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Lucinda's Solution
“I am not enough like Catherine for Martin to love, and I am too much like Catherine for Martin to forget.”
In the Autumn of 1918, idealistic and ambitious Lucinda Benedict has finally convinced her father that girls can go to college too. But the family is devastated when the influenza pandemic claims the life of Lucinda’s older sister. Seventeen-year-old Lucinda must put aside her own dreams and step into her sister’s life as mother to two toddlers - and wife to a man overwhelmed by grief.
In the Autumn of 1918, idealistic and ambitious Lucinda Benedict has finally convinced her father that girls can go to college too. But the family is devastated when the influenza pandemic claims the life of Lucinda’s older sister. Seventeen-year-old Lucinda must put aside her own dreams and step into her sister’s life as mother to two toddlers - and wife to a man overwhelmed by grief.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
324 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2017
About the author
Nancy Roman
4 books22 followersAuthor Bio
Nancy Roman grew up in Bristol Connecticut, attending local schools and graduating from the University of Connecticut, an English major with an MBA.
Her essay, "My Perfect Mess," recounting her sweet experience with her sixth-grade teacher was included in Marlo Thomas' best-selling collection, THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME, VOLUME II.
Nancy writes weekly about aging, kindness, and living a happy life on her popular blog, "Not Quite Old" (http://notquiteold.com).
Her first novel, JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED, is a poignant story of adoption, told with humor and honesty.
Nancy's recent release is LUCINDA'S SOLUTION, a love story of changing mores and the role of women after World War I.
Roman lives in Litchfield Connecticut with her husband, four mysterious cats, and one disobedient but adorable dog.
Nancy Roman grew up in Bristol Connecticut, attending local schools and graduating from the University of Connecticut, an English major with an MBA.
Her essay, "My Perfect Mess," recounting her sweet experience with her sixth-grade teacher was included in Marlo Thomas' best-selling collection, THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME, VOLUME II.
Nancy writes weekly about aging, kindness, and living a happy life on her popular blog, "Not Quite Old" (http://notquiteold.com).
Her first novel, JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED, is a poignant story of adoption, told with humor and honesty.
Nancy's recent release is LUCINDA'S SOLUTION, a love story of changing mores and the role of women after World War I.
Roman lives in Litchfield Connecticut with her husband, four mysterious cats, and one disobedient but adorable dog.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 4, 2017
A surprise in every chapter
I could tell in the beginning that Lucinda was a strong woman. This story was hard to put down and every chapter held a surprise. Historical fiction at its best. Nancy did a wonderful job of leading up to such a surprising ending. This one needs a sequel!
I could tell in the beginning that Lucinda was a strong woman. This story was hard to put down and every chapter held a surprise. Historical fiction at its best. Nancy did a wonderful job of leading up to such a surprising ending. This one needs a sequel!
November 20, 2017
A fascinating story of kindness and generosity of spirit. Set in the early 1900's during the influenza epidemic, the spunky, out-going Lucinda is forced into many difficult situations. She goes to work for her father at his lumberyard at the age of twelve, and when the influenza epidemic hits New England her father decides her fate once again, arranging a marriage with her grieving brother-in-law who is the father of two small children.
As a native New Englander, I really enjoyed the historical setting of Springfield and New Haven. Nancy Roman does an excellent job describing everyday life during the 1920's. Lucinda is an intelligent, likable character who creatively and courageously deals with having to put her own dreams aside. I fell in love with her and the ending was perfect. Good luck, Lucinda. I hope there is a sequel.
As a native New Englander, I really enjoyed the historical setting of Springfield and New Haven. Nancy Roman does an excellent job describing everyday life during the 1920's. Lucinda is an intelligent, likable character who creatively and courageously deals with having to put her own dreams aside. I fell in love with her and the ending was perfect. Good luck, Lucinda. I hope there is a sequel.
August 13, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in a give-away and was so pleased that I did, since I've enjoyed Nancy Roman's blog "notquiteold" for a few years now. She writes about people, getting older, relationships/marriage, social issues, happiness, what's "important"--living your best life--and she does it so very well, with humor and insight. So I'm happy to give Lucinda's Solution a very good 4-star rating, having been thoroughly entertained. First, Ms. Roman's character development is excellent. Lucinda would be someone I'd love to know and have as a friend, and I appreciated the other key characters and could understand "where they were coming from". It is a great story in itself and was anxious to find out the "solution", and also it incorporated a theme of women's rights and changing attitudes of women and attitudes towards them, what motivated women like Lucinda to be the strong, smart and goal-reaching person that she was. Lastly, it did allow me to think at the end, and wonder "what would I do?". Visiting my local library today, I filled out the form necessary to ask that this book be added to their shelves!
February 15, 2020
This is an amazing story about Lucinda Benedict's life in the early 1900's, the problems she faced at an early age in life.. Her father decided at age twelve (12) she should go to work at his lumber yard but still go to school, her heart was set on going to college.
Through it all, she became a very strong and ambitious woman. Her older sister had married and moved to New England. In the the early 1900's during the influenza epidemic her sister died, leaving two small toddlers and a husband. Once again Lucinda's life was interrupted but she always came up with good solutions to help others.
This is a well written book, all the characters came alive with strong personilities. Each chapter was interesting with vivid details. This book was easy to read, fast paced a real page turner. This is the first book I have read by this author but she is close to the top. I enjoy every page and at the end I wanted more. I recommend this book to everyone.
