Keeping Lucy is both unbelievably sad and very happy. Lucy is born with Down Syndrome in a time when therapy was not really an option like it is today. Ginny (Lucy’s mom) is lied to by her father in law and Lucy is taken away and put in a “school”, but when Ginny finds out the truth of the circumstances where her baby girl is being kept, she also finds out how strong she is. I read this book in 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down and love the way the author shows what love the baby and mama are capable of. Great story!! I am excited to read more books by author T. Greenwood.

This is a sad story about a traumatic birth of a little girl with down syndrome. She is immediately taken from her mother and sent to a "home". This was common practice by then because there was so little understanding of certain conditions.

The mother constantly worries about her child and when allegations of abuse and mistreatment come up, she goes to the institution where her daughter was essentially imprisoned.

While the story itself was interesting, I just couldn't really get into this book. I'm not sure if it's because it was in the past & some of the choices then are so cringe-worthy or what the problem was, but it just wasn't for me. The highlight of the book was the constant references to Weeki Wachee - and a reference to GAINESVILLE, FL - my hometown.

The very ending of the book felt a bit rushed.

I received an early release of this book from NetGalley.

This was a different book for me. I liked the premise of the story,however I felt the way the story progressed to be not in line.

I found the main characater to be very subdued for a woman in the 60’s and 70’s. A lot of her character plots were unrealisitc. The woman’s movement was well underway at this time.

THIS book was SO good! I loved it. I am the mother of a severely autistic young man so I can totally relate to Ginny's feelings towards her daughter Lucy when she is born with Downs. This is the story of Ginny a suburban housewife in the early 70's who has a son and then has a daughter who has Down's syndrome. Apparently in that era children with downs were immediately labeled handicapped with zero expectations for any semblance of a normal life and put in institutions at birth. Ginny's husband signs her daughter over to a state facility without Ginny's consent and tells her it will be better for all of them Ginny does NOT accept this and thinks about Lucy all the time as a couple years pass. Her friend Marsha sees that the facility is being exposed for maltreatment of children and horrid conditions and tells Ginny who goes to get Lucy-leaving her husband and taking their son along. She checks her out for the weekend and discovers her to be poorly cared for with parasites, lice and horrid diaper rash along with very underdeveloped skills. She is appalled and decides not to bring her back, but to go away from where they live and she ends up on a road trip of sorts with her best friend Marsha, her son and her daughter. So many things happen that are out of her control yet she focuses on the fact that her daughter should be able to live with her family and thrive to the best of her ability rather than live her life in an institution. She works hard to get her lawyer husband on board but it is a challenge. I love how Ginny finds her inner strength though her love for her daughter and uses it to change their situation. She is awesome. Nowadays these kids (like y son) are not just put away and forgotten about. That is not something people do anymore. They raise their kids and do their best for them. Ginny is right on and I love her character!! This books is AWESOME! I loved it SO much! Highly recommend! Thanks to NG for the ARC!!!!

This was a hard but worthwhile read. As a mom of young children, it’s hard to imagine having to give one of them up. There were times I had to put the book down to get back into reality! However, I’m glad I read it.

T. Greenwood has a talent unlike any other author. Creating a story from true events and turning it into a masterpiece. Within 24 hours of starting this, I have already finished. From the first page, it pulled me in and I didn’t want to leave.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to enjoy this novel for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
After giving birth to her second child, Lucy, Funny is dismayed to find out that she has Down's syndrome. The doctors convince her and her husband, Ab, that the baby suffers from a heart condition that, combined with her disability, would be impossible for them to manage at home. The baby would be better off in a "school". Ab tells Ginny that it would be better for their family to treat it like a death and take time to grieve properly. Two years later, Ginny finds out the horrible truth of the institution where her daughter is imprisoned and neglected. A weekend visit with Lucy turns into a kidnapping across state lines when Ginny is determined not to return her child to her abusers.
I started out really disliking Ginny's character in this book. She is so intimidated by her husband and his parents. I can understand being convinced into thinking you're doing the best for your child when you don't know anything about her medical conditions, but she let her husband convince her not to even visit for two years! But by the end, she found her strength to do anything for her children.

