Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for gifting me with a review copy of T. Greenwood’s newest novel, Keeping Lucy. In exchange for the ARC I offer my unbiased opinion.

Set during the late 1960’s and into the early 1970’s, mixing fact and fiction this novel tells the story of a determined mother who will fight her powerful family for the protection of her child. When Ginny delivers a baby girl who shows signs of Down Syndrome her wealthy father in law decides it best for the family to put the child in a home for special needs. Ginny is saddened by this decision but believes it’s only temporary and reluctantly accepts the circumstance. Told the home is a private facility with the best care softens Ginny’s fears.
Fast Forward to two years later when a friend of Ginny’s discovers the home where her daughter is living is being investigated for neglect, abuse, and other terrible accusations. Ginny demands her husband drive her out to the facility and see for themselves how their daughter is faring. When her husband refuses, Ginny finally takes matters into her own hands and goes looking for her baby girl, Lucy. What Ginny discovers is absolutely heartbreaking. No longer willing to remain silent, Ginny with the support of her friend will risk everything to keep Lucy safe.
This book really pulled at my heartstrings and I felt the story was mostly compelling. I did find parts repetitive, or somewhat cliche and several chapters felt more like page filler than actual plot points. I had the pleasure of reading another novel from this author last year and for some reason that book worked better for me. Perhaps had I not had a previous book to compare with, I might have enjoyed this one more.
I think plenty of readers will embrace this historical fiction novel. Perfect for fans of Beatriz Williams , Pam Jenoff and Christina Baker Kline.

A favorite novel of the main character was "Peyton Place". That book wasnt for me either.

Two stars since I did finish it, complaining to myself all the way.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Her rich in-laws expect perfection, so when Ginny's baby is born with Down Syndrome, the family whisks the child off to an institution. Two years later (1969), Ginny learns that this school is under investigation for mistreatment of the residents, and goes there to see for herself. She and her best friend Marsha wind up taking Lucy from the institution, then taking off to Florida with the toddler and Ginny's six-year-old while they desperately try to figure out how to protect the child. An excellent suspense novel, coming August 2019. (Netgalley review)

Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub. Date: August 6, 2019
My Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 5

The author of “Rust & Stardust,” T. Greenwood, latest novel is about a heartbroken mother who gave up her baby girl born with Down Syndrome. That sounds too harsh, let me clarify. The year is 1969: Back then women gave birth while under anesthesia. While still under the influence of the ether, and pressure from her doctor, husband, and father-in-law, the baby, who she named Lucy is taken from her. He husband tells her she is going to a school and that visitations are not recommended since it would confuse the child. She believes this is what is best for her daughter. Two years later she learns through the newspapers that the school is actually an institution currently under investigation for all sorts of abuse. Lots of pulling on the heartstrings type of drama that simply didn’t feel real.

It didn’t feel believable to me because the mother does a complete one-eighty. She and her friend go on a “Thelma and Louise” sort of adventure to kidnap Lucy. They go on the run with a broken down car and nowhere to go. This is done to save Lucy from going back to the fictional Willowridge School. I am sure the author chose that name on purpose for its similarities to the infamous Willowbrook State School. Do you remember the downright evil Willowbrook State School located in Staten Island, NY? I do because as a teen I went to demonstrate against the place. “The horrors endured at the Willowbrook State School will never be forgotten. Built for developmentally disabled children and adults in the 1930s, the school became an institution where the borough’s most vulnerable residents were abused, starved and neglected…”— January 17, 2017, https://www.silive.com/news/2017/01/the_horrors_of_willowbrook_sta.html

Once the mother character learns the true nature of the school her maternal instincts kicks in, I want to know where those feelings were for the past two years of Lucy’s life. I believe the story is about a depressed woman, totally under her husband’s thumb, who learns to think for herself. But the writing is not up to the author’s last novel. There are so many clichés with an ending tied up in a bow. Maybe, because of my own experience with such an institution is the reason why I found the story unbelievable. I am sure others may enjoy this novel, but it wasn’t for me.

