Abandoning the Script

by Linda Rosen

"Engaging and immersive, Rosen delivers a deeply moving plot with a heartfelt conclusion." -Rochelle Weinstein, bestselling author of We Are Made of Stars

Lucy never wanted the life that's been thrust upon her-the wedding band or the baby in the crib. A woman of ambition, she longs to pursue her dreams on stage, but her husband insists on locking her in a gilded cage under his control. And in 1922, alternatives are almost nonexistent and certainly not acceptable, forcing Lucy to make an impossible choice. Bound by convention but driven by a fierce desire for independence, she flees a life she can no longer endure. With heartbreak, she leaves a pair of cherished earrings along with a note for her daughter to read when she's older.

Nearly thirty years later, in 1951, Lucy's daughter, Anna Dodge, is given her deceased grandmother's journal that's been hidden away for years. Within its pages lies a long-buried secret, casting doubt on everything Anna believes about her family and herself. Among the clues is the story of the earrings, hinting at truths that defy what Anna has always known.

Devastated and determined to understand her past, Anna embarks on a journey to unmask the truth. As she does, she discovers the past isn't just something to uncover-it's something that could determine her future.

Genres: Historical Fiction

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 5, 2026

About the author

Fitness Professional turned novelist, Linda Rosen’s books are set in the “not-too-distant past” and examine how women reinvent themselves despite obstacles thrown their way. A central theme is that blood is not all that makes a family– and they always feature a piece of jewelry!
She is published by Black Rose Writing.

She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association and co-founder of the South Florida chapter of the Women’s National Book Association where she holds the position of VP of Programming. In addition, Linda is on the board of Trails of Delray, her local chapter of the Brandeis National Committee, and an administrator of the 5K+ member Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip and editor of their newsletter, Wanderlust.

After living most of her life in New Jersey (and only a short trip into NYC) Linda now lives with her husband in sunny Florida happily wearing sandals all year long. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on the Pickleball court, in the pool, or reading with her feet in the sand.

Learn more about Linda on her website www.linda-rosen.com where you can sign up for her occasional newsletter, Linda’s Tea Room. She promises not to clutter your inbox.
Follow Linda on BookBub to learn about her new releases and sales. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda...

Reviews

[Darlene Golbitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtesy of the author, Linda Rosen, I received an ARC of Abandoning the Script. This historical novel begins in 1922, New York City, with a young college educated mother confined and controlled by her husband, demanding she give up her stage career and be limited to only staying at home. As much as she loves her daughter Anna, she decides to leave her, the marriage, and her friends to escape these social expectations and travel to California. I had mixed feelings about this decision, but then realized she couldn't nurture her daughter in that environment. The second timeline proves that Anna was raised in a loving home, even if she was shocked to learn the truth. I loved the concluding chapters!

[Donna Norman-Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abandoning the Script by Linda Rosen is immediately immersive, transporting the reader to the early 20th century with vivid precision and grace. 

At the heart of the story is Lucy, a curious and compelling protagonist who knows exactly what she wants and struggles to reconcile her full, authentic self within a society bound by oppression and patriarchy. Lucy longs to claim her place in the world—on the stage—the only place she feels she truly belongs, but must do so at the most heartbreaking cost.

Rosen’s command of period language is impeccable, grounding the narrative in authenticity while never slowing its momentum. The novel is layered with delightful literary and theatrical allusions which enrich the text, reinforce its intellectual depth and emotional resonance.

Abandoning the Script is more than historical fiction—it’s a powerful meditation on identity, ambition, and the cost of defying expectations. Linda Rosen has crafted a novel that honors the past while speaking urgently to the present, making Lucy’s story one that lingers long after the final page.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rosen, the Author of “Abandoning the Script” uses the perfect title in this memorable, thought-provoking and entertaining novel. In this well written, emotional and intriguing novel, Linda Rosen vividly describes the perfect setting, staging and creates a cast of colorful, dramatic, complex, complicated and flawed characters. The timelines for this story are set in 1922, and go to 1951. One of the female protagonists, Lucy, is extremely ambitious, and loves acting, and being on the stage. Lucy does marry a successful physician, and has a baby. In 1922, there were certain expectations of women in society. Lucy’s husband wants her to stay at home, and take care of their baby daughter. When Lucy doesn’t behave in what her husband’s expectations are, the husband becomes emotionally abusive and manipulative. Lucy has several friends and has the support of her husband’s mother. Lucy tries to compromise, but when she can’t take any more, she is faced with terrible choices. Lucy does what she feels will be best for her daughter, and herself. Lucy chooses to discover what role she should take.

