Twenty-two year old Rosalie Harrow is penniless, but has no plans to ever chain herself to a husband. When she's surprised by an invite to Alcott Hall, she did not expect to land in the middle of a high-society house party where everyone’s competing to wed the new Duke. Rosalie wants no part of the marriage games, but three intriguing men make avoiding romance harder than she planned.
Bridgerton, but make it why choose. YES, PLEASE! I haven’t read many historical romances, but if they were all light this, they would line my shelves. The slow burn, the longing, the tension, the scandal! I love a good slow burn, especially when the wait is well worth it. This Regency era romance manages to feel innocent yet so forbidden and I could not get enough.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley

Really enjoyed this book, it’s very different to my usual reads but was a nice change.

Will definitely look out for more by this author

4.5 stars! I loved this! I am not normally a romance fan but this had me enthralled. I am a huge Bridgerton fan so I was hooked from the beginning. Rosalie is a great MMC and The three fellas are extraordinary companions. Can't wait to read #2. The twists at the end had my jaw on the ground.

Dying for the next season of Bridgerton but then Emily Rath comes running in with Beautiful Things and now I’m dying for the next book.
The second I started this I was captured, I wanted to better understand each character and how they contributed to the story and I immediately fell in love with Rosalie and her “I don’t give a f*ck” mentality. And don’t get me started on Burke. That man…. We need more of this man!

Rosalie never expected an invitation to Alcott House, let alone one from the Duchess herself. At twenty-two, a commoner with nothing but her mother’s fading memory, she steps into a world of polished halls and whispered secrets, only to discover that her late mother and the Duchess once shared a friendship that ended in silence. The Duchess wants Rosalie to help her son settle into his role, but it is James, the Duchess’s second son, and his friends Tom and Burke, who find themselves irresistibly drawn to Rosalie’s quiet strength.

What I loved most about this book was Rosalie herself—a heroine who knows her mind and does not bend simply because the world around her demands it. She claims space where she stands, and you can’t help but root for her as the past unravels around her. The slow-burn tension with James, Tom, and Burke is delicious, and while I wanted even more poly moments, I’m hopeful book two will deliver the tangled intimacy this setup deserves.

This story wraps the Regency era in a cloak of secrets, longing, and slow-burn want, keeping you turning pages to see which truths will shatter and which will heal. It is not predictable—a rare joy in historical romance—and it left me eager for the next book in The Second Sons series.

Thank you to Kensington publishing and NetGalley for this arc.

Unfortunately, I did end up DNFing this one, but not for any trouble on the authors part. In fact, I think the book is written beautifully. I have just realized that I am not a fan of books written in this time period. They just don’t keep me engaged. But for those who are, I highly recommend as miss emily rath is an amazing author.

Rosalie is a likeable enough fmc but I have yet to get some compelling evidence that she’s worth all the trouble and these three men’s hearts. The duchess sucks and I hope the sequel gives us Rosalie and her harem thriving while the duchess cries into her money all alone. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for an advanced copy of the deluxe version in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. I realized I’m not a fan of books set in this time period, and the POV style just didn’t click with me. That said, I think readers who enjoy historical settings like this and this type of book will probably really enjoy it!

Although I did really enjoy that it was a RH book which is one of my favorite tropes!

This is a fun and fast-paced story that will have you turning pages at top speed! Each MMC has their own motivations that make it believable that it's difficult for Rosalie to choose between them. Rosalie knows what she wants and stands up for her boundaries in a way that is refreshing and not often seen in a regency romance. While this book is by no means an accurate representation of the period (but really what regency romance is?), it's an engaging story that will have you wanting to know what happens next throughout the entire story. I can't wait to read book two!

This is a regency era, why choose romance à la Emily Rath. Think of Bridgerton, but way spicier and funnier. So much fun!

Rosalie, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is invited to Alcott Hall by the dowager duchess of Norfolk, a former friend of her late mother’s. There she meets Burke, the bastard son of a …, James, a viscount and Renley, a lieutenant. Each of these men can’t help but fall for Rosalie’s charms. She’s fierce and uniquely and unapologetically herself.

I’ve been a fan of Emily Rath’s for quite some time and this book did not disappoint. It was so much fun! I loved all of the characters, especially George, the silly and irresponsible Duke of Norfolk.

This special edition is breathtaking. So many details that allude to the story and very classy. The empty cage is on point.

I can’t wait to see where this story will take us next.

A fun, flirty Regency poly/why choose romance with a stunning cover that delivers heat and charm. If you love a Bridgerton-esque drama with a twist, this one’s worth a read.

