I enjoy Emily Rath's contemporary novels so very much. And I was extremely excited to read her historical fiction title. There is all of the usual sexual tension between characters. There is wonderful LGBTQ+ representation within the characters. But I just feel that the plotline and characters themselves were flat. I was very disappointed. I've read regency romance books for years. I'm not sure this could be call that just because of its historical setting. And for an author that has made me blush with the spicy scenes in her contemporary books, I was really looking forward to that in this book. I was picturing skirts being thrown up or the men hiding under the skirts. No.... there was none of that. This was a real disappointment for me.

Come for the polyamorous regency romance, stay for the evil swans. (iykyk) But on a more serious note, can you believe this was my first Emily Rath book? I know, crazy, right?

I was definitely intrigued on what a why-choose regency romance would look like, and I can honestly say that Emily got my attention on this one. Take Bridgerton and up the scandal a couple notches because here you have three best friends pining for the same woman, and dear Rosalie isn't one for having to pick only one.

You got tension, court drama, spoiled man-baby shenanigans and a whole lot of ouh la la. You'll enjoy watching these three mostly eligible bachelors all trying and failing not to fall for the very ineligible nobody that is Rosalie.

The story ends on a little cliffy that will leave you begging for the next one asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC!

I so enjoyed this story! The spice was delicious. The mean girl being put in her place was delectable. I can’t wait to see what happens next as the ending was saucy af!

If anyone could make me enjoy a regency romance its Emily Rath! Bravo my friend bravo!

Who knew all it took was a why choose 😂 and suddenly I am all in!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a book that kept me up well past my bedtime and there wasn't even any smut until about the 80% mark so that tells you all you need to know. I loved Rosalies character, imperfections, annoyances and all. If I was in that era I think I'd like to be her. And I'd also like all 3 men please!

I think this book just became my whole new identity.

Have you ever watched Bridgerton and thought, “Man, I wish she could just have all of them!”

Or alternatively, have you ever read a Why Choose and thought, “Man, I wish this had Bridgerton era vibes!”

If either of these apply to you, then you need to RUN NOT WALK to grab this one!

Rosalie is not like the other ladies called to the Duke’s estate as a potential bride. She has no money, no prospects, and no pedigree. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and she has no desire to ever get married.

Yet she gains the attention of not one, not two, but three of the bachelors in attendance.

Yes, this is a little unhinged. But it’s so fun.

I was team Burke at first, but not in feeling more partial to James. Can’t wait to see how the next one plays out!

👑 “Sorry, darling, you won’t escape our nets that easy.”
👑 “I said I was a lady,” Rosalie replied. “I never said I was a very good one.”
👑 “Your wish is my command, Miss Harrow. I won’t kiss you again . . . until you ask me nicely.”

3.5 ⭐️’s

This was such a fun and addicting read! Beautiful Things gave major Bridgerton vibes with all the delicious court politics, gossip, and scandal. There’s a meddling mama with a secret of her own, swoon-worthy eligible bachelors, and a heroine with absolutely nothing to her name—except honesty, wit, and a knack for turning heads.

One of my favorite things about this book was Rosalie herself. I loved that she knows exactly what she wants out of life—freedom, independence, and the space to choose her own future. And I especially appreciated the message that love doesn’t have to come at the cost of that freedom, and her absolute refusal to let a man dictate her future.

This was my first regency romance, and it delivered everything I hoped for: drama, tension, romance (times three!), and a slow burn that really paid off. I’m a sucker for a good “why choose” storyline, and this one did not disappoint. That ending?

I will say this was predictable.
By the time the slow burn finally sparked, I was kicking my feet and giggling. I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of this series.

Big thanks to Hambright PR, Kensington Books, and Emily Rath for the ARC!

After becoming absolutely obsessed with Bridgerton, I’ve fallen hard for Regency romance, and because I love the genre so much, I tend to be a little picky when I read it. Beautiful Things by Emily Rath completely swept me off my feet.

The way Emily transports you into the time period is just… well, beautiful. There’s nothing like forgetting it’s 2025 for a while and stepping into a world where life was simpler in some ways and so much more complicated in others. The Regency atmosphere, the drama, the characters—I loved every bit of it.

I devoured every word and didn’t want it to end. If you’re looking for a story that makes you feel like you’ve time-traveled straight into the heart of the era, this is it. Absolutely adored it!

