This was a meticulously researched historical fiction book that follows a woman who visits the Grove Park Inn while she's visiting with The Vagabons (Ford, Firestone, Burroughs, and Edison's glamping adventures with reporters in tow). We get a sense of the massive undertaking the construction of the hotel was at a time when the skilled laborers who did the work were overlooked and financiers often got all the credit. We also get to see the town of Asheville before tourism, a time when it was a destination for tuberculosis patients. There's also an angst-ridden romantic subplot that keeps you guessing until the very end.

For anyone who has visited the Grove Park Inn, the highly-detailed scenes from the construction site are fascinating. The main character, Belle, is charged with writing an article about the hotel when the reporter in their group is kicked out for dallying with one of the young women. Belle grew up in a coal-mining town and appreciates the work behind the scenes to excavate and place granite at the site.

The romantic part of the story is a fun one - we have two wounded young people who have agreed to an arranged marriage. Worth Delafield, Belle's soon-t0-be finance is a wonderful character - kind, but clearly nursing deep wounds. He and Belle advance and retreat several times as they navigate their issues. Of course, they get their happily ever after and it is so satisfying after what they've been through.

Complicating almost every part of this story is Belle's cousin Marie Austen, who is a chaos agent of every sort. She flirts with the men she can't have, is terrible to the one she can, drinks too much, throws great tantrums, and is a spiteful, jealous snob. She's such a mess that I almost looked forward to her next attempt to stir all the pots.

Belle and her mother have started a new life after the death of her father. Her mother has married a wealthy man, Shipley Newbold. Shipley does not know that his new wife was poor, and she does not wish for him to know. Belle is going to marry the wealthy Worth Delafield. It is a marriage of convenience, and both do not want a marriage based on love. Belle begins writing of the workman of the new Park Grove Inn, where a group are visiting. Will Belle and Worth grow closer?

I enjoyed this book. I live in NC but had never heard of the Park Grove Inn. Thank you to the author for introducing this inn to me. I would love to visit. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I have been waiting for this one! Thank you to Netgalley for the early read.
Joy takes us to Asheville NC and the building of the Grove Park Inn. It’s a story of the have and have nots. Belle, a recent “have” travels to Asheville with her family, she must continue to hide her poor upbringing or be ostracized. She is quickly drawn to the beauty of the mountains around her and memories of her previous life. As she observes the building of The Grove Park Inn, she is drawn to the workers and wants to tell their story. Of course, there is a love interest and those that want to tell all about Belle. She is determined to find her own way even against the threat of rampant tuberculosis in the area.

This book kept me reading most of the night and the next day! Loved Joy’s descriptions of the Asheville area and the detail surrounding the building of Grove Park. I have been to Grove Park several times and it is a beautiful area and building. Joy’s book do not disappoint! She tells a great story against the backdrop of a spot of history and looks at the “have nots” with an eye of beauty.

Great story!
I really liked the story and plot but felt as though the story got muddy half way though. Belle is a beautiful character and I loved Worth. I felt as though they had a strong connection and the plot was great! However, the side characters were a bit much for me. I felt as though there was too much going on at once. The story got muddled together and it got confusing. I did really like the story. I might recommend this book to my friends and family.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ What the Mountains Remember by Joy Callaway is set to release in April 2024. Very interesting story. I really appreciate that it’s a historical fiction account of the building of the Grove Park Inn, and includes many nods of real life. It brought me into the world of the early 1900s, and made me picture life at that time. I appreciate that the author tells the story of strong women, in a time where being a strong women was looked down upon. Additionally, although there is a clear class destination between the upper class and lower class, the story reminds us that every person matters. I think this is an important message, and tends to be forgotten.
In my opinion, I felt like there were parts that were a little confusing, where the story would jump around. There were almost too many characters, it was hard to keep them separated. Overall, I did enjoy this story, but just wish it was a little more concise.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An interesting premise of a story. Historical fiction account of the building of the Grove Park Inn. At times the heroine was frustrating. It appeared the author kept inventing silly, unbelievable reasons for the hero and heroine to keep pushing each other away. Although the heroine is supposed to be researching an article she's writing, it seems that the story gets bogged down in parts by all the lengthy detailed descriptions of the construction of the building. Overall, I found the story mostly likeable. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

This book centers on Belle Newbold as she is visiting the mountains for the first time in seven years since her father was killed when they lived in the West Virginia. So much of the fear of poverty comes out in Belle's story as well as the stories she eventually told of the workers who built the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. I love that Joy Callaway tells stories about strong women in a time when strong women were not encouraged. I also love that she told the stories of those who helped build the Grove Park Inn combined with real people and fictional people. There is still a lot going on in the story that will keep you turning the pages. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WHAT THE MOUNTAINS REMEMBER by JOY CALLOWAY is a most enjoyable read with interesting characters, some of them real people, mostly inventors, who lived in the early 1900’s, and a story rich with romance, betrayal, guilt and forgiveness.Although we see blatent class distinction and the plight of the working class, we also are made aware of the value of every human being. This is well brought out in the writings of Belle Newbold, the stepdaughter of Shipley Newbold, the gasoline magnate, who interviewed the architect and labourers who were building the magnificen Grove Park Inn for her article, instead of only honouring the investors…..
The setting is rhe Vagabond camp in the mountains. Belle’s relationship with Worth Delafield is one of convenience. They both do not want to fall in love as they have lost loved ones and carry the pain. We are clearly shown that living a life without love and a sense of belonging is not living at all.
The mountains in which the camp is siuated evoke painful memories for each of them. There are secrets on both sides and the fear of someone finding the truth is very strong. Belle’s cousin Marie Austen Kipp has opposite desires to Belle, of whom she is extremely jealous, and causes a lot of trouble for herself and Belle, who is supposed to be her best friend. We see Belle’s relationship with her mother, as opposed to that of Marie Austen with her mother.
I highly recommend this enjoyable and inspirational novel to anyone who likes a really good story with uderlying substance.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Harper Muse. The opinions in this review are completely my own.