A lush, slow burn, regency romance that will have you wanting balls. Yes, that kind too.

I haven't read a regency romance in a hot second and love that Emily Rath is re-publishing this one. Emily does an amazing job keeping the story true to the time period. It feels like we're living inside Bridgerton or the halls of Downton Abbey during its glory days.

The characters are so well considered and complex.
The banter between our FMC Rosalie and her three suitors is hilarious.
The atmosphere is rich and lush

Also when I say slow burn I mean SLOW. I think it takes to 50% for a kiss and 70% for a second kiss. In a 450+ page book, that's a wait, but the story is worth it.

HOWEVER! This ends on a cliffhanger before the why choose, starts why choosing. I'd say this is a budding why choose or the early start to what will be a while choose. I was disappointed that I was expecting a fully fleshed out why choose romance in 450+ pages, but didn't get it. No where in the tropes by the author or in the description for this book does it say cliffhanger or budding/start of a why choose, which I think would have been helpful background.

Pick this up if you want
👗 Regency romance
👗 SLOW burn
👗 First in a series
👗 Lush atmosphere
👗 Three MMCs to choose from
👗 Hilarious banter

I CANNOT wait for the next one in this series. I think I'll like it even more than this one.

This book is best read while a sketching a rakish rogue and his two hot best friends.

Thank you to Hambright PR, Kensington, and the author for the advance reader copy. These opinions are my own.

This was my second read of this book. I love historical romances, so I am delighted that a strongly feminist, why choose historical romance exists.

Rosalie doesn't want to get married because she has seen how poorly a bad marriage can work out for women who are dependent on the men in their lives. But that doesn't stop her from feeling attraction. Each of the three men, James, Renley, and Burke, are well described. Their decision to pursue their mutual attraction comes a bit suddenly. But the messiness of the mutual relationships is told very well. And it does a great job showing the different constraints of societal positions and being a woman or a second son.

The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger with a sequel to complete the story. I'm hopeful it will have as beautiful a deluxe edition as this story did.

I've always enjoyed historical romance and reading about the women that tried to make a difference in how they were treated in that era. Rosalie has that spark that makes her stand out and wins her the attention of three handsome men and one mysterious benefactor. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and their backstories. They've created a little found family and I'm excited to read more about them in the next book!

When you want a Bridgerton-esque book but make it a reverse harem as well! This was a regency romance that I didn't know I needed. It left me with all the feels! Rosalie has recently come to Alcott upon the request of the duchess herself. Rosalie is kind, smart, independent, witty, and is not afraid to speak her mind. She has captured the interest of 3 men - Burke, James, and Tom (Renley). Burke is the fun-loving MMC, who loves to jest and is completely smitten with Rosalie since the first time he laid eyes on her. Tom is a naval captain, who has cultivated an intimate friendship with Rosalie. And James is the second son of the duke. He's our broody MMC who is trying to resist his feelings. All of them are absolutely smitten with Rosalie. The three men have a great friendship and the banter between the three of them are great. I like the idea complexity of the individual relationships with Rosalie. There are a lot of different layers and it adds to the depth of each character. I really didn't know I needed this read, but I love that it caught me by surprise. Overall, this was a great regency romance that you just didn't realize you needed.

Thank you NetGalley, Hambright PR, and Emily Rath for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

This story was so much fun! I’ve never read a regency romance that is why-choose, and the combination was very entertaining. I loved learning about each character, and I adored the banter and antics throughout the story! I started the second book immediately after finishing this one!!! I am thrilled to see where the story goes next. I cannot wait to see Rosalie’s relationship with each guy grow.

Read if you love:
- regency romance
- why choose
- only one horse
- found family
- slow burn

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was one of my most favorite reads of the year! I am all in for any book that gives off those Pride & Prejudice and Bridgerton vibes. This book had all of that and more. It was giving slow burn, ultimate yearning, swoony spice, and a whole lot of witty banter as well. This is a why choose romance and it is one of the first why choose stories I have read. Emily Rath did an amazing job bringing this regency era story to life with the main characters Rosalie, Burke, Tom, and James. If you like being yanked in 20 different directions when it comes to who chooses who and who you wish would choose who, you will not be disappointed in this book! Of course it ended on a cliffy so I am very much looking forward to book 2 in the Second Sons series! Thank you very much to Hambright PR and Emily Rath for sending me a physical early copy of this book. It was amazing!

If you've ever watched Bridgerton and fallen for all the MMCs and thought to yourself "you know what? I'll take them all," then you need to read this book lol! You get a regency romance but with all fun and delight of a why choose romance all in one book! Plus we have forced proximity, forbidden romance, witty banter, and plenty of tension to go around. It has multiple POVs which I really like, and it’s in third person but that didn’t disconnect me from the story at all. I ate this book up and will absolutely be reading book 2!

💖 Beautiful Things by Emily Rath 💖

Regency romance + why choose?? Say less. 💅

Emily Rath served us a tall glass of mutual yearning, longing glances, and words like breeches — I sipped up every second of it.

Rosalie is invited to Alcott Hall for a few weeks of parties, so the immature Duke can finally pick a wife and settle. The Duchess has other plans in mind for Rosalie, though a no status woman like her is not for the Duke, so why was she invited? 🤭

Immediately, the men are all obsessed with her. The women all hate her(minus a few).

