When Ginny gives birth to a baby, Lucy, with Down Syndrome, she is encouraged by her husband and powerful in laws to place Lucy in an institution. She was informed that the “school” would be able to better care for Lucy and her needs. When Ginny’s friend contacts Ginny to discuss recent news articles written about the school, Ginny is horrified. The school was accused of neglect, abuse, and filthy conditions. Without telling her husband, Ginny goes to the school to take in the conditions herself. When she realizes that the newspaper articles are true, she signs her daughter out of the school for the weekend and begins to form a relationship with her daughter.

A heart-warming story, with some graphic descriptions that are very true of the condition of some institutions in the 1960s. Although I was drawn to the story, I will say that I felt there were many moments where I had to skim through pages due to redundancy. Admittedly, this is not the typical story that I read, but I feel that this book could have been shortened at least 50 pages. Overall 3 stars and a quick summer read.

Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review. All opinions are my own.

In 1969, our main character, Ginny, gives birth to Lucy. The doctor and her husband and father-in-law all thought it best to ship this Down Syndrome baby off to an institution, so Ginny was forced to leave the hospital without her baby. As a mother, I thought this was an appalling reaction, but I think this happened a lot. Ginny was never on board with the decision, but as a woman, her opinion was not considered.

Fast-forward two years and the institution has been exposed for mistreating children, so Ginny decides she needs to visit for herself. She’s allowed to see Lucy and even bring her home for the weekend. As you might imagine, once she’s seen the awful state of the institution and reunited with her daughter, there is no way Ginny will consider sending her back to that terrible place. She’s determined to stand up to her husband and father-in-law and figure out how to keep Lucy. Ginny ultimately flees her home with her son (who was told his baby sister died initially) and a friend and the race is on for much of the book.

I liked the way this one turned out and how Ginny grows stronger as a person and makes a better life for Lucy and ultimately her family. I also was glad that Ginny’s husband took a stand and supported her.

I am relieved that we’ve made progress on how children born with Down Syndrome are treated. This book is a good reminder that we need to keep making strides! I enjoyed an earlier book by this author, “Rust & Stardust”, so I will definitely keep reading T. Greenwood.

*I will update my review on publication date of 8/6/19

Dover, Massachusetts, 1969. Ginny Richardson’s heart was torn open when her baby girl, Lucy, born with Down Syndrome, was taken from her. Under pressure from his powerful family, her husband, Ab, sent Lucy away to Willowridge, a special school for the “feeble-minded.” Ab tried to convince Ginny it was for the best. That they should grieve for their daughter as though she were dead. That they should try to move on.

But two years later, when Ginny’s best friend, Marsha, shows her a series of articles exposing Willowridge as a hell-on-earth–its squalid hallways filled with neglected children–she knows she can’t leave her daughter there. With Ginny’s six-year-old son in tow, Ginny and Marsha drive to the school to see Lucy for themselves. What they find sets their course on a heart-racing journey across state lines—turning Ginny into a fugitive.

For the first time, Ginny must test her own strength and face the world head-on as she fights Ab and his domineering father for the right to keep Lucy. Racing from Massachusetts to the beaches of Atlantic City, through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to a roadside mermaid show in Florida, Keeping Lucy is a searing portrait of just how far a mother’s love can take her.

My Thoughts: Set in the 1960s and 70s, in a time when attitudes toward special needs were uninformed and harsh, a young mother suffers a great loss at the hands of her own husband and father-in-law.

Striving to accept the loss of her daughter, Ginny tries to cope. But the news of the scandalous neglect at the supposedly “best place” for her daughter took her on a journey to discover the truth and take a stand with the powerful men in her family.

Throughout Keeping Lucy, I rooted for Ginny and Lucy, and wanted to shout for joy at each step forward that she took. 5 stars.

***My e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.

For those of us of a certain age, 1969 can seem like forever ago and recent history. But a lot has changed in the last fifty years, especially when it comes to the treatment of Down’s Syndrome children. Even the name. I remember when they were called Mongoloids and that shunting them away was the normal practice.

This gripping book deals with Ginny, who gives birth to such a child. Initially, she goes along with her husband and his family, who insist the child be placed in a special “school”. But when an expose makes clear the squalid conditions there, she changes course.

