The Star of Camp Greene
By: Joy Callaway
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Harper Muse

5🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
I was so excited to get this ARC. I come from a long line of military and following Calla Connolly and her impact with the soldiers at Camp Greene.
🎤
Camp Greene was part of Charlotte, NC in 1918. (Definitely read the author notes) Calla finds herself touring American training camps, hoping to get to the front lines in honor of her fiancé. While at Camp Greene she gets the Spanish flu. She finds her signing talents helping soldiers. Since she is now confined to the camp, her former rival gets to continue her tour.
🎤
She finds love and is entrusted with a secret which she knows will change several lives.
🎤
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and Calla’s journey. I am familiar with USO tours and I know how if lifted the spirits of so many in harms way for a few minutes or hours.

THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE by JOY CALLAWAY is the bittersweet story of a grieving young singing and vaudeville star, Calla Connolly, who longs to take her act to France to bring joy to the troops, in memory of her fiance Casper, who was killed in the war. While she waits for permission from General Pershing, she is sent to Camp Greene in Charlotte to perform for soldiers in training. She is a wonderful character who believes her songs, while they cannot save soldiers from being killed, can send them off to fight with bravery and dedicatiion. I love to see her selfless and compassionate nature as she not only makes friends, but also trains talented soldiers to play their instruments and sing with her. Her mentor and thorn in theside, Lenor Felicity, is very different, only thinking of herself and how famous she is. …….
Colonel Jesse Erickson also wants to go and fight in France, but the powers that be will not release him to do so. He ia angry with Calla for overhearing sensitive information while she is in hospital with Spanish flu, and keeps her captive at Camp Greene. He comes to see how her happy, amusing and caring nature affects everyone around her, having started out feeling that her singing to the troops was a waste of time……..
It is 2018 and the Allies are having a hard time in France. The author has done a great deal of research into the history of the time. It is a beautifully written book where the characters’ emotions come through strongly. There is a feeling of redemption and God’s presence. There is also incredible fear which causes people to act rashly……..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I cannot recommend this exciting and inspirational novel strongly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Harper Muse. The opinions in this review are completey my own.

Set at an Army training base by Charlotte, NC in 1918, the soldiers are getting ready to fight in WWI in France. Calla Connolly, Broadway star is on a tour of bases to entertain the troops. If you wanted to know what life at a training camp is all about, now is your chance, read the book. Calla is detained on the base and brings a whole new dimension to the soldier's life. Calla's character is well developed and we laugh and cry along with her. Joy Callaway weaves historical information into the narrative which I find very insightful. This is another book by Joy Callaway that I could not put down. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

I have a confession: I am completely, utterly in love with Calla Connolly. If you’ve ever wanted to meet a character who leaps off the page, steals your heart, and becomes someone you never want to say goodbye to, then this book is for you. Calla is that rare, wild soul who craves the spotlight, is fueled by her gargantuan heart, and is utterly, magnetically alive. She’s the kind of woman who sings because she has to sing, dances because she can’t not dance, and is unapologetically herself in every situation—even when the universe seems determined to lock her away.

Set during World War I, Calla inadvertently overhears a top-secret conversation, and as a result, she’s ordered to stay at Camp Greene for the duration of the war. Now imagine a spunky, applause-craving, larger-than-life woman being told she must sit still and be quiet… Yeah, it’s as chaotic and heartwarming as you can imagine. The camp is her prison, but also her salvation, because it’s here where she finds the kindred spirits she didn’t know she needed.

What unfolds is pure magic. Calla doesn’t just exist at Camp Greene—she thrives. Through her, we witness the powerful bond that forms among the soldiers and musicians, who come together to create something beautiful in the midst of such turmoil. They make music that transcends war, creating a rhythm and harmony that fills the pages with so much joy and hope.

I couldn’t put this book down, and I didn’t want to. Calla is the character I’ve been craving—a woman who is full of fire, compassion, humor, and strength. And the friendships she forges in that camp? Don’t even get me started. The love and loyalty between her and her new “family” felt like a warm embrace, and I can honestly say Calla is in my heart forever.

