I fell in love with the character in the first chapter when she threatened to hit an overzealous man with a stick.

It was a fun read, with some fantastic spice and a delicious slow-burn. I didn't realise this had been previously published and was quite happy to find the next book available.

I requested this book initially because of the cover and the beautiful sprayed edges. I don't think I would have picked it up with the original covers.

Thank you for the opporunity NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Before I begin, I want to say this: I rarely leave negative reviews. If you’ve been with me a while, you know how deeply I respect the writing craft and the creative vulnerability it takes to birth a book into the world. That said, I made a promise when I began this venture to be honest, (even when it’s uncomfortable), and that means calling it like I see it. And this one? This one was hard, not because it wasn’t steamy or engaging in moments, but because of the misleading setup that left me feeling disappointed, confused, and honestly a little duped.

Let’s start at the top. The publisher’s synopsis tells us this is a “slow burn, very sexy, definitely not your mother’s historical romance.” Sounds intriguing enough. But right from the first chapter, it’s clear that “slow burn” is a very generous stretch. We are thrown almost immediately into situations and interactions that are not only overtly sexual, but downright raunchy, without the buildup or emotional depth that defines a true slow burn.

Then comes the author’s note.

And this, dearest gentle reader, is where things start to truly unravel...

Rath opens by acknowledging that lovers of Austen or fans of Bridgerton might be picking this up with high hopes. She promises prolonged eye contact, hand touches, and that infamous Darcy hand flex. She calls this a “Regency-era polyamorous romance,” and then states that "this story is first and foremost a Regency Romance." Even going so far as to claim that the multiple suitors in this story would be "Austen approved."

With all due respect... No.

If Jane Austen ever caught wind of this book, I think she’d be much more inclined to ghostwrite a scathing rebuttal than give it her blessing. This is not a Regency romance. It is not historical fiction. It’s not even close to Bridgerton. Which, by the way, takes plenty of historical liberties, but still manages to stay emotionally and thematically true to the era it reflects. This? This was fanfic flavored smut in a hastily borrowed waistcoat.

We open on Rosalie, a brash, beautiful, and wildly modern FMC who jumps out of a broken carriage, walks alone into an inn, punches a drunk in the face, and rides off on horseback with a stranger who, while she’s in front of him on the saddle, internally comments on her backside consistently rubbing against his... groin. Again, within the first chapter. So much for a slow burn.

Rosalie ends up under the patronage of the duchess who was friends with her late mother. She’s brought in as a sort of undercover social spy, tasked with observing eligible ladies at a house party to help the duchess choose a fitting bride for her son, the Duke. The setup could have worked. But the execution feels more like a fantasy harem romance playing historical dress up.

The men are written like current day “book boyfriends”, tattooed, broody, hypersexual, all emotionally available in ways that simply would not have existed in that time period. One character even has tattoos, revealed in an oddly placed scene that felt like pure BookTok bait. In a pirate romance or supernatural fantasy? Love it. But in a novel claiming to be “Regency approved”? It lands with a deafening thud.

There’s also a moment where Lady Olivia, one of the noblewomen, and potential bride to the duke, openly belittles and humiliates a man (an officer no less) in public, at a dinner... Again, not something any woman of aristocracy in the Regency era would ever get away with. Social order, propriety, reputation, these weren’t just ideas; they were law. The stakes for women in this era were life altering, and this book tosses that reality right out the window entirely.

And It’s not the sex that’s the problem. It’s the context. Polyamory? Fine. Smut? Please, go for it. But don’t wrap it in a ribbon marked “Regency” and invoke the spirits of Austen and Winston Graham to sell it.

That’s what breaks reader trust. That’s what hurts. I didn’t race to pick this book up looking for a pearl clutching Austen homage, just to leave with a reverse harem ménage à trois in period cosplay.

If this had been labeled correctly, as a historical fantasy or spicy alt Regency romance, I’d still probably raise an eyebrow at the execution, but at least I’d know what I was walking into. The marketing, the author’s note, and the genre classification all send the wrong signals, and the result is a breach of reader expectation that’s hard to forgive.

