I usually really enjoy fictional stories that tell real history. I enjoy learning about places in time periods that can often only be imagined. Although I learned a lot about and enjoyed the resort, and even researched it further after finishing it, the characters' stories weren't that interesting. The stories aren't always happy, but this one highlights the sad moments in the main character's life. If you don't mind the character's sadness, the story is good.

This is the story of Dorothy Draper who is an interior designer. It has dual timelines, 1908 and 1946. Dorothy grew up with a socialite family who always spent summers at the Greenbriar Hotel. She was meant to marry the man her father decided would be acceptable, rather than the man she loved. In 1946, Dorothy returns to the Greenbriar to renovate the interior.
This is based on a true story of the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia, and the life of Dorothy Draper. I had no idea when I started to listen to this audiobook.

I loved the narrator. I felt a bit indifferent about the story itself. I didn't love it, but didn't dislike it. I can only describe it as an audiobook that I enjoyed while trying to decide what I want to read or listen to next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for this ARC.

I found this book a bit dull, there just wasn't much plot but I enjoyed the design descriptions of the hotel.

I was looking forward to hearing more about her life and her designs, but I imagine that telling a love story was what drove the author to write this.
The narration is good and is a good story of a rich young woman trying to make her way in a man’s world by doing what she loved.

Divorcee Dorothy Draper, the first female interior designer, returns to the historic Greenbrier resort hotel, where she summered in her youth, to renovate it from an Army hospital back to it’s former glory. Frequented by New York’s elite, politicians, and international families of note in it's heyday, Dorothy stirs up ghosts and memories along with dust and plaster as she creates a rhododendrons and romance themed design, from livery and matchbooks to towels, guestrooms and ballrooms.

Joy Callaway beautifully captures Dorothy's dissatisfaction with her lot in life, privileged as it may be, the voice of the character is compelling, true and consistent. The romance subplot, fabricated for this fictionalization of Draper's life, gives a throughline from the past to the present. The writing is strong and descriptive, with attention to detail that demonstrates a knowledge of art and design, and meticulous research about the historical time periods Draper came of age then lived and designed in. She correctly credits Draper as being as iconic for establishing a personal brand with her design house, established in 1925 and still going strong, as Frank Llyod Wright for his architectural legacy, vocabulary, and school.

Narrator Gina Carlson modulates her voice to convey a subtle, mid-Atlantic, cultured diction, rich with variety, as Dorothy, embroiled in debutante social games, is coy, indignant, droll, and petulant by turns. The voice acting is excellent, as she also varies her voice noticeably for Dorothy's friends, lovers, parents, clients.

Most telling of all, the novel was so intriguing I went down a Dorothy Draper rabbit hole and read further, checking out a biography of Draper, and requested her design books (dated, but still relevant) through interlibrary loan. The firm is 100 years old and going strong; check out https://dorothydraper.com/ for past and current projects.

I received a free advance reader's review audio copy of #TheGrandDesign via #NetGalley, courtesy of Harper/Harper Muse.

Thank you Net Galley for the audio version of this novel. I read along and listened at the same time. Honestly, the audio made me stick with this novel. I loved the narrator and how she changed her voice for each character. Overall, I was disappointed with the story when I learned so much was not true and many of the characters were never part of Dorothy Draper's life. Thank you and I am submitting an honest review.

I loved this dual timeline story that focused on the Greenbrier. Growing up in southern VA, I have always heard of how fabulous the Greenbrier is so this was an interesting picture of it. The romance of Callaway's books are always a fun addition.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. I was initially drawn to the novel because of its dual timeline structure and its setting in one of the most iconic hotels of the time period. The author did a great job painting a vivid picture of the setting and characters, making it easy to visualize the world of the story. The narrator also delivered a smooth, enjoyable performance that suited the tone of the book well.

That said, the story itself didn’t quite work for me. While Draper is undoubtedly a remarkable historical figure, I struggled to connect with her character in this version. The pacing felt slow in parts, and the plot was somewhat predictable, which made it harder to stay engaged. Although there were moments I appreciated, the overall story just didn’t leave a strong impact.

3.75⭐️s : narration added to enjoyment of story. Dorthy was an interesting woman.

A story with which I was not familiar. I enjoyed it & the time just storytelling. Felt a little rehash repetitive at times. For a woman during that time period to be a professional, what a woman she must have been!

I kinda wish I hadn’t listened to the author’s note at all. She does warn to wait until the end (which I did), but for whatever reason it took a little of my enjoyment away. Probably just me being weird.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Muse Audiobooks for a free ARC of the audiobook.

An intriguing premise (and a fantastic cover!) but this is really just a romance, not a legitimate piece of Historical Fiction.

I don’t think I know much more about Dorothy Draper’s work after reading this, which is supposedly what the book is about. I know that womens Historical Fiction always includes a romantic subplot because apparently many readers just can’t do without it, but here it feels like that takes up far more real estate than what is devoted to Draper’s design work, which sort of contradicts the entire point of a book that supposedly seeks to shed light on pioneering career women.