In 1951, Lucy’s daughter Anna discovers in her deceased grandmother’s belongings, letters and her grandmother’s journal. Anna is now married, and wears a significant pair of earrings that Lucy left for her. Anna, however is not aware at this time, that she had another mother, since her father had married someone else. Anna learns the history of the earrings, and has the courage and determination to unlock the secrets and mysteries in her life.
I appreciate that Linda Rosen discusses the importance of honesty, communication, friendship, neighbors, family, hope and love. The author mentions self worth, following one’s dreams and heart, and having the courage to discover the truth. I loved this memorable and heartfelt story based on historical fiction and highly recommend this to other readers.

[Julie Coder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women and the Roaring Twenties!

This ambitious historical novel opens during the Roaring Twenties with Lucy, a young married woman who was a successful actress prior to giving birth to her first child. Now, her domineering husband forbids her to pursue her passion for being on stage, insisting she remain at home with their daughter, even though they have the financial means and familial support for Lucy to continue working. Against a political backdrop of newfound freedom for women, Lucy also reveals the inner conflicts women faced as they became aware of the power they still lacked in society, as well as in their own homes. Forced into a role she did not choose or desire, Lucy needs to make a choice: her daughter, or a fulfilling career as an actor.

I didn’t always like Lucy or her decisions, which is part of the reason I kept turning the page, wondering what she would do next. As this story progresses, we also meet Lucy’s daughter, Anna (Rosie). Through her perspective, we witness a softening of previous “rules” and more openness to women’s rights over time. Anna has her own challenges, especially when her life is turned upside-down as she learns the truth about her mother and their family’s past.

I loved the historical details in this story, which deepened my understanding and connection with the characters and time period. I was not aware of specifics regarding the history of women’s rights, so I appreciated that this information was woven in, without being cumbersome or distracting. I enjoy reading thought-provoking stories, and this story still has me thinking about the characters and their situations, days after finishing the book.

If you enjoy reading period fiction with elements of feminism and family, this is a must read!

[Sublime Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating = 4.08

Storyline & Concept = 3.25
Writing & Delivery = 4
Editorial = 5
Beginning in 1922, Abandoning the Script introduces Lucy, a woman whose hunger for independence and a career as a stage actress clashes with the expectations placed upon her by her controlling husband and a society that offers few options for women. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Lucy struggles with a heartbreaking choice between her own happiness and a young daughter she feels will be better off without her. The narrative shifts to 1951, where Lucy’s daughter, Anna, discovers the secret her family withheld from her. With the help of her grandmother’s journal, she follows the trail to unravel the truth about her past.
The author expertly layers the dual timelines in this novel while respecting the historical significance of both periods. The characters and the settings are well-developed, immersing the reader into a poignant portrayal of women’s lives constrained by social norms. Although I greatly sympathized with the plight of the women in Lucy’s timeline, I had difficulty connecting with Lucy herself and never truly did. Anna, for me, was a much more powerful and realistic character, tying the two timelines together and providing a nice resolution. This novel will appeal to readers who appreciate emotional and layered historical fiction, particularly in relation to women’s rights and freedoms.
Sublime Line: “A moving and emotional historical novel about women’s voices, sacrifices, and courage.”

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1922 when we first meet Lucy Perkins. A thespian in spirit and in life until a forced marriage to a man she didn't love ended her career ambitions. Lucy’s husband Charles is a doctor, brilliant and accomplished. He is also haughty and controlling. A husband who will never support Lucy’s dreams for herself or understand her deepest desires. In one scene, Lucy thinks while riding an elevator that Charles will always cage her, and she will never be able to stretch her wings. To compound her oppressive situation, she has a baby with Charles. She names her Anna, but her domineering husband rejects that name and calls her Rosy. Lucy tries reasoning with Charles, trying to impress upon him that it would be more fun to have a partner who is an equal, but Charles doesn’t want an equal. He will not compromise and is adamant that Lucy be content to be a housewife and mother. Two roles that she was averse to. Choices for women back then were nil. She would have to accept her lot in life or, as a last resort, run from it. From New York to LA, I followed Lucy’s physical and emotional journey, wondering if she would find fulfillment in her chosen path given what she had to give up.

This will definitely spark book club debates where perspectives will be as diverse as the readers themselves. Historically immersive and thought-provoking, Lucy’s story will linger in your mind long after you've finished reading.

