Set in the early twentieth century, this riveting tale follows Marie Little and Earl Layman, who left different parts of Appalachia to better themselves in Knoxville, Tennessee. It explores events central to the city, such as the tumultuous riot in 1919. Earl witnessed the event and steadfastly believed in the innocence of the Black man whose arrest sparked the violence. Marie was influenced by the Progressive Movement's insistence on temperance and women's suffrage, as well as the Jazz Age's view of women as fun and accomplished.

Once Earl and Marie meet and marry, they are almost immediately thrown into the Great Depression. As the couple navigate the era's dark waters, they learn to value stamina and kindness toward others.

When the Rivers Flowed: An Ambitious Hillbilly and a Southern Flapper Discover Knoxville, Tennessee blends historical truth with storytelling flair, creating an enthralling tale of ordinary people living in extraordinary times.