The pacing is fine and so is the writing, but this just isn’t of much interest unless you’re really just looking for a novel about the imagined personal relationships of a famous woman.

I was intrigued by the premise of this dual timeline book--the life of Dorothy Draper and her work as the interior designer of The Greenbrier in WV. But, I didn't love it. Draper is a complex character and what she achieved is impressive, however, I couldn't really connect with her as a character in this book and the story fell flat for me.

I was really intrigued by the premise of The Grand Design—a historical fiction inspired by the life of Dorothy Draper, one of America’s first celebrity interior designers. The dual timelines, set in 1908 and 1946, offered a compelling contrast between a young woman dreaming of freedom and the seasoned designer returning to the Greenbrier Resort to leave her mark.

I struggled with the rating on this book and ultimately rated it down as I felt it missed the mark for it to be a 4-star read. I just didn't feel the characters were fully developed.

Overall, it could have been a fascinating read with a cool historical backdrop, but it didn’t quite hit all the emotional notes I was hoping for. Still, I’d recommend it to fans of historical fiction who enjoy stories about trailblazing women and the worlds they helped shape.

I was fascinated to learn more about interior designer Dorothy Draper and her renovation of the famous Greenbriar Hotel in the late 1940s. She seemed to be a woman ahead of her time and the story about an early romance also at the Greenbriar was entertaining. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced listeners copy of this historical novel.

It took a while for me to get invested in this story 'The Grand Design' by Joy Calloway, however it really grew on me about half way through and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a historical fiction novel about the legendary interior designer Dorothy Draper, her work, her loves and life. To be honest I had no idea who Dorothy Draper was until I looked up the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and saw her amazing designs. Her use of color is is fantastical and even though so much of it is so over the top, it works beautifully. Now I have to go there! The story was well told. Dorothy was a wealthy heiress who wanted more to life than just being a coddled wife and mother. She was always trying to buck the system and by all intents and purposes she did. She was driven and it shows in her beautiful accomplishments and work. I listened to an audio version of this book and the narrator was very good. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harper Muse Audiobooks | Harper Muse for a chance to listen/read an ARC audio version of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Grand Design: Gilded Ambitions, Unrelatable Lives

If you love your historical fiction with a side of luxury, The Grand Design by Joy Callaway might catch your eye. Set at the glamorous Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, the story is based on real-life interior designer Dorothy Draper, who carved out a career for herself in an era when women were expected to marry well and stay quiet.

Callaway paints a vivid picture of high society in the early 20th century, from debutante balls to decor trends. The historical tidbits about Draper’s life and inner circle were genuinely interesting, and I enjoyed learning more about the Greenbrier itself—it’s the kind of place that’s fun to peek at from afar, but not exactly in my travel budget.

The problem? I just didn’t care much about these people. Dorothy’s ambition was admirable, but she wasn’t easy to like, and the story’s focus on the woes of the ultra-wealthy left me cold. While I appreciated the portrayal of a woman blazing a trail in business, I had a hard time relating to the privileged bubble she lived in.

The audio narrator did a fine job, but using different character voices would have been an improvement. The eBook is well-written and well-researched—but emotionally distant. If you like elegant escapes, give it a go. Otherwise, it might leave you feeling like a guest who wandered into the wrong party.

** Thanks for NetGalley, and Harper Muse for copies of the eBook and Audiobook. The opinions are my own.

There were some very interesting parts of this book. Some of the time jumping was confusing, but overall not a bad read. I enjoyed the narrator. A little to much romance for my historical fiction likes.

Joy Callaway has become a new favorite author of mine! This book would be marvelous for a book club: so many things to discuss and review together.

I listened to the audiobook of this and found the narrator really good. Overall the story was enjoyable and I could really picture the Greenbrier at its prime and refurb, however I don’t think this one will stick with me. Would recommend but likely won’t be thinking about this one again since finishing.

I enjoy historical fiction books. This one was a different focus for me in that it took place during the early 1940s. I loved learning more about the Greenbrier, which I have been blessed to have visited and given a behind-the-scenes tour. I did not connect with the main character, Dorothy Draper. I felt like the story was more focused on romance than the history aspect of the book. Though, there are plenty of positive reviews, so this may be one you would want to read to see if it appeals to you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse on Brilliance Audio for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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"The Grand Design" warmed my historical fiction heart. Listening to characters being mentioned with the last names of Vanderbilt, Taft, Roosevelt, Van Buren, and Truman made me so happy! The setting reminds me of the setting of "Dirty Dancing", so nostalgic! Listening to the audiobook makes you feel like you are amongst the guests at the Greenbrier. walking the beautifully decorated halls. I would have loved to have been there at that time.

The FMC Dorothy is amazing especially during this time in history, to be a CEO of her own company, and a fearlessly independent woman.

Thank you Harper Muse Audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this book. It was truly a joy!