Wild Hearts on the Pennine Moors

by Rosie Clarke

A deathbed secret, a son’s promise of revenge and a fight for survival

Penrith, Yorkshire Dales 1888

With his family fortune dwindling and Penrith Manor and estate falling into disrepair Sir Phillip Penrith signs over the deeds to Penrith Scar lead mine to his respected manager and illegitimate half-brother Tor Hardy. But Tor is ambitious and hellbent to right the wrongs of the past.

Emma Watts, works at Penrith Manor and is the family’s breadwinner following her father’s crippling mine accident. Emma’s head is turned when Tor saves her virtues from local rogue Ike Hanson and their unexpected romance begins.

Just when happiness is within their grasp. these star-crossed lovers are beset with a series of unfortunate events and Tor is forced to flee for fear of his life and Emma is left carrying a scandalous secret.

With a rocky road ahead can Tor and Emma ever be reunited and the find happiness they deserve and will Tor make good of his promise to his mother?

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Hearts on the Pennine Moor by Rosie Clarke was an excellent read, different than the other books by Clarke I have read. It is the story of true love with plenty of bumps along the way. Tor is the manager of the mine, now nearly played out. He is offering to purchase the mine from the owner, his half-brother, a man he admired. He has some ideas to extend its life. It was their father he didn’t admire. Emma Watts was a young woman who worked at the manor as a parlor maid. She lived at home, which was not the norm, because her father was an invalid and her mother needed the help and her money. She had her eye on a young man, who sadly was seeing another young woman. Tor knew it was time to marry and although he had money and good looks, and could have any woman he wanted, he wanted Emma. She was not as sure, but agreed to get to know him. As she did, she grew more and more fond of him until she knew she was in love and they had the banns read. Knowing they were to marry in three weeks, they anticipated their vows. That was when everything fell apart.

Both Emma and Tor were excellent characters. They were both strong and true. Emma did everything she could to care for her family, then her father died. Other things changed as well. Tor’s half-brother sold his house to a relative who sent his reprobate of a grandson to live in it. Things went from bad to worse with the advent of his arrival. This was an engrossing story, well-thought-out and written with exemplary sympathy. I worried through the second half of it as both their lives took disastrous turns. An excellent description of life in rural Yorkshire. There appears to be another installment coming, so that is exciting. Rosie Clarke can be counted on to deliver a good story.

I was invited to read Wild Hearts on the Pennine Moors by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RosieClarke #WildHeartsOnThePennineMoors.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yorkshire Dales #1

Penrith, Yorkshire Dales 1888: With bis family fortune dwindling and Penrith Manor and estate falling into disrepair, Sir Phillip Penrith signs over the deeds to Penrith Scar lead mine to his respected manager and illegitimate half-brother Tor Hardy. But Tor is ambitious and hellbent to right the wrongs of the past. Emma Watts works at Penrith Manor and is the family's breadwinner following her father's crippling mine accident. Emma's head is turned when Tor saves her virtues from local rogue Ike Hanson and their unexpected romance begins. Just when happiness is in their grasp, the star-crossed lovers are beset with a series of unfortunate events and Tor is forced to flee for fear of his life and Emma is left carrying a scandalous secret.

This story has been descriptively written. The story covers: smuggling, rape, love, kidnapping and murder. We also visit London and Cornwall. The characters are well-portrayed. There was lots going on in this book.

Published 7th April 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RosieClarke for my ARC of #WildHeartsOnThePennineMoors in exchange for an honest review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is an epic one, worthy of being made into a film! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! It's Yorkshire-based, and the author uses excellent descriptions of the place. She also wrote using the words of the people so that you would understand what their accent is like. I was captivated from the first page until the last. So much was happening: love, lust, smuggling, kidnapping, rape, murders, and there was even mention of Jack the Ripper and his heinous crimes. Yes, some of the story takes place in London, and in Cornwall too. Seriously, there wasn't a dull moment, and I couldn't read quickly enough to discover if the main characters would have their happy ever after. Did they? You need to read the book to discover that for yourself.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a roller coaster of a read. Emma is a hard worker, and she needs to be as her father was injured in a mine accident. Tor is the mine manager and gradually their relationship blooms. Things come unstuck when a wealthy playboy tries it on with a local girl and Tor intervenes, and as was the way then, money talks and Tor is on the run. Emma ends up in her own scrapes too, again, money talks. This is a story of love, friendship, hard times, the mining industry and trying your best to do what’s right. Rosie Clark creates believable and likeable characters that you come to care about. I was delighted to see that this is the first book in a series, as I enjoyed my time with these characters and the places. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for
Ecopy to read and freely review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, there was such a lot happening in this story! It is set mainly in Yorkshire but also in Cornwall. Emma was a hard working woman, who did her best to help her family. Tor Hardy was also hard working and had made something of himself. Tor wanted to marry Emma and eventually they both fell deeply in love. However, there were many people against this union. There are a number of murders, heartbreaking scenes as well as some danger. The story had a number of interesting secondary characters, not all good people and this added to the interest of the story. The story moved along at a good pace and kept my interest until the end. It does have a satisfying ending. I received a little and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Hearts on the Pennine Moors by Rosie Clarke

My sincere thanks to Boldwood Books and
Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following short review.

Let's just say that I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover! It totally gave me Poldark vibes. I wasn't wrong. This historical romance was definitely like a Masterpiece Theater drama and I loved it. The writing was engaging and easy to read. The story moved along with plenty of angst, rivalry, conflict, and family secrets. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the Yorkshire Dales in the late nineteenth century, the story follows a young couple who fall in love despite the obstacles, but are torn apart with little hope of reuniting. It will appeal to readers who enjoy Catherine Cookson's epic romances because it is defined by the struggles of the poor and the excesses of the rich land and mine owners. It's an emotional, often poignant story, but the protagonists' strength gives readers hope. There are well-researched descriptions of the area at the time, and the cast of characters is believable and vividly brings the story to life.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Linda Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting historical family/ village saga in a small mining village in the Dales of Yorkshire. The main characters, Emma Watts and Tor Hardy, are strong and likeable. Life events take a bad turn for both of them, and they were separated. Can they both cope with their adverse circumstances facing them? They both travel separately in different directions far from the Pennines, as both are being hunted. Will they both survive? Can they find their way back to each other?

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of two people who fall in love against all odds and the unfortunate circumstances that tear them apart.
A historical novel with some interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new series in the 1800’s! Loved the area the story is in and the characters. Cant wait for the next book.