Emily does such a great job making me feel like I am reading a contemporary book that also happens to be historical if that makes sense.
Rosalie is one of my favorite FMCs, she's strong but also listens to her heart even when she knows it might get her into trouble. I knew from the second she punched that man outside the Inn that I was going to fall in love with her and I'm 90% sure Burke knew then too. Speaking of Burke, he's my favorite. I shouldn't have a favorite but thay man was down bad from the beginning and didn't even really try to hide it. Like maybe a little but also not at all. He wants Rosalie and he's going after her fully knowing all her reservations and I love watching him do so with Tom right by his side. Tom too tried to find himself a nice wife so he can advance his career and decided well actually Rosalie is perfect I'm all set with her. Seeing them come together was wild because A. This is historical fiction! We're they freaks back then?! (Yes) but also I didn't read the synopsis so I didnt know what I was getting into so imagine my surprise when things started happening. I'm expecting... like nice respectful romance, I dont know why Emily Rath wrote this and I knew that, but like maybe she toned it down? No. Theyre forking! I will say the fact that they have so many clothes on does make the undressing scenes hotter for some reason, not necessarily sure why. I just love everything about this and the side characters are great too. Like I love/hate Geroge and all the girls and their attempts at flirting and making themselves look good while also just going on field trips sound fun, like a early days bachelor/bachelorette show. Come to my mansion for a season to complete with other women to see if we should get married! I'll house you, feed you, and entertain you! Sign me up. Yeah ypu have a chaperone but I mean if Rosalie can have a hot girl season why can't i? I also loved her and James. The animosity, the arguing, the ending.... I can't wait for the second book!

Really wanted to love this one but the writing style isn't for me. That being said its such a fun concept - mixing a popular genre like why choose with historical is so lively and unique. The mix of tension from the why choose elements and slow burn usually found in a historical romanced mixed well.

After reading Beautiful Things, I’ve settled on a 4 star rating. I don’t think Emily Rath can write something I won’t love. Is it long? Of course. But the slow burn, reverse harem, and emotional payoff are so worth it.

It’s Pucking Around, but make it historical; wildly unrealistic, gloriously open-minded characters, and totally addictive. Overall I loved this read and will definitely be recommending it!!

I really wanted to love this book. I was into it until about 80% when I realized there was no way it was going to wrap up by the end of the book. I'm sorry, but a romance need to end with an HEA not a to be continued.

It was a good read, I just felt let down by having to wait for more.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I truly regret not reading this series sooner! The tension and build up that is created with the FMC and all three MMCs was delicious. Not to mention, the giant moment that changes everything for two of the three MMCs. I could put it down and immediately went to book two!

Rosalie Harrow refused to be caged ever again. She suffered through having a lout of a father and then through her mother’s debilitating illness and death. She wasn’t going to chain herself to another man through marriage! It didn’t matter that the brooding Burke sent sparks through her each time they barely touched. It didn’t matter that the handsome Lieutenant Thomas Renley’s casual touches created waves of hot flashes up and down her spine. And let’s mention what the glances of the Duke’s brother, Lord James Corbin, does to Rosalie’s insides. All three of these gentlemen would be good marriage choices. But did she need to choose?

I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Emily Rath’s book “Beautiful Things: Deluxe Limited Edition”. As typical of regency romances, it had a slow start. The hesitancy of a young lady to be too forward. The restraints that British high society puts on its unmarried ladies. These and similar themes all contribute to that slow start. Once the story starts developing though, things get very interesting. It’s not often that a regency romance weaves together the lives of more than one man and one woman. This time it’s three men and one woman! There is good use of the phrases and vernacular of the time period. I appreciated the listing of the British social hierarchy and found it helpful. Anyone who enjoys spicy regency romances would enjoy this book. I can’t wait for the next installment of the “Second Sons” series so I can see where the cliffhanger we are left with leads!

I wish to thank Kensington Publishing for providing me with this book and selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.
#kensingtonpublishing #beautifulthingsdeluxelimitededition #regencyromance
#netgalley

If ever there was a book that left me wanting more! Can. Not. Wait. for the follow-up. I thought I knew what I was in for, and was surprised by the ending!

Regency romance meets why choose!