Final Rating: 2 ⭐
Spice Rating: 2.5 - 3🌶️ (That's speaks volumes in itself)

One star for the bold, if historically inaccurate, FMC whose confidence might appeal to modern romantasy fans. One star for the potential this book could have had if marketed as a fantasy historical fusion.

But ultimately, this was a bait and switch.

Don’t sell me Darcy and deliver Duke DTF...

As always, this review is mine and mine alone. I don’t believe in tearing down authors, and I hope this is taken in the spirit it’s given: not as an attack, but as a devout Austen fan and dedicated avid reader’s honest reaction to a story that just didn’t deliver what it promised.

We read. We feel. We don’t hate. But we do tell the truth.

🫶🏼 - Ali

Where has this book been my entire life? Miss Rath had it hidden, or I was just simply dumb enough not to find it before, and boy did I devour this spicy piece of Regency goodness.

At twenty-two, Rosalie Harrow is unmarried and near-destitute. She has only two choices: snag a wealthy gentleman, or take work as a governess. Neither option appeals to headstrong Rosalie, who sees both futures as a kind of cage.

When Rosalie gets an invitation to Alcott Hall, she believes she’s only there to meet the dowager Duchess, her late mother’s mysterious childhood friend. But as soon as she arrives, she’s thrust into the middle of a house party full of eligible high-society ladies, all competing to win the hand of the (conveniently single) Duke. Hilarity ensues as Rosalie dodges the Duke’s attention and weathers the judgment of the other guests, all while trying to unravel the mystery of her invitation.

And then there’s the gentlemen…

The more Rosalie tries to avoid the high-society husband hunt, the more she finds herself charmed by three very different men. There’s Lord James, the Duke’s younger brother, who is the true Duke in all but name. Lieutenant Renley, recently returned from the West Indies and begrudgingly searching for a wife of his own. And the tempestuous Mr. Burke, who irks Rosalie to no end.

The clock ticks down the days until the Michaelmas ball, when the Duke is set to announce his choice of bride. Marriage is a trap, and Rosalie will not be easily snared, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy the chase while it lasts.

This is the type of book you need in between heavier reads. The story will palate cleanse you and keep you entertained from start to finish.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Emily Rath, and NetGalley for sending me this book and completely messing with my TBR... because now I need the rest, immediately.

DNF. I did not realize this was a reverse haram style book and those are not for me. The book should be more clearly advertised as such because I did not get that impression when I applied for the book.

This was my first why choose Romance, Rosalie receives an invitation to Alcott Hall, she believes she’s there to meet the Duchess of Norland, the a childhood friend of her late mother. Instead, Rosalie is finds in middle of a house party of eligible high society. Rosalie is not a push over which makes this book a great read as you follow her journey. This book is set in the Regency Era is great for this Reverse Harem book. The characters are unique and interesting for the time period with the twist! The cliffhanger will get you and you will want the 2nd book.

Emily’s regency series was something different for me as I usually don’t tent to like these types (apart from Bridgerton) It took me a while to get into the 3rd person also not my usual go to but once I got in I was impressed with this story!

We meet Rosalie who is down on her luck and straight out of options it would seem. After receiving a personal invitation to meet with the Dowager at Alcott Hall she begins her journey. Obviously there are some great interactions along the way.

When Rosalie arrives at Alcott hall to a party disguised as a matchmaking event for the Duke, she realises she is way out of her depth especially when the society lady decide she is less than worthy but none the less competition and an enemy. As usual there is great banter and character and relationship building that keeps you hooked along the way.

Thankfully this Duke is not one of Rosalie’s love interests but this lucky lady does seem to be receiving the interest of 3 handsome bachelors.first we meet Mr Burke, the son of a steward raised alongside James and is a charming gentlemen. Then we have Lord James Corbin, younger brother of the Duke and lastly we have Lieutenant Tom Renley, the standout in the likeable department looking for a wife and harbouring a broken heart.

I love how Emily brings the story to life and you can really feel what the characters are going through. This being the first in the series I am onto the next to continue the series and I can’t wait to get stuck into the good stuff.

