Our First ARC Opportunity!
Rooted: Embracing A Quiet, Grounded, & Intentional Life by Lauren Gary
Hello Substack Bookstore community members,
We have something special to celebrate today! 🎉
The Free Books, First community (sister publication to The Substack Bookstore) officially has its first author request for ARC readers (Advanced Reader Copies). Let’s give a huge welcome and round of applause to Lauren Gary from the USA! 🇺🇸
Lauren is a Nurse Practitioner and faith-based wellness advocate who has written a deeply restorative book titled Rooted: Embracing A Quiet, Grounded, & Intentional Life.
If your soul has ever felt weary from the pace of modern life, or if you’ve longed for a slower, more meaningful rhythm grounded in faith, this is the book for you.
About Rooted
“In a world that glorifies hustle and leaves women drained, Rooted offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover what truly matters.”
Blending science-backed wellness with timeless biblical wisdom, Lauren Gary guides readers through the path of nervous system restoration, intentional rhythms, and faith-filled living.
Through personal stories, practical tools, and Scripture-based encouragement, Rooted helps you:
Break free from overstimulation, stress, and constant striving;
Reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit through Christ-centered practices;
Cultivate rhythms of rest, nourishment, and sacred boundaries; and
Rebuild your life on a foundation of peace, purpose, and presence
This book is a heartfelt invitation to anchor your life in God’s design for a flourishing, grounded existence.
How to Join as an ARC Reader
Lauren is seeking ARC readers to receive an early copy of Rooted for free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads and/or Amazon when the book releases in November.
If you’d like to join in:
Comment “ARC” below this post; or
Send a DM to Fleur to receive your digital ARC copy.
I will then send you the ARC copy of the book (approx 27,000 words) and will follow up with you to remind you to leave a review when the book launches.
Please request a copy only if you are serious about leaving a review.
Thank You for Making This Possible
This moment is what Free Books, First and The Substack Bookstore community is all about: authors and readers connecting in a spirit of generosity and shared passion for meaningful books.
Thank you to everyone who is part of this community and helped us reach this milestone. If you no longer wish to receive emails with reading opportunities, you can unsubscribe using the link below.
And thank you, Lauren, for trusting us to help share your beautiful, faith-filled work with the world.
Let’s lift Rooted up together, and help more women find peace, presence, and purpose.
With gratitude,
Fleur Hull
Founder, The Substack Bookstore and Free Books, First: where every great story finds its first readers.




ARC copies have been emailed to everyone who has requested one. I will be working on refining the system for these review events for the future. Thank you everyone for your grace and patience. Lauren is looking forward to receiving reviews - if you can manage a week, your review may end up in the book; otherwise the book launches on 1 November and you can leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads then. So grateful for this community.
ARC please and thank you!