Blackberry Honey

Blackberry Honey is a story about maids, music and unexpected romance, set in mid-19th-century England. Lorina Waugh is fired from her maid’s position at Hartwell and, needing to support her large family in Liverpool, looks for work elsewhere. Rumours circulate about the suddenness of her dismissal, and her search takes her to Bly, the home of the Lennard family.

Life at Bly

Lorina works fourteen hours a day with little chance to rest. The senior maids bully her, as does Lady Constance, the Lennards’ twelve-year-old daughter. One of the few maids who speaks to Lorina is Taohua, a mysterious woman who keeps to herself. Despite her lowly status, Taohua has a private bedroom, does not attend church with the other servants and rarely interacts with anyone. Her aloof, almost cat-like manner, unusual complexion and eyes, and peculiar name have prompted rumours in the Shropshire countryside that she might be a witch.

Lorina knows she should keep her distance from Taohua, but finds herself falling under the older woman’s spell. The story follows their lesbian romance.

Story and presentation

Blackberry Honey has a kinetic storyline with no choices or branches. It contains 100,000 words of text, takes around 7–10 hours to read, and includes detailed backgrounds, CGs and an original soundtrack with 18 pieces. It also features very long, frilly dresses and Victorian maids.