lily_reads_stuff's review
I'd just about had it with this book by the time I DNFd
There's a lot of internalised misogyny going on here. The main character is supposedly perfection incarnate, not like all those other girls who are of course vapid meanies.
"She said what was on her mind, and she didn’t hold back…but she also didn’t seek to harm. That was rare in a person in general, and virtually unheard of in a woman. For what lady did not secretly live to tear others down?"
The author has given the character the super power of being able to instantly perceive what another person was secretly worrying about in the previous chapter. Men fall in love with her instantly because she's the most beautiful woman in the room. She also gives lots of long winded lectures about how great a person she is, but we don’t really see her doing anything that is kind? In fact we saw her do some distinctly unkind things.
It was also very noticeably just a pastiche of moments from Jane Austen books and movies. I felt like I could see where the author went okay let’s have the carriage scene from Emma, independent walking scene from P&P, muddy disapproval scene from P&P, Colonel Fitzwilliam needs a rich wife walking scene, Lady Catherine interrogation scene, Marianne is a role-reversal of Willoughby etc. I do not necessarily mind this but this does lead on to what is one of the book's greatest flaws.
"She said what was on her mind, and she didn’t hold back…but she also didn’t seek to harm. That was rare in a person in general, and virtually unheard of in a woman. For what lady did not secretly live to tear others down?"
The author has given the character the super power of being able to instantly perceive what another person was secretly worrying about in the previous chapter. Men fall in love with her instantly because she's the most beautiful woman in the room. She also gives lots of long winded lectures about how great a person she is, but we don’t really see her doing anything that is kind? In fact we saw her do some distinctly unkind things.
It was also very noticeably just a pastiche of moments from Jane Austen books and movies. I felt like I could see where the author went okay let’s have the carriage scene from Emma, independent walking scene from P&P, muddy disapproval scene from P&P, Colonel Fitzwilliam needs a rich wife walking scene, Lady Catherine interrogation scene, Marianne is a role-reversal of Willoughby etc. I do not necessarily mind this but this does lead on to what is one of the book's greatest flaws.
I felt that when it came to actually putting in her own content, the steam ran out and the research just wasn’t there. For example there are three different chapters (7, 15, & 31) that start with the words Rosalie woke/Rosalie woke early. The writing shouldn’t be repetitive enough that I actually notice that? The same goes for twitching jaws and cocks. Phrases like robin’s egg blue are jarringly wrong. In England where this story is set, robin eggs are not blue. This is an American phrase and a much later one at that than Regency. In addition, it just reads weird to have English characters use American spelling. I would highly recommend that this author hire someone that has studied British culture of that era to go through their drafts as there are just too many anachronisms. The whole thing felt weirdly wrong.
Urghhh no one had even had sex or declared themselves by the time I DNF'd at 60% (almost 300 pages in) and there's another book to go????
Urghhh no one had even had sex or declared themselves by the time I DNF'd at 60% (almost 300 pages in) and there's another book to go????
writicious's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story and its characters very much. Each love interest has their own merits and I find it difficult to pick a favourite, which is especially great in a reverse harem situation because instead of rooting for one guy I’m rooting for all of them
bibliophile_amandavdm's review
5.0
If this doesn’t hit the Bestseller Charts, I will be shocked!
If I could give this story 10/5 I would. Thankfully this is my review so I will.
Chapter 1 and I was enraptured! Rosalie is an fierce independent woman that doesn’t need a man to protect her or further her desires for the world. An orphan, her aunt sends her to Alcott Hall on request of the Dowager Duchess of Norland, who was close friends with her mother in their younger years.
Nearing the end of her joinery the carriage breaks down and rather than wait around (and put up with the handsy solicitor) she sets off on foot to town. It is here at the pub while stuck waiting for her trunks that she has an unfortunate incident with the town drunk, Alfie. Thankfully her left hook works just fine before she meets the mysterious man who doesn’t need to come to her rescue.
I loved getting to know Rosalie’s character over the story. Having no money or prospects beyond her character, and no desire to marry, she is a Lady in all but name. She is unafraid to speak her mind and of her wants, even when they slip beyond what would be proper. But can hold herself as dignified as the rest of the ladies. Listening to her frank conversations with the Dowager Duchess and putting those that speak ill of herself and others in their place. She quickly grabs the attentions of not only Mr Burke but also Lord James and Lieutenant Renley.