This book is a love letter to music, to the human spirit, and to the unexpected connections that change us. And the best part? Calla is still singing in my heart.

This book made me laugh, cry, and cheer for a woman who refuses to be silenced. I want to be Calla Connolly’s BFF!!!!

Thank you NetGalley!!! My heart is full!!!

During WWI, Camp Greene in Charlotte NC is not where up and coming performing star Calla Connelly wants to be. She wants to be in France, in the action, to honor her deceased fiancé. But when recovering from the Spanish flu, she overhears sensitive information and must remain at the camp.

Joy Calloway has researched this book through soldier letters and we feel each uncertainty and patriotic duty. The main characters, Calla and Jesse, share sweet words and kisses but in uncertain times one never knows!
Joy’s words, through the eyes of the soldiers and main characters tug at our heartstrings.

Loved this story! I “might” have shed a tear! Out May 6, 2025.

Thank you to Joy, Harper Muse and Netgalley for the ARC!

Joy Callaway does it again! I absolutely adored this story of heroism both in service to country and following one’s dreams. I was immediately drawn to Calla Connolly’s story and couldn’t wait to see how it unfolded. This is my new favorite of Joy’s books!

This was a fantastic read that I couldn't put it down nor did I want to.
I absolutely adored the main character! I loved in getting to know her.
Calla is a wonderful person that loves to entertain and help keep up the soldier's spirits while in camp.
I really admired her for her selfless acts and even found myself rooting for her along the way. She's truly a joy to watch her come into herself.
I love that God is among these people as they struggle through everyday life and even the ones whose lives were torn upside down from the war and flu.
That's all I'll say because I don't want to give nothing else away.
This is a true test of friendship and faith that God is always near.

Set in. 1917, Calla Connolly is the darling of Broadway, and has been in show business since she was 12. Grieving over the loss of her British soldier boyfriend, she wants to go to the front to cheer the troops in his honor. But instead, she’s first assigned to Camp Greene outside of Charlotte, NC. While there and recovering from the Spanish flu, she overhears a secret that wasn’t for anyone else’s ears except the top military brass. Because of this, she is told she must remain at Camp Greene until the end of the war and is assigned a chaperone in the army - Lt. Jack Erickson to make sure she doesn’t divulge the secret. They devise a story that she is remaining at the camp by her choice, as a way of showing the appreciation to all who saved her life. Devastated, she first is angry and blames everyone and pleads her case at every chance to go overseas. But as she begins to open herself up to helping the people in the camp,, she grows as a musician and as a person, and realizes maybe she doesn’t need to go overseas to make a difference.

This is an auto-buy author for me, and this is my favorite of hers yet While it is historical fiction (I never knew Camp Greene existed, and I was born in NC and have lived here all my life!), it leans heavily into romance, with the slow burn attraction between Calla and Jack. This book appeals to all the senses: from seeing the camp and all the trenches and the men as they train, to smelling the Palmolive soap Jack uses in his hair, to hearing the sounds of the camp musicians as Calla trains them, to tasting the cornbread that is “like sand” (okay, I beg to differ here, but a Northern born person probably does wonder about our love of cornbread and grits), to the touching between Calla and Jack as their friendship deepens into something more. The author transports us to this camp, and the highs and lows of war and camp life. I highly recommend this one!

Imagine if Taylor Swift was performing at a military camp, overheard a war secret, then was forced to remain at the camp under false pretenses. THAT is this novel, with fictional star Calla Connolly in the spotlight. AND it is so well done. Spectacular writing and a compulsive storyline really make this book sing. It's another winner by Joy Callaway!

Another 5⭐️ book!

The Star of Camp Greene tells the story of Calla, a Broadway star who, while recovering from the Spanish flu, overhears military secrets and is forced to stay at Camp Greene. While there, she entertains the troops and makes friends with a wide cast of soldiers, women there to support the troops, and Jesse, an officer who longs to go to the front lines with his troops.