A lot of things can tear a marriage apart. But this must be one of the worst, the inability to agree on what to do with a child with mental disabilities. Even worse when your husband seems to be just bending to his family’s wishes.

Throughout the book, there are flashbacks to Ab and Ginny pre-Lucy which provide the background of exactly how they ended up giving up Lucy.

Greenwood gives us a wonderful sense of the time. Ginny, like so many women in that time, finds her voice and her backbone as the book progresses. The ending is fairly predictable.

This book is based on a real facility and the horrors that occurred there. I wish the author had given us some background on what drew her to the story.

My thanks to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Keeping Lucy is the latest novel from author T. Greenwood, and the first story I've read by Ms Greenwood. I read Keeping Lucy in less than 24 hours, simply had a difficult time putting it down. This story may bring you to tears....both the sad and happy kind. I was given an early copy to review.

*Spoilers*

It's 1969. After giving birth to her daughter, Lucy, who is afflicted with Down's Syndrome, Ginny is forced to put her in a school for her own good. But is it? Two years later Ginny discovers that the place she has trusted with the care of her daughter isn't as it seems and she embarks on a journey to keep Lucy safe.

This book almost reminded me of a modern day Thelma and Louise with two friends on the run for different reasons. We see Ginny come into her own as a woman, and a mother, and she does whatever is necessary to ensure her daughter's safety. I enjoyed Ginny's journey, her growth, and how her resolve strengthens. She changes from a meek woman into one of strength, willingly to do whatever is necessary to save her daughter.

I enjoyed this novel, but it almost felt as though things were wrapped up a little too neatly in the end. It felt a little too easy, too simple that everything would just work out perfectly. I was almost disappointed that Ginny went back to Ab and back to her old life. I enjoyed seeing her gain her independence. Even though Ab made his own concessions, I couldn't help but think that as a woman in the 1970s Ginny would lose the independence she had gained by going back to her husband.

Heartwrenching. Heartwarming.

And yet the pacing is what reduced my overall rating of this book. The first two thirds or so ramp up the tension and the emotional turbulence that Ginny, the protagonist, is going through as she attempts to rescue, and then keep custody of, her daughter. Lucy has Down Syndrome, and was forcibly taken from her when she was born in the early 70s and kept in an institution, later exposed for having horrific conditions.

T Greenwood manages during this first portion of the book to balance the action and the human aspect of the story well, however as the story approaches its climax, it begins to fall slightly flat. The resolution happens far too quickly for me, and everything seems perhaps too perfectly wrapped up by the end.

It's an interesting, and horrific story though - especially as it is inspired by real events.

Review posted to Goodreads. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While Ginny was never who Ab's parents hoped for him to marry, they did and have a perfect little boy Peyton. When Ginny gives birth to their second child however, Ab and his family are horrified to see that little Lucy has Down Syndrome. It's 1969, and Ab's father quickly whisks the baby away to a "school" meant for children like her. Ginny wakes up to find her baby girl is gone, and all attempts to see her as the months go by get brushed off by her husband.

Two years later, Ginny's best friend Marsha shows up with several newspaper articles. The "school" is all over the papers being exposed for abuse and neglect. Ginny and Marsha quickly head off with Peyton to see for themselves. Ginny is allowed to take Lucy out for the weekend, but after what she has seen while picking her up, she knows she can never let her child return to that hell. Ginny must finally stand up to her husband and her in-laws all while running away and hoping the law doesn't get involved.

I could not stop reading this one once I started. My heart broke for the conditions Lucy was kept in, but this book was truly about the strength of a mothers love and what lengths she will go to for her children. Marsha is officially the best friend ever. I mean I have some great friends that would do anything for me, but I'm not sure any would go this far. She was a fantastic character and I loved her for everything she did for Ginny. I felt like there was a lot of growth for Ab through this book. He started so strong against his parents, but ended up giving in and letting them rule his life. I enjoyed seeing how he dealt with that over time.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for allowing me to read and review this book in advance.

From the very beginning I felt so many emotions while reading this book. The beginning of the story takes place in 1969 when husbands basically ruled the house and children with disabilities were raised in institutions not in the home. At the birth of Ginny's baby and how the husband and father-in-law handled the situation, my heart was breaking for Ginny. Keeping Lucy is a heartbreaking story of a mother's love and the obstacles she has to overcome for her daughter. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!! You will not be able to read this book and be able to forget it anytime soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Once again, T. Greenwood goes playing with my emotions and giving me all the feels and breaking my heart. I'm amazed at her ability to dredge up every emotion I didn't know I had and tugging at every heartstring in the process. She's become a must read author for me and never disappoints!

