters were great and the love triangle kept me hooked.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting listen to this audiobook.

I enjoyed listening to Sing Me Home to Carolina by Joy Calloway. The audiobook brings the charming small-town atmosphere of Mountain View, South Carolina, vividly to life with lively narration and engaging characters. Hattie Norwood's return home to support her parents during a challenging time is both heartfelt and humorous, making it easy to root for her as she navigates old flames and new surprises.The story balances warmth, wit, and a touch of romance, perfect for fans of Sweet Magnolias and Hart of Dixie. I appreciated how the book explores themes of community, love, and finding one’s path, all set against the backdrop of a quirky yet lovable cast of characters. The plot moves smoothly, keeping you invested in Hattie's decision between her childhood sweetheart Lee and the mysterious new guy, Fox. This audiobook was an uplifting and entertaining listen. Joy Calloway’s storytelling shines through, making it a delightful choice for anyone looking for a cozy, feel-good romance. I’d give it four stars!

I love the small town feel of this book. The first loves and forever loves and how sometimes they intertwine. I really enjoyed listening to this book and I could picture this town and how the people interact with each other. This book would make a good movie or tv show. The characters are so easy to like and root for. I recommend this book for people looking for a good tightknit small town feeling.

Joy Calloway is an amazing historical fiction writer but with her next book she proves she can write a sweet romance book too!!!

Hattie returns home to help out her aging parents and quickly gets sucked back in to her quaint, small home town where everybody knows everybody and everybody knows everybody’s business. The town of Mountain View is being threatened to become the next site of the new Carolina Panthers stadium and while most of the residents are against this move, Hattie sees it as a chance for her beloved hometown to rejuvenate itself and stay alive.

Lost love, new love, commitment to family and job and some of the most fun and beloved characters I’ve read in awhile this book had me enraptured the entire time I was reading.

Joy knows how to research and write a gorgeous book and the little details in this book brought back so many memories of my younger days with church cookbooks and the beauty parlor where everyone hangs out. I can not recommend this book enough!!!

Hattie only intends to visit her parents in her small hometown, but things get complicated when the locals the town’s residents want Hattie to use her event planning skills to put on a bash to help save the struggling community, throw in a handsome guy and you’ve got a charming, delightful story