Thank Wow ! Tears will be in my eyes for days! What a story of a different time in our lives. The way things were in the early 70s and the way the world viewed woman and children with special needs .
The story of a mothers love that made her braver than she ever was !
Ginny was told her daughter needed to be institutionalized because she was born with Down Syndrome. 2 years later her daughters “school” is the subject of an expose revealing the horrific conditions these children are living in. Ginny travels to see and finally meet her daughter and discovers the conditions are exactly as they have been described.
The author wrote the harsh reality of the time and this beautiful story of acceptance and love !

Keeping Lucy was undoubtedly an eye-opening novel and T. Greenwood provided insight into the time prior to the paradigm shift in the treatment of individuals with disabilities. I certainly enjoyed her skillful storytelling that allows the reader to appreciate what a long way we've come from our ignorant views about basic human rights. Her novel prompted me to further research this heinous history, and I was interested to find that the occurrences at the Belchertown State School for the Feeble-minded circa 1971 very closely paralleled those of her novel. I had heard of institutions such as these, but had no idea that children with Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities were ever relegated to such places, nor was I aware of the abhorrent conditions and inhumane treatment of patients. In writing this novel, Greenwood highlighted the importance of investigative journalism in our history, and how it has lead to major reform in both the public and private sector.

I also appreciated her nod to women's liberation, which was still in its infancy in this not-so-distant past. I'll admit that Ginny & Marsha's relationship made my heart swell. I would've preferred knowing what exactly happened to Marsha in the small town where their car broke down... that drama seemed a bit out of left field. Additionally, some of the writing seemed rudimentary: "Her mind spun like the lazy Susan she kept on the dining table at home." But generally speaking, this was a very valuable read, and one that I genuinely enjoyed.

Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! A well written moving story of the lengths a mother will go to for her child. Outstanding writing and the characters were very true to my memories of that time. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

After the birth of Ginny’s daughter, Lucy, the doctors determined she is born with Down syndrome. Against her will, her husband and his father sign parental rights over to the state and Lucy is shipped off to a home for children with special needs.

Two years later and not a single visit to see her child, Ginny reads a newspaper article about the home Lucy lives in. Parents of other children there have started a law suit against the home for the mistreatment of their children and harsh living conditions. When Ginny decides to see for herself if it’s true, she’s in for a shock. Her daughter Lucy has been mistreated, abused and neglected.

With the help of her best friend, Ginny and Marsha flee the state with Lucy in tow with no means of returning her.

I LOVED this book!!! So so good. I would definitely recommend!

What would a mother do for her child? Anything. The characters in this book were so well developed and it was a story that was very emotional. I found it hard to put this book down. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Keeping Lucy is a powerful story of love, hope, courage, distress, tragedy and inspiration. A baby was born with Down syndrome in the 1960s. It was a time when children who were not born “perfect” were sent away never to be seen again. Her husband, in order to protect the family, gave up parental rights the day she was born and placed her into an institution. This is a story of a mother who could not forget her little girl. This heart wrenching story is expertly written and made me alternate between extreme sadness and serious anger. This one should be on everyone’s list to read. I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

After reading (and enjoying) Rust & Stardust in 2018, I was excited to get another ARC by T. Greenwood. I enjoy how Greenwood’s writing take the reader back in time.

Ginny gives birth to her second child in 1969 and is devastated to learn her daughter has Down Syndrome. As a homemaker and wife to a powerful and wealthy lawyer, she’s convinced that the best course of action is to send her baby, Lucy, to a school for the ‘feeble-minded.’ Ab, her husband, first convinces her that they shouldn’t see Lucy for 30 days, and when that comes, convinces her that they should grieve for Lucy as though she were dead. That it’s the best thing for their son, their family, and even Lucy.

Fast forward a couple of years when Ginny’s best friend Marsha, a spit fire nurse, calls Ginny to share an exposé written in the paper about the atrocities of the school, Willowridge. Marsha and Ginny jump into action going to the school to see if it’s really that bad, even though Ab says it’s been sensationalized. While Ginny is allowed to sign Lucy out for the weekend, she quickly learns the true depravity of the situation and simply can’t take her back. Thus begins Lucy’s kidnapping and a long trip on the run, from Ab, AB’s family, the school, and authorities.