I loved this story. I loved the message that runs through the novel -that everyone has gifts to share and everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. The book was very uplifting.

One of the things I love about historical fiction is that I always learn new things. WWII fiction is always plentiful, but not so much WWI fiction. This was a nice change, learning about the training of our troops at a time when the army was growing at such a fast pace that there were more than 40,000 troops at Fort Greene.

This was the first book of Joy Calloway’s that I’ve read. I most certainly will be reading more!

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy!

Calla Connolly is a Broadway star during WWI who is performing for the Army at Camp Greene when she comes down with the Spanish flu. Not only is she forced to slow down, she accidentally hears classified information and is forced to stay at Camp Greene for an extended period of time and not move on to the front lines in France. This story will make you laugh and cry with the friendships and camaraderie in the face of uncertainty in war. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a chance to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This World War I novel is full of heart and hope amidst the fear and devastation of war and the Spanish Flu. Calla is a likeable main character, and Jesse Erickson’s self-sacrificial sense of duty makes up for some initial poor choices. I loved that he felt comfortable showing his true emotions to Calla without feeling it reduced his masculinity. This novel will appeal to other readers who enjoy closed-door historical romances. I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus/Harper Muse for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review will also be posted on Amazon and Instagram within a week of publication.

Content notes for readers who want to know: off-page death, some mentions of violence, mentions of affair and divorce, mentions of premarital sex, closed-door scenes with some descriptive kissing

Calla is a Broadway star entreating the troops at camp green during WW1 when she gets the Spanish flu. she overhears secret information. good story

Calla Connolly is a Broadway entertainer performing at training camps for the soldiers in 1918. While she wants to be at the front lines in France, she ends up on an extended tour at Camp Greene in Charlotte, NC after contracting the Spanish flu, and overhearing some top-secret information. She forms deep friendships with some of the soldiers who are musicians. Calla is well-loved by all and someone you will want as your best friend. A page turner that has you guessing all the way to the very end. You will not want to put this book down. A 5-star read!

Southern master storyteller Joy Callaway returns following What the Mountains Remember: A Novel with her latest masterpiece, THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE—a beautifully written story inspired by Elsie Janis, a Broadway star, and the bravery of women and men who served our country in many ways while standing up for their beliefs.

Immerse yourself in the often overlooked WWI Camp Greene, NC, the unique backdrop for this gripping tale of a Broadway star's unexpected journey during WWI. This setting, rich in historical significance, adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

Sometimes heroism is found in dreams deferred.

About...

When grieving Broadway star, Calla Connolly, collapses on stage at Camp Greene in Charlotte, NC, and inadvertently overhears a classified secret, her life takes an unexpected turn. Forced to stay at Camp Greene for the remainder of the war, she embarks on a journey filled with unforeseen twists and turns. The question remains, what will she do?

As Calla's journey unfolds, the question looms large- will she crumble under the weight of her circumstances, or will she find the strength to triumph? Is the camp a prison or her salvation? Will Calla realize that this detour was meant for her all along? These are the questions that will keep you turning the pages.

Meet the Characters...

Calla: Broadway Star stuck at Camp Greene
Jesse: Colonel and interim Commander of Camp Greene
Goldie: Nurse service Camp Greene
Guy: Soldier and Musician (Goldie's fiancé )
Sidney: Guy's best friend (Soldier & musician)
Juliet: Lyricist & poet (Sidney's wife)
Lenor: Calla's former mentor and (now enemy)

Charlotte, NC. 1918. The story's backdrop is WWI's tumultuous period of great upheaval and change. This setting plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences and decisions of the characters.

Calla, once having it all with a loving fiancé, a fellow stage actor. Her fiancé's death in the war leads her to tour the American training camps, hoping to tour the French front to cheer the men and while honoring her fiancé's memory. This poignant exploration of her emotional journey, filled with love, loss, and resilience, will surely resonate with readers.

But then she contracts the Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene, overhears a sensitive Army secret, and is ordered to remain for the duration of the war, while her former mentor and rival steals her tour.

