Waking Lucy

American Homespun #1

by Lorin Grace

Lucy dreamed of marrying Samuel until she woke up as his wife.
Dismissed after a disastrous year at the newly created Harvard Medical School, Samuel buries his dreams of the future. Shamed by his dismissal, he returns to his north shore home, where he avoids his lifelong friend Lucy dismissing all ideas of marrying her.
Lucy pretends Samuel’s rejection means little as she helps her family on their farm until an early New England blizzard brings challenges and death to her door. When it is over, Lucy lays in her cabin near death with only five-year-old Sally to aid her. Samuel discovers Lucy delirious with fever and endeavors to save her. Unwittingly, he puts her reputation in danger. At his parents’ insistence, Samuel is forced to marry a barely conscious Lucy.
Lucy awakens to a reality more bizarre than her dreams. Sure that Samuel’s vows are coerced, she does everything in her power to convince him to annul the marriage. With the help of his mother and Sarah, Samuel sets out to prove to Lucy that the vows he took are permanent, if she will give him a second chance.


Alternate cover edition
978-0998411002

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Christian Fiction, Marriage Of Convenience, Fiction

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2016

About the author

Lorin Grace was born in Colorado and has been moving around the country ever since, living in eight states and several imaginary worlds. She holds a degree in graphic design which comes in handy with creating book covers. Currently, she lives with her husband, and a dog who is insanely jealous of her laptop. 
When not writing, Lorin enjoys creating graphics, visiting historical sites, museums, painting furniture, and reading. Three of her books, her debut novel, Waking Lucy (2017), Mending Fences (2018), and Not the Bodyguard’s Baby (2020) have won Recommend Read awards in the League of Utah Writers Published book contest.

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy and Samuel have loved each other all their lives. They were betrothed and Lucy was looking forward to the day when Samuel would come home from medical school and they could be married. Except everything has come unraveled. Samuel wrote to cancel their engagement and has come home early from medical school. Lucy keeps waiting and hoping that Samuel will come explain what happened and change his mind but she has yet to hear from him.

Unfortunately, Samuel is heartbroken and unsure of himself and what to say to Lucy. So instead of going and confessing his feelings and explaining everything, he avoids her and soon has other young ladies from town showing him attention. Now how is he going to convince Lucy that he still loves her and was just unsure if she would really want him after his failures.

Disaster strikes leaving Lucy caring for sick family members and unable to go for help. When she finally succumbs to illness herself after grief and pure exhaustion, Lucy prays for someone to come save her and her little sister.

Samuel finally heads to Lucy's home after much prodding from his family. What he finds is heartbreaking and further weighs down his guilt. If he had come sooner to Lucy could he have spared her all the pain? Lucy's family have all passed away from an illness and it is just her and her little sister Sally. Samuel finds himself in a bind to save Lucy but also protect her virtue. They are good puritans and he is forced to marry Lucy by their preacher. When Lucy finally awakens, she finds herself married to the one man she loves but the one man she believes who doesn't love her.

This was a sweet marriage of convenience/childhood love story with lots of mixups, sorrows, hidden past sorrows, current failures and healing. I loved Samuel's character and his goodness at caring for Lucy and Sally and doing everything he can to protect her, when she was unconscious and conscious. Sally was a really cute addition to the story. I loved the time period and the culture that was portrayed throughout the story. Lucy was a sweet and loving character but she had things she needed to heal from her past.

A couple things that bothered me...Samuel overall was great but after he and Lucy were married and he was caring for her during her unconsciousness, it was almost overboard(for me at least) his thoughts. I loved that the author added this but it became very redundant because it kept happening. As he was caring for her and she needed bathing or cleaning or whatever from her illness he was the one who had to do care for her in that way. He kept thinking I was training to be a Dr or I'm her husband, it's ok. I loved that he was concerned about Lucy and not wanting her to feel violated or uncomfortable when she woke up and realized he cared for her but his character's thoughts kept saying that multiple times that I felt it could have been left out or not as much in some places. Maybe it's just me and it wasn't redundant for other readers though.

The other thing was Lucy and her back and forth for Samuel. I completely understand why(spoiler so I'm not saying) but one minute she was so withdrawn and the next she loved him so much. Even at the beginning she was pining for him but then when he came around and she knew they were married it was the complete opposite of her love for him. Read it and see what you think. Honestly though it wasn't a huge frustration, just a little thing.

Overall I really enjoyed the story. I did like Samuel and Lucy's characters and the sweet healing that they both were able to achieve as they opened up to each other and shared their pasts and the whole mystery that drove the story.

Content: Samuel nurses and cares for Lucy and sees her unclothed but his thoughts are about her care and his concern for her getting better. Overall I would say it is a clean read.

I snagged a copy from Amazon when it was free.

Happy Reading!!!

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a Christianish story of two people who love each other but have had many misunderstandings and complications get in their way. They ultimately need to get married. It started out strong but by the end I just wanted to get it over with. There was a weird undercurrent threw the whole story of talking and thinking about sex. It was so odd. This is a clean story but it alluded to intimacy so often I would say it is an adult read. The reasons they stayed apart after she woke up were just silly and it seemed to drag out the ending and made it a little flop.