I enjoyed this book, but felt like it slowed significantly part way through (around half way).

This was an disappointment.I have a fascination with old mental hospitals,TB wards and homes for the disabled so the inclusion of it peaked my interest.I could never connected with the story or the characters.

Ginny kind of floats through life after her daughter gets sent to the Willowridge School (based on the infamous Willowbrook school) until she reads about and sees the horrific treatment the residents are subjected to.Then she does a 180 and runs off with her son,daughter and best friend,

Ginny is the down trodden wife who find power..Her husband is under the thumb his overbearing father.Marsha is the wild crazy friend that is a little too reckless. There actions didn't seem to be authentic,it was as if they were following a pre- planned path rather than reacting naturally.The writing seemed distant but mostly well written.

I can see people loving this,I wasn't one of them,

I received a copy through Netgalley.

I was a big fan of Rust & Stardust, also by T. Greenwood, so I was really looking forward to this one and I was not disappointed! I love the authors writing style and the way she gives depth to characters without getting too slow or overwrought. I will continue to read all of T. Greenwood's books!

Oh my, I think I loved this book (it doesn’t happen that often as I find love to be a very strong word, hence the uncertainty). It was beautifully written and gave me a new perspective on motherhood and a not so long-ago time - so many feelings! And I loved the diverse cast of character personalities - it showed that most people truly are good. Would definitely recommend.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and ARC on Kindle of T. Greenwood's newest book, Keeping Lucy. One of the best books I read in 2018 was Rust and Stardust, also by the author. T. Greenwood is the master of a heart-wrenching tale. Keeping Lucy is the story of Ginny, who is married to Ab. They have a son and then Ginny gives birth to Lucy. Lucy is born with Down's Syndrome and Ginny is told that Lucy also has a heart defect that will shorten her life drastically. After the birth, Lucy is taken (without Ginny's consent) to a facility for children with disabilities. Two years later, Ginny reads a news article, stating the facility where Lucy was placed is filthy and the children are neglected. Without telling Ab, she enlists her best friend, Marsha, to check the facility out to see the conditions. As stated in the news article, the conditions are abhorrent and Ginny checks Lucy out of the facility for a weekend visit and decides to leave the state with her son, Peyton, and Marsha, in order to keep Lucy from having to go back. The story of the friendship between Ginny and Marsha, their run from the authorities, Ginny's loving mothering skills and her 1960's type marriage to Ab are all so well-stated that I felt as if I were right there with the characters. Keeping Lucy is an absolutely absorbing book that I couldn't put down. Keeping Lucy has completely different characters and setting from Rust and Stardust but is an excellent companion book for it. T. Greenwood's writing style is absorbing and interesting. I can wait for the next great read by this author.

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."
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. Keeping Lucy is a searing portrait of just how far a mother’s love can take her.

T. Greenwood has done it again! I absolutely love the writing style of Keeping Lucy and how detailed it was. This is just about the only author that can get me so engrossed and involved with the characters that they feel like my own family and friends. This was another book that made me reach for the tissues multiple times!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood
Pub Date: 06 Aug 2019

I can easily see why Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood is one of PopSugar’s must reads of 2019. Keeping Lucy tugged at my heartstrings from the moment the narrative began, and I just could not stop reading it. This is a touching story of the strength of a mother’s unconditional love for her children. When Ginny, the protagonist, discovers her daughter, Lucy, has been mistreated at a special school in which her husband entrusted Lucy’s care, Ginny does everything in her power to save her child. My empathy as a mother propelled me through this novel. Keeping Lucy is as much of a page turner as any thriller, and the environment Lucy was living in is depicted as equally horrific. The plot rotates between three parts of Ginny’s life helping the reader to better understand the time period and also Ginny‘s relationship with her husband. This rotation created suspense for me in that I really wanted to ensure that Lucy would be okay, but I also wanted to understand how Lucy had ended up in her horrible school. T. Greenwood did an excellent job of painting the sometimes horrific nature of institutions while also portraying our highly discriminatory society in the late sixties and seventies. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of Keeping Lucy in exchange for my honest review.