A lovely, moving story about how one parent’s decision to give up their Down Syndrome baby affects the entire family. When Ginny finds out the special school her daughter, Lucy, is being kept is squalid, she decides to take Lucy and run. But her husband and his domineering father are after her, and willing to fight to keep Lucy locked away.

Beautifully written, this is an enjoyable, character-driven story about motherhood, families, and how far a mother will go for her child, even when she’s made a series of mistakes in the past. I think it would be perfect for fans of Diane Chamberlain.

This was a hard book for me to get through. I want to believe that we have come a long way since 1969 and how we treat people with disabilities, BUT, I just don't think that we have.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy.

Keeping Lucy was my first T Greenwood novel, but it will not be my last. This book had me hooked from the minute I picked it up!

Ginny Richardson knows the true meaning of heartbreak. It’s 1969 and after giving birth to a baby girl (Lucy) who was born with Down syndrome, doctors warn “This condition comes with many, many challenges. Heart defects, hearing and vision problems. Thyroid malfunctions. She may never talk. She will never, ever live on her own. She will never be a normal girl.” Ginny’s husband, Ab, takes the advice of doctors and his affluent family, signs over their parental rights, and sends Lucy to Willowridge School for the Feebleminded, convinced it was in the best interest of everyone involved.

Two years later, Ginny’s best friend shows her several articles written by a reporter who investigated Willowridge and came away with some disturbing findings— neglect, abuse, and horrid living conditions for the children confined to the “school”. Ginny knows she can not leave her daughter there, and will do whatever she can to take back her parental rights and keep Lucy safe.

This story is about a mother’s love for her child and the lengths she will go to to protect her. As a mother myself, my heart was breaking for the unthinkable situation that Ginny found herself in. It is hard to imagine that a place like Willowridge ever existed and how uneducated the public was when it came to people with handicaps. This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride and I enjoyed every minute. It was beautifully written. Ginny was well-developed, relatable, and I loved how much her character grew from the beginning to the end.

I will definitely be picking up another T Greenwood book in the near future!

This is a book that tugs at the heart strings. It explores the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child. When Ginny finds out the horrors that have taken place at the residential school where her daughter with Downs Syndrome is living, she is determined to make sure she never has to go back. Inspired by true events, there are parts of this story that are disturbing, but also a reminder of a time when such injustices were committed against children with disabilities. Lucy, the child at the center of this story, will warm your heart.

I loved this book! I was hooked right from the start and was able to totally immerse myself in Ginny’s world!
Her story is heartbreaking and heroic all at the same time and I was cheering her on in every chapter! What a fantastic read!!!

After reading the synopsis for this book I thought "YESSSSSS... she's going to do with the story behind Willowbrook that she did with the Sally Horner story in Rust and Stardust".

Yeahhhhhh... that'd be a big nope.

Instead, the most interesting aspect of this story, Willowbrook State School (aka Willowridge in this story) is barely explored.

Instead we get melodramatic unrelatable characters in predictable situations.

I want to know about Lucy! I mean, her name is in the title after all. The star of the book is the least fleshed out character.

Tell me what Lucy has endured because of the decision by her parents. Perhaps tell her story through the voice of a disheartened caregiver.

I wish the author had placed the spotlight on the REAL victim in this book rather than the unsympathetic parents that willingly relinquished custody of their child.

To say that I am disappointed is a colossal understatement.


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness! This book was absolutely fabulous and so beautifully written. T. Greenwood is one of my absolute favourite authors and I never hesitate in picking up one of her novels. A totally absorbing and captivating read from start to finish.

A thoroughly enjoyable, unputdownable and fascinating read! Would recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & T. Greenwood for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Keeping Lucy, by T. Greenwood, almost reads as an historical document of how our society responded to those who were not “normal”, just 50 short years ago. Lucy is identified at birth as having Down's Syndrome and is immediately signed over, by her father, to the state where she will be raised in an institution. Unfortunately, this happens while Lucy's mother, Ginny, is virtually unconscious having endured a difficult birth while in a state of twilight sleep – yes, that is how child birth was practised in North America by the affluent.

In an accurate portrayal of American society during the late 60s and early 70s, Ginny stays home to cook, clean and do good while her husband works long hours. She has never stopped missing and grieving for her baby but is constantly told that it is for the best. Ginny's husband does not allow her to visit Lucy. After a newspaper does an exposee of the conditions in the institution where Lucy is being raised Ginny finally asserts herself and embarks on a great quest, with her girlfriend, to save Lucy.

