My Saving Grace

Larkspur Creek #1

by Lucy Black

When Naomi Fry discovers that her husband of ten years has been unfaithful, she has to make a difficult choice. Will she stay or leave? Under normal circumstances, the decision would be easy, but not for her. Naomi is a prominent preacher's wife in the small town of Larkspur Creek.  

For Jack Thurman, the owner of  The Tavern and local war hero, the decision is easy. It is time to move on after years of suspecting his wife's infidelity. It was the easiest decision he has ever made after getting his service dog, Landes, after the first female Calvary Scout to earn her Spurs.  

When Jack and Naomi meet for the first time, they realize that they have a lot in common when it comes to relationship problems. With his help, she can focus on growing and learning how to live out from under the thumb of her ex-husband and parents. When dealing with busy body old ladies, overbearing parents, and obsessive exes, no one gets out of a small town unscathed. Not even Jack.

ebook

First published February 1, 2025

About the author

Lucy Black is a new indie author. She is a self proclaimed romance connoisseur and has been since before it was cool. Lucy is situated in the mountains of Georgia where she raises her two children, and a pack of dogs. She also enjoys spending time with her very patient husband who supports her in her endeavors.

Reviews

[Emily Belford-Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and am thankful for the opportunity!

While this is a slow burn it was worth every second of that burn. I love the way the relationship blooms and the courage the FMC has to stand up for herself. This was also very eye opening to injury and amputee life. I will definitely be reading more from this author as this was my first book by her!

[Logan S · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is not typically a contemporary romance reader, this book was fantastic! I love that the book wasn’t just mushy 24/7, which is one of my biggest complaints about romance novels.
As someone with traumas of their own, I loved the way the author wrote about how religious trauma really feels. The DV recognition for both males and females was done very well also. This was a slower burn but so worth it in the end! Slow burn doesn’t mean I didn’t absolutely crush this book within 2 days though, I couldn’t read it fast enough.
I will definitely be giving Lucy’s other books a chance in the future.

[Serret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had my doubts about the book being so Christian based. However the bigger story of the book is how Naomi is treated and her courage to leave. With Jack's help who is her husband's Mistresses husband. They both find the strength to let love in again. And Naomi gets to experience life like she's never been allowed to. I really enjoyed the book and would love to read from the author again.

[Kristian Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I have read

Firstly please check triggers just in case

Although this book flowed very well ,was well written and easy to read i felt it could have been shorter, that said I would still give it a
4 star 🌟
slow/medium burn 🔥

I loved the fmc and mmc how their story progressed

[Larie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say ! This book was amazing another ARC read and so happy I was able to be apart of this!

Preachers wife walks into their room to find her husband having an affair. Once she leaves and goes to a bar she stumbles into a man dealing with the same issue. Who would have thought his wife was the woman in her house earlier that day. Naomi being controlled by her husband has nowhere to go so jack offers her a place to stay.

This book does have triggers relating to DV.
To all those who have been in a DV situation and got out you are so strong and those wanting to get out know you can do it ❤️

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a really action packed love story.
Huge mental health rep with our MC being ex military with ptsd
Or FMC struggling with huge trauma from ex husband and being in a heavily cult like church system.
Check your triggers.
I found it such a wild, interesting action packed ride. Though felt like the book was a little long as the FMC and MC went through so much.
Definitely worth a read though

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It's a little drawn out but not bad.

[Panda Pup in Bootz · Rating 5 out of 5]

~*~Recieved this one as a ARC in exchange for a honest review~*~

I love a biok with honestly represented trauma and disability.
This one was a sweet romance with some trauma and dark elements.

Love a protective guy and a strong kind female lead

I found this one to be a a fast fun read that
Hooked me from page one

Highly recommend this one

[Brittany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ate this book up. From the blurb when I received the book, it gave me Virgin River vibes, but this book was so much more than I expected. I loved watching the relationship between Naomi and Jack grow, I loved that the book dealt with relationships and cheating as I have personally dealt with that and could feel the emotions in which they were feeling. It was so much more than just the vibe it gave to me. Such a good read! It's definitely worth adding to your TBR

[Lisa J Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of Naomi and Jack -from their interesting meeting, we follow their friendship and bond with all it's twists and turns. Lucy, your writing captivated me to want to read more to see the journey of these two fantastic characters you created. Looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Mattea · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

“Baby, I’m whatever you want me to be, as long as I’m yours.” 🥹

First I want to say thank you to Lucy Black for the opportunity! Secondly, check the trigger warnings!

This book had me hooked from the beginning. It starts from strangers to friends to lovers. I absolutely loved seeing the relationship between Naomi and Jack. While this book does have some dark parts, this story was told perfectly.

