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

Picked it up for the romance but stayed for the cosy small town vibes and the plot.

The storyline of all these different people getting thrown together to kinda restore the town really intrigued me from the start. And I enjoyed it throughout the book. I just wished that we would have seen more of all the people like Faye, Scott, and Maren. Also, the actual process of planning which project will get how much money is a bit lacking, in my opinion.

Jesse and Claire are both amazing main characters, and they are cute together they just never won me over. I didn't really feel the sparks while reading about them.

I really loved the friendships in this book, tho. Especially between Jesse and Hailey. These two are just so supportive of each other. I'm already very excited to read about Hailey and Adam, and since both books are on ku, I'll be picking up the next book soon.

The premise had strong potential, and I enjoyed watching the town come together to rebuild. While the love story between Claire and Jesse was charming and heartfelt, the overall story development felt a bit underwhelming. Some side characters were introduced with promising backstories, but they didn’t fully tie into the main plot. Still, this was a sweet and thought-provoking read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book is perfect for anyone wanting a short, cute romance to bury your nose into! I loved Claire as a character, and immediately fell in love with Jesse!

I struggled to put this book down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and if things were going to work out.

It can be a little awkward to read in some places, especially when Jack was being called Paul??? Or was I misunderstanding?

Overall, it’s a very sweet book and a quick read!

⭐️ 4/5

✍️ REVIEW ✍️
“HOPE FALL HOMECOMING” SALLY CLEMENTS ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Claire is an introverted and somewhat solitary bartender, she returns to the small town of Hope Falls after ten years to discover she’s inherited 25 million dollars… with one condition: she has to spend it within 30 days to save the community. To complicate things, there’s Jesse, her ex and now the owner of a local inn, who clearly hasn’t moved on (and maybe she hasn’t either).

Hope Falls Homecoming is a calm, easy read with a classic small town setting: an introverted woman, a sudden inheritance, an old flame, and a town in need of saving. The premise has potential, but the plot unfolds in a fairly linear and predictable way.

Claire and Jesse have a sweet dynamic, but there’s a lack of emotional spark that really draws you in. The small town vibe is nice, but the characters feel a little bit shallow and the story doesn’t offer any particularly memorable moments.
It’s not a bad book, in fact, it’s light, easy to read, and well-intentioned. It just doesn’t stand out.

It’s a nice story, but not much different from many others. Ideal if you’re looking for a light, uncomplicated read. But if you're hoping for something that sticks with you a bit more, with deeper emotion, lively characters or real narrative tension, I’d say there’s better out there.

This is book one in the Hope Falls Series and it was a cute, short read. I felt like the pacing could have flowed a little smoother, but overall it was an enjoyable story.

Claire only returns to her hometown for the reading of a will, planning to leave again as quickly as possible. Instead, she and a group of unlikely companions are asked to stay in town for a month to give away millions to benefit the community. Wanting to honor this last request, she agrees and sets out to help the town.

Jesse, the local inn owner, is shocked when Claire walks back into his life. He has carried feelings for her for years, but she has no memory of him from their past. As they work together, Jesse’s emotions resurface, and eventually, he can no longer keep them hidden.

I enjoyed how their romance grew naturally and how both characters could finally be their true selves. The small town setting gave such a cozy vibe, and I loved that this story was not just about their love but also about saving the town. Watching everyone come together to prove their selflessness made this even more heartwarming.

If you enjoy small town romances with depth, second chances, and community spirit, this is one to pick up. I am already looking forward to book two in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I absolutely devoured this book it's such a cosy small town romance. There is only one thing I would say bugged me is Paul's name being changed constantly between Paul and Jack which drove me mental not going to lie but I absolutely adored this book.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Claire returns to her hometown for the reading of a Will she is named in. She bumps into Jesse at the Inn she is staying at but doesn’t recognize him. Jesse on the other hand knows exactly who Claire is.

As they navigate through the Will’s requests Jesse and Claire develop something special but some mistakes and miscommunication could jeopardize what is growing between them.

Story of rejuvenating a town and coming to grips with the past. Great read!