Greenwood takes us through the horrible living conditions at the institution by describing not only the environment but the actions and appearance of some of the patients there. After kidnapping Lucy the two friends take an epic journey driving to Florida which brings one to mind of Thelma and Louise. They experience cheap hotels, slimy truck drivers, traffic jams, car trouble and thunder storms before arriving in Florida.

Although Greenwood treats us to a happy ending this reviewer was put off by the rapidity of Lucy's acceptance of the situation and quick learning of language as well as other skills. But that is the beauty of novels – anything is possible!

I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Ginny Richardson's daughter, Lucy, is born with down syndrome, her husband has her taken to Willowridge, a school for the "feeble minded” Ginny is heartbroken, but her husband convinces her that Lucy being in Willowridge is in everyone's best interest - including Lucy's. Ginny was expected to grieve and move on. But then Ginny's friend Marsha find a newspaper article detailing neglected children, despicable living conditions and poor treatment at Willowridge, Ginny knows she must do something, anything to protect her daughter. Against her husband her father-in-law's wishes, Ginny decides to act.

I really enjoyed this book which felt as if it were set in the 1950's and not the early 1970's to me. Ginny is very passive in the beginning of the book. She does not drive, she pretty much does as her husband and her father in law want. She really does not appear to have a voice. But kudos to her for finding her voice when she knew her daughter was in a horrible situation. The reader is right there with Ginny and Marsha as the two women go on a journey with Ginny's six-year-old son and Lucy in tow. I really liked the character of Marsha but did take issue with the choices she made in this book.

Entertaining and captivating. This book pulled at the heartstrings in many ways. Ginny, as I previously mentioned, did not seem to have a voice at the beginning of this book. By the end of the book, she grew a backbone and was almost a totally different woman. She still wasn't tough as nails, but she found some inner strength and stood up for herself and fought for what she thought was right. her confidence blossomed as she advocated for her daughter. Lucy, alone and without love at Willowridge, met her mother and older brother and was able to bond with her.

I found this book to be a fast read and enjoyed how the story is told mainly in the present time but also in the past, showing how Ginny and Ab met and fell in love. It was nice to see Ab in a different light. He is a man who loves his wife and son. It was a different time then. Was he acting on information he was given, was he embarrassed by Lucy, or was he bowing to his father's pressure? Decide for yourself.

An enjoyable read which sucked me in and had me turning the pages. There were some situations which seemed a little implausible, but I was able to overlook them as I was enjoying the story and the epic car/road trip of the women and children. The abuse and neglect of the children is deplorable and the reader will root for Lucy and Ginny.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have heard many good things about Rust and Stardust. I was happy to be able to read her new book Keeping Lucy. It was a beautiful heart wrenching story about the love a mother has for her child who has Down Syndrome. the child is taken to a special school that turns out to be a horrible place. Ginny's strength and determination to save her daughter is such a profound story. I will defiantly order this book for the library.

Keeping Lucy is a story about life choices or lack of. Set in a time and place where women are submissive to their superior husbands. Whose main duties is to tend to housework, laundry and childcare.

The story may have had it's romantic moment when Ab meets Ginny, but it has it's spins and turns. Marrying into a rich family where the patriarch makes all the decisions has the reader convinced that Ginny is just a gutless common housewife who simply goes about her day without complain.

However, her in laws don't think much of her, and Abbot Senior dictates all of their decisions with the intent to keep his son in the same law firm. With promises to make him a partner, and providing for this couple's home, but when Ginny gives birth to their second child, who is less than perfect. Ab Sr takes control and sends the child away to be raised at an institute for the disabled, all the while pretending she was a stillborn.

But all Ginny needs is a splash if reality when she's informed that the institute where her Down Syndrome daughter has been taken to is a terrible place that's when her maternal instincts kick into gear and the story picks up.

She's lucky to have a friend, Marsha, who accompanied her on this journey to rescue her baby girl..
Beautifully written, very believable characters.

It had me in tears as well as angry and finally endeared to this couple who reconnect and let's us know that love will always prevail.

I love feel good endings. Thank you for allowing me to express this honest opinion.

Timely, poignant, and fiercely original, KEEPING LUCY paints a memorable canvas of mother love--and the fierceness of a parent determined to do the best for her child. A haunting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Pres for an advance read in exchange for this review. 