Keeping Lucy is equal parts fascinating, riveting and heartbreaking. You hear about families giving up children in the 50 and 60s (and earlier) because of all sorts of conditions - the most common being Down Syndrome. And you wonder how often the cases have mimicked that of Ginny - waking up after a long, hard birth and finding her baby GONE. Given to an institution to care for her 'afflicted child' before having touched her, or heard her cry, or having ever laid eyes on her own daughter.

Ginny finds out a few years later the horrors that take place in some of these institutions, particularly the one Lucy was sent to - and she decides to put her motherly instincts to the test and go get her baby back. What follows is a wild ride of friendship, motherhood, and a journey that had me on the edge of my seat. I admired everything that Ginny did to protect her daughter. I adored her best friend who, no questions asked, goes along for the ride. I loved the sweet stories of Lucy and how she comes out of her shell to finally 'meet' her family who until now were total strangers.

The story is beautiful and heartwarming and I read it with a smile plastered on my face the entire time. Another knockout for T. Greenwood. Another story that made me feel everything and left me wanting more. Another set of characters I wanted to reach into and hug, even long after the story was over. All the wonderful feels!

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and St Marteen press in exchange for an honest review. This was my first read from this author

In the early 1970’s Ginny is anxiously awaiting the birth of her second child. She goes into labor at her shower and delivers baby Lucy. The child is born with Down’s syndrome and is quickly whisked away. High powered lawyer, and husband Ab, along with father-in-law Abbott convince her the baby would be better off at the “school” Willowridge. Two years later Ginny’s friend points out news reports about the deplorable conditions, filth abuse and neglect of residents being reported at Willowridge. Ginny defies Ab’s Wishes and checks Lucy out for a weekend. The book details much of her week with Lucy as well as the family history of her marriage to Ab

Author T. Greenwood’s latest novel, Finding Lucy is a historical fiction that touches on the atrocities at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island New York. While I found the premise compelling, I did not fall in love with this book.

While many of us think of the 1960s and 1970s as being modern, the times were tumultuous and women were still struggling to have their voices heard. It is not far fetched that the youngish heroine, Ginny, had little say in the situation when her powerful father-in-law sends her Down-Syndrome-afflicted daughter, Lucy, to an institution. It was heart-wrenching for Ginny, but not unheard of during that era. Ginny represents the oppressed woman whose life is defined by the expectations of a good wife and the decisions of the men in her life. Her friend, Marsha represents the rebellious women who chose careers over marriage and family. Marsha is liberated, self-confident, and assertive. She is the instigator of change in Ginny’s life.

Once Marsha convinces Ginny that she must rescue Lucy from Willowridge School, the story takes a left turn (pun intended) and becomes a fantastic tale of an increasingly rash and desperate road trip (which many reviewers have likened to the movie Thelma & Louise). The characters might seem cliché, but Marsha and Ginny represent women of that era, and their character differences and experiences represent the social changes experienced by women in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

I would have appreciated more exploration of the fictional Willowridge and the plight of the developmentally disabled during the era. I didn’t feel Ginny’s drive and determination to do what was right for her daughter. Perhaps that was a function of the author conveying Ginny’s feelings of powerlessness, but I needed an “Erin Brockovich” type character to make Keeping Lucy come alive.

My memories of visiting Agnews State Mental Hospital in Santa Clara, California as a young student or scout fueled my desire that Keeping Lucy would be a meatier read that addressed the conditions at institutions like Willowridge and the people who fought for change in the treatment of the developmentally disabled. Keeping Lucy isn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t the book I was looking for.

Willowridge School is based on the unfortunately real Willowbrook State School that was more of a dumping ground for developmentally disabled children than it was a school. Author T. Greenwood’s Keeping Lucy serves as a reminder of how far society has come and how much more is needed in terms the stigma of mental health conditions.