Keeping Lucy begins with the birth of a baby girl in 1969. I was immediately captivated, because I could see myself in the young mother. Her world, her time was familiar because I also gave birth to a daughter in 1969. Like Ginny, I stayed at home every day with my children while my husband went away to work. Like Ginny, I didn't drive and my husband made all the decisions about our family. Fortunately. my daughter was "normal" when she was born. I don't know what I would have done if she came into the world with Down Syndrome. I don't know what I would have done if my husband had told me we had to send her away to an institution and pretend she was stillborn. If she were already gone before I woke up after her birth, would I have stayed with my husband and my older child? Would I have tried to put my daughter from my mind, to make the best of it like Ginny did?
Ginny might seem shamefully weak and submissive to most of today's readers, but I knew that young woman. She was like me and most of my friends. When she began to take charge of her own life, to make decisions for herself and her children, I knew how hard it was for her. Ginny was lucky to have a lifelong girlfriend, Marsha, who had a car and a decidedly un-submissive attitude. Keeping Lucy is a road trip story about female friendship and the strength and power of a mother's love. Beautifully written.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. This passed the mark of an excellent book- I started it at bedtime, thinking I'd just read a chapter or two. I ended up reading long into the night and didn't put it down. The plot goes back and forth to the time before Lucy was born and to the current time in the book. It's a sad story, a sad realization about how in the past, children with Down's Syndrome (who are the sweetest) were thought of as people who needed to be institutionalized. This story has one mom realizing the truth about her precious baby girl, and against the odds, sets out on a path that could cause her to be jailed, or worse, for her daughter to be returned to the institution. I highly recommend this book.

An absolute must read! This book drew me in from the first page until I reluctantly finished. The story of Lucy, who gives birth to a daughter only to find out she has Down’s syndrome. Her powerful father in law convinced her husband that the baby would be better off in an institution. What follows is a story of a mother’s love and the lengths she’d go to to save her child.
I wish Ab would have been a stronger character to stand up to his father. At times Ginny seemed weak, but finally found her strength in the end.

Wow! That is all I can really say about this book! So good. Suspenseful, creepy, mysterious all into one. I was very excited to receive this book in exchange for a review because I have heard great things about this author's previous novel and wanted to see what all the hype was about. The author did a fantastic job of leading off the story in the prologue. I was instantly hooked from the first page! As a mother myself, I was so heartbroken for Ginny as I could not imagine what she must have been feeling when her baby girl was taken from her. I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to read this!

This is a heart-wrenching story of a mother's love for a child.
Sadly the practice of institutionalizing children was not uncommon, nor was the mistreatment of children in institutions. This story of a mother who cannot forget the child she never had a chance to hold, and what she goes through to regain her child and family.

This story truly touched my heart. Growing up I remember the term “mongoloid” in reference to Downs Syndrome babies. People just did not understand the warmth and loving these children exude. I grew up in a family that understood the challenges and rewards in raising a child with Downs. She is a joy to our lives.
This book truly captures a mother’s love for her child. It is a story of the strength she found within herself to right a wrong done to her when her child was born and taken from her.

I just finished T. greenwood’s book Rust & Stardust and was thrilled that I had an advanced reader’s copy of this book waiting on my Kindle. I love the author’s style of writing. She invests time in making her characters come to life. This is a book about the depths of a mother’s love and what she will do to protect her child. Without revealing too much of the plot, the story focuses on her second child who has Down syndrome. She was whisked away at birth by her powerful father in law and was placed in an institution.. The story takes off when the horrible place comes under fire and we witness the depths of a mother’s love. Another great book by a talented author.

