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, in 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.

After reading Edenbrooke and completely falling in love with it, I knew I had to pick up another book by this author. Sadly, she’s only written two novels and a novella, so now I’ve officially read her to zero. Edenbrooke is still my all-time favorite Regency romance, but I was excited to finally give Blackmoore a try. While it didn’t quite reach the same level for me, I still really enjoyed this beautifully slow and emotional love story. There’s no language and no spice, which I appreciated.

If you love a true slow-burn romance, this one is definitely worth picking up. It does take a little time to find its rhythm, but around the 30% mark, the story really starts to come alive, especially once Kate arrives at Blackmoore.

Kate is such an interesting heroine, especially for the time period. She’s unconventional in that she has no desire to marry. After witnessing the darker realities of love through her parents’ strained relationship and a scandal involving her older sister, she views marriage as a kind of cage. All she wants is the freedom to live life on her own terms. Her plan? Refuse marriage entirely and travel to India with her spinster aunt. Of course, her more traditional mother has other ideas. They strike a bargain: Kate must receive and refuse three proposals, and only then will she be allowed to go. It’s such a fun and unique setup.

Enter Henry, Kate’s childhood friend, and her best friend Sylvia’s older brother. When Kate arrives at Blackmoore, Sylvia’s family estate, she quickly realizes that attracting suitors isn’t as easy as she hoped. So she enlists Henry’s help, asking him to propose to her three times so she can refuse him and fulfill her agreement. Simple enough… except, of course, it isn’t. As they spend more time together, long-buried feelings begin to surface, and everything becomes far more complicated.

I loved watching their relationship evolve from friendship into something deeper. Kate is strong, independent, and refreshingly honest, which makes her stand out from other heroines of the era. It’s easy to see why Henry is drawn to her. The longing and quiet pining between them is absolutely perfect. Their emotions feel raw and genuine, and I even found myself tearing up toward the end.

What sets this book apart is the emotional depth. The relationships, especially between Kate and Sylvia and Kate and her mother, are layered and sometimes strained. This isn’t as light and whimsical as Edenbrooke; it leans more into heavier, more introspective themes. But that added weight gives the story a richness that makes it feel more grounded and meaningful.

I also loved the setting. Blackmoore itself is incredibly atmospheric, with its Gothic mansion on the moors, hidden passages, and a secret path leading to the crumbling ruins of an old abbey. Add in the coastal scenery, and it all feels vivid and immersive. I especially enjoyed the moments when Kate explored the house and its grounds. Though the story is set in early summer, it would make a perfect spring or summer read.

If this author ever returns to writing, I will pick up anything she publishes without hesitation. I truly hope we get more stories from her someday. Until then, I’ll happily revisit these books and the characters I’ve come to love. Definitely recommend!