Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

 

What is your book club reading lately?  I’m in several different book clubs and we read a lot of different genres.  Blackmore by Julianne Donaldson was one of my book club reads for September.

Kate Worthington has decided that she will never marry, and she really wants to journey to India with her aunt.  Her mother agrees to her trip to India if she can get and reject three marriage proposals.  Kate travels to a house party at Blackmore in hopes of fulfilling her part of the bargain.  Will she be able to and what secrets will she uncover?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was one of the September picks for the JASNA Northwoods Book Club.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well and missed this book club this month.

·       This novel is told from the first-person point of view.

·       It is told through the present and flashbacks to tell the story of why Kate no longer wants to marry.

·       This novel is set in 1820 and is a sweet Regency romance.

·       Kate has problems with her family.  Her mother is overbearing and throws herself at every man she sees.  It’s deeply implied that she cheats on Kate’s father all the time.  She wants Kate to get married, but also seems to want to be attractive to any potential suitors.  This was very awkward.

·       Her entire life, Kate has wanted to see the estate of Blackmoore.  It is her childhood best friend, Henry Delafield’s grandfather’s estate and will be Henry’s upon his death.

·       Henry’s mother has invited the lovely Miss St. Claire in hopes that Henry will propose to her during the house party.  Henry’s mother does not like Kate due to Kate’s family.

·       The mystery involved in this book really drew me into the story.  Why does Kate not want to marry anyone?  What exactly happened that cut off her family from Henry’s family? 

·       I liked the characters of Kate and Henry and getting to know them.  The other characters were one-dimensional and were not very likeable.

·       This book had a darker Gothic vibe which seemed more like Jane Eyre mixed with Pride and Prejudice.

·       This novel was a clean read.

Overall, Blackmoore was an entertaining Regency romance.

Book Source:  Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.