Oh.my.goodness. This book is truly amazing. It is written with such compassion for those who have disabled children. I truly loved every page. I will read every single book by T. Greenwood from now on. What an amazing author! ##netgalley #keepinglucy

T. Greenwood has done it again. She's written a story so complex, so emotional that it sticks with you long after the last page has been turned.
The year is 1969. A different time, different beliefs. Ginny is heartbroken when her newborn is ripped from her arms and given over to a "special school" before she even knows what's happening. Her husband, Ab, and his father convince her it's for the best. After all, what do they know about raising a child with Down Syndrome?
So Ginny tries to move on. She continues to be a good wife and mother to their other child. But Lucy is always in her heart and on her mind. Then she sees an article on Willowridge, the school where Lucy has been sent. And the stories coming from Willowridge are not good.
Acting on instinct, she takes a trip to see it for herself. What she sees isn't good. It certainly isn't a place anyone should willingly want their child to live. Determined to save Lucy this time, she sets out on a cross country journey while trying to convince Ab that their baby belongs at home with them. Along the way she finds that, while Lucy may have been out of her hands for the last two years, she's never been out of her heart.
This is another outstanding story from one of my favorite authors. It's heartbreaking but also historical in that it captures the attitudes from the time period perfectly. It's a story of despair and hope, a story of family and love. This is one I won't soon forget!

This was not what I expected and I mean that in a good way! This book is about a mother and the incredible journey and lengths she goes on to protect her daughter.

The description says that this is based on a true story and I would love to know what story it is based on because I found it fascinating. Ginny has a young and healthy son, Peyton and lives a happy life with her son and husband, Ab (short for Abbott). They are overjoyed to find out Ginny is expecting another child.

However, when Ginny and Ab's new daughter, Lucy, arrives, she is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. That doesn't sound too hopeless in our day and age, but this story takes place in 1969 when children with different disabilities were whisked away and placed in facilities.

Lucy remains in the state run facility for 2 years before an expose in a paper shows the horrid conditions of the home. Ginny, who has suffered with the guilt of her daughter being placed in the facility, launches into action to rescue Lucy. With the help of her best friend, Marsha, a whirlwind journey takes place. Ginny is up against her very powerful father in law and in for the battle of her life and that of her daughter.

This was a book I kept coming back to as soon as I could. I really wanted to find out what happened and how it would all turn out. When I got a copy of this from the publisher and first read the description, I was a little leery. At first, I didn't think that it would be something I would have picked up on my own. But, it turned out that it was a very good read and I highly recommend it. This book will be available August 2019.

Thank you to the publisher for this opportunity.

This was a conflicting book for me. I liked the premise of the story, but felt the timelines might be a little out of wack. That type of thinking and prejudice toward Downs children, seemed to be much more appropriate to the 40s or 50s.
I found Ginny to be very weak and submissive for a woman in the 60’s and 70’s. Not to know how to use a credit card, was unrealistic. The woman’s movement was certainly well on its way by then.
I basically liked the story, The effort to remove the child from a horrible situation and showing Lucy to be a sweet child, capable of living with her family and bringing them pleasure. I liked the support of her friend Marsha
and others along the way, that helped them out. It was an page turner and easy to read. I just felt it was too predictable and left nothing to the imagination.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for the ARC for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I'm sure places like Willowridge and stories like that of the Richardson's were very prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s and I'm thankful T. Greenwood brought one to life to make it more personal! I really empathized with Ginny. Her passion and love for her children was at the forefront of her mind in all of her decisions and her maternal instincts just went to show that mothers will do anything for their children. Her relationship with Ab and her in-laws was raw and captivating, and one I enjoyed following along with. I read the book in a day as the story is both captivating and heartbreaking from the beginning. Super easy read and well written! After reading this, I want to check out more by T. Greenwood. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Amazing writing, amazing story telling and I could not stop reading it until the last page!

Honestly, I was just going to "preview" a bit of this novel, and planned on reading it next month. That never happened. - I became so absorbed in the story and so invested in the characters that I simply couldn't put the book down !

It was such a compelling story line and I just fell in love with little Lucy and truly cared about her and her mom, Ginny. I had to see the story through to the end.

It was 1969 and Ginny's baby girl, Lucy was born with Down's Syndrome. Ginny was tricked by her high and mighty family into committing Lucy to an institution named Willowridge .

Oh, the horrors that come out about what has been taking place at Willowbridge, prompt Ginny and her bestie, Martha (who I also loved)! to grab baby Lucy and take off on a Thelma and Louise inspired road trip! I found myself cheering these ladies on and wanting to cuddle Lucy myself!