🩷💛ARC REVIEW | Beautiful Things💛🩷

My Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This book is giving Bridgerton, but make it why choose and I am HERE FOR IT!👏

The story follows our FMC, Rosalie, as she tries to navigate the politics and societal expectations that surround her after she is summoned to be a guest at the house of a Duchess. She arrives while the house is in full celebration, the event; trying to find the Duke a wife. As she is someone of no money or noble birth, Rosalie is immediately ruled out as a candidate for the Duke, but what of the Duke’s younger brother, his handsome best friend, and the dashing naval officer who’s been friends with the family for years?! 😈

This book does a wonderful job at reminding us of what a woman’s “worth” once was and how easily that can be made or destroyed. It’s so refreshing to see our FMC find her voice and stay steadfast in the life she wishes to create for herself outside of the societal norms. Oh, and seeing three handsome men pining after her is pretty good too 🥵

Tropes:
💛Why Choose
🩷Reverse Harem
💚Regency Romance
💛Found Family
🩷Slow Burn
💚Possessive MMC’s

This book was so entertaining from start to finish. The politics and scheming kept my attention and so did the banter and spice. I didn’t feel like one overpowered the other and I really love when the spice feels real and not forced. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Beautiful Things is OUT NOW! And the deluxe edition is absolutely stunning😍

Ok, this is a sweet story and a great look at one of my favorite author's early works. I can definitely see where she has grown, and really enjoyed the characters. I honestly wanted a bit more heat.

Hello, Slowburn and Cliffhanger! If you love Regency with spice, this one is promising to deliver. The buildup to book 2 is everything foreplay and tease. Read it if you're looking for a good edging.

Crashing a country house party in Regency England, an intrepid young woman is drawn into the orbit of three delicious gentlemen in this slow burn, very sexy, definitely-not-your-mother’s historical romance from internationally bestselling author Emily Rath.

If you read or watched Bridgerton, but thought “eh this is good but I wish there was even more longing and tension” then this book is for you.

Beautiful Things is probably my favorite Regency Romance and I love that it’s a why choose. The way the characters are immediately drawn to each other and can feel the electricity between them is so well written and I couldn’t get enough.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This was my first book by Emily Rath and it was a refreshing take on a Regency romance – blending the classic angst and tension of forbidden love between members of different social classes, with a decidedly modern edge. Was I immediately intrigued by this because it was a reverse harem and I’ve never read a Regency romance with RH vibes? Yes 😂 Did I absolutely have to know how this dynamic would play out amidst the chance of gossip ruining everyone’s reputations and hoping for some loss of control moments? Also, yes! Emily Rath delivered characters that were easy to love and root for, even if they don’t have it all figured out on how they will each get what they want out of life.

🥂A decadent summer house party
🎶Sultry piano duets
💋Brooding in stairwells
🦢An angry swan
🔥The OG storage closet
🎩Three best friends…and the lady who *comes* between them

Rosalie Harrow is 22, unmarried, and penniless, but she neither wants to marry and be owned by a man nor become a governess. Luckily? Rosalie gets an invitation to Alcott Hall where she thinks she’s meeting the dowager Duchess, her late mother’s mysterious childhood friend. What happens in actuality is that Rosalie is thrust in the middle of a house party full of eligible ladies trying to win the hand of the Duke, while Rosalie has other goals in mind…

While trying to stay hidden in the background, Rosalie finds herself charmed by three very different men. First, there’s Lord James – the Duke’s younger brother, and as second son, he’s running everything from the shadows while trying to cover up his brother’s extracurricular endeavors. Then, there’s Lieutenant Renley – returning from his ship and now bound to the land until he can snag a wife. And, the turbulent Mr. Burke, who gets under Rosalie’s skin like no one else can.

Rosalie refuses to be trapped in the cage that is marriage…but there’s nothing stopping her from enjoying the party on her own terms and she won’t settle. But…will she be able to have it all?

While among the high society ladies, Rosalie is easy to support in her endeavors to carve out her own path and have independence. Rosalie is clever, quick-witted, and while she simultaneously navigates the societal pressures placed on a woman and three very different and swoon-worthy men, it’s easy to get sucked into the story!

At times, the modern language used and situations we found our MCs in that took some liberties with traditional practices threw me a bit out of the Regency mindset, but this was an entertaining read all the same!

This was a fun read! Something totally different than I've read before. I was a little thrown off at diary and had to adjust to the 3rd person pov, but after I got used it is, I enjoyed myself. I wasn't expecting such a cliffhanger, so I'll immediately need to move onto the next book. I really enjoyed this though and I'll definitely recommend it!

