Book Review: Blackmoore, by Julianne Donaldson

I was totally captivated and truly romanced by Blackmoore.

It's been a while since I've read a Victorian romance, and Blackmoore was the perfect one to pick. Kate is determined to spend her life just like her aunt -- travelling to India and never marrying. But before she leaves, she must see Blackmoore, the summer house of her best friend Sylvia and Syliva's brother Henry. They get to spend every summer at Blackmoore, but Kate is never invited because there's been a falling out between the two mothers.

Kate's mother insists that she find a husband. She makes a deal. If Kate goes to Blackmoore and receives three marriage proposals that she turns down, then her mother will let her travel to India. If Kate loses the bet, she must do whatever her mother asks.

Unbeknownst to Kate, the deck has been stacked against her, but she has a few tricks of her own up her sleeve.

I love that we get flashbacks of Kate's life that serve to explain her reason for deciding never to marry and for suddenly wanting to be called Kate instead of Kitty, as she was always called as a child. Also we see the developing relationship between Kate and Henry through flashbacks, even though Henry has been betrothed for a long time.

Kate and Henry can't see it, but the reader can see from miles away that they belong together. There are many obstacles to getting there, and that's what keeps us entertained. The twists and turns, the evil going on behind the scenes, it is all just delicious.

The next time you are in the mood for a genuine romance that will make your heart pound as well as make you angry and make you laugh, you should definitely pick up Blackmoore.

Published by Shadow Mountain, September 9, 2013
eARC obtained from Netgalley
320 pages

Rating: 4/5

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