About the Book:

Title: Blackhearts (Blackhearts #1)

Author: Nicole Castroman

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: February 9, 2016

Pages: 384

Genre: YA Historical Romance

Synopsis:

Blackbeard the pirate was known for striking fear in the hearts of the bravest of sailors. But once he was just a young man who dreamed of leaving his rigid life behind to chase adventure in faraway lands. Nothing could stop him—until he met the one girl who would change everything.

Edward “Teach” Drummond, son of one of Bristol’s richest merchants, has just returned from a year-long journey on the high seas to find his life in shambles. Betrothed to a girl he doesn’t love and sick of the high society he was born into, Teach dreams only of returning to the vast ocean he’d begun to call home. There’s just one problem: convincing his father to let him leave and never come back.

Following her parents’ deaths, Anne Barrett is left penniless and soon to be homeless. Though she’s barely worked a day in her life, Anne is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. Lonely days stretch into weeks, and Anne longs for escape. How will she ever realize her dream of sailing to Curaçao—where her mother was born—when she’s stuck in England?

From the moment Teach and Anne meet, they set the world ablaze. Drawn to each other, they’re trapped by society and their own circumstances. Faced with an impossible choice, they must decide to chase their dreams and go, or follow their hearts and stay.

 

Review:

I’m so glad that I finally got to Blackhearts, as it did not disappoint! This book was brilliant. I’m amazed at how Nicole took a character as notorious as Blackbeard, and turned him into a character that I grew to love. I’d describe this book as a prequel or backstory, before he became the feared pirate. It’s a beautiful love story with an amazing cast of characters and a vivid atmosphere.

Edward “Teach” Drummond the son of a rich merchant has just come back from a year at sea and finds his life a mess. He is betrothed to a girl that he doesn’t love and he’s sick of the society he’s been born into. He just wants to be back at sea, but the only problem is, convincing his overbearing father of that.

Anne Barrett is left penniless and an orphan. She’s hardly worked a day in her life and is forced to take a job as a maid in the home of Master Drummond. She feels like she’s trapped, and dreams of traveling to the island of Curacao where her mother was from.

Edward and Anne meet upon his return home and they are quickly drawn to each other. I absolutely loved this slow burn romance. I love that the story was told from a dual point of view, so we get both Anne and Edward’s perspectives. Edward is so witty, strong, stubborn at times, and without prejudice. Anne could be stubborn and quick tempered, but she is also witty and strong, and I admired how fierce she was even in the face of adversity.

If you like a slow burn, historical romance, this book is definitely for you! I am excited to read the sequel Blacksouls after that cliff hanger of an ending!

 

About the Author:

Nicole was lucky enough to come with her very own best friend…she has a twin sister who can read her mind and finish her sentences for her.

At the age of 13, she went to Europe for the first time and it changed her life. She loves learning about different people, languages and cultures and speaks fluent German. She knows enough Spanish to get herself into trouble and can still read the Cyrillic alphabet from when she studied Russian.

She received her B.A. from Brigham Young University and has lived in Germany, Austria and two different places called Georgia. One is located on the Black Sea. The other is the state of Georgia where she now lives with her handsome husband and two beautiful children who continue to amaze her.