Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by this author so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I really liked the characters, well most of them, and I liked the general story line itself...this felt like it might be an episode of Gilmore Girls, which automatically made it feel like family in a way...Everything happens in a small town and people are there for the reading of a will. Surprise surprise, this guy had a ton of money and he wants to leave it to the town...for sprucing up and bringing businesses back and maybe starting new ones. The deal is that everyone has to work together and everyone has to agree on what they want to spend the money on or it will go elsewhere. I liked the sense of community this mission brings and I liked getting to know everyone. I would recommend it to anyone that likes slow burning love stories and small town communities.

While I truly appreciate the ARC, I will not be finishing this book.

After 50 pages, I could not connect with either main character, found it to be depressing, and thought it rambled. I felt it lacked character depth and found the budding attraction between the main characters awkward and unrealistic.

Thank you for the opportunity.

This book was cute, though I don't feel like the pacing was great. It didn't feel like it flowed well. I also felt like a lot of relationships/connections were immediate and didn't make a lot of sense.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 – It Was Okay, a Typical Fast Romance Binge

Hope Falls: Homecoming was a decent, easy read—perfect for when you're in the mood for something light and familiar. The storyline follows the usual small-town romance formula: returning home, rekindled sparks, and emotional baggage conveniently resolved just in time for a happy ending.

The chemistry between the leads was there, but the relationship moved quickly (maybe too quickly), which made some of the emotional beats feel a bit rushed even though they technically knew each other a decade ago (well, kinda). The characters were likable enough, though not particularly memorable. Still, the setting of Hope Falls was cozy and well-drawn, which added charm to an otherwise predictable plot. I love the lake house!

It’s not breaking any new ground, but if you enjoy fast-paced romances that wrap up neatly, this one fits the bill. Just don’t expect anything too deep or surprising. Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the e-arc. This is my honest opinion on Hope Falls: Homecoming.

#HopeFallsHomecomingAbacktoasmalltownromanticcomedy #netgalley

Hope Falls Homecoming was a cute read that had elements of found family, small town romance, and throwback vibes.

Claire is back in town for a will reading while Jesse is running the only inn in Hope Falls with his half sister. While Jesse has a memory of Claire, Claire has no idea where she knew Jesse from and doesn’t recognize him.

The will reading and subsequent actions needed keep a group, the posse, in town and Jesse has a chance to make Claire notice him and convince her to stay in Hope Falls. I loved this book for giving me all of the cute feelings of a second-chance romance in a small town.

This was an overall 3.5/4 ⭐️ read which was obviously rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for this arc and Sally Clements for allowing me to share my opinion on it!
Goodreads review posted on: 08/25/2025

Cute story! It was a fast read and a great palette cleanser. Read as a physical copy. Recommend it for those needing a fast read.

Hope Falls Homecoming is a cute and funny small-town romance about Claire, who comes back to her hometown with a big challenge: spend a bunch of money in thirty days to save the town—or it’s doomed. Along the way, she reconnects with Jesse, the guy she’s never forgotten, but who’s been keeping a big secret from her.
The story is full of playful teasing, sweet moments, and some real heart as Claire and Jesse figure out if the town (and each other) are worth sticking around for. If you like rom-coms with small-town vibes and a slow-burning romance, this book is definitely worth a read!

Thank you netgalley for an arc of Hope Falls Homecoming by Sally Clements

2.5 stars.
This book unfortunately did not hit for me. I went into it partially blind which was more of my fault for not knowing what was coming up. However, I could not handle the way they were called the "posse" it was very cringe unfortunately. Also, I know it was meant to be cringe but it was just too much for me personally. Also, I felt like the plot was kind of all over the place and I wasn't able to stay up to date the whole book.

I went into this book with high expectations, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. While the premise was interesting, the pacing felt slow and the characters never fully pulled me in. The writing style was serviceable, but I often found myself disconnected from the story, and some plot points felt predictable or underdeveloped.

That said, I can see how other readers might enjoy it—especially those who like quieter, character-driven stories. For me, though, it just wasn’t engaging enough to stick with.