Burke, James, and Tom? ALL down bad. James can lie to himself all he wants — we saw it, babe 😏

This book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and blushing over every interaction 🤭

AND THE ENDING??? Book 2 is immediately needed ❤️‍🔥

RATINGS
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶🌶
Readability: 📚📚📚📚📚

Beautiful Things is the first book in the Second Sons series and as was norm at the time, when a gentlewoman was down on her luck, she had two options open to her – marry for money or become a governess. Neither option appealed to our adventurous heroine Miss Rosalie Harrow so when she received an invite to a house party supposedly from a friend of her late mother she decided to attend only to end up in what can only be compared to a regency version of love island with the prize being marriage to the eligible Duke. Unfortunately for Rosalie she was more attracted to his younger brother Lord James, Lieutenant Renley, an officer who is as they say ‘in want of a wealthy wife’ and the wealthy Mr Burke – shades of Mr Darcy when it comes to him who annoys Rosalie no end so that makes him the obvious front runner when it comes to winning her heart – well a girl’s gotta have options doesn’t she!

As a fan of this author's hockey romances, which I loved, when I heard they were turning their hand to historical romance I was excited to dive in when I heard about them.But while I enjoyed the overall concept, a few elements didn't quite sit well with me, particularly the slightly modern phrasing in the characters' dialogue at times which disrupted the narrative flow and made the heroine Rosalie feel almost ahead of her time. I did love her feisty nature though. Ultimately, I decided to sit back, appreciate Rosalie and her suitors antics, and enjoy Beautiful Things for what it was – a slow-burning, regency romp albeit one that ended on a cliffhanger.

This book completely swept me away! It gave me that same heady, romantic feeling I got watching Bridgerton for the first time — but with a spicier, modern twist. I loved the layered relationships, the tension, and especially the multiple POVs that let me sink into each character’s perspective.

It’s a fresh take on Regency romance, so if you're a purist for historical accuracy and language, this might not be for you- but if you're open to a bold, contemporary spin with depth, drama, and desire, it’s an addictive read. This is my first Emily Rath book, and definitely not my last. I can't wait for the next in the duet!

Okay, it's Emily Rath, let's go. But it's Emily Rath set in regency times? Isn't she too spicy for this era? Turns out, she is the exact right amount of spicy for the era.

Emily Rath hooked me with her Jacksonville Rays series, but she solidified her skill set in this one. The wit, the banter, the TENSION. I will say, this book is definitely more tension than action between our group, but again, the era. And I was living for the tension. The depth in each of these characters, and we've only cracked the surface of the relationship(s).

Also, ma'am. That ending. Jaw on the floor.

This new cover for this book is absolutely gorgeous and I am so glad I got a copy from Emily and Hambright PR to review! Time to start book two!

A gloriously flirty, slow-burn Regency romance with a modern spark and three swoon-worthy men — I was hooked from page one.

Rosalie Harrow has no interest in finding a husband — and yet somehow ends up at a country house party full of eligible bachelors and scandalous tension. She’s smart, stubborn, and just chaotic enough to charm (and frustrate) everyone around her. Throw in a brooding scholar, a charming lieutenant, and a certain infuriatingly attractive gentleman… and you’ve got a love triangle (or square?) that is impossible to resist.

Beautiful Things is everything I want in a historical romance: clever banter, simmering tension, and a heroine who refuses to play by society’s rules. The gothic-tinged manor setting, the secretive invitations, the ballroom politics — it’s all delicious.

Romantic, steamy, and so much fun — this book swept me away.

i think i’m in my regency era era 🥵

rosalie harrow comes from very little and presently has even less.

when she is propositioned by the dowager duchess of norland, an old friend of her late mother, to become her ward, take on the role of duchess in all but name, and be her spy on the inside while she attempts to marry off the duke, her eldest son george, rosalie cannot imagine a better opportunity for herself.

what rosalie didn’t imagine was lord james, the dowager’s second son, who plays the role of the duke in all but name. the way he looks at her with such frustration can only mean contempt or desire, and rosalie isn’t sure she’s ready to find out.

what rosalie certainly didn’t imagine was burke, lord james’ oldest friend and brother in all but name, who’s hands and eyes can’t seem to stay off of her, or the way hers seem to be having the same issue with him.

what rosalie couldn’t possibly have imagined was tom renley, the third in james and burke’s trio, a naval lieutenant, who desperately needs to marry wealthy in order to secure a higher ranking, but loses sight of such goals when he gains sight of her.

and what i’m certain no one saw coming is that maybe, just maybe, rosalie won’t have to choose.

this is a why choose, regency era, rh romance that leaves off on a significant cliffhanger and begs that you go directly into the second, “his grace, the duke.”

i looooved this book so much more than i anticipated. i love the regency era setting which was my main concern when going into it. the characters are so well written and all have such different motivations (other than their one in common.) i truly fell head first into this story and cannot wait to read the other two.

I really enjoyed this read. It was ridiculous and scandalous in the best way.

Rosalie is invited by the duchess to stay while her son is searching for a proper wife. Rose definitely doesn't meet the standard of proper but takes the interest in Burke, James and Renley.

The spice was delicious but also tame in comparison to what I thought it would be. Great tension and banter. Would definitely continue the series.

This was a delightful surprise. Set in Regency England, it’s a spicy, slow-burn romance featuring a bold, modern heroine who refuses to be confined by society. Rosalie Harrow is sharp, funny, and fiercely independent. The story revolves around her interactions with three very different but equally charming men, adding a reverse harem element that kept me hooked. The pacing starts slow but gradually becomes truly engaging. The clever writing and witty banter make it stand out. Can’t wait for book two!

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.”