This book was a harder read for me with the regency theme and the 3rd person story telling. Being one of Emily’s earlier works I can appreciate how far she’s come but couldn’t be a diehard fan if I didn’t give the last of her books I havnt read a go and I was not disappointed at all!

25%
Man, Rosalie is taking her position like a champ. I couldn't imagine being in her shoes right now 🥲
I really appreciate the world building. It has been quite nice, everythings been laid out beautifully, not overwhelming.
"You will owe me a favour, redeemable by me at a time and place of my choosing" already kicking my feet ngl.

50%
The slow burn in this book is burning hot 🥵
Everything has picked up during this 1/4 of the book. Every character so far has been very intriguing, and I definitely hope I get to hear more of everyone's story.
"Perhaps on his way through Finchley he'd stop at Doctor Rivers' and have himself checked for tumors or head injury" because God forbid he like a girl 🤣
"Cabbage Rose" OMG NO

75%
EMILY I AM CLUTCHING MY PEARLS AT EXACTLY 74%🫣🥵🫠
There is a lot of symbolism in this book, I think my absolute favourite one is the twin flames between Rose and James.
"He dropped down a step and held out his candle. The New flame flickered into life, expanding the circle of light around them. He watched the twin flames dance in her eyes."

100%
Okay.. a lot to unpack here.
"Eyes on me" yes sir 🫡
"No, I am speaking." YES GIRL, leave no crumbs behind.
The hint of "touch her and die" vibes from Burke 🫠

And THAT ENDING?! WHAT!! How can we just leave it at that cliff hanger?! I am not okay?

I have never been much of a historical fiction fan. However, Emily Rath writes it and my mind is changed. I really truly enjoyed this and will definitely be completing the series.

In Emily Rath's Beautiful Things, desperate Rosalie can either become a governess or marry a wealthy man, but neither choice appeals to her. With little else to do, she accepts an invitation from her mother's old friend, but finds herself in the midst of a competition of sorts for the hand of the Duke. This was not what she expected and she detests the horrid Duke and the fun begins when she catches the attention of three other men and what started as not wanting any man has her wanting the different ones.

I didn't realize this was a poly book when I started and I normally don't like them, but dang, I enjoyed this book. Rosalie is so fun and I enjoyed her immensely and watching her go from being so disinterested to well, maybe, to okay then in regard to Tom, who is still reeling from being jilted until he meets Rosalie, second son James who does all of the work and gets none of the glory, and finally, illegitimate son of the Duke, Burke who finds himself in pretty much the same situation as Rosalie is.

This book is pretty much a big old tease to the second book and I'm here for it. It made me laugh, think that something I would never consider in real life isn't so bad in print, and kept me intrigued and wanting more. I go through periods of reading nothing but historical romance and this is a new one for me and I love that some man isn't sweeping in to try and solve Rosalie's problems. She's smart, knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to assert herself to get that.

I can't wait until the second book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Emily did it again. There isn't a book I haven't devoured by her. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

A historical fiction with Bridgerton vibes. I initially was attracted to the plot, even though it is not my typical read. Overall, I found it cute- just not my favorite genre.

Not my typical read but I'll try anything written by Queen Emily.. and I was not disappointed AT ALL!!!

If you loved Bridgerton and Pride and Prejudice then you'll want to read this one asap.

The plot had me hooked and the spice was definitely spicy.. now excuse while I happily run off into the sunset to read the next book.

Who this book is for: people who love an absolute mess
Who this book is not for: people who demand accuracy in all aspects of their historical romance.

Rosalie Harrow has a mountain of debt, a dearth of family, and no desire to marry whatsoever. When she's summoned to Alcott Hall by her departed mother's former close friend, she has no idea what to expect, or why she's never heard of this friend of her mother's in the first place.

From start to finish, Rosalie's journey is a mess - a carriage ride with far too many people, a broken wheel, a hike in the rain to the local town, and a drunken punch in an alleyway start off Rosalie's story. As a titleless woman with not a penny to her name, Rosalie doesn't expect to attract anyone, let alone charm so many in such a short amount of time.

