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Miss Blaire in Blackwell’s Island by Grace Hitchcock is a historical romance with a haunting twist. Set in 1887 New York, the story follows heiress Edyth Blaire, who refuses to live by society’s rules. While other young women lace themselves into corsets and search for husbands, Edyth rides her velocipede boldly through the city (corset-free). She takes fencing lessons with the man she has secretly loved for nearly a decade. When he finally notices her in a new light, sparks fly, and their friendship begins to deepen into something more.
But just weeks before her twenty-fifth birthday, Edyth’s uncle finds a way to seize control of her inheritance: he declares her insane and has her committed to Blackwell’s Island asylum. To tighten his hold, her name is never recorded, and the staff mockingly call her “Duchess,” stripping away her identity along with her freedom.
Inside the asylum, Edyth meets Nellie Bly, the undercover journalist determined to expose the truth about the institution. Their friendship brings strength and hope, while Edyth’s slow-burn romance with her longtime friend offers a tender counterpoint to the suspense. Meanwhile, her beau does everything in his power to rescue her, but he’s up against immense wealth and influence, forces that make escape nearly impossible.
BookHookup Book Review: Miss Blaire in Blackwell's Island
The novel shines in its mix of fact and fiction. Real history enriches the fictionalized narrative without ever weighing it down. The asylum scenes are vivid and unsettling, yet the emotional core remains tender, reminding us that love and hope can bloom even in the darkest places.
With twists, danger, and a heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance, Miss Blaire in Blackwell’s Island is engrossing, emotional, and ultimately uplifting—a perfect read for romance fans who also enjoy a touch of mystery and historical intrigue.
As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from BookBub. I have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.
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