[Parkland Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
Completed: May 6/25

Series: American Homespun, #1
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL's "book that has won an award" --recipient of the 2017 Recommended Read Award in the League of Utah Writers published book contest.

Book #57 of 2025: new-to-me author

I enjoyed this book. The tragedies, friendship-romance question, the dedication he shows to helping his friend get well, and more made for a story of hurt, heart, and hope.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of historical romance books but this one was quite different. The setting of colonial times and the issue of common law marriages and legal marriages were interesting to read, and you can tell the author did extensive research on the topic.

I also liked the progression of Samuel and Lucy's relationship and how they overcame their personal hangups to accept the other.

If you're looking for something different from Regency novels, I recommend this book.

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just slow and a little too bland

I liked the is story but it was so very slow and I understand about the period in which it was written, but I think I wanted a little more something. it was so depressing with her family dying and having her store them on the roof so predators wouldn't get them, but it was so bleak. Her writing them in the bible and it was so sad. I didn't really love Samuel. He was just odd and he encouraged that mean woman enough that she thought he was hers. He didn't want the kiss but come on. He had let her on. Very chaste

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and enjoyable marriage of convenience story. The storyline was unique and the characters were truly endearing. I loved how caring Samuel was with Lucy and how he helped her cope with her past. Sarah was also such an adorable addition to the story.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I learned about the customs of the colonial period.
Lucy is isolated in a snowstorm when the unthinkable happens: sickness overtakes the family and she loses her stepfather, brother and also her mother and her newborn baby in childbirth. Lucy is left to take care of her 5yr. Old sister and Lucy succumbs to the sickness.
Samuel, a neighbor comes to check on the family. Even though Lucy isn’t even aware of things, Samuels parents think it’s best if Lucy and Samuel marry.
The story continues through Lucy waking up and their love story in spite of the circumstances.
Sarah, the little sister is such a cute chatterbox. And Samuel takes a ribbing from his teen twin brothers, Joe and John. Samuel is very kind and patient. His mother and father give some great marriage advice.
Good read for those who want to bone up on their colonial history.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and sweet story. I highly recommend it! 5 stars.

[Paula Bothwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waking Lucy (American Homespun #1) - PG
Triggers: verbal, emotional, physical abuse
Violence: reader is made aware of it, no details
Language: nothing offensive
Sex: no sex, a couple kisses

I enjoyed this "new to me" author. I liked the time period--New England just after the Revolutionary War--but no thees or thys. The romance was very clean and the story was interesting. I'm going to read the other books in the series.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moral Dilemma

Great story about a couple in love separated by embarrassment on one side and lack of self esteem on the other. The author wrote an interesting plot with memorable characters. Well written with insights into the conditions and customs of the times. A great read.

[Monica Sarff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

Hardships and love enduring make this a sweet read.A few conflicts make ie believable.I enjoyed it and would recommend for all readers.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a marriage of convenience story. Or it is a friendship to love story. It depends how you look at it. Lets call it a marriage of convenience story between two people who love and want to marry each other. It is always bizarre to me that society would force someone to marry in situations that are cause for possible gossip, in this case just for helping someone ill. So glad our society today doesn't work that way.

The story is good and I liked the characters. It was sad and happy both. Lots of trauma in Lucy's life. There are a number of references to her being abused as a child. Lucy has to go through a lot of growth to decide whose voice to which she would listen. Would her father at birth speak louder in his belittling and abusive manner along with the physical abuse? Or would her step father's voice be louder in his kind and loving manner? Unfortunately that negative voice is really loud and difficult to tune out.

Samuel would also have much growth to overcome his own discomfort and embarrassment in failing in his goals to become a doctor. He is good and kind to Lucy even when he didn't feel good about himself.

There is no sex in the book but there is a lot of thought about marital relations and marital innuendo. More than I needed for the story.

Just as a side-note, it was interesting to read about an unknown illness that killed most of Lucy's family, leaving her ill and the house under quarantine while I am sitting at home under a stay at home order during the Covid 19 outbreak. The similarity ends there since there is no sickness in my household though.

Possible triggers in this story: physically and verbally abusive parent/spouse, fear of blood, death in childbirth, suddenly being orphaned.

Sex: marital innuendo, reference to rape
Language: no
Violence: references to past abuse and rape
*I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily chose to review it.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Lucy was definitely one of the best books I've read this year. The build up of tension and mystery between Samuel and Lucy, kept me turning the pages, wanting to find out what would happen next. The characters were so well developed that by half-way through the book, I felt as though I really knew them. The insights into their characters as I read their story made the story have more substance and came alive for me.

The mystery part of the story was handled very well and was revealed at just the right place within the story. Reading the descriptions of 1797 life in Massachusetts, it became evident that the author did extensive research into the time period.

I really loved the character of Samuel for his determination to care for Lucy and make sure her reputation wasn't ruined by doing so. His love of God and faith came through the pages very well, even though he did have questions.

