After devouring Julianne Donaldson's Edenbrooke and Heir to Edenbrooke in little more than a day, I was so pleased to find her second novel, Blackmoore, available through my library. It turned out to be another unputdownable read!
Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.
Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?
Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.
What to say about Blackmoore? I couldn't put it down. I ached for Kate and Henry's happiness. I didn't love it. Let me explain ...
First of all, Henry and Kate are wonderful and are clearly made for each other. I longed for them to be together, and I loved the way they decided to thwart Kate's mother's proposal decree (such an opportunity for romance!). What I didn't love? EVERY OTHER CHARACTER IN THE BOOK (except for Henry's grandfather, who only briefly appears, and Kate's maid). Henry and Kate are wonderful people stuck with horrible families. Kate's mother puts Mrs. Bennet to shame. Henry's mother is vindictive. Their siblings are various levels of awful. I would've enjoyed the novel much more without the inclusion of Kate's family, for sure.
But ... the romance was wonderful, and the book was a quick, easy read, so I would recommend it. 4 stars.
Buy the book (affiliate link).
Read my reviews of Edenbrooke (4-1/2 stars) and Heir to Edenbrooke (4-1/2 stars).
Julianne Donaldson grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She learned how to ski in the Italian Alps, visited East Berlin before the wall came down, and spent three years living next to a 500-year-old castle. After earning a degree in English, she turned her attention to writing. She writes historical romance when she is not busy with her four young children and husband.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I borrowed this book and chose to review it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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