Rosalie is surprised to find herself in the middle of a house party of eligible ladies seeking the hand of the duke. While she's desperate to avoid marriage, she soon finds herself being wooed by three men, and can't possibly decide on just one.

Beautiful Things is a regency era why choose romance, full of slow burn romance, brooding and yearning. It's beautifully slow paced and humorous. George particularly kept me laughing with his nonsensical antics. I loved that Rosalie was witty, strong, and independent. It was also really fun to see the court politics at play as women vied for the dukes hand in marriage. Overall, this was a fun read and I can't wait to grab the next book to see what happens next!

Thank you to Hambright PR, Kensington, and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Did a reread for the release of this book and still love it! It’s perfect for anyone who loves Bridgerton and a why choose. Loads of stolen brushes of fingers and kisses and minutes of heated talk and pining looks. Rosalie, Burke, James, & Tom are all delicious and every minute they flirt and tease is perfection. I love this book & series. The characters are all so rich and there’s no shortage of side characters that are silly and scheming. The moments of spice are perfect too. Can’t for the rerelease of book 2 as well!

I had so much fun with this book! Rosalie had me from the start. She’s smart, stubborn, and totally uninterested in marriage, which makes it all the more entertaining when she starts catching feelings for three very swoony, very off limits men. There’s banter, slow-burn chemistry, and definitely some spice.

Each of the men brings something different to the table: the broody naval officer with a broken heart, the duty-bound second son who’s trying so hard to stay away, and Burke, the illegitimate son with charm, passion, and wit for days. Her dynamic with each of them is packed with longing and sparks, and I was completely hooked waiting to see how it would unfold.

Heads up, this one ends on a cliffhanger, so I am READY for book two! I think this is going to be a super fun Regency series from a favorite author!

TROPES
🌷Regency Romance
💞Reverse Harem
❤️‍🔥Why Choose
☕️House Party
💪🏽Strong Heroine
🪜Secret Stairwells
☔️Kissing in the Rain

Thank you Hambright PR & Kensington for the e-ARC!

Rosalie is free. She doesn’t answer to any man and that’s such a rarity in their world… Then she meets Burke. And Tom. And James. 🔥 Marriage would guarantee her a life with one of them, but she will not be caged. Can she have them all, while keeping true to herself? 😏

Read this if you like:
💫 Regency romance
💫 Polyamory rep / why choose
💫 Drama, drama, drama!
💫 TENSION & slow burn
💫 Multiple POV, third person

This was such a fun read! I absolutely loved the dynamic of the three friends and their tension with Rosalie. Each MMC has their own personality and the individual relationships build in their own ways 😍 It was full of drama + I was eating it up…

Even though it is a slow burn, it kept me intrigued the whole time! The writing was easy to follow between POV’s & after this book was done, I had to start the second one. This would be a great starter romance for those wanting to try a “why choose” book too.

My rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
My spice level: 2/5 🌶️🌶️ (it had two main spice scenes plus lots of tension)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is Book 1 in the Second Sons series and ends on a cliffhanger.

I like that with historical fiction there is yearning, pining, and longing. I think that helps build the tension and the slow burn. I liked the small bit of mystery surrounding Rosalie and I liked her unique relationships with the men. I did feel like it was a little too slow burn and a little too slow paced just based on how it was advertised. I think there was a lot of anticipation building that didn't live up to the hype. It did feel very bridgerton like which helped with my overall understanding of some of the nuances. Overall it was an unique read, just maybe not for me.

This Regency Why Choose was so different from anything I ever read, and I loved it! I will admit the 3rd person multiple POVs was an adjustment but once I got that down, we were off!
Rosalie finds herself invited to the Duchess house, without any knowledge of why? What she does know is that while there she's not only caught the attention of 1 gentleman...but 3...and in this type of environment and society it could prove to be rather challenging. Luckily for her, she has no interest in marriage or these men...or does she?
Heads up. This book is part of a series and ends on a cliffhanger!
Honestly this book gave me Pucking Around had a baby with Bridgerton vibes and I am HERE FOR IT. So much so that I already started His Grace, The Duke.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

If you love Bridgerton and love a why choose, then this book is for you. 🥵

I absolutely DEVOURED this book & the ending leaves you needing more. I can’t wait for the second book.

I loved the FMC, Rosalie, she is strong and independent. The multiple POVs added so much to this story.