Rosalie, a smart and captivating heroine, defies the era’s rules, not your typical “wife material” but definitely a magnet for three irresistible men who don’t mind sharing. It’s a fantasy playground with witty humor and steamy moments.

That said, the “why choose” trope felt a bit forced at times, and Rosalie’s freedom loving stance clashes with her jealousy, making the dynamics uneven. The story ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully it is the first in the series.

If you’re into bold heroines, charming bad boys, and some spicy Regency fun with a twist, Beautiful Things is definitely worth a try.
Not really for the traditional crowd, but super entertaining!

I loved loved love the slow burn here.

This continues to enforce why I find Emily Rath to be such a comfort author for me. She writes such readable and engaging stories even in a sub genre I tend to not read a ton.

Beautiful Things by Emily Rath is the first book in The Second Sons series, and if you’re into Bridgerton-style historical romance with a spicy, modern twist—this one’s for you. Think: corsets, carriages, and class tension…with a why choose spin that brings the heat.

This story has it all:
🔥 Forbidden romance
👑 Historical setting with class drama
💫 Why Choose/Reverse Harem dynamics
🏰 Forced proximity & slow-burn tension

The chemistry between the heroine and all three MMCs is off-the-charts, and the emotional build-up is just as satisfying as the spice (and yes—there’s plenty of that!). It’s lush, sexy, and totally addictive.

Perfect for fans of Historical, yet unconventional love story, polyam romance, and regency drama with a bold edge. And book #2 was even better (because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next)!

This book tore me apart, ripped me to shreds and LEFT ME THERE BECAUSE IT WAS A CLIFF HANGER. In all seriousness though I didn’t know there was going to be a second book and I am equally thrilled and devastated.

I truly have no idea how Emily pulled off writing a why choose romance in the regency era. Like genuinely didn’t know how it was possible. When I requested the book, I was crossing my fingers that I would get it because I was genuinely so intrigued.

I genuinely could not tell you which of the three men were my favorite because each one of them was completely perfect on their own. And together? Even better. NGL, I thought my heart was going to break at the end, and I cannot wait to read the second book!

This is my first Emily Rath book & I need the next one to know what happens!!! I didn’t know I needed a Why Choose Regency era book but apparently I did. Great writing. Lots of drama. Slow burn!!! I can't wait to read another novel by Emily Rath! Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc!

Not for me. I decided I do not like this time period for books and I also don’t like the POV. I think for people who like this time period, they’ll really like it though!

3.75 🌟, did enjoy the writing style from this author. And overall the book was really enjoyable. It did take a little bit to get into the book though but overall really enjoyed it

I'll admit, the writing here kept me engaged. I would even go as far as saying that I was entertained.

But nearly 500 pages later, and I still have yet to puzzle out what qualities Rosalie possesses that makes her so alluring to the point of ensnaring a harem of bachelors when she has no definable or developed personality to speak of. And don't get me started on the fact that 2/3 of the men who are part of the harem either insinuate that she's a whore, or boldly call her one to her face. Not the sort of men I'd want participant to my harem, personally, but I suppose that's all well and good for our FMC. Eyeroll.

What a pleasant surprise! If a slow burn, RH, and smutty Bridgerton vibes sounds like a good time to you, then pull up a chair and prepare to be charmed. This was a fun time 🤭🫶🏻❤️

Regency polyamorous romance. Such a pretty cover! It's light, it's fun, it's hot. If you are into regency romance and you are a fan of Bridgerton, this might be something you need to add to your list.

Light spoilers alert 🚨

Our main character Rosalie is beautiful, smart and charismatic, but she is poor so she is not a wife material. BUT! Three gorgeous men are all in love with her. What are the chances of finding three perfect men somewhere in the countryside and they all want you that much that they don't mind sharing? None. 😁 So this is basically a fantasy book.

As I said, it is fun. The author knows how to write romance and the humour is great, but I am not a fan of why choose trope. I want them to choose. And though the author claims everyone is happy with what they have, it is not true at all.

Rosalie wants her freedom more than anything. She doesn't want marriage, but wants Burke, Tom and James. 🦢🌺"A lady can never have too many beautiful things." 🌺🦢 It would be fine, if she wasn't mad and hurt every time they flirted with someone else. You don't want to belong? Then you don't get to own. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Everyone needs to adapt, only Rosalie gets to be whatever she wants. 🙄 And she is not happy. Everything falls apart towards the end. The cliffhanger promises that the story will be continued in the book two. But do I want to read it? Probably not.

I recommend Beautiful Things to you if you want this kind of story. As someone who is not a fan of regency era and why choose trope, this book is not ment for me, and I still had fun reading it.