I would highly recommend Waking Lucy to anyone who needs a good dose of inspiration and reminding of God's love in spite of circumstances. Can't wait to read more from this author.

I was provided with a copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story.

Samuel and Lucy were such engaging characters to read about. Their resilience is truly outstanding as was that of her mum. Never having the kind of history or weather they experienced, really put it all into focus on just how hard and tough life was for people back then, especially women.

For a woman who was barely 19, she had a strength we all would like to have in spades. But the author didn’t leave it there, she increased the depth of the story with the lovely family that both Samuel and Lucy shared. Her mum and step father were wonderful people and the heartbreak she went through that week would have broke many of us. And Sarah, well she was just a little cutie. Samuels family, his mum and dad, in particular were truely the sweetest couple.

I received this a free gift that will be treasured forever and an honest review was easy to leave.

[Nancy Cincotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

My litmus test for the quality of a novel is if, when I finish it, I'm a bit sad, missing the characters a little. Waking Lucy did not disappoint! The descriptions were so vivid and historically accurate that I felt like I was getting to know Samuel, Emma, Thomas, Sarah, and, of course, Lucy. The flow of the plot was excellent, the connections between each character's story stitched together so beautifully, making me want to take in every detail, until the unspoken back story was revealed. Lorin Grace left me turning the last page, hoping for more when Waking Lucy ended! I'd welcome another novel, perhaps in a series.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this romantic historical novel. It brought out so many little facts I didn't know about the post civil war era. The romance and the history together made it a great read.

So many supporting characters in this book. Lucy and Samuel though stood out. I admired Lucy for her strength to get her through. I also admired Samuel for his never give up attitude.

It was a hard life then and this book brings out so many of the tragedies that happened. How they dealt with each one made the story too good to put down.

This book was listed as free a couple of days ago and I downloaded it. Glad I did!

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy has experienced such tragedy in her life but continues to lean on the Lord. I wanted to knock some sense into Samuel but he got a wake up call. Can a marriage that she thinks is only to save her reputation really be real? Lucy's sister, Sarah was adorable - hoping she eventually gets her own book. Samuel works hard to show Lucy what an idiot he was for breaking their engagement and shows her he really does love her. There was of course angst and meddling people - hated that they claimed to be Christians. Samuel's parents were so cute and I really liked how in love they were after all these years. Great examples for Lucy and Samuel. Will Samuel be there in sickness and in doubt?

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

-“Go to sleep little one. On the morrow, your problems will look smaller in the sunshine. Problems, like shadows, are always bigger in the dark.”-
This was an excellent story. Very moving. Very sad. A story of abuse, of loss, and, eventually, true love and complete peace and security. I loved it. It is very clean with no sex nor swearing but it is very dramatic and the issues it deals with are pretty raw so possibly not for every reader. I found this story riveting and I couldn't put it down.

[Becca McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-researched historical novel that made me grateful I live in this century. The characters were relatable and well-drawn and the writing good. I struggled a little with the premise - girl ends up married without her knowledge - but, again, it was interesting historical perspective and handled with grace. I'm just very glad this can't happen to me. If you want a lovely and interesting afternoon and like stories about this time period, I think you'll be glad you read this one.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet marriage of convenience story

I enjoy marriage of convenience stories, but this one was made all the sweeter by the fact that they already loved each other. They still had a lot to work through, especially Lucy with her past, but it was beautiful how they did it together. I love that Samuel took his father's advice and really listened to his wife, figuring out things without her having to say them. This was such a beautiful love story.

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Lucy

I loved reading this story as I could very well imagine how it took place. With no hydro and no conveniences and a bad virus going around amongst all the people. It would have been very trying to look after a younger child and still do the chores and keep the house. I love how Samuel handled everything and how Lucy finally agreed to Love him and honour him until death do they part. This was a free arc read and this is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical romance set shortly after the Revolutionary War, “Waking Lucy” gives an interesting look at marriage laws, burial, and medicinal practices of colonial times.

Read full review in the 2017 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

This was an excellently written piece of historical fiction. This book flowed logically and the character development was refreshing. Samuel and Lucy have known each other all their lives but each has secrets that may keep them apart. I loved this story.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't too sure about how this book would read at first, but I found that I liked it very much. It was a riveting enough story line to keep me reading and I appreciated that it wasn't awkward or racy. I am looking forward to reading more from Lorin Grace.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Lucy

Lucy and Samuel's story is one of the sweetest I've ever read. In spite of their trials and tribulations theirs has a very happy ending. You will enjoy reading this story.

[Sharon Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

I read Remembering Anna first and still loved this one as much. This is a great reminder that we are not held to what the world calls us. We are held to who Jesus says we are!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Even though this isn't my normal reading genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Charlene Hammonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy's new life

Lucy had a hard life but with her childhood friend her life changes. Wonderful story couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel-good story

This is a well written book with an intriguing plot that captures the readers attention and keeps the reader turning page after page.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Pleasant book with characters nicely developed and a happy ending. Perfect for a rainy day in a cozy chair with a cup of hot tea.