[Jan Anthonsen]

This is the fourth book I've read of Linda Rosen's and I believe it's my new favorite. This is a story of women's rights-or rather-lack thereof in the 1920's.

Lucy is married to a doctor and has a thirteen month old daughter, Anna. Neither of which she wanted, but was forced upon her by her family.

Lucy longs to be on stage, fostering her love for acting and teaching, but that is something her controlling husband forbids.

Fearing his control over her, Lucy leaves New York and travels to California to begin a new life leaving her husband, loving mother -in-law, daughter, and two best friends behind. Seemingly with no notice.

Anna's father remarries and his wife becomes the only mother she remembers. Young Anna grows up to become a lawyer and takes an interest in helping oppressed women. On her journey, she meets another lawyer, Crystal, who is fascinated by the pair of earrings Anna wears.

This piece of jewelry will help bring together Anna and the mother she never knew existed. It's a story of love and sacrifice, beautifully told. I highly recommend reading "Abandoning the Script."

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! I hated for it to end. I wanted more, more, more.

As in all her books, a piece of jewelry is always featured in the story. Linda Rosen did not disappoint in this book with a pair of earrings. We learn the history of Lucy's earrings and how important they are to the story.

Linda's characters face many obstacles and we soon have empathy for the characters. In 1922, Lucy was expected to be a good wife and mother. Unfortunately, Lucy wanted more which was frowned upon by her husband. She made a difficult decision to leave this life behind her and found it impossible to keep in contact with her family and friends. Her mother-in-law, Mama Brandt, sided with Lucy but did not speak up because it was not a woman's place to do so. Forward to 1951 and the death of Mama Brandt and how her journal changed her granddaughter Anna's life forever. In the search for Lucy's story, Anna unknowingly befriends Lucy's friends from the 1920's and Lucy's story is revealed. This revelation affects Anna in ways she never expected.

I’m still in awe how authors can come up with such great stories!

[Judy Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant story about mother-daughter relationships and female friendship. In the 1920's, Lucy grew up in a very strict home in NYC. Her parents did allow her to attend Barnard College, but did not attend any of her theater performances there. Lucy became good friends with Helen and Crystal, members of the progressive Heterodoxy Club. Lucy wanted a career in theater, but her parents forced her to get married instead. Lucy gave birth to a darling girl named Ashley, but her husband insisted that she be called Rosy instead. Lucy decides she is a lousy mother, like her own had been, and makes the shocking decision to leave her family and friends behind to seek a drama career in California. Many readers will not like Lucy, but some of us dislike her husband and father even more. This should lead to interesting book club discussions.
In Act 3, set in NYC in 1951, Ashley happened to meet Crystal, and Crystal recognized the unique earrings which Ashley was wearing. Crystal and Helen finally convince Ashley that she is actually Lucy's daughter, and her Dad and stepmother had never told her the truth. Will Ashley meet her birth mother? Will she ever forgive any of her 3 parents?

[Sandra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a rich narrative wrapped around theater performance, feisty feminist women, and a retro 1920s setting, Abandoning the Script delivers a fulfilling read that’s perfect for book clubs.
Besides these favorite tropes, I loved the fashion references and obvious attention to detail and research. But amongst these positives, readers must weigh their feelings for a strong protagonist who seeks her own fulfillment to the detriment of her family. Linda Rosen portrays Lucy with strong humanity and backstory so that we understand her plight. Thus, some will sympathize with her, while others may question her actions, setting a stage for great bookish debates.
Through a dual timeline into Anna’s story--Lucy’s now-adult daughter—the book dives into other hefty discussion topics: the potential for redemption and forgiveness, and the slow evolution of women’s status in society. If you love a well-drawn historical laden with women’s fiction emotion, Abandoning the Script should headline your 2026 TBR.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was outraged in 2000 when a father of one of my students, upon hearing I was pregnant, asked if I would be taking the next eighteen years off. Boy, did I have it good. Linda Rosen’s new novel, Abandoning the Script, illustrates this beautifully. Set in the 1920’s, this meticulously researched story brings to life the very real and varied experiences of women navigating relationships, motherhood, and work at a time when wanting any combination of these meant giving up your power and control. As timely as these issues were then, they are now—which makes this book all the more compelling. You cannot help but be drawn into the main character’s heart and mind through Rosen’s words. Though you might not have made the same choices as she, the reader cannot help but appreciate the courage required and cost of forging one’s own path in defiance of family expectations, social norms, and even the law. Abandoning the Script is one of those stories we must remember and share with our daughters. I highly recommend Abandoning the Script by Linda Rosen.

