Beautiful Things by Emily Rath

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Beautiful Things (Second Sons #1) — ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 Stars)

Author: Emily Rath
Series: Second Sons (Book 1)
Genre: Regency Romance / Reverse Harem / Historical Romance

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNINGS

  • Explicit sexual content

  • Strong language (many, many F-bombs)

  • Emotional manipulation

  • Parental abuse (past)

  • Classism

  • Infidelity themes

  • Power imbalance

  • Alcohol use

🚨 FULL SPOILER WARNING 🚨

This review contains a complete, start-to-finish plot summary, including the ending and series setup. Proceed at your own risk. 😈📖

✨ Overview: What Is Beautiful Things About?

Beautiful Things is the debut novel from Emily Rath and the opening act of her Second Sons series. It’s a spicy Regency-era romance that blends Bridgerton-style aesthetics, modern dialogue, and an unapologetically horny heroine who inspires… intense devotion from nearly every man in her orbit.

We follow Rosalie Harrow, age 22, broke, sharp-tongued, sexually confident, and freshly summoned to a duke’s estate—where she quickly becomes the emotional, political, and erotic center of the household.

Did I go in with expectations? Nope.
Was I surprised? Yes.
Was I also frequently like, “This is ridiculous”? …also yes. 😅

🏰 Plot Summary (FULL & COMPLETE)

🚞 Arrival at Alcott Hall (Ch. 1–5)

Near-destitute Rosalie travels by public coach to Alcott Hall after receiving a mysterious summons from the Dowager Duchess of Norland. Along the way:

  • A coach breaks down.

  • A man gets drunk and handsy.

  • Rosalie breaks his nose with a left hook. Iconic behavior. 💅

  • She meets Burke, charming and flirtatious, who escorts her to the estate.

  • She also meets James Corbin, broody estate manager, and Lieutenant Tom Renley, a naval officer.

  • Twist: Burke lets Rosalie believe James is the Duke… as a prank.

Welcome to chaos.

💰 The Spy Deal (Ch. 6–10)

The Dowager Duchess reveals why Rosalie is there:

  • She has paid all of Rosalie’s family debts and medical bills.

  • In return, Rosalie must spy on the eligible ladies at a house party and help select a bride for the scandalous Duke, George Corbin.

  • Rosalie agrees, because survival > pride.

James immediately distrusts her. Sparks fly. Suspicion simmers. 👀

🎭 Pranks, Secrets, and Sexual Tension (Ch. 11–20)

Rosalie meets the house guests:

  • Lady Olivia Rutledge (mean, entitled, exhausting)

  • Blanche Oswald (silly, harmless)

  • Lady Madeline (sweet, shy, desperately needs protecting)

Key developments:

  • Burke confesses he’s an illegitimate son, raised out of charity.

  • Rosalie pranks Olivia by salting her tea—almost getting a footman fired.

  • Burke demands Rosalie flirt with Renley as repayment for helping fix the fallout.

  • Renley’s mysterious past love, Marianne, hangs heavily over him.

🏞️ Naked Men & Emotional Cracks (Ch. 21–30)

Things escalate:

  • Rosalie and Madeline stumble upon James and Burke swimming naked.

  • The Dowager Duchess offers Rosalie a shocking position: “shadow duchess”—essentially running the estate while George lives freely.

  • Rosalie bonds with James during a swan attack (yes, really 🦢).

  • A piano duet between Rosalie and Burke stuns the household and cements their undeniable chemistry.

💋 First Kisses & Physical Escalation (Ch. 31–41)

  • Rosalie catches the Duke with a maid and injures herself escaping.

  • James nearly kisses her—interrupted.

  • Rosalie falls from her horse; Burke kisses her passionately in the field.

  • Burke sneaks into Rosalie’s room for a midnight oil massage that ends in mutual release—but no kiss unless she asks. Control issues abound.

🎩 The Hat Game & Emotional Fallout (Ch. 42–46)

The Duke reveals:

  • He and his friends drew names from a hat to choose his bride.

  • Rosalie’s name was drawn first.

She is (rightfully) furious.
Rosalie declares she will never marry and reveals the Duchess’ manipulations.
Later, she comforts a humiliated Lady Olivia, urging her to reclaim her strength.

🌧️ The Triad (Ch. 47–51)

  • The Nash twins arrive and distract the Duke.

  • Renley forgives Marianne but doesn’t propose.

  • Rosalie kisses Renley in the rain 🌧️

  • Burke demands his own kiss.

  • All three retreat to a storage room and begin a secret triad relationship, agreeing it’s just a “dream.”

Sure, Jan. 😏

💔 Jealousy & Betrayal (Ch. 52–59)

  • Burke lashes out in jealousy.

  • Rosalie reveals her abusive childhood.

  • The Duchess commands Burke to marry Lady Olivia to settle blackmail.

  • Rosalie kisses James after a heated argument.

  • Burke apologizes; he and Rosalie confess love and sleep together.

💃 The Ball & The Escape (Ch. 60–63)

At the Michaelmas Ball:

  • Marianne returns and reclaims Renley.

  • The Duke announces his engagement to Piety Nash.

  • He also announces Burke’s engagement to Lady Olivia.

  • Rosalie is devastated.

She flees.
James follows.
They escape Alcott Hall together in a midnight carriage to London—setting up Book 2.

🤔 My Thoughts

For a debut novel, this was genuinely impressive in scope, pacing, and confidence. That said:

  • The chemistry felt mostly physical, not emotional.

  • Everyone being obsessed with Rosalie felt… convenient.

  • The tone is VERY modern for Regency England.

  • It’s often absurd—and not always in a charming way.

This was also my first Regency romance, and I’m honestly not sure the subgenre is for me. Still, credit where credit’s due: Emily Rath swung big.

⭐ Final Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Entertaining. Bold. Messy. Frequently ridiculous.
But memorable—and I am curious where the series goes. 👀📚

📚 If You Liked Beautiful Things, Try:

  • Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

  • Neon Gods by Katee Robert

  • A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

  • The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham

💬 Have you read this one?
Were you swooning… or side-eyeing?
Let’s talk. 😈📖

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