Through it all, she became a very strong and ambitious woman. Her older sister had married and moved to New England. In the the early 1900's during the influenza epidemic her sister died, leaving two small toddlers and a husband. Once again Lucinda's life was interrupted but she always came up with good solutions to help others.
This is a well written book, all the characters came alive with strong personilities. Each chapter was interesting with vivid details. This book was easy to read, fast paced a real page turner. This is the first book I have read by this author but she is close to the top. I enjoy every page and at the end I wanted more. I recommend this book to everyone.
October 12, 2019
A story of courage and perseverance.
God has given us free will but we women rarely can find the courage to be who we want to be. The story of Lucinda is about the solution of life. A life that is precious enough to waste just dreaming or forced to making the choices suitable to the society.
Lucinda a girl who made some very tough decisions through her teenage years growing into adulthood. A girl not yet a woman but so mature who is capable of changing not only other people's lives but also dare to live a life of her choice without any regret.
A wonderful read that will take you on a ride through life's many challenges and ending in courage and freedom
God has given us free will but we women rarely can find the courage to be who we want to be. The story of Lucinda is about the solution of life. A life that is precious enough to waste just dreaming or forced to making the choices suitable to the society.
Lucinda a girl who made some very tough decisions through her teenage years growing into adulthood. A girl not yet a woman but so mature who is capable of changing not only other people's lives but also dare to live a life of her choice without any regret.
A wonderful read that will take you on a ride through life's many challenges and ending in courage and freedom
July 4, 2019
Lucinda seems to have a solution for every conundrum that comes her way. For one so young she is wise beyond her years.
Ms. Roman has given her developed the characters in her book to perfection (in my opinion). By the end of the book I felt as though I knew them and didn't want the book to end. I won't spoil the ending but I felt the love and pain that went with it.
An easy read and I would recommend for mature teens and up.
Ms. Roman has given her developed the characters in her book to perfection (in my opinion). By the end of the book I felt as though I knew them and didn't want the book to end. I won't spoil the ending but I felt the love and pain that went with it.
An easy read and I would recommend for mature teens and up.
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November 3, 2020The period after World War I is one of my favorites, and I found the historical elements in this book to be strong and believable. I suspect the basic situation Lucinda found herself in was both unfair and relatively common. I looked forward to getting back to reading this.
I have to say that I found the ending abrupt. But I would consider reading another book about what becomes of Lucinda and the changing world of the 1930s and 40s.
I have to say that I found the ending abrupt. But I would consider reading another book about what becomes of Lucinda and the changing world of the 1930s and 40s.
July 11, 2018
Wonderful!
Characters were well developed and interesting. I got very caught up in this story , and felt real empathy for the main character. I definitely surely recommend this book!
Characters were well developed and interesting. I got very caught up in this story , and felt real empathy for the main character. I definitely surely recommend this book!
January 2, 2019
Lucinda's Solution
A stunning tale. I couldn't put this book down. This is the second book I've read by this author, and I am convinced that her work is up there with the very best.
A stunning tale. I couldn't put this book down. This is the second book I've read by this author, and I am convinced that her work is up there with the very best.
August 22, 2020
A choice made.
Lucinda makes a choice. It's not a choice that many would make but it's hers. It leads her on a path of love and loss. This is a very good read. I think I can honestly recommend it to anyone.
Lucinda makes a choice. It's not a choice that many would make but it's hers. It leads her on a path of love and loss. This is a very good read. I think I can honestly recommend it to anyone.
November 12, 2022
A lovely story of 1918-1920. Prohibition, women’s suffragette . Lucinda cedes her personal power to men. First yo her Father then to her pseudo husband. But she works it out and becomes her own woman. Pretty implausible plot developments and resolution. They just switch husbands and family. Nope
January 15, 2018
Excellent choice.
I loved Lucinda’s choice. I was initially dismayed when such a spirited woman blindly obeyed but she redeemed herself and reclaimed her life beautifully.
I loved Lucinda’s choice. I was initially dismayed when such a spirited woman blindly obeyed but she redeemed herself and reclaimed her life beautifully.
May 28, 2018
Lovely
Intense. Quirky. Real. You will love Lucinda and be inspired by her solution. Don’t stop the music to correct your mistakes, keep playing.
Intense. Quirky. Real. You will love Lucinda and be inspired by her solution. Don’t stop the music to correct your mistakes, keep playing.
May 29, 2018
Lucinda was Amazing!
The characters were interesting- especially Lucinda - who who did all the talking. A feminist before her time! Interesting to see how her views changed.
The characters were interesting- especially Lucinda - who who did all the talking. A feminist before her time! Interesting to see how her views changed.
June 4, 2018
Loved this book..one of my favorite recent reads. Clever, unique story...enjoyed her writing skill...a wonderful and interesting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
August 14, 2018
Wow
This story really kept me reading. At first I thought it would be predictable. Anything but. Loved the main character and her independence and her dependence. Recommend.
This story really kept me reading. At first I thought it would be predictable. Anything but. Loved the main character and her independence and her dependence. Recommend.
December 29, 2018
DNL - after an interesting even amusing beginning the book fell into a spate of manipulation, bullying, parental abandonment, near incest and the heroine riding off into the sunset with her illegitimate new born.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
The author does a wonderful job of conjuring up life in Connecticut between the wars, not among the very rich or very poor, but among the middle classes. Weaving in actual historical events which help frame the plot, she creates a vanished world. And the ending came as a complete surprise, though the clues had been there all along.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews