The Pursuit of Lucy Banning gave me much more than I expected. This book includes a little romance, but is more about characters. There are a number of strong woman, both major and minor characters. There is suspense, intrigue, and the interesting setting of 1893 Chicago and the World Fair. All this attributes combine for a fun book, that I truly enjoyed reading.

Lucy is a young engaged woman, who isn't sure that she wants everything her parents and fiance have planned for her. She'd like to live More...

Story Description:

Baker Publishing Group|May 1, 2012|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-8007-2038-4

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago’s rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work – and the classes she is secretly taking at the newly opened University of Chicago. When she meets an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the u More...

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, by author Olivia Newport takes place in Chicago, as preparations are under way for the 1893 World's Fair. Lucy Banning lives on the prestigious Prairie Avenue, home to some of Chicago's rich and famous.

Lucy is expected to marry her long-time friend of the family Daniel, a match that was made many years ago. Daniel is an up and coming banker and Lucy is afraid that once she marries him she will have to give up her work at the orphanage and will be forced into the lif More...

My Thoughts on this book!




In Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Lucy Banning isn’t just your typical rich girl, she’d rather spend her money and time on those not having as much as her family does. She enjoys spending time at the orphanage helping children who have no homes.

But that’s not what her future husband wants from her, the husband that both Daniel and Lucy’s mothers planned from the time they were very young. Only Lucy didn’t want to get married. She was secretly taking art classes More...

"The Pursuit of Lucy Banning" by Olivia Newport is more than just a lovely cover - it is a delightfully pleasant read as well. The 1892 Chicago setting is brought back to life through the eyes of wealthy, young Lucy Banning. Prior to picking up this novel, I had not heard of the prominent 'Prairie Avenue' nor how its influential families largely orchestrated the World's Colombian Exposition. Isn't it lovely when a novel proves to be both entertaining and educational? While the story of the Banni More...

Lucy is torn between what she wants and what is expected of her. On one hand, she is well-to do and expected to marry an equally well-to do banker. On the other hand, she loves her charity work and the classes she has been taking in secret at the University of Chicago and wants more from her life than falling into the quiet, posh wife life. When Lucy meets Will, a young architect working on the upcoming 1983 World's Fair, she begins to wonder if she really has to live out what her parents and so More...

“I liked it.” Those were my words as I finished this book. Being a debut novel, I was hoping to love it, but I will settle for liking it. I really enjoy historical fiction and The Pursuit of Lucy Banning is certainly that. Olivia Newport has an eye for historical detail, but I would really have liked a bit more romance to go with the historical detail. This book could have easily been a hundred pages longer, than it would have allowed for more story development. The book didn’t feel rushed, but More...

"The Pursuit of Lucy Banning" is a historical romance set in 1892 in Chicago. Though the book description mentions the 1893 World's Fair, there is actually very little about that in this book. The author liked lists (like listing the menu for every meal), and this tended to slow the pacing. However, there was some fairly nice historical detail about the city and events worked into the story.

Using only 282 pages to tell even one story well can be tricky, but this novel was essentially three stori More...

THE PURSUIT OF LUCY BANNING was an enjoyable read that traveled at a steady pace.

Lucy Banning is not the usual upper crust socialite her mother would want her to be. Though she is engaged to be married to a long time family friend–who himself is a fledgling banker with his foot firmly planted in society–she longs for her independence. She already is testing the patience of her mother by volunteering at a local orphanage, but if her parents were to find out she’s enrolled at the local university More...

In her debut novel, Olivia Newport transports readers to the historic city of Chicago as both the city and its elite residents prepare for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. Through vivid descriptions based on historical research, readers enter a world that is brimming with the possibility of change and the emergence of new ideas, while holding onto strict rules regarding one's social standing and expectations.

Lucy Banning may belong to one of Chicago's most privileged families and live o More...

THE PURSUIT OF LUCY BANNING by Olivia Newport is an exciting inspirational historical romance set in 1892 Chicago. It is the first in the “The Avenue of Dreams” Series. What a wonderful story of love,romance,faith,high society of Chicago,the Gilded era,and the social contrasts and class lines of the era. Follow Lucy Banning and Will Edwards on their journey to the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Their family’s expectations,Chicago’s social scene,the social classes,their struggles to break free of More...

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning was a pleasant diversion over the weekend. Lucy is a likeable character at a time where the role of women is drastically changing. She belongs to the upper echelon of Chicago society, but wants a college degree and falls in love with a working class architect from dubious background.

I was a little disappointed that the "backdrop of the Columbian Exposition" promised by the back of the book resulted in little more than several meetings Lucy was required to attend as we More...

Olivia Newport in her new book, “The Pursuit of Lucy Banning” Book One in the Avenue of Dreams series published by Revell gives us a romance set in 1893 Chicago.

From the Back Cover: She has a secret to keep. But will she give her heart away?

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago’s rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work and squeeze herse More...

I loved this story, and I am not a particular fan of historical romantic fiction. But The Pursuit of Lucy Banning is a wonderful, must-read story. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series, The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow.

I have also read Olivia Newport's Accidentally Amish, and loved it. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series, entitled In Plain View. More...

Set during the years of preparation leading up to the Chicago World Fair in the late 1800s, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning is an entertaining and often enlightening historical novel.

Although the main character is most obviously Lucy Banning, with the novel's focus primarily on her desire to step out of the restrictive limitations imposed by society on women during that era, it is also the story of newly arrived kitchen maid, Charlotte Farrow.

As these two young women bond over their shared secrets a More...

Olivia Newport's latest novel, "The Pursuit of Lucy Banning", is set in Chicago during the preparations for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Lucy has been expected since childhood to marry Daniel Jules, a Chicago banker whose family has been friends with the Banning family for many years. As the family puts more pressure on the couple to set the date, Lucy realizes that marriage to Daniel may not be what she wants. She realizes that Daniel's expectations of a wife conform to those of society at th More...

2.5 Stars. Chicago on the cusp of the 1893 World's Fair opening is a city brimming with excitement and possibility. Lucy Banning, one of Chicago society's most privileged daughters, finds herself in the center of this social whirlwind, torn between familial expectations and the alluring promise of furthering her education and the chance to use her social position to make a difference. Acquiescing to the family pressure to marry long-time childhood friend Daniel, a banker with a promising career, More...

Well, my first audiobook that I had not read the paperback version first. It certainly had me hooked into the story! I kept taking the long way home from work just so I could listen longer. This story is not high drama or edge of your seat reading, but it really has its charms. It's told mostly from Lucy's point of view but occasionally changes viewpoint to Charlotte-Lucy's maid, Daniel-Lucy's fiance, and Will-Lucy's brother Leo's good friend. I wasn't expecting the changes based on the blurb, b More...

Over the past year, I've delved into the world of Historical Fiction. The Pursuit of Lucy Banning clinched it for me. I'm officially a fan. I loved this story from beginning to end. The attention to historical detail, realistic characters, plot, everything was wonderful! You could hear the carriages rumble by on the streets of Chicago! See the beautiful dresses the woman wore, imagine the fine china. For anyone who is a Downton Abbey fan, this book is for you! Lucy is a woman ahead of her time, More...

It's definitely been awhile since I've read historical fiction. But it was a treat to read Olivia Newport's introduction to The Avenue of Dreams series. With its upstairs/downstairs story line, the novel happily filled the gap I've experienced since Downtown Abbey's hiatus. Newport's novel was particularly fun because it relocated the "haves" and "have nots" right here to Chicago.

The title character, Lucy Banning, lives in one of the beautiful late 19th century mansions on Prairie Avenue. Despit More...

First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Pursuit of Lucy Bannings, so was pleasantly surprised when I found a relaxing, easy-to-read historical romance that sweeps you into the moment. Miss Lucy is maturing in a year where times and customs are changing. College is opening up to women, and Lucy jumps at the opportunity to further her knowledge.