You will be holding your breath with every near touch and stolen kiss. The tension seeps off the page and the steam is fierce! And really… why choose 1 man to enjoy your affections when you can have all 3. By the end of the book you will be gasping for more!
I am bursting at the seems for book 2. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your ARC team.
If I could give this story 10/5 I would. Thankfully this is my review so I will.
Chapter 1 and I was enraptured! Rosalie is an fierce independent woman that doesn’t need a man to protect her or further her desires for the world. An orphan, her aunt sends her to Alcott Hall on request of the Dowager Duchess of Norland, who was close friends with her mother in their younger years.
Nearing the end of her joinery the carriage breaks down and rather than wait around (and put up with the handsy solicitor) she sets off on foot to town. It is here at the pub while stuck waiting for her trunks that she has an unfortunate incident with the town drunk, Alfie. Thankfully her left hook works just fine before she meets the mysterious man who doesn’t need to come to her rescue.
I loved getting to know Rosalie’s character over the story. Having no money or prospects beyond her character, and no desire to marry, she is a Lady in all but name. She is unafraid to speak her mind and of her wants, even when they slip beyond what would be proper. But can hold herself as dignified as the rest of the ladies. Listening to her frank conversations with the Dowager Duchess and putting those that speak ill of herself and others in their place. She quickly grabs the attentions of not only Mr Burke but also Lord James and Lieutenant Renley.
You will be holding your breath with every near touch and stolen kiss. The tension seeps off the page and the steam is fierce! And really… why choose 1 man to enjoy your affections when you can have all 3. By the end of the book you will be gasping for more!
I am bursting at the seems for book 2. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your ARC team.
hollyxo's review
5.0
I loved this book, I cannot wait for the 2nd one to come out. The concept is very unusual for the time period which is what drew me in, and it works! If you are still debating to read it or not, please give it a go, you won't be disappointed ❤️
wendyreadsforfun's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book opens with this Author note - “This is not your grandmothers Regency romance”. And boy is that true! It was a million times better and spicier!!!! And can you say “why choose”?!?! And MMMF 🤭
Our female main character is Rosalie, an orphaned twenty-something with no title, no dowry and no desire to be married. When she is invited to stay at the Duchess’ she meets her younger son James and his friends Burke and Tom. And they all make her feel all the things.
Beautiful Things was a slow burn that I couldn’t put down. The writing was outstanding and the main characters were so interesting and likeable! And make sure you have book 2 reading because the ending is 😱
Our female main character is Rosalie, an orphaned twenty-something with no title, no dowry and no desire to be married. When she is invited to stay at the Duchess’ she meets her younger son James and his friends Burke and Tom. And they all make her feel all the things.
Beautiful Things was a slow burn that I couldn’t put down. The writing was outstanding and the main characters were so interesting and likeable! And make sure you have book 2 reading because the ending is 😱
aldridge's review
3.0
5 Star Read Except for That Cliffhanger
I must have missed it originally when I read through what this book is about and that is my own fault. Upon finishing the book I went back to read through the synopsis again and found that it does state that this is book one of two. However, that phrase doesn't necessarily mean that a book ends with a cliffhanger and could mean that it is part of a series. Nowhere does it explicitly state that this book A: ends on a cliffhanger so you will need to purchase the second book to get any sort of resolution or B: that the second book will not be released until late August 2022.
I don't mind a series, I dont mind a continuation, but I despise a cliffhanger, and even more I hate when that poor excuse for a writing device - that is meant only to force readers to make yet another purchase - is not openly and expressly disclosed.
It's a shame because up until that point I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 5 stars.
I must have missed it originally when I read through what this book is about and that is my own fault. Upon finishing the book I went back to read through the synopsis again and found that it does state that this is book one of two. However, that phrase doesn't necessarily mean that a book ends with a cliffhanger and could mean that it is part of a series. Nowhere does it explicitly state that this book A: ends on a cliffhanger so you will need to purchase the second book to get any sort of resolution or B: that the second book will not be released until late August 2022.
I don't mind a series, I dont mind a continuation, but I despise a cliffhanger, and even more I hate when that poor excuse for a writing device - that is meant only to force readers to make yet another purchase - is not openly and expressly disclosed.
It's a shame because up until that point I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 5 stars.
guiltlesspleasures's review
Just SO badly written, especially the dialogue. I don’t demand exact historical accuracy from my regencies, but having a character say “So what’s the deal with this house party then?” was the last straw.
truesy's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0