Book Review: Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston

Hello Bookworms!

Selling a house is no joke, and I feel like I have a long way to go while also having done so much. Right now, I am marathon cleaning while continuing to pack and declutter. Our realtor's photographer will be here bright and early Saturday morning to take the listing photos, so time is ticking. While taking breaks from the chaos, I have been dipping into some great reads, like the one that I am featuring today.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this 1950's Sweet Small Town Romance and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Loving Sarah
Author: Jo Huddleston
Publisher:Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Genre: 1950s sweet small-town romance

Sarah wears William’s engagement ring. Then, Robert arrives in town.

In this love-triangle story, Sarah cheerfully manages the candy shop she inherited from her mama. Being engaged to be married to Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, makes her life pretty much perfect. But then she meets Robert and has an unexplainable sense they’ve met before.

Robert travels from Michigan to operate Gatlinburg’s main-street SkyLift attraction while his dad recovers from a fall. He’s miserable being relocated to this Tennessee mountains hick town. That is, until he meets Sarah and feels an instant attraction to her. He’s unaware that the town’s biggest secret involves him.

Although she’s engaged to another, Sarah and Robert are mysteriously drawn to each other. This woman and her beloved mountains curb his desire to return to Michigan. Will Sarah give in to her feelings for Robert or be true to the man she’s promised to marry?

Loving Sarah is steeped in the easygoing culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s. The story is a sweet, small-town romance with a heart-wrenching battle to make the right choice. This book will keep you turning pages with its mix of loyalty, betrayal, uncertainty, and emotional stakes.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

I really loved the intro to Loving Sarah and felt like I was in on a secret the entire time I was reading. Granted, the knowledge that I had was cringy at times, but the conclusion made the journey worth it.

There is a charm that is evident as you’re reading. I guess that’s what happens when you know a secret that the characters haven’t figured out yet! It was fun seeing the relationship between Robert and Sarah blossom as it’s clear they have an unspoken connection. While I did love the story as a whole, I did feel like the ending was quite rushed. After all the build-up and focus on the relationship between Robert and Sarah, I had hoped that once the truth came to light, they would have a deeper heart-to-heart, but sadly, that never happened. Still, it was a satisfying ending even if it did feel hurried.

When I first saw this story was a love triangle, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but once I saw where the story was headed, I couldn’t tear myself away. The intrigue and uncertainty were stirring, and the easy-going feel was palpable. You can’t help but be charmed by the characters in this world. This is a fun one that you definitely do not want to miss. I enjoyed this unique premise and honestly don’t remember reading a book quite like this.

My Rating: ★★★★1/2

About the Author

Jo Huddleston writes sweet Southern romances set in the 1950s, where you can escape into wholesome, faith-based love stories of deep commitment, hope, and happily-ever-after endings. Readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose books are sure to inspire and entertain you. Reviewers say her books should be Hallmark movies.

She likes to laugh with people, but not at people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. She’s a spectator fan of several sports, with tennis being her favorite. She doesn’t enjoy being in the dark and is fearful of snakes!

Jo holds a BA degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), where she is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned the MEd degree from Mississippi State University.

Please visit Jo's website and get a free book when you sign up for her newsletter.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card + eBook of Loving Sarah!

(2) winners will each receive the eBook of Loving Sarah!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No delivery restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!