2.5-3 stars

When I saw that this author had a new book, I hurried to request it, as I am a fan of a couple of her previous books.
This one was just mediocre for me.
A young married couple, quite well off, have a young son and the second one Lucy, is born with Down’s Syndrome and at this time in history, 1969... many were institutionalized. This is NOT what Ginny, the mother wanted.. her husband signed the child over to the state, under pressure from his own father.
This story is about a mother’s quest to get and keep her daughter, and keep her safe and loved.
We are given a glimpse into the horrendous state of the institution.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for the Arc!

Though a work of fiction, this novel set in 1969 through 1972 reminded me of the real life Willowbrook "school" that many people of my generation will recall seeing Geraldo Rivera breach with a stolen key and a camera in tow, showing the world the horrors inside. If you are too young to know what I'm talking about you really should look it up, and I believe there is also a documentary available streaming on Prime.

When Ginny, a not so happy housewife gives birth to Lucy, a baby girl with Down Syndrome it becomes painfully clear that there are three people in her marriage, herself, her husband and his father. The baby is whisked away on her father-in-law's say so and her husband insists it's all for the best. At first her husband claims they can't visit their daughter for 30 days. Eventually it becomes apparent that they are not to visit at all. He even has the audacity to suggest they have another baby as if Lucy was just a pair of defective shoes they could so easily exchange. When Ginny discovers this so called school is really a dumping ground where the disabled are neglected abused and uncared for, she takes matters into her own hands, defying her husband who is too weak to stand up to his father and learning that she is much stronger than she ever knew.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a mother forced to give up her Down syndrome child in 1969. It was heart wrenching to read about the condition of institutions for disabled children. I’m sure there is probably some truth to this. At some points in the novel, I found myself angry at Ginny for some reckless behavior. But, isn’t that part of a great read to have conflict or a moral struggle with the main character? I just kept reminding myself that in 1969 things were very different for women and that helped me understand Ginny more. This marks my second book from this very talented writer.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I would definitely recommend this book because for me it was a page turner.

OMG. This book. I really am not sure why I put off reading this book, it’s been on my NetGalley shelf for a while. Maybe because this author’s previous book “Rust and Stardust” left me feeling gutted. By the description of this one, I knew it would be another tough one. So worth the wait! I need to go back to binge read her other books!

I cannot say enough about this beautifully written, tough subject book. Set in the late 60s, early 70s when things were different...men were expected to be the bread winners, and women we expected to sat home and keep house. Most wives went along willingly to what their husbands did, said and planned. Things that were not normal were taken care of.

Ginny married Ab, fell in love with him, not his father’s money or status. Ab fell in love with Ginny as she was. His Father, Abbott, is a wealthy lawyer who wants Ab following in his footsteps, even though it’s really not what Ab wants. Ginny and Ab are happily married, beautiful home, beautiful son and second child on the way. Until life throws them a beautiful curve ball, a baby girl named Lucy, who is born special. Special was not in Abbott’s vocabulary, or his world, he will take care of Ginny and AB’s special problem. What happens next is heart breaking, gut wrenching. The pain and atrocities inflicted on these beautiful children will tear your heart out.

My daughter is involved with Best Buddies and is currently thinking about majoring in Special Education. As I read this book, I kept thinking of her beautiful buddy and how much she means to my daughter, and my daughter means to her. It has been a definite blessing having this child in our lives.

This is an eye opening, gut wrenching, get mad, cry type book. Hopefully it will open your eyes to how special each person is, how insensitive people can be, and what words to never use! Thank God we have come a long way since the 1970s. Stellar writing, unbelievable story with authentic characters and settings true to the era.

Thank you to the Author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this book. Opinion is mine alone.

T. Greenwood became my favorite author many years ago after reading two of her books: Undressing the Moon and Nearer Than the Sky. Keeping Lucy is another wonderful book. I love Greenwood's writing style and the issues she writes about. Ginny, the main character, is one of those characters you will fall in love with as she navigates through her marriage to keep her daughter Lucy. This is a feel good book about the undying love a mother has for her children. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Arc of Keeping Lucy and thank you T. Greenwood for your love of writing. As long as you keep writing I will keep reading your books. Look for this book to come out August 6, 2019.

Once again T. Greenwood has written a story that kept me riveted as I flew through the pages.

Ginny Richardson had always wanted a simple life. Her husband, Ab had said he wanted the same thing. They were going to live in a little cabin in the woods with their children, enjoying nature and each other. Unfortunately, those dreams were shattered early on.