I teared up, I took deep breaths, I whooped, and I delighted in everything Lucy!

Okay..... I Loved Lucy! xoxoxo

Highly recommend you read it and fall in love too.

Blog review to come....

I have loved each book I have read by T. Greenwood, Finding Lucy was no exception. A mother’s love is incomprehensible and there are no boundaries on what she will do to protect her children. Ginny went to incredible lengths to keep her daughter Lucy from harm, and the story is amazing! Highly recommend!

This book captivated me from start to finish!

Very mild spoiler(s)

It's 1969 and Ginny has just given birth to her second child, a baby girl with down syndrome. The moment she's born, Ginny's doctor tells her that she won't be able to keep the baby, and that her baby will likely die within a few years from a heart condition or something else. Her husband wants to protect the family by sending the baby to a school for children with needs. Ginny doesn't agree with her husband Abbott, but she feels she has no choice and all of it seems to be facilitated by her horrible, controlling, father-in-law. The baby is snatched away while everyone but Ginny seems to forget it ever happened. Over the next few years, life moves forward, but Ginny hasn't forgotten about her daughter Lucy. It still eats at her as she continues to wonder about the condition of Lucy and if this was the right choice. She tries to be a satisfactory mom and wife regardless of all her concerns. In 1971 a report surfaces with claims that Willowridge--the school where little Lucy lives-- has been neglecting the children. The report is horrible and parents have now filed lawsuits against the school. It rips at Ginny's heart and she knows she has to make haste and get to the school to find out the condition of her daughter. Against her husband's wishes, she heads on a trip with her friend Marsha to examine the conditions of the school and to check on Lucy. It turns out the report is true, and Ginny is shocked. She resolves that there's absolutely no way she can allow Lucy to stay at Willowridge any longer. What will Ginny do? With no job and not much money, how can she fix this situation? How can she be the mother Lucy needs and still care for her six-year-old son without the support of her husband?

I felt so much emotion with this story because of how well-developed the characters were. I grew to really love Ginny after her character flourishes and she finally gets enough courage to stand on her own two feet. I could even relate to the in-law pressure. Marsha (Ginny's best friend) was one of my favorites as well. She's the kind of friend everyone wants, one who's there when you need her, and one who would sacrifice anything for you. My only issue with her was her irresponsibility when it came to her reckless behavior. With that said, there were other characters in the story that I had extreme dislike for and even hate at times. I had to reluctantly put the book down more than once and ask myself repeatedly: What in the world is wrong with these people? It felt that real to me.

At times the book reminded me of one of my favorite movies Thelma and Louise, primarily because of Marsha. I couldn't help but think about these two characters and how their 'trip' felt similar. I was on edge often, as the book just kept getting better and better. I was captivated and it felt believable. The writing has a sense of urgency to it and I just couldn't stop until the end. I also loved that the author went back into the characters' histories so that you learn about their family relationships from the beginning. This jumping back and forth between the present 1971 and their past kept it interesting and yet the story remained seamless.

My absolute only complaint with this book was the ending which felt really rushed after how drawn out the story was, however, I did appreciate the conclusion with how everything turned out. I was willing to overlook the rush, but it just seemed like a few of the characters have a change of heart in an instant--which isn't impossible--just highly unlikely so quickly after how they'd been throughout their history. It was wrapped up so quickly after all that intensity and just seemed a tad too abrupt.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and think I may have found a new favorite author, even with this being my first book by T. Greenwood. I loved the articulate writing and how I was pulled in to this story. There's nothing better than a book you simply can't put down--one that you can't wait to gush about to everyone. This is that book. I couldn't resist spilling the entire story to my mom after I finished. With themes of love, friendship, courage, fear, family, and most of all, hope, this is a favorite for 2018!

5*****

I received this book "Keeping Lucy" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I did like this book. This was a quick read and I looked forward to reading it each day. A traumatic and heartwarming story of losing your child only to find her again. Very sad to think that people had to live in these institutions.