I really wanted to enjoy this one. The premise hooked me right away — a small town that isn’t the usual cozy, postcard-perfect escape from the city, but one that’s actually falling apart, with an unlikely group banding together to save it. I also liked the setup of the two main characters, both returning home out of necessity rather than choice, each guarding secrets they have no intention of sharing.

But the execution just didn’t work for me. The plot felt scattered, with too many threads competing for attention, and several subplots teased only to vanish without resolution. It also could’ve used some serious editing, both for pacing and continuity. When a side character is called Paul in some scenes and Jack in others — sometimes on the same page — it’s hard not to notice, and that was just one of several distracting slip-ups.

This isn’t a debut, which made the lack of polish even more surprising. Sadly, this will probably be my first and last book from this author.

I liked this book,
The first time I read this book I found it slightly difficult to read but I gave it another shot and actually enjoyed it It's an easy, fast-paced read with simple writing - great for beginners or anyone looking for something light.
The book wasn't just about the romance, we got to learn and read about the town and the characters within the book and the different friends grow.

Hope Falls Homecoming is a heartwarming small-town romance filled with charm, second chances, and a touch of mystery. Sally Clements brings the town and its characters to life, making it easy to root for both the love story and the community’s future. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it five stars.

Hope Falls is the first in a series, and the cast of characters draws you in. It’s an interesting take on the requirements in a will trope, with a love story at its center. Hope Falls is a cozy town to get lost in, and the subsequent novels will allow readers to see more of the characters they want to know.

A very sweet ‘Hallmark’ style small town homecoming romance. Reminded me of an episode of Mystic River. I enjoyed it but not enough to want to read the rest of the series.

This is the first book in the Hope Falls Series by Sally Clements, and it was a sweet, quick read.
Claire returns to her hometown with no intention of staying—she’s only there for the reading of a will. However, her plans change when she and a group of unexpected companions are asked to remain in town for a month to distribute millions of dollars for the good of the community. Wanting to honor this unique final request, Claire agrees and sets out to help the town she once left behind. Jesse, the local inn owner, is stunned to see Claire again. He’s harbored feelings for her for years, but she doesn’t even remember him from their shared past. As they spend time together, working toward a common goal, Jesse’s emotions come to the surface, and he can no longer keep them to himself. The cozy small-town setting added warmth and charm, and I loved that the story was about more than just their relationship—it was about community, second chances, and selflessness. Seeing everyone come together to support one another made this a truly heartwarming read. If you love small-town romances with a focus on community, second chances, and emotional depth, this one is worth picking up. I’m already excited to see what’s next in book two!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Felt a little rushed…

I love the idea of a small town romance, although this fell a little short.
I feel like the town was built perfectly, reminds me of my own small town. I felt like the pace was rushed, but also the slow burn was too slow? Just felt off. I also feel like some of the added character didn’t have much of a point being there. Idk.. Had promises but fell through, sadly. I’d like to try another book by the author just to give it a try!

But thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc!

It was a cozy read with a community feel, I liked learning more about the side characters and the town, but sometimes felt a bit flat. The ending felt rushed and timing felt a little off, it was hard to get how much time had passed even though the book was set over one month. I think a bit more of the storyline going in to Jesse’s side-hustle and how they knew each other from before would have improved it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Books Go Social for the ARC!

2 ⭐️

This was a cute, small town romance. I liked the idea of the inheritance left to rebuild the town, but I felt the pacing was off and could have more with that. I felt the end was rushed. Also, Jesse being a secret successful painter didn’t really mix well with the story line for me. I also didn’t feel the chemistry between the FMC & MMC.

Hope Falls homecoming is a nice romance to read in the evenings before bed. It was good. Not great. Definitely could have flowed a lot better.

This book is everything I wanted from a small town, slow burn romance. The characters were relatable and likeable and I genuinely loved all the side characters as well. The plot was clever, I enjoyed watching the FMC fall back in love with the town she abandoned, even though she was forced to stay there, and, who wouldn’t want a mmc who has Clark Kent vulnerability in a Jack Reacher body.

All in all a great read. So much so, I’ve already started book 2 in the series.

#HopeFallsHomecomingAbacktoasmalltownromanticcomedy #NetGalley