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.
“They didn’t know that there would be a whole series of roadblocks on that road less traveled, all of them put up by his father.”
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.
“She may never talk. She will never, ever live on her own. She will never be a normal girl, Mrs. Richardson”.
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 for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
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