Miss Blaire in Blackwell's Island - Chilling, romantic, unforgettable

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

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.

Enemies-to-lovers wholesome romance

The Cowboy Billionaire’s Enemy is a fast, entertaining read, with likable clean-cut characters who are flawed and carry emotional baggage. It’s an engaging romance, that keeps the pages turning. Perfect for Hallmark fans looking for an upbeat, inspirational, feel-good story to read while they cozy up with a good cup of coffee.

 

The two love interests, Brooke Winding and Callum Bannon grew up on neighboring ranches in small-town South Dakota amid a family feud. Now as adults with disappointments of life under their belts, fate reintroduces them to life as neighbors when Brooke returns from New York after the death of her estranged father. She’s looking forward to getting back to her small-town roots as a rancher, but the ranch has been run into the ground. Financially things look dismal, where can she turn? On the other side of the equation is her mortal enemy, Callum Bannon. He’s rich, successful, and generous, but he is also divorced, alienated from his children, and lonely. They are thrown together in a couple of awkward meetings and slowly develop a relationship with an unexpected chemistry that evolves into an undeniable love. But of course, it is never as easy as that. What about their families and the circumstances that stand in the way?

I’m happy to award The Cowboy Billionaire’s Enemy 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to readers looking for a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers wholesome romance.