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Beautiful Things

Book 1 in the series:Second Sons

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In the book 'Beautiful Things' by Emily Rath, readers are introduced to Rosalie, a strong and independent woman living in regency England. Unexpectedly invited to Alcott House by the duchess, Rosalie finds herself entangled in the lives of the duchess' sons - the second son and his two friends. As their paths cross, relationships are built, and tensions rise, leading to unexpected twists and romantic entanglements. The book is praised for its strong female lead, engaging plot, witty banter, and unique take on regency romance with a reverse harem twist.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Rosalie exhibiting strong independence and vulnerability, while the male leads each bring unique charms and flaws.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is witty and engaging, mixing traditional regency elements with contemporary touches, despite some anachronisms in language.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers around Rosalie, a commoner navigating unexpected relationships and secrets as she encounters the duchess's sons, leading to romantic tensions and complications.

Setting:

Set in Regency England, the backdrop reflects historical nuances with a modern twist, although it includes some language that feels out of place.

Pacing:

Pacing is initially slow to develop character relationships but accelerates towards key plot moments, ending with a gripping cliffhanger.

Notes:

Beautiful Things by Emily Rath is set in Regency England and features a strong female protagonist named Rosalie.
Rosalie is characterized as confident, independent, and unwilling to be caged by societal expectations.
The book employs a reverse harem trope, where Rosalie becomes romantically involved with multiple male characters.
The story is told from different third-person points of view, making it feel seamless despite the shifts in focus.
The male main characters include Burke, Tom, and James, each with distinct personalities and roles in the story.
Burke is compared to Heathcliff, while James is described as a typical aristocrat with a stick-up-his-bum demeanor despite being relatable.
The pacing has a slow burn romance due to the era but builds up to a satisfying climax with emotional tension and witty banter.
The book includes some modern language that felt out of place in the historical context, raising some criticisms.
It ends on a cliffhanger, encouraging readers to continue to the sequel.
The series, Second Sons, is available on Kindle Unlimited and recommended for those who enjoy historical romances with a contemporary twist.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The content warnings include themes of jealousy and some anachronistic language that may distract readers accustomed to historical accuracy.

Has Romance?

There is a high presence of romance throughout the story, with significant focus on the romantic dynamics among the characters.

From The Publisher:

At twenty-two, Rosalie Harrow is unmarried and near destitute. She has 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 receives an invitation to Alcott Hall, she believes she's there to meet the Dowager Duchess of Norland, the mysterious childhood friend of her late mother. Instead, Rosalie is thrust in the middle of a house party of eligible high society ladies all desperate to win the hand of the new, conveniently single duke. Hilarity ensues as Rosalie dodges the attentions of the officious duke, and weathers the censure 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 secret duke in all but name. Lieutenant Renley, recently returned from the West Indies, and begrudgingly looking for a wife of his own. And the tempestuous Mr. Burke, who irks Rosalie to no end.

The clock ticks down the days to the Michaelmas ball, when the duke is set to announce his 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.

BEAUTIFUL THINGS is a steamy, slow burn romance set in the Regency era. The female main character has multiple suitors and she won't settle for just one in the end. All the main characters are in their twenties.

Note: This is book one of two. Book one ends on a slight cliffhanger.

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1 comment(s)

Loved It
5 months

She had 3 men on lockdown. What a woman 😂 this book is a page turner. Like who will she choose?? I need to know!

 
 
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