The Fractured Life of Lucy Hughes

Lucy Hughes has never loved being the center of attention, so she’s shocked when her boyfriend proposes via jumbotron. Frozen under the stadium lights, Lucy’s hesitation fractures her future into parallel lives:

 

No. A video of Lucy’s refusal goes viral, and the backlash is swift and brutal. Unemployed and sleeping in her best friend’s guest room, she slowly rebuilds her life. She’s barely back on her feet when she’s asked to advocate for victims of online harassment. But it would mean finding the courage to step back into the spotlight.

 

Yes. Lucy, who grew up in foster care, adores Matthew’s large, loving family. But burying her troubled childhood and her bisexuality to better fit into their Southern political dynasty is causing her to lose her grip on her own identity.

 

To create a future where she can be her authentic self, both versions of Lucy must confront the childhood trauma that shaped her adult relationships and find her own voice.

Additional information

Genre

Book Club, Contemporary, General Fiction, LGBTQ+, Upmarket, Women's Fiction

Age

Adult

Publisher

Amazon Publishing

Imprint

Lake Union

Language(s)

English

Format(s)

Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Trade paperback

Author

Annie Morgan

Release Date

22 September 2026

Release Month

September Releases

Author Identity

LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent

Content Rep

LGBTQIA+

About the Author

Annie Morgan studied journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before moving to Atlanta, Georgia. She spends her days teaching and her nights running a cottage bakery. When she’s not wrangling children or decorating cookies, she’s writing about women trying to find themselves and their place in the world.

 

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