At eighteen, Kate Worthington knows she should be getting serious about marriage, but her restless heart won’t let her settle down. To escape her mother’s meddlesome influence, she dreams of traveling with her spinster aunt to exotic India. But when the opportunity arises, Kate finds herself making a bargain with her mother: she will be allowed to go only if she spends a season at the family’s … family’s wealthy estate, Blackmoore, where she must secure and reject three marriage proposals.
Enlisting the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield, Kate sets out to collect her proposals so she can be on her way. But Henry’s decision to help threatens to destroy both of their dreams in ways they could never imagine. Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to listen to her heart. With hints of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, Blackmoore is a page-turning tale of romance, intrigue, and devotion.
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Blackmoore is one of my all-time favorite Regency novels. I’ve read it twice and listened to the audio book twice, and enjoyed it each time. The writing is beautiful, and the descriptions make each scene come to life. I love the characters and I’m eager to read more books by Julianne Donaldson!
I loved the story – proper romance and very Jane Austen-esque while easy and fun to read. It’s easy to fall in love (and hate) these characters.
I think I enjoyed this book as much as Edenbrook. It was a little slower moving in the beginning (though there is a sense of mystery that kept me from being bored) but once I got through the first couple of chapters, I was completely hooked.
Kate & Henry are the perfect characters, with flaws that make them human but just enough goodness to make them lovable. I liked watching Kate’s development and reading the flashbacks in her life that explained so much of her life, family, and character, as well as relationships with Henry & Sylvia.
I also thought the other characters in the book were perfectly dislikable, even detestable for some. I vacillated between liking Sylvia and being frustrated with her; I liked Herr Sporh, Oliver, Alice and Grandfather, though their roles are minuscule enough it’s easy to brush over them. I couldn’t like Juliet or Maria. Just couldn’t. And, of course, didn’t like the others at all.
The story is perfect. I love that it is clean but driven. I *loved* the way it ended. I was afraid the ending wouldn’t be an ultimate conclusion but something to merely leave us hoping. However, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
This author has a way of putting her hero and heroine into the most wonderful, nail-biting romantic delimmas that make me squirm even as a distant reader! Donaldson writes with vivid prose and amazing nuances to her characters and stories. This book had a taste of the classics but moved along much more smoothly.
This book was so wonderful that I had to reread it again! Clean and free of graphic and totally unnecessary additions to the story!
Wholesome love story
I love this Author. The book is clean, captivating, and has a sweet romance. I hope she writes more. Can’t wait.
I loved the characters and the story! I love when I find a clean romance that is well written where I fall in love with the characters as well as the story! I couldn’t put the book down! Without ruining the story for people who have not read it, the one thing I wish was different in the story was that a revised will was made.
Praise from the Clean Romance Team:
“High emotion and fabulous romantic tension make this a favorite to re-read!”
“If you love a good love story, this is a must-read!”
My all time favorite book.
She kinda seemed selfish for wanting to only go to India and for being willing to break hearts in the process. But I still love it nonetheless!!!!!!! 5 stars definitely!
I love Kate and Henry. They have so many obstacles but prioritize their friendship over almost everything. There is just enough witty exchanges to balance out the heavier themes in this regency.
Kate vows she will never marry. She only wants to go to India with her aunt and have an adventure. She makes a bargain with her mother that she will reject three proposals or forfeit to her mother’s wishes. When Kate arrives at Blackmoore, she realizes she’s bit off a bit more than she can chew and not is all it is supposed to be.
Blackmoore is not as light and bright as Edenbrooke, but I equally love it. Both books are always on my re-read TBR.
Blackmoore was an amazing book reminiscent of Jane Austen! I loved Kate, she was so determined to be different than her mother and her sisters. I admired her strength and her moral character. Then there was Henry, *sigh*. Henry and his sister Sylvia, were Kate’s neighbors and best friends. I honestly think that everyone needs their own Henry! What a guy! And every man needs their own Kate! A girl who was so comfortable being herself yet so determined to make her own way. I read this book in one sitting! I couldn’t seem to get enough of the story and the pages flew by quickly. Blackmoore was truly a ‘proper romance’ and one that you won’t want to miss!!! It is completely different then Edenbrooke, yet it draws you in the same way! Author Julianne Donaldson has a gift and I am so glad she decided to share it with the world! Flawless writing and regency romance at its best, Blackmoore is a five star stellar novel! I received a copy of this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story actually made me cry, I don’t want to say too much to spoil the story, but if you are a Charlotte Bronte fan I am sure you will enjoy this story.
You think you know the ending but you don’t .wonderful characters good story
I loooooved this book! Those proposals…*sigh*.
Julianne Donaldson is quite possibly my favorite author. She has a way of making me invested in her characters unlike any other. My only complaint is that she has too few books! I need more . . .
One of my favorites books ever!
By far my favorite book I have ever read. (and I read a lot of books). I can’t even describe this book in words it’s that amazing. All I can say, is that it is a book that leaves tears on your face from laughing, crying, and every emotion in between. It is a book that you can finish and want to pick right back up and read again. It is clean, cute, wondrous love story like no other that you so desperately crave to have.