She becomes the resident performer and is close to the musician soldiers and others. Calla falls in love with the man responsible for keeping her at the camp— the mission she's sworn to keep secret threatens the men she's come to care for.

What will she do?

My thoughts...

THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is utterly captivating, meticulously researched and rich in history and charm. You will fall in love with Calla as you follow her journey, talent, dreams, losses, hope, newfound friends, and love. Sometimes, what we need is right in front of us.

The men serving did not need her as much as she needed them. The historical inspiration will leave you feeling informed and enlightened.

Readers will be captivated by the well-developed characters, the prose, the rich historical context, the drama, and the performances. As Camp Green comes to life, the unexpected twists, filled with mystery and romance, will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to know what happens next.

THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is not just a historical novel, but a thought-provoking exploration of how we are at our best when we offer encouragement and help to others. This message of unity and collaboration is particularly relevant today, making the book a compelling read for all. It will make you reflect on the importance of supporting each other, especially in challenging times.

Joy is a prolific writer and her ability to bring historical events to life through her characters and their experiences is genuinely remarkable. Her storytelling, filled with secrets, jealousy, friendship, romance, self-discovery, and the pivotal roles of women during wartime, is truly admirable. You will be in awe of her skill and dedication to her craft.

As a Charlotte, NC native (as in the author), I found all this fascinating, but I was unaware of the training camp in the area and its impact on the community. Hard to believe this was in my backyard. Joy is my go-to author for Southern historical fiction! You always come away learning something and inspired.

I also enjoyed learning more about Elsie Janis (born Elsie Bierbower, 1889– 1956), an American actress of stage and screen, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, and radio announcer. Entertaining the troops during WWI immortalized her as "the sweetheart of the AEF" (American Expeditionary Force). The USO was started in WWII primarily because of the WWI wartime tour of Broadway star, Elsie Janis, and financing her own tour in America and Europe.

Camp Greene was a US Army facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, during the early 20th century. In 1917, both the 3rd Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division were first organized and assembled at this camp.

Author's note...

Read the author's impressive, extensive notes for inspiration, additional reading, and resources. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. I look forward to listening to the audiobook performed by a favorite narrator, Brittany Pressley.

Interview...

I am honored to host Joy for an upcoming May #AuthorElevatorSeries QA ride as we go behind the book's scenes and up close and personal with this talented Southern storyteller. (sign up for my newsletter on my blog to have it delivered to your inbox on pub day, 5/6).

Recs...

This stunning novel is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Mary Ellen Taylor, Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kimberly Brock, Karen White, Mary Alice Monroe, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Meagan Church, and Ariel Lawhon.

Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted advanced reading copy for my honest thoughts.

Check out Joy's next Southern novel, Sing Me Home to Carolina coming (June 10, 2025)! Also a 5 STAR. (so much fun)

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
May 2025 Must-Read Books
#AuthorElevatorSeries QA

Another beautiful story from Joy Callaway. Adore this time period and love seeing the war aspect from a new perspective, a Broadway star. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed.

The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway tells the story of Calla, a Broadway star who, while recovering from the Spanish flu, overhears military secrets. Calla is forced to stay at Camp Greene to entertain the troops and she makes friends with soldiers, the women who are there to support the troops, and Jesse, an officer.
This story was inspired by Elsie Janis, a vaudeville star, and she was asked by General Pershing to visit the American army camp. I loved learning about her and how this author incorporated what she learned into this amazing book and these strong and incredible characters.
This World War I novel, amidst the fear and devastation of war and the Spanish Flu, is full of heart and hope.
We learn about the training of our troops at a time when the army was growing. By 1918, there were more than 60,000 troops at Camp Greene. This book was meticulously researched and is rich in history. I love reading WWI and WWII books and The Star of Camp Greene did not disappoint. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy!

So fun reading about Charlotte in history. I had no idea there was a massive army camp in WW1, and love reading stories set here in general so I loved the landscape of the book right off the bat.