While this book is mainly about Lucy, I was mostly intrigued by Charlotte and her story. I don’t know what the ne More...

A Lovely Look at the Gilded Age

Rich in historical detail, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning transported me to 1893 Chicago, a city eager for the opening of the World’s Fair. Olivia Newport paints a captivating picture of the affluent neighborhood of Prairie Avenue, where a host of successful entrepreneurs such as George Pullman, Phillip Armour, and Marshall Field lived, evidence of her extensive research. I felt like I was there.

Lucy is a bright, determined woman battling the rigid strictures and expe More...

Lucy Banning has been born to a life of privilege, but has a heart for those that are less fortunate. She appears to have it all, when the story opens. She is taking college classes, behind everyone's back, and engaged to be married to her childhood friend Daniel.
Daniel is also from "Money", and has a career as a promising Banker. She has two older brother's Oliver and Leo. When her brother Leo brings home his friend Will, Lucy is very interested. Even her mother notices, and admonishes her....a More...

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport.

There was plenty about this novel that made it five stars. For the romantic, Lucy Banning’s compassion and bravery was worthy of her hero’s love and pursuit. I quickly settled in with Lucy’s family members and was always glad when spunky Aunt Violet stopped in for dinner. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to be in maid Charlotte’s shoes. Given the circumstances, even Butler Penard wove his way into my heart.

But what kept me riveted, wa More...

4.5 Stars

I like the way the cover shows a beautiful girl in an exquisite dress in the midst of the dark dirty streets of Chicago. It really sums up the story in a lot of ways. Lucy is raised in a very upscale household and her parents hold her to a lot of the standards of their peers. But Lucy puts herself out there in the midst of the other side of life in Chicago, she volunteers at an orphanage, she goes to college, and she befriends a maid in her household.

The story is really about both Lucy More...

A shining debut from Olivia Newport!

Lucy Banning is a privileged young woman of the 1890's determined to do something with her life. Lucy is engaged to her childhood friend, Daniel, but when her brother, Leo, brings home Will Edwards, "a friend from Princeton" and promising young architect, Lucy has some decisions to make. With the friendship of the newest maid, Charlotte, Lucy tries to keep her activities hidden from her family and fiance, as well as keeping the secrets of those around her. Are More...

This book focuses on a young affluent woman living on Prairie Avenue in Chicago during the months leading up to the Columbian Exposition. I learned about the novel through an event at the Glessner House. That house and its residents are featured characters. I enjoyed imagining that neighborhood at its peak and reading the period details of what was happening with the University of Chicago, women's fashion, and how streetcars seemed plentiful at all hours on Michigan Ave. The cover is so ridiculo More...

As one of the 1980s Chicago’s elite upper class, Lucy Banning must overcome her family’s expectations for her and keep a number of secrets in order to follow her heart.

Attending the university was precisely what Lucy was doing — at least, one class — despite Flora Banning’s conviction that higher education was irrelevant for her daughter, and for that matter, all young ladies from fine families with good prospects.

This Christian historical fiction romance takes place among the hubbub of prepara More...

Interview Questions for Olivia Newport

How did The Pursuit of Lucy Banning get started?Historical District until a friend of mine became a docent at the Glessner House Museum on Prairie Avenue. This house preserves the flavor of Chicago’s gilded age when the neighborhood was full of wealthy powerhouses of industry. As soon as my friend began his training, he saw the potential for the setting of a story. He is not a fiction write, but he knew my interests. It did not take us long to cook up story More...

I often enjoy a quick weekend read when I’m swamped with reviews and need to catch up quickly. So while I quickly read through “The Pursuit of Lucy Banning” I was impressed with the intricacies of the plot that kept the story evenly paced and me always curious to see what would come next.

Lucy is a strong heroine. She is focused on her dreams, but the world she lives in isn’t ready for the storm of her motivations. As a reader I couldn’t help, but want to see her strike out on her own and make a More...