Reader beware: this book does not have a traditional HEA like a romance demands, but I can only imagine book two will deliver.

Also can I just mention I'm the duke's biggest fan? He's such an irreverent goofball.

As a certified lover of all things Emily Rath and regency/Bridgerton adjacent this book was the perfect combo! Set against a vast estate and rigid rules of Regency England, this steamy historical romance delivers an irresistible mix of scandal, seduction, and subversion. The heroine—spirited, intelligent, and delightfully unapologetic—finds herself at the center of not one, but three captivating gentlemen, each drawn to her in different but equally passionate ways.

What begins as a strategic alliance to protect her reputation soon turns into a whirlwind of desire and forbidden pleasure. The chemistry crackles on every page, and the author doesn’t shy away from the sensual heat, making this a bold and deliciously daring entry in the world of historical erotica.

The reverse harem dynamic is handled with surprising emotional depth, giving each love interest a distinct personality and purpose beyond the bedroom. From a brooding duke to a silver-tongued rake and a soft-hearted sailor, each man brings something different to the table—and the heroine embraces them all with confidence and grace.

A lush, provocative read that challenges societal norms and revels in its freedom, this book is perfect for fans of steamy historicals who like their romance rule-breaking and their heroes plural. The book did leave off on a cliffhanger so I am excited to see how the story plays out.

I thought this was a different book when I requested it, but I’ve already read and it wasn’t for me. I gave it three stars

2 ⭐️

I was really intrigued by the premise and setting. Historical romance isn’t something I usually pick up, but the Bridgerton-style vibes definitely caught my attention. Pairing that with an MMMF dynamic felt like a fresh and interesting choice, and I was curious to see how it would unfold. This also was my first time reading a book by Emily Rath, too.

That said, I found it hard to connect with both the characters and the storyline. There was a lot happening at once, and even though the pacing was a slow burn, it didn’t feel like there was enough time spent building the characters’ emotional connections. The relationships, especially between the three men, didn’t feel fully developed, and I struggled to feel the chemistry I was hoping for.

This also ends on a cliffhanger, as I believe it’s part of a duology. I’m just not sure how I feel about that, especially when I already felt somewhat disconnected from the story. I may continue with the next book, but I haven’t fully decided yet.

While the concept had promise, the execution didn’t quite land for me. Nonetheless, thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc of Beautiful Things.

At twenty-two Rosalie is left penniless and alone, left with her parents debts. With little prospects, she can either take employment as a governess or find a wealthy husband, neither of which appeal to her. After seeing her mother endure an abusive marriage, she's determined never to marry herself. When she's summoned to Alcott Hall by her mother's old friend, the dowager Duchess, she arrives in the midst of a garden party arranged to find the current Duke George a bride. She is given a secret mission and warned away from forming an attachment to the men of the house a she is totally unsuitable for marriage in the Duchess's opinion. But three men find her completely irresistible. James, second son but duke in all but name, is the one running the estate behind the scenes as George wastes his time on women and sport. Burke is an outcast in society with no title or property, living at Alcott by invitation of his best friend James. And Tom Renley, a close friend, is at the party seeking a wealthy bride of his own to buy a captaincy for his career at sea.
A regency romance by the author of one of my favorite hockey romance series, the Jacksonville Rays? Yes, please! I love Jane Austen and this book gives the same vibes with the secret glances and stolen touches in polite society, but also shows the illicit trysts and naughty behavior behind closed doors. And with a cliffhanger ending that makes me so happy that the series is complete and I can read the next one immediately!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't know what I was expecting going into this, but I'm not disappointed about it that's for sure.
I feel like this was the cheeseburger of the world. Quick and easy and satisfying for about 20 minutes before you want another one, and I am glad there is more.

I dnf as personally this book just wasn't for me i found it plain and not to my taste I prefer a more spicy or co.tempory romance this just didn't do it for me

I always love a good why choose book and Emily Rath always delivers a good spicy time. I enjoyed all the characters and thought the setting of regency era was interesting.