Now they live in a fancy house not far from her in-law's fancy house. Ginny is pregnant with her second child when her water breaks during her baby shower.

After giving birth, Ginny can tell something is wrong. She doesn’t hear the baby crying and everyone is ignoring her. She hears them whispering, “Heart defects, hearing and vision problems. Thyroid malfunctions.” They finally let her hold her daughter and Ginny looks at her, "overwhelmed with nothing but love.” She thinks Lucy is perfect.

The doctor won't answer her questions and just tells her to rest. Ginny wonders where Ab is as they plunge yet another syringe into her arm. The next time she wakes, Ab is finally there. His eyes are sad. Ginny asks where Lucy is as Abbott Senior walks in. Ab tells her that his father has found a place for Lucy at Willowridge. He says it is a place where Lucy will be loved and cared for. Ginny is furious…”WE will care for her. I will care for her”. She begs her husband to come to the nursery with her, but Ab tells her that Lucy’s not there.

“Ginny, honey, she’s already gone.”

Two years later there is a hole in Ginny's life and in her heart. Her husband has grown distant and is usually home late. Ginny and six-year-old, Peyton often eat alone.

But a phone call one evening changes EVERYTHING.

Her best friend, Marsha tells her about an exposé a local reporter has written. “It’s Willowridge”. The next day, Marsha brings Ginny the newspaper articles. Ginny can’t believe what she’s reading. What the reporter saw sounds horrific. Ginny tells her husband that he needs to fix this. “Your father was wrong about this place.” She is shocked by Ab's reaction.

Ginny decides she must go to Willowridge to see if what she read is true. What she sees there is appalling. She doesn’t know what to do next. But one thing she does know is that she will not abandon her daughter again.

Ginny will be in for the fight of her life.

“Keeping Lucy” is a well written, gut-wrenching story that I couldn’t put down. I read it with my heart in my throat. The story takes place over many years. We learn about the early years of Ginny and Ab’s relationship and marriage, as well as the two years after Lucy was taken away. The story continues after the awful truth about Willowridge is revealed.

This novel was filled with many well-developed characters. Some devious and some that stole my heart. The children’s characters were especially wonderful and I LOVED Ginny’s best friend, Marsha.

In my opinion "Keeping Lucy" is a fascinating and moving book about family, guilt, loss, betrayal, and a mother’s unconditional love. I’m excited to read more from this talented author.

I'd like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

Right from the beginning, I was hooked on this story. I had no idea that as late as 1969, there were people that sent their special needs children away to an institution. Having gone to school with a down’s syndrome child, this was especially heartbreaking to know that these sweet children were just sent away to live with no love and no encouragement to learn.

Ginny and her husband Ab were expecting their second child. It was a girl named Lucy and she was born with Down’s Syndrome. Ginny’s doctor, husband and father-in law decided to send the child to a “school” for the feebleminded. All this is arranged while Ginny is recovering from childbirth and being sedated.

Ginny was never on board with the decision, but felt powerless to go against her husband and father-in-law. Two years later, the school is the feature of a news story exposing the horrific conditions the children were living in. This propels Ginny into action and she decides to go get Lucy and see for herself what is going on at the school.

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine what a fight she was in for in order to keep Lucy. With her young son, Peyton and her best friend, Marsha, they set off on a journey full of emotion and harrowing moments.

This is a true test of how strong a mother’s love for her child can be, even after being separated for a long length of time. It’s also good to see how far society has come with the approach to children with special needs and the effort to include them in a normal lifestyle.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Solid 4.5 stars. This was such a beautiful little gem of a book. My heart went out to Ginny and the choices that were forced on her after Lucy's birth. I must admit I was extremely frustrated that she just basically rolled over for 2 years and never insisted on visiting the school or her daughter. But I realize that things were different in that era, and kudos to her for finally doing the right thing. I think what is most disturbing to me is that while this was a fiction book, the subject matter is definitely non-fiction. I have no doubt that these institutions AND the conditions that Lucy was living in truly existed. I think that was the hardest part of reading this book. Despite the depressing subject matter, this was a feel good story about a mother's love and devotion to a daughter she scarcely knew. and her determination to make things right, regardless of the cost. Highly recommend!