[Rebecca Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting story about the cost of freedom

I just finished Abandoning the Script and I’m still sitting here thinking about Lucy’s choice. This isn’t your typical "happy" historical romance; it’s a much deeper look at what women actually had to give up to have a life of their own in the 1920s.

What really got to me was the tension in the New York scenes. You can feel the suffocating atmosphere of Lucy’s marriage to Charles—the way her involvement with the Heterodoxy Club was her only lifeline. Linda Rosen does a great job showing that Lucy wasn't just "bored"; she was disappearing.

The middle of the book is tough. Watching her choose her career over her daughter, Rosy, was heartbreaking, but Rosen writes it in a way that makes you understand why she felt she had no other choice. It makes the later chapters with her daughter Anna feel so much more earned. If you like historical fiction that actually tackles the messy, complicated parts of motherhood and ambition, you need to pick this up.

[Debra Borchert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Linda Rosen excels at plunging readers into historic eras rife with women struggling for their rights and against society—its expectations and limitations, all the while determining who they are.

Imagine if you needed your husband’s permission to open a bank account and work outside the home. Imagine if your only choice of identity was wife and mother. Rosen brings historic realities to life with tenderness and grace.

“Abandoning the Script” reveals women’s inner struggles that give them courage to act and the knowledge to determine who they are and who they want to be. One of Rosen’s protagonists, Lucy, is particularly honest with herself, making this reader wonder if she would be as honest with herself. Rosen often writes of the power of female friendships and here, this theme winds through three generations of women who treasure and support one another.

Engaging, immersive, heart-warming and compelling, this emotionally layered story will keep you reading late into the night, wishing these characters were your friends. Highly recommended.

[Cam Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Abandoning the Script" fixes the reader in Greenwich Village of the early 1920s, following Lucy Brandt—a talented actress trapped in a suffocating marriage—as she reconnects with the pioneering women and ideas that ignite her true self. From the clandestine meetings of the Heterodoxy Club to the lively bohemian theater scene, Rosen shows how Lucy’s world broadens each time she dares to unshackle herself from her controlling husband. Her struggle is emotionally resonant: torn between the expectations of motherhood and the passion that gives her life meaning, she feels painfully real. Rosen is known for her atmospheric detail, and her latest doesn't disappoint—wool coats, smoky cafés, Model Ts, progressive feminist thinkers, and the electricity of the Provincetown Playhouse bring the 1920s to life. Moving and empowering, Abandoning the Script is a story about reclaiming one’s identity, even when the cost is high.

[Paulette Mahurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The early twenties burns from the page as this story begins and Lucy is on her way to a secret meeting, a meeting of intellectuals, artists, all women advanced for their oppressed place in time living at the cutting edge of the eruption of feminism. The secret meeting houses Margaret Sanger, the topic birth control. In the backdrop, Lucy reflects on her stressful marriage to physician Charles a traditionalist challenged by his forward wife. The beginning is smartly written incorporating historical accuracy into dialogue and narration, all moving forward to a different time, some thirty years later, to a granddaughter, Anna, receiving her deceased grandmother’s diary. As the story moves along and tension heightens information unravels in ways that keep the story moving at a rapid clip. Scene description and character development are top notch and I’m impressed with the juxtaposition of the women’s lib movement threaded throughout. An entertaining read.

[Marilee Dahlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

New wife, mother, and aspiring actress Lucy faces a domineering husband in a time when it’s nearly impossible to fight back. This tale is historical fiction that sweeps across generations from the 1920s Jazz Age, the Depression era, and the early 1950s, from the backstages of New York City theaters and across the country to Hollywood. Carefully researched and extremely readable, lose yourself in the time of Eugene O’Neil, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker. Themes of wealth, women’s rights, mother-daughter relationships and marriage dynamics take center stage. And at the heart of it all, Lucy’s quest for self-fulfillment. Her husband wants to control her clothes, her career, her whole existence. Lucy seeks freedom and true meaning in her life, but it may come at extraordinary cost. Great for book clubs that love a flawed main character who is willing to defy society’s expectations and do whatever it takes to achieve what she wants.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abandoning the Script by Linda Rosen expertly immerses readers in the early 20th century life of women, which sets the tone for the novel. Lucy, both and engaging and compelling protagonist, struggles to define her authentic self against a backdrop of patriarchal society and the heartbreaking cost of defiance (situations that still resonate in today's 21st century world). As other reviewers have mentioned, Rosen’s masterful use of period language and rich literary and theatrical allusions grounds the novel, bringing the characters, setting, and plot to life and deepening its emotional impact. Fans of historical fiction will love this novel, but so will those who look for stories that feature themes of identity, belonging, determination, feminism, and the resilience of the human spirit. I've read several of Rosen's novels--all of which I've enjoyed--but Abandoning the Script is now my new favorite.

