This was an enjoyable work of historical fiction. I had never heard of Grove Park Inn but it sounds like a fascinating place. I especially enjoyed and appreciated that the author had Belle, the main character, take such interest in the lives and inspiration of the skilled tradesmen involved in building the hotel. As is mentioned several times in the story, the recognition for a fantastic building tends to go to the owners/financiers, and possibly the architect.

I had not heard of the Vagabonds summer camping trips, but it certainly would have been interesting to be part of a group that included Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

Their individual histories of family loss/trauma serve well to provide a link between Belle and Worth and provide a way for their marital match of convenience to become something more. Marie Austen served as a good foil to Belle.

Little did I know when I began reading "What the Mountains Remember" by Joy Callaway that I would be transported to a place I carry deep in my heart - Asheville, NC. Oh, the numerous times that I have visited the Biltmore Estate and gazed over the Blue Ridge Mountains and dreamed of one day living there. Even though the story is written in the narrative (not my favorite), I could not stop reading until the very end and desperately didn't want it to end. The Grove Park Inn being constructed in this story still stands today.

The characters of Belle and Worth and the heartbreak they carry spoke to me in a whisper and then in a shout. Can their wounds be healed?

A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
My rating is probably more like 3.5 stars. What I enjoyed the most: Belle's determination to give credit to the workers at the construction site, the descriptions of the fashions and of the hotel itself.

What I didn't enjoy: Belle and Worth going back and forth, breaking off their engagement numerous times during the one week adventure. I'm not really into romance books so this "will they or won't they"was not really appealing to me.
Overall, an interesting time period before gas stations existed.

This book has my heart! I love Joy Callaway’s writing and how she brings to life historical time periods full of turmoil in a heartfelt, emotional way. Her latest, What the Mountains Remember, holds a special place in my heart since it is set during the building of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. The Grove Park is one of my favorite retreats for its beautiful mountain views and masterful craftsmanship, and I absolutely loved learning the details about its origins through this book.

Joy does a fantastic job at drawing the reader into Belle’s world of 1913 Asheville and her precarious place in society. I love how Joy mixes in the details of both the high-society world Belle inhabits now (including Henry Ford and his Vagabond road trips!) with the very real life that most blue collar workers faced. Her descriptive language about the stark contrast, from the fanciful dresses to the dilapidated cottages, made the book come to life before my eyes.

I was also fascinated by the discussion of Asheville’s sanatoriums for tuberculosis - I had no idea about this part of its history! As always, Joy’s extensive research shines in a compelling story that flows beautifully. And the romance between Belle and Worth was perfect!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about early 20th century history and anyone who loves a good story told in a beautiful way! I adored every word, and it will definitely be one of my top reads of 2024!

Since I live near the Grove Park Inn, I was very interested to learn about the building of it. The author does a wonderful job of describing the lives of the laborers versus those of Henry Ford and his Gilded Age friends. The love story was rather contrived, but it showed the mores of the time.

If Joy Callaway is penning a book, I am reading it!!! This one is Joy at her absolute finest!!! Highly recommend!!!

The setting is Asheville, NC in 1913. The Grove Park Inn is being built and Belle Newbold has returned to the mountains. She has been through a lot and a marriage with Worth Delafield has been arranged. Neither is looking for love but there is always that possibility!!

There must have been a tremendous amount of research put into this book as there are so many details that brightly shine through!! The workers who are building this beautiful Inn are very important to this story!!

This book will be out on 4/2/24 from Harper Muse and I highly recommend you preorder!!! Thank you for an early digital copy.,

Joy Callaway's novels are always eloquent and lush and this book was her at her finest! Her love of history and of the Blue Ridge shines in the descriptions. The Grove Park Inn features beautifully in this story like the glowing hearth every heart longs to find at the end of a long journey--and your so happy her characters find their way. I was swept up and now all I can think about is making my own reservation and getting back to North Carolina!

In this romance about keeping one's background secret for reasons of social standing, Callaway tries so hard to make her characters work, but in the end, it just doesn't work. Belle is slated to marry Worth (god, these names, please, can we be at least a little more subtle?), but Belle comes from a poor family. Belle's mother has obfuscated her past, and married a rich man after Belle's father died in a mine collapse. Worth's parents and, apparently, his fiancée, died in a fire. Both are pledged not to love, ever, because love brings pain. (Sigh.) Everyone is on holiday in Asheville, NC, to see the building of the Grove Park Inn. As they figure out their relationship, which consists of numerous broken engagements and attempts to break engagements, they fall in love. Of course. At the same time, Belle begins to write an article about the men building the Inn, which gives her the opportunity to show that laborers and craftspeople are people too! But the "article" included near the d of the book does no such thing, and while Belle is happy that her husband covers costs for the workers' health care and housing, she's still horrified by her own roots, except when they are useful for her to gain favor with Worth and others in their circle. You can also play Gothic bingo here: young woman in love with inappropriate man; man who is a cad; tuberculosis; poor but proud people; escaping on horseback; possible illegitimate child; charred ruins of Worth's parents' home; sneaking around in the dark; lots of costume changes; Worth's manly chest. 3/5 for effort.