It is 1969, and Ginny's heart is broken when her baby, Lucy, is born with Down Syndrome.  Due to pressure from her husband's family, Lucy is taken from her and put in a special school for "the feeble minded".  A few years later, a friend shows Ginny articles about the school.  The conditions is terrible, and the residents are being neglected.  Ginny then sets out to see for herself and essentially becomes a fugitive.  She has her husband's family to fight as she sets out on the road to save her daughter.

This book is gut-wrenching.  I admired Ginny's strength as she was powered by the love for her daughter.  The story is quite complex and emotional.  Be prepared for that.  A great, solid read.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Netgalley.com and the publisher St. Martin's Press. Thanks to both for the opportunity to read and review!

Keeping Lucy is set in the late 60's/early 70s. In it, we meet the Richardson family: two generations. The younger living by the rules set down before them by the older, specifically the patriarch of the family. Ginny has just given birth to a girl with Downs Syndrome and we learn that her daughter has been sent away for the best care. This eats at Ginny until she can't take it anymore and after learning about what kind of facility Lucy has been sent to, Ginny takes matters into her own hands.

Incredibly relevant to the current era obsessed with choice and women's rights. Here is a story about choosing to love a disabled child and fight to keep her. Incredibly detailed and emotional, the author has recreated what happened regularly to families with disabled children. The common recommendation was to send them away, today the common recommendation is to terminate the pregnancy. A cruel choice against the gift of live and love.

5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended. Add to your TBR today!

I have a two year old daughter named Lucy and I think a part of that made my heart break reading about two year old Lucy with Down’s Syndrome in the late 60s early 70s. I did not think I would be able to finish this book. I cried so hard just in the beginning because I can’t imagine the pain this mother (Ginny) was going through.

Synopsis: 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.

Even if this book was 100% fiction, a mother could never read it and think of it as that. An innocent child is an innocent child regardless of their health. T. Greenwood did SUCH A GREAT JOB with this book, it was so well written. But, what a hard story to tell. I just don’t understand how anyone could live it, let alone gather facts and write this story.

I’m so glad I pushed through my tears and heartbreak and finished this book. It was so worth it. Thank you netgalley for the book In exchange for my honest opinion.

I was fortunate enough to receive Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood through Netgalley and this is my honest and fair review.


I adored reading this book from start to finish ! I grew up in Long Island New York and worked with many clients from Willowbrook institution, so when I read the description on Keeping Lucy I was absolutely captivated and couldnt wait to read it. I was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed because I was so excited to read the story. First, I was not disappointed at all. It was very well written, heartfelt and I finished it in a couple of days.

Although there were a few parts that didn’t ring realistic to me ,it didn’t take anything away from the story. Thank you Netgalley and thank you T. Greenwood for writing this beautiful tale

When Ginny an Ab are expecting their second child, they are thrilled.
They already have a son, Peyton, and are looking forward to adding to their family. But their happiness is quickly overshadowed with sadness and despair when their daughter is born with Down Syndrome. Without much consultation with Ginny, decisions are made to send the baby, Lucy, to an institution to live. A few years later, there is a newspaper report about the living conditions of the institution where Lucy has been living. Ginny, and her friend Marsha, decide to save Lucy. But what I’ve learned, is that Ginny was also saving herself and her marriage.



I enjoyed the author’s use of Ginny’s memories and reflections to tell the story of her life and marriage. It was interesting to see Ginny's character evolve. This was a fascinating story with real and flawed characters. Thank you Net Galley and St.Martin's Press for the opportunity to review book.

The trouble with reading a book that pulls the reader in is inevitable comparisons when a book isn't as compelling. The book I read previously was rich in character and substance, but this one lacked both. Too much filler concerning clothing and a situation that neither propelled nor intrigued me. Disappointing because her earlier book did both.

I loved this book. Can't really explain why; It just grabbed me from the beginning. It was a heart warming story of what it would be like to raise a Down's baby. Interesting to me because I've heard stories from my husband about a similar institution in MA where I thought the people were treated terribly. Some people argued it was a necessity to treat then that way. I always disagreed. Times have changed so much for the better. At least I like to think that. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

This book is truly a love story. In 1969 a daughter is born with down syndrome. This little girls grandpa decided she needed to be institutionalized. But will the mother of this sweet girl go down without a fight? Their love story unfolds- mother and daughter. This story is sensitive to me as I work with individuals with disabilities. I watch mothers fight their hardest to see their children know love, freedom, and a full life. This book shows that struggle. It is so beautiful!