The characters of Calla, Jesse and so many others were rich and relatable. I really loved how their relationships grew, how they fought for each other and valued their friendships. The music and theater were a lot of fun to balance out a war focus and some real grief from it.

Whether it was intentional in the storyline or not, the concept of injustices or severe blows and setbacks you didn’t see coming, but later finding out it’s what actually worked things out for the best and for the characters benefit was just so inspiring. I loved all of that and enjoyed the book a lot.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

It is May 3, 1918 at Camp Greene National Guard Training, in Charlotte, NC. Calla Connolly is a singer and actress there to entertain men. Her tour include many camps. While at Camp Green she gets sick and is at their Army Hospital. Her care is for the Spanish Flu. So many do not make it and succumb to the flu. She has a great nurse who cares for her and they become friends. After being in the hospital, she over hears some Army secrets. So she is made to stay at camp for the duration of the war. Not allowed to leave the camp unless escorted by an Army Officer.
While there she makes many friends there, some at the Hostess House where she is staying, her Nurse who cared for her, many soldiers whom have great musical talents and the officer who is her escort. She falls in love with her Army escort so things change for her at the camp. The reason I wanted to read this book is my love for history for WWI.
I would like to thank Harper Muse Publication, Net Galley and Joy Callaway for giving me the opportunity for this wonderful read before publishing. I so enjoyed it and was hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading the many other books Joy Callaway has written.

Most World War I novels take us straight to the battlefield—but The Star of Camp Greene offers a refreshing perspective by staying stateside. Joy Callaway weaves a beautifully researched and emotionally rich story about Calla Connolly, a Broadway star determined to reach the front lines to entertain the troops, only to discover that her true purpose lies stateside in lifting the spirits of the soldiers in training.

Calla’s evolution is subtle yet powerful. By the end, it’s clear that her greatest contribution wasn’t on the battlefield—it was the light she brought to those preparing for it. What stood out most to me was how many characters wanted to go to war. That kind of eagerness feels foreign today, and it gave the story a fascinating tension.

As always, Callaway’s writing shines with historical depth and emotional nuance. Her attention to detail makes you feel like you’re truly walking the campgrounds of Charlotte during wartime. And while the book is deeply rooted in history, the slow-burn romance between Calla and Jesse gives it a layer of tenderness that historical fiction lovers (and romance fans!) will absolutely adore.

A moving, insightful, and satisfying read—with a rare happy ending.

I love Joy Callaway books and her latest The Star of Csmp Greene is classic Joy. She can take a particular event or person in history and transform them into an amazing story. Her dialog is fun, her characters are all so well-defined and her research is impeccable!!!

The Star of Camp Greene is another hit for Callaway! Full of heart, enthusiasm, and patriotism but also sorrow, fear, and anger, Star tells a story of not only a young woman trying to re-discover her path in life but also displays how the horrors of war can be temporarily forgotten in the face of love and friendship. With amazing detail, a fantastic cast of characters, a realistic slow-burn romance, and the spunkiest heroine you could ask for, Star is a piece of WWI historical fiction that will appeal to readers of all genres.

As a child growing up, I loved to watch AMC and Turner Classic Movies. Those timeless movies and legendary performances. The glitz and glamour, the show tunes and dance numbers, dapper gentleman and elegant ladies. But also, I craved those stories of grit and sacrifice of our men and women during times of war and conflict. And Joy brought these two aspects to life splendidly. I could easily envision these characters with their struggles and triumphs playing out in my mind’s eye, just like a Bo Hope or Greta Garbo production.

Calla Connolly has known loss. The war has taken her dearest love and partner. And she feels the need to honor his memory and sacrifice by bringing hope and cheer to those who will fight for the peace of the world. But when her plans are derailed, she decides to make lemonade from the lemons she is served.

While she is confined to Camp Greene, Calla begins to heal, find solace and maybe even a new chance at love. Her hard work and dedication to her cause changes lives. But nothing comes easy and obstacles continue to present themselves.