[Grace Sammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Abandoning the Script, Linda Rosen once again proves she is a master of writing women who dare to want more—more agency, more truth, more room to breathe.
Set in the early twentieth century, the novel examines the roles women are expected to play and the quiet, often painful consequences of stepping outside them. What makes this story especially powerful is how those choices echo across generations, shaping not only the lives that follow but the stories women inherit about who they are allowed to become.
Rosen writes with compassion and clarity about ambition, motherhood, friendship, and the bonds between women—reminding us that while the setting may be historical, the questions are unmistakably modern. Abandoning the Script speaks to anyone who has ever felt constrained by expectation, and to the daughters still unraveling the truths left behind.
This is a novel that bridges past and present with grace and emotional depth -- one book clubs will cherish!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be given an advanced copy of Linda Rosen's newest novel Abandoning the Script which is scheduled to be released shortly. The novel begins in the early 1920s' New York where the independent and career-oriented, Lucy, marries a domineering and misogynistic Charles. When their daughter Anna is born, Lucy is put in a difficult position being told that her place was in the home and her role as "mother" and "housewife" were her only choices.
Thus begins a novel bringing all kinds of feelings to the surface for me, including anger, encouragement, empathy and more. The author does a wonderful job developing a host of characters all relevant to the storyline and the historic aspect of this book. The plot continues to thicken as the story evolves and I found myself up to the wee hours this morning eager to finish this enlightened book, while at the same time not wanting it to end!

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Linda Rosen takes her readers directly to the 1920s in her latest novel, Abandoning the Script. That was an era of great change for women, as they challenged the traditional roles of their gender. In this book, Lucy is a young woman trapped in a life controlled by her husband, and mother to a young daughter. Through her eyes, I could understand how confining her life was, and how her need to be true to herself leads her to an agonizing decision. Whether we like Lucy or not, whether we agree with the choices she makes, this is a thought-provoking book that portrays the lives and plight of Lucy and all the women of that time period—a time of freedom and opportunity that sometimes came at great cost. In the end, this is a compelling historical fiction novel that gives readers a complex story with multilayered characters and a fascinating setting. I received an advance copy of this book from the author.

[Janis Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abandoning the Script is a beautifully written story about choices, secrets, and how the past shapes the future. The title is absolutely perfect for a heroine, Lucy Perkins Brandt, who braves to exit from one life in order to be true to herself. She leaves behind not just heartbreak but also a legacy, symbolized by a pair of custom earrings.

Author Linda Rosen has a wonderful way of connecting generations of women, and I loved how she used the earrings as the thread tying it all together. It’s emotional, layered, and full of heart as Rosen depicts the real struggles women faced over the time span of the book, the 1920s to the early 1950s. And even though the setting is nearly a century ago, the parallels to today feel painfully familiar. One line especially hit home: “Women utter their frustration with the strangling laws prohibiting their personal freedoms.”

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rosen's historical fiction novel, Abandoning the Script, is a poignant story about life in America. Set at a time when women had just gained the right to vote but were still seen as unable to balance family needs and a career, Lucy faces a tough choice. Her physician husband pushes her to choose between being a loving mother and a dutiful wife or pursuing a career as an actress. Not only does he view her as an either/or woman, but most of society--including her contemporaries who make the ultimate decisions about which actors get roles--also sees a woman with a child as irresponsible. Life changes--for everyone--when Lucy chooses which script to adhere to. In reading this well-written time-period story, one cannot help but contrast life for women "back then" with life for women today.

[Jann Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

In their wealthy 1920s New York circle, Lucy Perkins Brandt confronts a society that has rules for women, though they have earned the right to vote. And Lucy’s husband, Charles, has his own rules. His wife cannot drive, especially to a job. His wife cannot work, especially in the theatre. His wife must bear children without fail, and she cannot divorce her husband. And that Lucy cannot abide. In an era where women are asserting their rights, Lucy faces the heart-breaking choice of motherhood or career. She falls right in among the suffragists who demand to be treated as equals to men in the century-old battle women are still fighting today. Linda Rosen’s historical fiction, Abandoning the Script, gives choices to Lucy that are as agonizing as they remain today, and each haunting decision has ramifications that echo to the next generations.