Loved the setting of the North Carolina mountains. Such a beautiful place! I enjoyed my visit
I really loved the first person pov from Belle. She's an interesting person herself. She has many secrets and fears that she feels weighed down with.

A historical drama and romance set in 1913, North Carolina. Featuring the building of a remarkable historic landmark, the Grove Park Inn near Asheville, with a story mingling real and fictional figures.
"Memories were interesting that way. Sometimes you didn’t realize how much you ached for something until it materialized again."

Drama, history and a complicated romance fill the pages as a group of notable industrialists, entrepeneurs and their families convene for a camping trip in the mountains outside of Asheville. I liked how the author's research and personal experiences were inspiration for this story. The details of the building process and beauty of the area were well described. The tuberculosis epidemic was a real threat and sadly impacted the entire nation. My great grandmother contracted it, and was sent cross country for a remedy, as many in this tale did also.

"Fear is greedy. If you let it, it will expand and grow until it steals your joy, your wonder too.”
Themes of dealing with past traumas, grief, fear and betrayal added depth to the tale. Class differences and some prejudice were part of the storyline. Championing the lives of workers was a good way to show how all people have worth. Belle was transformed by the end and seemed to find a real purpose for life. I enjoyed the hopeful ending.

Fans of historical romances with some grit and flawed characters may enjoy this one. It is generally a clean read with some hints at off screen intimacy and occasional language.
3.5 stars

I continue to be impressed with Joy Callaway's writing. She captures a time period and place so beautifully. In this case, I've been to Grove Park Inn many times, and she brought its magic and its beginning to life in a remarkable way. The time period details are spot on without ever getting in the way of the narrative.

While the plot can be a bit soap opera-ish at times, it kept my attention from start to finish. Maire Austen is a villain we love to hate. The love story between Belle and Worth is one for the ages.

I especially admired Belle's quest to honor her father's legacy and memory, which was very touching.

I may be in the minority here, but I would love to see a future book from Marie Austen's perspective. She has been through a lot and has a strong personality. I love a good redemption arc, and she is certainly due for one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy; all opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Focus for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is basically the story of the building of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. The author bases this event around one of the camping trips of the Vagabonds. Belle Newbold and Worth Delafield are the main fictional characters that bring this story alive. I enjoyed this story, although the actual details of building the Inn sometimes slowed down the action. I thought the author brought a lot of storylines into the book-romance, a little mystery and one of the famous trips made by the Vagabonds. Overall, this was a good story!

hard to find a historical fiction that i don’t love!! set in the mountains of north carolina at the picturesque grove park inn, we follow belle & worth’s engagement of convenience. they both aren’t looking for love, but eventually find it along the way.

the thing i appreciated most was the time spent learning about each person’s role in the creation of the grove park inn, then called a great wonder of the world. from the stonemason to the architect, each person played a very vital role.

thank you netgalley for the arc digital copy & joy for the arc paperback! look for this at your local bookstore on april 2nd!

I loved this book and knew I would because I had read Joy Callaway’s work before. Belle and Worth were such lovely characters. The ending was wonderful, and the ending with Marie-Austen was humorous. Callaway wrote What the Mountains Remember to share the Grove Park Inn with the rest of the world with memories from her childhood. She conveyed the beauty of the Inn wonderfully, and now the Grove Park Inn is a place I would like to visit soon. The book is very recommendable. The novel was wonderful in its length and pace, which would suit adults and young adults alike. What the Mountains Remember is a good book that I greatly enjoyed and rated five stars.

Joy Callaway has a true talent and passion for telling stories while highlighting beautiful, unique architecture. In this story she has woven her WV roots and NC roots together to give us a hopeful story of love, loss and family. The research put in to this novel shines throughout the entire story.

Thoroughly researched, What the Mountains Remember is a beautiful historical fiction story of how Asheville’s iconic Grove Park Inn was built with a special focus on the construction laborers. The romantic interests and family drama are at times repetitive and confusing but all ends well in the conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read What the Mountains Remember by Joy Callaway. I live not far from Asheville and am very familiar with the beautiful Grove Park Inn. This was as a fascinating read.

I read, “What the Mountains Remember”, by Joy Callaway. Ms Callaway has written a beautiful story set in a lovely place. The book has love, friendship, care, and appreciation. The characters, Belle, Worth, Marie Austen, Willie, and many others, have depth and a believable quality. I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. Once you have completed the book do not overlook Ms Callaway’s notes at the end.
I rated this book. 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a beautiful book!! Meticulously researched historical fiction set during the building of the Grove Park Inn. The setting comes to life and I feel in love with the characters. The story of a young woman who wants more out of life than what is expected of her. Also a wonderful love story! This book has everything I love in a historical fiction read! Highly recommend!!

Oh my goodness what a gorgeous book!!! From the breathtaking cover to every single word written inside Joy Callaway has penned a masterpiece.

The construction of the Grove Park Inn in Asheville in the early 1900s is the setting for the story of Belle Newbold. She is a woman that has a fire inside of her to be more than just a ‘high society’ lady as expected of her. She is “promised” to Worth Delafield and their story is beautiful.

The research that Joy put into this book is evident as Joy’s descriptions and details transport you to that time and place.

Highly highly recommend this gorgeous story!!!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse for the chance to read and review this amazing story!!!