Joy Callaway opens our eyes to the efforts of civilians and servicemen alike while on the home front. We witness the struggles to overcome ravaging disease, prejudice, segregation, and despair from a war that takes and takes. But it’s balanced with the joy of hope, friendship, and love.

Enjoyed this one and could definitely see it on the big screen one day.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Joy once again draws us in with this new wonderful book about Camp Greene and many events that are well known in history. Her character development -and the deep relationships explored keep the reader hooked. I love when a book brings a smile and this one definitely does. And the narrator is fantastic too. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m a sucker for historical fiction and for taking time to throw in my own little research while reading, especially if it’s an area I’m familiar with. The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway depicts 1918 Charlotte, NC with incredible detail, nodding to quite a few locations that are still standing today. Not only did I love diving into local history, but I fell in love with the story of Broadway star Calla Connolly and her story of determination and selflessness.

Heartbroken by the loss of her fiancé, who died in the war, Calla is determined to carry on their dream as a couple of performing for the soldiers to boost morale, specifically around Europe. Her plans are derailed pretty quickly when she encounters the Spanish flu and inadvertently overhears classified information while at Camp Greene. We follow Calla as she’s determined to make the best of a situation by helping so many in need while holding fast to her own dreams.

Top tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-forced proximity
-found family

Buzz Worthy:
BookBub (Buzziest New Books Coming Out in May)
Town & Country (The Best Books to Read This May)
Positively Charlotte

Thank you Joy Callaway, Harper Collins, and NetGalley, for the advanced copies!

very well written historical work with some strong ideas and good writing. will recommend the work. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

As a reader with a musical background and family ties to the military, I could not have been more excited to read The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway. My goodness, I loved this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is not your typical wartime novel. In her creative way, Joy gifted us with a new spin on the historical fiction carousel and I cannot recommend this book enough for those who appreciate the genre blended with romance and southern fiction.

Readers follow Calla Connolly (a Taylor Swift-esque musician with a soft spot for bringing joy to soldiers serving their country during WWI) and her adventures, setbacks, heart breaks, scandals, and successes! Even though she is forced to remain at Camp Greene after she overhead a secret, Calla is such a light and determines to shine as she scoffs at race "rules," calms and engages the masses, and wins the hearts of everyone caught in her rays.

With the majority of the action taking place in Charlotte, NC, Joy skillfully wove in bits of the city's history throughout the novel (detailed further in the brilliant author's note.)

Joy hooks you, keeps you, breaks you, and rebuilds you in this MUST-read tale of finding/being the silver lining even in the most challenging times.

This WWI era novel inspired by true events, is set just a couple of hours from me in Charlotte, NC. Not much remains of the military training camp but I was fascinated that this camp ever existed! It was modeled after true European combat conditions and told through the eyes of a musical entertainer whose mission was to show appreciation and raise the morale of soldiers. It’s a beautiful story with rich characters and a powerful message of selflessness that transcends time.

Joy’s books are beautifully atmospheric and detailed with historical significance and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Part of the appeal of Joy Calloway’s novels come from the amount of research and heart she puts into her work. I felt like I was in Charlotte, NC in the early 1900’s. With references to the Spanish Flu epidemic, entertainment tours for troops and life in the military in that time.
The characters are impossible not to love , save for a few that you love to hate. You can feel the fear, the grief and the love of the women that are staying at the camp with her. The intel that Calla overhears lends a tense and heartbreaking element to her stay and communications with those that she is quickly forming bonds with. The enemies to lovers banter and relationship progression of Calla and Jesse gives the reader an even more tragic connection to the emotions Calla is dealing with.

This digital arc was sent to me via Uplit Reads for a campaign.

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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!

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!!!

Thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for ARC.

