What Am I Reading Wednesday (23 Nov. 2022)

How long has it been since we've done a What Am I Reading Wednesday post?

Don't answer that!

The point is, it's time for a new one and today we're talking about the first book in Emily Rath's Second Sons series:

Title: Beautiful Things 

Author: Emily Rath

First Reading: Yes! I wish I could remember which of my writer friends on Instagram first introduced me to Emily, but it was just a few weeks before Beautiful Things debuted. (When I figure out who that person was, I'll thank them!)

Initial Impression: I'd never read a "why choose" story before, but as soon as I saw it described in one of Emily's posts as "the Mr. Darcy handflex gets a novel", I was on board!

Final Thoughts: Emily has that rare writer ability to build a world around the reader without them even realizing it. The world she's created is rich and character-driven, (My favorite kind!), and I appreciated the attention to detail when it came to setting a "why choose" romance in an era with strict social rules and limited options for ensuring all partners' safety. Long story short, I'm hooked!

 
[CW: parent death (off page); history of past childhood trauma, to include CSA (discussed, not shown); stress/depression related insomnia; Regency era social and gender norms to include sexism and classism; detailed sex scenes.]

*****

Book Synopsis:

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.

[BUY LINK]

*****

About the Author:

My name is Emily Rath (pronounced just like wrath). I write swoony, cinematic, character-driven  fantasies and romances. I like to describe my writing as “adult characters and themes written with YA pacing and voice.” Soooo, basically I write New Adult….which I firmly believe is a thing. You can expect my books to have big casts of characters, lots of drama, lots of kissing, and unpredictable magic.

I currently live in Florida with my husband, son, and cat (who guest stars in my toks). We regularly comb the local beaches looking for shark teeth.  Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @emilyrathbooks

(Book synopsis, author bio & photo source: https://emilyrathbooks.com/) 

(Emily's backup Instagram account: @authoremilyrath)

*****

[Top Image: A stack of books sits on a polished wooden table. Leaning against the stack is an e-reader showing the cover of Beautiful Things by Emily Rath. A white woman in a dark pink Regency Era dress, black gloves, and pearl necklace stands with her back to us. She's looking off to the side, so we only see her profile from the nose down. Her hair is swept up, out of frame. In front of her is a lake, and in the distance stands a large country manor.]