I hate that I waited so long to read this cause Dr Emily, this was amazing.
Give me an Emily RH any day and I already know I'll love it.

I'm just waiting for the boys to love on each other though 🤣

Rosalie thinks she knows what she wants but the men of Alcott Hall are making her question herself!
A great start to the trilogy!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Emily Rath knows how to write tension and slow burns! You get a lot of that in this book. I am always a why choose fan so I was excited for this one. I'm interested to see where book 2 goes. There were times it was quite slow, even for a historical romance. Will still be reading book 2!

Truly spectacular! Emily Rath does it again! I know this is a re-release, but this book has always been one of my favorites, and it didn't disappoint!

In a world of dukes and debutantes, a young woman dared to want more than a diamond ring. She wanted freedom. She wanted passion. She wanted everything. At Alcott Hall, three very different men offer her their hearts: a brooding sailor with poetry in his soul, a charming rogue born on the wrong side of the blanket, and a scandalous duke who’s anything but proper. But what if she doesn't want to choose just one? This book is a Regency romance unlike any other—lush, sensual, and brimming with longing. Emily Rath weaves a story where desire isn’t a sin, love defies convention, and the heroine writes her own ending.This is only the beginning. Book one of two.

This book is beautiful 🤩 bridgerton but more. And better. And hotter. And spicyyy. Highly recommend.
Emily rath writes beautifully and the humor is top notch.

If you love Bridgerton vibes with even more spicy times, Beautiful Things is the book for you! All of the characters are complex and the settings are fantastic. I laughed out loud at George and his shenanigans so many times. One of the things I love so much about Emily's books is the genuine sweetness of the stories. While the spice is definitely spicing, the heart of the story is learning to love your true self and finding the family who will love and accept you for who you are. It's always so beautiful and lovely. I'm excited to get my hands on this special edition for my collection!

I’ve never really been a fan of historical romance, but when I saw that Rath’s self-published books were going through a reprint, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
I enjoyed the novel immensely. It was fun to immerse myself in a time period I didn’t know much about. I enjoyed the strong female characters, some who followed the rules of society and some who did not. The relationships the characters had with each other (platonic, familial, or romantic) were well thought out and added to the story in every way. I look forward to reading the second.

Bridgerton x Jane Austen regency era vibes meets Emily Rath’s RH romance = a 10/10 good time! Love the characters, loved the plotting. It’s kinda fast burn, kinda slow burn but in the best way.

Having never read regency romances— this was a fun introduction. I feel like Rath’s work continues to grow in complexity and the stories are compelling and these characters were compelling and engaging.

It was a really great easy read for summer! I enjoyed the storyline

At the center of the story is a romance that feels both inevitable and hard-earned. Rath’s writing is lyrical yet grounded, painting vivid emotional landscapes without sacrificing plot momentum. The characters are deeply human—flawed, healing, and searching—and it’s impossible not to root for them. Their growth, both individually and together, is one of the most beautiful aspects of the novel.


I enjoyed that it tackled some hard subjects in a meaningful way

Throughly enjoyed Rosalie, Burke, James and Renley’s story. Can’t wait to read more. I love Emily Rath’s writing and highly recommend all her stories. It’s the first historical of hers I’ve read and I really enjoyed it.

This was genuinely a good read! I'm not really into the insta-love plot, but the characters themselves were intriguing enough for it to be okay. It really makes me want to read the next book!

(ARC for Deluxe Limited Edition)

Did you watch season 3 of Bridgerton and wish there was a whole subplot about Benedict’s throuple? Did you wish it was more than a throuple? Do I have a book for you.

Rosalie is a penniless orphan summoned to the dowager Duchess of Norlands estate. Enroute she meets the dashing Burke, a friend of the royal family, Tom, a beautiful navy lieutenant, and eventually, Lord James, the second son of the duchess. The duchess reveals her plans for Rosalie which do NOT include a lovers tryst with multiple men… but alas gentle reader… a slow burn ensues.

For those nervous about a “why choose” romance, this is light on the spice until the end, unlike Emily Raths more popular Pucking Around series (🥵🥵🥵). Beautiful Things is fun, and also… kinda long. Also unfortunately you’ll have to read the second book to know if Rosalie really has to choose (spoiler alert: it’s a why choose romance, she doesn’t choose).