Ever since I was traumatized by Kristen Hannah’s The Nightingale I try to avoid stories that are set during WWI and WWII, but this was a unique setting; in 1918 a vaudeville/broadway star entertaining the troops in a training camp in North Carolina, Camp Greene. Calla Connolly wants to gain permission to entertain the troops on the front in Europe, driven by a promise she made to her late fiancé. Due to the unfortunate event of contracting the Spanish flu (every thing about this disease reminded me of COVID 19) and a misunderstanding with one of Camp Greene’s senior officers, she is unable to achieve her goal and is stuck on the camp. There she examines her life and relationships and finds love and friendship in the most unexpected places. I loved the progression of the friendship and romance between Calla and Jesse, the growing hope she imparts on him and others.

This was beautiful!
I was also fortunate enough to receive the audiobook and it was amazing. The narrator, Brittany Pressley, really brought the story to life and I found myself looking into all the historical references, political, social and fashion related too.

Joy never fails to immerse you in the story that she is telling. Her newest one is a WWI tale that takes place on US soil in Charlotte, NC! Calla Connolly is a Broadway star hoping to perform for the troops in France when she gets the Spanish Flu while at Camp Greene in NC. While sick she overhears some sensitive information and must stay at the camp. While there she continues to perform for the troops and learns a lot about herself and what she really wants out of life. There is of course some romance! This is an absolutely magical and captivating tale with a strong female lead and the tough choices she must make.

I took my time devouring this book, morsel by morsel , because it was my treat at the end of the day. The Star of Camp Greene is a wonderful story about a world renowned performer whose traveling tour is cut short when she falls sick with the Spanish Flu and happens to overhear the secret military plans and operations while convalescing. Her stay at Camp Greene is bitter sweet. She is on a mission to be a beacon of hope for the men serving in the front lines because of the memory of her late fiancé. While at Camp Greene, she finds true friendship and goes head to head with a handsome colonel who is not happy about her presence at Camp Greene.

There are several interesting things present in this book. There is an insight into the rigorous lives of entertainers, the toxic business of fame, an outbreak of Spanish Influenza, issues that soldiers faced during wartime, and several social issues such as segregation—all of which is heavily doused over the trappings of a World War.

I enjoyed this book immensely! It was a book that I found myself often running back to at the end of the night. If you enjoy historical fiction novels based in WWI with a bit of historical romance, you will enjoy this book.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary. All thoughts are my own opinion.

This historical novel, set in 1918, is the story of Calla Connolly, a Broadway actress who is entertaining the troops during World War I. She catches the Spanish flu and ends up learning an important secret -- which keeps her sidelined in the camp.

I wanted to read The Star of Camp Greene because I love historical fiction. I am interested in the WWI time period, and have never read a book set at an American military camp during this time.

This was an engrossing read. Calla is a sympathetic protagonist, and the details of her life at Camp Greene were interesting. There is a slow building romance that was very appealing. I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in the 1910's.

What a charming, fresh and original tale! Joy Callaway has created a such a compelling character in Calla Connolly and such a propulsive story set primarily in a military camp in her beloved North Carolina in 1918, when the Spanish flu has become rampant and the USA has entered World War I. . Callaway transports the reader to lovely Camp Greene, explores realistic emotions of the soldiers in her midst, and describes the various musical performances with such knowledgeable detail that I swore I could hear the tunes as I read. Bravo!

Highly recommended for lovers of well researched historical fiction, stories of complex women well told, and lovers of books featuring music.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway was a wonderful read. The characters were complex and well-developed and the history was well-researched. Although the topics covered in the novel were intense (World War 1 and Spanish Flu), Joy Callaway did a fantastic job of injecting humor and showing the innocence and human side of the soldiers. The soldier's reactions to the superstar, Calla Connolly, in their midst were perfectly written. This would be a fantastic book for a book club discussion. It would also be a great beach/poolside read! Thank you to Joy Callaway, NetGalley, and Harper Collins Focus for the gifted eARC.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

A great read for the summer time or anytime really. The characters were lovable and the writing fun to read.

This historical fiction novel was an interesting viewpoint of the First World War - told through the main character, a singer/performer set on lifting the morale of the soldiers in training camps. I enjoyed the plot line as well as the historical bits of this novel.