[Savannah Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Naomi’s story is an absolute whirlwind. When Naomi catches her husband Amos cheating, her whole world turns upside down. She no longer has the comfortable life she once had as the pastors wife…. Or what she thought was comfortable at least. When she meets Jack, the retired army vet whose wife cheated on him, she starts to question everything she’s ever believed. They become roommates and get closer as time goes along. Naomi finally realizes what it’s like to love someone… and eventually be loved by someone. But will her past keep coming back to haunt her?

This book is a slow/medium burn but worth the read! There are mentions of many nightmares and ptsd along with mentions of abuse and such so make sure you read the trigger warnings!

[Britney Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! Now this is definitely the genre I read all of the time but this is not the type of book I read often (certain things mentioned) with that being said, I absolutely devoured this book and loved it. Without giving spoilers this couple was amazing. I loved seeing the evolution of the FMC and seeing her grow into who she really is. I also loved seeing how the MMC is unapologetically himself! I would definitely check TW before you read this book but it is 100% 10/10 worth it!!!

[BookGirl 0214 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as an advanced read copy. Loved the storyline, however there is a lot of editing that still needs to be done to fix wrong words, misspelled words, etc that made it a little difficult at time to read & I would have to read it several times to figure out what was being said. If this can be done, this will truly be an awesome book. Spice, multiple tropes. Recommend reading.

[Nifer Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ 2 🌶️
Definitely read the TW of you have any issues with DV, PTSD, Anxiety. This story makes me happy I wasn't raised in a religious cult 👀

A tough story, but with heart and laughter. And it's a long one, so get comfortable. The MCs have both been through IT, but are strong and resilient and deserve their well earned HEA.

Sidenote - Andy's story about Carter - 💀🤣

[Alexandria Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent! I always personally enjoy these storylines where the female has an abusive background as I myself am a survivor, so these storylines I connect with on a deep personal level.

I loved this story sooooo much, and though we do eventually get spice, it is a slow burn but like a sweet slow burn, and it's not overdone on the tension leading up to it. It like builds the foundation on a caring friendship level instead of an instant heat want-to-bone kind of deal. Both characters have trauma and terrible exes, and it takes them time to get to their HEA, but it's so beautiful.

If you are a survivor and you enjoy these kinds of storylines normally I highly recommend you read it! Of course, always be mindful of trigger warnings as it does have some descriptive abuse (not between our main characters though)

I received this as an ARC, and I'm so thankful for that opportunity because it was amazing.

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up besties this one is gonna put you through it, there will be outrage at a “man”, laughter, sexual tension, pain, grief, excitement, heartbreak, miscommunication, and a few awww moments ahead! Please check your triggers before reading this book as it does touch on heavier topics.

Jack Thurman is the literal definition of a FAFO man, military vet, amputee, business owner, farm hand, biker, and apparently knight in shining armor. This man has been through hell and a literal war and he would do anything for our girl Naomi.
Naomi Fry is a woman who literally isn’t able to do anything without her POS husband telling her she can, she has been raised in a very strict religious family, married off young and told she has to do anything that man says because he is her husband, she is an elementary school teacher, she doesn’t know who she is as a woman. Enter Jack when their spouses are cheating on them with each other, he offers her somewhere safe to land and that was when the trouble really started….

I loved Jack’s character, he really wouldn’t hesitate to end anyone who threatened Naomi, and that is freaking hot! Naomi had to do a lot of growing as a woman after her POS cheated and she did most of it with grace, she did what she felt she had to do, and I loved how things came full circle with Aunt Kathy opening her eyes to her saving grace.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!!

[Catrina Starost · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Saving Grace is thr first book I've read by Lucy Black. I traded an honest review for a copy of this book. So let's get started!

1. I love the storyline. Strong male character falls in love with a broken female character. Opens her up and turns her into the fierce strong take no "crap" from anyone female character.

2. While reading the story I felt some parts could have been generalized or possibly left out and the reader could use inference to understand what was happening. The story was longer than I felt it needed to be. Parts were almost like the dreaded meeting that could have been an email.

3. I was worried about the some of the triggers such as sexual abuse and religious brainwashing but honestly I feel like they told the story perfectly and wouldn't be traumatizing to most.

4. I loved this story so much and cannot wait to read the next book. I highly recommend reading this story and will be adding to my must reads on my Facebook page!!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author really made you feel for these characters. Both were hurt by their spouses, but they refused to stay down. They learned to live again and love again, fighting their exes, family and even their town.

[Heather Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me from the start! The way 2 broken people come together is perfect and I absolutely love it! Fast read, well written and definitely recommend 💜