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is a talented young woman who would rather play roles on the stage than the conventional role of wife and mother forced on her by her wealthy parents. But in 1922, that dream was nearly impossible, forcing Lucy to make a bold and difficult choice. Although life has improved for women since then, some of the challenges faced by Lucy and her friends are not so different a century later. I love the way Rosen skillfully weaves personal drama into a backdrop of American history (especially women’s rights) from the 1920s to the 1950s, introducing us along the way to some characters we root for and others we want to boo off the stage. I also enjoyed revisiting the iconic settings in my two favorite cities, New York and Los Angeles. Abandoning the Script is a highly immersive read!

[Micki Berthelot Berthelot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Lucy, a woman living in the early 1900 when women practically belonged to their fathers than later on in life to their husbands. Yet, Linda Rosen gives her readers a character in Lucy that women can champion and relate to in our quest to gain our freedom, our voice and exercise our wills.
Lucy must make tough choices and all along I urge her on to choose joy, all the while realizing that choices are not always easy, but Lucy must choose which path will bring her closer to self-realization. I love this story because I love strong women who are not afraid to challenge the patriarchy. In the end I cheered for Lucy to have it all. Because, why not! Men do!!
I highly recommend this book.

[Patty W Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel set in 1922 New York City, opens with a look at the life of a smart, educated young mother – Lucy Brandt. After success as a theatrical actress, Lucy is married off by her parents to an older man, Charles, who is a physician raised to believe a woman’s place is in the home. When their child, Anna, is born, Lucy’s husband expects her to give up her career and be a mother and wife. Lucy’s childhood makes her doubt her own ability to be a loving mother. As friction between the couple grows, their individual expectations are tested to their limits, with Lucy’s husband holding all the cards.
This novel follows a young woman facing an impossible choice. The story unfolds as Lucy makes her decision and we read the fallout. We also watch the life of Anna, Lucy’s daughter—how she grows up and how her generation faces new challenges set for women. When Anna discovers her grandmother’s journal and a pair of special earrings, she must decide whether to find the truth or accept her mother’s explanations. This book, wrapped in descriptive prose touches on deep themes of motherhood, mental health, and family. A riveting look at Lucy’s choices and their effects on herself and all those around her. Lucy’s Story deserves 5 Stars.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, and often learn a lot from it, no matter when it takes place. Linda Rosen's latest well-researched book fascinated me because it asks the reader to put herself in the protagonist's shoes and consider the life decisions that faced women in the 20s.
The temptation to superimpose modern problems on the character must be great, but the author has made the issues realistic, leaving this reader with no clear side to root for. In a time when marriage was considered the only option for women, those who wanted to be independent faced an uphill battle.
This will make a great read for book clubs, because there's so much to discuss.
I should add that the settings were wonderfully precise - I really felt I was there in NYC and LA.

[Brian Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rosen's historical fiction focuses on a would-be actress with ambitions that far exceed her limited options. Lucy Brandt leaves a suffocating marriage to pursue happiness built on her own terms. That pursuit comes at a cost made more dear by family secrets, blown open when Lucy's granddaughter receives a diary.

The depictions of the artistic and political hubs of the 1920s are wonderful. The story itself is fascinating. (Family secrets, well imagined, make for a gripping narrative.) Themes of individual vs. societal expectations will resonate for the modern reader.

Above all, the patented Linda Rosen payoff...a novel both revelatory and emotionally satisfying.

[Betty Koval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Rosen has done it again! A story more than historical fiction which follows even in today’s era. Women always torn between their love of a career, making a difference in this world, AND motherhood. How can one do it all and do it good! In Lucy, our protagonist’s case, to deal with a controlling mother first and then being made to marry someone who wants to control her as well. She has to make the ultimate sacrifice - giving up her daughter, the mother-in-law she loves,and her best friends since childhood - to have a chance at her life on stage. You have to read it to see for yourself! Abandoning the Script - please get your copy as soon as it is released on March 5, 2026!

[Angela Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a engaging historical fiction that depicts a complex character, Lucy, and her struggles to deal with her husband's and the 1920's society's expectations. Lucy, an actress and activist, navigates the New York theatre scene and the growing feminist movement. She is surrounded by many famous characters who are all breaking new ground in their fields. Lucy is excited by the new ideas and visions for a new society. At the same time she's challenged by her husband's rules which don't match her own. Fueled by her creative pursuits and longing for independence, she wrestles with the choice of abandoning her family, including a young daughter.